Curse of a Winter Moon

Rating:
Summary: Curse of a Winter Moon
Review: An historical fiction book set in sixteenth-century France. Marius' mother dies in childbirth when his brother Jean-Pierre is born on Christmas Eve. Her last instruction is for him to take care of his brother. This proves to be a difficult task since peopled believed that those born on that day are loup garou - werewolves. When his father is found guilty of reading (the Bible no less) he is burned at the stake as a heretic. A lot of historical background is packed into this book. The subject matter is dark and serious. Marius' character is well developed and leads the reader deeper into the story. This is the type of book that will encourage readers to read on to find out what happens next. This is also a perfect companion book for units on the Middle Ages.

Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile and interesting historical novel
Review: I have to admit that this was a book I bought under the excuse of "maybe my nephew will grow into this" when really what I meant was, "Ooh, a kids book with potential werewolf stuff! Mine!"

In actuality, this is a historically plausible book set during the birth of Protestantism (and Calvinism and Lutherism) in a part of France where such thought left one branded a heretic and burned alive. It is a darkly superstitious tale, and one where the main character's brother was born on Christmas Eve, and therefore considered, by local superstition, to be a loup-garou (werewolf).

The story focuses more on the elder son, our hero of the tale, as he tries to cope with his own fears about his brother, his duty to protect his brother (his mother's dying request), and the awareness that anyone different is in danger in this paranoid city. The deft touches of historical realism were well received by me (he wakes, at one point, picks a tick off from behind his ear, and throws it into the fire, in a very casual, 'this happens every day' sort of way).

Definitely a solid bit of work for any child interested in the way things were, and has a nice message tucked in there about blindly following a hateful dogma without question, and just how terrible a thing it can be to do so.

'Nathan

Rating:
Summary: This is a Young Adult Must Read
Review: In "The Curse of a Winter Moon", Marius deals with universal timeless issues of maturity by dealing with the unexpected death of his mother and consequently bearing the responsibility of his little brother, Jean-Pierre. That task wasn't going to be easy considering the townspeople had labeled Jean-Pierre as a loup garou (werewolf), cursed by his birth on Christmas Eve.

The plight of Marius and Jean-Pierre away from the ravage and hypocritical Catholic rule and superstitious villagers keep young adult readers at the edge of the page while dealing with age-old issues of good verses evil.

"Curse of a Winter Moon" is a historical novel set in 16th century France, a time when the Catholic church was ruling with an iron fist - condemning commoners who could read (and consequently think for themselves) as heretics, punishable by death. Marius displays to young readers a maturity that is able to discern right from wrong, strength to endure the villager's contempt for his family, and a hope-based survival mindset for a better future.

I used this novel as a read-aloud in my 10th grade classes. I strongly recommend this novel not only for its believable historical accounts, but also for the gripping story of Marius' eye-opening experiences to the harshness and cruelty of the world and the tenderness and loyalty of the bonds of family. My students would agree, this novel is truly a must read!

Rating:
Summary: Curse of a Winter Moon is Fabulous for the Whole Family
Review: My daughter checked out Curse of a Winter Moon from our library and I was interested in the cool yet haunting illustration on the cover. After reading the book, I can say that the cover picture is enigmatic, dark, yet beautiful, and immediately captures author Mary Casanova's twin themes of danger and protection. Marius, a 12-year-old boy who lives in France in the 1500's must try to protect his younger brother, Jean Pierre from the fear and ignorance that often flared into violence in medieval Europe. Because Jean Pierre was born on Christmas eve, the people at that time believed he was cursed by the mark of the loup garou--the werewolf.

The book is filled with many interesting characters--the old woman who cares for the family, the quiet but strong blacksmith father who has more than one secret, Marius, who is so good at playing the lute (like an old form of guitar), and his uncle, Brother Gabriel, a monk who travels all around Europe and is now in the area.

Even after reading the book, I still wonder about some of the characters and what might have happened to them later. Did Jean Pierre stay safe? Did Marius become a professional minstrel? What about Brother Gabriel--did he continue to travel and have an influence on events during such a dark time in history? I hope author Mary Casanova will consider a sequel to this wonderful book. I am looking forward to talking with my 8 and 11 year old daughters about the book after we read it together.

Rating:
Summary: Curse of a Winter Moon is Fabulous for the Whole Family
Review: My daughter checked out Curse of a Winter Moon from our library and I was interested in the cool yet haunting illustration on the cover. After reading the book, I can say that the cover picture is enigmatic, dark, yet beautiful, and immediately captures author Mary Casanova's twin themes of danger and protection. Marius, a 12-year-old boy who lives in France in the 1500's must try to protect his younger brother, Jean Pierre from the fear and ignorance that often flared into violence in medieval Europe. Because Jean Pierre was born on Christmas eve, the people at that time believed he was cursed by the mark of the loup garou--the werewolf.

The book is filled with many interesting characters--the old woman who cares for the family, the quiet but strong blacksmith father who has more than one secret, Marius, who is so good at playing the lute (like an old form of guitar), and his uncle, Brother Gabriel, a monk who travels all around Europe and is now in the area.

Even after reading the book, I still wonder about some of the characters and what might have happened to them later. Did Jean Pierre stay safe? Did Marius become a professional minstrel? What about Brother Gabriel--did he continue to travel and have an influence on events during such a dark time in history? I hope author Mary Casanova will consider a sequel to this wonderful book. I am looking forward to talking with my 8 and 11 year old daughters about the book after we read it together.

Rating:
Summary: My thoughs on A Curse Of A Winter
Review: The Curse of a Winter Moon by Mary Casanova is about a boy Jean -Pierre, that is born on christmas eve. He is belived to be a Werewolf and his older brotherhas totake care of him.

The message of the book seems to be when life gets tough just keep your head high and try to get through life.
This book had alot of adventure twists and turns, as well as some scary parts. I didn't like the story's end very much. I though the story was sad.

Rating:
Summary: Curse of a Winter Moon, by Mary Casanova
Review: This historical fiction novel is set in 16th century France, a time and place unfamiliar to most readers, yet the reader is immediately pulled into the historical tumult of that era. The characters, first met in a gripping scene of emotional turmoil in which Marius' baby brother is born on Christmas Eve, come fully alive and real and the reader immediately connects with them. The setting, full of sensory images, immerses the reader into time and place, not to mention predicament. An intricate plot builds with suspense and danger, as Marius must take responsibility for his baby brother, whom the villagers suspect is a werewolf because of his Christmas Eve birth. This is an outstanding story. I hope there will be sequels---I want to continue on with these characters!

Rating:
Summary: How Intriguing!
Review: When Marius' little brother is born on Christmas Eve, the people in his 16th century French village are superstitious that Jean-Pierre is a loup-garou, a werewolf. This well-researched book relays so much detail about everyday life in a village 400 years ago that it's hard to believe Casanova wasn't there! However, it's the characters who make the book come alive. Marius, his father, Madame Troubene, Brother Gabriel (I hope we hear more about him in another book), the reprehensible Abbott, the all-too-believable butcher . . . these are memorable characters. And what a marvelous hero Marius is. I couldn't put this book down until I had finished it.