Review: Nocturne by Christine Johnson

Hardcover: 368 pages

• Publisher: Simon Pulse (August 23, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 144240776X

Some secrets are too dangerous...
After the tragic events of the summer, Claire is looking forward to a new school year. All she wants to worry about is finding the most gorgeous dress to wear to the Autumn Ball with her perfect boyfriend.
But as Claire knows all too well, the life of a werewolf is never that simple, or that sweet.
When Claire’s human and wolf lives start to collide, her worst nightmares come true. She is hurting her best friend. She has been caught lying. And then the unthinkable happens: Someone discovers Claire’s secret.
If Claire’s werewolf identity is exposed, everyone she knows will be put at risk. And the pack’s response comes at a cost higher than Claire can imagine. Claire will be forced to determine just how far she is willing to go.

Nocturne by Christine Johnson is a story about a girl trying to juggle to separate lives, two separate identities, and failing badly.  She is lying to her friends, family and most of all to her pack.  She is desperate to have both, her human life, and her life as a werewolf, but it just is not an easy task.  
I did not read the first book in this series, Claire de Lune, but there was enough information throughout the story, that I was not lost, and picked it up pretty easily.  I was not utterly floored by the book, it was just okay for me. Although, if you read my blog regularly, you know that I am not a huge werewolf fan.  There is just something about people turning into animals that is just not my thing, but I'm not knocking it for all those werewolf lovers out there. Hey, whatever floats your boat!
Claire is a likable main character, although I got a little frustrated with her at times, but she wasn't overly annoying.  I definitely got caught up in her struggle and I was cheering for her all the way.  I wanted  to see her  succeed in the end.  
Throughout the story, Claire is feeling the pressure from the pack to perform several tasks. She has to prove she is a true werewolf.  She has to light a ceremonial fire. What? That's the biggest thing she has to do? That's the big bad task you have to do to prove your a good pack member? BUT if she doesn't do it they cut off part of her ear?? Her own mother? Kind of a heavy price to pay for not making a good campfire. That part I felt could have been a little bit more...I don't know...not so lame. She should have had to fight another werewolf, or survive the night on a snowy mountain, or sniff out a secret treasure.  I think boy scouts have to do harder tasks than she did! Okay, I am trying not to bash that part too bad, but it really annoyed me.
The writing was good though. It flowed, and  the story and characters were believable, and for the most part likable.  I felt the relationship and struggle that Claire had with her mother was true to life and intense.  I could relate to that, having been a teenage daughter of a strong mother once!  
Overall, it was good. Would I recommend it to others? Absolutely. It was an intense story about a young girl  trying to balance the hardships of life, family and friends, with a little werewolf thrown in there! I give this one 3 1/2 STARS.