Book Review: Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

While True Blood is an adult television show and the books are the same, many of you out there have teenaged kids, or know some, that are all caught up in the Twilight and Vampire Diaries novels that were written for young adults. I know, I have one myself. Lately, she’s been talking about another series of novels that her friends are all sharing back and forth amongst themselves.

Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber is the latest craze, I’m told, so when I had the opportunity to read the newest series this author is beginning, I nabbed it. Once in a Full Moon is the first book in a new series, this time it’s about werewolves. The synopsis reads as follows:

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend’s Run is famous for them. She’s used to everything in the small town until Brandon Maddox moves to Legend’s Run and Celeste finds herself immediately drawn to the handsome new student. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight.

Her best friends may never forgive her if she gives up her perfect boyfriend, Nash, for Brandon, who’s from the wrong side of town. But she can’t deny her attraction or the strong pull he has on her. Brandon may be Celeste’s hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend’s Run.

Psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf are the perfect formula for what happens . . . once in a full moon.

What Works

This is a story that will appeal to young girls. They can identify with Celeste and her friends; theirs interests and activities, the high school cliques, shopping at the mall and teenage crushes. Schreiber totally gets their world and she writes to them and for them. She knows how to use their language.

“Once in a Full Moon” tells the werewolf story in a sweet, innocent way and you won’t be afraid to see it in your daughter’s hands. I passed mine on to my daughter as soon as I finished.

What Doesn’t Work

As I was reading this book, I had to keep reminding myself that it was, in fact, written for teens. I’ve been spoiled lately by reading romance, paranormal, mystery and chick-lit for grown-ups. Celeste’s two BFFs annoyed me to no end. They were spoiled little rich brats I couldn’t like at all. I kept thinking “Mean Girls” whenever they were in the picture. Their irritating boyfriends were just as bad. Celeste’s own boyfriend, Nash, was a little self-indulgent jock, yet Celeste couldn’t seem to live without any of them.  It’s too bad her ability to see the good in everyone didn’t rub off on them.

Nothing was really explained very well. To be fair, though, this is just the first book of a series. It is likely that my issues with the book will iron themselves out over the course of the next books.

I can honestly give “Once in a Full Moon” four out of five moon phases. It’s definitely one that our young girls will love and they’ll gab about it endlessly. While it’s not necessarily my cup of tea, my daughter is eating it up.

To find out more about “Vampire Kisses” and Ellen Schreiber, visit her website at www.ellenschreiber.com.