Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
CLAIRE DE LUNE, Christine Johnson's debut novel, is a good but not standout addition to werewolf lit. The simple way that this twist on werewolf lore is presented will make it a quick and satisfying read to ardent werewolf lovers, though it will have a tougher time winning the hearts of others.
In CLAIRE DE LUNE, Christine Johnson introduces us to a different type of paranormal world, in which only females can be werewolves. It's not a feminist book, per se, but the dynamic that this sets up allows Claire to grow into a strong and self-reliant girl/werewolf. Here, it's the girl protecting the boy, not the usual way around.
Having a girl be the strength in a relationship would be a great story, but the book unfortunately never fully lives up to its potential. Outside of Claire, I found the characters difficult to get to know, most of them only fitting "roles" expected to appear in a paranormal romance. I never found myself fully immersed in Claire's family dynamics, with her mother's Type A "bad parent" personality and their rather inconsequential au pair (who's more a red herring than a useful character, perhaps?). And all of Matthew's father's supposedly malevolent machinations and campaign against werewolves remained in the distant background and never fully took on immediacy.
I guess I'm just sort of extra cynical when it comes to paranormal romances nowadays: it's going to take a lot to make something stand out for me. CLAIRE DE LUNE never reaches that point for me, but I have no doubt that it will find its audience as scores of werewolf lovers prowl the shelves for something equally supernatural and romantic after watching Twilight for the twenty-eighth time.
In CLAIRE DE LUNE, Christine Johnson introduces us to a different type of paranormal world, in which only females can be werewolves. It's not a feminist book, per se, but the dynamic that this sets up allows Claire to grow into a strong and self-reliant girl/werewolf. Here, it's the girl protecting the boy, not the usual way around.
Having a girl be the strength in a relationship would be a great story, but the book unfortunately never fully lives up to its potential. Outside of Claire, I found the characters difficult to get to know, most of them only fitting "roles" expected to appear in a paranormal romance. I never found myself fully immersed in Claire's family dynamics, with her mother's Type A "bad parent" personality and their rather inconsequential au pair (who's more a red herring than a useful character, perhaps?). And all of Matthew's father's supposedly malevolent machinations and campaign against werewolves remained in the distant background and never fully took on immediacy.
I guess I'm just sort of extra cynical when it comes to paranormal romances nowadays: it's going to take a lot to make something stand out for me. CLAIRE DE LUNE never reaches that point for me, but I have no doubt that it will find its audience as scores of werewolf lovers prowl the shelves for something equally supernatural and romantic after watching Twilight for the twenty-eighth time.
Reviewed by Andrea for TeensReadToo.com
The night of Claire Benoit's sixteenth birthday changes her life and world forever. That's the night that she learns she is a werewolf. She also learns that all werewolves are females and that killing humans is against the rules of the pack.
But there is a rogue werewolf that has been doing just that. And the killings are effecting the relationship with her crush, Matthew - whose father is heading up a werewolf hunt. She must keep her new-found life a secret from Matthew and her best friend.
Nothing will ever be the same again!
While I have seen this book on many blogger's WoW or Wish List posts, I hadn't read any reviews of the book, so I went into reading the story with no idea of what it would be like. And that was kind of refreshing for a change.
There wasn't too much action in this book - mostly just little snippets at the beginning of some chapters and towards the end. I definitely think it's a book driven by characters. There is some suspense and wonder about who the rogue werewolf is, but it's mostly about how Claire deals with learning about her future as a werewolf and about dealing with a first love. I really liked both Claire and her boyfriend, Matthew. They both seemed like such real teenagers.
When you get to the end of the book, there are two ways that the story could go. One that would be heartbreaking and one that would be a happily-ever-after. I won't give away what happens, but I like the choice that author Christine Johnson made.
The night of Claire Benoit's sixteenth birthday changes her life and world forever. That's the night that she learns she is a werewolf. She also learns that all werewolves are females and that killing humans is against the rules of the pack.
But there is a rogue werewolf that has been doing just that. And the killings are effecting the relationship with her crush, Matthew - whose father is heading up a werewolf hunt. She must keep her new-found life a secret from Matthew and her best friend.
Nothing will ever be the same again!
While I have seen this book on many blogger's WoW or Wish List posts, I hadn't read any reviews of the book, so I went into reading the story with no idea of what it would be like. And that was kind of refreshing for a change.
There wasn't too much action in this book - mostly just little snippets at the beginning of some chapters and towards the end. I definitely think it's a book driven by characters. There is some suspense and wonder about who the rogue werewolf is, but it's mostly about how Claire deals with learning about her future as a werewolf and about dealing with a first love. I really liked both Claire and her boyfriend, Matthew. They both seemed like such real teenagers.
When you get to the end of the book, there are two ways that the story could go. One that would be heartbreaking and one that would be a happily-ever-after. I won't give away what happens, but I like the choice that author Christine Johnson made.
** My copy is actually a hardcover copy, but for some reason I cannot seem to get this book to post in hardcover.
PS, I was not a fan.
PS, I was not a fan.
