MOONSICK by Tom O'Donnell
Full moon. Werewolves. High school senior Heidi Mills thinks she’s ready for everything—until two intruders crash her party and her safe, privileged world comes crashing down. Survival isn’t just about fending off monsters; it’s about confronting the uncomfortable truths of the society she’s always known.
Pre-Reading Thoughts
A YA werewolf thriller with social commentary? Yes, please. I was intrigued to see how lycanthropy could be used as metaphor without losing the pulse-pounding suspense.
Post-Reading
As I thought… Heidi is naive but willing to learn, the perfect combination for a protagonist navigating chaos. Her growth feels earned and engaging.
It surprised me by… How seamlessly the novel tackles themes like police brutality, for-profit healthcare, and societal inequality, using the werewolf epidemic as metaphor.
Music Pairing
🎵 Featured Song: “Wolf” by First Aid Kit — dark, haunting, and layered with tension.
🎶 Vibe Album: The Bones of What You Believe by CHVRCHES, for its mix of urgent energy and introspection.
🎧 Artist Recommendation: Lorde, for youthful intensity and emotional depth.
Vibe Check
🎨 Colour Palette: Moon silver, forest green, and shadow black
🎼 Soundtrack: Howls in the distance, alarms, frantic footsteps
🌕 Season: Summer, night-long, full-moon chaos
😶 Mood: Growing up fast, survival, discovering hidden truths
🌹 Scent: Pine, rain-soaked grass, metallic tang of fear
Tarot Pull
🌟 The Fool, Light Seer’s Tarot — Naive but courageous, leaping into chaos and growth. Heidi’s journey through the night is a transformative one, balancing danger with discovery and self-awareness.
For Fans Of
Gone series by Michael Grant
All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O'Donoghue