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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Virgil Knox did not want to move to Merritt, Florida thousands of miles away from his home in Seattle with his mom, boyfriend, and best friend to live with his dad and grandparents. He also did not want to get attacked by a monster at the first party he goes to in his new town. Now everyone knows him as the boy who cried monster and he earns the reputation of the town crazy. He seems pulled to Jarrett and Fin who were at the party that night even though he knows they’re no good for him Luckily he has his cousin Astrid and new friend Trip around. Virgil also finds some solace in the theatre with his drama teacher Hilly but he can’t stop feeling like there’s a monster inside him waiting to come out…
Merged review:
Virgil Knox did not want to move to Merritt, Florida thousands of miles away from his home in Seattle with his mom, boyfriend, and best friend to live with his dad and grandparents. He also did not want to get attacked by a monster at the first party he goes to in his new town. Now everyone knows him as the boy who cried monster and he earns the reputation of the town crazy. He seems pulled to Jarrett and Fin who were at the party that night even though he knows they’re no good for him Luckily he has his cousin Astrid and new friend Trip around. Virgil also finds some solace in the theatre with his drama teacher Hilly but he can’t stop feeling like there’s a monster inside him waiting to come out…
Merged review:
Virgil Knox did not want to move to Merritt, Florida thousands of miles away from his home in Seattle with his mom, boyfriend, and best friend to live with his dad and grandparents. He also did not want to get attacked by a monster at the first party he goes to in his new town. Now everyone knows him as the boy who cried monster and he earns the reputation of the town crazy. He seems pulled to Jarrett and Fin who were at the party that night even though he knows they’re no good for him Luckily he has his cousin Astrid and new friend Trip around. Virgil also finds some solace in the theatre with his drama teacher Hilly but he can’t stop feeling like there’s a monster inside him waiting to come out…
I think I would have rated this higher if it was more clear what we were getting into with the book. It wasn’t as advertised and that just made it hard to decipher where it was going.
I spent most of it unsure if it was actually about werewolves or rape. In the end it seems it was a metaphor?
I spent most of it unsure if it was actually about werewolves or rape. In the end it seems it was a metaphor?
Truly enjoyable. The werewolf isn't the only monster at play here. Slow burn but in a good way.
*I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This is classic Shaun David Hutchinson -- stifling Florida town, a main character wrestling with trauma, a pervasive feeling of uncertainty and looming dread, and laced with hopeful undertones provided by a few stalwart friends and allies. I ended up reading this book in a frantic afternoon because I was terribly worried about Virgil and also extremely angry with all the adults who were supposed to care for him but really did a horrible job of it. Also, as with some of Hutchinson's other novels, I found myself drawn in by the mystery of the small town and its insular community. Are there werewolves in the sprawl? Why is everyone so mean? Just what on earth is the deal with some of these guys?! It kept me guessing and hooked until the end!
The core of the story is Virgil and how the trauma of his attack continues to wreak havoc on his life. He feels unsafe, even in his own bed, and no matter how he tries to cope, he can't escape from what happened. It doesn't help that his classmates have made him a target of bullying, and that his dad, grandparents, and the police all blame him for his attack. Every accusation hurled at victims of sexual assault are levied at Virgil, and it's made worse by the people who try to tell him it's not so bad or that he should shake it off and get on with his life. It's not a pleasant read by any means but it's an important one.
The book isn't all bad feelings and angst; I really enjoyed the friends Virgil makes and how they stand by him no matter what. I also liked the gradual shift in his family's views and how they treat Virgil. And there's a fun part of the plot involving high school theater! Overall this book has way less monster content than I expected but it delivers an intense and riveting story about trauma and healing.
Merged review:
*I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This is classic Shaun David Hutchinson -- stifling Florida town, a main character wrestling with trauma, a pervasive feeling of uncertainty and looming dread, and laced with hopeful undertones provided by a few stalwart friends and allies. I ended up reading this book in a frantic afternoon because I was terribly worried about Virgil and also extremely angry with all the adults who were supposed to care for him but really did a horrible job of it. Also, as with some of Hutchinson's other novels, I found myself drawn in by the mystery of the small town and its insular community. Are there werewolves in the sprawl? Why is everyone so mean? Just what on earth is the deal with some of these guys?! It kept me guessing and hooked until the end!
The core of the story is Virgil and how the trauma of his attack continues to wreak havoc on his life. He feels unsafe, even in his own bed, and no matter how he tries to cope, he can't escape from what happened. It doesn't help that his classmates have made him a target of bullying, and that his dad, grandparents, and the police all blame him for his attack. Every accusation hurled at victims of sexual assault are levied at Virgil, and it's made worse by the people who try to tell him it's not so bad or that he should shake it off and get on with his life. It's not a pleasant read by any means but it's an important one.
The book isn't all bad feelings and angst; I really enjoyed the friends Virgil makes and how they stand by him no matter what. I also liked the gradual shift in his family's views and how they treat Virgil. And there's a fun part of the plot involving high school theater! Overall this book has way less monster content than I expected but it delivers an intense and riveting story about trauma and healing.
Merged review:
This is classic Shaun David Hutchinson -- stifling Florida town, a main character wrestling with trauma, a pervasive feeling of uncertainty and looming dread, and laced with hopeful undertones provided by a few stalwart friends and allies. I ended up reading this book in a frantic afternoon because I was terribly worried about Virgil and also extremely angry with all the adults who were supposed to care for him but really did a horrible job of it. Also, as with some of Hutchinson's other novels, I found myself drawn in by the mystery of the small town and its insular community. Are there werewolves in the sprawl? Why is everyone so mean? Just what on earth is the deal with some of these guys?! It kept me guessing and hooked until the end!
The core of the story is Virgil and how the trauma of his attack continues to wreak havoc on his life. He feels unsafe, even in his own bed, and no matter how he tries to cope, he can't escape from what happened. It doesn't help that his classmates have made him a target of bullying, and that his dad, grandparents, and the police all blame him for his attack. Every accusation hurled at victims of sexual assault are levied at Virgil, and it's made worse by the people who try to tell him it's not so bad or that he should shake it off and get on with his life. It's not a pleasant read by any means but it's an important one.
The book isn't all bad feelings and angst; I really enjoyed the friends Virgil makes and how they stand by him no matter what. I also liked the gradual shift in his family's views and how they treat Virgil. And there's a fun part of the plot involving high school theater! Overall this book has way less monster content than I expected but it delivers an intense and riveting story about trauma and healing.
This is classic Shaun David Hutchinson -- stifling Florida town, a main character wrestling with trauma, a pervasive feeling of uncertainty and looming dread, and laced with hopeful undertones provided by a few stalwart friends and allies. I ended up reading this book in a frantic afternoon because I was terribly worried about Virgil and also extremely angry with all the adults who were supposed to care for him but really did a horrible job of it. Also, as with some of Hutchinson's other novels, I found myself drawn in by the mystery of the small town and its insular community. Are there werewolves in the sprawl? Why is everyone so mean? Just what on earth is the deal with some of these guys?! It kept me guessing and hooked until the end!
The core of the story is Virgil and how the trauma of his attack continues to wreak havoc on his life. He feels unsafe, even in his own bed, and no matter how he tries to cope, he can't escape from what happened. It doesn't help that his classmates have made him a target of bullying, and that his dad, grandparents, and the police all blame him for his attack. Every accusation hurled at victims of sexual assault are levied at Virgil, and it's made worse by the people who try to tell him it's not so bad or that he should shake it off and get on with his life. It's not a pleasant read by any means but it's an important one.
The book isn't all bad feelings and angst; I really enjoyed the friends Virgil makes and how they stand by him no matter what. I also liked the gradual shift in his family's views and how they treat Virgil. And there's a fun part of the plot involving high school theater! Overall this book has way less monster content than I expected but it delivers an intense and riveting story about trauma and healing.
Merged review:
*I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This is classic Shaun David Hutchinson -- stifling Florida town, a main character wrestling with trauma, a pervasive feeling of uncertainty and looming dread, and laced with hopeful undertones provided by a few stalwart friends and allies. I ended up reading this book in a frantic afternoon because I was terribly worried about Virgil and also extremely angry with all the adults who were supposed to care for him but really did a horrible job of it. Also, as with some of Hutchinson's other novels, I found myself drawn in by the mystery of the small town and its insular community. Are there werewolves in the sprawl? Why is everyone so mean? Just what on earth is the deal with some of these guys?! It kept me guessing and hooked until the end!
The core of the story is Virgil and how the trauma of his attack continues to wreak havoc on his life. He feels unsafe, even in his own bed, and no matter how he tries to cope, he can't escape from what happened. It doesn't help that his classmates have made him a target of bullying, and that his dad, grandparents, and the police all blame him for his attack. Every accusation hurled at victims of sexual assault are levied at Virgil, and it's made worse by the people who try to tell him it's not so bad or that he should shake it off and get on with his life. It's not a pleasant read by any means but it's an important one.
The book isn't all bad feelings and angst; I really enjoyed the friends Virgil makes and how they stand by him no matter what. I also liked the gradual shift in his family's views and how they treat Virgil. And there's a fun part of the plot involving high school theater! Overall this book has way less monster content than I expected but it delivers an intense and riveting story about trauma and healing.
Merged review:
This is classic Shaun David Hutchinson -- stifling Florida town, a main character wrestling with trauma, a pervasive feeling of uncertainty and looming dread, and laced with hopeful undertones provided by a few stalwart friends and allies. I ended up reading this book in a frantic afternoon because I was terribly worried about Virgil and also extremely angry with all the adults who were supposed to care for him but really did a horrible job of it. Also, as with some of Hutchinson's other novels, I found myself drawn in by the mystery of the small town and its insular community. Are there werewolves in the sprawl? Why is everyone so mean? Just what on earth is the deal with some of these guys?! It kept me guessing and hooked until the end!
The core of the story is Virgil and how the trauma of his attack continues to wreak havoc on his life. He feels unsafe, even in his own bed, and no matter how he tries to cope, he can't escape from what happened. It doesn't help that his classmates have made him a target of bullying, and that his dad, grandparents, and the police all blame him for his attack. Every accusation hurled at victims of sexual assault are levied at Virgil, and it's made worse by the people who try to tell him it's not so bad or that he should shake it off and get on with his life. It's not a pleasant read by any means but it's an important one.
The book isn't all bad feelings and angst; I really enjoyed the friends Virgil makes and how they stand by him no matter what. I also liked the gradual shift in his family's views and how they treat Virgil. And there's a fun part of the plot involving high school theater! Overall this book has way less monster content than I expected but it delivers an intense and riveting story about trauma and healing.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Homophobia, Self harm
Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Religious bigotry
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Shaun David Hutchinson never disappoints with his books
Merged review:
Shaun David Hutchinson never disappoints with his books
Merged review:
Shaun David Hutchinson never disappoints with his books
So, um, I'm NEVER moving to a small town in Florida and I think that's the lesson Mr. Hutchinson has been trying to teach us all along
Merged review:
So, um, I'm NEVER moving to a small town in Florida and I think that's the lesson Mr. Hutchinson has been trying to teach us all along
Merged review:
So, um, I'm NEVER moving to a small town in Florida and I think that's the lesson Mr. Hutchinson has been trying to teach us all along
When Virgil stumbles into town bleeding and disorientated, no one believes he was attacked by a monster. Instead, they blame him for drinking; for wandering into danger; and for not being able to move on with his life. Doxxed, mercilessly bullied, harassed at school and finding no compassion at home, Virgil finds his life disintegrating around him, as his body begins to change, and it seems the monster never left.
First, massive content warnings necessary for anyone considering reading Howl. The whole book feels like a metaphor for rape, so there's that, plus gaslighting; victim-blaming; doxxing; bullying; gay-bashing; f-slurs; homophobia; kidnapping/abduction; date rape; sexual assault; body horror. This is about as far from a cute m/m shifter romance as you could possibly expect; it definitely leans towards horror, particularly the psychological, regarding Virgil's flashbacks and the visceral nature of his experience being attacked.
Honestly I found this book incredibly sad. I would go so far as to say needlessly bleak and hopeless. Between wilfully incompetent authority figures who are arguably corrupt and certainly gaslighters, to Virgil's family who are full of victim-blamers and have no character development throughout the story, reading Howl was like being trapped in a nightmare. Perhaps that's the point, but for me, dark books like these need a touch of light, SOMETHING to make me feel there's some reason a character like Virgil wouldn't kill himself after his experiences.
I found it strange that someone who was comfortable in his sexuality would have any time for the boys he attempts to befriend, after their treatment of him alongside the fact there are multiple other characters who welcome him, and who he also seems to like and not want to push away. It felt more convenient to the plot that Virgil happens to keep going to these parties, rather than there being any need for him to do so in terms of his character development. He doesn't really ever attempt to hunt the monster actively, he's a much more passive character than he could have been, and although he's dealing with extreme trauma, I do think the story could have been stronger had he taken a more active role as the protagonist.
I think on balance Howl feels more like trauma porn than a fulfilling story, because to me Virgil's experiences and powerful inner psychological flashbacks are only there to elicit a visceral emotional response, rather than to drive him to act. The ending wraps up far too neatly for my preferences, and overall I found it an unsatisfying though disturbing read. Not badly written by any means, but not a book I would recommend.
First, massive content warnings necessary for anyone considering reading Howl. The whole book feels like a metaphor for rape, so there's that, plus gaslighting; victim-blaming; doxxing; bullying; gay-bashing; f-slurs; homophobia; kidnapping/abduction; date rape; sexual assault; body horror. This is about as far from a cute m/m shifter romance as you could possibly expect; it definitely leans towards horror, particularly the psychological, regarding Virgil's flashbacks and the visceral nature of his experience being attacked.
Honestly I found this book incredibly sad. I would go so far as to say needlessly bleak and hopeless. Between wilfully incompetent authority figures who are arguably corrupt and certainly gaslighters, to Virgil's family who are full of victim-blamers and have no character development throughout the story, reading Howl was like being trapped in a nightmare. Perhaps that's the point, but for me, dark books like these need a touch of light, SOMETHING to make me feel there's some reason a character like Virgil wouldn't kill himself after his experiences.
I found it strange that someone who was comfortable in his sexuality would have any time for the boys he attempts to befriend, after their treatment of him alongside the fact there are multiple other characters who welcome him, and who he also seems to like and not want to push away. It felt more convenient to the plot that Virgil happens to keep going to these parties, rather than there being any need for him to do so in terms of his character development. He doesn't really ever attempt to hunt the monster actively, he's a much more passive character than he could have been, and although he's dealing with extreme trauma, I do think the story could have been stronger had he taken a more active role as the protagonist.
I think on balance Howl feels more like trauma porn than a fulfilling story, because to me Virgil's experiences and powerful inner psychological flashbacks are only there to elicit a visceral emotional response, rather than to drive him to act. The ending wraps up far too neatly for my preferences, and overall I found it an unsatisfying though disturbing read. Not badly written by any means, but not a book I would recommend.