REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY: "Low Red Moon", by Ivy Devlin

Title: Low Red Moon

Author: Ivy Devlin 

Format: Paperback

Pages: 244 

Released: September 14th 2010 

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's Books

Synopsis

Taken from Goodreads.

The only thing Avery Hood can remember about the night her parents died is that she saw silver—deadly silver, moving inhumanly fast. As much as she wants to remember who killed them, she can't, and there's nothing left to do but try to piece her life back together. Then Avery meets the new boy in school—Ben, mysterious and beautiful, with whom she feels a connection like nothing she's ever experienced. When Ben reveals he's a werewolf, Avery still trusts him—at first. Then she sees that sometimes his eyes flash inhuman silver. And she learns that she's not the only one who can't remember the night her parents died.Part murder mystery, part grief narrative, and part heart-stopping, headlong romance, Low Red Moon is a must-read for teen paranormal fans. As breathless as Twilight and as spooky as Shiver, this is a book to be devoured in one sitting—by an acclaimed YA author making her paranormal debut under the pseudonym Ivy Devlin.

Review.

So I know I've already posted one review this afternoon, but shortly after I logged off my laptop for the evening, I picked up Low Red Moon, by Ivy Devlin. I devoured it! 

Firstly, I should say that this book is beautiful to look at. The cover is gorgeous and the little red forest at the bottom of every page is ever-so pretty! I picked up this book based entirely on the cover and, once again, my instincts steered me well. 

I was dubious when I got home and read the blurb. I've read a few werewolf books over the last couple of years and I've found the format to be somewhat prosaic and predictable. While Devlin's book didn't come with any shock-horror twists, it certainly breathed life into a genre that wouldn't usually grip me. This engagement came largely from the relationship between Avery Hood, the heroine of the tale (I loved the fairytale surname) and Ben Dusic. 

It's become the norm for there to be a tortured heroine and a moody, mysterious stranger leading the romance of paranormal romance texts. But somehow, Devlin takes this norm and adds more fire, more passion than has been on offer from many authors. You'll read their scenes with your heart in your throat and you'll have white knuckles as you yell "Just kiss, damn it!" at the pages. Devlin builds the tension between the lovers and allows it to reach tantalising crescendos! Seriously...you'll be wishing for a werewolf of your very own when you're through with this. 

Avery is a sound protagonist. She goes through a terrible ordeal (not wholly original, I know, but Devlin doesn't shy away from the gory details) and emerges lonely and broken. Sent to live with her estranged grandmother, she misses her mother, father and the forest in which they lived. Avery is connected to the forest in a strange and intriguing way. I liked Avery's confusion when it came to Ben, and thought the strained relationship between her and Renee (her grandmother) was well presented. 

I only had a couple of niggles with this book. Firstly, some of the dialogue was strangely structured. I know that the school rule: "New Speaker = New Line" isn't infallible, but there were times in the book that the conversation was oddly set out. It was only a small niggle but it did distract me from the otherwise great story.

The second niggle was...well, I'm not entirely sure that it was a niggle! Every time the word "moon" popped up in the book, it was set apart from the text as it was dropped down in a red font. Although there was a part of me which kind of liked this quirk, I mostly found that the font change drew my eye away from the rest of the story. 

These are only very minor grievances. On the whole, I enjoyed this quick and gripping read. The fiery romance of desire and doubt between Avery and Ben kept me hooked. The portrayed humanity of the wolves was nicely juxtaposed to the inhumane greed of the people. 

I look forward to seeing more from Ivy Devlin in future! You can find more about this new voice and her great debut, here.

SO TIME FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

One lucky winner will receive a copy of Ivy Devlin's Low Red Moon. All you have to do is...

FILL IN THIS FORM!

Rules.

Contest Ends 19/06/11
Winner chosen by random.org

Must be 13+

Must be a GFC follower

UK entrants only for this one

Good Luck!

Lx