Hunger Moon
(The Huntress/FBI Thrillers #5)
Revenge has no limits.
Special Agent Matthew Roarke has abandoned his rogue search for serial killer Cara Lindstrom. He’s returned to the FBI to head a task force with one mission: to rid society of its worst predators. But now in the new, highly polarized political landscape, the skeletal symbols of Santa Muerte, “Lady Death,” mysteriously appear at universities nationwide, threatening death to rapists, and Roarke’s team is pressured to investigate. When a frat boy goes missing in Santa Barbara, Roarke realizes a bloodbath is coming—desperate teenagers are about to mete out personal, cold-blooded justice.
Hiding from the law, avenging angel Cara Lindstrom is on her own ruthless quest. She plans to stay as far away from Roarke as possible—until an old enemy comes after both her and the FBI, forcing her back into Roarke’s orbit. This time, the huntress has become the hunted . . .
What I thought:
First, let me say that this is book 5 in The Huntress series. Definitely read this book, but do not read this book first. HUNTRESS MOON is the first book in the series and this is a series where the books need to be read in order.
Okay, on to HUNGER MOON...
Cara Lindstrom is a very different kind of hero. She might just be the best female anti-hero I've read to-date. I mean, it's hard to look at current events and not sympathize with her plight. She's a cold-blooded murderer... and yet she's still so damn sympathetic. Which is heartbreaking and empowering at once.
The series has always taken a hard look at rape culture, but in this one, the scope of the story expands as more eyes are opened and groups band together on both sides of the moral divide. I, for one, am totally on-board for Roarke and Cara's story, but if it's resolved, then the series will end, and I don't want it to end. So I am all for their paths diverging, and I loved the twists and turns that the story took here.
As an aside, I found the interjection of real-world politics into this installment jarring. Not because of the political view, but because it kept pulling me out of the fictional world I was completely immersed in (and dumping me into the one I'm currently trying to escape). I think I found the parallels more distracting because there was no hint of the same in any of the first four books in this series, and, with so many characters echoing the same sentiments, it did start to feel repetitive and a bit preachy. But, thankfully, the thrills kept coming and the pace kept roaring along.
So an overall two-thumbs-up for vigilante justice and an amazing anti-hero.
I love this series and can't wait to find out what happens next.
Rating: **** (4.5 stars)
Rating: **** (4.5 stars)
*I received a complimentary ARC of this title from the publisher. This in no way influenced my review.
P.S. For writers: Check out Ms. Sokoloff's blog here: BLOG. It is full of super helpful resources on story structure.
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Happy reading,
Chelly
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RATING SCALE:
5* = OMFG loved it. Will read it again. Touch my book and I will cut you.
4* = Really good. Highly recommend. Miiiight reread. Maybe. Don't touch my book.
3* = Good. I liked it. Go ahead and touch it.
2* = Not for me, finished but struggled. Didn't connect. Here, have a book.
1* = DNF. Couldn't do it.
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