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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
the book is quite good. bitter-sweet ending.
There are some elements I didn't like about the book. I would like Vivian & Aiden would end up eachother though
There are some elements I didn't like about the book. I would like Vivian & Aiden would end up eachother though
fast-paced
Finally read this after it's been on my tbr for YEARS! I should have read it a long time ago. It's hard to relate to teenagers anymore. Towards the end Vivian became pretty annoying. Aiden made me so mad. And don't even get me started on the fact that she ends up with a 24 year old. Jail.
I would have liked this more if I read it in high school. But I'm glad I can cross it off my list.
I would have liked this more if I read it in high school. But I'm glad I can cross it off my list.
Vivian is one of a pack of werewolves displaced and reeling after the recent death of her father, the pack leader. With her once-happy pack divided into power-struggles, Vivian takes notice of a human boy and tries to take comfort in his comparatively peaceful world...but can she be satisfied with a human-only existence, and can she hide her true nature from him?
The important thing to remember here is that these are not humans-bitten-and-becoming-werewolves; werewolves here are a different species that sometimes look human but really are not and never have been. Therefore they have completely different social norms, moral codes (centered around what's best for the pack) and ways of thinking and interacting (centered around one's rank in the pack). Lots of readers seem surprised at how Vivian is completely frank about her sexuality, being unapologetically open about her physical attraction to this or that guy almost from page one and not shy about making a move if she wants to. The unfortunate social structure of the pack also upsets many--males fight for leadership, and females' rank is based on their mate's position, not on themselves, so unattached females may try to 'steal' or fight over a powerful mate (which makes them dangerous to other females); however, more than one character is unhappy with this, so the females aren't blindly accepting of this tradition.
If you can accept the 'rules' of the author's version of werewolves and aren't put off by horny teenage feelings and rivalries, you might enjoy the coming-of-age teen angst and mild paranormal adventure. If you're very strongly attached to the traditional notions of werewolves as infected or cursed humans, you might have a harder time. For myself, I enjoyed the story and was able to accept the atypical ending the way the author came around to it despite the spoiler-complaints I heard before. It's worth a try!
The important thing to remember here is that these are not humans-bitten-and-becoming-werewolves; werewolves here are a different species that sometimes look human but really are not and never have been. Therefore they have completely different social norms, moral codes (centered around what's best for the pack) and ways of thinking and interacting (centered around one's rank in the pack). Lots of readers seem surprised at how Vivian is completely frank about her sexuality, being unapologetically open about her physical attraction to this or that guy almost from page one and not shy about making a move if she wants to. The unfortunate social structure of the pack also upsets many--males fight for leadership, and females' rank is based on their mate's position, not on themselves, so unattached females may try to 'steal' or fight over a powerful mate (which makes them dangerous to other females); however, more than one character is unhappy with this, so the females aren't blindly accepting of this tradition.
If you can accept the 'rules' of the author's version of werewolves and aren't put off by horny teenage feelings and rivalries, you might enjoy the coming-of-age teen angst and mild paranormal adventure. If you're very strongly attached to the traditional notions of werewolves as infected or cursed humans, you might have a harder time. For myself, I enjoyed the story and was able to accept the atypical ending the way the author came around to it despite the spoiler-complaints I heard before. It's worth a try!
I love werewolf stories! This is about a girl who is struggling after the death of her father, the pack leader, and she falls in love with a human boy but is dealing with pack issues and just wants to be loved for who she is. A must read for older teens and adults!!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
I'm very, very torn about this book. Part of the problem, I think, is that I have heard about it so much before I read it. This usually results in some type of let down.
But . . .
There are several things to like about this book. The story is told simply and quickly. Klause's portrayal of a pack is not warm and fuzzy, and that's nice for a change.
BUT . ..
This also give rise to several problems. I liked the idea, but the main character Vivian is not drawn well. Klause did a good job of combining adolescence awkwardness with monstrosity, but why does Vivian have to have EVERY SINGLE MALE IN THE BOOK WANT HER? Even her human boyfriend's father is attracted to her.. Klause's description of Vivian makes the lead sound like a Barbie doll (big bust, trim waist). I use to have my Barbie get trampled to death by her horses or bitten by her dogs, when I wasn't washing her hair with Eggnog. (No, I don't remember why I thought it would be a good idea). Therefore, I hate it when characters sound like Barbie. Vivian's over the top sexuality would make sense if Vivian is "mate' ready, if in other words she is in some werewolf version of heat. This is does not seem to be the case, or if it is Klause needs to do a better job at showing it. Additionally, why does EVERY OTHER FEMALE HAVE TO BE A BAD (B*T*H) OR STUPID? In fact, Klause undermines one of her own themes. Vivian is suppose to be different, but she is the most normal girl Aiden has every dated (except for the turning furry thing). Aiden's parents' comment that she fits the normal girl stereotype, that the other girls were different. This wouldn't be a problem, except the whole book ends with Vivian accepting the normalcy of her pack world. In other words, she conforms, and we are suppose to see that as a good thing. This is made worse by the fact that those female who don't conform, in particular the female friends of Aiden are not shown in a positive light. Is Klause trying to say that conforming to the herd is a good thing?
Maybe, or maybe Klause is trying to say that taking responsibility is good thing. It's true, being responsible is a good thing, we all need to grow up, but does that mean conforming? Totally conforming, at least for women? What is worse, there is no real sense that Vivian does really, truly grow up. Just because she is mated to a man who is 7-10 years older than her, doesn't mean she is adult. In fact, that relationship felt sour not because of the age difference, but because he dominates her. Look ladies, all we need is a strong man to show us who is boss, that is what we really want. The only female pack member who challenges the status quo (the proto feminist character) is the bad woman. Hmmm.
Okay, okay, Vivian is a werewolf; packs are different.
True, but then we're back to the whole question of why even act human? In some ways, Tanya Huff in her Blood noun books gave a better example of pack structure and relationships. It seems Klause wants to have the book be three different ways, and it doesn't work. (And if Vivian had been going to school for years, she would have a better understanding of human behavior).
This does all hitch on the character of Vivian. The problem for me is that she doesn’t really grow or change in the course of the novel. She becomes the head female because she defends her mother, but how could she fight with such skill? Why all of the sudden is she considered able to be a leader? There is no real sense of her changing. True, she is less stupid than all the other women and the boys her age, but considering how stupid they are, the bar is set very low. When I was teen, I read The Girls of Canby Hall series. They grew. Vivian doesn’t, not really. Klause attempts to show this towards the end of the book, where trying to save Aiden, Vivian is shot with a silver bullet and stuck in -between forms. She’s a furry wolf girl. This sounds promising, but it only lasts for a chapter. We’re told that Vivian felt the loss of her beauty, but this is not shown. There is no real sense that this has changed her, and in fact, all she need was a hot, heavy kiss from a real man to get better, to become beautiful again. That small sequence reminded me of an essay a student once wrote. The thesis was something along the lines of true beauty is on the inside. The support was about how the braces came off, she learned to do her hair, and she lost weight, then everyone liked her, including the cutest boy in school.
Reminds me of this book for some reason. It seems meaty and nice until you take a closer look, and then there is that sour taste because of the relationship with Gabriel that seems forced.
But . . .
There are several things to like about this book. The story is told simply and quickly. Klause's portrayal of a pack is not warm and fuzzy, and that's nice for a change.
BUT . ..
This also give rise to several problems. I liked the idea, but the main character Vivian is not drawn well. Klause did a good job of combining adolescence awkwardness with monstrosity, but why does Vivian have to have EVERY SINGLE MALE IN THE BOOK WANT HER? Even her human boyfriend's father is attracted to her.
Maybe, or maybe Klause is trying to say that taking responsibility is good thing. It's true, being responsible is a good thing, we all need to grow up, but does that mean conforming? Totally conforming, at least for women? What is worse, there is no real sense that Vivian does really, truly grow up. Just because she is mated to a man who is 7-10 years older than her, doesn't mean she is adult. In fact, that relationship felt sour not because of the age difference, but because he dominates her. Look ladies, all we need is a strong man to show us who is boss, that is what we really want. The only female pack member who challenges the status quo (the proto feminist character) is the bad woman. Hmmm.
Okay, okay, Vivian is a werewolf; packs are different.
True, but then we're back to the whole question of why even act human? In some ways, Tanya Huff in her Blood noun books gave a better example of pack structure and relationships. It seems Klause wants to have the book be three different ways, and it doesn't work. (And if Vivian had been going to school for years, she would have a better understanding of human behavior).
This does all hitch on the character of Vivian. The problem for me is that she doesn’t really grow or change in the course of the novel. She becomes the head female because she defends her mother, but how could she fight with such skill? Why all of the sudden is she considered able to be a leader? There is no real sense of her changing. True, she is less stupid than all the other women and the boys her age, but considering how stupid they are, the bar is set very low. When I was teen, I read The Girls of Canby Hall series. They grew. Vivian doesn’t, not really. Klause attempts to show this towards the end of the book, where trying to save Aiden, Vivian is shot with a silver bullet and stuck in -between forms. She’s a furry wolf girl. This sounds promising, but it only lasts for a chapter. We’re told that Vivian felt the loss of her beauty, but this is not shown. There is no real sense that this has changed her, and in fact, all she need was a hot, heavy kiss from a real man to get better, to become beautiful again. That small sequence reminded me of an essay a student once wrote. The thesis was something along the lines of true beauty is on the inside. The support was about how the braces came off, she learned to do her hair, and she lost weight, then everyone liked her, including the cutest boy in school.
Reminds me of this book for some reason. It seems meaty and nice until you take a closer look, and then there is that sour taste because of the relationship with Gabriel that seems forced.