Reviews

Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones

heytiger's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

big_talking_bird's review against another edition

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dark funny reflective

4.5

It's really unfair that Stephen Graham Jones can write so many books and just never miss. This is my favourite take on werewolves--a rich mythology invested with all the grit, ugliness, and tenacious hope of modern life on the underside of "civilisation." Funny, horrifying, and heartwarming, as per usual for SGJ. 

doteot's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.5

dknippling's review against another edition

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5.0

The saga of a family of werewolf scavengers, told by a young boy who may never change into one.

This was fantastic; no judgment :)

Recommended for those who grew up scavenging, outside the bright and friendly light of a middle-class upbringing.

samanne's review against another edition

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4.0

Between a 3 and 4 star read. I didn't like it nearly as much as The Only Good Indians, but still enjoyed this novel about a family of scrappy werewolves living on the edge and navigating an alien society, struggling to stay under the radar screen. The lead character is a teenager, not sure if he will turn wolf or not, living on the run with his aunt and uncle, struggling with a foot in each world. TW for violence against humans and animals.

stevenikaye's review against another edition

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4.0

I did not read it two times (though I may very well, or more). Goodreads just has a crappy interface. Hopefully I've fixed that now.

I used to think Michael Cadnum's Saint Peter's Wolf was the best werewolf novel ever. Maybe Thomas Tessier's The Nightwalker. Nope. It's Mongrels.

Characterization through dialogue and action, enough plot to make the most "Never mind your fancy adjectives, I just want plot" geek happy, vivid settings, and a seeming (as a failed writer I know better) effortless ability to navigate between heartbreak, horror, and humor

lionessramping's review against another edition

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4.0

Werewolves. No no, don't run away yet! This book is a fresh, sharp take in an overdone, otherwise trendy genre. Jones takes away the glamour, adds grit, poverty and struggle for place and identity. It's more an exploration of micro-culture and self-created mythos, a story of living on the fringes and the identity that comes with that. No no, don't run away yet! There are also werewolves.

kburrill88's review against another edition

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2.0

Struggled with this one.. I liked the writing style but a little too gory to enjoy.

scott204's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

hayreads_45's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5