Book Review: Blood on the Moon

Blood on the Moon (Blood on the Moon #1)

By: Jennifer Knight

Published By: Running Press

Publication Date: August 2011

Page Count: 400

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Kindly Provided by Publisher

Audience: Young Adult - Paranormal

Blood on the Moon has some elements I love: vampires, werewolves, and romance. I was a little apprehensive about reading this one because some elements seemed overdone. Yes, there is an innocent girl who has no idea supernatural beings exist until she sits next to one in class who refuses to look at her and has eyes that change color. (Hmmmm, now where have I heard that before?) She also inadvertently draws the attention of another supernatural at a dance club and he becomes intent on finding her. As the plot unfolds, it becomes more about revenge than about truly wanting the girl. (Yet again, this sounds familiar.) There were moments when this novel felt a lot like "Twilight Goes to College". In spite of some of these elements that have been recycled countless times in paranormal fare, I couldn't stop reading this novel and I did enjoy the time I spent with it.

One of the main reasons I think I enjoyed this one was Lucas. I couldn't help myself from forming a literary crush on him. Yes, he is a lot like Edward Cullen, but I was able to look past those parts to focus on what made him truly interesting. You have to get past the beginning chapters where he is just broody and awkward around Faith to fully get him.  His sense of loyalty is one of the things that I truly loved about him. He is the reason I kept turning the pages. I wanted to know him and understand his story.

Another reason I really enjoyed this one was the werewolves. I liked how these wolves are a combination of the wolf-man from films and an actual wolf. The moon determines which beast you will get. The werewolves are at their strongest when the moon is full. I also enjoyed learning more about how the pack functions in this world. The setting of Fort Collins, Colorado, was perfect for this sort of supernatural tale. There is plenty of room for these wolves to live in both wolf and human forms.

I also am so happy to have book two already because the ending was brutal. It leaves you totally hanging with the life of a major character in the balance. 

My biggest complaint aside from the predictable plot elements is Faith. I spent half of the book disliking her. I understand that she's broken in so many ways, but that doesn't excuse her moments of sheer stupidity. For example, while camping in a remote location and knowing that college girls have been showing up dead completely drained of blood, Faith decides to leave her tent and go for a walk at 3 am. Who does that? Furthermore, when she knows a vampire is after her, she takes off for a ski trip that is an hour away from the safety of the dorms. I'm just a chicken I suppose because I wouldn't have left home - especially when I knew that nothing could touch me there. Her issues with Derek also frustrated me. Yes, he screwed up, but it was just a kiss and the boy was sixteen! That element wouldn't have been as frustrating for me if Faith hadn't gone on at length about how hot Derek was - that made no sense. By the end of the novel, I understood Faith and ended up liking her, but it did take a lot of effort on my part. I am intrigued by her ability to sense emotions; this could lead to some interesting plot developments in the next book as it was left largely unexplored in this edition.

Jennifer Knight has created a fun, dark world that lives on the cusp between YA and New Adult lit. The college age of the characters makes me lean towards New Adult - especially because of some of the conversations and events. The plot remains pretty chaste, but there are conversations about the nature of intimacy with werewolves that would be a bit much for younger YA readers. I'm hoping that in book two, Knight will forge her own path and not use plot elements that have been recycled in a dozen other books. Blood on the Moon kept me up until the wee hours finishing it - that says a lot. While there are some weaknesses with this novel, I do think the fact that it kept me enthralled is a huge deal. It sparked a little of that magic I remember from the first time I read Twilight. It was nice to feel that again.

One Last Gripe: I didn't like the way that Faith judged Courtney. I don't think she would have judged a guy quite so harshly. Yes, I found Courtney to be annoying, but trashy and nasty seem a bit harsh.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: Lucas

First Sentence: I am surrounded.

Favorite Character: Lucas

Least Favorite Character: Mark

Summary:

As Faith Reynolds enters her freshman year of college, she is a complete and utter nervous wreck.  With her best friend Derek suddenly pulling out the romance card and her dark, mysterious classmate staring her down at every turn, Faith somehow feels stuck in the middle without dating either one.  And fortune may or may not be with her when a devilshly sexy stranger offers her a welcome escape.

Boys, romance, classes, and annoying roommates are all within the realm of the expected for a college frosh.  Trying to solve the mysterious murders of young college coeds near campus is not.  Darkness seems to be creeping into every corner of Faith's life, no matter the hour.  And when she seeks the truth, danger seems to be the only thing that finds her.

Faith is well aware of the strange currents in the air, particularly when she sets off static sparks with everything she touches.  Before long, she finds herself entrenched in the deep-seeded battle between werewolves and vampires.  The war has reached the tipping point, and Faith has the power to determine where the scales fall.  But the most important question may be with whom does her loyalty lie?

Deliciously suspenseful and immediately addictive, Blood on the Moonfeatures a headstrong heroine and all of the thrills, chills, and otherworldly boys with deadly charm that a human could ask for.