Hunter's Moon

Rating:
Summary: If you loved the series up to now...
Review: I'm writing this review because of all the people who have said they will stop reading the series because of this book.
If you have read the other reviews, you know that a Very Bad Thing happens in this book -- many of the reviews have said exactly what that Very Bad Thing is.
I had a similar reaction. But I already had the next book in hand, and wanted -- needed -- to see what happened after. So I read it, and the next one, and the one after that, and the one after _that_ (and I'll be reading the most recently released as soon as I get my hands on it).
They are worth reading, just as much as the ones before. Yes, a Very Bad Thing happens in this book. Senseless, unforeseen, and devastating. But such things happen in real life too. And people go on, much as this series goes on.
So if you liked the series up to this point, read Hunter's Moon, react, and then keep reading the series. I don't think you'll regret it.

Rating:
Summary: powerful and emotional
Review: A powerful book! Although dark and sinister compared to her other books, it's believable and frightening. The ending is extremely emotional and powerful and not for the faint of heart or the romance novel lovers. I can't wait for the follow-up to see what direction Kate takes.

Rating:
Summary: Where's the Mystery?
Review: I avoided reading this novel for a long time because I accidently found out the ending in a review. I was quite disapointed in the stunt ending and the lack of any real mystery. I read to be entertained, to learn someting new, not to be annoyed at the end because there was very little value in what I had paid for. The German hunting party for the most part was a sampling of every cartoon character that portrays bad guy, killing off a main characther because there was no effort to write a better solution to ending a romantic dilemma, and the "Outside" bashing. This series has probably come to and end for me as I'm finding the writing formulaistic and am not as entertained as I once was when the plots were more cunning and the charaters more believable.

Rating:
Summary: How can you review a book you haven't read?
Review: I can't, not in all honesty - but I can tell you truly that although I've read all of her books leading up to this point, I won't read this one. I'm extremely thankful that I leafed through this book at the grocery store checkout line and found out Jack was killed. Kate doesn't have enough going for her to be able to really exist without (her lover) Jack, he's killed because the relationship became inconvenient for the author not because his death had a reason - or even worse, killed just so she could add some more violence into the book. After such a good book as "Breakup", this book becomes all the more of a let down. I'm sad because I look for and enjoy books with a female protagonist, but Dana Stabenow has lost me as a reader forever.

Rating:
Summary: Read it - you won't be disappointed!
Review: I had read most of this series but didn't read this one because of the reviews. But last week while on a business trip I found myself out of reading material and picked up this book. I couldn't put it down and found myself in tears at the end. It isn't an English garden type mystery! It is however, full of characterization. Wonderful characterization! By the time the climax of the story takes place we find ourselves so happy for Jack and Kate. I personally have been rooting for them for the last several novels and now in this one they are finally going to be together. When you root for two fictional people and find yourself crying when something happens to them, it's a great story. Read it - you won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: A sad slip-up for an excellent author
Review: I have read all of Dana Stabenow's mysteries, and am a great fan of her writing. The characters are lively and complex, the setting superb, and usually the mystery itself is well-plotted and suspenseful. Unfortunately, this book is a rare disappointment. I actually found the aspect bemoaned by several other reviewers, killing off Jack, rather refreshing; happy endings have never particularly appealed to me. However, Ms. Stabenow seems to be have been so impressed with developing this twist to her series that she forgot to construct a decent story around it. From the start, there are no characters, just cardboard cut-outs. The bad guys are obviously the bad guys from the word go, the victims obviously pathetic and being set up to be victimized, and the whole story never really comes together as a mystery and doesn't make much sense in the end. The action at the end provides the only moderate suspense in the book. Fortunately, the books Stabenow has written since show her back at her old level of quality.

Rating:
Summary: Glad I didn't read the reviews first!
Review: I just read Hunter's Moon and I thought it was great! Yes, Jack dies, but I have faith that the author has plans for Kate. Jack was fun when he was around, but if you think about it, he was only in each book once or twice. They didn't really do much together, outside the bedroom. I have the next book, but have not read it yet. I think that anyone who stops reading this series just because Jack is dead is making a big mistake. By the way, if you want to read about Jack, he is in Hunter's Moon more than all the others put together.

Rating:
Summary: Tear jerker
Review: I started reading this series with 'A Fine and Bitter Snow' and have made my way, increasingly faster, through the earlier books. Having read references to the tragedy that befell Jack, I knew of the premise before I started the book. However that didn't soften the blow. I too found myself with tears, greatly caring about these 2 fictional characters (and Mutt too!).

Reading later books in the series first, I didn't initially warm to Kate's character who I felt was somewhat cold and detached. Now I completely understand that part of her character, a result of the loss she experienced. It has been enjoyable to read the earlier books which she shared with Jack, and I'm enjoying reading later books where there is a glimmer of happiness in her future.

Dana has made me a fan of mysteries and added to my love of all things Alaskan!

Rating:
Summary: Best of the series
Review: I was born in Alaska and lived there 23 years. I enjoy these books because it reminds me of home. Some are better than others. This book was great! Well written, exciting. Interesting. I've actually never liked Kate and Jack that much. Their characters seemed a bit hollow. But I did like the action in this one - it held my attention and I held my breath when Jack was killed. I applaud Ms. Stabenow's skill in writing that scene!
A must read.

Rating:
Summary: Best of the series
Review: I was born in Alaska and lived there 23 years. I enjoy these books because it reminds me of home. Some are better than others. This book was great! Well written, exciting. Interesting. I've actually never liked Kate and Jack that much. Their characters seemed a bit hollow. But I did like the action in this one - it held my attention and I held my breath when Jack was killed. I applaud Ms. Stabenow's skill in writing that scene!
A must read.