Hemlock

If I could describe Hemlock in one word, it would be "stunn

If I could describe Hemlock in one word, it would be "stunning". Seriously, this book blew me away with its lush descriptions, perfectly flawed characters, unforeseeable twists and turns, a believable romance, and fear-inspiring villans. After I finished, I wanted to flip it right over and start again!

I wasn't sure what to expect upon turning the first page of this book. I adore Urban Fantasies, but have never been big on werewolves. It obviously requires a certain suspension of rationality to believe that a virus can cause bones to shift, hair to grow, and a biped to transform into a quadriped. However, I was completely happy to hand over my brain and my heart to Kathleen Peacock and become like putty in her hands.

The humans-turned-werewolves in Hemlock were sympathetic and relateable. After all, they're not just evil fairytale creatures out for blood. They're regular human beings who were unfortunate enough to contract the virus that changes their life forever. They are cast out from society and stripped free of their human rights. Society as a whole has slapped a big label on werewolves, with "VICIOUS" written across, and the hatred towards these "creatures" is on the rise. The subtle but effective message within the pages of Hemlock on the dangers of prejudice and judgment is a much-needed one in today's social climate.

I really adored all of the characters in Hemlock, even the bad guys and the secondary characters. They each played their part well and were very well-written. I enjoyed the friendship that was portrayed between Mac, Kyle, Jason, and Amy. I had a group of friends like that in high school, and the similarities are eerie! Mac was such a fierce character, and I really felt for all of the highs and lows she went through. I like to fancy that she's a bit like me, in that she wants to "save" everyone from themselves, and tries to see the best in even the worst of people. I loved how Kathleen handled the love triangle between Kyle, Mac, and Jason. It was definitely NOT the focus of the story, and I respect that there was no definite "team" between the two boys. Jason and Kyle are both lovable, though incredibly flawed, and you never really know which one will come out on top.

The nightmares that Mac has throughout the story were delightfully creepy, and despite Hemlock not having illustrations, I could vividly picture what she felt and saw. I also enjoyed the way the mystery of Amy's death and the secrets she hid from Mac slowly and purposefully unfolded. Maybe, looking back, I could have guessed a couple things, but Kathleen Peacock has a way of telling a story that just keeps you hurtling forward with no desire to figure things out before they're revealed within the story. This is one of the greatest attributes of a master story-teller, in my humble opinion.

Hemlock ended on such a great cliff-hanger, and left me stuttering and wide-eyed. Now, I cannot WAIT for Hemlock #2, which is sooo far off, the title and release date haven't even been declared yet! I do hope that this review has urged you to grab Hemlock off the nearest shelf and give it a read. It is easily one of my most favorite reads of 2012 thus far! Kathleen Peacock has earned a "Standing O" from this book lover!

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I want to start by mentioning how much I love this cover! It's d

I want to start by mentioning how much I love this cover! It's dark and beautiful especially with the vines and the girl kneeling in the woods. Also, they had vines on each new chapter page, which was a little something extra that I adored.

I want to mention that I'm not a huge werewolf fan. I don't go out of my way to avoid them, but I just haven't found any that I was really into. Until I read Hemlock that is. The story is intense and full of twists. There were times when I actually had my mouth hanging open and I was saying things like "No way" out loud while I read. I was guessing up until the very last chapter who the killer was. I love mysteries and stories with great twists - this book did not let me down in that aspect.

The characters are believable, likeable, and well rounded. It's easy to identify with Mac and feel for her situation. What would you be like if your best friend was murdered? There are a few other situations that come to light in the book that make you empathize with Mac even more (I won't go into detail here due to spoilers). The romance part of the book was good. A love triangle of sorts - but really messy. It wasn't really sappy or cliched though, so I thought it was well done. The setting and the story building were wonderful. The story uses such great descriptions that you have no trouble dropping yourself into that world.

I thought it was really interesting how the author made being a werewolf into a medical condition - Lupine Syndrome (or LS as it's called in the book). There were great moments of social prejudice that reminded me of the Nazis with their concentration camps. The fact that LS was a known medical condition made the plot more interesting. The werewolves still had to hide, but not because nobody knew they existed. They had to hide so they wouldn't be caught and/or killed. I thought it was something a bit new for the genre and I liked the way it was presented.

There's so much going on in this book - love, friendship, betrayal, secrets, etc. It's a lot deeper than just a werewolf book. I got to the end and was so sad because I wanted more! I wanted to know what happened next. Then I found out that it's just the first in a series. Needless to say, I am now eagerly awaiting the next installment. I highly recommend Hemlock to werewolf fans and fans of YA paranormal in general. It's an awesome read!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Mackenzie's friend Amy was recently killed in a werewolf attack.

Mackenzie's friend Amy was recently killed in a werewolf attack. Mackenzie, her friend Kyle, and Amy's boyfriend Jason are left with a lot of questions and no answers and so in their own ways they start to unravel the mysteries behind Amy's murder. Along the way shocking secrets are revealed and the Trackers, an anti-werewolf group, are always lurking around and causing problems.

Our protagonist Mackenzie was a character that I had mixed feelings about. For the most part I really liked her but sometimes she did get on my nerves. I liked how determined she was to figure out the mystery surrounding Amy's murder. I also liked how she never gave up and that she never backed down even when things got dangerous. I was a little annoyed with her feelings regarding Kyle and Jason. I understand she had a hard time sorting out her feelings for both of them but still the way she treated them sometimes got on my nerves.

I actually really liked Kyle for the most part. Yes, he made mistakes but he was also trying his best to keep everyone around him safe, especially Mackenzie. Kyle's secret really surprised me but I think it added a lot to his character. I liked how protective Kyle was of Mackenzie without being overbearing. He let her make her own decisions, even when those decisions just got her into trouble. He was always there for Mackenzie and he always had her back and supported her as best he could. I was a little sad about his actions at the end of the book but I can understand why he did what he did.

I have very mixed feelings about Jason. For a good part of the book I just wanted to shake Jason because the decisions he was making were so stupid and he was being a horrible friend to Mackenzie and Kyle. They needed him but he was busy being a jerk and helping the wrong people. On the other hand though I did feel sympathy for Jason as well, he's all messed up because of his girlfriend's death and he was drunk a lot of the time and misguided which caused him to make stupid decisions, not that those reasons excuse him much. Towards the end of the book though when we finally find out Jason's secrets I was really surprised and my perception of him changed. He also was a lot more helpful and a better friend to Mackenzie and Kyle towards the end of the book which made me like him a lot more.

The beginning of the book was a little slow for me and I got annoyed because there was a lot of the typical teenage drama but as it got towards the middle I was completely hooked and could not put the book down. I got so wrapped up in the mystery and secrets that were being revealed that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. I really liked the way werewolves were handled in this book and I found it very interesting. The Trackers were simultaneously annoying and terrifying. They were so evil and did such horrible things and even hurt innocent people. I have a feeling they are going to cause even more problems in the next book. I'm dying to read the next book as I feel that I finished this book with even more questions than answers and the ending just killed me so I absolutely can't wait to find out what happens next.

*This review is also posted on my blog and my other social media profiles.

Oh my gosh, it has been a LONG time since I have been obsessing

Oh my gosh, it has been a LONG time since I have been obsessing over a book like I am obsessing over Hemlock right now! This book BLEW ME AWAY! I mean, I have read this book about 10 days ago and i am STILL raving about it to anyone who would listen!! Hemlock is definitely one of those rare books that remind you of WHY you love reading so much! Also, this is coming from ME, who is a person that does not like paranormal as much as contemporary and dystopian! However Hemlock was so good that as soon as I finished reading my galley, I went and pre-ordered a copy for myself to reread!
Hemlock is about a girl, Mac, who used to be part of a close group that consisted of: herself, Amy, Amy's boyfriend Jason, and Kyle. However this friendship broke down when Amy was found murdered, and all signs point to a werewolf. See, in Hemlock, people know there are werewolves and any person can become one if they contract the Lupine syndrome. However, the werewolves are shunned and when found are sent to werewolf camps where they end up locked there for the rest of their lives. I loved the uniqueness of the story, it really is not like any werewolf novel I've read. Also to add to all this, there is a murder mystery and you all know how much I love those! Every single one of the characters in Hemlock are so damn likable! We've got the protagonist, Mac. She is strong, level-headed and just an all around GOOD friend to Amy, Jason, and Kyle. She is trying to pick up the pieces of their broken friendship after Amy's death while at the same time trying to solve this mystery (it sort of gave me a Veronica Mars vibe and I love that show!).
Then we've got Jason and Kyle. Oh boy, is it possible to love BOTH guys SO MUCH that your heart breaks no matter who Mac ends up with? Jason is the really messed up rich kid that gets in trouble just for the thrill because Amy's death has screwed with his head so much that you just want to hold him and comfort him and tell him it'll be all right. Then we've got Kyle, the best friend you would always want and the secret crush you would always hide. He is the opposite of Jason. He is responsible, is the one looking out for Mac and not the other way around, and YOU want to be held by HIM and hearing him say that everything will be fine. Kathleen Peacock has woven SUCH an amazing romance plot that it has restored my faith in love triangles. The twists and development of the romance and the awkward and charged moments were all so unbelievably AMAZING, it was very hard for me to concentrate on anything BUT the book. Now even though there is a love triangle and romance, the book really centers around Amy's death and mending the broken friendship and trying to figure out what the trackers (think 'werewolf police') are really doing in town while trying to not get killed in the process!
Hemlock was such a thrilling, addicting, incredible page turner that I ended up staying way past my bedtime to read it and even reading it in the middle of class because I JUST.COULD.NOT.PUT.IT.DOWN! I am now counting down the days until I can get my hands on Hemlock #2 because that ending? It leaves you with enough closure while at the same time gives you a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting SO MUCH MORE!!

Did it pass my "ONE HUNDRED PAGES OR DIE" test? Defini

Did it pass my "ONE HUNDRED PAGES OR DIE" test? Definitely.

HEMLOCK is a dark, twisty tale of secrets and betrayals. Mackenzie has lost her best friend, Amy to a vicious werewolf attack. Her two other best friends, Jason and Kyle, are acting more peculiar by the day. The Trackers have taken over the town of Hemlock, determined to rid the town of werewolves. But when the secrets and lies begin to unravel, Mac learns that everything she knows is a lie.

I'm not sure that I would have picked up HEMLOCK if I hadn't received an ARC from the publisher. There are a few series with werewolves that I truly enjoy, but after reading so many, I was burned out on the notion. What piqued my interest with HEMLOCK and set it apart was the fact werewolves are out in the open. Well, they're not "out", because they are treated cruelly by the government and general population (think internment camps), but they are known to exist. The Lupine Syndrome is an identified affliction. Those identified as werewolves are rounded up and taken to camps where they are treated as the animals some believe they are. The fear they cause, because of a string of werewolf-murders, is used for political gain. So I guess what I'm trying to say here is: HEMLOCK provides a relevant social statement regarding humane treatment and political deception.

But don't think that this is strictly a book with a strong message. There are BOYS in HEMLOCK!! And even better, they're cute, complicated boys with secrets. Jason, Amy's boyfriend has become hostile, withdrawn and drinks way too much since she died. Kyle is obviously tormented, quiet, and protective of Mac. It took me a while to truly warm up to Kyle and Jason. Much of the book is spent in Mac's head as she tries to sort through what's happening. But when I really got to know them, I was hooked. And although I have my favorite (I'm not telling!), both guys have serious appeal. The swoon-factor was topping out throughout the last half of the book!

Oh wow. I haven't even began to talk about the mc, Mac. She has a troubled family history, which leads her to shut others out. She works to keep what's left of her group together after Amy's death. Mac is conscientious and caring, striving to do what's right and just, even when it puts her at risk.

While I was reading HEMLOCK, I was constantly reminded of a movie. I couldn't place it for a while, but finally the light bulbs came on and I realized: Red Riding Hood. Although many details were different, such as the setting and time period, the overall idea was very similar. Personally, I consider that a good thing, as I really enjoyed the movie.

My only criticism is that I felt the story lagged a bit throughout the middle, and there were a few scenes that felt detail-heavy. Overall, though I really enjoyed HEMLOCK. The ending was so heart-wrenching and for some reason, I didn't see it coming. But I loved those "hurt so good" endings and the epilogue has me dying to read book two.

Favorite Quote(s):

"Kyle took a deep breath, like he had picked up on the question I hadn't asked. That was one of the differences between him and Jason: Kyle always gave just as much weight and consideration to the things I didn't say as to the things I did." (pg. 137, ARC)

"Because I did love him. I was certain of it. It was in the way I felt when I looked at him and the taste of his name on my lips and how three years of history had brought us to this point.

I was sure." (pg.269, ARC)

Awesome!

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't want to put it down I after I started reading it. The characters were fun and refreshing. The plot was enjoyable and fast paced. Very excited about the next book in the series.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.