Blood on the Moon

Freshman Faith Reynolds is finding Colorado State University frustrating and confusing enough without her "seriously good-looking" best friend Derek trying to change their platonic relationship into a romantic one. Instead, Faith is attracted to Lucas, her aloof project partner who is rumored to be part of a weird and isolated mountain family. Despite the recent murders of five young women in the area, their bodies found drained of blood, Faith engages in risky behaviors like drinking too much and letting a sexy stranger drive her home. She narrowly escapes danger thanks to Lucas, but is soon caught in a conflict between vampires and werewolves. Relationship situations ring true, though Knight's debut novel is heavy on the angst as Faith wallows in her inability to truly love ("[W]hat neither of you get is that I'm as screwed up as you two. I don't have some freaky supernatural thing going, but I have my own issues"). While it doesn't stand out in a crowded genre, it's an entertaining story with a juicy climax and cliffhanger ending that sets up an inevitable sequel. Ages 13%E2%80%93up. (Aug.)