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mayakinsley's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
An adult version of the magical kid adventure novels like Escape From Mr Lemoncello’s Library or Peter Nimble and the Fantastic Eyes. Also kind of analogous to an American settler take on Taika Waititi’s What We Do In The Shadows and Wellington Paranormal movies and series.
It is also similar in writing style to Matthew Binder’s Pure Cosmos Club, but with a more reliable narrator and a focus on the world of business and startups instead of a focus on the world of high art and cults.
It is also similar in writing style to Matthew Binder’s Pure Cosmos Club, but with a more reliable narrator and a focus on the world of business and startups instead of a focus on the world of high art and cults.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Violence
yarbroughac's review against another edition
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
4.5
The form and structure mirror elements of the plot so well, and this marriage of form and narrative scratches a particular itch in my brain. It was an incredibly fun read, and for anyone who picks it up - keep an eye out for the paragraph that masterfully pulls off a “jump cut” in a way I have never experienced in print before, believe me, you will know what paragraph I am referring to when you get there.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, and Alcoholism
Minor: Body horror
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
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.
🐺🏳️🌈
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
snootle's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Gore, Toxic friendship, Cursing, Body horror, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Alcohol, Homophobia, and Drug use
jamieleepilk's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Murder, Sexual content, Blood, Death, Alcohol, Drug use, and Toxic friendship
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