Realms of Fantasy
"A charmingly cute, fast-paced spin on Little Red Riding Hood on one level, a werewolf-themed romance on another, this is a quick, but thoroughly enjoyable read."
ALA Booklist
"This werewolf debut makes for a quick read and an easy sell for reluctant readers."
Children's Literature
- Jennie DeGenaro
This interesting novel is about fifteen-year-old Shelby Locke and her adventures at Camp Crescent. She does not want to go to camp, however her stepmother insists and convinces Shelby's father that this camp stresses therapeutic activities and is what Shelby needs. Her stepmother preferred Red Canyon Ranch because of the strict discipline it offers but she agrees to let Shelby go to Camp Crescent. If there are problems, Shelby will be sent to Red Canyon Ranch. Shelby meets Ariel at camp and they become best buddies. The camp is co-educational and both girls appear to fall in love with boys they meet there. Shelby's boyfriend, Austin, is handsome and has a good personality, but has a deep-dark secret. If the press learns the story, it would damage Austin's rock-singer's father's career. Shelby learns the frightful secret from Austin. She does everything she can to help him, but to no avail. The camp director learns of Shelby's breaking the rules and informs her parents. Her parents agree it is time for her to be sent to Red Canyon Ranch. Shelby finds Red Canyon Ranch most unpleasant, however she tries to abide by the rules. Then through her unhappiness, Shelby forgets her despair when a happy event occurs, and the book ends on a happy note. Both boys and girls will enjoy this exciting "Never Cry Wolf." Reviewer: Jennie DeGenaro
School Library Journal
Gr 8–10—Sixteen-year-old Shelby knows she is acting out and making some bad choices when it comes to boys and dating, but she never expected her father and "wicked" stepmother to banish her to a "brat camp" for the summer. Luckily for Shelby, she is allowed to choose the artsy Camp Crescent instead of Priscilla's choice of Red Canyon—aka boot camp from hell. Camp turns out not to be a total waste even with the preachy Mr. Winters and singing guitar lady Cynthia. Shelby manages to make some new friends, but the real highlight is the arrival of Austin Bridges III. Not only is he the son of a legendary rock star, but he is also cute, kind, intriguing, and totally mysterious. Shelby is drawn to him and the terrible dark family secret that he is willing to share only with her. How can she turn her back on him, especially with the full moon only a few nights away? Davis weaves together a fast-paced action adventure story with issues of peer pressure, divorce, betrayal, friendship, acceptance, and, of course, romance. Shelby is fearless and impulsive, but she is also a caring soul who just needs to find her way in a confusing world. This novel has great teen appeal but is not as dark or edgy as others in this genre. It will leave readers wanting more.—Donna Rosenblum, Floral Park Memorial High School, NY
Kirkus Reviews
Newly rich Shelby doesn't like her stepmother, and the feeling is mutual. Still, it's a shock when Priscilla convinces Shelby's dad to pack her off to brat camp for the summer. After all, all Shelby's been doing is skipping curfew and illicitly hooking up with boys! At least Shelby gets the pick of which teen-retraining camp will imprison her for the next couple of months, so she can spend the summer in the Pacific Northwest instead of at a boot camp in the Utah desert. And honestly, camp isn't so bad, if you ignore all of the guitar-playing, touchy-feely psychoanalysis. But better than all the rock climbing and archery is sexy Austin Bridges, son of a bad-boy rock star and secret werewolf. If Shelby doesn't help Austin out, his family secret will be exposed-but if she does help him, she might find herself exiled to that Utah boot camp. What's a girl courted by an amber-eyed hottie to do? Neither original nor well-developed, but fans of paranormal romance will enjoy this sweet debut. (Fantasy. 11-13)
