Review: The Mayfair Moon by J.A. Redmerski

After a nightmarish encounter with a werewolf, seventeen-year-old Adria Dawson loses her sister, but gains the love of a mysterious young man and his legendary family.

Strange and tragic things begin to happen in the small town of Hallowell, Maine: residents come down with an unexplainable ‘illness’ and some disappear. In the midst of everything, Isaac Mayfair is adamant about keeping Adria safe, even from her sister whom he has warned her to stay away from.

As unspeakable secrets unfold all around Adria, impossible choices become hers to bear. Ultimately, no matter what path she takes, her life and the lives of those she loves will be in peril. As she learns about the werewolf world she also learns why her place in it will change the destinies of many.

Werewolves, in my opinion, don't get the attention and credit they deserve. Vampires usually steal the spotlight, get the girl, and have people begging to be one of them. Our lycanthropic friends, however, tend to be depicted as hairy, drooly, sometimes mindless, beasts. Doesn't sound very appealing, does it? In The Mayfair Moon, J.A. Redmerski goes deep into the heart of the werewolf culture, shining light on a society that spans centuries filled with war, secrets, betrayal, dire consequences, and forbidden love ~ all the core elements of a juicy page-turner. 

This book had me constantly chiming four little words: didn't see that coming. Just as soon as you get cozy with the way you think the story is going to go, it flips a switch and you're left reeling. 

Hallowell, Maine is a very different place from anything Adria has ever known. Not only is her scenery changed, but her once-loving, big sister is practically a catatonic witch. The odd and strange becomes Adria's everyday life, and she can't help but question why: Why is her sister so different? Why are people getting sick? Why are the Mayfair's so interested in her? ... It's all quite a bit to take in for a girl who's life's already been turned upside down. 

I'll admit, I expected another generic story about a young girl falling for the mysterious guy in school, a little bit of danger, and a happy ending, but I was pleasantly surprised to receive so much more. There's a foundation of werewolf history built here as we learn about their society, their politics, and how they came to be. It's not all supernatural glory ~ in fact, their life has a tinge of tragedy in almost every aspect, and I can't help but think it's the actions of their fathers that are to blame.

I really enjoyed all the unexpected connections that developed throughout the story. We find that not everyone is who we think they are, and it eventually comes to the point that we don't know friends from enemies. (Questions begged to be answered in the next novel, Kindred.) However, the connection between Adria and Isaac can never be questioned, although I did feel as if their relationship was a little forced and very sudden. At first, I had a difficult time believing their emotions for one another, but as their relationship grew, I found myself rooting for them. 

Adria's role in the novel, I feel, will turn out to be much more than she, or we as readers, ever expected. I won't give away too much, but there are hints throughout the novel that had a tinge of foreshadowing I couldn't ignore. There are secrets about her own life before the Mayfair's she hasn't yet discovered, and I think her place in the werewolf world will change the course of its history.

So many unanswered questions! Who is Adria? What are Trajan and Viktor to each other, really? What's a Praverian Chronicle? ... 

***I loved this book.***

A must-read for all fans of the paranormal. If you like what you see, swing over to Amazon and get it Kindle-style (only $0.99!) OR you could go here to enter the giveaway for a softcover copy of this awesome novel :)

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~