REVIEW: Deadly Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

Name: Deadly Hemlock

Author: Kathleen Peacock

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

Release date: 5th July 2012

Pages: 416

Source: From publisher (for review)

Rating: 5 stars

Mackenzie and Amy were best friends. Until Amy was brutally murdered.

Since then, Mac’s life has been turned upside down. She is being haunted by Amy in her dreams, and an extremist group called the Trackers has come to Mac’s hometown of Hemlock to hunt down Amy’s killer: A white werewolf.

Lupine syndrome—also known as the werewolf virus—is on the rise across the country. Many of the infected try to hide their symptoms, but bloodlust is not easy to control.

Wanting desperately to put an end to her nightmares, Mac decides to investigate Amy’s murder herself. She discovers secrets lurking in the shadows of Hemlock, secrets about Amy’s boyfriend, Jason, her good pal Kyle, and especially her late best friend. Mac is thrown into a maelstrom of violence and betrayal that puts her life at risk.

Kathleen Peacock’s thrilling novel is the first in the Hemlock trilogy, a spellbinding urban fantasy series filled with provocative questions about prejudice, trust, lies, and love.

[summary taken from Goodreads]

My Review

I didn't expect myself to love this book as much as I did, I half-expected that it would be another flimsy 'werewolf' book.  I've shied away from paranormal fiction for a while, just because there were so many - too many - vampire and werewolf books being released after the increased popularity of The Twilight Saga.  But I thought it was about time to 'dip' back into the world of paranormal and I'm so glad I started off with Deadly Hemlock, which totally exceeded my expectations.

What I loved most about it was that it was far from your typical 'werewolf' book - it's so much more than a soppy love story and doesn't follow the path werewolf fiction usually follows.  It deals with grief, loss, friendship, family, love and trust - things which makes this book all the more beautiful and heart-breaking.

The storyline is pretty unique, I especially like the way Kathleen Peacock crafted the werewolf virus into the 'Lupine syndrome'.  I wasn't sure what I'd make of it at first but I can now say, I LOVED it! Kathleen Peacock writes so evocatively that you can't help but be enchanted by the words on the page. 

Match gorgeous prose with a cast of diverse characters and you have the perfect read!  We have Mac, who is so brave and so protective of her friends that you end up wishing you had a friend like her.  To me, her quest to find answers wasn't selfish at all.  It was more like she had a need to seek closure and put an end to the nightmares that haunted her.  There's Kyle who I ADORED!  He was so sweet and protective and selfless - qualities that made me fall completely head over heels for him.  I didn't exactly fall for Jason though. Yes, I understand he was distraught from his girlfriend's death but destroying yourself by getting drunk and stirring up fights and joining the Trackers - an anti-werewolf extremist group - isn't going to help, is it?  

Another aspect which I loved was how Kathleen Peacock created an entire new breed of 'crazy ex-girlfriend' - she took the concept and ran with it!  Her way of using not-so-original ideas and putting her twist on it was prominent throughout the book and only enhanced it's ability to captivate the reader.

I was panicking at the ending because loose ends weren't entirely tied together but then I found out that it's the first of a trilogy so I am absolutely relieved.  I'm already craving more of Kathleen Peacock's writing so I am definitely anticipating the next novel!  And wow, I couldn't believe it when the murderer was revealed - I had a total gasping, 'Ohmigosh' moment.  The twists will ultimately take you by surprise!

Overall, Deadly Hemlock is a special book you won't want to miss.  It is a completely different take on werewolf fiction and has much more depth than you would expect.  I was captivated from page one and the storyline flowed perfectly, mixed in with characters who each had their own flaws which only made them more real.  Read it or regret missing out on some seriously kick-ass werewolves!

5 teacups for Deadly Hemlock!

*Thanks to Simon and Schuster for the review copy*