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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed listening to this book, it kept me entertained. But at the same time I guess I'm not feeling sure about the storyline.
I love this!
Loved the narrator voice/writing style: funny, clever, and I liked that it often sounded like someone speaking (e.g., not super structured/formal prose). Every other chapter is short, told in third person, and features the narrator, as a younger child, trying on a different identity/role (e.g., he's described as "the biologist, "the mechanic"). This is one of many examples of the novel being simultaneously funny/heartwarming and really thoughtfully structured. There's so many special gems in this episodic novel, and the book doesn't linger on them - it just keeps moving ahead. This meant that there were lots of punches crammed into a tight novel, and it also made the novel feel quite literary/like the author trusted you as the reader.
All the scenes, for me, felt propelled by an underlying question of whether the narrator would ever transform into a wolf or not. It's so cute, then sad, then cute, then sad, etc. how much the narrator pines for a transformation/feels like he's even more on the outside than his family already is. Sometimes, I was really rooting for him to get what he wanted (to be a wolf), and then, slowly, as the book unfolded and you carefully learn more about werewolves and ways of being a werewolf, I started really hoping he would never transform (and wondered if he would hope this, too). No spoilers, but just a note that this sort of slow burn and me changing my mind throughout the story was very cool!
Part of what complicates the do-you-want-him-to-transform-or-not dance is that the book features a layered commentary on growing up witnessing a lot of violence perpetrated by people you love, and experiencing poverty. I especially appreciated reading how this boy/teen tried to make sense of/frame all of the violence/danger and poverty/instability.
Also, throughout, the narrator's family is constantly sharing/explicitly teaching the narrator about werewolf culture, while having big gaps in their knowledge of all things werewolf themselves. This was interesting and creative lore, and also a parallel to racial socialization in a diaspora. The narrator also frames discrimination he faces (e.g., teachers expecting little from him, youth asking him "What are you?" + subtle notes that the family is Native American) as just part of being a werewolf. He always, explicitly takes a lot of pride in all aspects of being a werewolf, which felt like a cool parallel to counter narratives. It was also complex/really pulled at my heart when the narrative more subtly gave hints that there were parts of "being a werewolf" that the narrator wasn't okay with (e.g., some examples of violence, being on the run). The narrative briefly/deftly offers alternatives to these ways of being a werewolf in, again, a really thoughtful tug-at-your-heart way.
All in all, a really interesting, layered, entertaining read. Highly recommend.
I listened to this on audiobook, and pretty soon I wished I had been reading it instead, since the writing twists a lot, has a lot of word play, and suddenly hops into other time points. So, I think it might be an especially good read-words-on-a-page sort of book (e.g., I rewound the book a few times to make sure I was catching the detail/quick transitions).
Loved the narrator voice/writing style: funny, clever, and I liked that it often sounded like someone speaking (e.g., not super structured/formal prose). Every other chapter is short, told in third person, and features the narrator, as a younger child, trying on a different identity/role (e.g., he's described as "the biologist, "the mechanic"). This is one of many examples of the novel being simultaneously funny/heartwarming and really thoughtfully structured. There's so many special gems in this episodic novel, and the book doesn't linger on them - it just keeps moving ahead. This meant that there were lots of punches crammed into a tight novel, and it also made the novel feel quite literary/like the author trusted you as the reader.
All the scenes, for me, felt propelled by an underlying question of whether the narrator would ever transform into a wolf or not. It's so cute, then sad, then cute, then sad, etc. how much the narrator pines for a transformation/feels like he's even more on the outside than his family already is. Sometimes, I was really rooting for him to get what he wanted (to be a wolf), and then, slowly, as the book unfolded and you carefully learn more about werewolves and ways of being a werewolf, I started really hoping he would never transform (and wondered if he would hope this, too). No spoilers, but just a note that this sort of slow burn and me changing my mind throughout the story was very cool!
Part of what complicates the do-you-want-him-to-transform-or-not dance is that the book features a layered commentary on growing up witnessing a lot of violence perpetrated by people you love, and experiencing poverty. I especially appreciated reading how this boy/teen tried to make sense of/frame all of the violence/danger and poverty/instability.
Also, throughout, the narrator's family is constantly sharing/explicitly teaching the narrator about werewolf culture, while having big gaps in their knowledge of all things werewolf themselves. This was interesting and creative lore, and also a parallel to racial socialization in a diaspora. The narrator also frames discrimination he faces (e.g., teachers expecting little from him, youth asking him "What are you?" + subtle notes that the family is Native American) as just part of being a werewolf. He always, explicitly takes a lot of pride in all aspects of being a werewolf, which felt like a cool parallel to counter narratives. It was also complex/really pulled at my heart when the narrative more subtly gave hints that there were parts of "being a werewolf" that the narrator wasn't okay with (e.g., some examples of violence, being on the run). The narrative briefly/deftly offers alternatives to these ways of being a werewolf in, again, a really thoughtful tug-at-your-heart way.
All in all, a really interesting, layered, entertaining read. Highly recommend.
I listened to this on audiobook, and pretty soon I wished I had been reading it instead, since the writing twists a lot, has a lot of word play, and suddenly hops into other time points. So, I think it might be an especially good read-words-on-a-page sort of book (e.g., I rewound the book a few times to make sure I was catching the detail/quick transitions).
My new favorite take on werewolf lore. This actually takes into account how this lifestyle would effect people in terms of money, of lost family members, of education. The exploration of how human lifestyles today cause so much danger for wolves, both were- and otherwise, was also fascinating. And that's all before we go into the rich character work that makes up this book.
Absolutely worth every second. Highly recommended for any horror fans or just those who want to read about monsters in general. And anyone who likes finely crafted characters. And worldbuilding.
Absolutely worth every second. Highly recommended for any horror fans or just those who want to read about monsters in general. And anyone who likes finely crafted characters. And worldbuilding.
This is a well-spun story-- or, rather, series of small stories jumping back and forth in time to tell a larger story-- of a family. Sure, it's a werewolf story on the surface. Bubbling below, however, is the story of being othered, of imposed poverty, of a culture's rich history erased and distorted. While the author never specifically mentions the family's ethnicity (they're just werewolves, right?), it isn't a difficult stretch to imagine this a story of Indigenous people. Thoroughly interesting and well-thought-out; not scary, maybe a little gory, and dogs are killed (if you're sensitive to that).
This style of writing wasn’t for me, it jumped around too much, it seemed disjointed.
Yikes. DNF
I love a good werewolf story and was super excited to read this around Halloween. The storytelling was fragmented and I honestly just didn't give a sh*t about the characters. The dark humor didn't hit and the pacing was reeeeaaally slow. It felt repetitive and dull and I'm sad I didn't get a good scary read on the night of Halloween.
I love a good werewolf story and was super excited to read this around Halloween. The storytelling was fragmented and I honestly just didn't give a sh*t about the characters. The dark humor didn't hit and the pacing was reeeeaaally slow. It felt repetitive and dull and I'm sad I didn't get a good scary read on the night of Halloween.
On the surface it's a gritty book about a werewolf and his family surviving. It's actually a coming of age story of someone who comes from outside normal society.
The main character has no real name, but he's being brought up by his aunt and uncle. The book switches between past and present, and the POV of the book switches with it. The book thrives and falters with the same issue, the characters are never in one place for too long. You never get too attached to locations and environs, but the characters shine.
It's a different book and a fun read. 3.5 stars rounds to 4.
The main character has no real name, but he's being brought up by his aunt and uncle. The book switches between past and present, and the POV of the book switches with it. The book thrives and falters with the same issue, the characters are never in one place for too long. You never get too attached to locations and environs, but the characters shine.
It's a different book and a fun read. 3.5 stars rounds to 4.
3.5 enjoyable coming of age werewolf story with a secondary commentary storyline that just got in the way of the main tale.
Coming of age werewolf story? Sure, let's try it.
Overall, it was fine. I liked the twist/addition to werewolf lore that we've all grown accustomed to. Flipping that on its head and digging deeper to flesh out the history and background was great. The emphasis on family bonds was also really well done.
I struggled with the plot. Once I realized we're just driving around waiting for something that might or might not happen, I grew bored. And when the ending did come, I was relieved it was over, but felt dissatisfied with the ending we were given. The actions of some of the characters felt wrong in a way, they didn't line up with everything we'd been presented with leading up to this point.
I will read all werewolf tales though, and this was a good shift from the norm.
Trigger warnings:
Overall, it was fine. I liked the twist/addition to werewolf lore that we've all grown accustomed to. Flipping that on its head and digging deeper to flesh out the history and background was great. The emphasis on family bonds was also really well done.
I struggled with the plot. Once I realized we're just driving around waiting for something that might or might not happen, I grew bored. And when the ending did come, I was relieved it was over, but felt dissatisfied with the ending we were given. The actions of some of the characters felt wrong in a way, they didn't line up with everything we'd been presented with leading up to this point.
I will read all werewolf tales though, and this was a good shift from the norm.
Trigger warnings: