Scan barcode
issymaae's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug use, Murder, and Homophobia
Minor: Fatphobia, Blood, and Animal death
chersonese's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book is a different take on werewolves, i've seen elements of it done before in older media where it didn't quit mirror modern toxic masculinity as well as this book and I found that refreshing. However, while I did like this book, it just felt rushed. It's fast-paced anyway but sometimes I felt that moments that were left to breath didn't need it and others needed a step back before continuing.
The ending felt really tacked on to me as well, I don't know if this is more to do with me, but the whole joining up as a supernatural defense squad genuinely disappointed me. I get that the author obviously has a sequel in the works and is excited for that but it just felt so forced. My other nitpick was the flippant responses to murder throughout the book, the overarching tone didn't make casual murder any less jarring when played off for laughs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Homophobia
not_another_ana's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher
Brian is going through a rough patch. A minimum wage job as a server, a bad relationship with his family, an unifinished degree, oh yeah and the fact that every month he transforms into a werewolf and mauls people to death. One day he crosses paths with Tyler, a fellow werewolf and entrepreneur, who seems to not only be in control of his lycanthropy but is also willing to help Brian out. But Tyler's ideas of how to manage the change take a concerning turn that will put Brian in a difficult and dangerous position.
I liked the main concept of this book but I just couldn't get into it. It's a satire of toxic masculinity, the grind, and the monetization of all facets of life. Tyler is a caricature of a white cis straight male entrepreneur, the kind that talks big game yet never says anything. The book confronts what happens when these kind of people get told no and I did enjoy that, it made me laugh at times while also ringing quite true. I think it's the werewolf bit that disappointed me. It was one of the main reasons why I picked it up so I was frustrated that the author rarely went into the specifics of it. The transformation, the pros and the cons, the loss of control, etc.
The tone of this book felt odd at times. It had all these funny moments and little quips that were well done but clashed with these supposedly serious situations. It came across as a Marvel movie at times, the crucial plot points never had time to breathe and unfold. I did enjoy the characters, though I liked Nik and Darby more than our protagonist. Other than that it was fine but predictable, I saw the big plot twist at the end coming from a mile away and was incredibly displeased with the closing scene. Bottom line if you were interested in this because of the werewolf aspect I recommend you skip it.
Brian is going through a rough patch. A minimum wage job as a server, a bad relationship with his family, an unifinished degree, oh yeah and the fact that every month he transforms into a werewolf and mauls people to death. One day he crosses paths with Tyler, a fellow werewolf and entrepreneur, who seems to not only be in control of his lycanthropy but is also willing to help Brian out. But Tyler's ideas of how to manage the change take a concerning turn that will put Brian in a difficult and dangerous position.
I liked the main concept of this book but I just couldn't get into it. It's a satire of toxic masculinity, the grind, and the monetization of all facets of life. Tyler is a caricature of a white cis straight male entrepreneur, the kind that talks big game yet never says anything. The book confronts what happens when these kind of people get told no and I did enjoy that, it made me laugh at times while also ringing quite true. I think it's the werewolf bit that disappointed me. It was one of the main reasons why I picked it up so I was frustrated that the author rarely went into the specifics of it. The transformation, the pros and the cons, the loss of control, etc.
The tone of this book felt odd at times. It had all these funny moments and little quips that were well done but clashed with these supposedly serious situations. It came across as a Marvel movie at times, the crucial plot points never had time to breathe and unfold. I did enjoy the characters, though I liked Nik and Darby more than our protagonist. Other than that it was fine but predictable, I saw the big plot twist at the end coming from a mile away and was incredibly displeased with the closing scene. Bottom line if you were interested in this because of the werewolf aspect I recommend you skip it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Alcoholism, Animal death, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use, Medical content, Gun violence, and Bullying
simonlorden's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an ARC through NetGalley, my review is voluntary and honest.
This book should be tagged with horror for the amount of Tech Bro/Influencer cult bullshit I (and Brian) had to sit through.
I admit I was drawn to this book by the title. It's catchy, and it already gives you a vibe about the book. Brian is a gay werewolf. He is also bored, although depressed would be more accurate. The book is painfully real at times, going into the ugly sides of not having the energy for self-care and the awkwardness of Grindr hookups.
Brian's life changes when he meets Tyler, who is also a werewolf, and quickly talks Brian into his feel-good inspirational corporate-vibes start-up... thing. Tyler is the perfect satirical (?) representation of the typical Tech Bro - that is to say, he's insufferable. I'm not saying this negatively though, since him being insufferable is kind of the point.
Overall I enjoyed this book a lot - it was a very interesting story of a depressed gay twenty-something being sucked into what is essentially a cult, which slowly alienates him from his real (queer) community. Nik and Darby were amazing, and in fact Darby, my nonbinary love, is one of my favourite characters this year.
major tws are blood, murder, depression, sexual content
This book should be tagged with horror for the amount of Tech Bro/Influencer cult bullshit I (and Brian) had to sit through.
I admit I was drawn to this book by the title. It's catchy, and it already gives you a vibe about the book. Brian is a gay werewolf. He is also bored, although depressed would be more accurate. The book is painfully real at times, going into the ugly sides of not having the energy for self-care and the awkwardness of Grindr hookups.
Brian's life changes when he meets Tyler, who is also a werewolf, and quickly talks Brian into his feel-good inspirational corporate-vibes start-up... thing. Tyler is the perfect satirical (?) representation of the typical Tech Bro - that is to say, he's insufferable. I'm not saying this negatively though, since him being insufferable is kind of the point.
Overall I enjoyed this book a lot - it was a very interesting story of a depressed gay twenty-something being sucked into what is essentially a cult, which slowly alienates him from his real (queer) community. Nik and Darby were amazing, and in fact Darby, my nonbinary love, is one of my favourite characters this year.
major tws are blood, murder, depression, sexual content
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, and Blood
beckykphillips's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Bored Gay Werewolf is a fun spin on the traditional werewolf story and also takes a critical look at toxic masculinity.
Bored Gay Werewolf follows Brian, a relatively new werewolf who is working as a server at a semi-trendy restaurant alongside Nik, the bartender and manager, and Darby, another server. These three folks work together and end most nights drinking a bit too much at a local dive after their shifts. Brian has been floundering after dropping out of college once he became a werewolf, but things seem to take a turn in his life when he meets Tyler.
I enjoyed the book, but wished the characters had a bit more depth to them, particularly Darby and Nik. I'm curious to see where this goes and would definitely pick up the next one as the ending leaves this open for a sequel. I imagine that we'd get more about the other characters' backstory and I hope for more adventures with that trio as I enjoyed their relationships together.
I was provided a free electronic copy of this book from the Atria Books (the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.
Bored Gay Werewolf follows Brian, a relatively new werewolf who is working as a server at a semi-trendy restaurant alongside Nik, the bartender and manager, and Darby, another server. These three folks work together and end most nights drinking a bit too much at a local dive after their shifts. Brian has been floundering after dropping out of college once he became a werewolf, but things seem to take a turn in his life when he meets Tyler.
I enjoyed the book, but wished the characters had a bit more depth to them, particularly Darby and Nik. I'm curious to see where this goes and would definitely pick up the next one as the ending leaves this open for a sequel. I imagine that we'd get more about the other characters' backstory and I hope for more adventures with that trio as I enjoyed their relationships together.
I was provided a free electronic copy of this book from the Atria Books (the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
mooncxrx's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
i want to not be a hater but this book really was not for me.. the plot sounded intriguing but it really just fell flat. i appreciate it for what it wanted to be, a critique of capitalism and toxic masculinity and systemic problems, a modern day fight club...... but i feel like the author was focusing too much on trying to be relatable with jokes (?) and pop culture references that the plot got lost. i do also think that darcy's or abe's perspective would have done better for the story </3
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Alcoholism, and Drug use
Minor: Homophobia
grets_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Drug use, Alcoholism, and Blood
e_r_q's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"Brian liked learning about the moon, how astrology and folklore brought a magic and queerness to the werewolf stuff that was otherwise always so carnal and aggressive."
Personally, I believe Werewolves have always been an inherently queer concept, as they disrupt the binaries of gender, sexuality and even humanity. But, in Bored Gay Werewolf, through his very witty and engaging writing, Tony Santorella brings the concept back to its queer (and matriarchal) roots, whilst also criticising the toxically masculine heteronormative alpha trope that has plagued the werewolf genre.
πΊπ³οΈβπ
Bored Gay Werewolf is not only a genuinely relatable portrait of the modern queer experience, but it also explores an incredibly creative"Werewolf business/pyramid scheme" concept. The main cast of characters are also extremely lovable and well-crafted.
It's a very well paced novel, however some stuff feels a bit too rushed or glossed over. It honestly could do with being a bit longer, so it has more room to flesh things out and explore some ideas further. But it ends on the note that suggests the potential for sequels, so hopefully there will be the opportunity for expansion in those books.
"He tries to remember how he came out to his parents. Maybe he could use that as a template ... although there is no werewolf equivalent of finding gay porn on the family computer."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Blood, Death, Murder, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Minor: Homophobia
atomicbritt's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Drug use
Minor: Animal cruelty
ophycore's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Cursing, Stalking, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Drug use, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Misogyny, Sexism, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Death, Mass/school shootings, Animal death, and Infidelity