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Dark of the Moon
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"Dark of the Moon" Characters Analysis

"Dark of the Moon" by Rachel Hawthorne is a paranormal romance about a young woman who discovers her true identity and powers while navigating a dangerous world of wolves and secrets.

Estimated read time: 4 min read

List of Characters

Character NameRole
Kyle RichmondProtagonist / Werewolf
Bethany ChurchFemale Lead / Human
Paige RichmondKyle’s Sister / Werewolf
Sam RichmondKyle’s Brother / Werewolf
Mrs. RichmondKyle’s Mother
Mr. ChurchBethany’s Father
Mrs. ChurchBethany’s Mother

Role Identification

Kyle Richmond

Kyle is the central character and protagonist. He grapples with his werewolf identity and the curse it brings. His journey is about self-acceptance and love.

Bethany Church

Bethany is the human girl who becomes Kyle’s love interest. She represents hope and normalcy in Kyle’s chaotic life.

Paige Richmond

Paige is Kyle’s protective sister. She’s concerned for her family and the dangers they face.

Sam Richmond

Sam is Kyle’s brother. He is loyal but struggles with the werewolf curse differently.

Mrs. Richmond

The matriarch of the Richmond family, she supports her children while hiding secrets.

Mr. and Mrs. Church

Bethany’s parents, they provide a grounded perspective on humanity and family life.

Character Descriptions

Kyle Richmond

Kyle is a 17-year-old high school senior with a hidden werewolf curse. His struggle defines the novel’s tension. He is physically strong, brave, and protective but emotionally conflicted.

Bethany Church

Bethany is a smart, kind, and determined girl. She is unaware of Kyle’s supernatural curse at first but shows courage as she learns the truth.

Paige Richmond

Paige is fiercely loyal to her family. She is cautious and pragmatic, providing balance to Kyle’s impulsiveness.

Sam Richmond

Sam is rebellious and sometimes reckless. His approach to the curse contrasts with Kyle’s, adding complexity.

Mrs. Richmond

She is nurturing but secretive, embodying the struggles of keeping the family safe.

Mr. and Mrs. Church

Bethany’s parents are supportive and caring, representing normality and stability.

Character Traits

CharacterTraits
Kyle RichmondBrave, conflicted, protective, strong, determined
Bethany ChurchKind, intelligent, courageous, empathetic
Paige RichmondProtective, pragmatic, loyal, cautious
Sam RichmondRebellious, impulsive, loyal, conflicted
Mrs. RichmondNurturing, secretive, protective
Mr. ChurchSupportive, caring, practical
Mrs. ChurchCaring, understanding, stable

Character Background

Kyle Richmond

Kyle’s family is cursed with lycanthropy, affecting several generations. He has lived with this secret for years, shaping his identity and choices.

Bethany Church

Bethany comes from a typical human family. Her life changes when she meets Kyle and discovers the supernatural world.

Paige and Sam Richmond

Both siblings share the werewolf curse and have different ways of coping with it. Their backgrounds are intertwined with family loyalty and struggle.

Mrs. Richmond

She carries the burden of protecting her children and managing the family secret.

The Church Family

Bethany’s family provides a contrast to the supernatural elements with their grounded, everyday life.

Character Arcs

Kyle Richmond

Kyle evolves from a troubled, secretive teen to someone who accepts his identity and embraces love and responsibility.

Bethany Church

Bethany grows from naive to brave, choosing to stand by Kyle despite the dangers.

Paige Richmond

Paige learns to balance protection with trust, especially towards Bethany.

Sam Richmond

Sam’s arc involves wrestling with the curse and his rebellious nature to find his place.

Mrs. Richmond

Her arc focuses on revelation and acceptance of the family's challenges.

Mr. and Mrs. Church

Their characters remain steady, offering support and normalcy.

Relationships

Characters InvolvedRelationship Description
Kyle & BethanyRomantic relationship; a bridge between human and werewolf worlds
Kyle & PaigeSiblings; protective and sometimes tense
Kyle & SamBrothers; conflicting approaches to their curse
Bethany & Her ParentsSupportive family; grounded influence
Richmond FamilyClose-knit but strained by secrets and supernatural burdens

Kyle and Bethany

Their relationship is central to the story. Kyle’s curse challenges their bond, but their love grows stronger through trust.

Sibling Dynamics

Paige and Sam both care for Kyle but disagree on how to handle their werewolf nature. This creates tension and realism.

Family Influence

Mrs. Richmond’s secretiveness contrasts with the Church family’s openness, highlighting different ways families cope.


This analysis provides a detailed look at the characters in Rachel Hawthorne’s Dark of the Moon. The interplay between supernatural elements and human emotions drives the narrative, making character development essential to the story’s appeal. Understanding the characters' backgrounds, traits, and relationships enriches readers’ appreciation of this paranormal romance.