Book Review: Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock

 

**I received this book from Around the World ARC Tours for review**

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  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.

My Thoughts:

Mackenzie's best friend, Amy, was killed by a werewolf a few months ago.  Now, a werewolf is terrorizing Hemlock again and Mac, Jason and Kyle are in the middle of it all.  After the Trackers arrive in Hemlock, Mac decides she is going to investigate the death of Amy as well. Trackers hunt the werewolves and put them into "rehabilitation" camps.  I thought it sounded more like a concentration camp in Nazi Germany.  They were cruel, violent and pretty much just stupid.  

Mac lives with her cousin, Tess. Mac's father left her with Tess when she was younger and while Tess forgets to buy groceries sometimes, she is really caring and sweet.  Mac is really loyal, strong and brave.  She has her naive moments but hey, who doesn't?  I really liked how strong her bond with Tess was too.  They were always there for each other. 

Kyle was probably my favorite character.  He is very protective of Mac and tries to do what is best for her.  He cares about people and even spends time with his psycho ex-girlfriend to make sure she is okay.  He has a big secret that you will have to read the book to find out but he was by far my favorite!

Jason is your ultimate spoiled, rich, bad boy.  He was Amy's boyfriend and is torn apart after she is killed.  He is self-destructive and is looking to join the Trackers.  He drinks all the time and pays to get himself out of trouble. However, you can tell that his is hurting and dealing with it the only way he knows how. 

I really enjoyed how Amy was still in the story even though she was dead.  Amy would "haunt" Mac's dreams at night.  I loved their interactions and how Amy was still a big part of Mac's life.  

I also liked how the werewolves were acknowledged by the whole world.  While you didn't want to let everyone know that you were infected with LS, it wasn't something that people didn't believe in. There were books on the illness and the CDC even had information on it.  It made the whole story seem more realistic somehow.

Overall this was a very suspenseful and fast-paced book.  It only took me a few days to read and I really didn't want to have to put it down.  The romance isn't overdone and the characters are well developed.  I can't wait to read the second book to see what happens next!