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Review: Once in a Full Moon by Ellen Schreiber

Once in a Full Moon (New series)
Author: Ellen Schreiber (Website)
Release Date:12/28/10
Publisher: Harper Teen
Age Group: Young Adult (14+)
Source: NetGalley
Overall Feelings: Barely finished it.

"Beware of a kiss under the full moon. It will change your life forever.

Celeste Parker is used to hearing scary stories about werewolves—Legend’s Run is famous for them. But when, after an unnerving visit with a psychic, she encounters a pack of wolves and gorgeous, enigmatic Brandon, she must discover whether his transformation is more than legend or just a trick of the shadows in the moonlight. Brandon may be Celeste’s hero, or he may be the most dangerous creature she could encounter in the woods of Legend’s Run.

The bestselling Vampire Kisses author, Ellen Schreiber, weaves together psychic predictions, generations-old secrets, a town divided, and the possibility of falling in love with a hot and heroic werewolf—the perfect formula for what happens...once in a full moon."
(Goodreads)

Plot & Ending: I tried my hardest to write a polite review, and I think I have. But, God, this book thoroughly disappointed me. I could barely manage to finish it. And I'll tell you why.

First, the whole mythology behind the werewolf--or more correctly, should I say wolf man--was just...not original or creative. Being bitten by a wolf, then receiving a kiss under the full moon...seriously?

There's nothing that grabs me about this book either. I mean the plot felt unfinished. Like, there should've been way more to the story. It felt rushed, to the point where I didn't feel like it made any sense. It jumps around so much. The chapters were too short, too.

There was no substance in this story. Nothing really creative or standout-ish. I felt like anybody could come up with this story. And it was so, so predictable, until it headed toward boring. Sadly, that didn't take very long either.

Then, you'd think the romance would save it, but it didn't. I like a certain realistic take to romance. The boy should act like a boy, do what a boy would do in a relationship. If a boy is frustrated about his circumstances, about his relationship, then he should seem frustrated. Brandon didn't. Nothing about Celeste's and Brandon's relationship felt real. And there wasn't anything solid or deep either. I mean, when they "fell in love" they learned virtually nothing about one another. I believe in love at first sight and everything, but even that concept seems more real than what Celeste and Brandon have got going on.

The ending...oh, the ending. What the heck was that? **a tad spoilery** It appears as though someone's coming after Brandon and then all of the sudden the person gets scared and Celeste and Brandon start making lovey dovey eyes at each other. Huh? You'd think they'd freak out! But they didn't. Instead, it got all romantic-like, which totally didn't make sense. 

The whole thing felt rushed, and the ending was no exception.

Characters: There was absolutely no depth in any single one of the characters. Celeste's friends were completely shallow and prejudiced. But, that's sort of normal. What bothered me about their friendship was the fact that Celeste feels like she has to sacrifice her happiness for their satisfaction. THEN, it didn't seem like she felt any emotional turmoil about her circumstances. No feelings on holding in her secrets from her so called best friends. Every girl should be feeling something in Celeste's situation. 

Brandon didn't act like a guy at all. He didn't even talk like a guy, in my opinion. It felt like he was saying things that a girl would want him to say, not that he'd actually say it if he were a real person. And there wasn't any umph to him, nothing extra special. And same goes for Celeste. She made a downright horrible heroine. There was nothing special about her, no extraordinary qualities, no pzazz in her personality. There was nothing memorable about any of these characters! Very, very disappointing.

Cover: The cover is about the only thing I like about this book. It's beautiful. The model's gorgeous. The background, the font, the headline, everything. Awesome, awesome cover! And title!

On a side note, please keep in mind that while I didn't like the book, that doesn't mean you won't too. Even though I really didn't like it, I'd still suggest you read it and form your own opinion of it... 

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