Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
Genre: Paranormal YA
Edition Reviewed: Paperback
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Blood and Chocolate
Vivian Gandillon relishes the change, the sweet, fierce ache that carries her from girl to wolf. At sixteen, she is beautiful and strong, and all the young wolves are on her tail. But Vivian still grieves for her dead father; her pack remains leaderless and in disarray, and she feels lost in the suburbs of Maryland. She longs for a normal life. But what is normal for a werewolf?
Then Vivian falls in love with a human, a meat-boy. Aiden is kind and gentle, a welcome relief from the squabbling pack. He’s fascinated by magic, and Vivian longs to reveal herself to him. Surely he would understand her and delight in the wonder of her dual nature, not fear her as an ordinary human would.
Vivian’s divided loyalties are strained further when a brutal murder threatens to expose the pack. Moving between two worlds, she does not seem to belong in either. What is she really—human or beast? Which tastes sweeter—blood or chocolate?
Review: This is an old review written many years before Book Whispers, but is still 100% my own***
When I first reviewed this book, I took a stance as a fan happy reviewer. After reading other reviews I thought someone should clear things up. (Though I'm not sure I'm quite the person for the job.) So I'll try my best.
Yes, for a young adult book this has a lot of sexual content. NOW before you stop I'm not saying porn. Sexual content and porn are two different things. (No matter what or who says otherwise.) The main character is a very sexy girl; it doesn't mean of course she has rights to be thinking whom will I jump next. Contrary to what people are saying this book is not about whom Vivian is going to sleep with, and her choices toward this topic. This is about a teen girl who is in love and wants to share more than words, and a deeper intimate thing. Though by no means no single relationship should be based or have to go to that level, but people are different. I personally don't like books that are romance, or sexually charged. It takes a deep plot and meaning for me to consider reading them. I thought the author executed this nicely.
A friend of mine who is very religious read this book. I thought she was going to go running into the hills screaming blasphemy about the book. But to my surprise she loved it, saying the ideas and views where a fresh take on the views that we face today.
The book doesn't take place in school, so it doesn't deal with being a teen. Wrong, just because only bits of school life are in this novel does not mean it does not protean to what a teen goes through. There is a life outside of school. I thought it was nice that the author took focus outside of school life. For most people this is when they can be themselves, when they truly start living. And this isn't just issues facing teens, this is issues being faced that is close to every human.
Drinking and smoking. Yes this novel has it, and the character does participate in these actions, sometimes full heartily. Personally I'm not for any of that. But this isn't you or me. This is a different person, and when you read a book you are participating in that other persons life. After reading this book, in no way am I going to go out and start drinking and smoking. I still think it's stupid no matter what media and others say. Personally after reading some of those drunken moments, it reinforces my thoughts that I will never drink or do other thing like that.
Vivian does go to a bar with her mother. But Vivian knows she can handle herself. Still not a smart idea.
Older man and girl relationship. Yes, but first off Vivian herself is not cool with the idea. And while I say age doesn't matter, sometimes it does. This brings me to the main point of everything. These are not HUMANS these are WEREWOLVES. The issues are different for them. And that is what makes this book so entrancing. While it touches on human issues, it goes deeper into a realm people dream about. A realm people are reading about, and that's why they are reading this book. To have a different feeling. This is a different world so of course the views and actions would be different.
**** Now for my fan gabbing. The men are hot, humors great, and the story deep. I loved this book. The character is sassy, which is always a plus for me. If you really don't think you can deal with this book I'm saddened. The points that it gets across are real. While this may be too mature for some, I'd still tell them to read it. Cause parents, even in this age, don't go over this stuff. This novel also deals with loneliness and the need to feel it, which I found refreshing and sometimes very, very thoughtful.
A great tale for werewolves, and just great ideas. It really gets you wolfish!!! (Oh, yes there is a movie. I wouldn't suggest watching it first though. It is not like the book at all. It should be it's own little thing. I think they just used the book to try and sponge off the fans.)And read here other great book The Silver Kiss
Sexual Content: All of the content has been mentioned above.
5/5- Fabulous, a beautiful obsession!
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