Amazon Best SellerGenevieve is a teenage girl who moves in with her aunt in Alaska after the death of her mother. Soon after her arrival she learns the things she was raised to believe only existed in fairytales are in fact a big part of her history. When it gets to be too much she seeks refuge in the arms of her new boyfriend, William, only to find out he's not who she thought he was either. This is a Young Adult paranormal urban fantasy romance with mild language and mild sexual situations recommended for readers in grade 9 and up
I'm a wife, mother, grandmother, business owner, and author of YA/Urban Fantasy paranormal novels. TIES TO THE BLOOD MOON is book 1 in my series and is available on all digital sites, and also print and audio as well. Book 2 is finished and will be out in August.
You can read my reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Smashwords, and B&N.
I'd love to hear from you. robinpwaldrop@gmail.com
I really wanted to, but sadly I wasn't able to finish this one. Right away I saw a lot of similarities with Twilight that really got under my skin. There was also a very intense case of insta-love where the protagonist had "given her heart" to him within 2 days. I'm also big on world building and where werewolves are involved, there has to be a clothes explanation. These ones seemed to change to and from wolf form with their clothes untouched. Do they parade around as wolves dressed in stretched out human clothes? I always question these things and unfortunately it was overlooked in this book (edit: The author told she she edited her to add this missing explanation). I also could not connect with the protagonist at all. She was very dramatic and even childish at some point yelling at her aunt and literally stomping her feet.
Even though I did find the actual plot and werewolf lore unique and interesting, for the reasons stated above, I wasn't able to get into it.
Note: This review will not be posted on the blog as it is a DNF.
The author provided a free copy of this book for my honest opinion.
Ties to the Blood Moon, the first in the YA Blood Moon series, is the story of Gen Labreck’s initiation into the supernatural world of werewolves and vampires. Being the mother of three teen girls, I didn't find Gen’s behavior and attitude completely unrealistic but I did find her unlikable and annoying. However, the mystery held my attention, allowing me to ignore this mild irritation. What I did find very distracting were the grammatical and punctuation mistakes, as well as awkward or repetitive phrases.
The author, Robin Waldrop, relies heavily on mysticism to jump-start Gen’s romantic interests, which in my opinion just doesn't work. I never cared about either of the guys in the love triangle, since I wasn't under the same spell that the heroine was. There was more development of the relationship with Joseph; enough that I felt a tug of pity for him at the end. But that was it. Personally, I would rather have more character development than know what kind of jeans Gen wore on a particular day or what Aunt Bev’s room looked like.
I read some of Waldrop's other reviews for Ties to the Blood Moon and the major complaint seemed to be the similarity between Twilight and her book. Yes, the scene backdrops are in this book but the story and outcome is different. I didn't find them as objectionable as others obviously did, although, I found them a little gimmicky. Once past the Twilight-esk props, which mostly end about a quarter of the way into the book, it is an original, interesting plot. Coincidentally, this is where the story’s pace picks up speed and captures the reader’s interest (at least mine).
Constant twists and turns in the story keep the reader guessing until the climax, which doesn't disappoint. What was a let-down was the end. It felt rushed and weak, as if Waldrop didn't know what to do next. Coincidentally, this is also where she returns to the Twilight crutch.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next in the Blood Moon Series. I have even recommended it to one of my daughters and a friend.
The Good I am so happy I decided to read more young adult books. Ties to the Blood Moon was an adventure and a half that kept me enthralled from beginning to end. I just wish book two was already out because I can't wait to see what Waldrop has in store for her characters.
After her mother's death, Genevieve moves in with her aunt in Alaska. Everything may seem normal at first, but slowly Gen finds out that not all fairytales are myths. And as her world takes a turn for the weird, Gen finds out that her role in the chaos is vital to bringing peace amongst supernatural beings. And through all this, Gen falls in love with one guy while feelings for another start to surface.
This book was really fun. I read it in two days, staying up pretty late both nights. I couldn't help but turn the page to see what happened next. It kind of starts out a little slow but picks up pretty quickly a few chapters in. Even when it was frustrating as hell, I loved the constant mystery throughout the whole book. It kept me guessing.
Gen was a very interesting character. For a seventeen year old she is slightly immature, but I thought it gave everything a little more humor. Even when you feel bad for Gen and her many humiliating moments, her reactions cracked me up. I've never seen someone cry so often. But it worked with the circumstances of the book since Gen is going through some very terrifying and emotional changes. But she manages to keep on going, no matter the obstacles and many secrets constantly surrounding her.
William was a very mysterious sort of character. You don't know his true motives until the very end, which made it a little hard to really like him. Doesn't mean I didn't fall in love with him just as much as Gen did. There is something about him that makes me want to smile. I got all giggly every time he showed up and charmed Gen (and me, apparently) once again.
Gen's best friend, Luna, was very hot and cold. At first she is like the best friend everyone wants, then she has major jealousy issues. But considering this is a young adult book, it's to be expected that teens have their ups and downs and emotional dramas. I actually thought it was all very entertaining. Now Joseph, Luna's twin brother, was my favorite character. When you get to know him, he is a really sweet guy and you only hope for his happiness. But his feelings for Gen have only brought him grief since she is obviously in love with William. It's hard to watch Joseph's pain, and I can only hope he has something to look forward to in the future.
The fighting scenes were very fast-paced and exciting. I liked that at first Gen couldn't really take care of herself, but as she accepted her destiny, she became a better fighter and more skilled. I hate when books portray their main character being instantly strong for no reason. Gen is still growing into her new powers, which is how it should be. I still can't believe how many twists and turns this book had. When I thought I had things figured out, Waldrop would find a way to surprise me with each chapter.
I can't stress enough how much the mystery behind every action and dialogue between the characters really made Ties to the Blood Moon an intriguing read. If this is what I should expect from most young adult reads, then I am on the path to becoming a young adult junkie.
The Bad There were some inconsistencies in this book that were a little annoying. Sometimes places or movements were described in an odd way and did not hold true the whole scene. Transitions were sometimes awkward and confusing, and I had to reread parts to understand what just happened.
I felt the ending was a little too convenient. Like Waldrop had to find a way to ensure a second book of the series, so she kind of threw things together to make everything fit. But it just felt forced to me. But it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book overall.
The Snuggly The romance was a little more like an obsession at first, but eventually things begin to take a more loving turn. I, of course, like the love triangle in this book, even when I was sad when one guy gets left behind. There is a little sexual content which gets heavy near the end, but nothing over the top; it is a young adult book after all.
Overall I can guarantee you that I will be reading the next book in this series one way or another. I loved the teen drama, the love triangle, and the unfinished business that will hopefully be solved in book two. The characters are interesting and I know they have the potential to grow into even stronger, mature characters. I recommend this book to all young adult book lovers. And be on the look out for a giveaway of this book, an author interview , and a guest post from Waldrop.
Quotes All during class I sat with my head propped on my hand and kept catching myself staring at William. You know, one of those open-mouthed stares. Then, the most embarrassing thing of my teenage life happened.
“Miss Labreck,” Mr. Donovan snapped at the same time as he slammed his pointer stick on someone’s desk in the front row.
I jerked and sat up straight. “Huh … uh, yeah?”
“You can worship your Romeo after class. Right now we are talking about Juliet’s Romeo.”
A burning flush flew over me when the entire class busted out in laughter. I pulled my hoodie further over my head and sunk down into my seat as far as I could go. I would have gotten under my desk if I could have fit.
~
A couple hours later I woke up, my head felt like lead, and I had an awful taste in my mouth. It was cold and the wind was blowing. I cracked my eyes open and glanced around. Everyone was still asleep, except the pilot. His seat was empty and the back door was wide open. It took longer than normal for everything to register. I even looked behind me, thinking he might be in the bathroom, before it finally hit me … we had been drugged.
Generally I avoid reading reviews of a book I plan to review until afterward; I'm glad I broke that tendency with this book so I was able to read a conversation between the author and a reviewer. having read "bad advice" and "new edition," I don't feel as bad giving this 3 stars; I look forward to the new edition & increasing my rating to a 4 or a 5. Also seeing the negative reviews comparing this to "Twilight" makes me glad I have no connection to that crappy series (in book or movie) beyond Facebook memes and other cultural jokes.
Over all I enjoyed this book. While there were enough editing issues (incorrect word choice, typos, & overused phrases) that I don't feel comfortable giving it a 4, I enjoyed the meat of the story.
Having a teen of my own, I could imagine him struggling, being whiny dealing the multitudes of changes that rocked Genevieve's life throughout the book. I appreciated the author's world building, especially the ways in which her vampires and werewolves are different from standard representations. Not only those differences (like Gen's slow transformation with faster growing nails), but the weaving in of native Alaskan mysticism (and probably some made up mysticism that flowed well) and the idea of werewolf/vampire "hybrids" were masterful.
The romantic triangle between Gen, William, and Joseph provided a pleasant back drop (although it often enough came to the foreground) to the action and paranormal content of the novel.
From about 80% (according to my Kindle), I couldn't stop reading. The climax and then the cliffhanger end leading me to read the next novel were wholly" surprising.
I have a new "author to watch" in Robin P. Waldrop.
I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.
Robin Waldrop's Ties to the Blood Moon tells the story of a young teen named Gen who is forced to live with her Aunt Bev in Alaska after the death of her mother. After a series of strange events, she finds herself surrounded by werewolves, vampires, and other monstrous creatures. Worse still, she seems to be the returning Adlet werewolf princess mentioned in an ancient prophecy, which makes her a target for those who don't want werewolves and vampires to unite under her rule.
It took me a while to get into this book. The parallels between this book and Stephanie Meyer's Twlight series are undeniable. Like Bella Swan, Genevieve finds herself living in a remote town with an estranged relative. She meets a heartthrob vampire at her new school. Vampires are ruled by some distant Old World ruling council. The local Native Americans happen to be werewolves. She has mixed feelings for one of the werewolf Indian boys. Yeah.
It's the differences that made the book readable.
Waldrop's book features two type of werewolves: smaller, quicker, vicious lycans and larger, more powerful Adlet wolves. The main villain, Zane,is a hybrid (half-werewolf/half-vampire). He leads the lycans and is plotting to take over both the werewolf and vampire worlds... and, of course, the human world, as well. Gen spends a lot of her time adapting to her new abilities and trying to figure out not only who she loves, but who she can trust. Waldrop keeps you guessing to the very end.
There is a good bit of action, which I definitely liked, but the final confrontation between Gen and Zane was anticlimactic... and the book doesn't really give us any resolution. I got to the last page and just thought, OK, tell me that wasn't the end. I know it's a series, but give us some closure between books!
I also didn't like some of the language. I personally don't care about the pulpit cussing [words that would be OK coming out of your preacher's mouth in context, but are otherwise objectionable], but it seemed excessive at the end. No F-bombs, thank goodness, but the main character does take God's name in vain a couple of times. That has always turned me off, even before I was a Christian. The book also contains a bad, relativistic message about premarital sex: the old "don't do it unless you really love them" argument. Most teens simply aren't equipped to make that kind of a decision, due to general immaturity and excessive hormones.
All in all, it was an OK book. Waldrop's take on vampires, werewolves and Indian legends is different enough to be intriguing, her characters feel genuinely adolescent, and her plot contains enough action, twists and turns to make it a fast, entertaining read. The ending was just unsatisfying. I wanted more of a showdown between Gen and Zane and that payoff never happened... which is too bad because this author has a great imagination and obvious storycrafting talent.
This is one of those stories you need to stick with. The first overwhelming thought when you start the story will be the “this is a cheap Twilight knockoff,” as I am sure any werewolf/vampire/new girl love triangle will now face from here on out. I had some issues with the characters, beside the “twilight” flashbacks, including the picnic that William takes Gen to in the meadow full of flowers…(hmmm, I’ve been here before…) The great love with William was really quick. Her friend Luna was hugging her one moment and then yelling at her or giving dirty looks the next. (I think they have pills for that.) There was also a part where they were waylaid on their adventure and were brought to a house where the gentlemen and his friends draw guns on Gen and her friends, and then seemed surprised when they turn into werewolves. There was never any real explanation of what these guys wanted if it wasn’t about distracting the werewolves from their quest. Let me more with a "WTF was that about" feeling? Especially considering the werewolves were supposed to be protecting her and she’s the only one going “something’s not right here,” and they’re going “no worries.”
So I did make a lot of noises and groaning when I started, but not enough to stop reading. As I kept reading the story did get better and as I moved pasted my feeling of twilight flashbacks and started to get into the story, I was truly enjoying it. Enough to be pissed off when the story ended I was left with a preview of book 2. There is no information yet as to when book 2 will be released.
I gave it four stars because after a rocky start, it did pick up and it is not a bad first novel.
First off let me just say, WOW I was blown away! Robin is an extremely talented author. Why we haven’t seen anything from her before now is disturbing. I loved her easy to read style of writing and the way she executed dialogue. Very YA, very compelling. There were some minor grammatical errors, but they certainly didn't take away from the read.
The first thing that caught my eye was the title. It peaked my interest, so I googled it and was pleased to see there is not one other book out there with the same title. A+ Robin! And then I read the blurb. She really got me there, I have a hard time saying no to urban fantasy young adult books. I’m so glad I happened upon this book too, because I really enjoyed reading this one, and I cannot wait for the sequel!
There is really not much I can say about the plot without revealing spoilers except it was refreshing to finally meet a girl who is not helplessly dependent on a guy to take care of her. On the contrary, Genevieve was strong, independent, and had the muscle to back up her mouth so-to-speak. You can’t help but fall in love with this particular group of teens. This book is definitely worth the small price; you can get it for $2.99! If you like vampires and young adult novels, check out this book! I’m here to say Robin is definitely an author to be watching out for. I think she’s just hit the tip of the iceberg with this one!
My Thoughts: I really liked this one I must say! It was a great story with a lot of twists and turns and you really never knew what was about to happen. Robin is a great story teller and I really enjoyed her way of writing and making you completely hooked. I did not want to put the book down. In the end of the story I was completely chocked by one turn of event which I think was really good since it was something you really did not expect. What can I say, people aren´t always what say seem.The story ended with a real cliff hanger and I surely hope there will be a book two! Please please! =) So to the characters. I really feel for Genevieve who is completely in the dark about her whole life story. Everything as she knows it changes in a split second and she is so confused. She is a down to earth and likable character. She falls head over heels over William who is also new to town and they become a couple fast. I love William because he is really mysterious and you don´t really know where his head is at. Im not sure how much more I can say without giving away to much. You just have to read it and you will see what I mean.
I received this book as a R2R from the Lovers of Paranormal Group!
Stars: 3.5
Pros: I really enjoyed watching Gen's character develop from awkward teen to bad ass Alpha Female. The Legend about the princess was also a favorite scene of mine.
Cons: The beginning reminded me a little of Twilight and i felt that every other chapter someone was mad or crying about something. Plus the "romance seems to be happening way to quickly for my liking. It's been maybe 3 weeks and they already saying the 3 words.
Overall: The adventure and action was the best part of the book for me. The author was able to describe the book in a way that i felt like i was right in the middle of the action with them. The ending also blew me away because i didn't expect all that to happen. lol I also can't wait to see where the William - Gen - Joseph love triangle leads.
Characters: Genevieve ; William ; Zane : Luna & Joseph
Page Turner: It starts out a little slow, but once you get filled in you won't put the book down
Series Cont: Yes
Recommend: If you enjoyed reading the Twilight Books, then this book is for you.
Ties To The Blood Moon can be summed up in one word--AWESOME!!! I could not put this book down. I started reading it right after I bought it, and didn't stop until the end.
Genevieve, the protag, is not a helpless human girl at all and that's one thing I really loved about her. So many other books portray the girl as wimpy, whiny, and helpless. Genevieve knew what needed to be done and regardless of the consequences, she did it.
She also made some wonderful friends in this first book I hope to see continue on in the next. This author does a wonderful job of hooking you right from the beginning, and keeping you turning pages to see what happens next.
A very unpredictable read, I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for excitement and action throughout. This book promises to pull you in and engage you with wonderful, realistic characters.
I am telling you--YOU DON'T WANT TO PASS THIS ONE BY! Congratulations Robin, and please hurry up with the next installment! I can't wait!!
Let me start off by saying, I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN. I found it to be a awesome read. i am a fan of Twilight, but I loved this one too. even though there are a few similarities, if you look hard enough at any two books along the same lines you can always pick out similarities. That doesn't mean one is riding the coattails of another. It probably just means you went looking for something. That's not fair to these authors who work tirelessly to keep US entertained. And as far as werwolves and their clothes...how trivial. This book is fiction and is FANTASY, so its just implied that the clothes magically disappear and reappear when they transform. Sorry, Robin. I told myself I wasn't going to harp on the couple negative reviews you got, BUT, It just burns me up. I say job well done, and I'm sure I speak for the majority of the readers when I say PLEASE HURRY UP AND FINISH BOOK 2--CAN'T WAIT!!
Gen is lost after her mother passes away from a fire. Her Aunt Bev has taken her into her home in Alaska. When she starts school, she meets a friend named Luna. Everyone around her has all the answers to what is going to happen to Gen, but Gen. Secrets fly and a realization surfaces that this is not a normal town. She meets William at school and there is an instant connection between them. She feels safer than she ever has when he is around. But things start to change for her and she slowly learns that there are greater things planned for her. She just wants to be a normal teenager but is she going to be able to be one once everything comes out? Will she become what fate has planned for her? I enjoyed reading the story. Ms. Waldrop was able to pull a teenager into the world of, it’s time to grow up and the realization that not everything is at it seems. I plan to read more of her books as I enjoyed this one and I’m looking forward to the next story.
This was an amazing book! The Alaskan setting was perfect for the story and I was drawn in right from the start. I loved Gen - she had a great outlook on things even after everything she had been through. The other characters were all intriguing as well; William is dreamy & mysterious. Luna is a fun & loyal friend & her brothers are hunky & exciting. The bad guys are manipulative & scary & sometimes its hard to tell who's on their side! I love the action, mystery, & surprises, as well as the growing bonds between characters! Can't wait to see what's next!
This is a book that I have put on my top ten list! The author was able to tell the story of Genieve and William exceptionally well. The love between the two along with Joseph's love of Genieve was heart touching! I felt like I was on the edge of my seat at each page turn. I definetely will be recommending this book to friends who enjoy reading stories about vampires and wolves. I would also add that the flow of the story was excellent and beat the prior vampire story I had read!! At each page turn there were twist and turns that kept me thinking!!!
I have read alot of books for just being a teenager, and I could never say this one is my favorite untill I read TIES TO THE BLOOD MOON. This book grabbed my attention as soon as I started reading it. I started it on Friday and finished Saturday morning. I love how Robin Waldrop tells you details, but doesnt give you so much that you can't use your imagination. I would tell anyone to read this book because it is spectacular!
I really enjoyed this book. It was very fast-paced and difficult to put down and walk away from because there was always something important happening. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Genevieve and William. There was enough action to keep me on the edge of my seat, and enough romance to keep my heart happy :-) The storyline of vampires, lycan, shapeshifters and hybrids is a refreshing twist on the normal vamp/shifter books. I'm looking forward to reading the next book!
This book made me never want to stop. I used to say 'I hate reading.' But know I love reading. I'm still trying to save up enoungh money so in an get the rest of the series. I especially love the part when I found out Genevieve was a hybrid. i was so shocked. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves reading. Thanks Robin for writing this book.
I liked the native legend angle and that it was set in Alaska. Good use of the landscape. A love triangle and friends having to unite to fight the enemy. It is a very action packed paranormal story. Lot's of the unexpected.
Following her mother's death, Gen is sent to live with her Aunt Bev in Alaska to contine on with her normal life. Gen thought that maybe she could make a few new friends, flirt with a cute boy... but find out that she's something else entirely? Definitely not what she expected. Gen turns out to be the Adlet princess that the Lycans, the Bloodsuckers, and the Adlets have been waiting for.
We know that based on the summary alone, you can't tell what kind of book this one is. We were honestly expecting fae, or trolls, or other magical inhabitants of the deep woods. Well, save for the magical part, we got inhabitants of the deep woods alright - werewolves and vampires. There's no way around it - this one reminded us a lot about Stephenie Meyer's Twilight. In this book, you'll find the new girl who transfers in from a different school, a werewolf and a vampire scrambling for her affections, bonfire parties, a scene all-too reminiscent of a certain sparkly vampire and his besotted prey, and random jet trips to wherever (because one of the guys is rich, and we all know who that is).
Let's delve in, starting with the characters.
Gen, our heroine, is a brat, and hey, we get it - the teenage years are confusing years. But if you're overly whiny about not getting what you want? You're pretty much a diva. Gen often whines about how overprotective her Aunt Bev is, and how she can't bear to be apart from William. (Gee, Gen. You were doing fine for the past seventeen years, why start now when you've just continuously locked eyes with the guy for a few days?) The whole teenage romance thing with William was highly romanticized and it sent us reeling from all the insta-love.
William, on the other hand, was not a credible love interest; it was hard to take him and his romantic notions towards Gen seriously. Who does cheesy dances on airplanes? This one apparently does. Joseph, a werewolf and one of Gen’s royal guards, is no different and we couldn’t comprehend his attraction to Gen since he barely spoke to her before she became princess. Both boys are totally devoid of any personality.
The book had quite a number of inconsistencies and the world-building, an essential part in storytelling, was mediocre. The lore regarding the Adlet wolves and the Lycans would have been interesting, if not for the lack of information and detail. It would have been more interesting if their history were to be expounded on and woven throughout the story and their powers explained better. One problem for us was Gen’s transition from supposedly normal girl to Adlet princess. How is it possible that Gen learned to use her powers so fast? Do we chalk it all up to being super strong and superpowered? We wanted to see the struggle Gen had coming to terms with her powers and how she would cope with them to make her seem more real but all we got was a whole lot of whining, foot-stomping, and crying. Later on when she had already accepted that she was the princess, she is sent to find the Crest, some super powerful and super important item that is not elaborated and explained at all. Details were vague at best.
Aside from that, there were moments where we had problems with both the language and the grammar. Shifts in Gen’s perspective were sometimes abrupt and the inclusion of scenes that had no relevance to the story left us scratching our heads. The scene where Gen gets into a fight and bloodies another girl is another issue, why in the world did the guidance counselor just let her go with no repercussions whatsoever? Regardless of whether Gen was in the wrong or the right, we think that it's highly unlikely that educators would let go of something like this so easily. And right after the fight amidst the cheering crowd? Yeah, William flirts with her and proceeds to asks her out. Uh, that's kind of creepy, don't you think?
We also had issues with William and Gen’s relationship. How did it start? They were looking at each other in the cafeteria and then she proceeded to wax poetic about what a hunk he was and then decided that she was in love. They didn’t interact much and when they do decide to go on a date, they always have to cut it short, because of some conceived danger on Gen’s well-being. So William, if you knew she was being hunted in the first place and that there were people after her, why in the world did you not just stay indoors? It grated on our nerves how Gen tossed around her I-love-you’s so easily, she barely knows the guy and she’s obsessed with him then after a while we find her spouting I LOVE YOU and it’s only been what… a few days? And Joseph, where in the world did Gen’s attraction for him come from? Is it because Joseph, in typical male romantic interest fashion, is buff and possesses bulgy muscles, a pretty face and more bulgy muscles?
If edits were to be made, the inconsistencies smoothed out, and the characters given some dimension, hey, this might work for Twilight fans. But for now, we'll have to give this one nary a star.
I was asked by the author Robin yesterday if I would consider reading/reviewing Tes to the Blood Moon and the 2 follow-up books. I read the synopsis, and also some of the reviews already posted and to be quite honest (and I was honest with Robin) I really didn't want to delve back into yet another Vampire/Werewolf book. I am so burnt out on this genre that my fingers still smoke.
However, I saw the cover and, well look at it. It is a very appealing cover so I told her that as I had no reading plans for Sunday (Well it was the home opener for the Houston Texans) I would start it to see if I got a feel for it.
Now keep in mind I had Edward and Bella trying to burst out of my brain (some reviews had likened it to a certain sparkly vampire) I was pleasantly surprised by the way the story unfolded. Gen, our heroine has gone to live in Alaska with her Aunt Beth after the sudden, shocking death of her mother. She is 17, moody, angry and at times explosively unlikable. Sounds pretty much like an average 17-year-old to me! I liked that she wasn't the quirky, popular princess type, it gave her an edge.
There are strange things going on with Gen, she is having weird nightmares and constantly feels like she is being watched. She is, Luna's brothers Jacob, James and the delicious Joseph are but also is the other newcomer to town William....he turns her upside herself every time she is near him.
She goes to a bonfire one Friday night when everything starts to get even weirder. Her school councilor who also happens to be a Shamen predicts that the Princess of the Adlet Werewolves was there among them, she was destined to take the throne and would bring peace between the Lycans, the Packs and the blood suckers. Then it gets crazy, anyone who thinks this book is just another Twilight really needs to re-read that book.
What I liked most about this book was the not being able to guess what was coming next,there were twists and turns so much I thought I'd get dizzy. I liked William, hated William, then liked him again. The story is very well thought out, it has a great pace, it has somewhat of a love triangle (Was I the only one rooting for Joseph?) but most of all it flowed well enough for me to read it all in one day (ish).
What else worked for me Gen didn't step into her destiny without fighting it, pushing against it or questioning everything about why her? Was the book perfect? No, it had some issues with regards to repetition, especially when the characters spoke to each other and I was constantly being told they said it without anger. But that is all minor, the story had an edge to it that I liked.
I also loved the Alaskan setting, and the fact it had none of the usual vampire hates werewolf/werewolf wants to eat vampire in it. If you do like the Vampire genre you will love this book. Am I over my vampire/werewolf burn out? No, but this book helped me see they are still some twists to them.
I am looking forward to finding the time to read the 2nd book Shadow of the Blood Moon.....
Okay...so I've got some mixed feelings about this book. I debated between a three and four star rating, but settled on three. On one hand, it had some fun action sequences and awesome suspense. On the other hand, it had one of the worst love triangles I've ever seen. (I'm sorry! REALLY sorry! But it's true!): There were far too many sentences Gen started with "I didn't know how I knew, but I did" or "somehow I knew that..." or something similar. There were a few typos and formatting errors, but I didn't think that it made it unreadable or that the errors were too distracting at all.
The plot: It was interesting. I thought the Inuit influence in the story was very fascinating and the explanation of where the Adlets and Lycans came from sounded EXACTLY like a tale from mythology and I thought that was very cool.
The characters: Our main character, Gen, drove me absolutely, positively, unquestionably NUTS. First of all, I have no patience for mouthy teenagers who come up with elaborate schemes to circumvent their parents' or guardians' will just because their parent/guardian has told them to do something and they don't want to listen. Then there was Gen's constant lying. It seemed that every other chapter she was lying to her aunt, her friends, or her boyfriend or all of them so that she could sneak off and try to take on the bad guy. And even though it kept turning out badly, she kept doing it.
William, our vampire love interest, was alright. He was a nice guy and I liked him. I am curious as to whether his father with the private jets and (cabin) mansion in the forest was really his father and they had both been turned or if his "father" was just a vampire who had taken him in. And I'm also curious as to how William became a vampire and how old he is (vampire love interests do tend to be over a century old, don't they?).
Joseph was the third party in the attempt at a love triangle. He's the twin brother of Gen's only female friend in the story. He and his two brothers and his sister are Adlet, a kind of werewolf, and are Gen's royal guards. He wasn't a bad dude, I just didn't like him because of the whole love triangle business. Gen was supposed to be in love with William, but less than one day since the last time she's seen him, she's noticing Joseph's ripped chest and getting butterflies. It just...didn't add to the story and detracted from it if anything.
Zane is our bad guy. A vampire and werewolf hybrid, he is one of the most dangerous beings out there. He wants to kill Gen and marry her mother so that he will be able to take the Adlet throne for himself. He is very, very creepy and definitely the sort of bad guy to give you nightmares. Fun!
I said I enjoyed this book and I did. Even if I had some problems with it. I will be reading the sequel and I do think it is worth reading and I recommend it if you like werewolf/vampire romances. =)
Cover & Title: Love the title, and the cover is very ominous (way creepier than the story), but I could've done with some vamp on the red.
Concept: Very good. Maybe not the most original, but I still liked it. I might tag it as classy. ;) There was some of everything: the typical vampire vs. werewolf tension, a little mystery about heritage, a traitor, love gone wrong, a bit of magic and legend, some quest and quite some fighting.
Plot: Genevieve's life is pretty much turned upside down when she discovers some truths she never wanted to know. But not all is bad, because she finds new firends, a new love, and doesn't even have time to think about what she left behind. She has heritage, and a destiny to fulfill, so no time for arguing and mulling it all over too much. She kinda has to dive in head first, and given that, she does handle it well enough after she gets off the denial stage. So after a very short settling in the new environment, Genevieve is off to hunt some things, first in New Mexico, then back in Alaska. I loved the adventurous parts it had to it, although it wasn't anything too packed and detailled, and all the fights that came with them. Not so typical for YA anymore, as far as what's getting into my hands, so plus point for that!
Characters: Genevieve was pretty annoying. She was naive, impratical, moody, impulsive, and just didn't want to learn, always thinking she knew better than everyone else. A real child. However, some of that might have to do with her changing body, so no nailing her to the bad board just yet. Plus, she was pretty fun at points. William was annoying, too. He was so no tough guy, and although he was quite smart, he was still mroe looks than anything else. Personally, I don't have need for a guy like that. However, he might still gain more points in the sequel as well, so neither am I writing him off just yet. The werewolves were amazing! I know I'm biased to supporting characters, but they were also two sets of twins, and that is just SOLD! I can't resist that, no way. Apart from the general family ties and how they fit onto Genevieve, Luna and Joseph were still the special ones in that. Luna was a real best friend, especially since it does happen that you argue and yell and fight, but you also know how to make up. And Joseph.. well, I'm Team Joseph, I think that's all you have to know. =)
Else: The writing style had some repetitions that made my eyes roll very far into my head, yet it still managed to read smoothly for the most part. This was very, very similar to the Twilight Saga at certain points and aspects, and that could sure annoy the heck out of people. It was okay for me, although I'm not too cheerful about it either.
Summary: After the death of her mother, seventeen year old Genevieve is forced to move in with her Aunt Bev in Alaska. Once there, she assumes her senior year at her new school will be great. Then she meets Luna and her brothers Joseph, James, and Joshua. There is something different about them, but she’s not sure what it is. Not only does she meet the sets of twins, but she meets mysterious William. He’s captivated her and she falls in love with him quickly. The more she learns about her new friends, more is revealed about her new role and destiny.
My Take: Here’s the skinny…if you like a certain mega-series that has a girl, a “sparkly” boy, and a werewolf, you will either love the similarities or dislike them. This is a story that involves a girl, a vamp, and a werewolf. And oh yes, there is a “meadow” scene as well.
As I was reading this book, I kept thinking this reminded me of said above series, but with a twist. Don’t get me wrong, there are differences. For example, Gen is pretty tough. She takes to the battle pretty easily and she adjusts to her new life with ease. I’m on the fence about William. Not sure if I like him or not yet. There’s just something about him that I don’t completely trust. If it were me…I would choose Joseph. I think their connection developed more “normally” and was deeper. Luna was OK. Yes, she’s the best friend and protector, but she was kind of unpredictable.
Now for the story itself, I felt like there were some serious events that were somewhat glossed over. For example, the title of the book and “sign” to identify Gen isn’t really addressed much. The Blood Moon wasn’t even in the event of the big reveal. I did like that the prophecy was based Native American culture. That part was interesting to me and I would have liked to have seen more about that. Then there are the pack protectors, there are only four of them that are supposed to protect Gen. Hmmm…heavy load to carry against a big group of evil Lycan. The villain, Zane, is mostly mentioned in reference, with a brief appearance. So, I would say this, would I read it again? Probably not. Will I read the next book in the series? Yes, because I AM interested to see where the story goes from here. There were a lot of things left open and I’m curious to see if they finish out. www.autumnreview.com
As soon as I started reading Ties To The Blood Moon, I did not want to put it down. At times I did find that it shared some of the same elements as Twilight with the vampire and the werewolf falling in love with the same girl but that is to be expected, also with the picnic in the meadow of flowers. But Robin made her own characters and their personality different, and unique. That this book is quite different than Twilight.
I do wish that when Genevieve first transformed into a wolf that the author would have went into detail of how she looked exactly, the color of her fur, eyes. I kind of had to think about how she would look. Then when she transformed again at the end into a "new" form there was still not any description or detail on how she looked.
Now this book has suspense, and action though out the entire book, and I LOVED that it kept you turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. I do have to say the author had me with William everything was building up to what the author put into the story. I thought I had it figured out and bam I was so wrong. This is one paranormal book that I see myself reading again especially when the second book comes out which I hope is soon. At the end the author gives us a little teaser and it just makes you want more.
Genevieve is a normal teenager that is until her mother is killed. Genevieve then has to go and live with her Aunt Bev in Alaska, where at first everything seems normal but soon after things start to become different for her. Her Aunt Bev starts acting really weird and Genevieve can sense it, then she gets news that she is something more than your average seventeen year old teenager. While finding out all sorts of new things about herself and the people that are around her she starts getting feelings for one guy and soon feelings for another surfaces. Genevieve has a destiny to fulfill, and while she is fulfilling it she has gotten stronger and more skilled in fighting. She is willing to put herself in danger rather than her friends and hates when they don't listen to her.
If you love the paranormal, suspense, love triangles, action then I really recommend you pick this ebook up. Another great perk to this book is that it is over 600 pages long. Forgot to add the cover looks AMAZING!
When I decided to take part in this blog tour I was a little hesitant at how much I would like this book because upon look at previous reviews on Goodreads a lot of people were saying it was very similar to the Twilight Series. Now don’t get me wrong, my preferred genre is paranormal, so a lot of books follow the same mainstream ideas, the most popular being the Twilight Series, which is why I decided to give this series a shot. And well, I’ll be very honest, although it did have some of the same elements as the Twilight Series, such as Vampires, Wolves (who lived on a reserve and were Native Americans), the head Vampire guy (sorta like the vultori) it also was able to bring a bunch of different elements to the story as well… namely a very STRONG female character! Within the first few chapters of reading Ties to the Blood Moon I was so happy that I decided to take the chance on this series, by the end of the book I was left wanting much more! The author is able to create characters that are both strong but vulnerable, and I loved the way they were all linked together with the Alaskan Folklore of Princess’ and Warriors. Since this is a YA book, it came as no surprise to me that there was a love triangle between Gen (the main character, Joseph (a werewolf) and William (a vampire) yes as I said, a lot of similarities to Twilight. But what I think really sets the whole thing apart from its predessor is that in this book although Gen is only 17 and thinks that she knows everything after she moves in with her aunt in Alaska… is that Gen unlike Bella was never scared to take charge, she was never a simpering little wimp basically. Was she scared of what she was doing? Of course! And the author was very good at making her fear come through, but she never backed down! I loved the Twilight Series and I am not saying it was a bad series, and maybe its just personal opinion but I think that if you start this book and actually give it a shot without comparing the whole thing to Bella Jacob and Edward, you will fall in love with this series and the story and the characters as well. By the end of reading this book I was hooked, I loved all of the characters but although I know Gen had chosen William, I think I will forever and always be on Team Werewolf… no matter what the book is about!
I Must say just for the record IM so glad I’m not one of those bloggers or readers that take other reviews as gossip. I was sent this book for review and of course did check out reviews and must say quiet disappointed in the continuous comments via one review. Remember everyone does have an opinion. But bagging out an author’s work is not warranted.
I have received this book free via the author in exchange for an honest opinion and review. The review below is my opinion of why I liked it. In no way or form have I been paid for this review .
Ties to the Blood Moon is a well delivered and intriguing storyline - a new spin on the normal werewolf - vampire tale and certainly kept me interested from beginning to end. It’s filled with lots of action, betrayal, romance, and lots of kick arse scenes. Anyone who enjoys a paranormal read will definably enjoy this story.
The characters are well defined and likeable - the fighting and action scenes vivid and well described. Gen was a very likeable character and grew into her new found life at an acceptable rate. Robin has slowly eased Gen into this not wham bam thank you mam and she is tough as nails ** lol. **
The characters are certainly likeable - all well developed and introduced throughout the story, each and every one having their place within the story. I loved Jo - I would have picked him but William was also a hotty.. Such a hard choice lol.. I really enjoyed the werewolf traits put forth in this story and of course being a vampire lover I enjoyed all those aspects to !!!
I did see slight resemblences to Twilight during this read, certain flits here and there but this did not deter me at all from liking the story. It did contain a story of its own.
Robin has taken us on a rollercoaster ride in this story - it’s filled with twists and turns at every corner keeping the reader guessing through the entire read. When we think we have worked out what will happen next Robin has thrown us in a completely different direction.
The dialogue was well put forth with a great storyline to boot. I will certainly be looking for more of Robins work in the near future.
What an awesome novel! I read this novel as a review request from the author. I am so glad that I got the request. I may or may not have read the novel on my own, but regardless, it was very well worth the read!!!!
Genevieve is forced to move in with her aunt in Alaska because her mother is killed in a devastating fire.She decides to attend public school to help her escape her grief of losing her mother; here she meets a close friend and 2 boys she can't keep her mind off of. The adventure that ensues as Gen fulfills her destiny is both mysterious and thrilling! I have seen some reviews that compared this book to Twilight. They both take place in Alaska, have a hot vampire, a steamy werewolf & a girl that loves them both. That is probably as far as I would make the comparison. Robin Waldrop is a brilliant, creative writer, and she has twisted together a tale that surprised me at every turn - not at all predictable.
The elements of myth & legend that relates to the werewolves and vampires is enthralling - the Adlet princess coming to take the throne in order to save the Adlet clan - bringing peace between the different clans. The writing style is so unique, and very descriptive - providing just the right amount of detail in order to feel like you are present in the story, yet not too detailed to lose the story itself.
Each character has it's own uniquely evocative characteristics that give them an authentic feel. Gen has so many dimensions about her - an innocent young girl who was faced with her mother's death, coming of age - becoming interested in the opposite sex for the first time, and an internal struggle with accepting the destiny handed to her. Both William and Joseph are handsome in their own rights, and have facets to them that make you want Gen to draw to both of them.
I was totally drawn to this book - the attractive cover inviting me in - the title creating that mystery that needs solved. The easy to read writing of the author makes this book a very delightful and quick read. This one is among the top books I have read this year. I have already shared the title with friends and colleagues & hope that others find this review helpful.
3.5/5 stars. Wish Goodreads let us do half stars, lol. I rounded up in this case because I do want to read the next one.
REALLY needs editing. There are missing words every so often. There are things that should be indented that are not and the chapters do not even start on a new page.
I got it for free so how can I complain? Well, I'm sure the author would like honest feedback and I'm here to give mine.
I almost felt as though the main character was more 13 than 17 at times from the way she acted in the book. She went 'gaga' over a guy she hadn't even spoken to (or met) very quickly. This is more of a 12-15 year old reaction. At 17, you really do not go all 'boy crazy', in-love at first site, etc. At least not when I was growing up. No 17 year old I knew (including myself) did this. Yeah, we'd think someone was hott, or sexy, but not in 'insta love'.
At one point she is jumping to her feet....yet she is supposedly pacing the room... She's already standing, yet she jumps to her feet? There were a few things that didn't follow/flow with movements.
The fact the author actually uses the word 'like' as though a 13 year old would puts me off. Example: "she'd probably lock me in my room until I turned LIKE thirty." Plus, there are other little chosen words that make it seem like a pre-teen/new-teen wrote it/would be the main character.
Overall, I actually did like the story. I actually really liked Joseph more than William for most the book. I'm hoping a 2nd book is to follow soon.
Warning - The author uses 'not unkindly' A LOT! It got a bit annoying.
***Spoiler***
There were two things I was wondering about that the character never seemed to. 1) If William is a vampire, explain the dad thing and is he really how old he says he is?.... 2) They went back to his cabin (towards the end of the book) and she said something like "It's good to be home" or "It feels good to be home". So....she just called HIS cabin HER home...I would think that would have been talked about. Considering she moved around her whole life and never really seemed to be at 'home' in her aunt's house.
Genevieve is a teenage girl when her mom died. She has to move in with her aunt after the death of her mom. She now lives in Alaska and begs to go to public school. She gets her aunts approval for public schooling and there she makes friends. She also meets a boy and he starts asking her out.
It's not long when Genevieve begins to notice she's different than others. She's stronger than she should be. She's even having trouble controlling her temper. She snaps at the smallest thing. She gets in a fight but doesn't have any memory of ever touching the girl. She can't explain what's happening to her and she's even seeing things that don't make sense to her in Alaska. She thinks she's losing her mind.
Before Genevieve knows what's going on, she changes. She had been told she was special but she couldn't understand what they meant. Then her friend's brothers begin protecting and watching over her. Genevieve thinks they're all mad until she sees for herself, when she changes, she finally believes. So many things happen, people want her killed, and even her aunt isn't who Genevieve thought she was.
When she learns her mom might still be alive, Genevieve will do anything to get her back. The boy she met at school, the boy she really likes, is different. She's been told he isn't who he says he is. She is confused and she doesn't know who to believe. All she does understand and know is how she feels about William. Is William there to kill her also? She wants to know what William really is. Genevieve knows he isn't like other people. William tells Genevieve and things get more bizarre and dangerous.
Robin P. Waldrop is an exceptional author. She has an amazing and vivid imagination. I like YA books. I absolutely love this book. She keeps you guessing on what will happen next. Every time I thought I had things figured out, Robin would surprise me and the story would go in a different direction. The story is filled with surprises, secrets, non-stop action, and adventure. This is a must read. I don't care if you hate YA books or Twilight because this book will surprise you. You will have a new outlook on YA books.
First thoughts: Ties to the Blood Moon is a really intriguing and action-packed YA novel and I'm really happy that I read it. A few parts are a bit predictable, others were complete surprises and all in all it was a quite fast and easy read. If you are a fan of paranormal YA literature with two hot love interests, I'm sure you could like this.
More detailed: The summary of Ties to the Blood Moon is very mysterious and gives almost nothing away, which I really like. Usually summaries can manage to ruin a perfect mystery for a reader, because it already tells them about "the big secret". I love that, with this book, we get to find out everything on our own, because it made this a lot more interesting.
I have to admit though that I had a few problems with the characters. On the one hand, I loved their diversity and always hoped to find out more about them and their motivations. But on the other hand, almost all of them are quite short-tempered. Their moods change very quickly and often in ways that are not completely understandable.
I'm almost sorry about the comparison I'll make next, because it's used way too often nowadays, but I'm very sure that fans of the Twilight series will love Ties to the Blood Moon. I've recognized some similarities between both worlds, which made a few aspects of the novel a little bit predictable. At the same time I think that this has enough own ideas and plot lines to be special though.
The paranormal aspects are very intriguing and while I wish that some things were explained more thoroughly, I'm still looking forward to hopefully find out more about them in the sequel. All in all, I enjoyed reading Ties to the Blood Moon and will definitely check out its sequel to find out more about Gen's adventures, especially since there are so many things that are still waiting for her.
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I received an eBook review copy of this novel for a blog tour in exchange for my honest opinion.