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gillianw's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
You ever come across a book that you've heard zero hype about and none of your friends have read, but the blurb sounds interesting so you decide to give it a shot and it turns out to be really entertaining and a very pleasant surprise?
This is that book. The one that's probably better because you went into it with no preconceptions and very few expectations. Granted, I'm a sucker for vampires and shifters, so the premise already had me hooked but the story still had to be good and thankfully, this didn't disappoint.
Newbie werewolf Joshua and lonely vampire Decker are the heart of this story. Their unlikely friendship made me laugh more than once, and I simply adored both of them. Decker is especially sweet, opening up his home and his heart to Joshua when he has no one else to turn to, only to find that he needs Joshua almost as much as Joshua needs him.
Both hardworking Eloise and young Prince Seth get their turn in this book too and their stories, while not as funny, are still interesting and engaging. I did rather enjoy Eloise's awkward attempts at trying to 'seduce' Seth's pack mate Cabot, and I hope to see more of both of them in future books.
If shifters, vampires and rogue witches are your thing, I recommend picking up this book. There is really no romance per se (although the bromance is alive and well between Joshua and Decker) but given everything else that happens, you likely won't miss it.
You ever come across a book that you've heard zero hype about and none of your friends have read, but the blurb sounds interesting so you decide to give it a shot and it turns out to be really entertaining and a very pleasant surprise?
This is that book. The one that's probably better because you went into it with no preconceptions and very few expectations. Granted, I'm a sucker for vampires and shifters, so the premise already had me hooked but the story still had to be good and thankfully, this didn't disappoint.
Newbie werewolf Joshua and lonely vampire Decker are the heart of this story. Their unlikely friendship made me laugh more than once, and I simply adored both of them. Decker is especially sweet, opening up his home and his heart to Joshua when he has no one else to turn to, only to find that he needs Joshua almost as much as Joshua needs him.
Both hardworking Eloise and young Prince Seth get their turn in this book too and their stories, while not as funny, are still interesting and engaging. I did rather enjoy Eloise's awkward attempts at trying to 'seduce' Seth's pack mate Cabot, and I hope to see more of both of them in future books.
If shifters, vampires and rogue witches are your thing, I recommend picking up this book. There is really no romance per se (although the bromance is alive and well between Joshua and Decker) but given everything else that happens, you likely won't miss it.
overlyticklish's review against another edition
5.0
I’m soooo sad this is over!!!
But it was really fun!
I had a hard time getting into this, I actually started the first chapter and then didn’t read beyond that until a few months later.
What got me hooked was Decker’s perspective. The first time we get him as a narrator is chapter four:
“If Decker had known what adorable noises werewolf puppies made when distressed, he would have gotten one years ago.”
My heart just melted at that! Decker continues to say stuff like this that makes Joshua seem really way more cute than you could ever expect him to be, but it works really well.
I think besides Decker and Joshua, Elise was one of my favorites. She’s an angelic warrior woman. I’ve never seen angel warrior done quite like in this book, I really liked them. The way her magic works and the mythology behind the Grigori.
I would recommend this if you like paranormal or fantasy at all, there is a bit of romance as well but only a bit of it. This was a very unique take on paranormal creatures.
**I listened to the audiobook of this; I really liked the voices. For the bit of reading I did instead of listening I was totally reading it in the Elise voice from the audio.
But it was really fun!
I had a hard time getting into this, I actually started the first chapter and then didn’t read beyond that until a few months later.
What got me hooked was Decker’s perspective. The first time we get him as a narrator is chapter four:
“If Decker had known what adorable noises werewolf puppies made when distressed, he would have gotten one years ago.”
My heart just melted at that! Decker continues to say stuff like this that makes Joshua seem really way more cute than you could ever expect him to be, but it works really well.
I think besides Decker and Joshua, Elise was one of my favorites. She’s an angelic warrior woman. I’ve never seen angel warrior done quite like in this book, I really liked them. The way her magic works and the mythology behind the Grigori.
I would recommend this if you like paranormal or fantasy at all, there is a bit of romance as well but only a bit of it. This was a very unique take on paranormal creatures.
**I listened to the audiobook of this; I really liked the voices. For the bit of reading I did instead of listening I was totally reading it in the Elise voice from the audio.
nika_x's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
planetarypan's review against another edition
3.0
I would have rated this book a solid 4 except that Baen has apparently decided to stop proofreading their products. I cannot believe how many missing words there were in this novel, both in the ebook and print versions. Every time I found one of those mistakes, I was taken out of the story for a few moments.
Also: Pet peeve - Boston Common constantly being referred to as Boston Commons. Where was the editor??
The story itself is really interesting. I think the world-building was a bit rough in the beginning, but I enjoyed the major characters a LOT. And there are some great quirks involved with them. I have no idea what the over-arching big bad is, yet. The novel left me interested enough to read the next when it comes out.
Also: Pet peeve - Boston Common constantly being referred to as Boston Commons. Where was the editor??
The story itself is really interesting. I think the world-building was a bit rough in the beginning, but I enjoyed the major characters a LOT. And there are some great quirks involved with them. I have no idea what the over-arching big bad is, yet. The novel left me interested enough to read the next when it comes out.
maryh's review against another edition
I’m not in the mood and the writing felt overly theatrical.
nipomuki's review against another edition
4.0
Great listen. I have no idea if it would have worked for me if I‘d read it in text format. The audio I enjoyed. After finishing I realized that I could start nitpicking about some stuff. I often have problems with books that have mythology in a very American setting. Some of my core believes just do not agree. But that was only afterwards, and I decided to just let it be. It was fun. Why ask more of it?
nixwhittaker's review against another edition
5.0
Wen Spencer is really stacking up to be my favourite author. I don't usually read books with male protagonists as I really can't relate to the character enough to be in a state of suspended disbelief. But Wen Spencer has several series with male protagonist who I can relate to. Mainly because they aren't mucho men who kick butt and take names as they do. Instead she has men who are struggling to figure out who they are and where they fit in the world.
The Black Wolves of Boston is about a young werewolf who a few days before was a normal though a bit weird kid who was bullied by the locals in a small town. Then one day he wakes up and all his friends have been brutally murdered around him and he has run off to Boston because he is scared that now that he is a werewolf he'll hurt others.
He falls into it when a Vampire discovers him in a forest knocking down some trees. Things get complicated very quickly from there as it is revealed that Joshua our young werewolf has some secrets of his own. There are evil wickers after them all and they have had decades to set up their plan and it all rests on the shoulders on one scared and weirded out baby puppy werewolf.
Wen does a lovely job of expressing the feelings of weird and awkward moments of trying to fit in and new relationships and broken families. Joshua reminds me a lot of her Alien taste book and little Kitt and his dad/clone Ukiah. If you haven't read that series than I recommend it. Wen doesn't hide that things can be awkward and strange on the best of days. There is some love interests for those that like a bit of romance but it is clean so you can enjoy the story without being bogged down with clinical descriptions.
One thing I'm starting to look for in books is stories about families. We all have messy complicated families and I'm tired of authors who tie up their protagonists by making them orphans with no family ties. Joshua has family coming out of the wahzoo and I love it because it is also messy and complicated.
I must say I felt a little awkward over Joshua's feelings for the vampire but it also made me think about where that awkward feeling came from and Wen also carefully doesn't rub your face in this awkward feeling. Wen also doesn't turn away from spirituality. Which others might find awkward just like I did Joshua's feelings but which made me feel warm with acceptance that it all could be in the same story.
Anyone from teenagers up would love this book but beware it is also gory with snitches made from human eyes and people being skinned alive. So you can't be squeamish. But what good is defeating the bad guys when they aren't really evil. I'm really hoping this is the start to a new series but also I hope Wen finishes Tinker's story first because listen up Baen I want more and I want more now.
5 stars all round
The Black Wolves of Boston is about a young werewolf who a few days before was a normal though a bit weird kid who was bullied by the locals in a small town. Then one day he wakes up and all his friends have been brutally murdered around him and he has run off to Boston because he is scared that now that he is a werewolf he'll hurt others.
He falls into it when a Vampire discovers him in a forest knocking down some trees. Things get complicated very quickly from there as it is revealed that Joshua our young werewolf has some secrets of his own. There are evil wickers after them all and they have had decades to set up their plan and it all rests on the shoulders on one scared and weirded out baby puppy werewolf.
Wen does a lovely job of expressing the feelings of weird and awkward moments of trying to fit in and new relationships and broken families. Joshua reminds me a lot of her Alien taste book and little Kitt and his dad/clone Ukiah. If you haven't read that series than I recommend it. Wen doesn't hide that things can be awkward and strange on the best of days. There is some love interests for those that like a bit of romance but it is clean so you can enjoy the story without being bogged down with clinical descriptions.
One thing I'm starting to look for in books is stories about families. We all have messy complicated families and I'm tired of authors who tie up their protagonists by making them orphans with no family ties. Joshua has family coming out of the wahzoo and I love it because it is also messy and complicated.
I must say I felt a little awkward over Joshua's feelings for the vampire but it also made me think about where that awkward feeling came from and Wen also carefully doesn't rub your face in this awkward feeling. Wen also doesn't turn away from spirituality. Which others might find awkward just like I did Joshua's feelings but which made me feel warm with acceptance that it all could be in the same story.
Anyone from teenagers up would love this book but beware it is also gory with snitches made from human eyes and people being skinned alive. So you can't be squeamish. But what good is defeating the bad guys when they aren't really evil. I'm really hoping this is the start to a new series but also I hope Wen finishes Tinker's story first because listen up Baen I want more and I want more now.
5 stars all round
brennaa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Medical content and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Suicide
kcollett75's review against another edition
5.0
Delightful, especially the 17-year-old geek, newly werewolfed, who keeps turning into a puppy. I also enjoy the local color (partly around the Utica, NY, area). Like most Wen Spencers, a lot of the characters are people with integrity who care about each other. There's also a fair amount of carnage.
bookstuff's review against another edition
Wen Spencer is one of my favorite writers. I love the Elfhome series and the Dog Warrior books. She has a great sense of humor, a wonderful imagination, and interesting characters.
I was pretty excited to read the start of a new series.
I liked that Spencer's trademark humor is here. The set-up is interesting, although there was a lot of extra dialogue basically just explaining background to the reader.
I loved the surprise of seeing illustrations!
But there was big flaw that almost made me throw the book at the wall, and because of it I can't properly rate the book. I'm torn between 1 star and four stars.
Basically the flaw is that one character is presented as a good guy but isn't, and I don't think the writer realizes it. Let me explain
So I don't know if I want to read any of the sequels. It might just get worse. :(
I was pretty excited to read the start of a new series.
I liked that Spencer's trademark humor is here. The set-up is interesting, although there was a lot of extra dialogue basically just explaining background to the reader.
I loved the surprise of seeing illustrations!
But there was big flaw that almost made me throw the book at the wall, and because of it I can't properly rate the book. I'm torn between 1 star and four stars.
Basically the flaw is that one character is presented as a good guy but isn't, and I don't think the writer realizes it. Let me explain
Spoiler
Decker the vampire crosses the line from quirky into pervert by Josh the puppy in a way that bordered on a pedophile impression. It was wrong and felt sick. What's worse is that it's being written as titillating and good. The whole relationship that seemed fun and innocent caring became at that point obviously that of a perv grooming a runaway.So I don't know if I want to read any of the sequels. It might just get worse. :(