What do you think?
Rate this book
High Moor #3
Blood Moon
The war has begun... As the humans make their move against the werewolf threat in their midst, and civil war threatens to break the pack apart, John and Marie struggle to free the only person who can unite the werewolf factions against their common enemy: Marie’s brother, Michael.
However, their efforts may be for nothing. As tensions mount, the Moonborn prepare to combat the human aggression with an assault of their own. An attack that could spell doom for both man and werewolf alike.
However, their efforts may be for nothing. As tensions mount, the Moonborn prepare to combat the human aggression with an assault of their own. An attack that could spell doom for both man and werewolf alike.
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2015
114 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Graeme Reynolds
20 books233 followersGraeme Reynolds is an exile from the North East of England, hiding out in the South West where he spends his time thinking up new ways to terrify people.
You can read more of his work on his web-site:
http://www.graemereynolds.com
You can read more of his work on his web-site:
http://www.graemereynolds.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
September 23, 2015
It's brilliant - but of course I would say that :) Hopefully it will be a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy
March 10, 2021
I'm not sure if I'm satisfied with the resolution! I can't think of many other ways it could have ended, but.... Still, there was plenty to love about Blood Moon. It's got all the carnage and viscera you can shake a stick at - and that's just on the part of the humans.
When Moonstruck ended with Connie Hamilton outing the existence of werewolves to humanity, things were bound to get ugly. Now, weapons of war meet fangs and claws in European forests and English military camps. The Pack puts out a hit on its own alpha for treason after he saved his sister's life over the good of The Pack. In a desperate attempt to save him, Marie, Daniel and John Simpson infiltrate the military base where he's subjected to experiments, before the assassins can get to him. Meanwhile, the acting Prime Minister issues a coordinated attack on the private homes of known werewolves on Christmas Eve, wiping out entire were-families.
Each side one-ups the other by retaliating in bigger, badder ways. Since there was no way this book could possibly top Moonstruck in the horrifically gruesome category, it took up the slack in sheer body count.
Fun, fun, fun! As a true lover of werewolf horror, this series is top notch. Not for the faint of heart or easily nauseated.
When Moonstruck ended with Connie Hamilton outing the existence of werewolves to humanity, things were bound to get ugly. Now, weapons of war meet fangs and claws in European forests and English military camps. The Pack puts out a hit on its own alpha for treason after he saved his sister's life over the good of The Pack. In a desperate attempt to save him, Marie, Daniel and John Simpson infiltrate the military base where he's subjected to experiments, before the assassins can get to him. Meanwhile, the acting Prime Minister issues a coordinated attack on the private homes of known werewolves on Christmas Eve, wiping out entire were-families.
Each side one-ups the other by retaliating in bigger, badder ways. Since there was no way this book could possibly top Moonstruck in the horrifically gruesome category, it took up the slack in sheer body count.
Fun, fun, fun! As a true lover of werewolf horror, this series is top notch. Not for the faint of heart or easily nauseated.
January 30, 2016
The High Moor saga is one of those rare series where each book is better than the last. Graeme Reynolds is a man who loves his werewolves, but he likes them visceral and dangerous. If you’re tired of teen angst and sexy wolves, this is the series for you. And Blood Moon is the best yet.
The werewolves have been exposed, and you can imagine the response by the non-wolf public. Our heroes are hunted, not only by the government that wants to understand and take advantage of their secrets, but by the leaders of the pack who blame them for ripping away the veil of secrecy that had protected the other werewolves. At the same time, people who live ordinary lives—except, you know, for once a month—are now targeted for extermination. And it’s all coming to a head where everything started—the village of High Moor.
Heavy, right? Reynolds is no slouch, and he infuses in what could be a standard werewolf yarn serious issues that any reader will recognize. Illegal immigration, terrorism, government overreach and oppression. It’s all there.
The verdict? A fitting ending to my favorite werewolf saga of all time.
5 Stars
The werewolves have been exposed, and you can imagine the response by the non-wolf public. Our heroes are hunted, not only by the government that wants to understand and take advantage of their secrets, but by the leaders of the pack who blame them for ripping away the veil of secrecy that had protected the other werewolves. At the same time, people who live ordinary lives—except, you know, for once a month—are now targeted for extermination. And it’s all coming to a head where everything started—the village of High Moor.
Heavy, right? Reynolds is no slouch, and he infuses in what could be a standard werewolf yarn serious issues that any reader will recognize. Illegal immigration, terrorism, government overreach and oppression. It’s all there.
The verdict? A fitting ending to my favorite werewolf saga of all time.
5 Stars
July 21, 2024
Fantastic, Brilliant, Epic, Amazing, and any other word I think think of to describe this book!!!
I re-listened to book 1 and 2 before diving into this and I'm so gad I did. It brought a lot of the details fresh into my mind. Anyway, this starts straight after book 2 ends. Everyone now knows that werewolves are real, thanks to Connie, and the government are intent on wiping them out. Drastic measures are taking place and any werewolf found is thrown into a camp. Of course, the wolves don't take this lightly so war is inevitable.
It's hard to say too much about the plot in case of spoilers, but I will say that it's as deliciously dark as ever. As I said in previous reviews, this isn't a shifter book, this is a down and dirty and gory read. The wolves are brutal and tear people apart. This edition is as action packed and tense as ever. The author also adds in a pretty intense and sad event that tore my heart out. I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through.
The characters, as always, were well written and developed and it's phenomenal that the author can make you care so much for so many characters.. All our favourites are back and in trouble, as always ;) We even get some interesting new ones.
I started listening to this and couldn't take out my ear phones. The pace of the book is incredibly quick but so engrossing. There is so much happening in this book that I know I will relisten to it soon, just to savour it all again. The series as a whole is incredible and this author is one to watch. A satisfying conclusion to the series, though I do hope we haven't seen the last of these characters.
Once again, Chris Barnes performance was flawless. He has such an amazing range of vocals and accents, which he portrays in this perfectly. He was able to inject the right amount of emotion at the right time, to make this story come alive. An excellent performance for a brilliant book!
*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affects my thoughts.*
I re-listened to book 1 and 2 before diving into this and I'm so gad I did. It brought a lot of the details fresh into my mind. Anyway, this starts straight after book 2 ends. Everyone now knows that werewolves are real, thanks to Connie, and the government are intent on wiping them out. Drastic measures are taking place and any werewolf found is thrown into a camp. Of course, the wolves don't take this lightly so war is inevitable.
It's hard to say too much about the plot in case of spoilers, but I will say that it's as deliciously dark as ever. As I said in previous reviews, this isn't a shifter book, this is a down and dirty and gory read. The wolves are brutal and tear people apart. This edition is as action packed and tense as ever. The author also adds in a pretty intense and sad event that tore my heart out. I was on the edge of my seat the whole way through.
The characters, as always, were well written and developed and it's phenomenal that the author can make you care so much for so many characters.. All our favourites are back and in trouble, as always ;) We even get some interesting new ones.
I started listening to this and couldn't take out my ear phones. The pace of the book is incredibly quick but so engrossing. There is so much happening in this book that I know I will relisten to it soon, just to savour it all again. The series as a whole is incredible and this author is one to watch. A satisfying conclusion to the series, though I do hope we haven't seen the last of these characters.
Once again, Chris Barnes performance was flawless. He has such an amazing range of vocals and accents, which he portrays in this perfectly. He was able to inject the right amount of emotion at the right time, to make this story come alive. An excellent performance for a brilliant book!
*I received a copy of this for review. This in no way affects my thoughts.*
January 3, 2016
It’s rare when an excellent novel series comes along in which the author so captivates you with the characters and their world and makes the reader a part of the characters’ lives that you don’t want to leave it. Further, such an author also knows how to end the story in a satisfying way, the way it must end, be it happy or sad.
I’m pleased to count Graeme Reynolds’ High Moor series as one of those, and I’m not giving away anything about the ending in saying this. I have lived with his characters over three novels, always looking forward to the next, and now I’m sorry that they have ended. At the same time, I applaud him for knowing when and how to end his series perfectly without dragging it on longer than he should.
If you’ve read the first two in the series, you will not be disappointed with this third one. I will caution you, however, to pay close attention while reading it and not to skip over anything. A lot happens in a number of different locations, and there’s a high population of characters in it to keep track of. Even so, Graeme Reynolds gives each character a distinct and believable personality, which makes your job as a reader easier. And do not even think of reading this one if you have not read the first two or you will have trouble following it. Plus, you’ll be doing yourself a serious disservice by not reading the first two in order.
I can only hope that Mr. Reynolds can repeat his performance in his next novel because he certainly has set the bar high for himself. Despite these novels being about werewolves, they are some of the best character-centered novels I have ever read. Yes, I am sad that they’re over, but I’m very glad that I had the pleasure of reading them. These are destined to become horror classics.
I’m pleased to count Graeme Reynolds’ High Moor series as one of those, and I’m not giving away anything about the ending in saying this. I have lived with his characters over three novels, always looking forward to the next, and now I’m sorry that they have ended. At the same time, I applaud him for knowing when and how to end his series perfectly without dragging it on longer than he should.
If you’ve read the first two in the series, you will not be disappointed with this third one. I will caution you, however, to pay close attention while reading it and not to skip over anything. A lot happens in a number of different locations, and there’s a high population of characters in it to keep track of. Even so, Graeme Reynolds gives each character a distinct and believable personality, which makes your job as a reader easier. And do not even think of reading this one if you have not read the first two or you will have trouble following it. Plus, you’ll be doing yourself a serious disservice by not reading the first two in order.
I can only hope that Mr. Reynolds can repeat his performance in his next novel because he certainly has set the bar high for himself. Despite these novels being about werewolves, they are some of the best character-centered novels I have ever read. Yes, I am sad that they’re over, but I’m very glad that I had the pleasure of reading them. These are destined to become horror classics.
April 28, 2025
High Moor 3: Blood Moon. by Graeme Reynolds is the third book in a psychological creature horror series that you will be unable to put down, compared to this Twilight is a childrens' story. You'll be struck over the world-building, but you'll stay for the characters and horror.
THERE ARE NO SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: child death, assault, murder, manipulation, torture, suicide, mutilation and animal abuse and death amongst many more.
Pre-Read:
// This couldn't come soon enough, if I could have read this before I finished the last one I read then I would have done it, okay? //
Review:
— I could not wish any harder for this to be still going, but it's not. It's over.
Why did I have to finish it so fast, I've been ignoring it all week because I didn't want it to end and now it's gone and done it. It's ended. No more. Why? Why did you do this to me?
"The war has begun... As the humans make their move against the werewolf threat in their midst, and civil war threatens to break the pack apart, John and Marie struggle to free the only other person who matters. However, their efforts may be for nothing. As tensions mount, the Moonborn prepare to combat the human aggression with an assault of their own. An attack that could spell doom for both man and werewolf alike." — the GoodReads website for 'Blood Moon'.
We are again reunited with The Pack's 'Marie' and our Moonstruck 'John' of the werewolves in the third and last novel of the 'High Moor' series. Join the war and pick a side because right now there are only two. Which will you choose. I choose John's side - every time. #fanforlife.
— This was more exciting than the first two books combined and that sure as heck is saying something. I can't get over Graeme's worldbuilding and character evolution. Mind blown.
I literally had to force myself to stop reading or I would have been finished way too soon and I couldn't have that happening.
The author, Graeme Reynolds has an amazing way of writing, and his use of words and punctuation really made the gore and violence feel like they were happening right in front of you. There were no unneeded words to pull you out of the story and the off hand details were only important ones so you wouldn't be left with questions later—of course, unless he wanted you to be asking questions.
His willingness to write the violent gore-fest that is this novel left me shaking my head. I thought the other ones had been amazing where it came to gore, this was different. This was intense and left me open-mouthed and gaping sometimes. I enjoyed every moment of it. I didn't need much time to write this review, I started it straight away and I likely won't even edit it as I am pleased with it and my whole entire experience that is and always will be High Moor.
I always wanted to be a werewolf over a vampire, even with the pain of transformation — and I suppose that old time vampires have dying from the inside out to become the undead — but what I loved most of all was the idea that there were always two forms in being a werewolf: the large wolf, and the bipedal werewolf or Moonstruck as they call them in this. I've always felt connected to wolves and canines in general and maybe that's why I like Xenomorphs too because they're almost like them in a way... Could you imagine a werewolf with acid for blood?!! Nope.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Graeme Reynolds was born in England in 1971. This strange lad has been everything from an engineer in the Royal Air Force to being a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Although he started writing in 2008 Graeme didn't publish until 2011. He wrote his next two books while also working on building his small press, Horrific Tales Publishing.
A major thank you to Reynolds for the adventure in all three novels. I hope to be reading more by him soon as he has shown an ability to write horror that I wouldn't leave unchecked.
I still can't believe it's over. It was a visceral experience that I don't regret and won't forget.
Such a sad day that says it's over. I wonder if he'd do any shorts, I'd love to see what happened with the pack and with John and Marie. So many questions and no more books?
A full five star recommendation as this was my favourite by far.
THERE ARE NO SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: child death, assault, murder, manipulation, torture, suicide, mutilation and animal abuse and death amongst many more.
Pre-Read:
// This couldn't come soon enough, if I could have read this before I finished the last one I read then I would have done it, okay? //
Review:
— I could not wish any harder for this to be still going, but it's not. It's over.
Why did I have to finish it so fast, I've been ignoring it all week because I didn't want it to end and now it's gone and done it. It's ended. No more. Why? Why did you do this to me?
"The war has begun... As the humans make their move against the werewolf threat in their midst, and civil war threatens to break the pack apart, John and Marie struggle to free the only other person who matters. However, their efforts may be for nothing. As tensions mount, the Moonborn prepare to combat the human aggression with an assault of their own. An attack that could spell doom for both man and werewolf alike." — the GoodReads website for 'Blood Moon'.
We are again reunited with The Pack's 'Marie' and our Moonstruck 'John' of the werewolves in the third and last novel of the 'High Moor' series. Join the war and pick a side because right now there are only two. Which will you choose. I choose John's side - every time. #fanforlife.
— This was more exciting than the first two books combined and that sure as heck is saying something. I can't get over Graeme's worldbuilding and character evolution. Mind blown.
I literally had to force myself to stop reading or I would have been finished way too soon and I couldn't have that happening.
The author, Graeme Reynolds has an amazing way of writing, and his use of words and punctuation really made the gore and violence feel like they were happening right in front of you. There were no unneeded words to pull you out of the story and the off hand details were only important ones so you wouldn't be left with questions later—of course, unless he wanted you to be asking questions.
His willingness to write the violent gore-fest that is this novel left me shaking my head. I thought the other ones had been amazing where it came to gore, this was different. This was intense and left me open-mouthed and gaping sometimes. I enjoyed every moment of it. I didn't need much time to write this review, I started it straight away and I likely won't even edit it as I am pleased with it and my whole entire experience that is and always will be High Moor.
I always wanted to be a werewolf over a vampire, even with the pain of transformation — and I suppose that old time vampires have dying from the inside out to become the undead — but what I loved most of all was the idea that there were always two forms in being a werewolf: the large wolf, and the bipedal werewolf or Moonstruck as they call them in this. I've always felt connected to wolves and canines in general and maybe that's why I like Xenomorphs too because they're almost like them in a way... Could you imagine a werewolf with acid for blood?!! Nope.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Graeme Reynolds was born in England in 1971. This strange lad has been everything from an engineer in the Royal Air Force to being a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. Although he started writing in 2008 Graeme didn't publish until 2011. He wrote his next two books while also working on building his small press, Horrific Tales Publishing.
A major thank you to Reynolds for the adventure in all three novels. I hope to be reading more by him soon as he has shown an ability to write horror that I wouldn't leave unchecked.
I still can't believe it's over. It was a visceral experience that I don't regret and won't forget.
Such a sad day that says it's over. I wonder if he'd do any shorts, I'd love to see what happened with the pack and with John and Marie. So many questions and no more books?
A full five star recommendation as this was my favourite by far.
January 20, 2018
Top Read 2017 * * * * *
Atrocities committed in the name of war. In this incredibly brutal finale, the world attempts to deal with the fact that werewolves are real, and oh-so-dangerous. Security measures are taken and, on both sides, death is dealt to those undeserving. As the body count increases exponentially, difficult decisions have to be made, and extreme action has to be taken.
(WARNING: This review contains spoilers.)
It's no secret that I absolutely adore this bloodstained trilogy with all my heart - each instalment elicited an abundance of excitement, thrilling me with every character and their often perilous ventures. Blood Moon proved to be one hell of an epic conclusion, even if it left me saddened because I just didn't want it to end. It's extremely rare that I consistently rate so high - usually I find highs as well as lows, my overall enjoyment changing, sometimes drastically, throughout a series, but with Graeme's wolf-tastic world, each addition kept me entranced. Not only did it maintain its strong quality of descriptive writing, it continued to surprise, delight and disturb me. There's actually something I feel I need to state, because it's been in my mind and, for me, it holds a lot of significance:
An author doesn't need to be a best-seller, or have a great deal of recognition to be a great writer. I believe it's our job, as readers, to discover the hidden gems out there, to bring acknowledgement to the stories that bring us joy.
It pains me to think of deserving authors going unnoticed, and not even given a chance by the wider community, but I digress. Let's get back to the review, shall we?
There's a lot of characters to keep track of and, I admit, returning after a year since reading Moonstruck was confusing at first. I found myself trying to remember who was who, but it swiftly returned to me the further I went. I daresay these novels are meant to be read in order; context plays a big part in understanding how the war came to be, not to mention the journey each character had to traverse to reach that point. Marie and John were undoubtedly my favourites, as despite being apart for most of the book, they had time to shine in their own individual ways. Marie had to step-up, become what she never thought she'd become, and John had to endure and overcome a great deal.
Of course, amongst the large cast, others stood out as well - Phil and his desperation to return to his beloved wife, and Daniel, who just wanted the best for the pack. Every single one had their own unique personality, and their own agenda that added a considerable amount of substance.
To tell you the truth, it was at times hard to root for either side. Both the human force and the werewolf pack did terrible, terrible things. Just who was the lesser evil? Well, I'm not sure, both were neck-deep in murky waters - the pack just wanted to survive, but in retaliation of their species being killed and imprisoned, they set upon a whole town of human civilians, either savagely butchering them, or turning them into moonstruck. This included children, so I can't quite say the pack was at all innocent in the situation. I felt a whole lot of dread right before that High Moor slaughter; I knew it was coming and the anticipation nearly killed me.
The ending I considered to be bittersweet. I understood why it needed to be so, but I still felt rather bad about it. It was, after all, a last resort, and I couldn't stop thinking about what all those people would lose. I almost had tears it my eyes, and that's another oddity, as most of the time nothing I read renders me so emotional, and if it does, that in itself makes it special.
One more thing, before this review comes to an end. A paragraph in chapter eighteen piqued my interest, specifically, this one:
On occasion, the she-wolf picked up the scent of fresh death in the air, and when the two of them happened across an old stone mausoleum, the air crackled with an atmosphere of malevolence that raised both wolves' hackles and forced them to back track to find another path around the place.
Is it possible that was a hint of another monster? Perhaps it was just me, but I got a vampiric vibe that I just couldn't shake! It's a little - a mere hint - but it certainly stuck out. Since it was confirmed that other creatures did exist, I kept it in mind to pay extra attention for any teasers, and I believe I may have found one.
In conclusion - I was lucky to discover this trilogy, and honoured to read it. Werewolf horror at its finest, and I hope Reynolds one day returns to this world. I'm sure it has much more to offer.
Notable Scene:
Where Amy's pretty face had been, there was only a bloodstained skull. The bone had deep gouges carved into it and Amy's beautiful blue eyes stared out of the gore at nothing. Her friend's body stood on its own for a second, then fell to the floor in a crumpled heap. Anna couldn't help herself. She turned to Matty and was met by a visage from the depths of hell. The boy's eyes were flat, reflective disks in the flicking candlelight. His face is distorted - the bone stretched into a snout filled with row upon row of razor sharp fangs. A mass of bloody flesh and muscle dangled from between those terrible jaws. They crunched once, then swallowed. Matty brought up a clawed hand and wiped his mouth. "Aye, she wasnae wrong. She did have a tasty face."
© Red Lace 2018
Wordpress ~ Booklikes ~ Twitter
Atrocities committed in the name of war. In this incredibly brutal finale, the world attempts to deal with the fact that werewolves are real, and oh-so-dangerous. Security measures are taken and, on both sides, death is dealt to those undeserving. As the body count increases exponentially, difficult decisions have to be made, and extreme action has to be taken.
(WARNING: This review contains spoilers.)
It's no secret that I absolutely adore this bloodstained trilogy with all my heart - each instalment elicited an abundance of excitement, thrilling me with every character and their often perilous ventures. Blood Moon proved to be one hell of an epic conclusion, even if it left me saddened because I just didn't want it to end. It's extremely rare that I consistently rate so high - usually I find highs as well as lows, my overall enjoyment changing, sometimes drastically, throughout a series, but with Graeme's wolf-tastic world, each addition kept me entranced. Not only did it maintain its strong quality of descriptive writing, it continued to surprise, delight and disturb me. There's actually something I feel I need to state, because it's been in my mind and, for me, it holds a lot of significance:
An author doesn't need to be a best-seller, or have a great deal of recognition to be a great writer. I believe it's our job, as readers, to discover the hidden gems out there, to bring acknowledgement to the stories that bring us joy.
It pains me to think of deserving authors going unnoticed, and not even given a chance by the wider community, but I digress. Let's get back to the review, shall we?
There's a lot of characters to keep track of and, I admit, returning after a year since reading Moonstruck was confusing at first. I found myself trying to remember who was who, but it swiftly returned to me the further I went. I daresay these novels are meant to be read in order; context plays a big part in understanding how the war came to be, not to mention the journey each character had to traverse to reach that point. Marie and John were undoubtedly my favourites, as despite being apart for most of the book, they had time to shine in their own individual ways. Marie had to step-up, become what she never thought she'd become, and John had to endure and overcome a great deal.
Of course, amongst the large cast, others stood out as well - Phil and his desperation to return to his beloved wife, and Daniel, who just wanted the best for the pack. Every single one had their own unique personality, and their own agenda that added a considerable amount of substance.
To tell you the truth, it was at times hard to root for either side. Both the human force and the werewolf pack did terrible, terrible things. Just who was the lesser evil? Well, I'm not sure, both were neck-deep in murky waters - the pack just wanted to survive, but in retaliation of their species being killed and imprisoned, they set upon a whole town of human civilians, either savagely butchering them, or turning them into moonstruck. This included children, so I can't quite say the pack was at all innocent in the situation. I felt a whole lot of dread right before that High Moor slaughter; I knew it was coming and the anticipation nearly killed me.
The ending I considered to be bittersweet. I understood why it needed to be so, but I still felt rather bad about it. It was, after all, a last resort, and I couldn't stop thinking about what all those people would lose. I almost had tears it my eyes, and that's another oddity, as most of the time nothing I read renders me so emotional, and if it does, that in itself makes it special.
One more thing, before this review comes to an end. A paragraph in chapter eighteen piqued my interest, specifically, this one:
On occasion, the she-wolf picked up the scent of fresh death in the air, and when the two of them happened across an old stone mausoleum, the air crackled with an atmosphere of malevolence that raised both wolves' hackles and forced them to back track to find another path around the place.
Is it possible that was a hint of another monster? Perhaps it was just me, but I got a vampiric vibe that I just couldn't shake! It's a little - a mere hint - but it certainly stuck out. Since it was confirmed that other creatures did exist, I kept it in mind to pay extra attention for any teasers, and I believe I may have found one.
In conclusion - I was lucky to discover this trilogy, and honoured to read it. Werewolf horror at its finest, and I hope Reynolds one day returns to this world. I'm sure it has much more to offer.
Notable Scene:
Where Amy's pretty face had been, there was only a bloodstained skull. The bone had deep gouges carved into it and Amy's beautiful blue eyes stared out of the gore at nothing. Her friend's body stood on its own for a second, then fell to the floor in a crumpled heap. Anna couldn't help herself. She turned to Matty and was met by a visage from the depths of hell. The boy's eyes were flat, reflective disks in the flicking candlelight. His face is distorted - the bone stretched into a snout filled with row upon row of razor sharp fangs. A mass of bloody flesh and muscle dangled from between those terrible jaws. They crunched once, then swallowed. Matty brought up a clawed hand and wiped his mouth. "Aye, she wasnae wrong. She did have a tasty face."
© Red Lace 2018
Wordpress ~ Booklikes ~ Twitter
June 13, 2021
Gets pretty wild with the whole world war werewolf but still has some cool concepts and wild gory set pieces.
August 2, 2024
Loved the High Moor series. I wish there were more…
April 20, 2016
High Moor/High Moor 2: Moon Struck/High Moor 3: Blood Moon by Graeme Reynolds
Audiobook narrated by Chris Barnes
When John Simpson hears of a bizarre animal attack in his old home town of High Moor, it stirs memories of a long forgotten horror. John knows the truth. A werewolf stalks the town once more, and on the night of the next full moon, the killing will begin again. He should know. He survived a werewolf attack in 1986, during the worst year of his life.
It’s 1986 and the town is gripped in terror after the mutilated corpse of a young boy is found in the woods. When Sergeant Steven Wilkinson begins an investigation, with the help of a specialist hunter, he soon realises that this is no ordinary animal attack. Werewolves are real, and the trail of bodies is just beginning, with young John and his friends smack in the middle of it…
With a trilogy of books already released, it seemed to make sense to review all three in one go, because the fact is, I found after experiencing the first, you’ll be dying to get stuck into the rest. I could leave the review at that, and maybe you’ll take my word for it. But what if you don’t?
Let’s talk werewolves. When done right, the embodiment of pure, carnal beast is a formidable horror staple. Reynolds nails the lore from the first bite to the last bullet.
High Moor is thrill ride from start to finish, harking back to 80’s action horror classics whilst maintaining a firm sense of much loved nostalgia. With a group of friends facing off against a seemingly invincible terror, there’s a definite sense of a childhood betrayed, a trope Stephen King has used successfully in several of his Kids vs Monsters stories, and in this, Reynolds brilliantly portrays a struggling northern town to perfection.
Another point I loved is that Reynolds could’ve quite easily ended the novel at several points, and as a reader, I would have been happy. But the action keeps coming, taking the story much further than I ever expected.
Humorous and at times utterly shocking, High Moor sets the scene, with a group of characters you’ll come to love, and love to hate.
Moon Struck takes the story to the next level and introduces a larger pack of werewolves, delving into group politics and further into their history, which makes fascinating reading as we head deeper into Reynolds’ universe. Whilst Moonstruck moves at a slower pace, it soon picks up, especially with the inclusion of a psychopathic werewolf called Connie, who steals the show, literally chewing the scenery (and quite often, characters) with maniacal, blood squirting glee.
Blood Moon completes the saga (for the time being) with an all-out war of werewolves vs werewolves vs humans as species eradication and infighting is rife. This werewolf holocaust is touching at times, as Reynolds succeeds in humanising the monster, creating more than just a community, but families as well, struggling as their lives are turned upside down
But with a story about tooth and claws, it can only end one way; blood, and lots of it. Graeme Reynolds delivers it by the bucket load, satisfying even the sickest of gore lovers. My one gripe is the woefully underused idea of a werewolf super soldier, but there’s always room for another sequel.
Also, hats off again to Chris Barnes for his flawless performance, bringing depths to characters by creating individual voices for each. His ear for accents is uncanny, and hearing him flit between West Country lilt and thick Russian is a joy to behold, keeping me gripped for many a long and lonely drive.
All in all, High Moor is an exhilarating thrill ride of action horror that never threatens to give up the pace, and the entire trilogy is thoroughly recommended, whether it’s in book form or audiobook.
5/5
Audiobook narrated by Chris Barnes
When John Simpson hears of a bizarre animal attack in his old home town of High Moor, it stirs memories of a long forgotten horror. John knows the truth. A werewolf stalks the town once more, and on the night of the next full moon, the killing will begin again. He should know. He survived a werewolf attack in 1986, during the worst year of his life.
It’s 1986 and the town is gripped in terror after the mutilated corpse of a young boy is found in the woods. When Sergeant Steven Wilkinson begins an investigation, with the help of a specialist hunter, he soon realises that this is no ordinary animal attack. Werewolves are real, and the trail of bodies is just beginning, with young John and his friends smack in the middle of it…
With a trilogy of books already released, it seemed to make sense to review all three in one go, because the fact is, I found after experiencing the first, you’ll be dying to get stuck into the rest. I could leave the review at that, and maybe you’ll take my word for it. But what if you don’t?
Let’s talk werewolves. When done right, the embodiment of pure, carnal beast is a formidable horror staple. Reynolds nails the lore from the first bite to the last bullet.
High Moor is thrill ride from start to finish, harking back to 80’s action horror classics whilst maintaining a firm sense of much loved nostalgia. With a group of friends facing off against a seemingly invincible terror, there’s a definite sense of a childhood betrayed, a trope Stephen King has used successfully in several of his Kids vs Monsters stories, and in this, Reynolds brilliantly portrays a struggling northern town to perfection.
Another point I loved is that Reynolds could’ve quite easily ended the novel at several points, and as a reader, I would have been happy. But the action keeps coming, taking the story much further than I ever expected.
Humorous and at times utterly shocking, High Moor sets the scene, with a group of characters you’ll come to love, and love to hate.
Moon Struck takes the story to the next level and introduces a larger pack of werewolves, delving into group politics and further into their history, which makes fascinating reading as we head deeper into Reynolds’ universe. Whilst Moonstruck moves at a slower pace, it soon picks up, especially with the inclusion of a psychopathic werewolf called Connie, who steals the show, literally chewing the scenery (and quite often, characters) with maniacal, blood squirting glee.
Blood Moon completes the saga (for the time being) with an all-out war of werewolves vs werewolves vs humans as species eradication and infighting is rife. This werewolf holocaust is touching at times, as Reynolds succeeds in humanising the monster, creating more than just a community, but families as well, struggling as their lives are turned upside down
But with a story about tooth and claws, it can only end one way; blood, and lots of it. Graeme Reynolds delivers it by the bucket load, satisfying even the sickest of gore lovers. My one gripe is the woefully underused idea of a werewolf super soldier, but there’s always room for another sequel.
Also, hats off again to Chris Barnes for his flawless performance, bringing depths to characters by creating individual voices for each. His ear for accents is uncanny, and hearing him flit between West Country lilt and thick Russian is a joy to behold, keeping me gripped for many a long and lonely drive.
All in all, High Moor is an exhilarating thrill ride of action horror that never threatens to give up the pace, and the entire trilogy is thoroughly recommended, whether it’s in book form or audiobook.
5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2021
I was gripped to the end, again Graeme Reynolds has produced an amazing deep story, with so much character, my only complaint is that there aren't any high Moor book's to the series
July 30, 2021
This book is very hard for me to place a rating on, is it better then high moor one? God no! So it horrible? Nope, it's just a bit messy with me feeling like characters appear and disappeared, or some long time characters just being side lined for other characters that won't survive for long
I was thinking of giving this book a 4 or a 3 but that ending... Dam that ending, for all the annoyance and small bits of disappointment I felt while reading, the ending unsettled me and upset me a little but that's its point and it put a good bow on the trilogy
I don't think I will forget this series any time soon, ya how it went after the first disappointed me but still I had fun reading and characters were still there throughout. I don't think anything quiet like this will be ever released again in my life time
Thank you Graeme Reynolds for writing such a wonderful set of books and I hope to read more of your work in the mean time
P. S can't wait to get the special editions
I was thinking of giving this book a 4 or a 3 but that ending... Dam that ending, for all the annoyance and small bits of disappointment I felt while reading, the ending unsettled me and upset me a little but that's its point and it put a good bow on the trilogy
I don't think I will forget this series any time soon, ya how it went after the first disappointed me but still I had fun reading and characters were still there throughout. I don't think anything quiet like this will be ever released again in my life time
Thank you Graeme Reynolds for writing such a wonderful set of books and I hope to read more of your work in the mean time
P. S can't wait to get the special editions
August 16, 2016
A perfect end to an awesome trilogy. As with the other two books, it's action packed, full of blood and gore and awesome werewolves, and the story as a whole is really good. The trilogy is split perfectly between the three books in my opinion and the pacing in each is just right. The characters remained just as enjoyable throughout, and I love the idea of John being a slightly different breed of werewolf to the normal moonstruck or pack wolves.
If I had to pick a favourite between the three books it would be the first one for me, purely because, as a werewolf fan, it's the initial change and the buildup to a character being turned that gets me most excited. But Blood Moon comes in close second; it's a really great way to finish off the series and I can't recommend this trilogy enough to general horror and werewolf fans alike!
If I had to pick a favourite between the three books it would be the first one for me, purely because, as a werewolf fan, it's the initial change and the buildup to a character being turned that gets me most excited. But Blood Moon comes in close second; it's a really great way to finish off the series and I can't recommend this trilogy enough to general horror and werewolf fans alike!
November 10, 2017
Great series!
I have really enjoyed this series. Looking forward to reading more books by this Author. Would recommend these to anyone.
I have really enjoyed this series. Looking forward to reading more books by this Author. Would recommend these to anyone.
April 14, 2022
As usual it was great! I'm very glad to have the special addition box set (a christmas gift from the gf) after only reading the first 2. The second in the series is probably my favorite. I thought Connie was a great tortured villain. The 3rd book had a large scope and was epic in scale, which generally isn't my style, but Graeme Reynolds has an uncanny ability to keep you interested and invested in a plot that is so overblown and chaotic your head is spinning. I actually enjoyed the ending which I know some people were on the fence about. I'm a huge werewolf fan (likely due to my own mental struggles). I really think Graeme Reynolds is carrying the torch for lycanthrope literature right now. I'm looking forward to whatever he has to offer next!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2015
My original Blood Moon audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
Quite fitting that Blood Moon was released right before Christmas, as it is a Christmas story afterall. Meaning that it is Christmas time in the story and I was as giddy as when I was a kid after Santa came, when this was released. However, it has been a very long time since Moonstruck, High Moor book 2, was released. Going into this listen I was afraid that Graeme Reynolds wasn’t going to be able to create the same adrenaline pumping werewolf slaughter magic or that this third book would have a completely different feel than the others.
This book picks up right where the last book leave off. Now everyone, including the government, knows of the existence of werewolves, they understand how dangerous they are. Detection devices have been installed in most of the European airports to help deter the monsters form crossing the borders. Europe is in werewolf lock-down. This is it, the war between humans and lycanthropes ensues.
Reminder. This. Is. Not. Twilight. This. Is. Brutal. Gritty. Horror.
This is a seriously violent and brutal werewolf story. There are no love triangles, steamy sex scenes, none of the bull crap that many seem to associate with werewolves and the paranormal. This is a horror novel through and through. This is a story about an unknown species trying to escape the reach of humans. Reynolds was able to show the true character of the human race. How we fear what we do not understand and we must rule over everything no matter what.
One of the things that is sometimes lost in horror stories is the importance of character development. Reynolds did not miss this point. His characters were expanded in depth and weight throughout. Somehow he was able to do this with the large amount of them in this book. I look forward to hearing what comes next for Reynolds because with High Moor he has made me a fan of his imagination, as sick and twisted as it is.
All my worries were for not. Reynolds was on point. Bringing all of the carnage I expected him to bring to the party.
One of my favorite laugh out loud lines, “That’s the worst ideas since the Star Wars prequels.”
This is one of Chris Barnes’ most dynamic performances to date. So many characters with so many different accents. German, English, British, even from other countries. Being able to keep all of this straight is mind boggling, an easy thing to do for the listener, but I would guess not so much for the performer. He was even able to use the same voices that he used almost two years ago with the last book. Barnes was able to inject emotions in the appropriate places without pause, at times this was done very subtly. I am so happy that Reynolds kept with the same narrator for the entire series, I don;t think many authors understand hoe truly important this is to the listener.
Audiobook provided for review by the narrator.
Quite fitting that Blood Moon was released right before Christmas, as it is a Christmas story afterall. Meaning that it is Christmas time in the story and I was as giddy as when I was a kid after Santa came, when this was released. However, it has been a very long time since Moonstruck, High Moor book 2, was released. Going into this listen I was afraid that Graeme Reynolds wasn’t going to be able to create the same adrenaline pumping werewolf slaughter magic or that this third book would have a completely different feel than the others.
This book picks up right where the last book leave off. Now everyone, including the government, knows of the existence of werewolves, they understand how dangerous they are. Detection devices have been installed in most of the European airports to help deter the monsters form crossing the borders. Europe is in werewolf lock-down. This is it, the war between humans and lycanthropes ensues.
Reminder. This. Is. Not. Twilight. This. Is. Brutal. Gritty. Horror.
This is a seriously violent and brutal werewolf story. There are no love triangles, steamy sex scenes, none of the bull crap that many seem to associate with werewolves and the paranormal. This is a horror novel through and through. This is a story about an unknown species trying to escape the reach of humans. Reynolds was able to show the true character of the human race. How we fear what we do not understand and we must rule over everything no matter what.
One of the things that is sometimes lost in horror stories is the importance of character development. Reynolds did not miss this point. His characters were expanded in depth and weight throughout. Somehow he was able to do this with the large amount of them in this book. I look forward to hearing what comes next for Reynolds because with High Moor he has made me a fan of his imagination, as sick and twisted as it is.
All my worries were for not. Reynolds was on point. Bringing all of the carnage I expected him to bring to the party.
One of my favorite laugh out loud lines, “That’s the worst ideas since the Star Wars prequels.”
This is one of Chris Barnes’ most dynamic performances to date. So many characters with so many different accents. German, English, British, even from other countries. Being able to keep all of this straight is mind boggling, an easy thing to do for the listener, but I would guess not so much for the performer. He was even able to use the same voices that he used almost two years ago with the last book. Barnes was able to inject emotions in the appropriate places without pause, at times this was done very subtly. I am so happy that Reynolds kept with the same narrator for the entire series, I don;t think many authors understand hoe truly important this is to the listener.
Audiobook provided for review by the narrator.
October 5, 2015
I received an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. This is in no way reflected in my opinion of this book.
High Moor 3: Blood Moon is a fitting end to the High Moor trilogy. I've been hooked on the story of Michael, Marie, John and Stephen since I opened the first book so now I'm sad to see this phenomenal series end. This action packed thrill ride is filled with enough chills and terror, along with an astronomical body count, to please any horror lover out there. The characters are fantastically written and believable. I liked revisiting my favorite characters and getting to know new ones like Rose and Sharron. I also enjoyed the fact that not all the monsters had fangs and fur. My two favorite parts of this story are the New Year's Eve crèche and the epilogue. You'll have to read the book to find out why. Graeme Reynolds is a master storyteller whose work will linger long after you've read the last page. High Moor 3 will be released October 27. Fans of werewolves and great horror should grab this fast paced and thrilling read. I just wish that I could give it more than 5 stars!
April 10, 2017
A satisfying end to this trilogy.
The story picks up months after Micheal is taken and an all out war as humans set out to exterminate werewolves. If there's a fictional hell, I hope Connie and the mad scientist are in it. You'd think that as a human I'd be on their side but nope. I'm a straight-up traitor to my species, rooting for the werewolves to be victorious. Yep, that's me, selling out the human-race hard. There were some horrific descriptions that literally made me gasp in shock and horror. The writing had me on the edge, but at the same time I took my time reading knowing there'd be no more books after this one.
And of course GR wouldn't be GR without the wanton slaughter of my favorite characters. No one was safe from this maniacal author which only made the read more heart pounding. A few deaths hit me hard though. Although the ending wasn't the HEA I'd wanted, I found it realistic. With all the messed up shit that happened between the humans and weres, there was no future where they held hands and sang Kumbaya. Good read.
The story picks up months after Micheal is taken and an all out war as humans set out to exterminate werewolves. If there's a fictional hell, I hope Connie and the mad scientist are in it. You'd think that as a human I'd be on their side but nope. I'm a straight-up traitor to my species, rooting for the werewolves to be victorious. Yep, that's me, selling out the human-race hard. There were some horrific descriptions that literally made me gasp in shock and horror. The writing had me on the edge, but at the same time I took my time reading knowing there'd be no more books after this one.
And of course GR wouldn't be GR without the wanton slaughter of my favorite characters. No one was safe from this maniacal author which only made the read more heart pounding. A few deaths hit me hard though. Although the ending wasn't the HEA I'd wanted, I found it realistic. With all the messed up shit that happened between the humans and weres, there was no future where they held hands and sang Kumbaya. Good read.
November 5, 2015
The wolves are back. In this third and final installment of the High Moor trilogy all of the threads of the werewolf conflict come together. Civil war amongst the werewolves, their existence confirmed to the public and open warfare between lycanthrope and human kind.
Reynolds weaves a tale of blood and betrayal, love and loss, barbarism and honour. Diverting from the standard formula of Wolf eats man, hero kills Wolf, this trilogy tells a complex tale of anti-hero and barbarism from both sides of the wolf/human conflict.
With some great scenes of sickening violence and gore, threaded with an underlying theme of strength of character and hope, Blood Moon draws a fitting end to a great trilogy of books.
I can't wait to see what Graeme has for us next from his sick and twisted little mind.
If you hadn't worked it out already, this isn't a trilogy for the squeamish, but you really won't be able to stop reading once you have started.
Reynolds weaves a tale of blood and betrayal, love and loss, barbarism and honour. Diverting from the standard formula of Wolf eats man, hero kills Wolf, this trilogy tells a complex tale of anti-hero and barbarism from both sides of the wolf/human conflict.
With some great scenes of sickening violence and gore, threaded with an underlying theme of strength of character and hope, Blood Moon draws a fitting end to a great trilogy of books.
I can't wait to see what Graeme has for us next from his sick and twisted little mind.
If you hadn't worked it out already, this isn't a trilogy for the squeamish, but you really won't be able to stop reading once you have started.
September 13, 2020
Warning: Some Spoilers
The first book was a real horror. This one is more like a conspiracy-adventure novel, with a lot of gore. Some plot points seemed unbelievable, like few wolves able to get into a high-security military zone and boarding the aircraft. There is also some inconsistency in how the moonstruck is born, in the first novel, John became moonstruck because he was infected by one. Still, in this novel, some residents of high moor became moonstruck, though normal werewolves infected them. But, it is a werewolf novel, So who am I to complain about believability—a fun read but with flaws.
The first book was a real horror. This one is more like a conspiracy-adventure novel, with a lot of gore. Some plot points seemed unbelievable, like few wolves able to get into a high-security military zone and boarding the aircraft. There is also some inconsistency in how the moonstruck is born, in the first novel, John became moonstruck because he was infected by one. Still, in this novel, some residents of high moor became moonstruck, though normal werewolves infected them. But, it is a werewolf novel, So who am I to complain about believability—a fun read but with flaws.
November 28, 2019
Excellent werewolves series!!!
I was hoping that it wouldn’t ended in the book 3. Just wanted to keep reading!
I bought & read the three books in rapid succession, which is highly unusual for me. Because most times I feel saturated and have to read something different in between.
But. Not. This. Time.
The action is relentless, the characters are unbelievable ( you’re able to feel their motivations & understand them). And the situations are very realistic.
I found myself scrutinizing the shadows in the middle of the night!!!
So,,,let yourself get trapped & enjoy it!!!
I was hoping that it wouldn’t ended in the book 3. Just wanted to keep reading!
I bought & read the three books in rapid succession, which is highly unusual for me. Because most times I feel saturated and have to read something different in between.
But. Not. This. Time.
The action is relentless, the characters are unbelievable ( you’re able to feel their motivations & understand them). And the situations are very realistic.
I found myself scrutinizing the shadows in the middle of the night!!!
So,,,let yourself get trapped & enjoy it!!!
March 12, 2021
DNF (35%).
Gory werewolf story meets Harry Potter... Kinda
I already wasn't that much satisfied by the second book of the serie but got really bored by the third one
Gory werewolf story meets Harry Potter... Kinda
I already wasn't that much satisfied by the second book of the serie but got really bored by the third one
April 10, 2022
This is the best book in this series. It really ends with a banger.
I firmly believe that there is no fictional monster that can ever come close to being as scary as the horrors that humans are capable of bestowing on each other. This novel combines both.
The secret is out; the werewolves are known to the world, and they are being hunted by humans. This book is a lot more political than the previous, and has so much more depth.
Though everything happens quite fast, over the span of about a month, and I wonder how much time it would take in real life to set up an operation like this, this book is a very good reflection of the kind of atmosphere that leads to the persecution of ethnic groups and eventually ethnic cleansing.
The author clearly knows his subject matter very well. The world in High Moor is multi-faceted, with good guys and bad guys, and morally grey guys on both sides, people who all have their own ideas on how the situation should be handled. This novel is rife with the type of atrocities that we've seen during the Holocaust and other genocides, and as such, is absolutely bone-chilling. This book comes complete with its own Mengele. This story is messed up, but also very believable.
The author has really outdone himself. The story is extremely well-structured, and has characters that, even if they're not explored in depth, make you want to root for their survival. This is hands down the best book in the trilogy and has made an impression on me that I won't soon forget.
I firmly believe that there is no fictional monster that can ever come close to being as scary as the horrors that humans are capable of bestowing on each other. This novel combines both.
The secret is out; the werewolves are known to the world, and they are being hunted by humans. This book is a lot more political than the previous, and has so much more depth.
Though everything happens quite fast, over the span of about a month, and I wonder how much time it would take in real life to set up an operation like this, this book is a very good reflection of the kind of atmosphere that leads to the persecution of ethnic groups and eventually ethnic cleansing.
The author clearly knows his subject matter very well. The world in High Moor is multi-faceted, with good guys and bad guys, and morally grey guys on both sides, people who all have their own ideas on how the situation should be handled. This novel is rife with the type of atrocities that we've seen during the Holocaust and other genocides, and as such, is absolutely bone-chilling. This book comes complete with its own Mengele. This story is messed up, but also very believable.
The author has really outdone himself. The story is extremely well-structured, and has characters that, even if they're not explored in depth, make you want to root for their survival. This is hands down the best book in the trilogy and has made an impression on me that I won't soon forget.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2021
An amazing conclusion to an amazing trilogy. I couldn’t have asked for a better ending. There were some characters that I had hoped would’ve made it to the end. Kudos to Graeme Reynolds. I look forward to reading more of your work.
February 3, 2022
Werewolves are here to stay
This is a great series for werewolf lovers. I have loved every minute of these books. This 3rd book did not disappoint and I would love more books like these. When you read the final book in a series and still want more, you know the series is great. Bravo, Graeme Reynolds, well done.
This is a great series for werewolf lovers. I have loved every minute of these books. This 3rd book did not disappoint and I would love more books like these. When you read the final book in a series and still want more, you know the series is great. Bravo, Graeme Reynolds, well done.
March 21, 2025
I have to say I loved the first two books by this author, I couldn't put the books down but I can't say that about the final book. It was ok , it did have some good parts in the book but it was like reading a different book compared to the first two. I wish it would of gone a different direction instead of concentrating on the military and dr.s doing testing on the werewolves. Still a good book . I really liked the style of writtings by this author, He really puts you there in the story.
October 15, 2015
Be warned, armed and prepared!
Must confess I did my best to act cool when given Blood Moon for review for Stormblade Productions.
The other two books from the High Moor series sit proudly on my book shelf and it has been a long wait for this, the final entry.Due to the length of time between part two and three I did wonder if I'd remember everything, it was only a moment though as the story soon unfolded and brought me up to speed. I had mistakenly thought the book was quick in pace, however around halfway through Reynolds takes it up a notch, then another and another until it reaches its climatic end -- as though I had hitched a ride on a super bike, a roller coaster of a book with tremendous gory scenes.
Don't eat whilst reading this book, kids.
I live out in the sticks surrounded by my fields and a small copse, and found myself staying near to the house when exercising the dogs at night, imagining a wolf lurking within the tree line.
Reynolds’ dialogue, characterisation and considered scenes all add to the ambiance of the plot and I received great visualisations from descriptions such as, "She felt as if she'd been hollowed out and all of her thoughts and emotions replaced with a terrible, cavernous emptiness that nothing would ever fill." This made me shudder.
Blood Moon starts with a prologue from 1995, Kozara National Park. I won't reveal a spoiler here, just merely add that this is a great opener. "The war has begun" is the tag line. Yes, indeed, the war most certainly has. With Werewolves out in the open, their secrecy exposed, the real threat comes from those who they had formally seen as prey. Old characters such as Michael, Marie, John, Phil and Stephen return to see out the franchise and we’re introduced to a number of new personalities, friends and enemies alike. Set across Europe, Reynolds takes you on an action-packed adventure that has enough blood and violence to keep even the most ardent horror fan happy. High Moor still plays its part and what a part that is: the church scene will give you nightmares.
Reading about these characters from kids to adults across all three books, I felt a real sense of loss when I finished the last page. As though I was saying goodbye to good friends. The end of an era.
Due to the brutality of Blood Moon it has taken the top spot for the best Werewolf novel I've ever read. Fact. "The unfortunate soldier's torso fell twenty feet to the bloodstained ground, trailing intestines behind it like the streamers on a kite." Lines like this gave me such a visual that it had to have that spot.
Reynolds has an ability to make you care for the characters even as wolves, they have a bestial vulnerability that is morbidly fascinating. The horrific and painful description of the change from man to beast was both grotesque and sad. Such hauntingly beautiful creatures that deliver cruelty beyond understanding.
The book finishes the series leaving no stone un-turned. I won't lie, it's an emotional one. The epilogue is genius!
Be warned this book is bloodier than the others in the series and takes no prisoners. Arm yourself with a comfortable seat and get ready for a hideous and terrifying ride.
Must confess I did my best to act cool when given Blood Moon for review for Stormblade Productions.
The other two books from the High Moor series sit proudly on my book shelf and it has been a long wait for this, the final entry.Due to the length of time between part two and three I did wonder if I'd remember everything, it was only a moment though as the story soon unfolded and brought me up to speed. I had mistakenly thought the book was quick in pace, however around halfway through Reynolds takes it up a notch, then another and another until it reaches its climatic end -- as though I had hitched a ride on a super bike, a roller coaster of a book with tremendous gory scenes.
Don't eat whilst reading this book, kids.
I live out in the sticks surrounded by my fields and a small copse, and found myself staying near to the house when exercising the dogs at night, imagining a wolf lurking within the tree line.
Reynolds’ dialogue, characterisation and considered scenes all add to the ambiance of the plot and I received great visualisations from descriptions such as, "She felt as if she'd been hollowed out and all of her thoughts and emotions replaced with a terrible, cavernous emptiness that nothing would ever fill." This made me shudder.
Blood Moon starts with a prologue from 1995, Kozara National Park. I won't reveal a spoiler here, just merely add that this is a great opener. "The war has begun" is the tag line. Yes, indeed, the war most certainly has. With Werewolves out in the open, their secrecy exposed, the real threat comes from those who they had formally seen as prey. Old characters such as Michael, Marie, John, Phil and Stephen return to see out the franchise and we’re introduced to a number of new personalities, friends and enemies alike. Set across Europe, Reynolds takes you on an action-packed adventure that has enough blood and violence to keep even the most ardent horror fan happy. High Moor still plays its part and what a part that is: the church scene will give you nightmares.
Reading about these characters from kids to adults across all three books, I felt a real sense of loss when I finished the last page. As though I was saying goodbye to good friends. The end of an era.
Due to the brutality of Blood Moon it has taken the top spot for the best Werewolf novel I've ever read. Fact. "The unfortunate soldier's torso fell twenty feet to the bloodstained ground, trailing intestines behind it like the streamers on a kite." Lines like this gave me such a visual that it had to have that spot.
Reynolds has an ability to make you care for the characters even as wolves, they have a bestial vulnerability that is morbidly fascinating. The horrific and painful description of the change from man to beast was both grotesque and sad. Such hauntingly beautiful creatures that deliver cruelty beyond understanding.
The book finishes the series leaving no stone un-turned. I won't lie, it's an emotional one. The epilogue is genius!
Be warned this book is bloodier than the others in the series and takes no prisoners. Arm yourself with a comfortable seat and get ready for a hideous and terrifying ride.
May 11, 2017
This guy is one of my favorite narrators! His name is Chris Barnes and his voice carries a Scottish brogue that makes my ears tingle when I'm listening to my audio horror- thus introducing the book series that he told me was awesome. At first I wasn't sure, but he convinced me, it was worth the listen. He was right!
The High Moor series, by Graeme Reynolds, is werewolf hell! The stories are shared book by book below, so prepare for a wild ride of a book review!
Stephen, Stephen, Stephen... from the fat, into the fire! Now the military is involved...
The Opposition is now involved, but as far as opposition, they didn't hold up very well against the werewolves! Michael was captured and his sister and John were determined to get him out. So much happened because of plans not well-laid.
While the humans are rounding up werewolves in human form, for experimentation, while tucked away in camps, a special group of wolves decide to teach the world a lesson, treating every nook and cranny as their hunting ground. Where will a line be drawn between two powerful species?
The action is non-stop and the violence just gets bigger and bigger. I enjoyed this one as well. I also liked that the fact that werewolves existed could no longer be hidden. With that said, none of the werewolves, other than those changed from being attacked were all that likable. Everyone was angry and there was no love, other than Marie's for her daughter. Oh, and that crazy love scene back in book 2.
If you like werwolf horror, these books do not fail. There's tons of gore, horrific attacks and Russian accents for days. I enjoyed it and can happily say, I was proven wrong when I thought the other books wouldn't be likable. Happy to say! So check out the High Moon series, while I move on to the next read!
*For the full review: http://www.areneehunt.com/the-reviews...
High Moor Series
Graeme Reynolds
Horrific Tales Publishing
November 17, 2011
The High Moor series, by Graeme Reynolds, is werewolf hell! The stories are shared book by book below, so prepare for a wild ride of a book review!
Stephen, Stephen, Stephen... from the fat, into the fire! Now the military is involved...
The Opposition is now involved, but as far as opposition, they didn't hold up very well against the werewolves! Michael was captured and his sister and John were determined to get him out. So much happened because of plans not well-laid.
While the humans are rounding up werewolves in human form, for experimentation, while tucked away in camps, a special group of wolves decide to teach the world a lesson, treating every nook and cranny as their hunting ground. Where will a line be drawn between two powerful species?
The action is non-stop and the violence just gets bigger and bigger. I enjoyed this one as well. I also liked that the fact that werewolves existed could no longer be hidden. With that said, none of the werewolves, other than those changed from being attacked were all that likable. Everyone was angry and there was no love, other than Marie's for her daughter. Oh, and that crazy love scene back in book 2.
If you like werwolf horror, these books do not fail. There's tons of gore, horrific attacks and Russian accents for days. I enjoyed it and can happily say, I was proven wrong when I thought the other books wouldn't be likable. Happy to say! So check out the High Moon series, while I move on to the next read!
*For the full review: http://www.areneehunt.com/the-reviews...
High Moor Series
Graeme Reynolds
Horrific Tales Publishing
November 17, 2011
August 16, 2017
DISCLAIMER: I received an audio copy via Audible for review purposes.
Ever since I started reading High Moor 1, when it first came out, I feel in love with the series. Mr. Reynolds delivers a story that ensnares your mind and takes you on a journey of the past and present.
High Moor 3 brings us to the present where there's war ensuing between the humans and lycanthropes. It seems that only one side can win this war, and each is determined to come out victor in the end. While the war is at the forefront and the premise of this story, it's the emotions, personal developments, self awareness, and overall interactions that stand out to me the most. Ever since High Moor 1, Mr. Reynolds weaved a tale of human emotions that made you connect with the characters within the story. He continued that trend in High Moor 2, with its gory and jaw dropping scenes where you didn't know whether to love or hate a character. He finishes off High Moor 3 with a fantastic bang and one hell of story where I had moments of disbelief because my ears couldn't believe what I was hearing.
High Moor 3 delved into the misconceptions of lycanthropes from the humans all the while lycanthropes dealt with the mistrust of humans since the beginning of their kind. The barriers are broken down due to war where one faction wanted to eradicate or take vengeance out on the other. This story shows while one outcome is perceived out of a situation, a completely different one arises. At least that's what I got through out the story. I got to see how some humans got to learn that not all lycanthropes are viscous killing machines with no care of anything or anyone. I also got to see how humans themselves can be even more monstrous than their worst nightmares when pushed past the recesses of their minds.
I can't say enough good things about High Moor 3, this coming from someone who loves a good, tenderhearted romance that are just butterflies and rainbows. The gore and violence was top notch, not only because there was violence for violence's sake but because the violence and gore was done with purpose and intent. During these times is when I got to learn more about a character and its thought process. This story shows that overcoming adversity is possible even if it means sacrificing things you never thought you could.
Mr. Reynolds gives us a satisfactory ending, in the end it's about survival at any cost. Even if that cost is love.
I have to say that the narration of High Moor 3 helped to make my positive feelings of this book possible. Mr. Barnes is a phenomenal narrator. He emotes what the characters are feeling all the while keeping true to each character's voice.
Ever since I started reading High Moor 1, when it first came out, I feel in love with the series. Mr. Reynolds delivers a story that ensnares your mind and takes you on a journey of the past and present.
High Moor 3 brings us to the present where there's war ensuing between the humans and lycanthropes. It seems that only one side can win this war, and each is determined to come out victor in the end. While the war is at the forefront and the premise of this story, it's the emotions, personal developments, self awareness, and overall interactions that stand out to me the most. Ever since High Moor 1, Mr. Reynolds weaved a tale of human emotions that made you connect with the characters within the story. He continued that trend in High Moor 2, with its gory and jaw dropping scenes where you didn't know whether to love or hate a character. He finishes off High Moor 3 with a fantastic bang and one hell of story where I had moments of disbelief because my ears couldn't believe what I was hearing.
High Moor 3 delved into the misconceptions of lycanthropes from the humans all the while lycanthropes dealt with the mistrust of humans since the beginning of their kind. The barriers are broken down due to war where one faction wanted to eradicate or take vengeance out on the other. This story shows while one outcome is perceived out of a situation, a completely different one arises. At least that's what I got through out the story. I got to see how some humans got to learn that not all lycanthropes are viscous killing machines with no care of anything or anyone. I also got to see how humans themselves can be even more monstrous than their worst nightmares when pushed past the recesses of their minds.
I can't say enough good things about High Moor 3, this coming from someone who loves a good, tenderhearted romance that are just butterflies and rainbows. The gore and violence was top notch, not only because there was violence for violence's sake but because the violence and gore was done with purpose and intent. During these times is when I got to learn more about a character and its thought process. This story shows that overcoming adversity is possible even if it means sacrificing things you never thought you could.
Mr. Reynolds gives us a satisfactory ending, in the end it's about survival at any cost. Even if that cost is love.
I have to say that the narration of High Moor 3 helped to make my positive feelings of this book possible. Mr. Barnes is a phenomenal narrator. He emotes what the characters are feeling all the while keeping true to each character's voice.
January 10, 2022
All out war
I've been hooked on this series since book 1 and the ending did not disappoint. We find the werewolves being exposed and humans know all about them. There is a prison, werewolves, and trained killers. It was hard to put down.
I've been hooked on this series since book 1 and the ending did not disappoint. We find the werewolves being exposed and humans know all about them. There is a prison, werewolves, and trained killers. It was hard to put down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews