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birdlawyered's review against another edition
4.0
A novel about a young werewolf and his family navigating the American South and its unwelcoming residents. Except this novel isn't about werewolves, not really.
It's about a culture that is ancient, that has been stepped on, cast away and then dismissed as an old wives tale.
It's about a family that only knows its history through its scars.
I loved the way that through the course of this book, more and more lore was slowly divulged through stories and people. It made my heart heavy, knowing how little the family knew of themselves, and how much they knew of survival instead.
At first I found it difficult to connect to the characters. However, by the final half of the book I felt absorbed by characters and their stories, and I felt as though I had been given a glimpse into a life that I'd otherwise never have been able to see.
I think that is the beauty of good storytelling. And why I love to read. I get to live many more lives than just my own. And I am really grateful I got the opportunity to live this one.
Highly recommend.
It's about a culture that is ancient, that has been stepped on, cast away and then dismissed as an old wives tale.
It's about a family that only knows its history through its scars.
I loved the way that through the course of this book, more and more lore was slowly divulged through stories and people. It made my heart heavy, knowing how little the family knew of themselves, and how much they knew of survival instead.
At first I found it difficult to connect to the characters. However, by the final half of the book I felt absorbed by characters and their stories, and I felt as though I had been given a glimpse into a life that I'd otherwise never have been able to see.
I think that is the beauty of good storytelling. And why I love to read. I get to live many more lives than just my own. And I am really grateful I got the opportunity to live this one.
Highly recommend.
zach_g_low's review against another edition
5.0
If you can get through the last few chapters of this most remarkable coming-of-monster story without your emotional floodgates opening up, you're made of stronger stuff than I.
crippygirl's review against another edition
3.0
Strange werewolf story. None of his books has been as good as The Only Good Indians and I feel tricked.
nessavabooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Overall, I’m giving this a pick, as I really do like Stephen Graham Jones unique storytelling style. It’s definitely not my favorite of his books. This feels more like a character study and/or a series of essays. The subject happens to be werewolves. So the prose can be a bit meandering and disconnected. Still worth checking out if you are a fan of the author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
spacegutter's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.0
maybeams's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
3.5
my complaint is that it had zero forward momentum and no tension that helped me want to get to the end of the book. but once I slogged there, the ending touched my heart so thoroughly that i forgave the book its transgressions. also one more complaint—somehow did not scratch my werewolf itch which is sad (for me) but what can you do
07jojo's review against another edition
dark
tense
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
4.0
riserapturerise's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
wirt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5