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The Pack #2
The Craving
A LUST FOR LIFE
Manhattan thrives on desire—the longing for a better apartment… a higher-paying job… fame. Simon Burns ought to know, since he nearly lost it all…
Just when he thought he’d hit rock bottom, Simon found a group of friends, daytime dads like himself. But there was something “off” about Michael, Charlie, and Ramon, and Simon found himself slowly changing into the kind of man he’d given up trying to be a long time ago—and rediscovering the most primal of hungers. There were nights he made constant love to his wife, nights he roamed the city streets, nights he doesn’t even remember. And it’s one of those blackouts that’s going to come back to haunt him.
For Simon isn’t the man he once was. In fact, he’s not really a man at all anymore. He’s a member of the pack. And once you’re in, it’s impossible to get out...
Manhattan thrives on desire—the longing for a better apartment… a higher-paying job… fame. Simon Burns ought to know, since he nearly lost it all…
Just when he thought he’d hit rock bottom, Simon found a group of friends, daytime dads like himself. But there was something “off” about Michael, Charlie, and Ramon, and Simon found himself slowly changing into the kind of man he’d given up trying to be a long time ago—and rediscovering the most primal of hungers. There were nights he made constant love to his wife, nights he roamed the city streets, nights he doesn’t even remember. And it’s one of those blackouts that’s going to come back to haunt him.
For Simon isn’t the man he once was. In fact, he’s not really a man at all anymore. He’s a member of the pack. And once you’re in, it’s impossible to get out...
432 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
10 people are currently reading
160 people want to read
About the author
Jason Starr
116 books244 followersJason Starr is the international bestselling author of many crime novels and thrillers, including Cold Caller, The Follower, The Pack and The Next Time I Die. He also writes comics for Marvel (Wolverine, The Punisher) and DC (Batman, The Avenger) and original graphic novels such as Red Border and Casual Fling. In addition, he writes film and TV tie-in novels including an official Ant-Man novel and the Gotham novels based on the hit TV show. His books have been published in sixteen languages and several of his novels are in development for film and TV. He has won the Anthony Award for mystery fiction twice, as well as a Barry Award. Starr lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 22, 2014
I read the first book and enjoyed it, so I thought I'd give this one a try despite some negative reviews. I would advise you not to waste your time. I can recap exactly what happens (spoilers follow)
Simon worries he will wolf out and hurt someone he loves. He's quit having sex with his wife even though he sexually desires her. He still eats a lot of meat and loves to go running. His wife, Alison, is still a shrew and incredibly annoying. I'd worry about hurting her, too, and I'm not even a werewolf.
Simon worries more about turning into a wolf. Will he? Won't he?
He almost does. But then he doesn't.
Alison calls the police. Simon leaves. He finds Michael's father in the woods and gets the backstory on Michael (evil Nazi werewolf. true story, I wouldn't lie to you). Michael's father is like "You gots to kill Michael! Gots to!" and Simon is like "Will I? COULD I?"
Then he worries about wolfing out some more. But he doesn't. But he worries about it.
Ladies Love LL Cool Simon. All the time. He's like "Oy, so many ladies wanting to have The Sex with me, this is a problem. I hope I don't accidentally wolf out and hurt someone I love."
Side story about Ramon falling for the cop that's investigating a murder connected to the Pack. Lady Cop is like "oy, it's so hard to be a lady cop." She's tough and I like her until she meets Ramon and they fall in love.
Side story about the other werewolf guy almost winning the NY Marathon. There is way too much about the marathon and this is coming from someone who reads Runner's World articles.
Simon worries some more. He goes running some more. He craves meat... some more. Ladies try to have The Sex with him some more.
He finally gets back together with the Pack and they teach him to accept & love the wolf. As soon as he does, it gets easier to control.
Alison hires a PI to follow Simon. He follows him to Michael's. Michael kills him and he and Simon eat the PI.
Side story no one cares about where Alison almost cheats on Simon with some boring guy that no one cares about but Alison, because she is annoying. The guy is finally like "Nah, I thought about it and don't want to sleep with you because you're too much drama." High five.
Simon really connects to Michael's dad because he needs a werewolf mentor.
Ramon kidnaps the cop to try to save her from Michael after Michael orders Simon to kill Lady Cop. They all end up at Michael's country estate. Michael's dad shows up, fights Micheal and Michael kills him. Then all the werewolves, Simon included, eat Michael's dad.
Lady Cop is bitten and turns into a werewolf. Simon comes clean with Alison and tells her he's a werewolf. She's like "Well.. okay then." The end of the story is all the wolves running as a pack again even though Simon still kinda wants to kill Michael. The Lady Cop joins and runs with the pack and she and Ramon take off for Wolf Lovin.
Simon is like "Man, I wish Alison was a werewolf" and I'm like "Please don't write that book.
The End.
Simon worries he will wolf out and hurt someone he loves. He's quit having sex with his wife even though he sexually desires her. He still eats a lot of meat and loves to go running. His wife, Alison, is still a shrew and incredibly annoying. I'd worry about hurting her, too, and I'm not even a werewolf.
Simon worries more about turning into a wolf. Will he? Won't he?
He almost does. But then he doesn't.
Alison calls the police. Simon leaves. He finds Michael's father in the woods and gets the backstory on Michael (evil Nazi werewolf. true story, I wouldn't lie to you). Michael's father is like "You gots to kill Michael! Gots to!" and Simon is like "Will I? COULD I?"
Then he worries about wolfing out some more. But he doesn't. But he worries about it.
Ladies Love LL Cool Simon. All the time. He's like "Oy, so many ladies wanting to have The Sex with me, this is a problem. I hope I don't accidentally wolf out and hurt someone I love."
Side story about Ramon falling for the cop that's investigating a murder connected to the Pack. Lady Cop is like "oy, it's so hard to be a lady cop." She's tough and I like her until she meets Ramon and they fall in love.
Side story about the other werewolf guy almost winning the NY Marathon. There is way too much about the marathon and this is coming from someone who reads Runner's World articles.
Simon worries some more. He goes running some more. He craves meat... some more. Ladies try to have The Sex with him some more.
He finally gets back together with the Pack and they teach him to accept & love the wolf. As soon as he does, it gets easier to control.
Alison hires a PI to follow Simon. He follows him to Michael's. Michael kills him and he and Simon eat the PI.
Side story no one cares about where Alison almost cheats on Simon with some boring guy that no one cares about but Alison, because she is annoying. The guy is finally like "Nah, I thought about it and don't want to sleep with you because you're too much drama." High five.
Simon really connects to Michael's dad because he needs a werewolf mentor.
Ramon kidnaps the cop to try to save her from Michael after Michael orders Simon to kill Lady Cop. They all end up at Michael's country estate. Michael's dad shows up, fights Micheal and Michael kills him. Then all the werewolves, Simon included, eat Michael's dad.
Lady Cop is bitten and turns into a werewolf. Simon comes clean with Alison and tells her he's a werewolf. She's like "Well.. okay then." The end of the story is all the wolves running as a pack again even though Simon still kinda wants to kill Michael. The Lady Cop joins and runs with the pack and she and Ramon take off for Wolf Lovin.
Simon is like "Man, I wish Alison was a werewolf" and I'm like "Please don't write that book.
The End.
December 10, 2022
Great sequel!
January 22, 2019
I enjoy anything about werewolves. This one was a little confusing. A lot of build up then it's over in a chapter and .....
The Pack was the same.
Worth the read if this is your thing but don't expect all the loose ends to be tied up in a nice bow...
The Pack was the same.
Worth the read if this is your thing but don't expect all the loose ends to be tied up in a nice bow...
July 5, 2018
This book. Ugh. I thought the The Pack was on the low end of mediocre, so I really just read this out of curiosity. It is just more ridiculous.
This part, word for word from the protagonist sums my feelings up:
This part, word for word from the protagonist sums my feelings up:
"Okay, okay, look,” he said. “I’ve been going along with you on this, I mean I’ve been listening to what you have to say. I’m willing to believe you’re a hundred forty-one years old and a wolf bit your father, and I’m even willing to believe that Michael is a Nazi werewolf serial killer. But now you’re saying that a pack of wolves in Saskatchewan told Michael how to make the beer that he gave to all of us, that turned us into werewolves?"
July 24, 2019
A good sequel to the fantastic The Pack. Really anticipating a third installment.
May 14, 2020
It as good as the first - predictable. Easy read though.
December 5, 2012
Starr once again makes werewolves seem plausible. Hiding in plain sight, the werewolves of Starr's New York are far from the blood thirsty hounds of vampiric/lycan mash-ups of other novels. Their craving and blood lust held in check by coping mechanisms passed down by members of the pack to the newly converted. The pack held strong by a unique bond that segregates them from the rest of the world while also keeping them part of it.
While THE CRAVING conforms the to hallmarks typically associated with the horror genre, this is mostly a birds eye view of domestic life gone wrong - a failing relationship on the brink with a joyful young son the collateral. For Simon, coming to terms with his condition is the catalyst behind a noir-like relationship that leads to unfaithful persons, private investigators, and murder.
Starr is a master of white-collar noir and its easy to see elements of that bleed in THE CRAVING. As with THE PACK, THE CRAVING is a multi dimensional tale encroaching across multiple genres to deliver a very well written piece of inner city fiction.
There are many jaw dropping moments in THE CRAVING as cannibalism becomes a reality, humans a food source, and heightened senses a weapon. The evolution of Simon and his conflicting emotions towards pack leader Michael are a joy to read. The camaraderie between the members of the pack is both heart warming and at times scary, almost as unpredictable as the wild animals they share DNA.
THE CRAVING is a decent follow-up to THE PACK. It expands upon the lore and provides glimpses into the future. Starr has established a solid foundation upon which to build his characters and their related stories. I look forward to reading more. 4 stars.
While THE CRAVING conforms the to hallmarks typically associated with the horror genre, this is mostly a birds eye view of domestic life gone wrong - a failing relationship on the brink with a joyful young son the collateral. For Simon, coming to terms with his condition is the catalyst behind a noir-like relationship that leads to unfaithful persons, private investigators, and murder.
Starr is a master of white-collar noir and its easy to see elements of that bleed in THE CRAVING. As with THE PACK, THE CRAVING is a multi dimensional tale encroaching across multiple genres to deliver a very well written piece of inner city fiction.
There are many jaw dropping moments in THE CRAVING as cannibalism becomes a reality, humans a food source, and heightened senses a weapon. The evolution of Simon and his conflicting emotions towards pack leader Michael are a joy to read. The camaraderie between the members of the pack is both heart warming and at times scary, almost as unpredictable as the wild animals they share DNA.
THE CRAVING is a decent follow-up to THE PACK. It expands upon the lore and provides glimpses into the future. Starr has established a solid foundation upon which to build his characters and their related stories. I look forward to reading more. 4 stars.
June 27, 2014
Simon has grown accustomed to being a raving werewolf but that is not gaining any favor with his wife Alison. While he tries to prove that he loves her, and is simply having a medical condition, she is apprehensive about believing him especially since he is not as intimate with her. Simon will do anything to satisfy her needs but he is afraid that he is going to manhandle her, thus he refuses to give in the luring temptation. As a stay home day, he tries to be the ideal Father that Jeremy can be proud of, doing ordinary things that a loving Father would. However when he senses that he is behaving erratic due to his nature as a werewolf,Alison is starting to lose trust in him again. Now he must decide if he can bridle his strange behavior, for the sake of his family.
I thought this was a solid three but not better than The Pack. That was more thrilling and electrifying than this one, this one was pretty much rehearsed from the last book. Not anything about it captured the brilliance of the previous book. I suppose that is the issue with sequels, it is hardly ever better than it's predecessor.
Still it was a good book but had more lows than high.
I thought this was a solid three but not better than The Pack. That was more thrilling and electrifying than this one, this one was pretty much rehearsed from the last book. Not anything about it captured the brilliance of the previous book. I suppose that is the issue with sequels, it is hardly ever better than it's predecessor.
Still it was a good book but had more lows than high.
July 30, 2012
I have to say that this is probably a much more realistic and practical description of what a werewolf would really be like if they did exist. From that stand point I like the story--even if it's a bit gruesome in some spots.
However, I just haven't been able to get into the unfolding of the story. While it makes sense to describe in such great detail the struggle in his marriage and the wishi-washiness of the main character, and the wife for that matter, I find myself once again in this book being frustrated by them and wanting to slap them both. I get frustrated enough that I will skip through the pages reading the points that are major events in the storyline and then skipping to the next one. Of course, I go back and read in detail because it's against my own rules of reading to do otherwise. :) I find I didn't miss a lot by doing the skip through.
I am not sure I will pick up the 3rd book when it comes out. It's just not a satisfying read for me.
However, I just haven't been able to get into the unfolding of the story. While it makes sense to describe in such great detail the struggle in his marriage and the wishi-washiness of the main character, and the wife for that matter, I find myself once again in this book being frustrated by them and wanting to slap them both. I get frustrated enough that I will skip through the pages reading the points that are major events in the storyline and then skipping to the next one. Of course, I go back and read in detail because it's against my own rules of reading to do otherwise. :) I find I didn't miss a lot by doing the skip through.
I am not sure I will pick up the 3rd book when it comes out. It's just not a satisfying read for me.
December 14, 2013
This book seemed to find Simon fighting a fight on 2 fronts. First at home and then again with Michael and the pack.
So much of the book was about Simon and his marital problems. It was easy to see why, he was hiding so much from Allyson. With this book I didn't care for Allyson, she was a harpy, the first to jump to conclusions and even go so far as to start down the road of betrayal. I'm glad that Simon came clean with Allyson, but do wonder how that will affect things long term.
As for Simon's problems with Michael and the pack, well...Simon did learn more about what happened to him, but I'm not sure it helped. I have to wonder if Michael wasn't manipulating things all along, placing certain people at certain places. After reading the book it certainly seems like it.
I'm not sure if there are going to be more in this series or not, but I would like to see how the new addition to the pack fits in and how that affects the rest of them.
So much of the book was about Simon and his marital problems. It was easy to see why, he was hiding so much from Allyson. With this book I didn't care for Allyson, she was a harpy, the first to jump to conclusions and even go so far as to start down the road of betrayal. I'm glad that Simon came clean with Allyson, but do wonder how that will affect things long term.
As for Simon's problems with Michael and the pack, well...Simon did learn more about what happened to him, but I'm not sure it helped. I have to wonder if Michael wasn't manipulating things all along, placing certain people at certain places. After reading the book it certainly seems like it.
I'm not sure if there are going to be more in this series or not, but I would like to see how the new addition to the pack fits in and how that affects the rest of them.
June 8, 2013
The first book is called The Pack by Jason Starr. Anyways, I am usually weary about series for you know how the first book in the series is just incredible and then you read the next book and it is just a belly flop, not with The Pack series. The Craving kept my interest until the end and I am now ready for the next book! The book does leave some loose ends so it can open for the next book. Jason Starr is a great author, with these books anyways. There is some sexual content and language, the only spoiler I will give away is there are werewolves in this book, but if you read the first book you will know this. They do go in order so do read The Pack first, otherwise you will be lost with this one.
April 1, 2013
For me, sometimes the 2nd book of a trilogy seems to lag. This one )I hear it's a trilogy) has that problem, just a little bit. Not the lag so much, but that it's just a 'stop gap' for the last book. Having said that-I enjoyed the hell out of it!!! It reads just as fast as the 1st one. It's a serious read for the most part, but it did make me laugh in some spots. No spoilers here. You do need to read the 1st book though(The Pack) And sometimes, you'll wish you could reach into the book and slap some of the characters upside their head...
I am ready for the next book!!!!
I am ready for the next book!!!!
October 17, 2014
Seeing how there are only 207 reviews for this book- I don't think it's getting the attention that it deserves!
This author needs to continue this series because I am absolutely in love with it! I can honestly say that this is the best werewolf series I have ever read!
These characters will stay with me for a very long time and I can only hope that this author will continue on with this series because I want more!
If you love werewolves, don't miss this series! Wonderful! Not one moment of boredom!
I WANT MORE!
This author needs to continue this series because I am absolutely in love with it! I can honestly say that this is the best werewolf series I have ever read!
These characters will stay with me for a very long time and I can only hope that this author will continue on with this series because I want more!
If you love werewolves, don't miss this series! Wonderful! Not one moment of boredom!
I WANT MORE!
September 2, 2012
I was not a huge fan of the first book in this series, The Pack and so came into this one with few illusions of how good this one would be. I was not surprised to find it pretty subpar as far as paranormal thrillers go. If anything, it was a muddled romp through the mind of a man becoming a werewolf. Really not worth the time to read.
December 31, 2012
This is the last book i will read of 2012. It's entirely unlike me to read a werewolf book. It's an interesting story especially in the first half of the book. Then it becomes fairly predictable although fast paced. Perhaps this is book was written for a teen audience. It's not likely i will read another by this author.
March 5, 2015
Oh thank god I made it through this book. The writing just continues to pull me out of the story and I definitely feel like the two books could've been condensed into one. The only characters I cared about were Geri and Alison and if I'm being honest I didn't even really care about them. If another book comes out for this series it's safe to say I won't be reading it.
June 28, 2012
You'll never look at a man pushing a stroller the same way again. Starr applies is highly successful tortured, twisted, psychological approach to horror in this series. THE CRAVING follows right on the heels of THE PACK and sets things up nicely for another sequel.
August 14, 2012
The first book in this series was better. The ending sucked
January 3, 2013
A great second book leaving room for the third in the series. I was satisfied with the development of the characters and in the end it was a surprise, not what I expected.
January 16, 2013
Can't wait to see where this series goes...
September 17, 2014
I liked the first book a bit better. But the story development in THE CRAVING does have me looking forward to reading the next book.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews