Rory Morris isn’t thrilled to be moving back to her hometown, even if it is temporary. There are bad memories there. But her twin sister, Scarlett, is pregnant, estranged from the baby’s father, and needs support, so Rory returns to the place she thought she’d put in her rearview. After a night out at a bar where she runs into Ian, an old almost-flame, she hits a large animal with her car. And when she gets out to investigate, she’s attacked.

Rory survives, miraculously, but life begins to look and feel different. She’s unnaturally strong, with an aversion to silver—and suddenly the moon has her in its thrall. She’s changing into someone else—something else, maybe even a monster. But does that mean she’s putting those close to her in danger? Or is embracing the wildness inside of her the key to acceptance?

In this novel about a young woman dealing with trauma and change, Rachel Harrison has created a narrative that is gripping and incisive. The voice of Rory is compelling, both tough and vulnerable at the same time, a fighter and survivor. But that survival instinct also makes it hard for her to trust and allow herself love. And it is in exploring, through the medium of her changes and Scarlett’s as a soon to be mother, that the author builds something unique and insightful as she explores the changes in both and how that correlates with trauma and abuse. 

Rory is far from perfect. She is flawed and angry but she also had to deal with her changes, whether she likes it or not. She also must learn to embrace vulnerability, trust, and love. From someone who doesn’t do well with those myself, I found the character particularly compelling and the voice of Rory resonated with me. 

If you’ve ever dealt with trauma, change, or pain, then this novel is worth checking, especially with the inventive way it addresses those themes and concepts. The novel is gripping and incisive. It resonates and breathes life into an old concept, werewolves, in new ways. I loved every moment of the story. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 showers