ISBN: 0-670-89471-0 Order from: Amazon.com
A jorney of emotional discovery as well as a deadly struggle, with rich, earthy retelling of the werewolf theme, with a likable protagonist and colorful supporting cast.
Reviewed by David on February 14, 2004
Genre: Fantasy (Werewolves)
Synopsis: Elena Michaels is happy with her life. Carefully rebuilt after a shattering experience years in the past, her life includes a successful career, a wonderful fiance, and Toronto, a city she loves. Only occasional irresistable urges during the night disturb Elena's smooth existence.
The existence is deeply disturbed when a man who's been a foster father to her during some of the most difficult years of her life calls her to New York State. Elena's reluctant visit there is bound to be tangled with painful memories and her own decidedly abnormal nature. However, the danger to Elena is more than emotional—a deadly enemy stalks her and her adopted family.
Full Review: It doesn't take long for the first secret to emerge—Elena is a werewolf. She is a very reluctant one, and her memory of the wild, sometimes brutal nature of her curse is not happy. Elena's slow, reluctant return to the small community of other werewolves is full of memories of love and betrayal. Nonetheless, her adopted family—however unwanted—is in danger, and Elena's bound to help.
The main character is very likable and three-dimensional, as are most of the supporting cast. Even the villains show some individuality, and the deadly struggles are handled with unusual pragmatism. Between this realistic approach to struggle and the rather sensual dilemmas of the main character, this is an earthy, even visceral narrative. Sometimes the main character is frustratingly dense in her emotional response, but this is consistent with her carfully built image.
The author's undeniable skill proves itself in this enjoyable novel; while consistent, the characters' own limitations sometimes prove frustrating to the reader.
Overall: 6; Plot: 5; Characters: 6; Style: 5.5; World-building: 5; Originality: 5;
Copyright date 2001, Penguin Group (Viking), 2001, Cloth, 342 pages
ISBN: 0-670-89471-0 Order from: Amazon.com