Book Review: Hemlock (Hemlock #1) by Kathleen Peacock

Reviewed by: Siobhán
Format: eArc
Pages: 400
Published: 8th May 2012 (us)
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Source: edelweiss
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy, Mystery
Buy: Amazon UK I Amazon US I Book Depository UK* I Book Depostory INT*
*Currently Unavailble in UK

Description:

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered. Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf. Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control. Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Review:

I apologise in advance for any rambling and if it doesn't make sense. Lol. Had some reviewers block because I loved it so much!!

Now, I won't do my own description like I usually do because the one above pretty much tackles everything without giving away much. I don't think I could do it without spoilers.

Hemlock was one of those books that I wanted because of the cover. Yes, shameful! But come on how amazing is this cover. It's perfect! So when I read the blurb I knew straight away it was one I actually needed. And let me tell you, where some books fail to live up to the cover, Hemlock isn't one of those. It exceded my expections and had me to gripped all the way through.

Hemlock (as far as I know) is a fictional town in USA. It's set in a our world but werewolves are real and everyone knows it. After Mac's best friend Amy is murdered by a werewolves her whole town in up in arms and call in a group of Trackers who are there to find and capture the werewolves. Mac and her friends are still trying to come to terms with the death of Amy and they slowly begin to grow apart. Mac who is being haunted by Amy in her dreams decided to go on a murder mystery hunt to find the wolf. I really liked Mac. She has had a bad childhood and lives with her cousin. When she moved to Hemlock she became friends with Amy, Kyle and Jason. Her world is completely torn apart as she uncovered the truth behind Amy's death. She is a fighter and I like that. I think a very good role model. She is strong and very independent and cares so much about everyone else. Her relationship between the two boys is tested. But she still manages to bounce back and keep going. Kyle and Jason are the total opposite from each other but they seem to bring out things in Mac and just make you love the characters.

The story itself is not what I was expecting. I knew it was a werewolf story but I didn't realise that there would be a big mystery murder hunt as well, which I loved. It was thrilling, exciting and very dangerous. However, I pretty much figured out who the wolf was about half way through the book. That being said it didn't stop me being engrossed in the story and waiting for Mac to figure it out. I keep wanting to shout at her who is was Lol. Like you do at scary movies lol.

Kathleen Peacock has delivered an outstanding YA novel that is packed with mystery and thrills that will captivated any reader. There is twists and turns with some romance thrown into the mix just to stir things up. I am really excited for book 2. I need to find out what happens next.

Rate: 5/5