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Eye of the Wolf
Wolves have lived on Isle Royale for over half a century. But, because they have lived in isolation on the island national park surrounded by Lake Superior for so long, their genetic diversity has suffered. It's gotten so bad that pups are stillborn. In other words, the wolves of Isle Royale are slowly dying out. The alpha wolves of the island's largest pack have decided to do something about it. They know what will save their pack they must escape from the island, mix their blood with other wolves and the only way to do this is by boat. Of course, wolves can't run boats. People can, though. How can the wolves communicate this to the humans? The alphas know a way, and lure key humans into supernatural bondage as werewolves. All of this doesn't take into account that Isle Royale is replete with scientists and volunteers studying the island ecology, friends of the people turned to werewolves who are searching for them, odd boat schedules, the pack's own internal power dynamics, vagaries of wind and weather, and myriad other problems causing the balance between survival and extinction to teeter back and forth. Will the wolves escape? Will they survive?
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2011
About the author
Marie Zhuikov
7 books36 followersMarie Zhuikov is a fiction/nonfiction writer, poet, blogger and photographer. Her short stories and poems have appeared in several anthologies and community projects. She connects to nature through water and animals, which provide themes for her writing. Marie lives in Duluth, Minnesota.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 30, 2021
This isn’t a recently published book. In fact, it was published in 2011. However, I have been known to buy a used book or two in my life. So anyhow, that is what I did in this instance, and boy, was I happy that I did.
At first glance, it seemed this book would be just another werewolf story with some romance mixed in. What I found out was that it was much more than that. Although one focus of the book is on two waitresses who are smitten with the same handsome boat pilot, the main thrust of the story is a wolf pack.
The story follows a pack of wolves who need to flee Isle Royale in order to survive. Since Isle Royale is an island in Lake Superior, the wolves have been isolated too long and are dying out. Simply put, the wolf pack needs to increase their mating pool to offset the generations of inbreeding.
However, the only way off the island is on a boat, and of course, wolves can’t pilot boats. So, the pack needed the assistance of humans. Unfortunately, a wolf can’t simply ask, now can they? But the alpha wolves of the pack come up with a plan, involving an ancient way to join with a human and thus, turning the human into a wolf. This was the only way for the pack to gain the help they needed to escape the island.
But are they successful in their escape? Sorry, I won’t divulge any more of the plot except to say it made for an interesting tale. In fact, I found the description of the wolf pack’s internal interactions to be the more interesting part of the book. The pack’s complex society was told in such a way that it pulled you into their world—including the differing wolf roles and personalities, a struggle within the pack for dominance, and most importantly, the wolves will to survive.
If you love a good fantasy, especially one with werewolves, this is a good option for you.
At first glance, it seemed this book would be just another werewolf story with some romance mixed in. What I found out was that it was much more than that. Although one focus of the book is on two waitresses who are smitten with the same handsome boat pilot, the main thrust of the story is a wolf pack.
The story follows a pack of wolves who need to flee Isle Royale in order to survive. Since Isle Royale is an island in Lake Superior, the wolves have been isolated too long and are dying out. Simply put, the wolf pack needs to increase their mating pool to offset the generations of inbreeding.
However, the only way off the island is on a boat, and of course, wolves can’t pilot boats. So, the pack needed the assistance of humans. Unfortunately, a wolf can’t simply ask, now can they? But the alpha wolves of the pack come up with a plan, involving an ancient way to join with a human and thus, turning the human into a wolf. This was the only way for the pack to gain the help they needed to escape the island.
But are they successful in their escape? Sorry, I won’t divulge any more of the plot except to say it made for an interesting tale. In fact, I found the description of the wolf pack’s internal interactions to be the more interesting part of the book. The pack’s complex society was told in such a way that it pulled you into their world—including the differing wolf roles and personalities, a struggle within the pack for dominance, and most importantly, the wolves will to survive.
If you love a good fantasy, especially one with werewolves, this is a good option for you.
October 19, 2011
This was a fun book- It was different from anything I have read before. I for sure want go spend some time on Isle Royal next summer. I think the author captures the perspectives of the various characters so well, and I will never eat an orange again without thinking of this book!
April 23, 2021
What a clever way to mix the reality of wolf behavior with something quite unexpected and fun. I've spent time on Isle Royale and I love the feeling of being there again.
May 20, 2014
If you're looking for a book to take you away this summer, consider giving this one a try.
"Eye of the Wolf," while technically a paranormal romance (there is romance, and there are werewolves), is far from what we've come to expect from the genre. A lot of things make this book different -- the vivid, lush descriptions of Isle Royale in the 1980s; the believable and nuanced cast of characters; the somewhat claustrophobic feel of being isolated on the island for a summer. But what really makes this story different is the wolves.
Marie Zhuikov's story puts the "wolf" back in "werewolf." Banish any images of half-lupine madmen howling at the moon, and replace them with people just like you and me who, through ancient magic, become psychically joined to the alpha pair of an Isle Royale pack desperate to save themselves at a time when the wolf population is suffering from years of inbreeding on the island. They know their only hope of survival is to reach the mainland, but to do that, they need human help. And to secure that help, they must be able to communicate with the humans. This is where the magic happens.
It's in the scenes with the wolf pack that this book really shines. Zhuikov's book is meticulously researched, and she brings us intimately into the world of the wolves, full of moose hunts, dominance struggles, pungent odors, and family loyalty. If you've ever wondered what it might be like to see the world through the eyes of these majestic and mysterious creatures, this book might get you closer than you'll ever be short of a werewolf bite.
The romance is atypical as well, with a beautiful and bittersweet ending that haunts me in the best way. Luckily, the sequel is out this summer, so you can read the last page knowing the story is not truly over yet.
"Eye of the Wolf," while technically a paranormal romance (there is romance, and there are werewolves), is far from what we've come to expect from the genre. A lot of things make this book different -- the vivid, lush descriptions of Isle Royale in the 1980s; the believable and nuanced cast of characters; the somewhat claustrophobic feel of being isolated on the island for a summer. But what really makes this story different is the wolves.
Marie Zhuikov's story puts the "wolf" back in "werewolf." Banish any images of half-lupine madmen howling at the moon, and replace them with people just like you and me who, through ancient magic, become psychically joined to the alpha pair of an Isle Royale pack desperate to save themselves at a time when the wolf population is suffering from years of inbreeding on the island. They know their only hope of survival is to reach the mainland, but to do that, they need human help. And to secure that help, they must be able to communicate with the humans. This is where the magic happens.
It's in the scenes with the wolf pack that this book really shines. Zhuikov's book is meticulously researched, and she brings us intimately into the world of the wolves, full of moose hunts, dominance struggles, pungent odors, and family loyalty. If you've ever wondered what it might be like to see the world through the eyes of these majestic and mysterious creatures, this book might get you closer than you'll ever be short of a werewolf bite.
The romance is atypical as well, with a beautiful and bittersweet ending that haunts me in the best way. Luckily, the sequel is out this summer, so you can read the last page knowing the story is not truly over yet.
May 2, 2012
This book was one I was drawn to immediately. It is set on Isle Royal in Lake Superior, and since I'm a Michigan girl I was looking forward to it. Reading it painted a beautiful picture of an isolated island, and the people and wolves who live there.
It is a story of love and survival, and I believe it is well-written. The characters are well developed and the reader could feel for them. The ending I didn't like, but I understood. I'd rather have it ended happier for Melora, but, life isn't always happy. Anyway, I do recommend this book to anyone who likes wolves, magic and the great lake Superior,
It is a story of love and survival, and I believe it is well-written. The characters are well developed and the reader could feel for them. The ending I didn't like, but I understood. I'd rather have it ended happier for Melora, but, life isn't always happy. Anyway, I do recommend this book to anyone who likes wolves, magic and the great lake Superior,
November 23, 2011
What a fun premise, interesting characters, and an evocative setting! I enjoyed this book about the Isle Royale wolf packs and its paranormal twist.
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April 13, 2012i have not yet read the book
December 5, 2012
Totally different. Regular wolves that make werewolves. I am in to anything were, and I so loved this book.
Plus – the author told me a sequel is coming. YES!
Plus – the author told me a sequel is coming. YES!
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November 11, 2013Do u get to read it????? If so then how???? What do u click????
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews