Review: Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

Title: Claire de Lune
Series: Claire de Lune
Author: Christine Johnson
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's Books
Publication Date: 5 Aug 2010

Source: Library





Synopsis: From Amazon

Hanover Falls hasn't had a werewolf problem in over one hundred years. But when people suddenly start dying in Claire Benoit's town, panic spreads fast. At Claire's sixteenth birthday party, the gruesome killings are all anyone can talk about. Claire, however, is more interested in the fact that the gorgeous Matthew Engle 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:

I must say that the start of this book was quite startling, gripping even, plunging into the world of werewolves.

The story is told in 1st person narrative from Claire's perspective (the title would have probably told you that *doh*). As a protagonist Claire can be fairly annoying, easy to up to conclusion, always looking to blame her mother for her problems, very self-absorbed. Then you actually get to meet her Mother and you realise that Claire is basically a carbon copy of her in these aspects. So we can put the annoying personality traits down to learned behaviour. 

Closer inspection of Claire's Mother (her name escapes me at the moment), even when the truth of their heritage is revealed, you can feel her quest for power pouring from the pages. I found her to be quite manipulative, playing on events to ensure her own gains. This was sometimes at odds with the events that took place but I have to say that I never fully veered far from the path that said she was manipulative. 

There are red herrings aplenty scattered through the narrative; lots of subtle misdirection, which I think was useful as a diversionary tactic. Saying that I didn't fall for it, I did know who the 'villain' was for most of the book so the ending did fall a bit flat for me. I am curious to see where the other storyline would have gone. There are a number of humourous moments while Claire is trying to come to terms with having furry ears until she learns to harness her powers.

The romantic aspect made the book for me, Matthew was perfect. Independent in his views considering his father has a vendetta against werewolves. We are still left wondering the reason behind his hatred for them, is there are bigger picture here that we are yet to discover? His reaction to Claire becoming a werewolf and the way in which Claire learns to accept her heritage are the pivotal parts of the plot for me. All the power plays and misdirections fell to the background. I am really looking forward to seeing their relationship develop and how Matthew copes with his new role [ ; D ]

The ending of this book was sweet with Claire embracing her heritage and developing a stronger relationship with her mother.

A really interesting take on werewolf mythology. I am looking forward to seeing more background detail to the history of the werewolf pack along with an explanation as to why there are only female werewolves. Plus a few other plot threads taken to their conclusion.