Review: The Tempering by Adrianne James

 

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Synopsis:

The Mythology department at prestigious Harvard University is tiny—and Mackenzie Duncan has just been selected as one of the lucky few. Her love for myths and legends is deep, but she never thought any of it could be real.

After being attacked by a large wolf while walking home alone, Mackenzie realizes something is not right. She heals quickly, has suddenly become super strong, and is experiencing mood swings that can't possibly be normal. The myths she's studying aren't myths at all. Werewolves are real, and she's one of them. Fear of what she is, and who she might hurt sends Mackenzie running from the life she’s worked hard to build–and straight into the arms of a handsome Were named Geoff and into the home of his pack. Living with her new pack takes the edge off her confusion and self-loathing, but the arrival of new pack members changes the dynamic, and tests Geoff and Mackenzie’s growing relationship.

The hardest part of being a werewolf is to have no control and no memory of her time as a bloodthirsty beast. When a moon cycle passes, and she is actually able to remember bits and pieces of the night, she starts to ask questions, and the more questions she asks, the more she realizes she doesn’t like the answers. Can she set aside her own sense of morals to belong to a pack that is like a family or will she leave everything behind yet again in search of a life she can be proud of?

My Rating: 5

My Review: 

There are so many books out there that involve werewolves, and since most of them follow the lore, it is hard to create a werewolf novel that is unique. But, oh my, was James able to put together a great one. I faced The Tempering head on, and I am not too proud to admit that I was bitten. 

Mackenzie is a great protagonist. She is strong, funny, and completely kills the annoying whiny in-love female character stereotype. She has a temper, but this just adds to her likeability, as no one wants a character who is completely perfect in every way. Mackenzie is much more easy to connect to, as well is a great role model.

Normally, I am not a fan of love triangles (V's. Unless we are talking Twelfth Night, it's more of a V.) but I actually didn't mind it in The Tempering. Both Geoff and Liam are excellent characters. Geoff has that mysterious, forbidden kind of heat that grows from the beginning. Liam is funny and sweet, and I absolutely loved the growth of his relationship with Mackenzie. I found myself unable to completely choose between the two of them, and really got tied into the romance. (I do have a favorite, but I am going to avoid being biased here.)

The Tempering uses a lot of lore, which adds to the plot of werewolves in a way that many other books cannot. The background and history of the werewolves that was included definitely was a bonus - as I love learning more about that. The story itself is suspenseful, with a lot of action that keeps the pages constantly turning.

From the very first page, The Tempering is captivating, and will hold that intrigue until the very ending. I am very excited to read more of the series, especially with the fast-paced, exciting cliff-hanger of an ending. I highly recommend The Tempering, especially to fans of paranormal.