Jan 27 2012

Review: Changeling Moon

Changeling Moon
Changeling #1
Dani Harper
Kensington Books
Kindle Edition, 368 pages
Amazon | Goodreads

He roams the moonlit wilderness, his every sense and instinct on high alert. Changeling wolf Connor Macleod and his Pack have never feared anything-until the night human Zoey Tyler barely escapes a rogue werewolf’s vicious attack.

As the full moon approaches, Zoey has no idea of the changes that are coming, and only Connor can show her what she is, and help her master the wildness inside. With her initiation into the Pack just days away and a terrifying predator on the loose, the tentative bonds of trust and tenderness are their only weapons against a force red in tooth, claw…and ultimate evil.

Review:
After moving to the Village of Dunvegan to escape the sordid entanglements associate with her family’s name, the last thing that Zoey Tyler, newly appointed editor of the Dunvegan Herald Weekly, wants is to find herself involved in another scandal that calls her credibility into question. Zoey expected the small community of Dunvegan to offer her solace. And for the most part, it did, until the night she’s ferociously attacked by a giant wolf.

To the rescue is Connor Macleod, local veterinarian and overall good Samaritan. But Connor knows that it wasn’t an ordinary wolf that bit Zoey… it was something much more. A Changeling, like him. And now, with the full moon around the corner, Connor knows he only has a limited amount of time to acquaint Zoey to his kind and to prepare her for what she will soon become. But the bigger problem could be the killer that wants to finish what he started when he first tasted Zoey’s blood.

Ack! Okay, I know myself. The only reason why I spend time summarizing a book that has a perfectly good synopsis to do that for me is when I honestly don’t know what to say about the story.

Changeling Moon was very much a foundation building book. It took its time laying down the groundwork for the series books that will follow by introducing a very simple to follow mythology and the characters that will be involved. And though stories like these could be very slow going, I was happy to note that it didn’t feel like any info dumping was taking place. Rather, the key elements were scattered throughout to add a bit of mystery.

I wasn’t sure what to think of Connor as the leading man and hero of the tale. I’m so used to my male leads having a little bit of bad boy blood in them, but Connor was honestly just a nice guy. He spends endless hours at his practice to make sure the animals receive the care they need, forgets to eat because he works so hard, clips newspaper articles, donates his time to help others, adopts stray animals and humans, and is overly humble. Of course, this is not to say that Connor doesn’t know how to be fierce, and even aggressive, when the need arises. At the end, Connor does what’s needed to save the day. Still, I couldn’t quite stop thinking of him as that nice dude.

Zoey was slightly more interesting, possessing a power she doesn’t fully understand and tries to repress. Her insta-love relationship with Connor was easy to support only because it was clearly established from the moment they met. Reading about them progressing from their undeniable attraction, to Connor discovering that Zoey is his mate for some unknown reason (possibly just fate), to Connor trying to explain what his true nature is, to Zoey running away, to them coming together again in an explosive reunion, to them having to fight to stay together, all felt like taking a second helping of comfort food – the kind you just can’t get enough of. Also, Zoey seemed appropriately freaked out about discovering that werewolves actually do exist, and I liked that.

I might have written Changeling Moon off as just another run of the mill PRN, had it not been for the array of secondary characters. Connor’s brothers seemed to have a lot more personality, and I instantly wanted to know more about them. I also really liked the FEMALE Pack Leader! I thought it was very cool of the author to make the pack Alpha a girl. I don’t read many books about Changelings or Werewolves, so I don’t know how common this is, but for me, this little aspect really stood out.

The identity of the villain was evident from the beginning, and aside from raking a lot of havoc on the community and threatening to reveal the secret identities of the Changelings, he didn’t seem important. But the destruction he left behind did seem to cause a lot of future problems for the Pack. And that is one of the reasons why I’m definitely interested in checking out the rest of the book in the series. I’m really looking forward to learning more about those secondary characters.

Changeling Moon was offered as a free download by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. on 12/30/11.

Reminder: For those of you participating in the Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge, you only have a couple more days left to link up your January Reviews for a chance to win the monthly prize!

38 comments

Posted at 6:20 am • Labels: 2012, 3 stars, Book Review, Dani Harper, free for Kindle, paranormal romance, werewolves

by Danny on January 27, 2012

I also tempt to summarize the plot when I don't know much else to say. But hon, you did say a lot about the book in the end! Very thoughtful review!! However, after reading your thoughts I guess I won't pick it up right now. This sounds like a book one can read when one has nothing else on the pile!? .. yeah, as if that would ever happen.
Sorry for sounding so harsh…

Happy Friday Missie!

by Aurian on January 27, 2012

What? A werewolf story without featuring the alpha werewolf? Hmm I might kick those up the TBR Mountain! I could use a change like that.

by Amanda @ On a Book Bender on January 27, 2012

I got this one as a free download, too. I'm rather interested now. Sounds kind of like a fun light hearted read.

by Melliane on January 27, 2012

this book sounds interesting, mainly with Zoey. I haven't read this series yet, but I have the second novel in my TBR pile. I need to buy the first one to give it a try. Thanks for the review

by Tina~ on January 27, 2012

Hmmm-probably not going to read this one…

I did find a fun organizing one on Amazon for my Jan freebie, I must say I know why it was free…..geez!!

by Felicia Sparks on January 27, 2012

I kinda want to get this series as I have heard amazing things about the rest of it!

YEAH you did a Free Read Friday post LOL (Of course it is probably just a coincidence that it fell on Friday but still)

I missed getting this one so I am going to wait to see if it becomes free again.

by Rummanah Aasi on January 27, 2012

I've heard of female alphas in a werewolf pack in some of PRN's that I've read but never a female leader. That sounds awesome! And I can see why Colin may be a bit boring but I do like that he's a nice guy.

by Lauren M on January 27, 2012

I love nice guys, but admittedly when they are the central point of a paranormal story, they can be kind of boring. I'm glad the secondary characters stood out, though! Great review, Missie.

by Jenny on January 27, 2012

“The only reason why I spend time summarizing a book that has a perfectly good synopsis to do that for me is when I honestly don't know what to say about the story.”

This happens to me all the time! Sometimes I just stare at a blank screen and have precisely 0 thoughts on a book:) I thought you said plenty about this story though, and you gave me a good feel for the characters and the story. Love when the secondary characters are well developed, and I think I would like to meet Connor's brothers:)

by Blodeuedd on January 27, 2012

So SAD that I can't get those freebies *sobs* They sounds soo freaking awesoem