TEST
The idea of an enemy at the gate is as old as gates themselves. To protect us from our enemies is, after all, why we built them. The idea of the enemy within the gate is probably equally as old. And, to me, just the tiniest bit more frightening – because it indicates that your defenses have been breached, and you are fighting completely exposed.
Valerie’s first real awareness of the creature that stalks her village came at the expense of her pet goat, who was sacrificed so that the creature would leave the villagers alone. But the goat’s loss was nothing compared to the loss of Lucie, her beautiful, beloved sister. With Lucie’s death, the pact the villagers had made with the werewolf is broken and it seems as though it breaks a dam and allows evil to pour through their gates. Among that evil are the men the priest innocently brings to the village to help – men who are familiar with wolves and will do anything to stop them, regardless of how that affects the villagers.
Valerie, though, can’t help but question if evil hasn’t always lived within those gates. For the wolf must be one of them to have lived in that area this long in human form. Is the wolf really Henry, the handsome blacksmith engaged to her at their parents insistence? Or is it her friend returned from a long absence, Peter? Is it the odd, sweet brother of a dear friend? Or even someone within her own family?
This latest in a long line of paranormal YA offerings takes a new look at the werewolf tale, making him not a hero like Jacob from Twilight but both a villain and a mystery. Because the werewolf of this tale does not know he (or she) is the wolf. And he or she doesn’t act at all decent when they are experiencing that time of the month. This is actually the most compelling trait of the tale. While I felt I got some pretty revealing clues, I knew I could easily be wrong as to just who the blasted wolf was. As I twisted and turned with Valerie, looking at everyone around her with deep suspicion, I found myself engrossed far more in solving the mystery than in the affairs of the heart.
It was also a bit of a brain teaser. How could someone wake up from a killing rampage with no blood spatter on their clothes? These people lived in a snowy environ, wouldn’t they sleep in some kind of clothes? And therefore, wouldn’t they need to dress and undress when changing from wolf to human? Frankly, I decided if I was going to go with the whole werewolf thing, I would let the details slide. There was a magical creature stalking a village and obsessed with a village maiden. I would just attribute additional weirdness to the magic.
Valerie is the only character we really get to know, which adds to the mystery/magic of the whole thing. She is what the typical heroine in the YA paranormal is – independent, strong, beautiful, but eerily different with enough unique traits to make her catnip to the supernatural. She is also young, and torn between two men. Henry, her mother’s choice, is as wonderful as any girl could wish. He is the medieval equivalent of the hot guy, quarterback/prom king. Peter is the bad boy with the heart of gold. He “gets” Valerie’s strangeness more than anyone else but her grandmother. But both are good candidates for the wolf once everyone begins to suspect each other, and Valerie has to ask herself if she really wants to risk her heart – and her life – on a man whose going to end up on the wrong side of a blessed silver sword.
For the romance to have worked in such a strained situation the love would indeed have to be compelling. To me, it really wasn’t. What was compelling was the haunting tale of a village in a truly uncanny situation. It combined the idea that you could be sleeping next to a killer with the idea that you could be unaware of the fact that you are the killer. What if every time you caught sight of your reflection you had to question if you were really looking at a monster who would eat her own children? Chilling.
It is for that the book gets a B.
It is clear this will be the start of a series if the movie upon which this novelization is based is successful. The ending is very, very open. If you enjoy updated fairy tales, I would still recommend it. It’s a good way to spend a snowy afternoon. I wouldn’t take it to a camping trip in the woods though, unless you really, really trust the folks with you.
Grade: B
Book Type: Young Adult
Sensuality: Kisses
Review Date: 08/03/11
Publication Date: 2011/01
I've been an avid reader since 2nd grade and discovered romance when my cousin lent me Lord of La Pampa by Kay Thorpe in 7th grade. I currently read approximately 150 books a year, comprised of a mix of Young Adult, romance, mystery, women's fiction, and science fiction/fantasy.
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.