Review: Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

Title: Once in a Full Moon
Author: Ellen Schreiber
Series: Full Moon #1
Pages: 304 (Hardcover)
(Goodreads)

Release Date: December 28th 2010
Published by: Katherine Tegen Books

Summary:

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.

Review:

Before you read my review, please keep in mind that I did not finish this book. I only reached halfway before I dished it, so all my opinions are based on the first half of the book only.

For me, there are two kinds of annoying books. First is those books with super annoying characters that annoy me so much. Though this annoyance is what drives me to finish the book. You know the feeling of being eager to know what other kinds of annoyingness this character is going to make in the latter parts of the book? That feeling of wanting to know if this character is going to continue being annoying or will finally stop being nonsensical? (Like in Firelight and Fallen). Second is the kind of book with annoying characters and nonsensical plot. Though, instead of these driving me forward to finish the book, I feel like I just want to throw it at the wall and to never see and read it again. It’s really sad, but the latter is what I felt about this book.

Celeste basically spent mooning and obsessing over Brandon the entire time. No matter what she did, she always ended up thinking about Brandon. What if Brandon this, what if Brandon that. I want to kiss Brandon this. I think I’m in love with Brandon that. Not to mention the fact that she was falling in love with a guy she barely knew at all. They never even talked much before she fell in love with him. After exchanging a few glances, she was obsessed about him already. And after he saved her from the wolves, boom! She was in love already. Insert major facepalm here.

Also, I didn’t buy the plot. It was hard to. I know fiction is supposed to bend reality, but really? One bite from a wolf will make you a werewolf? It was freaking hard to imagine that there have been only one or two persons to have been bitten by wolves in Legend’s Run when according to Celeste herself, there were ‘packs’ of wolves in the woods. And when was the last time somebody was bitten by a wolf? Yeeaaars ago. The fact that the woods was not far from the school which, I emphasize, is oozing with teenagers who want to fool around and just be stupid was somewhat unbelievable. And while I appreciate that the author chose to go with the old-fashioned human to lycan type werewolf, instead of human to wolf, it was so… nyeh. Maybe if these lycans actually grew in size, complete with bulging muscles and fur all over the body, instead of just sprouting hairs all over your chest and face, I would have considered it. But, hairs? Hairs! That is so not hot. I keep thinking, what if someone bony was bitten? He’ll look totally ridiculous instead of menacing.

And, oh! The characters! Never did I hate so many characters in my whole life! Celeste’s clique was the most horrible group of friends I’ve ever met. They were so high above themselves. Her boyfriend, Nash, was a selfish coward who always put his self first before anyone else, including Celeste. And her friends, Abby and Ivy were the same. They did not care who Celeste loved. They hated Outsiders, and so Brandon shall not be her ‘it’. Mr. Worthington seemed too good to be true, too. He knew about the wolves more than anyone else. And he could also detect the 'extra glow' in Celeste's eyes. Weird.

I was completely disappointed with this book. There were too much coincidences that made this book hardly believable. Nash only happened to tell a scary story about werewolves (which wasn't scary at all), and then Celeste suddenly became obsessed with werewolves, and next, Brandon turned into a werewolf! I've always disliked unbelievable coincidences, but it was too much in this book. I hate to say this but, I was also under the impression that the author lacked research. It was as if everything was written without much further thought. I spotted a lot of parts that could have made sense only if they were given more thought into. Sorry. I really tried to understand the book more, even though I was truly grating inside, but my brain seemed incapable of finding the bright side of this book.

Disclosure: Again, please do keep in my mind that this review is based on the first half of the book only. I have no idea whatever happened in the second half, and will probably never have an idea as I have no plans in continuing the book. If you have read the entire book and think that I should reconsider my decision, please feel free to give me some insights.

Review: Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber