Book Review: Low Red Moon (Ivy Devlin)

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.

This book is so, so marvelous! It's mysterious, grue-some, heartbreaking and romantic at the same time. It has a very believable heroine, a sexy hero and a murder-mystery that had me on the edge of my seat!

Avery is - like I said - a very believable heroine. Although significantly ostracised from both her high school and her community, she feels like a girl-next-door who one could easily get to know. Her interactions with people are somewhat limited by her home-schooled background, but to those who she does befriend, she is both giving and understanding. She has a generous heart and I adore her for it. Sheltered by them all her life, Avery doesn't only feel lost in the death of her parents but feels like she's trapped in a sort of limbo, tormented by her lapsing memories.

Avery narrates the book with a voice with genuine grief. The melancholy but collected narration is honest and lyrical. Every word is captivating, every thought filled with emotions.
My heart ached for Avery at many points in the book, but never did the narration make me feel like putting the book down. On the contrary, I read it in record time! I have none but praise for Avery and her lyrical prose.

I also love how the narration matches the gruesomeness of some part of the book while being flexible enough to equal the majesty of its romance. Ben and Avery share a deep, instant connection. Uncontrollable and life-changing, both are each other's salvation. There is a lot of discovery surrounding Ben Dusic, but it's left wide open for the sequel (I am wishing for more) to build on. The romance is sexy and seductive, and there's more than just one. I am hungry for more from these characters!

Low Red Moon has a good transition in the plot, from murder mystery to direct supernatural. Furthermore, the backdrop of the forest, and how most things happen at night gives a very eerie feel and setting. And whenever Avery and Ben gets together, this shifts to become a romantic atmosphere. A perfect fit for the plot!

Five Stars!

* Thank you to Bloomsbury for my shiny, lovely review copy!