Bitten: A Personal Review
When I first stumbled upon Bitten by Kelly L. Moore, I was drawn in by the promise of an intriguing paranormal tale featuring werewolves. The blurb hinted at emotional depth and revenge—a potent mix that usually compels me to dive right in. So, when I got the chance to listen to the audiobook via NetGalley (thank you, Hachette Audio!), I thought I found my next binge-worthy read. However, my excitement dwindled dramatically as I journeyed through its pages—or rather, its audio waves.
The story centers around Vanessa, a seventeen-year-old newly bitten werewolf grappling with the death of her best friend, Celeste. The premise has potent elements that could have made for a thrilling narrative: a quest for revenge, the complexity of high school dynamics among supernatural beings, and, of course, the inherent conflict between her new werewolf identity and her human emotions. Unfortunately, what started as a compelling setup quickly devolved into a landscape marred by immature drama and lackluster world-building.
Let’s talk characters. Vanessa’s transformation from a shy girl into a confident teen whose behavior can only be described as juvenile left me scratching my head. Her inner thoughts were repetitive to the point of annoyance, rendering it difficult to root for her. I found myself more inclined to roll my eyes than empathize. The secondary characters, particularly the “mean girl” trope, felt like they belonged in a different narrative—a high school drama devoid of supernatural elements. This focus on petty jealousy and flirtation overshadowed what could have been an engaging mystery surrounding Vanessa’s friend’s murder.
My biggest dissatisfaction lay in the writing itself. While I appreciated the multi-voice narration—kudos to the voice actors for bringing life to the characters—it felt jarring seeing the characters oscillate between casual slang and sophisticated vocabulary within the same sentences. This dissonance detracted from the immersion I was hoping for. It was as if the book couldn’t decide whether it was aiming for a youthful tone or a more mature narrative.
Despite its efforts to be compared to Crescent City, the similarities were sparse, save for the tragic hook of losing a best friend. The emotional weight of this loss didn’t resonate as it should have; their bond lacked depth, resulting in little investment in Vanessa’s quest for vengeance. I got a sense of her obsession but never truly understood her pain, primarily because the story shifted focus toward mundane high school dramas rather quickly, diluting the intensity of the plot.
As I reached the halfway point, the combination of formulaic romance and disconnected plot threads led to my decision to DNF (did not finish) at 50%. The love triangle—with its clichéd tension—felt flat, and frankly, I couldn’t muster the enthusiasm to see it through.
In summary, while Bitten may resonate with younger readers who thrive in the whirlpool of teen angst and supernatural intrigue, I found it challenging to appreciate the narrative’s potential. Personally, I needed more depth and clarity in its world-building, character development, and overall storytelling.
If you’re seeking a quick, light read rich with teenage drama and don’t mind a sprinkle of supernatural flair, this might just be your cup of tea. Otherwise, if you, like me, are looking for something more nuanced and emotionally engaging, I’d suggest considering other options. While Bitten hit a bit differently than I anticipated, it’s important to remember that reading is a personal journey, and your next favorite book might be hiding just around the corner. Until next time, happy reading!
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