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My Pet Werewolf
A FERAL DISCOVERY. A BLOODY PLAN.
Eighteen-year-old Brady Bennett is haunted by his father’s tragic death. Seven years later, he struggles to move on, torn between being a normal teenager and filling the void his dad left behind. His twin sister Brandi copes through rebellion, her provocative style often drawing the predatory gaze of their stepfather.
Brady’s life is complicated, but it’s about to become so much worse.
Defending Brandi’s honor, Brady flees into the woods during an altercation with a vengeful classmate. Cornered in a dark cave, he watches in horror as a savage beast emerges from the shadows and tears his tormentor apart.
Fearing implication in the boy’s death, Brady returns to the scene, finding a desperate man in the creature’s place. While sympathetic to the stranger’s plight, a devastating revelation spurs Brady to strike a deal with his captive – one kill in exchange for freedom.
As Brady’s risky plan unfolds, he’ll learn some beasts can’t be controlled – a grisly lesson that could cost him everything.
BRADY DIDN’T BELIEVE IN MONSTERS.
HE DOES NOW.
SOON, YOU WILL TOO.
James Kaine, author of The Dead Children’s Playground, delivers a terrifying new twist on the werewolf lore – one that asks, can you fight a monster with one of your own?
Eighteen-year-old Brady Bennett is haunted by his father’s tragic death. Seven years later, he struggles to move on, torn between being a normal teenager and filling the void his dad left behind. His twin sister Brandi copes through rebellion, her provocative style often drawing the predatory gaze of their stepfather.
Brady’s life is complicated, but it’s about to become so much worse.
Defending Brandi’s honor, Brady flees into the woods during an altercation with a vengeful classmate. Cornered in a dark cave, he watches in horror as a savage beast emerges from the shadows and tears his tormentor apart.
Fearing implication in the boy’s death, Brady returns to the scene, finding a desperate man in the creature’s place. While sympathetic to the stranger’s plight, a devastating revelation spurs Brady to strike a deal with his captive – one kill in exchange for freedom.
As Brady’s risky plan unfolds, he’ll learn some beasts can’t be controlled – a grisly lesson that could cost him everything.
BRADY DIDN’T BELIEVE IN MONSTERS.
HE DOES NOW.
SOON, YOU WILL TOO.
James Kaine, author of The Dead Children’s Playground, delivers a terrifying new twist on the werewolf lore – one that asks, can you fight a monster with one of your own?
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2023
295 people are currently reading
539 people want to read
About the author
James Kaine
13 books299 followersJames Kaine is a bestselling author, publisher and filmmaker born and raised in Trenton, NJ. An active pro member of the Horror Writer’s Association, he brings readers visceral, haunting tales of terror via his Horror House Publishing imprint.
Ted Tally, Academy Award-winning screenwriter of The Silence of the Lambs and Red Dragon, called his book My Pet Werewolf "Twisty. Spooky. Shocking." and "Unputdownable."
BookLife by Publishers Weekly proclaimed his novel, The Dead Children’s Playground, “will chill readers to the bone.” The book, the first in his American Horrors anthology series, has been a #1 bestseller in U.S. Horror on Amazon and was the winner of the 2025 Books of Horror Indie Brawl. His works are being translated into multiple languages, bringing James’s cinematic style of scary storytelling to a global audience.
He resides in Hamilton, NJ with his wife, Jessica, their two children and an energetic Boston Terrier. When he isn’t writing he loves to read, travel, cook, watch movies and learn new skills.
For bookings, media inquiries and any other requests, send an email to james@jameskaine.com.
Ted Tally, Academy Award-winning screenwriter of The Silence of the Lambs and Red Dragon, called his book My Pet Werewolf "Twisty. Spooky. Shocking." and "Unputdownable."
BookLife by Publishers Weekly proclaimed his novel, The Dead Children’s Playground, “will chill readers to the bone.” The book, the first in his American Horrors anthology series, has been a #1 bestseller in U.S. Horror on Amazon and was the winner of the 2025 Books of Horror Indie Brawl. His works are being translated into multiple languages, bringing James’s cinematic style of scary storytelling to a global audience.
He resides in Hamilton, NJ with his wife, Jessica, their two children and an energetic Boston Terrier. When he isn’t writing he loves to read, travel, cook, watch movies and learn new skills.
For bookings, media inquiries and any other requests, send an email to james@jameskaine.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
November 5, 2024
Hello everyone, I'm Mr. C Reviewer, and tonight we're discussing (He/Him) James Kaine's book, My Pet Werewolf.
The book was Published August 20th, 2023. The narrative, told using first person perspective following Brady. Which spans 49 chapters and 300 pages which incudes both an prologue at the start and an epilogue at the end of the book.
Summary: Haunted by guilt over his father’s tragic hunting accident, eighteen-year-old Brady Bennett struggles with distrust towards his cruel stepdad and fears for his twin sister. His life takes a dark turn when he witnesses a school bully torn apart by a monstrous creature. Convinced no one will believe him, he resolves to capture the beast for his own purposes. However, when the monster reveals its human form and pleads for help to end the violence, Brady makes a desperate bargain for freedom.
Review: -I have always been a passionate admirer of werewolves, and I was particularly thrilled to come across a new title within this captivating genre. As an individual on the autism spectrum, I feel it is important to highlight that werewolves and wolves rank among my special interests. I genuinely relish movies and books that showcase these fascinating creatures. If you have any recommendations, I would greatly appreciate you sharing them with me!
I found the book to be exceptionally well-written. The author’s style captivated me, particularly with the vivid descriptions of the weather, setting, and character appearances, which made it easy to visualize the scenes. I appreciated how Brady’s thoughts were incorporated into the narrative; they were presented in a distinctive manner that set them apart from the rest of the text. Once I started reading, I struggled to put the book down.
At the beginning of the book, I was nearly brought to tears, which is a rare occurrence for me; only one other book, “The Fever Code,” has had that effect so early on. This new book almost reached that emotional level. I found myself reading it in the middle of the night, and when food was mentioned, it made me hungry and reminded me to eat. I ended up preparing an omelette similar to the one described in the book, which included peppers, cheese, and sausage—though I opted for meat-free sausages. While the meal in the story was depicted perfectly, mine certainly did not turn out quite as well.
I generally appreciated the pacing of the book. However, I recognize that it may not appeal to everyone, as it took until chapter 14 to encounter the werewolf, despite the title being “My Pet Werewolf.” There were moments when I anticipated certain plot developments, and my familiarity with various narratives helped me connect the dots when hints were dropped. The second half of the book caught me off guard; it diverged from my expectations and was packed with action. While I enjoyed this intensity, I would have preferred a slightly faster pace throughout to create a better balance with the action. A longer length could have enhanced the overall experience. The book was rich in music and movie references, which can lead readers to spend their leisure time exploring these bands and films for further enjoyment.
-I enjoyed getting to know the characters and discovering their unique personalities. The bond between Brady and his sister, Brandi, was particularly endearing. I found them instantly likable, which made me hope for their well-being throughout the story. However, as the narrative progressed, some of their actions surprised me quite a bit.
-I was delighted to discover that this book also has an audiobook version, expertly narrated by Christopher Harbour. Listening to the Audible version while reading along enhanced my immersion in the story, and I felt his voice perfectly matched the character. Christopher’s clear pronunciation ensured that every word was easily understood, preventing any fatigue or confusion. His dynamic range of emotions effectively conveyed the complex feelings of the characters and situations throughout the narrative. I appreciated the distinct voices he used for each character, making it easy to identify who was speaking. Additionally, his use of a more childlike voice for certain characters in early scenes added depth. However, I believe that incorporating some background music or sound effects could have further enriched this audiobook experience by creating a more atmospheric setting and enhancing emotional engagement without overshadowing the narration.
-I appreciated the diverse blend of genres in this book, which encompassed Horror, Thriller, Romance, a touch of Comedy, and Fantasy. It reminded me of the 2011 TV show “Teen Wolf.” I believe this book has great potential for adaptation into a movie—if that happens, I would definitely watch it. The world-building was compelling in the book; however, I would have liked to learn more about the wolves featured in the story. I anticipate that the next instalment, titled “Gunther,” named after the werewolf in this book, will delve deeper into the world. It appears that this upcoming book will explore Gunther’s backstory and how he became a werewolf, set in the past of the book’s universe. While it sounds intriguing, I don’t feel compelled to rush into it just yet; I’ll consider reading it next year as it seems to stand alone and leans more towards the Adult genre rather than Young Adult.
For each story that I read, I rate it out of 10 so for this am going to give it a 8. Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.
The book was Published August 20th, 2023. The narrative, told using first person perspective following Brady. Which spans 49 chapters and 300 pages which incudes both an prologue at the start and an epilogue at the end of the book.
Summary: Haunted by guilt over his father’s tragic hunting accident, eighteen-year-old Brady Bennett struggles with distrust towards his cruel stepdad and fears for his twin sister. His life takes a dark turn when he witnesses a school bully torn apart by a monstrous creature. Convinced no one will believe him, he resolves to capture the beast for his own purposes. However, when the monster reveals its human form and pleads for help to end the violence, Brady makes a desperate bargain for freedom.
Review: -I have always been a passionate admirer of werewolves, and I was particularly thrilled to come across a new title within this captivating genre. As an individual on the autism spectrum, I feel it is important to highlight that werewolves and wolves rank among my special interests. I genuinely relish movies and books that showcase these fascinating creatures. If you have any recommendations, I would greatly appreciate you sharing them with me!
I found the book to be exceptionally well-written. The author’s style captivated me, particularly with the vivid descriptions of the weather, setting, and character appearances, which made it easy to visualize the scenes. I appreciated how Brady’s thoughts were incorporated into the narrative; they were presented in a distinctive manner that set them apart from the rest of the text. Once I started reading, I struggled to put the book down.
At the beginning of the book, I was nearly brought to tears, which is a rare occurrence for me; only one other book, “The Fever Code,” has had that effect so early on. This new book almost reached that emotional level. I found myself reading it in the middle of the night, and when food was mentioned, it made me hungry and reminded me to eat. I ended up preparing an omelette similar to the one described in the book, which included peppers, cheese, and sausage—though I opted for meat-free sausages. While the meal in the story was depicted perfectly, mine certainly did not turn out quite as well.
I generally appreciated the pacing of the book. However, I recognize that it may not appeal to everyone, as it took until chapter 14 to encounter the werewolf, despite the title being “My Pet Werewolf.” There were moments when I anticipated certain plot developments, and my familiarity with various narratives helped me connect the dots when hints were dropped. The second half of the book caught me off guard; it diverged from my expectations and was packed with action. While I enjoyed this intensity, I would have preferred a slightly faster pace throughout to create a better balance with the action. A longer length could have enhanced the overall experience. The book was rich in music and movie references, which can lead readers to spend their leisure time exploring these bands and films for further enjoyment.
-I enjoyed getting to know the characters and discovering their unique personalities. The bond between Brady and his sister, Brandi, was particularly endearing. I found them instantly likable, which made me hope for their well-being throughout the story. However, as the narrative progressed, some of their actions surprised me quite a bit.
-I was delighted to discover that this book also has an audiobook version, expertly narrated by Christopher Harbour. Listening to the Audible version while reading along enhanced my immersion in the story, and I felt his voice perfectly matched the character. Christopher’s clear pronunciation ensured that every word was easily understood, preventing any fatigue or confusion. His dynamic range of emotions effectively conveyed the complex feelings of the characters and situations throughout the narrative. I appreciated the distinct voices he used for each character, making it easy to identify who was speaking. Additionally, his use of a more childlike voice for certain characters in early scenes added depth. However, I believe that incorporating some background music or sound effects could have further enriched this audiobook experience by creating a more atmospheric setting and enhancing emotional engagement without overshadowing the narration.
-I appreciated the diverse blend of genres in this book, which encompassed Horror, Thriller, Romance, a touch of Comedy, and Fantasy. It reminded me of the 2011 TV show “Teen Wolf.” I believe this book has great potential for adaptation into a movie—if that happens, I would definitely watch it. The world-building was compelling in the book; however, I would have liked to learn more about the wolves featured in the story. I anticipate that the next instalment, titled “Gunther,” named after the werewolf in this book, will delve deeper into the world. It appears that this upcoming book will explore Gunther’s backstory and how he became a werewolf, set in the past of the book’s universe. While it sounds intriguing, I don’t feel compelled to rush into it just yet; I’ll consider reading it next year as it seems to stand alone and leans more towards the Adult genre rather than Young Adult.
For each story that I read, I rate it out of 10 so for this am going to give it a 8. Remember this was what I thought about the book personally and I suggest that you give it a go for yourself.
May 24, 2024
Audio - 4.25 stars
Story - 3 Stars
It's so hard to find a good horror story. Compared to what's out there, this one was worth the time. I only wished it hadn't taken so long to get to the "horror" part of the story
Story - 3 Stars
It's so hard to find a good horror story. Compared to what's out there, this one was worth the time. I only wished it hadn't taken so long to get to the "horror" part of the story
May 17, 2024
5 stars audio
-2 stars for the 1st half of the book because it was mostly about teenage angst and romance. *rme*
+2 stars for the last half of the book that actually dealt with horror and suspense scenes.
-1 star for wasting my time.
-2 stars for the 1st half of the book because it was mostly about teenage angst and romance. *rme*
+2 stars for the last half of the book that actually dealt with horror and suspense scenes.
-1 star for wasting my time.
November 12, 2023
This is a fantastic werewolf story with good pacing, relatable characters, a healthy amount of gore, and villains that you love to hate. You can tell that James Kaine writes with a lot of genuine passion for the genre, and because of this, the story doesn't ever feel forced to the reader. There were also a few twists that I didn't see coming, which is always a plus for any book.
Another highlight is the dialogue. It's realistic, and when characters are arguing with each other, you can easily feel the emotions that they're expressing, and it never feels clunky at any point.
There was a character that I really wanted to know more about, and fortunately the author had likely already pre-empted readers wanting this, and is releasing a prequel novella named 'Gunther' in the very near future.
I think this is definitely Kaine's best work so far, and I really want to see what he comes out with from this point on after 'Gunther'. I can wholeheartedly recommend My Pet Werewolf!
Another highlight is the dialogue. It's realistic, and when characters are arguing with each other, you can easily feel the emotions that they're expressing, and it never feels clunky at any point.
There was a character that I really wanted to know more about, and fortunately the author had likely already pre-empted readers wanting this, and is releasing a prequel novella named 'Gunther' in the very near future.
I think this is definitely Kaine's best work so far, and I really want to see what he comes out with from this point on after 'Gunther'. I can wholeheartedly recommend My Pet Werewolf!
November 8, 2024
It's not as good as I expected it to be.
Pros:
1. The book cover is fantastic.
2. James Kaine has written this novel well.
3. The editing is good.
4. There are a lot of twists at the end of the story.
5. James Kaine implemented a blend of genres in My Pet Werewolf.
Cons:
1. The amount of blaspheming and profanity is overwhelming. It hampered my reading experience, so I took away two stars.
2. The main character, Brady, is stupid.
3. The storyline is unrealistic. When this tale reaches the climax, it gets ridiculous.
4. It took too long to get to the horror aspect of the story. James Kaine didn't introduce the werewolf until about 35% into this novel. The plot and storyline build up slowly, so you'll have to read through subplots to get to the real meat of this horror chronicle.
5. My Pet Werewolf would have benefited from including illustrations.
6. I won't reread this book.
7. James Kaine wrote werewolves can't control what they do in beast mode, yet villains can for exacting revenge? That's unbelievable.
8. Some lines used in this story were corny. One example is: "This must be what Wile E. Coyote felt like when he had an anvil dropped on him."
The book cover is excellent, and I didn't hate the ending. Yet I would never reread this novel for the above reasons. I thought about giving it two stars, but it wasn't easy to read through this book. I finished this novel because of the number of good ratings it has, but I did not like it.
Pros:
1. The book cover is fantastic.
2. James Kaine has written this novel well.
3. The editing is good.
4. There are a lot of twists at the end of the story.
5. James Kaine implemented a blend of genres in My Pet Werewolf.
Cons:
1. The amount of blaspheming and profanity is overwhelming. It hampered my reading experience, so I took away two stars.
2. The main character, Brady, is stupid.
3. The storyline is unrealistic. When this tale reaches the climax, it gets ridiculous.
4. It took too long to get to the horror aspect of the story. James Kaine didn't introduce the werewolf until about 35% into this novel. The plot and storyline build up slowly, so you'll have to read through subplots to get to the real meat of this horror chronicle.
5. My Pet Werewolf would have benefited from including illustrations.
6. I won't reread this book.
7. James Kaine wrote werewolves can't control what they do in beast mode, yet villains can for exacting revenge? That's unbelievable.
8. Some lines used in this story were corny. One example is: "This must be what Wile E. Coyote felt like when he had an anvil dropped on him."
The book cover is excellent, and I didn't hate the ending. Yet I would never reread this novel for the above reasons. I thought about giving it two stars, but it wasn't easy to read through this book. I finished this novel because of the number of good ratings it has, but I did not like it.
September 19, 2023
Wow this book was really good. My Pet Werewolf by James Kaine was good on so many levels. The book was about a
teenager named Brady that has gotten himself in way over his head in trouble by protecting his twin sister Brandi. At every turn the plot thickens as Brady tries hard to fix the mistakes he’s made but to what avail? Especially now that there is a savage beast in the mix of Brady’s problems. My Pet Werewolf was definitely a disturbing horror and gross in a good way. This is definitely one of the better werewolf books and a must read for fans of werewolves or horror enthusiast that love their books with blood and guts. I’m giving this book a top rating of 5. Great writing James Kaine and I look forward to reading more from you.
I received this ARC free for an honest review.
teenager named Brady that has gotten himself in way over his head in trouble by protecting his twin sister Brandi. At every turn the plot thickens as Brady tries hard to fix the mistakes he’s made but to what avail? Especially now that there is a savage beast in the mix of Brady’s problems. My Pet Werewolf was definitely a disturbing horror and gross in a good way. This is definitely one of the better werewolf books and a must read for fans of werewolves or horror enthusiast that love their books with blood and guts. I’m giving this book a top rating of 5. Great writing James Kaine and I look forward to reading more from you.
I received this ARC free for an honest review.
September 26, 2023
This was a bloody good time.
Be back soon with a review!
Updated review:
My Pet Werewolf .....where do I even begin?! What an absolutely brilliant and fresh take on the classic Werewolf trope. Kaine set out to reclaim The Werewolf from the spicy book community, and I would say he definitely succeeded! Take a seat "Jacob" ....Gunther and his bloodline will take it from here ;)
I don't know that I would characterize this novel as a young adult book per say even though many of the main characters are teenagers. It sort of falls into a bit of a gray area, parts of the storyline I think fit perfectly for the younger crowd and then other parts....not so much. It's definitely not extreme horror, but it has some serious gore and some uncomfortable content, especially towards the end of the book. This novel goes from zero to sixty in a blink, I swear I got whiplash. Holy shit!!!
If you had a bloodthirsty and powerful creature at your will, what would you do with that power? If you used them to enact horrendous things even if they were well deserved, what would it cost you? Would you, too, end up losing your own humanity? This is a decision that our MC Brady will be faced with, and his choice will send him and everyone around him spiraling into disaster.
This book is phenomenal and very well written. Perfect balance of twists, turns, blood, gore, and death that will keep you on your toes until the very last page! Grab a copy and have your silver bullets on hand!!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Be back soon with a review!
Updated review:
My Pet Werewolf .....where do I even begin?! What an absolutely brilliant and fresh take on the classic Werewolf trope. Kaine set out to reclaim The Werewolf from the spicy book community, and I would say he definitely succeeded! Take a seat "Jacob" ....Gunther and his bloodline will take it from here ;)
I don't know that I would characterize this novel as a young adult book per say even though many of the main characters are teenagers. It sort of falls into a bit of a gray area, parts of the storyline I think fit perfectly for the younger crowd and then other parts....not so much. It's definitely not extreme horror, but it has some serious gore and some uncomfortable content, especially towards the end of the book. This novel goes from zero to sixty in a blink, I swear I got whiplash. Holy shit!!!
If you had a bloodthirsty and powerful creature at your will, what would you do with that power? If you used them to enact horrendous things even if they were well deserved, what would it cost you? Would you, too, end up losing your own humanity? This is a decision that our MC Brady will be faced with, and his choice will send him and everyone around him spiraling into disaster.
This book is phenomenal and very well written. Perfect balance of twists, turns, blood, gore, and death that will keep you on your toes until the very last page! Grab a copy and have your silver bullets on hand!!
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2024
☆Many thanks to author James Kaine and to Horror House Publishing for gifting me an ARC of My Pet Werewolf!
This was a fun, fast read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The last 150 pages or so were very action-packed, and I hated having to put the book down to do real life.
A small negative I had with this book were a couple instances during the first half of the story where a sidebar type explanation was arbitrarily thrown in by the narrator/main character, but it came across to me more like the author wanting to explain the meaning of something he had written to the reader, and they just seemed unnecessary (ex. Brady's hunting blind). That being said, though, I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
This was a fun, fast read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The last 150 pages or so were very action-packed, and I hated having to put the book down to do real life.
A small negative I had with this book were a couple instances during the first half of the story where a sidebar type explanation was arbitrarily thrown in by the narrator/main character, but it came across to me more like the author wanting to explain the meaning of something he had written to the reader, and they just seemed unnecessary (ex. Brady's hunting blind). That being said, though, I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!
March 31, 2024
This was a difficult book for me to comment on because for the most part I wasn't very engaged, due to my lack of empathy with the main character. I didn't care for him at all and actually I found him very annoying and a know-it-all with the added inconvenience that he liked hunting a lot (which is an activity I abhor completely). I also found some elements of the story highly unlikely which made it less credible to me (I know it's fiction, but sometimes the little details make a difference).
Despite this, the author's writing and the narrator (Christopher Harbour) kept me listening to the audiobook wanting to know where the story would go. I am glad I kept going because the story took an interesting turn in the last part with not only an unexpected twist, but lots of action as well.
Although I didn't sympathise much with the MC, all in all I liked it, and I thought it was a coming of age story with a different take on lycanthropes.
Thank you to the author for a code and this is my honest opinion.
Despite this, the author's writing and the narrator (Christopher Harbour) kept me listening to the audiobook wanting to know where the story would go. I am glad I kept going because the story took an interesting turn in the last part with not only an unexpected twist, but lots of action as well.
Although I didn't sympathise much with the MC, all in all I liked it, and I thought it was a coming of age story with a different take on lycanthropes.
Thank you to the author for a code and this is my honest opinion.
October 6, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up! I loved this book because even though the characters were only 18, it went darkside. I wish there were more books like this where it's an actual werewolf story, not a smut with werewolves. The only thing(s) I didn't like were the unnecessary purity culture values and misogyny held by the MMC. It didn't really serve the story, and I wish it hasn't been included. Still, a great read overall!
September 13, 2023
Thank you, BookSiren, for the ARC, and thank you to the writer and publishers for all your hard work. This review is voluntary and happily left!
Oh..... my.... God! That was amazing! I thought i knew what I was getting into when starting this book, and let me tell you, I was wrong. I absolutely loved this book. There are twists and turns. You'll guess about one thing only to be hit with something else later in this book! There is death, plots, monsters, fore, and so much death! I'm so glad I was able to read this book.
I immediately was connected to the twins Brandi and Brady. They are characters you can definitely get along with and not want anything bad to happen to them. These are the ones you want to root for. So much happens in this book that's heartbreaking, angering, absolutely gutrentching... so many emotions go through me as I read this book.
The real question here is if you had a super violent creature caged and had use for it, what would you do? Would you let them go or use them? Can you handle the consequences that may arise or even other mess ups? That's for you to find out.
Oh..... my.... God! That was amazing! I thought i knew what I was getting into when starting this book, and let me tell you, I was wrong. I absolutely loved this book. There are twists and turns. You'll guess about one thing only to be hit with something else later in this book! There is death, plots, monsters, fore, and so much death! I'm so glad I was able to read this book.
I immediately was connected to the twins Brandi and Brady. They are characters you can definitely get along with and not want anything bad to happen to them. These are the ones you want to root for. So much happens in this book that's heartbreaking, angering, absolutely gutrentching... so many emotions go through me as I read this book.
The real question here is if you had a super violent creature caged and had use for it, what would you do? Would you let them go or use them? Can you handle the consequences that may arise or even other mess ups? That's for you to find out.
October 15, 2023
I wasn’t expecting My Pet Werewolf to be as dark as it was. As the story progresses things with Brady take a very unexpected turn. Actually, several of them! This is a book that kept me guessing. It was a bit of a slow burn for me at first, but I think it provided a great setup for what is to come. When the action does hit it’s almost non-stop as Brady makes new discoveries and deals with new tragedies.
Kaine put some interesting twists and turns in this one and he really gives the characters a hard time which kept me engaged in the story. Brady and Brandi were instantly likeable to me so of course I didn’t want to see anything bad happen to them. Dennis seemed kind of odd and like he had something to hide. I always felt like something was off with him. Kaine did a great job with all the characters.
I was happy to see this was not your typical werewolf story. I’d recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good werewolf story that offers a bit of everything. Horror, action, heartbreak, bloodshed and several twists and turns. Kaine is a talented writer and I’d definitely read more of his work in the future.
Kaine put some interesting twists and turns in this one and he really gives the characters a hard time which kept me engaged in the story. Brady and Brandi were instantly likeable to me so of course I didn’t want to see anything bad happen to them. Dennis seemed kind of odd and like he had something to hide. I always felt like something was off with him. Kaine did a great job with all the characters.
I was happy to see this was not your typical werewolf story. I’d recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good werewolf story that offers a bit of everything. Horror, action, heartbreak, bloodshed and several twists and turns. Kaine is a talented writer and I’d definitely read more of his work in the future.
September 7, 2023
Oh my fucking god! My review crashed!!!
Okay… deep breaths…
Starting over… in 3… 2…
Disclaimer. I ARC’d this for BookSiren, but I’m definitely writing this review voluntarily, coz y’all gotta read this.
I sung so many high praises for this book before the review gods apparently got jealous, and decided to sabotage it, so I’ll give you the cliff notes.
This shit gets dark (DAAAAAAAARK) so, hang on to your butts.
Also, James Kaine is a filthy heart murderer.
Do you guys remember Ginger Snap? You know, gritty coming-of-age story about an unbreakable sibling bond, and… werewolves? Starring Canadian scream queen Katharine Isabelle?
Well… This is a gritty coming-of-age story about an unbreakable sibling bond, and… werewolves. And, in my head, Brandi looked just like Katharine Isabelle, as “hot Ginger”.
Thank you for, James. Thank you for “taking back” werewolves. These werewolves go full Beast Mode. These are the werewolves the people need - whether they like it or not.
Okay… deep breaths…
Starting over… in 3… 2…
Disclaimer. I ARC’d this for BookSiren, but I’m definitely writing this review voluntarily, coz y’all gotta read this.
I sung so many high praises for this book before the review gods apparently got jealous, and decided to sabotage it, so I’ll give you the cliff notes.
This shit gets dark (DAAAAAAAARK) so, hang on to your butts.
Also, James Kaine is a filthy heart murderer.
Do you guys remember Ginger Snap? You know, gritty coming-of-age story about an unbreakable sibling bond, and… werewolves? Starring Canadian scream queen Katharine Isabelle?
Well… This is a gritty coming-of-age story about an unbreakable sibling bond, and… werewolves. And, in my head, Brandi looked just like Katharine Isabelle, as “hot Ginger”.
Thank you for, James. Thank you for “taking back” werewolves. These werewolves go full Beast Mode. These are the werewolves the people need - whether they like it or not.
July 21, 2025
Violence Rating: 4/5 - Fenrir's Rage
Triggers: Violence, Gore, SA, Language
None of these triggers deducted stars from this book. I have no problem with them, I mentioned them for other people to be aware before picking this up and complaining about what offended their sensibilities. I also ignored some grammer and editing issues.
3/5 stars (I was between 2 and 3)
Now, the writing style is very engaging, truly ensnares you and keeps you there. And the narration, told from 1st POV, is intense, especially when talking about childhood. There's a certain sadness and empathy one will feel while reading these particular pages. I finished the book in 1 day.
The story started really well and had potential when the werewolf was introduced, it was original honestly, but unfortunately it went downhill soon after. Not only was there nothing unpredictable in the plot, but the actions the MC (Brady) did were utterly stupid. And no, being a teenager was not the excuse for the massive fuck up he did and the havoc he wrecked there.
And the more I read, the more I realized this book was indeed intended for YA or NA audiences. The obsessive necessity to describe the characters’ clothes, the whole high school drama, the exaggerated ‘I love you’s thrown whenever between the siblings and lovers, gods, it makes you gag at some point and actually root for the damn werewolf to just end their pathetic lives.
When Brady had that nightmare about his sister, man did I really hope that was real. It would’ve been the best turn of events. Needless to say that Brandi (the sister) was the most annoying character in the whole book. The most cliche daddy's girl who now has no daddy and rebelled.
The actual werewolf appears at page 114 precisely. Yes, it was a whole lot of high school drama that I couldn’t care less about to reach the juicy part, only to get teased over and over by a werewolf who doesn’t do much because obviously remains trapped (kept as a pet) and because he cannot control his wolf, even though a perfectly fresh born werewolf is able to do so. How does that happen? Use your imagination, it was not explained.
It was interesting to see how power (in this case being a werewolf) affects one’s mind. It doesn’t change them, it only sets them free, because true maliciousness comes from one’s core.
The most unrealistic behaviour and actions:
- Every teenager senses something (something wrong, something off, something bothering others) all the time
- The girlfriend who’s dating the MC for a few weeks can read his emotions like a damn partner of over half a decade of relationship
- An old werewolf is unable to control his wolf, but a fresh born one is capable to stop itself
- The whole family was weird, the MC cares only about his sister and not his mother, but hey, I guess he always felt there was something off and that’s why it was fine for him to be indifferent and act like an arsehole towards his widowed mother - this was the actual disgusting thing in the story, not the kills
- The internal monologue/comments the MC has whenever he talks to other characters. It becomes too much, to the point of being obnoxious
The ending is just…I can’t even find the words to describe it. It’s hard to put in sentences how I feel about it, but it’s not good. Let’s try. It only proves to me that power makes people their worst version of themselves. The vigilante role these siblings took is just awful. Is that what people who did something wrong deserve? Get eaten by werewolves? These kids were as deranged as the rest of their family, and if that was the whole point of the book to prove, then bravo, mission accomplished. Otherwise, this is the most stupid thing I could think someone would do, considering they’re dealing with a curse that should stay hidden.
A lot of people complained about the SA and violence against women. Perhaps you should’ve read some reviews before picking this up. This is about beasts going rampage on people. And the worst of the worst, yes, it wasn’t the werewolf, it was always the humans, cause that’s the cruel reality we live in. Things like that happen, and any other horror book you’d pick about werewolves, you’d stumble upon the same thing. It’s about animal instinct, about feral and primal needs (without discrimination), and apparently no one batted an eye when male characters were mauled.
The saddest thing is that the dies. I could’ve read about all the other characters dying, and wouldn’t bat an eye, but the poor thing didn’t deserve that fate. And ultimately, unfortunately, the werewolf barely gets attention, and naming the book 'my pet werewolf' is very misleading, there's not much of that in the story.
Triggers: Violence, Gore, SA, Language
None of these triggers deducted stars from this book. I have no problem with them, I mentioned them for other people to be aware before picking this up and complaining about what offended their sensibilities. I also ignored some grammer and editing issues.
3/5 stars (I was between 2 and 3)
Now, the writing style is very engaging, truly ensnares you and keeps you there. And the narration, told from 1st POV, is intense, especially when talking about childhood. There's a certain sadness and empathy one will feel while reading these particular pages. I finished the book in 1 day.
The story started really well and had potential when the werewolf was introduced, it was original honestly, but unfortunately it went downhill soon after. Not only was there nothing unpredictable in the plot, but the actions the MC (Brady) did were utterly stupid. And no, being a teenager was not the excuse for the massive fuck up he did and the havoc he wrecked there.
And the more I read, the more I realized this book was indeed intended for YA or NA audiences. The obsessive necessity to describe the characters’ clothes, the whole high school drama, the exaggerated ‘I love you’s thrown whenever between the siblings and lovers, gods, it makes you gag at some point and actually root for the damn werewolf to just end their pathetic lives.
When Brady had that nightmare about his sister, man did I really hope that was real. It would’ve been the best turn of events. Needless to say that Brandi (the sister) was the most annoying character in the whole book. The most cliche daddy's girl who now has no daddy and rebelled.
The actual werewolf appears at page 114 precisely. Yes, it was a whole lot of high school drama that I couldn’t care less about to reach the juicy part, only to get teased over and over by a werewolf who doesn’t do much because obviously remains trapped (kept as a pet) and because he cannot control his wolf, even though a perfectly fresh born werewolf is able to do so. How does that happen? Use your imagination, it was not explained.
It was interesting to see how power (in this case being a werewolf) affects one’s mind. It doesn’t change them, it only sets them free, because true maliciousness comes from one’s core.
The most unrealistic behaviour and actions:
- Every teenager senses something (something wrong, something off, something bothering others) all the time
- The girlfriend who’s dating the MC for a few weeks can read his emotions like a damn partner of over half a decade of relationship
- An old werewolf is unable to control his wolf, but a fresh born one is capable to stop itself
- The whole family was weird, the MC cares only about his sister and not his mother, but hey, I guess he always felt there was something off and that’s why it was fine for him to be indifferent and act like an arsehole towards his widowed mother - this was the actual disgusting thing in the story, not the kills
- The internal monologue/comments the MC has whenever he talks to other characters. It becomes too much, to the point of being obnoxious
The ending is just…I can’t even find the words to describe it. It’s hard to put in sentences how I feel about it, but it’s not good. Let’s try. It only proves to me that power makes people their worst version of themselves. The vigilante role these siblings took is just awful. Is that what people who did something wrong deserve? Get eaten by werewolves? These kids were as deranged as the rest of their family, and if that was the whole point of the book to prove, then bravo, mission accomplished. Otherwise, this is the most stupid thing I could think someone would do, considering they’re dealing with a curse that should stay hidden.
A lot of people complained about the SA and violence against women. Perhaps you should’ve read some reviews before picking this up. This is about beasts going rampage on people. And the worst of the worst, yes, it wasn’t the werewolf, it was always the humans, cause that’s the cruel reality we live in. Things like that happen, and any other horror book you’d pick about werewolves, you’d stumble upon the same thing. It’s about animal instinct, about feral and primal needs (without discrimination), and apparently no one batted an eye when male characters were mauled.
The saddest thing is that the dies. I could’ve read about all the other characters dying, and wouldn’t bat an eye, but the poor thing didn’t deserve that fate. And ultimately, unfortunately, the werewolf barely gets attention, and naming the book 'my pet werewolf' is very misleading, there's not much of that in the story.
September 16, 2023
This book went from a beautiful slow burn where you got nice & comfortable with incredible characters. Than Mr. Kaine dialed it up to 90 mph & told all his readers to get wrecked. I didn’t sleep at all last night with so many mixed emotions.
Everyone should give this book a shot. Put it in your tbr. Move it up the list. Better yet! Read it right now. This isn’t your usual romantic smut twilight wolves. This book has the usual classic lycan”tropes” but doesn’t have too much gore & blood for more queasy readers.
The story compelling, the suspense was killing me, & again character development was on par.
💀💀💀💀💀
Everyone should give this book a shot. Put it in your tbr. Move it up the list. Better yet! Read it right now. This isn’t your usual romantic smut twilight wolves. This book has the usual classic lycan”tropes” but doesn’t have too much gore & blood for more queasy readers.
The story compelling, the suspense was killing me, & again character development was on par.
💀💀💀💀💀
September 15, 2023
I have to say, I really loved this book! I did not know what to expect, but wow, this story was wild! I was interested the whole way through, and I could not put it down. I will be thinking about this book for a long time to come. Five huge stars!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
September 13, 2023
ARC Review
Release Date - 9/26
This was THE BEST BOOK! It had me hooked from the get go! I could hardly do my day job because I kept thinking about this book and wanting to know what was going to happen next. I loved all of the characters and it was very well written. I highly recommend y’all picking this up when it releases. You just never know when you’ll need a werewolf!
Release Date - 9/26
This was THE BEST BOOK! It had me hooked from the get go! I could hardly do my day job because I kept thinking about this book and wanting to know what was going to happen next. I loved all of the characters and it was very well written. I highly recommend y’all picking this up when it releases. You just never know when you’ll need a werewolf!
September 27, 2023
I wasn't really sure what to expect when I started this book, but I really loved it. This story is very well written and captures the reader's attention immediately. It's a wild ride and it's one that you won't want to put down. I've never really read a book like this before, but I was extremely happy with it and loved the story.
September 26, 2023
I don’t like to give away spoilers, go in blind. This author is skilled at writing in a way that brings you into the story. It’s impossible to not relate to the MC and the story gives you all the feels. Buckle up, it’s a ride.
July 24, 2025
For an 8 hr audiobook, you would think the werewolf would show up sooner than 3.5 hours in. When it finally did get to the werewolf part, it felt like two different stories trying to converge into one. The beginning was a WattPad-style written teenage romance with overly explained actions and clothing worn. The teenagers were written so stereotypically that I got flashbacks of similarly written WattPad stories I read a decade ago - there was even a "nerdy guy" written in for one chapter and one chapter only. He had no purpose. I saw a review that said the teens in this story were written good without stereotypes, and I'm flabbergasted. Were we reading the same story?? There was an over the top bully (Trevor), and there was SO much over the top swearing from these teens. They all felt like they were try-hard characters with no real depth. So, I didn't care for any of their characters or find any of their decisions believable for their age.
The first half of the story was such a slow pace that when it pivoted to a werewolf story, it felt like two different stories colliding. Like halfway through, the author remembered the title of the book and thought to put a werewolf in it after all the teen romance (that again, was written so much like a WattPad story that the fast pace at which Brady and Ariana fall "in love" almost gave me whiplash). I will say as a side note, every time Ariana was mentioned in the audio, I would think to myself, "Ariana Grande." So, by the time she meets her unfortunate demise, I was more mockingly going, "Nooo, not Ariana Grande. We need your music." 🤣 I couldn't help myself, and it was the first way my brain chose to remember her character. But also, what was the point of her death? So, that Brady would have to leave with his sister in the end? She was really tossed in there last minute with that basement scene. Like she could've just not been there, and it would have been the same outcome between the twins and Dennis. 🧍♀️
The werewolf part, when it finally came, did pick up the action of the entire book. And then it went in a different direction again with Dennis - which felt a lot like High Moor the more I think about that book. Although Dennis is insane. Using the mother's head as a Christmas tree topper was certainly a choice, but I had that spoiled for me.
So, some parts of the werewolf portion were good, honestly. But the more I thought about the 3.5 hours it took to get there, the more I couldn't give this book anything more than 3 stars. I'm ultimately giving it a 2 to 2.5 star rating simply because there were elements during the 60-70% range that kept me engaged. After that, though, it dragged on. Not to mention, the entire book before the werewolf shows up was very boring with stereotypical and predictable teens. I can see why some people have 3-4 star reviews - honestly, there were definitely moments that had me hooked. If it was just the werewolf portion, my rating would be higher. And I think the beginning part of the book with the backstory of their father and the build-up of the romance with Ariana could all have been way shortened down. I think, considering how well Ariana and Brady suddenly know each other after one date (🙄) it would have made more sense to just have them already be dating with the Trevor tension still there as the ex. I think it still would have worked, and maybe I would have cared about their relationship more if they had already been together for a while when the book started.
Also, I think the book title should have been changed. I'm not sure to what - but I don't personally think My Pet Werewolf works with it. I get the Gunther part - and one could argue in the epilogue that Brandy (Brandi?) is like a pet werewolf to her own brother in a way just by associating with him still. I don't think that was the end goal, so I don't agree with the book title. Gunther's part of the story was a sliver compared to the rest of it that I don't think the title worked there either - even though that's where it's supposed to work. Brady is just trying to use Gunther because he thinks killing Dennis is justified. Which - don't get me started on Brady's character and choices. He is a dumb teen, and I'm leaving it at that.
2/5 stars. Took too long to get to the werewolf due to a teen romance that wasn't the main focus in the summary whatsoever. The whole family is crazy. Dennis is a murderer. By the epilogue, technically, Brandy and Brady are also both murderers - but they're "justified" because they're going after horrible people as if they're vigilantes (and Brandy needs human blood or something?). Idk, a spade is a spade - and what they're doing is also still murder. 🤷♀️
The first half of the story was such a slow pace that when it pivoted to a werewolf story, it felt like two different stories colliding. Like halfway through, the author remembered the title of the book and thought to put a werewolf in it after all the teen romance (that again, was written so much like a WattPad story that the fast pace at which Brady and Ariana fall "in love" almost gave me whiplash). I will say as a side note, every time Ariana was mentioned in the audio, I would think to myself, "Ariana Grande." So, by the time she meets her unfortunate demise, I was more mockingly going, "Nooo, not Ariana Grande. We need your music." 🤣 I couldn't help myself, and it was the first way my brain chose to remember her character. But also, what was the point of her death? So, that Brady would have to leave with his sister in the end? She was really tossed in there last minute with that basement scene. Like she could've just not been there, and it would have been the same outcome between the twins and Dennis. 🧍♀️
The werewolf part, when it finally came, did pick up the action of the entire book. And then it went in a different direction again with Dennis - which felt a lot like High Moor the more I think about that book. Although Dennis is insane. Using the mother's head as a Christmas tree topper was certainly a choice, but I had that spoiled for me.
So, some parts of the werewolf portion were good, honestly. But the more I thought about the 3.5 hours it took to get there, the more I couldn't give this book anything more than 3 stars. I'm ultimately giving it a 2 to 2.5 star rating simply because there were elements during the 60-70% range that kept me engaged. After that, though, it dragged on. Not to mention, the entire book before the werewolf shows up was very boring with stereotypical and predictable teens. I can see why some people have 3-4 star reviews - honestly, there were definitely moments that had me hooked. If it was just the werewolf portion, my rating would be higher. And I think the beginning part of the book with the backstory of their father and the build-up of the romance with Ariana could all have been way shortened down. I think, considering how well Ariana and Brady suddenly know each other after one date (🙄) it would have made more sense to just have them already be dating with the Trevor tension still there as the ex. I think it still would have worked, and maybe I would have cared about their relationship more if they had already been together for a while when the book started.
Also, I think the book title should have been changed. I'm not sure to what - but I don't personally think My Pet Werewolf works with it. I get the Gunther part - and one could argue in the epilogue that Brandy (Brandi?) is like a pet werewolf to her own brother in a way just by associating with him still. I don't think that was the end goal, so I don't agree with the book title. Gunther's part of the story was a sliver compared to the rest of it that I don't think the title worked there either - even though that's where it's supposed to work. Brady is just trying to use Gunther because he thinks killing Dennis is justified. Which - don't get me started on Brady's character and choices. He is a dumb teen, and I'm leaving it at that.
2/5 stars. Took too long to get to the werewolf due to a teen romance that wasn't the main focus in the summary whatsoever. The whole family is crazy. Dennis is a murderer. By the epilogue, technically, Brandy and Brady are also both murderers - but they're "justified" because they're going after horrible people as if they're vigilantes (and Brandy needs human blood or something?). Idk, a spade is a spade - and what they're doing is also still murder. 🤷♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2023
I have read a bunch of horror novels during my mundane existence, but nothing will ever compare to this one. From the beginning to the end, I was absolutely hooked.
One of the the first things that impressed me was the level of description. Because of this, it was incredibly easy to get lost in the story and become invested in the characters. In my personal experience, horror authors tend to put all of their effort into the parts that are meant to be scary but neglect to provide the same amount of attention towards the rest of the story. It became immediately apparent to me that this was not going to be the typical horror novel. Within the first dozen pages of the book, I was already completely lost in the story and feeling the grief and despair along with Brady. I was completely entranced in his day to day life and him navigating being a teenager after losing his father. Honestly if nothing scary ever happened, I would have been totally okay with that. To put it simply, this was a well written book from cover to cover. I truly felt like the author maintained the level of effort he put into it throughout the entirety of the book. The backstory alone was enough to keep me entertained and I never found myself skimming just so I could hurry up and get to the thrilling parts. I was genuinely invested.
To elaborate further, I think that the character building and depth was equally as commendable. I think that the amount of personality and quirks each individual character had, really made them all feel so realistic. I wouldn't call them all likable by any means, but they were all definitely relatable to some capacity. Despite the werewolf, I undoubtably felt like I was reading about real people instead of fictional characters.
Speaking of relatable.... The amount of music and movie references in this book is insane. I was practically having the time of my life hunting down all of the bands and movies so that I could enjoy them when I wasn't reading. Granted, just about every single one of the bands is already in my playlist and I have seen all of the movies besides Barbarian. (I will be watching that shortly so don't come for me.) But being a hard rock enthusiast and horror buff, I truly felt like these characters were speaking to me. It was so much more than just reading a book. These people felt like they became my friends with all of the similar interests in common.
I think that the main thing that separates this book from others is the multiple dimensions. This is more than just your average run of the mill horror story. There are hints of romance, mystery, and suspense. I particularly enjoyed not knowing where the story was going at all. I spent so much time trying to figure out why certain characters seemed so suspicious and trying to understand how they could possibly end up being the villains of the story. Turns out, everything I thought I knew was wrong. When I got to the end and looked back on all of my original predictions, I couldn't help but laugh at myself. It is definitely safe to say that this book is anything but predictable.
So although the ending threw me for a loop, I am not at all mad at it. I think that the justice alone was enough to completely satisfy me. In addition.... Without giving any spoilers, I will say that the twisted and completely demented actions of a certain character at the end, had me entirely giddy.
This book truly makes me wish that I could experience amnesia just so I could read it again for the first time. This will forever be one of my favorites.
April 16, 2024
A Werewolf story I couldn't put down.
James brings the werewolf from its fallen place in the horror genre back to the light of the full moon. After so many years of werewolf fluff, this one finally feeds the beast!
I loved the slow build of suspension and fear. Who is it? Is there more to people than meets the eye?
The only reason its not a five star is due to the forth wall breaks. But that is just me. I loved the story. I do look forward to reading more of James work.
Once things got going though it just didn't stop. I could not put it down. I thought for sure I knew what would happen then...nope... Plot twist! I loved it! I'll be picking up the prequel soon.
James brings the werewolf from its fallen place in the horror genre back to the light of the full moon. After so many years of werewolf fluff, this one finally feeds the beast!
I loved the slow build of suspension and fear. Who is it? Is there more to people than meets the eye?
The only reason its not a five star is due to the forth wall breaks. But that is just me. I loved the story. I do look forward to reading more of James work.
Once things got going though it just didn't stop. I could not put it down. I thought for sure I knew what would happen then...nope... Plot twist! I loved it! I'll be picking up the prequel soon.
September 26, 2025
My Pet Werewolf was unlike anything I've ever read, at no point in this story did I know where the plot was going to go next. I'm not normally a fan of werewolf horror, but holy shit did I devour this book. A little slow in the beginning, but once it got to the action things didn't stop. I really enjoyed that this one wasn't the typical werewolf story and that this book is more about the people (monsters) than the werewolf.
This was my first Kaine book and now I need to get my hands on his entire library. I see there's a story about Gunther?! Gimme!
I listened to the audio which was phenomenally done- Christopher Harbour kills it!
This was my first Kaine book and now I need to get my hands on his entire library. I see there's a story about Gunther?! Gimme!
I listened to the audio which was phenomenally done- Christopher Harbour kills it!
October 5, 2025
I absolutely love all of James Kaine's books, but this one took me by surprise. It had the usual scares (I held my breath through half of it), but was also just a lot of fun to read! I loved it! A solid 5/5 stars.
January 3, 2024
The MC, Brady, committed so many dumb acts, and I really could have done without the SA (which, mercifully, happens off page), but this story was still beyond excellent. Very well done!
December 28, 2023
A well-crafted creature feature oozing with blood and gore. The story follows Brady, an 18-year-old high school student who keeps to himself. An avid hunter and decent student, his life spirals dramatically after witnessing a brutal murder of a rival by a blood-thirsty captive lycan. He escapes the onslaught, only to return the next morning to find a man who shows no remorse for his canine activities during the moon's cycle. Slowly, Brady's life falls apart, and he comes up with a decision to right the wrongs of the past; use the werewolf. Sadistically. Will it backfire, or will his lethal choices erupt into further chaos?
October 5, 2023
This was ultimately a propulsive read that I pretty much devoured in one sitting, but which suffered at the beginning from what I found to be workmanlike prose and some awkwardness that could be smoothed out through developmental and line editing. It will probably appeal most of all to YA horror fans, though I'm sure adults will also find it entertaining.
I get the sense that Kaine will be one to watch, and My Pet Werewolf has that cinematic quality to it that suggests it was written to be a movie or television show (one I'm sure would be an absolute blast!). There was a melodramatic quality to the whole thing that worked in its favour (though there was one moment at the end of the novel when .
My main issue with the book was limited to the first 40%. The writing is competent and well copyedited, but there are what feel like some new writer mistakes such as describing unnecessary actions (turning doorknobs; walking to the porch, then the door, etc), a lot of filtering when it would be more impactful to have a tighter POV through which we feel the atmosphere rather than being told about it, and a general telegraphing quality to the plot and characterization. There's what felt to me like a lot of unnnecessary description of people's clothes, but I often see this in YA, so it may not be an issue for readers of that age category.
Happily, Kaine comes into his own as the plot starts moving and Brady . The plot is predictable, and you'll anticipate the reveal that very early, but I actually think this works in the book's favour. It feels true to the genre of movie that Kaine's drawing on, and doesn't damage the sense of pace at all.
I do encourage anyone put off by the slow start and awkward opening to press on. At around 40% it kicks into high gear, and because the novel is quite short, 40% isn't as many pages as it sounds. I had fun reading this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fast-paced werewolf story with slight Teen Wolf vibes combined with more of a horror focus. I'll be checking out Kaine's other work!
I get the sense that Kaine will be one to watch, and My Pet Werewolf has that cinematic quality to it that suggests it was written to be a movie or television show (one I'm sure would be an absolute blast!). There was a melodramatic quality to the whole thing that worked in its favour (though there was one moment at the end of the novel when .
My main issue with the book was limited to the first 40%. The writing is competent and well copyedited, but there are what feel like some new writer mistakes such as describing unnecessary actions (turning doorknobs; walking to the porch, then the door, etc), a lot of filtering when it would be more impactful to have a tighter POV through which we feel the atmosphere rather than being told about it, and a general telegraphing quality to the plot and characterization. There's what felt to me like a lot of unnnecessary description of people's clothes, but I often see this in YA, so it may not be an issue for readers of that age category.
Happily, Kaine comes into his own as the plot starts moving and Brady . The plot is predictable, and you'll anticipate the reveal that very early, but I actually think this works in the book's favour. It feels true to the genre of movie that Kaine's drawing on, and doesn't damage the sense of pace at all.
I do encourage anyone put off by the slow start and awkward opening to press on. At around 40% it kicks into high gear, and because the novel is quite short, 40% isn't as many pages as it sounds. I had fun reading this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a fast-paced werewolf story with slight Teen Wolf vibes combined with more of a horror focus. I'll be checking out Kaine's other work!
September 16, 2023
Werewolves are cool and I feel like they're under-represented in "creature feauture" books, so I was excited to come across My Pet Werewolf. It was a fun story overall but I found the teenage drama and angst to be a little much for my crotchety old self. Most of the book felt like it was geared towards young adult horror genre. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it wasn't what I was expecting. I do wish some aspects of the plot were fleshed out more as there were parts I felt could have used more detail and backstory. On the plus side, I enjoyed the author's writing style and the book was easy to read (flowery prose is not for me). Fortunately I never once found myself dreading the thought of having to read more to get to the end. Thank you to the author for providing a copy for me to read and review! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 26, 2023
Wow, just wow. I do love a good creature tale and this one hit alot of my "shudder" points. I fell in love with werewolves as a kid watching an afternoon matinee chiller thriller movie featuring Oliver Reed. I was fascinated AND horrified. Many more came after that. Some B movies, some dead horror and some comedy. Loved them all. There are only a few really good werewolf books though. This was one. No spoilers, read it and take the ride for yourself.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 3, 2023
I was asked to review this, it's a werewolf story like I'd say no. First I'd give 6*, I really enjoyed it. It's not just a werewolf story, it's about revenge, a murder, young love. It is well written and keeps you turning pages. It has some, twists I didn't see. The ending was spot on, James wrote a story that has me wanting more. This is a must read for fans of crime, gory, and werewolves. I highly recommend picking this up when it comes out.
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