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agirlandherlibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
MY YOUTUBE REVIEW
This book hasn't really stood the test of time well, it's stuck in it's era, but at the time of reading it it was, wicked, I enjoyed it, it stuck in my mind enough to go back and review it. It's a short sharp horror, but be careful if rape triggers you, or infidelity - it's a little sharp on those details.
Definitely on my list of books to read for horror lovers!
This book hasn't really stood the test of time well, it's stuck in it's era, but at the time of reading it it was, wicked, I enjoyed it, it stuck in my mind enough to go back and review it. It's a short sharp horror, but be careful if rape triggers you, or infidelity - it's a little sharp on those details.
Definitely on my list of books to read for horror lovers!
badseedgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I have watched all of The Howling movies. I learned it was based on a book back in 2023 and made an immediate purchase, but just now got around to reading it.
If you are familiar with the movies, the Howling 4 is based on this book. I found that interesting.
The incident that triggers this book is quite a bit different from the movie, but much of the book and movie are VERY similar. Now do not let this dissuade you from reading this book. There is enough difference that it is worth reading the book.
It should be noted that there is a pretty brutal SA scene at the beginning of the book and that could be a turnoff to some readers. I will say that in my opinion, the ending of the book was maybe a tad too abrupt. There is this huge mystery throughout the book and all of a sudden, boom, the book is over.
I would really like to give this book 3.5 stars, but since I can't, 3 stars it is.
Please note: I read this as a buddy read. I probably could have finished this book in 2 to 3 days normally. It was a quick read.
If you are familiar with the movies, the Howling 4 is based on this book. I found that interesting.
The incident that triggers this book is quite a bit different from the movie, but much of the book and movie are VERY similar. Now do not let this dissuade you from reading this book. There is enough difference that it is worth reading the book.
It should be noted that there is a pretty brutal SA scene at the beginning of the book and that could be a turnoff to some readers. I will say that in my opinion, the ending of the book was maybe a tad too abrupt. There is this huge mystery throughout the book and all of a sudden, boom, the book is over.
I would really like to give this book 3.5 stars, but since I can't, 3 stars it is.
Please note: I read this as a buddy read. I probably could have finished this book in 2 to 3 days normally. It was a quick read.
quijohnjinn's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
the_enobee's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars to this very much of it’s time classic that inspired the movie series. Actually found this more believable and scary (well, more spooky than viscerally frightening) then the movie.
scottwcoleman's review against another edition
4.0
Finally got around to reading this book. The movie scared me witless as a kid, and still gives me the willies from time to time.
The book - as is often the case - was much better. No spoilers here, but the plot is a bit different, and much more engaging than the version put on screen. It's not 'scary' in the sense the movie tried to be, but instead plays out as a suspenseful mystery adventure. Reading it today, the little differences in everyday life in the 1970s seem so critical and make reading The Howling quite fun more than 30 years on.
The book - as is often the case - was much better. No spoilers here, but the plot is a bit different, and much more engaging than the version put on screen. It's not 'scary' in the sense the movie tried to be, but instead plays out as a suspenseful mystery adventure. Reading it today, the little differences in everyday life in the 1970s seem so critical and make reading The Howling quite fun more than 30 years on.
neilsarver's review against another edition
4.0
This is definitely a "beach read" or whatever term one might use for it. I don't mean that as a dismissal. It's just the kind of book that sucks you in and make it easy to finish quickly.
I first read it in my early-teens, before I actually saw the movie, and have maintained an affection for it, that kept me from revisiting for fear of spoiling that. I'm glad that if held up.
Now, to touch on the ending... I can't remember if I was surprised by the doctor being a werewolf on my first reading, but it seems so obvious now that I struggled to figure out if the adult target audience is supposed to get it and feel a kind of dramatic irony tension at Karyn missing that or if we're supposed be with her in believing him in his story of being an outsider in town. Even the fact that I can't decide that, feels like something of a flaw.
That said, I still quite like the book, which made me happy.
I first read it in my early-teens, before I actually saw the movie, and have maintained an affection for it, that kept me from revisiting for fear of spoiling that. I'm glad that if held up.
Now, to touch on the ending... I can't remember if I was surprised by the doctor being a werewolf on my first reading, but it seems so obvious now that I struggled to figure out if the adult target audience is supposed to get it and feel a kind of dramatic irony tension at Karyn missing that or if we're supposed be with her in believing him in his story of being an outsider in town. Even the fact that I can't decide that, feels like something of a flaw.
That said, I still quite like the book, which made me happy.
shane's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty good. Nothing ground-breaking here, but then it may well have been different at the time it was written. The movie certainly caught people's imagination, although I've heard it differs to a greater degree. A short enough story, but I liked the more simplistic descriptions of the werewolf and particularly the change from human to wolf. Could have done with a little more character development but apart from that it was good.
A quick read and no real surprises at all, but entertaining none-the-less.
A quick read and no real surprises at all, but entertaining none-the-less.
loandbeholdx's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Life seems to be going well for newly weds Karyn and Roy, but after a brutal home invasion, Karyn is left traumatised. They decide to leave their thought to be safe home in California, and move to the rural town of Drago. However, they soon notice that the town is hiding a lot more than what meets the eye, and it's up to Karyn to try save not only her marriage, but their lives. I was a little bit skeptical about reading this, as I was expecting a cheesy, dated horror novel. And while it does have some aspects that haven't aged too well, overall I found this to be a good read. It's ruthless, gory, and the plot is held up quite well by history and lore. I'd definately recommend this to anyone who loves a creature feature, especially to those who are fans of 80s horror classics like An American Werewolf In London.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
jamietherebelliousreader's review
3.0
3 stars. The film adaptation is so different from the book and I was honestly not prepared. This book’s opening is fucking brutal and was hard to read. This wasn’t a bad read at all but I was expecting something else. The writing was good and I empathized with the main character Karyn a lot. That poor woman went through so much. I think the build up and tension were done well. The pacing was great and steady and while I like the ending of the film better this one was good as well. This was a very interesting read. I plan on reading the other two books in this trilogy but not any time soon.