Claire de Lune --- Chrisine Johnson

Rating: 3.5 Stars
Genre: Science fiction, Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 336

Official Summary:
Torn between two destinies?

Claire is having the perfect sixteenth birthday. Her pool party is a big success, and gorgeous Matthew keeps chatting and flirting with her as if she's the only girl there. But that night, she discovers something that takes away all sense of normalcy: she's a werewolf.

As Claire is initiated into the pack of female werewolves, she must deal not only with her changing identity, but also with a rogue werewolf who is putting everyone she knows in danger. Claire's new life threatens her blossoming romance with Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt. Now burdened with a dark secret and pushing the boundaries of forbidden love, Claire is struggling to feel comfortable in either skin. With her lupine loyalty at odds with her human heart, she will make a choice that will change her forever?

Review:
Hmmm a tricky review because I both liked and disliked the book.

Likes:

I know some of us are over the whole werewolf thing, but this werewolf story was surprisingly unique and original. Only women are werewolves and they are "born with it," although it does not manifest itself until the girl turns 16.

Humans know werewolves exist in the world but they are not adequately informed on the subject. Consequently, there is a lot of mystery and myths surrounding werewolves, as well as researchers trying to unravel the mystery. I enjoyed this aspect of the story. It is different from most werewolf books.

There were two villains in this book; Matthew's father with his "cure" for werewolves and the rogue werewolf in Claire's city who is killing people. The two villains added more interest to the plot.

Dislikes:

The story was somewhat predictable. As I read, I found myself making predictions about the plot and what would happen with the characters. Turns out that I was mostly right with my guesses! I would have liked a few more twists and turns.

I enjoyed the romance between Claire and Matthew, but it came a little too easily for my liking. This is entirely my own preference, but I like a little more tension and conflict that builds up to the romance. Does that make sense? Haha!

Claire was a likable main character. Claire was realistic with her emotions throughout the book and brave when she needed to be, but I did not feel a pull toward her. She was not a memorable character. If that sounds harsh, I apologize :)

Overall Claire de Lune was enjoyable. Worth reading, but maybe check it out from the library or borrow it from a friend.

Audience: Any teenage girl or anyone who likes to read.

Mistwood --- Leah Cypess

Rating: 3.5 Stars
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 304

Official Summary:
The Shifter is an immortal creature bound by an ancient spell to protect the kings of Samorna. When the realm is peaceful, she retreats to the Mistwod.

But when she is needed she always comes.

Isabel remembers nothing. Nothing before the prince rode into her forest to take her back to the castle. Nothing about who she is supposed to be, or the powers she is supposed to have.

Prince Rokan needs Isabel to be his Shifter. He needs her ability to shift to animal form, to wind, to mist. He needs her lethal speed and superhuman strength. And he needs her loyalty--because without it, she may be his greatest threat.

Isabel knows that her prince is lying to her, but she can't help wanting to protect him from the dangers and intrigues of the court . . . until a deadly truth shatters the bond between them.

Now Isabel faces a choice that threatens her loyalty, her heart . . . and everything she thought she knew.

Book Trailer:
To watch the book trailer, click HERE.

Review:
Good book. I thought the plot was excellent. This book is full of secrets, treason, action, lies, and loyalties. But as good as the plot was, there could have been more action. At times this great story was just stalled. The author would be so focused on Isabel and her conflicting emotions that the story was being neglected, or taking too long to tell.

Other than that, this book is unique and pretty cool. It's a good fantasy book. If you can get your hands on this one, read it!

Wings --- Aprilynne Pike

Rating: 3.5 Stars
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy (Faeries), Paranormal Romance
Pages: 290

Official Summary:
Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things with wide eyes. They were terrifyingly beautiful--too beautiful for words.

Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.

In this extraordinary tale of magic and intrigue, romance and danger, everything you thought you knew about faeries will be changed forever.

Laurel was mesmerized, staring at the pale things. They were terrifyingly beautiful--too beautiful for words.

Laurel turned to the mirror again, her eyes on the hovering petals that floated beside her head. They looked almost like wings.

Laurel's life is the very definition of normal . . . until the morning when she wakes up to discover a flower blooming from her back. As it turns out, nothing in Laurel's life is what it seems. Now, with the help of an alluring faerie sentry who holds the key to her true past, Laurel must race to save her human family from the centuries-old faerie enemies who walk among them.

Review:
To begin, I would like to ask who started the spelling of "faerie"? Whatever happened to "fairy"? Can't there just be a universal spelling? Haha :)

Now on to the review! Thank you, Jen, for letting me borrow Wings by Aprilynne Pike. I must say I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It took me a while to get in to it and I was worried it would be another high school drama story....but it wasn't!

The story was pretty unique and I found myself wanting to read more! The main character, Laurel, was a decent protagonist. She is brave and fun to follow throughout her adventure. She didn't bug me...too much. :) There is some romance in this book. Laurel is torn over two boys. (I hope she picks the one I want!)

Overall, this is a fun read. I haven't read to many faerie/fairy books, but they seem to be popular right now. Wings is not one of my all time favorites, but it is definitely worth reading. Plus, the sequel came out recently, so I will have to get my hands on it! Has anyone read it yet? Let me know! :)