Review of The Tempering

Synopsis

The Mythology department at prestigious Harvard University is tiny—and Mackenzie Duncan has just been selected as one of the lucky few. Her love for myths and legends is deep, but she never thought any of it could be real.

After being attacked by a large wolf while walking home alone, Mackenzie realizes something is not right. She heals quickly, has suddenly become super strong, and is experiencing mood swings that can't possibly be normal. The myths she's studying aren't myths at all. Werewolves are real, and she's one of them. Fear of what she is, and who she might hurt sends Mackenzie running from the life she’s worked hard to build–and straight into the arms of a handsome Were named Geoff and into the home of his pack. Living with her new pack takes the edge off her confusion and self-loathing, but the arrival of new pack members changes the dynamic, and tests Geoff and Mackenzie’s growing relationship.

The hardest part of being a werewolf is to have no control and no memory of her time as a bloodthirsty beast. When a moon cycle passes, and she is actually able to remember bits and pieces of the night, she starts to ask questions, and the more questions she asks, the more she realizes she doesn’t like the answers. Can she set aside her own sense of morals to belong to a pack that is like a family or will she leave everything behind yet again in search of a life she can be proud of?

Review

I thought this was a fantastic NA paranormal romance novel. Adrianne James has managed to take a somewhat over used paranormal creature – werewolves – and create something that is wonderfully unique.

I really enjoyed the portrayal of werewolves in this book, it seemed really believable and allowed me to get sucked into the story. I was expecting this book to have more of a college setting and be about someone juggling college whilst becoming a werewolf. I actually loved more that it was about a girl running away from college as she can’t control her wolf side and attempting to fit in with a pack.

Mackenzie is such a fantastic character, a bit of a nerd but not at all shy and with a temper that is only made worse by the wolf inside of her and the injustice of having her future ripped away by one bite from a werewolf. I really enjoyed watching Mackenzie deal with becoming an angry, ferocious werewolf and her determination to be the best person, make that werewolf, that she can be.

This, the first book in the trilogy, introduced two great male characters. Geoff, a powerful wolf who helped Mackenzie in her time of need (fledgling werewolf-hood) but who is unfortunately forbidden due to his position in the pack and Liam, who Mackenzie has a bond with despite their somewhat rocky start. At the moment I am rooting for Geoff but I really love both of these boys.

The ending to this book was fantastic and left me wanting more. I can’t wait to see how the revelations will effect Mackenzie and what will happen to her Geoff and Liam. I am really looking forwards to reading more of this authors books in the future.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, this has not affected my opinions or rating in any way.*

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Laura