Blood and Chocolate

Blood and Chocolate
by Annette Curtis Klaus
pub: Aug 2007
288 pages

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 feel lost in the suburbs of Maryland. She longs live 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 logs 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?

I was doing a bit of reorganizing on my bookshelf this weekend and found one of my old favorites.

Blood and Chocolate is a great read for urban fantasy lovers. The story is blast with the kicker being that it's the girl who is the wild werewolf trying to contain her wild side in order to have a successful relationship (and not eat him) with her civilized and sweet human 'meat-boy' as the pack calls him.

The love story is very well done. Vivian is tough and vicious when she has to be, but also smart and loyal. She has to deal with pack politics as well as hot hungry wolves wanting her for a mate. Vivian's grown up in this wild world of werewolves but it is the sweet and sensitive human boy, Aiden, that captures her heart.

Their romance has it's complications. It puts him in mortal danger and she is the one that has to protect him. But the adorable Aiden has his strengths too. He helps Vivien find the power and determination to be the girl/wolf she longs to be.

Engaging romance, engrossing characters, fast-paced action, a bit of mystery and fun twists on mythical lore.

Pick up Blood and Chocolate for a quick winter day read. You won't be disappointed!

As a side note, they made it into a movie and I was so excited. Unfortunately, the film was nothing like the novel and it sucked. Don't bother. But the book...it's worthy of your time.