2022 SQHS Your Literate Life - BOOK REVIEWS ONLY discussion

Hemlock Grove by Brian McGreevy
Reviewed by Brittanni Inga
The book Hemlock Grove is written in a third person perspective, following Roman Godfrey the son of the man who created the million-dollar company the Godfrey Institute, and Peter Rumancek a gypsy werewolf. The main story though is how their two completely different paths collide, and how they indeed need each other in order to solve the recent murders of girls in the little town they live in. It starts with one, and the bodies just add up from there. Peter is immediately targeted as a main suspect, due to the murders starting when he moved to the town in Pennsylvania. Many also think that he could be the murder due to the rumors that spread like wildfire saying he is a werewolf. That is rather true yet, Peter doesn’t share that information to just anyone; his mom that he lives with knows, and Roman finds out quickly when Peter shifts in front of him. Although a little neighbor girl Christina that goes to Peters school also has her suspicions of him being a werewolf. Christina is immediately fascinated with Peter and the idea of him being a werewolf, constantly questioning him as though she considers herself a reporter. Peter and Roman find her annoying and dismiss her and her presence quickly and focus more on the problem at hand. Peter and Roman work on clearing Peters name and solving the oddly connecting murders.

This book was a fun book to read, though the plot seems straightforward Roman and Peters humor really ties the book together and reveals the friendship. Though the text was a bit odd, I really enjoyed the difference it had among most books I’ve read, it stuck out in a refreshing way. Although some parts were hard to make out, watching the show was helpful. I noticed quickly the show played off the book yet changed some things and added more to the original plot, the book basically covers season one and the rest was up to the creative team. I really enjoyed Hemlock Grove, it was a quick read and was a good “buffer” book, (a book to read in-between books). I would recommend it to anyone who has watched the show or seems interested in watching. As well as anyone who likes a bit of the supernatural genre with a strong pair that works together.

I guess I never really thought about the book in that way. I could see how readers could pick either side, Roman has his charm and flare, while Peter is laid back yet concise. I did enjoy them thoroughly as a team yet, I did find myself teetering toward Romans character. Roman learned a lot in this book and he really grew as a character. His charisma really stuck with me where as sometimes Peter seemed predictable and it was expected what he was going to do.

I typically hate 3rd person but this doesn't sound too bad. Very detailed. I don't like reading supernatural books but I have seen some of the show. Have you seen the show? which did you like better?

I usually dislike the 3rd person point of view too but, in a way it made sense for this book. I have watched the show and for season one (which is what the book focuses on) I prefer the book. The book offered more important details that weren't expressed in the show. As well, it offered more perspective on what the show was supposed to put off rather than what was in the context of the show.