Thornhill (Hemlock #2)

After reading and loving Hemlock, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Thornhill and revisit these characters. Peacock really takes things a step further than I anticipated and things are way more crazy than I originally thought. What was once the story of Mac and the wolves of Hemlock, turns into something bigger and more sinister as the characters are thrown into the camp known as Thornhill. This book definitely gave off the “dystopian” vibe and if you add on the paranormal factor, that makes it all the more interesting. I think Peacock does a great job of weaving both genre elements together seamlessly to create a dangerous and exciting feel.
I have to say, even though I was Team Kyle in the first book, I’m a little on the fence after this one. Sure, I know there’s no competition, Mac loves Kyle, but still, poor Jason. I was questioning how real his feelings for Mac were in Book 1, but it’s clear exactly how he feels after reading this. And I’m all for the guy trying to protect the girl, to an extent, but when you continue to play the martyr, it just gets old and a bit annoying. Regardless, I do like Kyle and Mac as a couple and can see they really care for each other.
I definitely want to stick around and see what the third book has in store. Things get pretty explosive in this book and it sets the scene for what I’m sure will be major events in the last book. Peacock keeps us on our toes while in Thornhill and I really liked a few of the new secondary characters, one of which I totally saw coming, but still enjoyed nonetheless. If you love a good wolf book with a bit of dystopian edge, you’ll love Thornhill.

What I Loved:

What a sequel! I really enjoyed HEMLOCK, book one in this series, and was hoping to be just as enthralled with THORNHILL. I'm happy to report that THORNHILL captures one of the best parts of HEMLOCK: the fast-paced, suspenseful action that grabs the reader from the first page and refuses to let up. Readers will be instantly engaged. Mysteries, action, surprises, and more action await the reader on every page. This is not a placeholder book two put here to act as a bridge from the first book in a trilogy to the last. This book is a plot-filled, high stakes ride the entire way through.

I liked the secondary characters that are introduced in THORNHILL. I can't discuss that without giving away spoilers, but I enjoyed the way Mac's relationships pushed her to grow as a person. She's still the same feisty, courageous girl we had in HEMLOCK, but she has to dig a little deeper and sacrifice a little more to do what needs to be done, and she has to learn how to re-shape her view of someone she'd previously written off in anger. Readers will connect with Mac's journey, and will also feel invested in the secondary characters.

The world building is exceptional. The author explores politics, family, and prejudice in a nuanced, layered approach that often raises more questions instead of giving pat answers. There isn't a false note in the entire story--the reader feels completely convinced that lupine syndrome exists, that the camps are plausible, and that humans have divided themselves (even within families) into those who support werewolf rights and those who can't see werewolfs as anything but dangerous threats to the rest of the world.

What Left Me Wanting More:

The only thing that left me wanting more was the romantic tension. In HEMLOCK, the romantic tension and swoony moments between Mac and Kyle came to life on the page and pulled the reader in. Perhaps it's the non-stop action or the circumstances Mac and Kyle find themselves in, but I didn't feel as connect to their relationship as I'd hoped.

Final Verdict:

With non-stop action and heart-pounding suspense, THORNHILL is a sequel that delivers.