Book Review: Thornhill

Thornhill (Hemlock #2)

By: Kathleen Peacock

Published By: Katherine Tegen Books

Publication Date: September 10, 2013

Page Count: 368

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Galley Kindly Provided by Publisher

Audience: Young Adult - Fantasy, Paranormal

Review of Book #1: Hemlock

I loved the first book in the series, Hemlock, and I had high hopes for this one. Kathleen Peacock did not let me down. Thornhill was just as good as Hemlock and in some ways it was even better. I do need to warn readers that there is no way for me to discuss this novel without spoilers of the first book. If you haven't read Hemlock - do not read beyond this point.

Thornhill begins with Mac and Jason hunting for Kyle in Denver, Colorado. Kyle leaves Hemlock at the end of book one due to his LS infection. Like many YA males, he's somewhat of a tortured soul. His decision to leave town felt very Edward Cullen - he thinks that leaving will keep Mac safe. He doesn't want to end up hurting her or accidentally infecting her with LS. I felt a certain amount of frustration with Kyle's decision - just like I did with Edward in New Moon. Even when one has the noblest of intentions, a relationship is a partnership that requires both parties to have a say so in what happens. Jason, however, really steps it up in this novel. I'm beginning to think he's a pretty decent guy in spite of some pretty awful mistakes he's made in the past.

In spite of my slight frustration with Kyle, he does end up redeeming himself by the end of the book. The strain on the relationship between Kyle and Mac seems to be widening. I really want these characters to end up together, but it seems like I might not get my wish. Their existence as a reg and a werewolf doesn't spell out love eternal. 

I love the characters in this one and enjoyed getting to see them again, but the true strength of this novel is the action. It starts in the early chapters and keeps gaining momentum. I honestly didn't know if all the characters were going to make it out of this one unscathed. Thornhill kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

My favorite part of Thornhill was getting to see inside one of the werewolf camps. The treatment of the wolves broke my heart. It also made me think of all the groups in modern society that suffer against the weight of discrimination. The parallels between this world and our own provide a lot of food for thought.

I'm anxious for the next installment. I'd love to say a lot more about this novel, but I don't want to spoil anything. Trust me, just read it. I love love love this series.

One Last Gripe: The ending of this one did provide closure, but it also made me anxious.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: The fast pace

First Sentence: Some rooms looked better in the dark.

Favorite Character: Mac

Least Favorite Character: Sinclair

Summary:

Mac can’t lose another friend. Even if he doesn’t want to be found.

The ripple effect caused by Mac’s best friend Amy’s murder has driven Mac’s new love, Kyle, to leave Hemlock and disappear from her life forever. But Mac knows that Kyle plans to enroll in a rehabilitation camp, where he can live with other werewolves. She refuses to accept his decision, especially since the camps are rumored to be tortuous. So she sets out in search of Kyle with a barely sober Jason—and Amy’s all-seeing ghost—in tow.

Clues lead Mac to find Kyle in a werewolf den in Colorado—but their reunion is cut short by a Tracker raid. Now Mac and Kyle are trapped inside the electric fences of Thornhill, a camp for young werewolves. As she devises an escape plan, Mac uncovers dangerous secrets buried within the walls of Thornhill—and realizes that the risk to the people she loves is greater than ever before.