*Synopsis*
Willowgrove is Kathleen Peacock's riveting conclusion to the Hemlock trilogy, a dark, romantic, paranormal suspense series that pits friendship against survival, and trust against love.
Ever since Mac's best friend, Amy, was murdered, Hemlock has been a dangerous place. But now that Mac, her boyfriend, Kyle, and Amy's ex, Jason, have investigated a mass breakout from Thornhill, a werewolf "rehabilitation" camp, the danger has only grown. Fear of the infection spreading is now at an all-time high, and anyone with a scar is suspected of being a wolf.
What makes Mac even more afraid, though, are the dark experiments that the warden of Thornhill was performing on wolves in a secret asylum called Willowgrove. Uncovering the truth about what happened may be the only way for Mac to save everyone she loves and end her nightmares for good.
*My Thoughts*
"Everyone always sees more than they remember, and sometimes people see things they're not ready to accept."
Willowgrove is the final installment in the Hemlock trilogy. It has been nearly a month since Mackenzie Dobson, Kyle Harper, Jason Sheffield and Serena Carson returned from the Thornhill rehabilitation camp. Coming home they find that their hometown of Hemlock, where everything started with Amy's death, is now being swarmed by Trackers, the anti-werewolf hate mongers.
Things have changed for the main characters as well, and nothing could prepare them for what comes next. Mac is still being visited by Amy. Amy's hints cause Mac to rethink everything she's learned, or seen up to this point. It causes Mac to do some careless things, and some things that prove that she's not a one hit wonder. Evolution of a character in a series is a strong positive for me. Mac shows that she is willing to protect those she loves even if it means she has to pay a price.
Serena, on the other hand, isn't the same and struggles with what she went through. Truly, how can one be whole when she barely managed to survive and now she can't trust that she's truly safe? Kyle also has choices to make; return to the pack in Denver, or be considered an oath breaker. But, how can he expect Mac to follow him to Denver when she's a regular, and he's to be surrounded by werewolves? As for Jason, after everything he's seen and did to help save the werewolves, how can he truly remain part of the Trackers? How can he look his own parents in the eyes without hurling insults at them, and walking away?
I will say that Peacock doesn't hold anything back in Willowgrove. She puts everything on the table, and pushes MacKenzie and her friends to uncover the truth without completely breaking their spirits and their hopes. Everything comes to head, including Mac's choice of who she really wants to be with. Secrets come out of the darkness thanks to Amy's persistence and Mac's determination. There's a bit of sadness for some characters we've met along the way, a lot of action, and just a bit of romance for everyone else.
I am happy to announce that the love triangle took up absolutely no room in this novel. Of course Mac has feelings for both Jason and Kyle. You can't expect her not to. She, along with Amy, will be forever linked by their friendship, and the trials and tribulations they had to face since Amy's death. But, don't cry for Jason. Trust me. I find myself respecting Jason for finally seeing through the BS and knowing the truth about what really took Amy away from him. I respect him for standing by his friends, and not bailing on them for the Trackers.
Willowgrove ends with a powerful message about social justice. Mac, Jason, Kyle, and Serena stand up for the Werewolves who really don't have any rights in Peacock's world. It is their voice that helps bring the werewolves out of the shadows with an ending that changes everything. One could, if they choose, compare the Werewolves to other minorities who don't have a voice in their own fates. Or, one could say that if we respect each other as human beings, and not by the color of our skin, religion, or sexual orientation, the world would be a wonderful place to live in.
Author - Kathleen Peacock
Title - Willowgrove (Hemlock # 3)
Published by Katherine Tegen Books
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Format: E-Book, 368 pages
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