Friday 6 July 2012

#124 Book Review: Deadly Hemlock

Deadly Hemlock
Release Date: July 1st 2012
Author: Kathleen Peacock
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Australia
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy: Fishpond | Booktopia | Dymocks
More Info: Goodreads
Summary 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.
Cover:
When I first saw the cover, I thought it was okay. I might have preferred the US cover over the UK/AUS cover but when I finally took a good look at the cover, I saw the wolf and I was surprised! I LOVE OPTICAL ILLUSIONS and that wolf image hidden in the cover = TOTAL WIN!

Story:

Lupine syndrome haunts Hemlock...

Before I started this book, I have seen the book around and read a couple of reviews so I was very interested in reading the book although I read it without knowing what else to expect besides the theme of werewolves. When I finished the book, I was absolutely surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Deadly Hemlock was one of the best werewolves novel I've read!

The concept of lupine syndrome spreading in a town was very interesting. I loved how Kathleen stayed with the original concept of werewolves (such as how when you are bitten or scratched by a werewolf you become one as well) but expanded the concept more than just the original one. As Mac tries to investigate the murderer of her best friend, I was also taken on a journey to investigate the murder with her.  I guess I was not a very good 'detective' because I was very surprised to find out that this particular character was the murderer! The romance was in the right proportion as well! There was some sort of love triangle but don't worry, Mac chose someone in the book! The ending made me desperate for the next book in the series because things were not yet resolved in the first book.

Characters:
Mac was such an enjoyable character to read about! Our heroine here is a strong, determined character who will stop at nothing to find the truth about her best friend's murderer.  Alongside with her comes the two different but awesome guys! Kyle has been Mac's best friend but suddenly, there is something more than just best friends going on with them and Mac is surprised at how she likes it. There is also Jason, Amy's boyfriend who is still grieving about Amy's murder. What happened that night that made Amy decide to walk alone in the middle of the night? Can Jason be the reason? I personally really liked Kyle over Jason. He's just amazing and he has his own secrets that I JUST LOVE. Jason has been going through rough times since Amy's death but I do not like the way he behaves. He gets often drunk and joins a group called the Trackers whose agendas are more than just stopping the werewolves in Hemlock. It's safe to say that nearly all the characters have their own hidden secrets!


Overall:
Deadly Hemlock is wonderful 2012 debut novel with a great concept of werewolves! I was immersed into the story and the investigation of Amy's murder. Filled with surprises, actions, romance and mystery, Deadly Hemlock completely impressed me and I absolutely can't wait for the sequel!
5 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Deadly Hemlock!
  Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia for the review copy!

Check out the book trailer!

14 comments:

  1. Wohooo ! I'm so so glad you loved Hemlock too ! :D :D
    If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have realized that there was a wolf on the UK/AUS cover ! :) It's a great cover, me thinks.
    Wasn't Mac awesome ? I'm happy that you loved the characters because I agree they were absolutely amazing! This is actually one of the best werewolves stories I've read.
    Love the review, Celine ! :)

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  2. Oh wow, I just spotted the wolf! Never saw that before. Definitely makes the cover cooler :P. I've been dying to read this one, glad you enjoyed it! I like the idea of lupine syndrome and that all the characters seem to have a secret! Great review :).

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  3. Great review! I'd really like to read this book as everyone seems to be LOVING it, but I think I like the US cover better than the UK one (particularly the darkened tones in the US version). Sad to hear about the love triangle in this otherwise amazing-sounding book, but great review and I do hope to check this one out soon! :)

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  4. I've heard some great things about this one - it sounds like the author has given a unique twist to her werewolf mythology!

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  5. Oh wow, I never noticed that wolf! I'm so excited to read this book. I've read so many good reviews for it :) Can't wait to check out these cool werewolves, the mystery and romance!! Great review, Celine! <3

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  6. Oooh, how could I never have seen that wolf before?! The cover suddenly looks so much cooler now. ;) Great review, Celine! I'm pleased you liked this. I never even wanted to read this at first but all these 5 star reviews have convinced me to change my mind. :)

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  7. Oh my gosh, I can't believe I didn't see the wolf!!! Now on to your review...

    I really want to read this and it sounds like a different take on werewolves which is intriguing because most vampire/werewolf fiction follow the same path. I like strong heroines and Mac seems awesome and I'm curious to see what secrets Kyle and Jason are hiding!

    Lovely, awesome review, Celine <3

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  8. Ooh, I didn't see the wolf either! Awesome. I'm not the biggest fan of werewolves but I've heard this wasn't your typical werewolf book. If the murderer took you by surprise, I'm curious if it would take me by surprise too. Fab review, Celine!

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  9. I've heard so many amazing things about this book! I know lots of bloggers loved it, and I'm happy to hear you're one of them, Celine! :) I didn't see the wolf either. o.O I love optical illusions though! Wonderful review, Celine. :) <3

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  10. I almost didn't recognize this one, what with the title and cover difference from the US version! Now that I've figured out which book it is, I know I've seen it around here and there in the blogosphere, but I honestly can't remember reading many reviews of it. Glad to hear that you enjoyed it though, Celine! I might have to look into it further...

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  11. This sounds amazing! I've never heard of this book before either. I do love the cover. I wonder if the girl wearing a red coat is a nod to Little Red Riding Hood. Great review Celine. :)

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  12. Ooh. This sounds like a totally original take on werewolves, with lupine syndrome spreading and all! I need to read this, especially since you said it's one of your favourite werewolf novels! Awesome review, Celine <3 :)

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  13. I wasn't in love with this cover, but the werewolf I saw after you mentioned it: pretty cool! :D And I love how the red gives a slight hint towards Red riding hood to me ^^

    It must me a great book when you say that it's your favourite werewolf book! I haven't read so many of them, but I'm still fascinated by it :D So this one is definitely a book I want to read.

    Amazing review ^^

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  14. KYLE! KYLE! KYLE!

    AGADFJKDAFH! CELINE! SOOOO glad you loved this!
    OK, so when I first started reading--I'm talking opening chapters--I was ALL about the chemistry with Jason... but then... it was ALL Kyle. He and Mac are just perfection. Like, break my heart and tread on the pieces MADE for each other. They're just so sweet and heartbreaking and they're right for each other in the same way Anna and Etienne were--they're friends.

    *cries*

    *SCREAMS AT BOOK* PLEASE LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER! PLEEEEEASE!

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