Hemlock

Author: Kathleen Peacock
Goodreads Rating: 4.01
Pages: 404
Format: ARC for Secret Readers

Fans of Maggie Stiefvater and the hit television show True Blood will flock to this first book in the supernatural mystery series set in a town where werewolves live in plain sight.
Mackenzie Dobson's life has been turned upside down since she vowed to hunt her best friend Amy's killer: a white werewolf. Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country, and bloodlust is not easy to control. But it soon becomes clear that dangerous secrets are lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, Mac's hometown—and she is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her in grave danger.
Kathleen Peacock's thrilling debut novel provides readers with a mystery that Kimberly Derting, author of The Body Finder, calls "clever and frightening," while Sophie Jordan, New York Times bestselling author of Firelight, raves: "Forget every werewolf book you've ever read. This one breaks the mold."

This book was selected for me during the Secret Reader Program Hannah and I are running. If you're not sure what it is, you can find out about signing up for September here. Anyway, this book was picked for me and I'm really glad that it was. I had been interested in reading this book because I've heard that it was just like Veronica Mars with Werewolves. I loved Veronica Mars and though that it was cut short too soon.

That being said, I felt that it was a little bit too like Veronica Mars. Down to a memory of spinning around with prom dresses, some things were just a little too similar, which bummed me our because I was looking for this renewed vigor, but instead my mind kept dictating scenes that each one reminded me of.

This was the only flaw though. I loved how the werewolves were incorporated into the story and how she created this whole story with the Werewolves and their lives. I'm excited to learn more about them and see how Peacock is going to take werewolves and make them her own creation. I did adore Mac although I felt that she found herself in dangerous situations all the time.

I felt that each of her relationships were realistic. I was a little bummed that "Love" was thrown around a few times, but I can try to forgive it because of who it was. Either way, I cannot wait to check out the next book which I got lucky enough to snag when I went to ALA! Thanks for picking such an awesome book Secret Reader!

The Courts Decision: