Claire de Lune Review

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, I was lucky enough to participate in a blog tour of the upcoming novel Claire de Lune, hosted by Liz from Cleverly Inked. Well, get ready...I finally have my review for you!

Hanover Falls hasn’t had a werewolf problem in over one hundred years. Seattle, Copenhagen, Osaka–they’ve had plenty of attacks. But when humans begin dying in Claire Benoit’s town, the panic spreads faster than a rumor at a pep rally. At Claire’s sixteenth birthday party, the gruesome killings are all anyone can talk about. But the big news in Claire’s mind is the fact that Matthew Engle–high-school soccer god and son of a world-renowned lycanthropy expert–notices her. And flirts with her. A lot.

That night, Claire learns that she is the latest in a long line of Benoit werewolves, and that contrary to popular belief, all werewolves are female. Killing humans is forbidden by the code of the pack, but a rogue werewolf has been breaking that law, threatening the existence of Claire’s new pack. As the pack struggles to find and fight the rogue werewolf and Claire struggles with her lupine identity, her heart and her loyalties are torn in two. Claire must keep her new life a secret from even her best friend–and especially from Matthew, whose father is leading the werewolf hunt…and with whom Claire is impossibly and undeniably falling head-over-paws in love.
Taken from author Christine Johnson's website.

Ooooh where to begin on this one?! Before I go any further, I'm going to do my very best not to include any spoilers. Ok, moving on. You know, I'd seen a lot of people waiting on this book, but I hadn't read too much about it before I received the book. For that reason, I can honestly say I didn't know what to expect besides just another werewolf story. I was wrong. This isn't just another werewolf story...this is what werewolf stories should strive to be.

Claire de Lune introduces a world where werewolves don't have to hide. People know there are werewolves, and it's a part of life. Claire, however, never knew it was a part of her life until her 16th birthday when the secret her mother kept from her since birth begins to unravel. Claire discovers she's a werewolf, must somehow manage to maintain her true sense of self, and balance her new life with the life she wants and has led.

What I loved most about this book is that Christine Johnson perfectly merged a coming-of-age tale with a supernatural story, and it made the both even richer for it. I also really enjoyed the world within Claire de Lune. I love reading books that allow you to lose yourself in them, and this book did not disappoint with a believable and intriguing world. That said, I have to admit I was a little disappointed with the action element of the story...I was hoping there would be more white-knuckled suspense. I hope the next book ups the ante a bit in that department.

I give this book a very strong 4 out of 5, and I highly recommend it to all those who enjoy a good-paced, easy-reading supernatural tale. (I can't wait for the sequel!) As this is an ARC, look for Claire de Lune to be released May 18, 2010.

Please be sure to check out Christine Johnson's next tour stop over at Cleverly Inked!