Hemlock (Hemlock, #1) in The Not-So Austen Bookclub

Feb 10, 2012 Keertana rated it it was ok

Shelves: debut-author-2012, why-the-hype

Rating: 2.5 Stars

There are not many books I can say I was happy to finish, but Hemlock definitely falls into that category. I believe I skimmed through the last seventy pages and I was so relieved to have finished it that I just gave a great big sigh of happiness. When a book incites a reaction like that from you then it can't be good. However, Hemlock, for all it's standard, boring, snore-worthy YA moments, did have a heck of a murder mystery going for it - one which kept me on the edge of Rating: 2.5 Stars

There are not many books I can say I was happy to finish, but Hemlock definitely falls into that category. I believe I skimmed through the last seventy pages and I was so relieved to have finished it that I just gave a great big sigh of happiness. When a book incites a reaction like that from you then it can't be good. However, Hemlock, for all it's standard, boring, snore-worthy YA moments, did have a heck of a murder mystery going for it - one which kept me on the edge of my seat until I found out who the killer was. Either than that though, I'd advise you steer clear from this debut.

In the futuristic world where Mac lives, lupine syndrome is a danger to mankind. A mere scratch from a werewolf could leave you infected, so it's no surprise that their very existence puts humanity on edge. Amy, Mac's best friend, was found in an abandoned alleyway, her body torn and ravaged, clutching a piece of white fur in her hands. All the signs point to a werewolf, but the question is who? Mac is unable to get any type of closure without knowing her best friend's killer and, as if in response to her subconscious, a group of Trackers comes into town - werewolf hunters. When Amy's boyfriend and Mac's best friend Jason joins them, Mac knows that she has to take on the white werewolf on her own. Joined by her best friend Kyle, Mac sets out to find Amy's killer, but what she ends up uncovering are a lot more than secrets of the dead...

For a novel marketed as being original and different, the world of Hemlock felt eerily similar to the Wizarding World's treatment of werewolves. What do we know about Lupin? He can't get a job because he's a werewolf, people avoid him because he's a werewolf, the Ministry passes laws against him because he's a werewolf and therefore, he tries to avoid being noticed as a werewolf. The world of Hemlock contains the same exact scenario. The Trackers are a government-sponsored group of people who tase werewolves and send them to live in camps away from the rest of civilization so no harm can come to others. Of course, no one actually wants to live in those camps so they keep the fact that they're a werewolf hidden. Really, the idea isn't so original. What could have been original was the execution, but even that fell eerily flat all because of...you guessed it...the romance!

Hemlock could have been a truly amazing novel if only the romance had taken a backseat in this one. Instead, the reader can sense the love triangle from the prologue of this story itself which was a huge let-down and disappointment. Originally, it may seem as if Mac isn't torn over two guys and in some ways, she really isn't. It's very obvious who she wants to be with, but at the same time, two guys are in love with her and I'm pretty sure I can predict the romantic plot of Book 2 for you right now if I really wanted to. Yes, that's how blatantly obvious it is. Furthermore, it wasn't just the existence of a love triangle that made me shudder away from this love story, it was also the sheer lack of emotion towards any of these characters. Mac, Amy, Jason, and Kyle have been best friends since forever - they're like the Forever Four or something! So of course, the author doesn't see fit to truly expand on their relationship, simply throwing them into scenarios where they are expected to protect and stand-up for each other or where it isn't strange, weird, or random when two of the characters simply begin kissing out of the blue. In context, it makes sense, but to the reader, it is all rather unexpected and rushed. If Mac had been killed at the end of Hemlock I honestly don't think I could have brought myself to muster up any type of emotion towards to her demise. Not. One. Bit. If that says I'm heartless or says that the author isn't very good at character-developing, I don't know, but I do know I won't be continuing with this series.

Hemlock is the type of book that could have been turned into a full-fledged murder mystery with political intrigue and scandal thrown into it. Unfortunately, it was a romantic story with a murder-mystery in its backdrop. Although I really enjoyed the mystery aspects of this story, I didn't quite like anything else. So do I recommend this? No, I don't. Please, don't be like me - don't be fooled by this beautiful cover or deceptive synopsis. Hemlock isn't new, original, or unique as we'd all like to believe. Instead, it's a complete waste of time. Unless you're a fan of love triangles, romantic paranormal stories, and plot-taking-the-backseat-to-the-love-story tales, then Hemlock isn't the book for you. ...more

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Nov 05, 2011 Rebecca Gordon rated it really liked it

What if everyone knew that werewolves were real? In Hemlock by Kathleen Peacock the world does know that werewolves are real and bloodlust is not easy to control. Mackenzie and Amy were best friends until Amy was murdered by a werewolf. Mackenzie’s life has not been the same since, she is being haunted by Amy in her dreams and the Trackers have come to town to hunt down Amy’s killer. The Trackers are an extremist group that hunts and terrorizes werewolves. Mackenzie decides to hunt down Amy’s ki ...more

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Nov 26, 2011 Joie rated it liked it

3.75 stars
(originally reviewed at Joie de Lire)

Hemlock is a book that, from what I’ve seen, has received some mixed reviews. Some people gush about how amazing it is and absolutely love what the author’s done with the whole concept of werewolves. Others, on the other hand, have deemed this book to be a stereotypical YA paranormal romance, with nothing new to offer.
My position? Well, I’m somewhere in the middle.
Not terribly helpful, I know… but here, let me explain:

I’m not an avid werewolf book r 3.75 stars
(originally reviewed at Joie de Lire)

Hemlock is a book that, from what I’ve seen, has received some mixed reviews. Some people gush about how amazing it is and absolutely love what the author’s done with the whole concept of werewolves. Others, on the other hand, have deemed this book to be a stereotypical YA paranormal romance, with nothing new to offer.
My position? Well, I’m somewhere in the middle.
Not terribly helpful, I know… but here, let me explain:

I’m not an avid werewolf book reader, but out of the ones I have read, I can honestly say that Hemlock’s take on werewolves is very unique in YA. It was fresh and new and very interesting to read about. In the world of Hemlock, the existence of werewolves is common knowledge, and because of people’s fear of them, those who are infected with the Lupine disease is sent into these awful camps where they’re treated as sub-humans. There’s a civilian organization called the Trackers who enforce all the “rules” regarding werewolves. These people are brutal. Like a you-want-to-kick-them-where-the-sun-don’t-shine kind of brutal.

The biggest hook for me, the thing that kept me flipping page after page, was definitely the mystery. That aspect of the book was really good! I love a good who-done-it kind of mystery that generates so much suspense that I’m half tempted to just flip to the end and find the answers! The urge to find out who the murderer was and what secrets were being kept will keep you glued to this book!

As for the characters, I think Kathleen Peacock gave a good variety of personalities to tell her story. With regards to Mac, the main character, I liked her, but I didn’t really love her. Or, I guess to be more specific, I just didn’t really connect with her like I wanted to. It’s not that she was annoying or poorly written, but sometimes, she did things that I didn’t particularly agree with and couldn’t help but think that she just didn’t think things through.

*SLIGHT spoilers in the next paragraph, so read at your own risk!*
Mac’s two best friends, Kyle and Jason were good characters that made up the other sides of the love triangle, providing a nice contrast to one another. Oh yes, did I forget to mention that there’s a love triangle in this book? To be honest, I was not crazy about the love triangle—I mean, I could see each boy’s appeal, but I just didn’t get what made them both so enamored with Mac, so willing to risk everything for her. And I already have a feeling that there’s going to be a lot of relationship angst in the next book. *Sigh* Upchuck.
Strangely enough, Amy, despite being deceased, was a character that really interested me. I almost wish that the author could write a prequel focusing on Amy’s story because I would LOVE to read about her relationships. Especially the one with a boy that, to me, could give Kyle and Jason a good run for their money on the swoon-worthy scale. I honestly think her love story would make a better book thank more love triangle angst.
*END OF SPOILER section*

All in all, I liked this book. Didn’t really fall out of my chair over how amazing it was. But I didn’t despise it either. Will I be reading the sequel? Yes. I’m definitely anxious to see where Kathleen Peacock takes us in this world of werewolves and Trackers.
...more

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Apr 06, 2012 Ira rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, owned-book

Hemlock b Kathleen Peacock Thoughts: *Siiiiiiiiiiiiiigh* I have once again finished the first book of a series with lots of potential!!!!! We've only spent 1 night and now it's done... I can't believe I've read 3/4 of the book in one sitting!!! If I weren't sleepy and if I didn't have plans the next day, I would have stayed up late and finished the entire book! NOW THAT is an awesome book!! Thanks to this book, I know now how to distinguish a great read from a disappointing one when time is of t Hemlock b Kathleen Peacock Thoughts: *Siiiiiiiiiiiiiigh* I have once again finished the first book of a series with lots of potential!!!!! We've only spent 1 night and now it's done... I can't believe I've read 3/4 of the book in one sitting!!! If I weren't sleepy and if I didn't have plans the next day, I would have stayed up late and finished the entire book! NOW THAT is an awesome book!! Thanks to this book, I know now how to distinguish a great read from a disappointing one when time is of the essence. I really don't have a 2-month long vacation for this academic year or for any upcoming years in my teenage life because I am soon-to-be a grown up, and part of being a grown-up means a couple of weeks for a "Summer vacation". So you see, I really don't have the time to waste reading the wrong book while the good ones sit untouched. So I have this strategy that if the books weren't working for me with regards to its first few chapters then I'm putting it down & picking up a new read. I might give it a chance some other time but not now when I only have a week left until our mandatory summer classes start!Going back to this superb book... what can I say? I'm a sucker for love triangles. I am a sucker for 2 guy best friends falling in love with their girl best friend-- because we're not fed with the crap load of BS called "love at first sight". I am a sucker for werewolves. I am a sucker for HEMLOCK!!! I finally found a book wherein I love the two leading men!!!! I am totally confused! If only Mac can have both as her boyfriend! Kyle is the stable one, the more organized, responsible and reliable one. Kyle is the safest and best choice!! He is like the best friend who was always there for Mac when it comes to saving and comforting her. He is the guy who was too afraid to confess his feelings that might ruin his relationship with the people he cares most. Jason, on the other hand, is the broken one. We gotta admit, the broken ones have a huge spot reserved in our hearts. We've always loved the tortured soul-ed yet brooding and handsome, rich bastard. Just like Mac, we can't help but want to fix them and be the reason why he is doing better. He is reckless, stubborn, spontaneous and just about the most perfect broken guy I've ever drooled over. There were unexpected twists but nothing out of the ordinary. All in all it is a great read if you're looking for a good love story :P I can't wait for the next book to come out!!! I don't know how much time I have to wait for it to come out :-< This book hasn't even been published yet. Kyle had his chance and in the 2nd book, it's Jason turn!! With Jason and Mac on the journey in finding Kyle, I'm sure there will be lotsa cheezy moments planned for Jason and Mac :-p ...more

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