Reading Response #2

The next part of WolfMoon mainly deals with Kern, his life and challenges at the inn and his charm toward a girl at the inn. Charles’ technique to make the reader believe they are a part of the story is fantastic. He makes the reader have the urge to put the details together and create the picture. His descriptive imagery is present when Kern is walking beside his new friend, Ainsy. “They walked side by side, not touching, but Ainsy’s scent filled his nostrils with the heady perfume that was uniquely hers and, close as she was, he could almost feel her body heat like fire on his skin.” [66] The affection between these characters grows more, and Kern feels that this girl has won his affection without effort. Kern feeling very close to this girl promises that he would never see her hurt. These are very magical words between lovers, and even at an early stage to their affection for one another, he knows his heart is only for her. Everything continues for the next while lovely as the two progress closer to each other. To not lead the reader away, Charles then throws in that a mysterious man arrives at the inn, and reveals information about Ainsy’s lost uncle. “I saw a wagon just like you’ve described in the pass this evening. It was late and getting on dark, when I saw it sitting a ways off the road under some pines. I gave it a hail, but there was no answer and I didn’t have time to go have a look-see.”[75] The story’s theme then moves into another conflict and rescue, as Kern the main character, goes to find out the situation on Ainsy’s uncle. Upon arrival, Kern is faced with a painful decision. Charles’ Style turned Kern into a hero, but not the usual type. He turned Kern into something between that of two worlds. “He rose to his feet and willed the change, stopping it partway. Red fur covered his body, but he remained upright. His neck sank low against his chest. His face lengthened, mannish teeth becoming wolfish fangs. His legs were bowed somewhat, but the thrust of a half-grown tail from the posterior balanced him. He rumbled a threatening growl low in his chest and loosed it through lips that were neither man’s nor beast’s. The sound rose up from his diaphragm, low and resonating, inhuman.”[85] By reading through the imagery, I could paint the picture of this man changing into something unrealistic. Charles’ use of descriptive words fall hand-in-hand with his plot, as he creates the hero in the form of a beast. The story folds into some beautiful and tragic, as Kern faces new conflicts, and inner pressures.