Dark Guardian focuses on a society of werewolves called Shifters, who have maintained a peaceful and secret existence for centuries.

Upon reaching maturity, some of the Shifters venture outward to live among normal human society, while others work as forest guides, deterring outsiders from the compound.

Each book also expands upon the growing conflict between the Dark Guardians and their enemies, including a research organization called Bio-Chrome.

[4] In a review of Moonlight, Donna Rosenblum of School Library Journal stated that "Hawthorne expertly weaves romance with the supernatural, cloaking them with danger and suspense."

The review stated that the novel was "a little predictable at the very beginning," but went on to call it "a very engaging and brisk read that will appeal to reluctant readers and even has a couple of mildly surprising twists as the book works its way up to the climax.