Title: Hemlock (Hemlock #1)
Author: Kathleen Peacock
Release date: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Pages: 416
Source: Publisher
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.
Hemlock has made a werewolf fan out of me. I was scared to read it because werewolf stories aren’t usually for me. However all the glowing reviews changed my mind. Hemlock is a werewolf story but it’s also so much more. I’m so glad I read it so I can add my praise-filled review to the tons already out there.
The werewolves in Hemlock are considered monsters but they aren’t uncommon creatures like in most books. Lupine Syndrome is the cause and it can be transferred by a bite or scratch. Being a werewolf in Hemlock just means you’re diseased. However you are still treated like a monster and in some cases the werewolves are definitely monsters.
Mac is a little bit of a stereotypical character. Rather plain girl, pretty best friend (who was murdered), multiple boys in love with her, and totally oblivious to things going on around her. It was pretty easy to see that Jason and Kyle both had feelings for Mac but she needed to have that spelled out for her. Don’t get me wrong, I liked Mac, I just thought she was a little out of it at times. She definitely had spunk though and I loved that about her.
As for Jason and Kyle I didn’t really love either of them. They both seemed like good guys but I didn’t see any chemistry between Mac and them. Jason was seriously messed up but he had a good heart. Kyle was the better of the two but he was always trying to protect Mac, even when she didn’t want or need protection. I hope to see more development of both boys in the next book.
Now there is a bit of a mystery to Hemlock. Mac’s best friend, Amy, was murdered by a werewolf. Mac and Kyle set out to find the wolf responsible. Amy herself actually plays a bit of a role in the mystery solving as well. She visits Mac in remarkably realistic dreams and helps point her in the right direction. The mystery is solved in this book but things are by no means tied up. There is plenty left to uncover in the sequel but enough solved to leave readers satisfied. It’s the perfect balance.
Overall, Hemlock is by far the best werewolf book I have read. After reading this one I’m willing to check out some more werewolf stories in the future, especially Hemlock’s sequel.
Looking for more reviews of Hemlock?
Candace’s Book Blog’s review
Tynga’s Reviews’ review
Series:
Hemlock (Hemlock #1)
Untitled (Hemlock #2)
I loved this one SO MUCH!!! It’s definitively on my re-read shelf.
I didn’t really like werewolf paranormal when I first started reading/blogging, but I am coming around with authors such as Dani Harper and Kathleen Peacock.
I have been eyeing this one for quite a while now. I am so glad you liked it so I know for sure that its worth buying.
Sounds amazing! Great review 🙂
I had no idea this was a werewolf book! :O All this time I was under the assumption that Hemlock was just a murder mystery *facepalm* I just read the blurb again – LOL it even mentions war wolf virus! I’m getting this one for review and after your review – I can’t wait to read it! Great review 🙂 🙂 🙂
I’ve heard a lot of people say that they liked this book. I haven’t read all that many werewolf books and I’ve been wanting to read it! Great review!
I’m glad to hear that you were hesitant at first but then loved it. I’ll have to check it out.
Kathryn
Clean Teen Fiction
Clean Adult Fiction
I’ve seen this one around a lot
I’ve heard good things about this one. Can’t wait to get to it. Thanks for sharing.
Valerie
StuckInBooks.com
I heard this was a good book. Not sure if I would add it to my wish list…
I have heard really good reviews about this as well, I am really excited to read it!!! I like that it doesn’t leave you with a huge cliffhanger at the end it makes me want to read it even more!!!
I’m glad to hear you say that you aren’t a werewolf person and still liked this one. I’m not a werewolf person either and so have been hesitating to read this one. But after this review I think that I’ll give it a shot.
I’m not really a werewolf fan either so it makes me hopeful to see you enjoyed this one so much! It does sound unique. Although the characters were just alright, I’m glad it didn’t hinder the book and it was still good! I especially like that the ending leaves readers satisfied, I hate the unnecessary cliffhangers. Wonderful review, Katie!
Im so glad you enjoyed it! I told you even if you aren’t a werewolf fan (like me) you would LOVE this one! awesome review, but I REALLY loved both guys for some reason 😛
– juhina
Oh i love your review, i recently bought this and cannot wait to read it.
I’m glad to hear that Hemlock was awesome. I love werewolves and I’m always looking for a good werewolf book!
I’ve found myself recently getting tired of paranormal stuff such as werewolves and vampires, but your review makes me want to give it a chance. Thanks! I’ll probably end up buying this soon.
I’ll have to check this out. Sounds great, and the cover is just amazing.
This sounds very cool and saying it’s the best werewolf book you’ve ever read is a great endorsement.
Hmmm… I have a thing for werewolves and shapeshifters, but I get pretty irritated with oblivious girl protagonists, and from your description the love interests don’t sound all that, well, interesting. I’d love to hear more about why you found the book awesome! Was it the writing in general? The worldbuilding? The mystery plot? Inquiring minds want to know! 🙂
I absolutely adored this book. I was wary of it because it was described as a dark novel, though. I wasn’t wary of it because of its werewolf status like you were. I really enjoyed it though because it’s definitely not your typical werewolf novel, which made Peacock’s debut so awesome! Despite Mac being so plain, I truly did love the story. Characters are important to me and if they’re not unique in some way or another, I tend to dislike the book a tiny bit, but I truly did like Mac. I just had problems with her friend popping into her dreams. I couldn’t tell they were happening sometimes and I feel as if the transition could have been done a bit smoothly. Great review! I can’t wait for the next book!
I’m hooked on werewolved after Andrea Cremer’s series and I think this author totally reinvented them! Love her commentary on discrimination and how she put them out in the open.
Lovely review 🙂