Customer Reviews

The Mayfair Moon (The Darkwoods Trilogy)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this book at the suggestion of a friend, and while it is not my genre, overall I was impressed. Unfortunately, any book in this genre will undoubtedly be compared to the Twilight Saga and this books has several comparisons. The main character finds herself moved to a new city that teems with paranormal and her she falls suddenly, deeply, and irretrievably in love with her paranormal boyfriend who falls just as hard and unbelievably (although, thinking back on my 16 year old self, maybe not). I think this book is superior to Twilight, but I also like my characters to have backbones, so I am biased. The main character's relationship with her sister seems thrown together and unrealistic. When the author needs the relationship to change, it does with insufficient cause.
In general though, the book was interesting, fairly unique, and I intend to read further installments.

As an avid (bordering on voracious) reader, I have a few simple requirements for a book to be successful: 1) a strong, well-developed plot with great potential for growth and; 2) strong, believable, well-developed characters with great potential for growth. Not only did J.A. Redmerski's first novel, The Mayfair Moon satisfy my requirements, it went well beyond what I would have expected from a first-in-a-series novel. To be completely frank, I had a hard time putting this book down!

Redmerski opens her novel with Adria and Alex, two sisters from Athens, Georgia who, despite their awful home life have always managed to support one another and remain optimistic about their respective futures. That is, until the night the girls find themselves caught up in a violent and terrifying attack that leaves them reeling, battered, and bruised. Enter Social Services. Alex and Adria are removed from their home and re-located to Maine into the home of their uncle and his new wife. For Alex, the move marks the end of her life as she knows it. For Adria, the move becomes a sort of second-chance, a way for her to live in a safe environment, finish school, make new friends, and even snag herself a totally delectable boyfriend in the form of Isaac Mayfair. Unfortunately for the girls, the trouble they thought they left behind has followed them across the country and what happens next in the girl's lives is where all the fun begins . . .

Adria quickly overshadows Alex as the novel's primary character; Adria is a tough girl with a fighter's sprit. Despite all the drama and trauma she has experienced, Adria doesn't let her circumstances define her, she accepts and soldier's on. Adria is by far the strongest of the novel's characters but she doesn't do all the heavy lifting. Adria is surrounded by a cast of minor characters who not only support her but provide insight into the series' future. Of note among the cast of minor character's is Adria's delightful and fiercely loyal best friend Harry and the mysterious Zia who lives with, among many, many others, Isaac Mayfair. Redmerski has done what a good author should do; she has created a myriad of characters that are intriguing, solid, believable, and appropriate to the overall plot line. Every character in this novel knows their place and fills it well while still leaving room for growth as the series itself grows.

The Mayfair Moon is a steady read with the major plot line unfolding at a comfortable pace for the reader. Redmerski has a ton of ground to cover in this novel and does so expertly. She establishes both short- and long-term plot lines; ties up the appropriate loose ends for this installment; introduces and develops a large cast of characters; keeps the reader entertained with quick and often witty dialogue; and adds in an absolutely appropriate amount of action and romance. There is a little bit of everything to be found in this novel and never a dull moment. The writing style is smooth and easy to read and the plot line is one that will appeal to adults and young adults alike.

The bottom line: I am very much looking forward to the next installment of the Praverian Chronicles; I want to know what happens to these characters and how their lives are going to change. I do however have one reservation and would be remiss if I failed to mention it: this series has the potential to become overly angsty (Morganville Vampires, anyone?). The angst trap can easily be avoided as long as Redmerski keeps her characters moving forward and not wallowing in the past.

First off, this book is in a genre that is absolutely saturated and inundated with novels that are sub-par, haphazardly thrown together, and without a "real" sense of history, mythology, or simple logic. The Mayfair Moon is a standout in a such a way that it can cross over the YA genre, and move into other genres and appeal to a wide audience that hasn't happened since the "Twilight" series - and I DEFINITELY agree that Twilight is sub par in comparison to The Mayfair Moon.

As a previous reviewer stated, The Mayfair Moon is rich with its own history and mythology which stands out in comparison to other Paranormal novels. It definitely IS a fresh take on the werewolf genre - where werewolves are WEREWOLVES, not some sappy tortured soul with puppy eyes that only wishes for a normal life. This book does to werewolves what NEEDS to be done to vampires, bringing them back to their carnal, predatory roots. It's a breath of fresh air and finally brings the werewolves back to what they are - monstrous beasts.

The main characters in the books are developed in such a way that, while occasionally being borderline realistic in their reactions to events, leaves allot for your imagination to fill in. I found this to be a truly effective manner to be able to put YOURSELF in the characters shoes, and truly empathize with what is going on with the characters. Relationships which may appear haphazardly thrown together to others, in my case, left allot of room for my own emotions to be brought into the story and fill in the spaces. This created a suspension of reality in my own reading that allowed me to truly escape into a world where I could empathize with the characters - falling in love with some, feeling truly betrayed by others, become fixated on the mysteriousness of certain characters, and feeling a deep and seething hatred of certain characters as well.

I found myself having a hard time to put this book down, which sucks when you have actual real life responsibilities! I cannot wait for the next installment!

Although this novel may be considered young adult, do not let that fool you. While it is certainly appropriate for that age group and does deal with the simple intricacies of teenage life and love, and does so honestly, I feel that this fresh take on the werewolf genre offers up a great tale for any age group.

While a previous reviewer commented on the relationship between Adria and her sister being "thrown together", I would have to disagree. For the situation in the book which unfolds, it seemed entirely natural based on the circumstances, as do all of the other relationships. Something which definitely helps is the author's knack for dialogue, always swift and fluid. Indeed, all of the characters feel genuine and connected and the author builds a realistic portrait of their lives. You can't help but like some of the denizens of Hallowell Maine while despising others.

Also present is a rich sense of history and mythology, giving some of the characters real weight and thereby transcending the young adult genre. Although the strong protagonist may only be 17, there are a host of other characters with their own agendas and secrets which balance the book, some of whom exude true menace and power.

I thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to another installment.

Received copy from author.
Adria Dawson's older sister, Alex, is always looking out for her. Their mother's husband is abusive to their mother, but their mom won't leave him. One night, a beast comes after both of them and both get injured. When Social Services believes the injuries are caused by their stepfather, Jeff, the girls are forced to live with their uncle.

Alex becomes withdrawn and refuses to leave her room. Adria misses her sister. The only good thing is that she's made friends at her new school. Adria goes with her friends to watch people skateboard. There are a group of guys that won't leave her alone, so she hits one of them. The guy doesn't do anything...except mentions her sister. They finally leave but Adria notices a group of teens that consists of a girl, Zia, that most kids from her school doesn't like. Later that night, she's heading home and realizes she's going the wrong way.

A van follows her and she recognizes that it's the group of teens that watched her confrontation with the group of guys. She is instantly drawn to Isaac Mayfair but that doesn't stop her from feeling weary of the group.

She starts to hang out with Zia and learns that all of them are werewolves. The more she hangs out with Zia the more she starts to care for Isaac. There's always girls all over him and she might not even stand a chance. Will she get her sister back and hopefully snag Isaac for herself?

I've started to read more books and e-books about werewolves, and I'm starting to like werewolves more than vampires. I wasn't for sure if I was going to like this, but I really liked it I didn't like Isaac a lot in the beginning. It's revealed why girls are always fawning over him, but he didn't try to stop it for a while. That's one of my biggest pet peeves in this book. I hated how Alex treated Adria. It seemed really out of her nature. Alex was very protective of Adria and that pulled a 180 after the werewolf attack. I'm looking forward to see what happens with Adria and Isaac. I hope Alex `sees' the light!

This YA paranormal romance book is a crossover tale. It does a great job at enticing YA readers while also peaking adult book lovers interest. Adria was a truly likable YA character. In the beginning, her home life was such a mess that the only person she could trust was her sister, Alexandra. But after a horrible incident with a werewolf, everything changes and Adria and Alex are sent to live with her uncle in Hallowell, Maine.

Strange things happen in that eerie town. For one thing, Alex is never the same since the werewolf attack and leaves Adria left alone to fend for herself at the new high school. However challenging, Adria rallies, finding new friends while quickly becoming acclimated to her new home. Everything seems fine until she stumbles upon a mysterious group of young adults-one being Isaac Mayfair.

At first, Adria doesn't know that Isaac Mayfair is a part of a legendary werewolf family. After she realizes the sister that she's known and loved her whole life is gone for good, she begins to understand the true gravity of her situation. Her and Isaac soon come together and then love blossoms. Once Adria learns the truth about her and her sister's fate within the Mayfair family, she's shocked that the monstrous world exists-one that's more terrifying than her original home life. With everything stacked against her, she's lucky she has the love and protection of Isaac and his family. Or is she?

So much happens in this YA tale, I don't want to say any more. This tale is dark and featured not only beastly werewolves, but also extremely dysfunctional families; both human and supernatural. Oooo there's nothing better than family drama! The ending left me with more questions than answers. I'm certainly hooked and want to read more about Adria and Isaac. I'm betting you will too!

Mina B.

I read this book in a day and half, it was so hard to put down!! The characters are easy to fall in love with, I can't wait for another installment.