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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
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When The Wolf Comes Home was a very fun and unique horror book. This book deals with good vs evil in a really unique and thought provoking way.
Jess is a struggling actress and on her way home she finds a 5 year old boy in the bushes near her apartment begging for her help. After a terrifying run in with the boys father they end up having to run for their life.
Over all I would recommend this book for fans of horror that like their books alittle on the weird side.
This was an arc gifted to me by the publisher but as always my reviews are honest and my own.
Jess is a struggling actress and on her way home she finds a 5 year old boy in the bushes near her apartment begging for her help. After a terrifying run in with the boys father they end up having to run for their life.
Over all I would recommend this book for fans of horror that like their books alittle on the weird side.
This was an arc gifted to me by the publisher but as always my reviews are honest and my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gore, Violence
Minor: Medical content
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Death of parent, Murder
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fuck.
I hadn't read a book by Nat Cassidy yet, but the description spoke to me so I picked this audiobook up. Oh man, oh man, oh MAN. This is an incredibly tense, evocative, and complicated book. Before I say anything else: PLEASE NOTE THE TRIGGER WARNINGS INCLUDED AT THE START OF THIS BOOK. Including some I'll list here: violence, gore, body horror, death of parent, child death, child abuse, medical content, needles, stalking, and kidnapping. And that's just a start.
"When the Wolf Comes Home" is about fear. Largely, it's about being a parent, what that means, the choices we make regarding our children, fears we have/fears they have, etc., but it's also about control. Control is something of an antonym of fear, because we use control to navigate said fears: we control our emotions, our reactions, our actions. Even with a phobia, we exist in a world made of pure fear, and we have to find our own ways to survive all that.
But there is no controlling a child. You can try, as characters in this novel do, but when it comes down to it: that child has their own autonomy. If you try to "control" a child, they will likely have one of two reactions: acquiescence or resistance. They will learn to adapt your behaviors/lessons, or they will oppose you and defy your attempts. Ultimately, we can only control our own actions and reactions. We cannot foist our will upon another, even if they're too young to understand different.
The lessons in this book reflect back on control often. Although you get little of his perspective, the boy's father tried to control him prior to the inciting incident that opened the book. Jess, the protagonist, picks up his baton and tries to teach/control the kid thereafter. But they both end up at the same conclusion: he cannot be controlled. And what does that mean?
Fear is too big a thing to ever control. You can heal the symptoms, but can you ever fully relieve yourself of fear? And a child fears most of all, because they have no prior experience, no context with which to understand the world. For instance, I have 30 years of life to help me navigate new challenges daily. Kiddo had five. Less, considering memories aren't exact when you're too young for words. So he, rightfully, feared everything. And what happens when your fears are a trigger for even scarier things? Well, that's what this book is about!
"When the Wolf Comes Home," follows stressed-out, mid-crisis Improv-wannabe, Jess, as she finds a scared young boy and attempts to protect him from the real world (and fantasy) dangers that follow them. Among said dangers are wolves, monsters, animated characters, and hat-bats. Levels of danger vary. Soon enough, she comes to realize that the danger might not be "after them," after all, but running alongside them. The boy has powers. Jess, an ill-equipped waitress and reluctant caregiver, is thrown into a helluva situation. She adapts by using the number one rule of improv: Yes and.
Nat Cassidy's writing is full of visually complex ideas and creations. It's never hard to picture what's on the page (or spoken through the radio, in my case), because Cassidy is so descriptive and exact. Every confusing notion is followed by a simile or metaphor that knocks you right back into the world of Jess and her charge. The characters and set-ups are if not perfect, then sooo satisfying when they pay off. The characters are fully realized, fully themselves. They could walk off the page and you wouldn't bat an eye (not just because of the fantasy powers depicted).
The ending is dark. Shocking, and hard to read. This isn't a happily-ever-after story. But if you read this, you'll understand that there really couldn't be one? The themes of the story are too complex, too real for this book to end anywhere close to happy. This story contains a lot of death. As depicted on the cover, no one will be sparred. I enjoyed this book a lot, but it was very hard. Very difficult and heavy. And I say all this with the disclaimer that I do not have/want children. I do not feel the maternal instincts indicative of my gender, feelings that may affect many audience members. Be warned, this is a heavy book.
Thank you to Netgalley for the digital audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
I hadn't read a book by Nat Cassidy yet, but the description spoke to me so I picked this audiobook up. Oh man, oh man, oh MAN. This is an incredibly tense, evocative, and complicated book. Before I say anything else: PLEASE NOTE THE TRIGGER WARNINGS INCLUDED AT THE START OF THIS BOOK. Including some I'll list here: violence, gore, body horror, death of parent, child death, child abuse, medical content, needles, stalking, and kidnapping. And that's just a start.
"When the Wolf Comes Home" is about fear. Largely, it's about being a parent, what that means, the choices we make regarding our children, fears we have/fears they have, etc., but it's also about control. Control is something of an antonym of fear, because we use control to navigate said fears: we control our emotions, our reactions, our actions. Even with a phobia, we exist in a world made of pure fear, and we have to find our own ways to survive all that.
But there is no controlling a child. You can try, as characters in this novel do, but when it comes down to it: that child has their own autonomy. If you try to "control" a child, they will likely have one of two reactions: acquiescence or resistance. They will learn to adapt your behaviors/lessons, or they will oppose you and defy your attempts. Ultimately, we can only control our own actions and reactions. We cannot foist our will upon another, even if they're too young to understand different.
The lessons in this book reflect back on control often. Although you get little of his perspective, the boy's father tried to control him prior to the inciting incident that opened the book. Jess, the protagonist, picks up his baton and tries to teach/control the kid thereafter. But they both end up at the same conclusion: he cannot be controlled. And what does that mean?
Fear is too big a thing to ever control. You can heal the symptoms, but can you ever fully relieve yourself of fear? And a child fears most of all, because they have no prior experience, no context with which to understand the world. For instance, I have 30 years of life to help me navigate new challenges daily. Kiddo had five. Less, considering memories aren't exact when you're too young for words. So he, rightfully, feared everything. And what happens when your fears are a trigger for even scarier things? Well, that's what this book is about!
"When the Wolf Comes Home," follows stressed-out, mid-crisis Improv-wannabe, Jess, as she finds a scared young boy and attempts to protect him from the real world (and fantasy) dangers that follow them. Among said dangers are wolves, monsters, animated characters, and hat-bats. Levels of danger vary. Soon enough, she comes to realize that the danger might not be "after them," after all, but running alongside them. The boy has powers. Jess, an ill-equipped waitress and reluctant caregiver, is thrown into a helluva situation. She adapts by using the number one rule of improv: Yes and.
Nat Cassidy's writing is full of visually complex ideas and creations. It's never hard to picture what's on the page (or spoken through the radio, in my case), because Cassidy is so descriptive and exact. Every confusing notion is followed by a simile or metaphor that knocks you right back into the world of Jess and her charge. The characters and set-ups are if not perfect, then sooo satisfying when they pay off. The characters are fully realized, fully themselves. They could walk off the page and you wouldn't bat an eye (not just because of the fantasy powers depicted).
The ending is dark. Shocking, and hard to read. This isn't a happily-ever-after story. But if you read this, you'll understand that there really couldn't be one? The themes of the story are too complex, too real for this book to end anywhere close to happy. This story contains a lot of death. As depicted on the cover, no one will be sparred. I enjoyed this book a lot, but it was very hard. Very difficult and heavy. And I say all this with the disclaimer that I do not have/want children. I do not feel the maternal instincts indicative of my gender, feelings that may affect many audience members. Be warned, this is a heavy book.
Thank you to Netgalley for the digital audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Gun violence, Alcohol
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
This book is about FEAR. Hugely about familial relationships, violence, and the harm we do to one another. Very heavy topics dealt with.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
This book surprised me, I’m not sure if I had any expectations but I really liked it a lot. Yes, there’s violence and carnage, but the elements and metaphors for coping with grief, fear and anxiety are big themes throughout. A hidden message if you will and I’m a sucker for take away messaging, especially after the author’s note at the end of the book! I liked the dark twist on a fairytale story with supernatural elements, when fictional characters literally come to life and try to kill Jess and Kiddo. I was immersed in the plot, the tension and unpredictability had me at the edge of my seat.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook and I think it’s one of my favorite performances and productions this year. Narrated by Helen Laser, I loved the personality she added to Jess’ character and the voice for Kiddo was so great. There’s a point half way through when the author himself jumps into the performance and it kinda blew my mind. I loved it, kudos to the production team!
My journey into horror has been very good so far. I’m really enjoying the creativity and boundaries pushed in horror, this genre hopping reader is all in!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC! Opinions are my own.*
I thought I hated this at first. In fact, I almost DNFed it like twice in the first half! This is through absolutely no fault of the book at all, entirely a skill issue on my end. The thing with this book, it subverts a lot of the thoughts you might have about a horror novel. There are monsters, yes. There's high stakes, it's bloody, all of that. But this book isn't *just* all of those things. This book also tackles the terror that is being a young kid and what that might look like if those fears become real. Sometimes that looks kinda silly, like <spoiler2D cartoon characters chasing you through a hallway with a chainsaw. Sometimes that's much more horrifying, likethe manifestation of you abusive dad as a wolf ripping your companion's beloved mother to dust. This is about grief, abandonment, and how complicated relationships with your parents can still have love in them. The scariest part of the whole thing is not the monsters themselves, but the vulnerability, the not always knowing who to trust or when. It's really quite clever, actually.
The audiobook for this was wonderful. The narration masterfully done, Helen Laser does a great job throwing her voice between woman in her 30s and child at 5 years old. Nat himself chiming in at *just* the right moment (you'll know) was also so incredible.
One thing I will say is I didn't super love the ending. Felt a liiiittle lame for a "twist" to me. Not enough to knock down my rating but worth mentioning.
I wouldn't recommend this to just any old horror enjoyer; it certainly won't be for everyone, but this book was definitely something to marvel at and I'm really glad I stuck with it in the end.
I thought I hated this at first. In fact, I almost DNFed it like twice in the first half! This is through absolutely no fault of the book at all, entirely a skill issue on my end. The thing with this book, it subverts a lot of the thoughts you might have about a horror novel. There are monsters, yes. There's high stakes, it's bloody, all of that. But this book isn't *just* all of those things. This book also tackles the terror that is being a young kid and what that might look like if those fears become real. Sometimes that looks kinda silly, like <spoiler2D cartoon characters chasing you through a hallway with a chainsaw. Sometimes that's much more horrifying, like
The audiobook for this was wonderful. The narration masterfully done, Helen Laser does a great job throwing her voice between woman in her 30s and child at 5 years old. Nat himself chiming in at *just* the right moment (you'll know) was also so incredible.
One thing I will say is I didn't super love the ending. Felt a liiiittle lame for a "twist" to me. Not enough to knock down my rating but worth mentioning.
I wouldn't recommend this to just any old horror enjoyer; it certainly won't be for everyone, but this book was definitely something to marvel at and I'm really glad I stuck with it in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Death of parent
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
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What can I say that won't be a spoiler? An aspiring actress rescues a small boy from some kind of animal attack, and they flee danger on a road trip.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Blood, Death of parent, 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