Twixxy's book about a pack of French werewolves from New Orleans who joined up with the remnants of a German pack from Pennsylvania and moved to suburban Maryland. And what happens that year ...

A surprisingly fun and fast read.

Aspects I especially liked:

The heroine is tough, earthy, proud of her beastly side, and devoted to her family.

A clique of humans is termed "The Amoeba" and likened to a pack.

Kelly's room, while basically black, has secret pink flowered wallpaper and hidden family-get-together clothing. (The cassette tapes on her dresser were the only anachronism I noticed in this late-90s book.)

The high school literary magazine juxtaposes Vivian's print with Aiden's poem to create a vehicle for them to meet.

Unique and very sexy images like sneaking a sip of the bathwater after a loved one gets out of the tub; a male werewolf telling a female, "I want to lay my kill at your feet".

Detractors:

The Five singing werewolf songs on Vivian's porch roof (although it was cool the way they sported the fashion "all the best people are wearing"). Middle-aged women going after teenage guys. Following from that, the name Esme' for a supernatural mother (even though Klause must have used it before Meyer did). Arcing over all, the Harlequinlike theme of a coarse, cruel, violent male showing one glimmer of kindness and immediately becoming Mr. Right for one of the female characters.

Overall, though, I liked this book very much. The author (a school librarian!) has talent, and the reading went faster and more smoothly than with any other book I've read this year so far.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed to another BCer from Teal Court post office (first class since it's such a small mmpb).

Arrived today. Thank you SO much for sharing! Now I can read it and finally watch the movie!