by Alex Mcdermott:
Horror authors are always looking for that new edge on a classic monster. Whether it’s the sparkling vampire or the mutated chemical beast, readers do not want the same tales retold. Eric S. Brown puts his spin on the werewolf legend in A Pack of Wolves. The classic story of the savage beast unleashed remains, but Brown attempts to create a new angle on an old legend. His werewolves are not the traditional shapeshifter creatures of the Native American legends. They are a species with their own rules, codes, and ways of life.
This new angle on the werewolf gives Brown’s novel a unique aspect missing from the traditional wolf narrative. His protagonist Shannon struggles with his wolf self, and the identity conflict is compelling. Like the classic tales, Shannon struggles with the beast within, but he knows he can never be human. He’s bothered by the indiscriminate feeding on humans, and he clashes with others in his pack.
Brown sets his novel in the 1800’s. His werewolf packs live in the wilds of the western states. This is a lawless period and they blend right in to the savage landscape. The problem is the historical details. This novel could be set in time or place. Brown’s writing is missing the rich, well-researched details that bring the past to life. We never get a sense of place and Brown misses the opportunity to really drive home the clash between human and savage in both his creatures and his setting.
Overall, this novel reaches too far. Brown’s written several novels about Bigfoot, and somehow the great beast of the Pacific Northwest makes an appearance here. There’s a man in white that isn’t thoroughly explored (hint of sequel here). The plot drifts too far off track and by the end, fails to come together in any satisfactory way. A good start with a weak ending.
A Pack of Wolves can be found on Amazon.com.
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