BOOK REVIEW: Moonglow by Michael Griffo

Moonglow by Michael Griffo

• Series: The Darkborn Legacy
• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: K-Teen (February 26, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758280726
• ISBN-13: 978-0758280725

• From the author of the acclaimed Archangel Academy vampire trilogy comes a stunning new series about a girl determined to defy her fate—and reclaim her future…
  
  Something strange is going on with Dominy Robineau. All her friends in Weeping Water, Nebraska, have noticed—and it’s way beyond teenage blues. As weeks pass, Dom grows consumed by anger, aggression, and violence, and she seems powerless to stop it. Then she turns sixteen, and things get really dangerous.
  
  When her best friend is murdered, Dominy’s father is compelled to reveal the truth behind the darkness that threatens to both overtake and empower her. Her boyfriend, Caleb, swears they’ll find a way to change her destiny. But others are hiding secrets too, and gifts that are far more terrifying than hers. And even as she struggles to control her new abilities, Dom must contend with an enemy who wants her to use the beast within to destroy all those she loves, before she destroys herself…
   

I must admit that I’m very excited with this book, just look at that cover and the premise, plus this book came from the same writer of The Archangel Academy which was my very first book review in Bookshelf Confessions. But rest assured that this is an honest review.

The cover is very gorgeous. I love everything about it except maybe the model’s expression. I love her red/orange hair, the big moon behind her, her dress and the title’s font. But more than that, it reflect what the story really is.

The prologue is very engaging and tension-filled, it would definitely grab any reader’s attention. However Chapter 1 goes back to “3 months ago”. Although Part 1 (the book composed of the Prologue, Part 1, Part 2 and Epilogue and comes with a sneak peek of Sunblind, the 2nd book) is a little bit slow, I understand that this is needed to help us know Dominy, the protagonist more, her friends, her family and the town/school she grow up with. But when Part 2 jumps in, I was already hooked, and I can’t put the book down. This part consists of Dominy questioning everything she thought she was, uncovering mysteries about herself and the curse, balancing between the guilt of her dead bestfriend –whom she thought and knew she killed, her jeolous boyfriend, and finding a way to change her fate- this book is action-packed and a lot of things are going on.

Michael Griffo has done it again—making an extraordinary story from the ordinary. Everyone of us know how common werewolf tales are ( I’m spilling it since you’d probably read it anyway from other reviews that Dominy is curse to be a werewolf once every full moon), but this book isn’t just another werewolf story, there is actually a plot of how it all started; there is world-building, this is an original take on a modern-day myth—and I love every inch of it.

There is however some points where the author is carried with words and descriptions. And some of the names are hard to remember or just very unique.

The characters are realistic although you might not love them. Dom is vain-she’s concern about pimples and her being ugly, which I guess depicts a normal teenager. She’s also aggressive, bitchy and has a bad temper-which was attributed to her “changing”. Jess is obssessed with Japan, and I’m not against it.. sure, the characters all have issues, but no one’s perfect.

I’ve read some reviews saying the book is racist, maybe it’s a matter of opinion but I didn’t find any racism in it. Just because the antagonist is referred to as evil and happens to be an American-Indian who does curses and magic, doesn’t mean it’s racist. Would it make a difference if it wasn’t an Indian woman? Off course it’s expected she should be seen as evil by the main heroine, who wouldn’t if she cursed you, right?

MOONGLOW is a page-turner with lots of twist and mysteries in every corner. And contains an ending that would left you astounded. It’s mainly a story of friendship, trust and family despite everything that has change. I’m so happy that I won’t have to wait for long since I already have Sunblind. Watch out for my review soon :)

If you love paranormal, especially werewolf tales and doesn’t overanalyze things, then this book is for you. The target audience mainly are teens.

I would recommend this book!

*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review***