Fans of YA Fantasy and Paranormal will drown in The Darkest Side of the Moon by M. C. Ryder, a story that follows Nadine Drexel whose normal is dramatically altered with the arrival of the new kid in school. What preoccupies Nadine's mind is getting through High School. She is one who doesn't follow the crowd and she is happy to live that way. But everything changes for her and everyone when Vinson Weber arrives. Girls at school at swooning over him, including Nadine's best friend, Camille. Yet Nadine is unmoved, unable to accept the arrogance he displays. But Nadine feels something else — sinister, dangerous, and dark. Nadine is quickly caught up in an ancient war between werewolves and vampires, but does she have what it takes to protect those she loves?

This is an interesting novel written in the second-person narrative, a voice that feels strange as readers start reading but that quickly gets interesting and compelling. Nadine's POV reflects her quirky character and unusual way of looking at life and events. M. C. Ryder creates characters that are intriguing and richly explored. Vince caught my attention quickly and I was keen to follow his relationship with Camille. The author conjures a world where elements of the supernatural and the mythical meld with the mundane life of ordinary characters to create an explosive literary experience. This propulsive tale will enthrall fans of The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer. I enjoyed the beautiful prose, the unpredictable plot, and the engrossing narrative voice in The Darkest Side of the Moon. The skillful exploration of romance, friendship, and the proverbial conflict between vampires and werewolves added a deeper layer to the entertainment.