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dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When the Wolf Comes Home follows an aspiring actress in LA who works part time at a bar. In the midst of a slight medical scare, Jess returns home to find a scared and traumatized little boy in her yard. And things are basically downhill from there.
I think the narrator for this book, Helen Laser, was amazing. And the author's note in the beginning about TWs was enough of a glimpse into their brain to let me know I would like him as an author. And I was right. This was my first Nat Cassidy book and I can't wait to read more.
Readers coming into this book should know that there's elements of physical and psychological horror that the story is woven around. But the core of the book centers on parental connections and how they can impact a child.
Jess, who has recently lost her father, feels immediately protective of the young boy. Even with the sudden appearance of this wolf/bear creature who attacks her neighbors, she puts the boy's safety first. And that's a constant theme throughout the story even at points where she begins to weigh the risks of protecting him versus herself.
And for me, the more I read, the scarier the story seemed to feel. The small chain reactions that continue to build around Jess and the little boy while running away from the creature chasing them end up having such a big impact, I was really just hoping for certain parts to just be a character's dream.
And for me, the more I read, the scarier the story seemed to feel. The small chain reactions that continue to build around Jess and the little boy while running away from the creature chasing them end up having such a big impact, I was really just hoping for certain parts to just be a character's dream.
The closest relationship Jess has in the book is with her mother who can be eccentric and dramatic but man is their foundation strong. Even without knowing all the details of why Jess is on the run, she helps and protects her. There's a moment in the story where Jess learns some new information about her estranged father regarding his absence in her life. I liked the closure she gets from this information, but I didn't think it changed much for Jess and her natural intentions.
She wasn't a parent but understood that the young boy needed protection and was scared. And understanding that as a 5 year old just how scary the whole world may seem to him. As we age, some of those fears fade or go away. And sometimes, they're just replaced by other things.
There's a lot that I can't say without spoiling the book for other readers. So I will just ask this question: who do you think is the villain in When the Wolf Comes Home?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Drug use, Vomit, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Alcohol, Dysphoria
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.25/5 stars.
I thought this was a fantastic listen. This reminded me of a darker version of The Bones Beneath My Skin. The two stories were vastly different but they shared some similarities. I actually went into this book mostly blind. I didn't even read the whole blurb and I found that to be a great pay-off. I would recommend doing the same if you're able! There is a lot of mystery surrounding a peculiar little boy and a monster lurking around him. I don't want to say too much about the plot because I think it would detract from the reading experience. It was exciting not knowing what to expect out of this book.
I can always expect to love Nat Cassidy's writing so I wasn't surprised that this book was no different. The characters were intriguing and lovable. The story was mysterious, tense, and heart-wrenching. I listened to the audiobook and I always love when authors pop in to do some or all of the narration. That was the case here. Helen Laser narrated the majority of the book but had some help from Nat Cassidy. Both did an amazing job.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7010684726
Fable Review: https://fable.co/review/25ba6ea3-8282-4bd1-8ce7-673ee29d03b6/share
I thought this was a fantastic listen. This reminded me of a darker version of The Bones Beneath My Skin. The two stories were vastly different but they shared some similarities. I actually went into this book mostly blind. I didn't even read the whole blurb and I found that to be a great pay-off. I would recommend doing the same if you're able! There is a lot of mystery surrounding a peculiar little boy and a monster lurking around him. I don't want to say too much about the plot because I think it would detract from the reading experience. It was exciting not knowing what to expect out of this book.
I can always expect to love Nat Cassidy's writing so I wasn't surprised that this book was no different. The characters were intriguing and lovable. The story was mysterious, tense, and heart-wrenching. I listened to the audiobook and I always love when authors pop in to do some or all of the narration. That was the case here. Helen Laser narrated the majority of the book but had some help from Nat Cassidy. Both did an amazing job.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
Goodreads Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7010684726
Fable Review: https://fable.co/review/25ba6ea3-8282-4bd1-8ce7-673ee29d03b6/share
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
My Rating System:
Enjoyment: I loved it, had fun, sobbed like a baby, never found myself wanting to dnf - 5
More?: I will absolutely read more from the author - 5
Criticism: some minor criticisms but nothing that would bring my rating down - 4
Rereadability: Not desperate to reread immediately but I likely will reread in the future- 4
Average: 4.5 Stars
When the Wolf Comes Home is reminiscent of all of my favourite horror classics in all the best ways. I think the synopsis is best left to the imagination when it comes to a book like this so I won't say too much but every chapter was wild and unexpected and exactly what I want going into a horror novel. It was brutal, fun, and sometimes hit a bit too close to home, making the reading experience the perfect emotional roller coaster (I love to cry). Nat Cassidy is quickly cementing himself as one of my favourites in the genre and I cannot wait to read more.
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc of this book!
Enjoyment: I loved it, had fun, sobbed like a baby, never found myself wanting to dnf - 5
More?: I will absolutely read more from the author - 5
Criticism: some minor criticisms but nothing that would bring my rating down - 4
Rereadability: Not desperate to reread immediately but I likely will reread in the future- 4
Average: 4.5 Stars
When the Wolf Comes Home is reminiscent of all of my favourite horror classics in all the best ways. I think the synopsis is best left to the imagination when it comes to a book like this so I won't say too much but every chapter was wild and unexpected and exactly what I want going into a horror novel. It was brutal, fun, and sometimes hit a bit too close to home, making the reading experience the perfect emotional roller coaster (I love to cry). Nat Cassidy is quickly cementing himself as one of my favourites in the genre and I cannot wait to read more.
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc of this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Drug use, Vomit, Kidnapping, Car accident