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kkehoe's review against another edition
4.0
A tense, no-nonsense werewolf story that doesn't try to be anything more, but succeeds in it's core all the more for it.
trish204's review against another edition
5.0
What can I say? I loooove creepy crawlies, especially in Spooktober and nowadays, good creature features are rare! This, I'm happy to report, was fantastic!
We are in a small town in Maine (near Bangor so we got plenty of Stephen King references *lol*). Seven years ago, there were a number of gruesome murders that were chalked up to "animal attacks". Well ... part of that is true, I guess. *cackles*
The then sheriff retired, handing responsibility to his then-deputy. Both know what really happened and that they can't just go and tell people. But despite the fact that people would probably want them locked up if they did, the town folks also relish in weird-ass theories as to what could have really killed people.
Now, an out-of-towner has been killed and that is only the start. Because the beast is back and it wants vengeance - which puts the sheriff, his daughter and a host of other people at risk.
The story usually is simple. This one is as well. We also knew almost right away who the werewolf was. But it's not about that. It's about getting to know the town and its inhabitants, liking or hating them, rooting for them or wishing they'd die screaming. There are young ones and old ones, a stereotypical town drunk and more.
What I REALLY enjoyed was that we got to see the fading human side of the werewolf and also its utter depravity. Because pop-culture has made little puppies out of them just like it has made sparkling jokes out of vamps. Not in my town, gringo! No, I like them horrific and depraved and that is what we got from this furry guy.
The writing was fast.paced, full of up-to-date cultural references which made this very relatable, the people were stereotypical but fun, the action was breathtaking and - above all else - there was a delicious amount of blood and gore. Just the way it's supposed to be.
So much fun! I recommend this to anyone who enjoys creature features in atmospheric bad weather during (though not just during) a full moon. *howls*
truebookaddict's review against another edition
5.0
Read in 2015...forgot to copy the review from my blog!
Anyone who thinks the werewolf thing has been done...and done again...well, you need to read Blood and Rain. I haven't been this captivated by a werewolf story since seeing "American Werewolf in London" when I was a girl...or maybe "The Howling". It seems these days, werewolves have become less scary, as we get to know their human side before we really know their beast side. I'm talking about "True Blood" or Anne Rice's new werewolf series. Not to discount those awesome storytellers (everyone knows Rice is my favorite author), but it's just refreshing to read about a werewolf and to be really scared and horrified. Rolfe did not pull any punches in this book. We get the fear and we get the gore...and it's luscious (for lack of a better word). I've been reading a lot of great horror lately (via the terrific publicist, Erin of Oh, for the Hook of a Book fame) and this one ranks near the top.
Blood and Rain is a riveting monster novel that keeps you guessing until the end. Thanks for bringing me back to the scary werewolves. It was a wild ride!
Anyone who thinks the werewolf thing has been done...and done again...well, you need to read Blood and Rain. I haven't been this captivated by a werewolf story since seeing "American Werewolf in London" when I was a girl...or maybe "The Howling". It seems these days, werewolves have become less scary, as we get to know their human side before we really know their beast side. I'm talking about "True Blood" or Anne Rice's new werewolf series. Not to discount those awesome storytellers (everyone knows Rice is my favorite author), but it's just refreshing to read about a werewolf and to be really scared and horrified. Rolfe did not pull any punches in this book. We get the fear and we get the gore...and it's luscious (for lack of a better word). I've been reading a lot of great horror lately (via the terrific publicist, Erin of Oh, for the Hook of a Book fame) and this one ranks near the top.
Blood and Rain is a riveting monster novel that keeps you guessing until the end. Thanks for bringing me back to the scary werewolves. It was a wild ride!
janinepipe's review
5.0
I decided to read Blood and Rain by Glenn Rolfe for two reasons. One - I had just finished the ARC of Until Summer Comes Around which was A-Mazing and I can not wait to share my review of it on the Flame Tree blog tour in May. And secondly - I love me some werewolf action.
Since we all have a bit more time on our hands (allegedly) I downloaded it onto my Kindle.
And then, I couldn't put the damn thing down, much like with USCA.
It was bloody brilliant.
I know my lore but I like it when an author changes it up a little too. I'm not talking sparkly skin (I am looking at YOU Twilight here) but if there are some original changes to the legends then it shows the writer isn't just re-hashing The Howling or An American Werewolf in London.
Glenn used a perfect mix of exactly what a wolf should be able to do with a little bit of originality.
His characters were believable and there was the perfect Story Flow every writer uses and looks for in other's work: goal, conflict, reaction, dark time, conclusion.
I didn't want the story to end and there is just enough of a cliff-hanger to keep you gagging for more.
I really like Glenn's style of writing. I can definitely tell that King has influenced him over the years and I mean that in a positive way, not that he copies King's style. More of an homage. Add in the fact he likes rock music and the Red Sox and we are buddies for life.
Blood and Rain has a thrilling and interesting storyline also, it isn't just full of gore and guts, although there is enough violence to sate your appetite.
Will I read more of Glenn's work?
Hell yeah.
In fact, after finishing B&R, I went straight to the Kindle store and bought Leaders of the Pack.
I won't spoil Glenn's contribution to this fantastic anthology, I will just say that I was THRILLED to read about someone I felt that I needed to know more about.
Final thoughts - 10/10.
Would I recommend to anyone who likes werewolf or 'classic monster' fiction? YES.
Since we all have a bit more time on our hands (allegedly) I downloaded it onto my Kindle.
And then, I couldn't put the damn thing down, much like with USCA.
It was bloody brilliant.
I know my lore but I like it when an author changes it up a little too. I'm not talking sparkly skin (I am looking at YOU Twilight here) but if there are some original changes to the legends then it shows the writer isn't just re-hashing The Howling or An American Werewolf in London.
Glenn used a perfect mix of exactly what a wolf should be able to do with a little bit of originality.
His characters were believable and there was the perfect Story Flow every writer uses and looks for in other's work: goal, conflict, reaction, dark time, conclusion.
I didn't want the story to end and there is just enough of a cliff-hanger to keep you gagging for more.
I really like Glenn's style of writing. I can definitely tell that King has influenced him over the years and I mean that in a positive way, not that he copies King's style. More of an homage. Add in the fact he likes rock music and the Red Sox and we are buddies for life.
Blood and Rain has a thrilling and interesting storyline also, it isn't just full of gore and guts, although there is enough violence to sate your appetite.
Will I read more of Glenn's work?
Hell yeah.
In fact, after finishing B&R, I went straight to the Kindle store and bought Leaders of the Pack.
I won't spoil Glenn's contribution to this fantastic anthology, I will just say that I was THRILLED to read about someone I felt that I needed to know more about.
Final thoughts - 10/10.
Would I recommend to anyone who likes werewolf or 'classic monster' fiction? YES.
charshorrorcorner's review
4.0
3.5 stars!
Who doesn't enjoy a good werewolf tale once in a while? Fall is the perfect time to read this short novel about evil in a small town, under a full moon.
Gilson's Creek was troubled in the past by the Full Moon Killer. Now it's troubled by more crimes. Is this a return of the same killer or something else entirely? You would need to read Blood and Rain to find out!
I found that the pacing was very slow during the first third of the book. After that though, it picked up so much that I read the rest of the book all in the same day. The character development left a little to be desired. At first, I was mixing them up, but it all did become clearer as the story progressed. I felt that the best writing was to be found in the middle-to the end-of the novel where the werewolves were coming into their own. It felt like the author was excited about these portions and that really shone through with the writing.
This is the second story of Rolfe's that I've read. I think this tale shows improvement: in his descriptions and in the quality of his writing. For those reasons, I will continue to keep Glenn Rolfe on my reading radar. He's coming into his own and I want to be there when he arrives.
Recommended for fans of werewolf tales, and for those who love the "evil in a small town" theme!
*A free copy of this novel was provided to me by Mr. Rolfe, in exchange for an honest review. This is it!*
Who doesn't enjoy a good werewolf tale once in a while? Fall is the perfect time to read this short novel about evil in a small town, under a full moon.
Gilson's Creek was troubled in the past by the Full Moon Killer. Now it's troubled by more crimes. Is this a return of the same killer or something else entirely? You would need to read Blood and Rain to find out!
I found that the pacing was very slow during the first third of the book. After that though, it picked up so much that I read the rest of the book all in the same day. The character development left a little to be desired. At first, I was mixing them up, but it all did become clearer as the story progressed. I felt that the best writing was to be found in the middle-to the end-of the novel where the
This is the second story of Rolfe's that I've read. I think this tale shows improvement: in his descriptions and in the quality of his writing. For those reasons, I will continue to keep Glenn Rolfe on my reading radar. He's coming into his own and I want to be there when he arrives.
Recommended for fans of werewolf tales, and for those who love the "evil in a small town" theme!
*A free copy of this novel was provided to me by Mr. Rolfe, in exchange for an honest review. This is it!*
joshuamarsella's review
5.0
Blood and Rain does for werewolves what Salem’s Lot did for vampires. Rolfe’s world building and knowledge of small town living shines in his epic tale of a small town in Maine being terrorized by a man-eating and ruthless werewolf.
Most werewolf stories depict the beast as a just that. A mindless, bloodthirsty creature that just wants to kill and eat until it changes back to its human form. This werewolf is not like that. This one is well aware of what it’s doing and is out for vengeance. It takes advantage of its beastial form to take out its wrath on people it doesn’t like and it knows how to use its strength to completely tear people apart. It relishes in the taste of tears, blood and sweat of its victims and I feel that’s what sets it apart from other werewolves in fiction. It’s brutal!
Rolfe created an entirely fictional town called Gilson Creek but it could easily be a real place. The characters are so full of life and realism that this book belongs right up there with the works of King, Keene and the other authors that inspired him. I highly recommend this book to any horror lover!
Most werewolf stories depict the beast as a just that. A mindless, bloodthirsty creature that just wants to kill and eat until it changes back to its human form. This werewolf is not like that. This one is well aware of what it’s doing and is out for vengeance. It takes advantage of its beastial form to take out its wrath on people it doesn’t like and it knows how to use its strength to completely tear people apart. It relishes in the taste of tears, blood and sweat of its victims and I feel that’s what sets it apart from other werewolves in fiction. It’s brutal!
Rolfe created an entirely fictional town called Gilson Creek but it could easily be a real place. The characters are so full of life and realism that this book belongs right up there with the works of King, Keene and the other authors that inspired him. I highly recommend this book to any horror lover!
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