Thursday, June 10, 2010

Review: Moonlight: A Dark Guardian Novel by Rachel Hawthorne

Title: Moonlight Book #1
Series: Dark Guardian Novel
Author: Rachel Hawthorne 
Publisher: Harpercollins Publishers
Published: February 23, 2009
Format: Trade Paperback ($9.99 CDN)
Age Group: Young Adult
My Copy: Purchased by me for the Kobo E Reader ($5.89 CDN)

From the Publisher: 

I see him and know what this turmoil inside of me means: He's the one. My forever.

Kayla is the nature lover, the all-American beauty who can't understand why she's so drawn to distant, brooding Lucas. Adopted as a young child, she has no way of knowing that she's inherited a terrifying-and thrilling-gene that will change her life forever.

Lucas is dangerous, gorgeous . . . and a werewolf. As leader of the Dark Guardians, shape-shifters who gather deep within the state park, he has sworn to protect his pack. But when Lucas finds his true soul mate, his love could put them all in harm's way.

As Lucas and Kayla struggle with their feelings for each other, a greater danger lurks: Humans have discovered the Dark Guardians and are planning their destruction. Kayla must choose between the life she knows and the love she feels certain is her destiny.


My Review: 

At 320 pages Moonlight, the first book in the Dark Guardian series, is a quick read but it's packed with romance, suspense, and a new take on shape shifters. This series is definitely geared for young adults and although the majority of books I am currently reading are from the young adult genre I found this book to be a little young for me.  


As a protagonist I feel Kayla authentically represents your average teenage girl dealing with complex and unexpected obstacles.  Although at times Kayla is portrayed as insecure and vulnerable her personality is balanced with courage and loyalty.  I think Lucas caters to that unexplainable attraction young women have to "bad boys" and it feeds the fantasy that maybe that bad boy just needed the right girl to come along. 

I really enjoyed that the majority of the book takes place in the wilderness.  I am an avid camper so the thought that while hiking through the  woods there could be a human in wolf form following me sends shivers down my spine! 


I really love the history of shape shifters that Hawthorne delves into periodically throughout the progression of Moonlight.  Additionally she reveals just enough about the supporting characters to excite the reader for the additional Dark Guardian novels.  As a reader I love when an author explores other characters within the series and I look forward to reading Dark Guardian three, Full Moon.   


My Rating: 3/5




3 comments:

Rebs @ Book-Rants said...

I enjoyed this one too as well as the 2nd one, I think I may have read the 3rd one but I can't remember off the top of my head. Definitely good if you're looking for a short easy read.

The Book Guru said...

Absolutely!

Nina said...

Great review. I didn't like this book at all. It was way to predictable and ít went way too fast for my liking. Hope you like the second book! :)

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