Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson

Claire de Lune by Christine Johnson
Purchased on Amazon.com

PJVs QUICKIE POV: A deceptively cute young adult novel, Claire de Lune pairs a quaint tale of young love offset by a crazed, serial killing werewolf. While it did entertain, the fluctuation from cutesy young lovers to throat ripping wolf chomping was a bit outlandish and I felt at times the novel dragged in a day to day recitation of mundane tasks that the protag engaged in.

REVIEW: On Claire's sixteenth birthday she got more than a date with the cutest boy in school and a pair of sapphire earrings, she also sprouted hair and began craving rare venison.  Claire's legacy isn't a penchant for sweets, or saddle bags - it's the lycanthropy gene. Which is severely cramping her new social life and her serious boy crush Matthew.

On top of her personal dramas her town is going berserk as a werewolf terrorizes the populace by randomly attacking and killing people. The killings are inciting an uproar in the town which seems to have only one conclusion - the capture and death of a werewolf - and Claire believes they won't care if the wolf is guilty of the killings or not.

Like I said earlier it is a strange mix. The wolves are out in this novel, but there is really no back story that reveals how "out" they are. There are agencies that regulate werewolves, but it doesn't seem like they know much about the werewolves. The overall novel has a very juvenile tone and the romance, while cute, didn't have me all agog with lovey emotions. I know I often complain about the lack of parental awareness in YA novels, but this one seemed to be the exact opposite. Too much influence gave the impression that Claire couldn't make a decision of her own. In fact her parental unit, one Marie, was maddening. I just didn't like the Mom at all.

What I did like about the novel was the character development, Claire was a very well written character and so were the secondary characters. The evil werewolf was also well played, I really didn't have a clue as to who it was going to be until right before the reveal. I also liked the boy, he was cute and crush worthy. 

Entertaining, and a good novel to pass the time, it didn't evoke strong emotions in me either way.  Much like some of the more lighter YA novels out there, Claire de Lune was quick to finish and refreshing but not as full-bodied like some of its memorable counterparts (Shiver, The Dark Divine).

RECOMMENDATIONS: Young adult suited for younger teens. Fans of Never Cry Werewolf  and book so that ilk will enjoy.