Review of Urban Werewolf Debut, Howling At The M
Enticing Storytelling in Karen MacInerney's Paranormal Romance Novel
Jun 12, 2009
MacInerney's debut novel, Murder On The Rocks, was selected as a nominee for the Agatha award in the category of Best First Novel. Since it's inception, MacInerney has been on the fast track towards literary success. Contemporaries, such as Charlaine Harris, have raved about Howling at the Moon.
Howling at The Moon introduces us to the headstrong and ever-infuriated Sophie Garou -a half-were/half-human attempting to fly under the radar in modern Texan society. Sophie was raised by her entirely human mother since her were father abandoned ship before her birth. Her childhood was a series of unfortunate events followed by relocations. Since no one taught her the ropes, Sophie had to rely on the guidance of her somewhat unconventional herb-loving mother and a healthy dose of wolfsbane to keep her inner animal at bay. That is, until they stumbled upon Austin, Texas, a seemingly were-free area.
Complications and Confrontations in Austin, Texas
Sophie had managed to spend most of her adolescence as well as her entire adult life avoiding werewolves. In her many years as an Austin resident, she had only come across two lone weres and had managed to build a feasible normal existence. She had regular friends, a regular job and a sexy but regular -though amazing- boyfriend. Aside from the full-moon reprieve she had to take from her life about four times a year, things were working out in Sophie's favor.
She is a sexy and sophisticated woman with plenty of pizzazz to spare...until she drives past a stunningly handsome yet blatantly lupine were. Though their gazes only crosses for one moment, it was enough to bring Sophie's world crashing down upon her because at every corner she was being confronted by this tantalizing treat of a were.
Learning the Way of the Were
Since Sophie had never really learned much about her werewolf nature except what she had read in books and seen in ridiculous horror movies, she was naturally drawn to this sexy stranger who could provide her with all of the answers she was seeking. Though, he could potentially provide her with a bit more than she had bargained for.
Tom, while seductive and golden-eyed, was a werewolf. He was someone Sophie could be herself with, no secrets and she was drawn to him despite her wonderful and attractive lawyer boyfriend Heath. The inner turmoil Sophie struggles with is enough to keep readers on their toes. Will Sophie cling to the normality of her existence with her wonderful boyfriend who doesn't know she's a werewolf or would she cross over into the danger zone and throw away everything she'd worked for to be with the sexy rogue wolf?
Twists, Turns and Dangerous Liasons
As if Sophie's choice between men wasn't enough, the story takes us through dangers and action galore. Someone from work is gunning for Sophie and has found out her true nature, her meddling mother is casting all sorts of spells behind Sophie's back, she'd finally been located by one of the werewolf packs in Austin and they're gunning for her and her mother is being accused of murdering a high-power government official. Sophie certainly has her work cut out for her. She had to sniff out the culprits before it is too late, but will her love life get in the way?
While there is obviously a whole bunch of action in this novel, it is never confusing and always amusing. The action is fast-paced and the novel is an ideal summer read. The characters are well constructed as is the plot and MacInerney's talent as a paranormal romance novel is evident.
- MacInerney, Karen. Howling at the Moon. Random House Publishing, 2008.
- ISBN: 9780345496256
