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Feral #1
Feral
There’s a thin line between animal and man. A line that’s about to be crossed.
Jack and Allen need a break. They’ve decided to spend the summer before their senior year of college out in Western Massachusetts. But their quest for rest and relaxation comes to an end when they arrive in Greifsfield, MA. Their friendship is tested by a mysterious beauty and her razor sharp smile, then broken when they’re caught up in a rash of mysterious disappearances. How will these two friends cope with the truth behind a town that craves raw meat? And how will they survive beneath the glow of the full moon?
Werewolves are real and there’s no such thing as escape. This vacation’s about to get a little hairy.
The Howling meets 30 Days of Night in this furious, lightning blast of a novel.
Jack and Allen need a break. They’ve decided to spend the summer before their senior year of college out in Western Massachusetts. But their quest for rest and relaxation comes to an end when they arrive in Greifsfield, MA. Their friendship is tested by a mysterious beauty and her razor sharp smile, then broken when they’re caught up in a rash of mysterious disappearances. How will these two friends cope with the truth behind a town that craves raw meat? And how will they survive beneath the glow of the full moon?
Werewolves are real and there’s no such thing as escape. This vacation’s about to get a little hairy.
The Howling meets 30 Days of Night in this furious, lightning blast of a novel.
348 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2012
234 people are currently reading
523 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
August 22, 2019
Thank you to the author for sending the audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Full video review to come!
Feral by Matt Serafini follows two students who are on summer break in Greifsfield, MA when they become entangled in a war between werewolf and vigilante, between werewolf and werewolf. Greifsfield is infested with beasts, and there is nowhere to run...
This is the second book I've read by Matt Serafini, the first being Under the Blade, a slasher story with a unique twist. One thing that both of these books have in common is the small town setting. While Serafini's tiny towns seem cozy and peaceful on the surface, look a little further and you will see they are anything but. Even without the murder, the people are downright depraved. Characters struggle with forbidden desires that should make any reader squirm in their seat, no matter how hardened they may be. Under the Blade was milder in this way, but Feral presents the reader with a heaping serving of discomfort and shock. This all comes down to the animosity inside the characters who have been changed into werewolves. All morals evaporate as the animal takes over, transforming them into murderous, sex-crazed beings. This does lead to scenes of sexual assault, so be forewarned. There are also a lot of graphic sex scenes, some of which are disturbing, others of which are more erotic in nature. If you are turned off by a lot of sexual content, Feral might not be for you. Likewise in the gore department, because Serafini is brilliant when it comes to writing gore.
I, for one, enjoy a bloody story every now and then, and this totally delivered. Matt Serafini’s prose is smooth and descriptive at all times, from the details about Greifsfield to scenes of people being ripped apart. The world building is quite impressive as well. Even though this story takes place in our modern world, it feels very much like a universe of its own. Think The Howling meets Underworld.
Bottom line, I had a blast with this book. I never knew where it was going, twisting in ways that had my jaw on the floor. There is definitely some shocking material here that I did not expect. If you are a sensitive reader, have caution. But if you desire a traditional werewolf tale with a nasty modern punch, check it out.
I'd recommend listening to the audiobook, too! Matt Godfrey is one of my favorite narrators. He has a great voice, so you really can't go wrong with anything he narrates.
Feral by Matt Serafini follows two students who are on summer break in Greifsfield, MA when they become entangled in a war between werewolf and vigilante, between werewolf and werewolf. Greifsfield is infested with beasts, and there is nowhere to run...
This is the second book I've read by Matt Serafini, the first being Under the Blade, a slasher story with a unique twist. One thing that both of these books have in common is the small town setting. While Serafini's tiny towns seem cozy and peaceful on the surface, look a little further and you will see they are anything but. Even without the murder, the people are downright depraved. Characters struggle with forbidden desires that should make any reader squirm in their seat, no matter how hardened they may be. Under the Blade was milder in this way, but Feral presents the reader with a heaping serving of discomfort and shock. This all comes down to the animosity inside the characters who have been changed into werewolves. All morals evaporate as the animal takes over, transforming them into murderous, sex-crazed beings. This does lead to scenes of sexual assault, so be forewarned. There are also a lot of graphic sex scenes, some of which are disturbing, others of which are more erotic in nature. If you are turned off by a lot of sexual content, Feral might not be for you. Likewise in the gore department, because Serafini is brilliant when it comes to writing gore.
I, for one, enjoy a bloody story every now and then, and this totally delivered. Matt Serafini’s prose is smooth and descriptive at all times, from the details about Greifsfield to scenes of people being ripped apart. The world building is quite impressive as well. Even though this story takes place in our modern world, it feels very much like a universe of its own. Think The Howling meets Underworld.
Bottom line, I had a blast with this book. I never knew where it was going, twisting in ways that had my jaw on the floor. There is definitely some shocking material here that I did not expect. If you are a sensitive reader, have caution. But if you desire a traditional werewolf tale with a nasty modern punch, check it out.
I'd recommend listening to the audiobook, too! Matt Godfrey is one of my favorite narrators. He has a great voice, so you really can't go wrong with anything he narrates.
August 28, 2018
This is Greifsfield. Not Griswald. And this ain’t no Wally World. It is however, sort of an amusement park for evil, furry, fanged beasties.
More of a buffet than a park, really.
I listened to this one audio. Matt Godfrey is a great narrator. His pacing and tone were perfect for the story.
This is one crazy fast werewolf blood fest that had some truly disgusting imagery sprinkled throughout. I dug that about it. Definitely entertaining. Bloody entertaining. If you like your stories with a little bite to them, then I think you will really enjoy “Feral”
“I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."
More of a buffet than a park, really.
I listened to this one audio. Matt Godfrey is a great narrator. His pacing and tone were perfect for the story.
This is one crazy fast werewolf blood fest that had some truly disgusting imagery sprinkled throughout. I dug that about it. Definitely entertaining. Bloody entertaining. If you like your stories with a little bite to them, then I think you will really enjoy “Feral”
“I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."
October 9, 2019
Review on Sci Fi and Scary now!
I often purchase books I hear other, trusted readers raving about on Twitter. Well, as often as I can. Feral is one of these books. Prior to reading this one, I read Serafini’s Ocean Grave (4 stars) and Rites of Extinction (my 5 star review for this book is right here). I think I purchased this book somewhere between these reads and then this past August I picked up more of Serafini’s titles directly from him at Scares that Care. Because when I click with an author’s writing style, I latch on. I need them all.
I am still a newbie when it comes to werewolf fiction. If you’ve been following my reviews, you might remember that I started reading them this year, first with Carnivorous Lunar Activities by Max Booth III and then Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones. All three about werewolves; all wildly (ha!) different and special. Feral is an entertaining and brutal read. There are some scenes in this book that made me cringe in revulsion. I remember thinking WHAT IS HAPPENING?!
Here’s the thing. Fellow reviewer and horror author Cameron Chaney mentions in his video review that the depravity in this novel really does make sense. Their humanity is stripped away, so what’s left? I completely agree. If their sense of self is shredding, then anything and everything is fair game. Serafini delivers whether the reader is ready for it or not. Spoiler (not really): you won’t be ready for it, but if you’re like me, you’ll dig it.
One final note before you go. In the three books I have read by this author so far, he manages to have female characters that are absolutely kick-ass in one way or another. This book is no exception. While a couple of girls might be wolf fodder, there are no weepy damsels in distress when it comes to the main attraction. There is a villain that makes my teeth curl and a “take-no-shit, I’ve got this handled” heroine ala Private Vasquez. These ladies are glorious and I ADORE reading about female characters written so well.
Stay tuned for more of my reviews of Serafini’s work and whatever he comes up with next. I can’t wait
I often purchase books I hear other, trusted readers raving about on Twitter. Well, as often as I can. Feral is one of these books. Prior to reading this one, I read Serafini’s Ocean Grave (4 stars) and Rites of Extinction (my 5 star review for this book is right here). I think I purchased this book somewhere between these reads and then this past August I picked up more of Serafini’s titles directly from him at Scares that Care. Because when I click with an author’s writing style, I latch on. I need them all.
I am still a newbie when it comes to werewolf fiction. If you’ve been following my reviews, you might remember that I started reading them this year, first with Carnivorous Lunar Activities by Max Booth III and then Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones. All three about werewolves; all wildly (ha!) different and special. Feral is an entertaining and brutal read. There are some scenes in this book that made me cringe in revulsion. I remember thinking WHAT IS HAPPENING?!
Here’s the thing. Fellow reviewer and horror author Cameron Chaney mentions in his video review that the depravity in this novel really does make sense. Their humanity is stripped away, so what’s left? I completely agree. If their sense of self is shredding, then anything and everything is fair game. Serafini delivers whether the reader is ready for it or not. Spoiler (not really): you won’t be ready for it, but if you’re like me, you’ll dig it.
One final note before you go. In the three books I have read by this author so far, he manages to have female characters that are absolutely kick-ass in one way or another. This book is no exception. While a couple of girls might be wolf fodder, there are no weepy damsels in distress when it comes to the main attraction. There is a villain that makes my teeth curl and a “take-no-shit, I’ve got this handled” heroine ala Private Vasquez. These ladies are glorious and I ADORE reading about female characters written so well.
Stay tuned for more of my reviews of Serafini’s work and whatever he comes up with next. I can’t wait
July 3, 2013
Solid 3.75 Stars
This book was by far the most gory, gross, incestuous book I've read. This story holds the most scary, insane and depraved acts that a mind could possibly think up & beyond. There were so many times while reading this book, where this was me...
Even though I was not really invested in any of the characters here or their plight per se, I must tip my hat to you Mr. Matt Serafini. You've managed to do what many, many authors have failed to do when it comes to me and this fact; you managed to keep me interested anyway.
The writing in this story was on point in many aspects. From the execution, to the way this story unfolds and how certain things come together nicely. Clean, tight & believable. With the exception of a few minor mistakes within the plot. (Ages of certain characters to be specific)
The words here are so descriptive but without being too wordy or long winded. It puts you in the center of it all. In the forefront of everything that is going on around these characters. You see as you read, everything unfold as if you are watching it on a movie screen. This I love. And this is what kept me involved.
So many twist & turns. So many frightening encounters. So much death to witness here. If you are looking for the werewolf, those sexy, loving beasts we have grown accustomed to seeing in books and movies, don't look here. You will be disappointed. This book, in no way does it cater to the fairy tale side of our hearts. The side that wants to keep the beauty of these animalistic beasts while molding a part of them to fit our desire for what compassion, love, & integrity look like. This book shows you the real with no apologies. And just how ugly and dangerous things can be.
Despite my queasy stomach, this book would have easily been a 5 star read for me. If only I could have fallen in love with any one of the characters, cared for them in some way shape or form. But sadly I didn't or couldn't. Although there was one scene with Lucy & Jack that kinda had me teary eyed a bit.
This story I wouldn't say ends with a cliffhanger really, but more of a very wide open door of "What's gonna happen next?"
That being said, no one should be deprived of Mr. Serafini's writing skills. I definitely think this is a book worth reading and if your stomach & dreams can handle it, I would recommend it :)
This book was by far the most gory, gross, incestuous book I've read. This story holds the most scary, insane and depraved acts that a mind could possibly think up & beyond. There were so many times while reading this book, where this was me...
Even though I was not really invested in any of the characters here or their plight per se, I must tip my hat to you Mr. Matt Serafini. You've managed to do what many, many authors have failed to do when it comes to me and this fact; you managed to keep me interested anyway.
The writing in this story was on point in many aspects. From the execution, to the way this story unfolds and how certain things come together nicely. Clean, tight & believable. With the exception of a few minor mistakes within the plot. (Ages of certain characters to be specific)
The words here are so descriptive but without being too wordy or long winded. It puts you in the center of it all. In the forefront of everything that is going on around these characters. You see as you read, everything unfold as if you are watching it on a movie screen. This I love. And this is what kept me involved.
So many twist & turns. So many frightening encounters. So much death to witness here. If you are looking for the werewolf, those sexy, loving beasts we have grown accustomed to seeing in books and movies, don't look here. You will be disappointed. This book, in no way does it cater to the fairy tale side of our hearts. The side that wants to keep the beauty of these animalistic beasts while molding a part of them to fit our desire for what compassion, love, & integrity look like. This book shows you the real with no apologies. And just how ugly and dangerous things can be.
Despite my queasy stomach, this book would have easily been a 5 star read for me. If only I could have fallen in love with any one of the characters, cared for them in some way shape or form. But sadly I didn't or couldn't. Although there was one scene with Lucy & Jack that kinda had me teary eyed a bit.
This story I wouldn't say ends with a cliffhanger really, but more of a very wide open door of "What's gonna happen next?"
That being said, no one should be deprived of Mr. Serafini's writing skills. I definitely think this is a book worth reading and if your stomach & dreams can handle it, I would recommend it :)
January 30, 2018
I am not a big fan of werewolves, however I found this one fascinating. Definitely will read more by this author
October 25, 2023
This is book 1 in Matt Sarafini’s Feral series.
Feral is right. I enjoyed the world building with this one, right from the opening dinner scene. Told from various perspectives there’s not only horror, but mystery, suspense, and action sprinkled with a bit of levity as well. Sarafini also weaves friendship and love (who knew I could be as invested in a werewolf courtship outside shifter romance genre?) - but make no mistake this is firmly horror.
Once Jack realizes something is very wrong at The Big East resort he tries to help. Unfortunately he places his trust in the wrong people, many of whom aren’t who they seem. As his friends turn he has to decide between friendship and survival.
I loved this huge cast of characters, and yes, even some of the antagonists. Everyday people, werewolves, and Monster hunters converge. There’s no clear winners and losers. While this is a complete and enjoyable story, there are some loose ends that tease book 2, Devil’s Row.
Narration:
Matt Godfrey is perfect for this kind of story. He’s wonderful at the voices, emotions, and invoking the nuances of Serafini’s writing. I love the personality he brings to all the characters. Great listen.
CW:
sexual assault & continued pursuit of young woman by her father, graphic abortion scene,
Feral is right. I enjoyed the world building with this one, right from the opening dinner scene. Told from various perspectives there’s not only horror, but mystery, suspense, and action sprinkled with a bit of levity as well. Sarafini also weaves friendship and love (who knew I could be as invested in a werewolf courtship outside shifter romance genre?) - but make no mistake this is firmly horror.
Once Jack realizes something is very wrong at The Big East resort he tries to help. Unfortunately he places his trust in the wrong people, many of whom aren’t who they seem. As his friends turn he has to decide between friendship and survival.
I loved this huge cast of characters, and yes, even some of the antagonists. Everyday people, werewolves, and Monster hunters converge. There’s no clear winners and losers. While this is a complete and enjoyable story, there are some loose ends that tease book 2, Devil’s Row.
Narration:
Matt Godfrey is perfect for this kind of story. He’s wonderful at the voices, emotions, and invoking the nuances of Serafini’s writing. I love the personality he brings to all the characters. Great listen.
CW:
sexual assault & continued pursuit of young woman by her father, graphic abortion scene,
August 15, 2019
Feral is my introduction to the mind of Matt Serafini. And what a mind it is! It's always nice to find an author who writes just what you want to read. And when a write does not shy away from the gore is just a bonus! Now, I am not a gore-FIEND by any means, but I would rather it just be laid out there on paper in front of me than daintily skirted around like has happened before with other books. There is no holding back with this one. Time to go pick up the sequel now! I need more and I need it now!
Thanks so much to the author for allowing me the opportunity to listen to this as an audiobook in exchange for an honest review! 4 stars!
Thanks so much to the author for allowing me the opportunity to listen to this as an audiobook in exchange for an honest review! 4 stars!
September 25, 2024
I remember liking this one more than The Howling
September 23, 2015
How this book got an average 4.24 rating is really beyond me.
The characters overall were lame and not believable, human and lycanthropes alike. None were likable really, even the ones we should have.
The werewolves. Sigh. These were not, I repeat, were NOT old school werewolves. Cue in The Howling, An American Werewolf in London, to name a couple of REAL old school references. Old school werewolves did NOT change at will, only on the full moon, and THAT'S when they fed. They were NOT hypersexual (orgies), nor were they incestual. Wolf senses were NOT used while in human form. Then there's the whole idea of a werewolf patch to make people turn. Completely ridiculous. Takes away from the whole fear of werewolves and getting bitten. The ONLY thing, and I mean the ONLY thing he held true to old school werewolves was how they attacked and the brutality of their attacks. I will say also that I do like how he explained the turning process, how the human mind had to accept the werewolf. That was interesting.
The ending was terrible. I do not like how he just cut it off. I understand that leaves us wanting a sequel, so I get it, but damn, he just seriously stopped writing.
The attacks, gore, and brutality kept me slowly trudging along and wanting to finish. It took a while though. Aside from that I wouldn't have finished.
I give this one a solid 2.5. The ONLY reason I'm giving 3 is because there's no .5 stars.
The characters overall were lame and not believable, human and lycanthropes alike. None were likable really, even the ones we should have.
The werewolves. Sigh. These were not, I repeat, were NOT old school werewolves. Cue in The Howling, An American Werewolf in London, to name a couple of REAL old school references. Old school werewolves did NOT change at will, only on the full moon, and THAT'S when they fed. They were NOT hypersexual (orgies), nor were they incestual. Wolf senses were NOT used while in human form. Then there's the whole idea of a werewolf patch to make people turn. Completely ridiculous. Takes away from the whole fear of werewolves and getting bitten. The ONLY thing, and I mean the ONLY thing he held true to old school werewolves was how they attacked and the brutality of their attacks. I will say also that I do like how he explained the turning process, how the human mind had to accept the werewolf. That was interesting.
The ending was terrible. I do not like how he just cut it off. I understand that leaves us wanting a sequel, so I get it, but damn, he just seriously stopped writing.
The attacks, gore, and brutality kept me slowly trudging along and wanting to finish. It took a while though. Aside from that I wouldn't have finished.
I give this one a solid 2.5. The ONLY reason I'm giving 3 is because there's no .5 stars.
December 6, 2016
Just finished reading “Feral” by Matt Serafini. This was Matt Serafini’s depute novel in 2012 and what a depute, my oh, my. .First I want to thank Matt for sending me a copy of this book. Secondly, this book was the absolute epitome of horror. If you are easily offended you most certainly will not want to feast your eyes or head upon this gem of gore and inhumanity...it was a deliciously, horrifically, nail bitingly, edge of your seat, fantastic adventure of a very different and wonderful take on the werewolf, or The Varcolac, as they are known in this story. From start to finish this is one hell of a read. And if you like your horror “in your face”, nasty and no holds barred, then this is the read for you. I am so looking forward to reading more of Matt’s work and am on my way to his website to find my next read. https://mattserafini.com/
Synopsis: It was supposed to be an idyllic summer vacation for college friends Jack Markle and Allen Taylor. But they didn’t know about the evil lurking in the resort town of Greifsfield. When Allen falls under the influence of insidious beauty Elisabeth Luna, Jack begins to realize that sinister forces are at work all around him. And now he’s fighting to save his friends from an age-old evil he never believed could exist.
Even if it kills him.
Synopsis: It was supposed to be an idyllic summer vacation for college friends Jack Markle and Allen Taylor. But they didn’t know about the evil lurking in the resort town of Greifsfield. When Allen falls under the influence of insidious beauty Elisabeth Luna, Jack begins to realize that sinister forces are at work all around him. And now he’s fighting to save his friends from an age-old evil he never believed could exist.
Even if it kills him.
October 21, 2019
This wasa really good werewolf story, and by far up there with the goriest you are likely to find. If you are easily offended you may want to give this one a miss. As for me, I'll be checking out Matt Serafini's other titles!
December 14, 2012
***Very Slightly Spoilery***
First of all, know this from the get-go, this is NOT Teen Wolf (the series or – thank God Almighty – the Michael J Fox movie). Not The Barking Mad Tales of a Teenage Werewolf (I love everything Katella Stegmann writes and you should too). Definitely not Twilight. Not even The Vampire Diaries. These are not cute cuddly lycan superheroes who keep their human minds while they fight the villains and get the girl. No, here they ARE the villains and they'll probably eat the girl. Or anyone else for that matter. They are the Big Bad Wolf from the original Little Red Riding Hood (you know the one where she winds up in his stomach, not the one where she has sex with him in the forest).
This is a taught, tense old fashioned werewolf thriller. The wolves are bad, and sometimes the heroes are badder. Little Red Riding Hood would not fare well here, because the guy who is supposed to let her out of the wolf’s stomach is probably also a werewolf. This is an excellent thriller, tightly written, with interesting characters and good dialogue. I loved it. Very few spelling or grammar mistakes. Yeah baby!
Two little critiques, and they are tiny:
The "villainess" (it’s a matter of opinion if she is or not) is named Elizabeth Luna. Luna - seriously? We have not been living in a hole for the past 3 decades. Anyone who has ever read even one werewolf story doesn't need this club knocked on their head. It makes it sound cliché, and this book is not. They don't even need the moon to turn.
The age of one of the lead characters in my edition is mentioned 3 times: once he's 22, then he's 27, and then he's 28. Huh? Also, at the beginning he is mentioned to be getting a slight beer belly, and in the middle he is quite fit – since the middle is like 2 days later, I have a bit of trouble wrapping my head around that.
Nitpicky, I know. I just had to say something or it would come off as perfect. But - it's an amazing book, and because of it, I will never set foot in Western Massachusetts ever again. Read it. However, one caution – if you have a heart condition, don’t read this book, because the ending will probably cause your heart to explode from excitement.
First of all, know this from the get-go, this is NOT Teen Wolf (the series or – thank God Almighty – the Michael J Fox movie). Not The Barking Mad Tales of a Teenage Werewolf (I love everything Katella Stegmann writes and you should too). Definitely not Twilight. Not even The Vampire Diaries. These are not cute cuddly lycan superheroes who keep their human minds while they fight the villains and get the girl. No, here they ARE the villains and they'll probably eat the girl. Or anyone else for that matter. They are the Big Bad Wolf from the original Little Red Riding Hood (you know the one where she winds up in his stomach, not the one where she has sex with him in the forest).
This is a taught, tense old fashioned werewolf thriller. The wolves are bad, and sometimes the heroes are badder. Little Red Riding Hood would not fare well here, because the guy who is supposed to let her out of the wolf’s stomach is probably also a werewolf. This is an excellent thriller, tightly written, with interesting characters and good dialogue. I loved it. Very few spelling or grammar mistakes. Yeah baby!
Two little critiques, and they are tiny:
The "villainess" (it’s a matter of opinion if she is or not) is named Elizabeth Luna. Luna - seriously? We have not been living in a hole for the past 3 decades. Anyone who has ever read even one werewolf story doesn't need this club knocked on their head. It makes it sound cliché, and this book is not. They don't even need the moon to turn.
The age of one of the lead characters in my edition is mentioned 3 times: once he's 22, then he's 27, and then he's 28. Huh? Also, at the beginning he is mentioned to be getting a slight beer belly, and in the middle he is quite fit – since the middle is like 2 days later, I have a bit of trouble wrapping my head around that.
Nitpicky, I know. I just had to say something or it would come off as perfect. But - it's an amazing book, and because of it, I will never set foot in Western Massachusetts ever again. Read it. However, one caution – if you have a heart condition, don’t read this book, because the ending will probably cause your heart to explode from excitement.
July 27, 2018
Feral: A Novel of Werewolf Horror by Matt Serafini. This novel was mildly entertaining and I wasn't disappointed when it ended. Its starts off rather confusing, with you basically thrown into a beginning with a heroine shooting down a few people which you guess are werewolves? Then after that you discover basically she is a werewolf hunter, and she has to travel to an area with werewolves. You don't hear from her until again until towards nearing the ending of the book? Which I found rather annoying.
In between that, you will be introduce to a lot of characters, which make more of the plot in the book. The plot I found to be ok I guess, but more mundane. You will find it very evident in reading this novel that it points a lot to the feminism heroism role, making in my opinion the roles of men not of any worth. But besides that, there are unnecessary sexual scenes involved. For instance, a certain female werewolf beds a non female werewolf for simply the hunting pleasure of it. I just find that kind of stupid and is completely unnecessary.
You will also find in this novel, sicking displays of incest, which is disturbing. I had high hopes with this novel but in the end was kind of a let down.
In between that, you will be introduce to a lot of characters, which make more of the plot in the book. The plot I found to be ok I guess, but more mundane. You will find it very evident in reading this novel that it points a lot to the feminism heroism role, making in my opinion the roles of men not of any worth. But besides that, there are unnecessary sexual scenes involved. For instance, a certain female werewolf beds a non female werewolf for simply the hunting pleasure of it. I just find that kind of stupid and is completely unnecessary.
You will also find in this novel, sicking displays of incest, which is disturbing. I had high hopes with this novel but in the end was kind of a let down.
October 12, 2022
I often purchase books I hear other, trusted readers raving about on Twitter. Well, as often as I can. Feral is one of these books. Prior to reading this one, I read Matt Serafini’s
Ocean Grave
(4 stars) and
Rites of Extinction
(5 stars). I think I purchased this book somewhere between these readings and I was eventually able to pick up more of Serafini’s titles directly from him at Scares that Care in 2019. Because when I click with an author’s writing style, I latch on. I need them all.
You can read Tracy's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Tracy's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
December 19, 2020
I nearly stopped reading twice due to some ridiculously absurd content, but I pressed on. I admit, it got better. The finale was really quite spectacular though I’m not a fan of the “conclusion.”
If you can get past a slow start and you enjoy very graphic werewolf gore, this is your book. For me it was 3.5 stars.
If you can get past a slow start and you enjoy very graphic werewolf gore, this is your book. For me it was 3.5 stars.
December 4, 2021
Damn, now that is a werewolf book! It was bloody, shocking, and absolutely wild.
October 6, 2022
*2.5*
If you're into werewolf porn, this is right up your alley.
If you're into werewolf porn, this is right up your alley.
February 16, 2024
Just imagine… Feral. Directed by Quentin Tarantino 🤌🏼
January 7, 2020
Jack, Allan, Molly and Lucy spend their college Summer up at Lucy's father's vacation resort in Greifsfield, MA. Allan falls for the town tramp, Elizabeth - a mysterious oversexed sultress known for rousing the affections of married men in town. Molly, having recently been dumped by Allan, can't get over the breakup and makes a fool of herself and leaves herself vulnerable to the evil doings of the town. A werewolf cult is about to unleash its fury on the town of residents and tourists and the group get mixed up into this horrible series of events. Jack joins ranks with a werewolf hunter, Amanda Church, come to town seeking to destroy the beastly threat. Jack is clumsy and while filled with great intentions, he's naive and makes a lot of blunders endangering himself and Amanda.
This is a fairly long tale for this genre but it seems to flow decently. While I'm not opposed to necessary sex and violence to color a story, the over the top sex and orgy scenes feel a bit too much to me. A little gratuitous. It directly reminded me of scenes from the vampire series on HBO, True Blood. Orgies in the woods. It felt a little too borrowed but I could be wrong. Another big influence I felt was Quentin Tarantino's From Dusk Til Dawn. Another vampire movie but similar in feel and mood.
The story takes some subplot detours spotlighting Lucy's father Roy's sick sexual appetites and Allan's feral dreamscapes. The dream states feel disjointed and hard to follow but I think that's the point, as dreams are often confusing like that.
You're made to feel for Elizabeth to some degree but also you're inherently on the side of Jack and Amanda in their efforts to destroy these beasts.
If you like horror, werewolves, blood, guts, gore and sex for that whole-package shock value, then this is the story for you. The narrator did a fine job with the voices and conveying the events in the heightened parts of the story.
This is a fairly long tale for this genre but it seems to flow decently. While I'm not opposed to necessary sex and violence to color a story, the over the top sex and orgy scenes feel a bit too much to me. A little gratuitous. It directly reminded me of scenes from the vampire series on HBO, True Blood. Orgies in the woods. It felt a little too borrowed but I could be wrong. Another big influence I felt was Quentin Tarantino's From Dusk Til Dawn. Another vampire movie but similar in feel and mood.
The story takes some subplot detours spotlighting Lucy's father Roy's sick sexual appetites and Allan's feral dreamscapes. The dream states feel disjointed and hard to follow but I think that's the point, as dreams are often confusing like that.
You're made to feel for Elizabeth to some degree but also you're inherently on the side of Jack and Amanda in their efforts to destroy these beasts.
If you like horror, werewolves, blood, guts, gore and sex for that whole-package shock value, then this is the story for you. The narrator did a fine job with the voices and conveying the events in the heightened parts of the story.
April 10, 2013
I am on the fence about my true feelings for this book. A part of me did like the action once it finally kicked in but another part of me didn't like the book at all. This was definitely an old school werewolf novel. The kind where they focused on eating people up and not romancing them. That is probably the best thing about the book. The lewd incestuous behavior and desires along with some of the disgusting dreams could have been eliminated altogether, but that's just my opinion.
I especially didn't care for the ending but I am guessing the author left it that way so he could create a part two. If that is the case I am certain I won't be reading it. I say that because some of the things that happened just didn't make sense. Like why was Amanda fighting such a huge war with all of those wolves pretty much by herself? Really? Then when she did get help he didn't do her a lick of good.
Another annoyance was Jack's stupidity (if you read the book you will know what I am referring to), and how easily Allen fell for Elisabeth.
I don't think it was a horrible story, just not "complete" enough for me. Too much was left unanswered which sort of left me hanging wondering about what happened with other situations.
I especially didn't care for the ending but I am guessing the author left it that way so he could create a part two. If that is the case I am certain I won't be reading it. I say that because some of the things that happened just didn't make sense. Like why was Amanda fighting such a huge war with all of those wolves pretty much by herself? Really? Then when she did get help he didn't do her a lick of good.
Another annoyance was Jack's stupidity (if you read the book you will know what I am referring to), and how easily Allen fell for Elisabeth.
I don't think it was a horrible story, just not "complete" enough for me. Too much was left unanswered which sort of left me hanging wondering about what happened with other situations.
May 31, 2017
I'm givin this book 3 stars bc it just ended, and I don't like it when that happens.
I liked the gore. It was dark and I like dark books. Rory Eastman is awful, and that's all I can say about that. I didn't like Elizabeth, she was so negative when speakin with Allen. Allen was pussy-whipped - how pathetic. All she had to do was look at him and it was over. Jack is so stupid; really you gone go and try and talk to him? Amanda was alil hardass, but what's to come of her and Jack? What's up with Lucy, Allen, and Elizabeth? Did Mason make it? And why is there only one person workin alone; why aren't there more? So many questions.
I liked the gore. It was dark and I like dark books. Rory Eastman is awful, and that's all I can say about that. I didn't like Elizabeth, she was so negative when speakin with Allen. Allen was pussy-whipped - how pathetic. All she had to do was look at him and it was over. Jack is so stupid; really you gone go and try and talk to him? Amanda was alil hardass, but what's to come of her and Jack? What's up with Lucy, Allen, and Elizabeth? Did Mason make it? And why is there only one person workin alone; why aren't there more? So many questions.
July 14, 2019
Werewolves are not usually my thing (unless we’re talking Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black), but this novel by Matt Serafini caught my attention. I listened to the audio version, and it made for an entertaining ride.
This is a visceral, action-packed story that I found to be unique with regards to others I’ve encountered so far in the sub genre. I will definitely be reading more of this author’s work in the near future!
This is a visceral, action-packed story that I found to be unique with regards to others I’ve encountered so far in the sub genre. I will definitely be reading more of this author’s work in the near future!
February 1, 2016
Dnf'd this one at 36%. Too much sexual content and didn't care for the type of werewolves. Sorry.
June 6, 2015
An enjoyable read, but the ending felt too rushed and was way too open-ended for my liking.
May 7, 2017
wow.. this was an intense read.. for sure
October 23, 2019
There’s a weird vein of sexism touching the story here and there–I say weird, because I’m pretty sure the author thinks he created some strong female characters–Elisabeth, for example, can kick a lot of butt. But apparently Lucy’s unwillingness to put up with Allen’s arrogance makes their inability to get along “her fault, mostly”. The women are all absolute stunners (of course). Lucy, who is very attractive and apparently has everyone wanting to get with her, of course only has eyes for Jack, who is painted as the somewhat-clueless well-intentioned nice guy of our story. There are a number of descriptions of female characters that I think of as “men-writing-women” examples. At one point even Elisabeth’s point of view is marred with the sentence, “A familiar set of breasts bounced through the crowd.” (Objectification much?) There’s also of course the obligatory scene in which Elisabeth contemplates her own assets. And naturally Elisabeth is actually falling for centuries-younger arrogant womanizer Allen. It seems a bit odd as well that Lucy seems perfectly normal in her first scene only to reveal later that her father had tried to force her sexually a day or two ago. Even a hint of preoccupation on her part would have been nice.
There are quite a few places where the author uses words that don’t seem to mean quite what he thinks they mean. The meaning is just a couple shades off, or it’s obvious he chose a word that sounded similar to what he wanted but isn’t actually related. “Whelped” definitely doesn’t mean what he thinks it means, even though he uses it in several places.
The earlier sections of the book need to be tightened up a bit. Some conversations–especially the interminable double-date with Lucy, Jack, Allen, and Elisabeth–are, well, interminable. I hope the author meant for the fact that Elisabeth is a werewolf to be obvious from the start. I mean, she has unusual diction and her last name is “Luna” for heaven’s sake. She might as well have taken out a billboard.
Allen has a bunch of visions while he’s turning into a werewolf. I’m just not big on visions and dreams unless they actively add something to our understanding of the story, which these don’t. They just seem like opportunities to up the depravity level.
Oddly enough, the one real saving grace of this book ends up being Allen. He’s the character who actually grows throughout the story, and who becomes more complex and interesting. He’s the character I was least looking forward to reading about, but he ended up being much more interesting than Jack. Unfortunately the book seems to expect us to see Elisabeth as one of the protagonists, when she’s more than happy to tear up random humans for fun; she doesn’t have to be the stereotype of the tortured monster, but she also doesn’t have to take so much glee in it. Of course the author seems to try to make her more sympathetic by giving her a history of having saved (“Turned”) a black slave back in the day. Unfortunately the man is just a plot device meant to humanize Elisabeth.
I definitely found myself wondering how on earth there could be enough prey to sustain an entire town full of werewolves. Judging from Allen’s transformation, the wolves quickly come to rely on humans for prey, and with the number of wolves Fane’s been turning, there simply shouldn’t be enough prey for everyone. Also, the werewolf transformations remind me of the B-movie transformations of my youth (we’re talking special effects of 30 years ago). If you like that, awesome, but it kind of took away from things a little for me.
Fane and the other bad guys–especially the other bad guys–are terribly one-dimensional. They’re highly stereotypical and do little other than commit atrocities, threaten, and sneer.
My second-favorite character in the story is Amanda, but unfortunately she’s a little problematic too. Naturally she takes a liking to Jack despite the fact that he nearly gets her killed. She knifes a man on werewolf property and no one smells the blood? (Wolves are shown to have very keen senses–like being able to track a person by scent who was driving a car at the time.) Also, even a gun with a suppressor on it doesn’t entirely silence shots, so again, those with wolf senses should have heard her shooting within the house she was in.
There are a couple of other tiny things, but that’s most of it. Allen is the breakout and unexpected star of the book, but he doesn’t make up for the rest.
Content note for m/f and f/f sex, incest, molestation and attempted rape, and of course gore.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2019/10/r...
There are quite a few places where the author uses words that don’t seem to mean quite what he thinks they mean. The meaning is just a couple shades off, or it’s obvious he chose a word that sounded similar to what he wanted but isn’t actually related. “Whelped” definitely doesn’t mean what he thinks it means, even though he uses it in several places.
The earlier sections of the book need to be tightened up a bit. Some conversations–especially the interminable double-date with Lucy, Jack, Allen, and Elisabeth–are, well, interminable. I hope the author meant for the fact that Elisabeth is a werewolf to be obvious from the start. I mean, she has unusual diction and her last name is “Luna” for heaven’s sake. She might as well have taken out a billboard.
Allen has a bunch of visions while he’s turning into a werewolf. I’m just not big on visions and dreams unless they actively add something to our understanding of the story, which these don’t. They just seem like opportunities to up the depravity level.
Oddly enough, the one real saving grace of this book ends up being Allen. He’s the character who actually grows throughout the story, and who becomes more complex and interesting. He’s the character I was least looking forward to reading about, but he ended up being much more interesting than Jack. Unfortunately the book seems to expect us to see Elisabeth as one of the protagonists, when she’s more than happy to tear up random humans for fun; she doesn’t have to be the stereotype of the tortured monster, but she also doesn’t have to take so much glee in it. Of course the author seems to try to make her more sympathetic by giving her a history of having saved (“Turned”) a black slave back in the day. Unfortunately the man is just a plot device meant to humanize Elisabeth.
I definitely found myself wondering how on earth there could be enough prey to sustain an entire town full of werewolves. Judging from Allen’s transformation, the wolves quickly come to rely on humans for prey, and with the number of wolves Fane’s been turning, there simply shouldn’t be enough prey for everyone. Also, the werewolf transformations remind me of the B-movie transformations of my youth (we’re talking special effects of 30 years ago). If you like that, awesome, but it kind of took away from things a little for me.
Fane and the other bad guys–especially the other bad guys–are terribly one-dimensional. They’re highly stereotypical and do little other than commit atrocities, threaten, and sneer.
My second-favorite character in the story is Amanda, but unfortunately she’s a little problematic too. Naturally she takes a liking to Jack despite the fact that he nearly gets her killed. She knifes a man on werewolf property and no one smells the blood? (Wolves are shown to have very keen senses–like being able to track a person by scent who was driving a car at the time.) Also, even a gun with a suppressor on it doesn’t entirely silence shots, so again, those with wolf senses should have heard her shooting within the house she was in.
There are a couple of other tiny things, but that’s most of it. Allen is the breakout and unexpected star of the book, but he doesn’t make up for the rest.
Content note for m/f and f/f sex, incest, molestation and attempted rape, and of course gore.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2019/10/r...
August 22, 2018
I find myself debating whether this is a werewolf love story or a thriller; maybe a bit of both. Elizabeth our primary villainess and werewolf have a thing for Allen. She spends a large part of the book chasing after Allen while molding him into the werewolf of her dreams. Kind of strange, but original. On the other side of the plot coin we have Antoine Fane, the sinister werewolf, who has his sights on the town of Greifsfield, Maine. His ambitious scheme is to turn everyone in sight creating his own private army to take over the world. Very ambitious, but not original. Amanda Church the hunter versus Fane is the other plot. There are several couples of interest vying for your attention; Elizabeth and Allen, Molly and Allen, college buddies Jack and Allen, and Amanda and Jack. Then there’s Lucy and her father Rory who bring a whole new perspective to family bonds. These are not your typical werewolves or Varcolacs as they are called here. Aside from appearance and killing method, there is little similarity to the wolves of The Howling. When the werewolves do make an appearance the action is intense and the blood starts flying. All-in-all Feral is a pretty good story for fans of the paranormal. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.
March 21, 2018
In the 1930' , Lov Chaney was the Wolfman. In the 1950's, Michael Landon was the face of teenage angst as a teenage wolfman.. In the 1990's, Jack Nicholson was Wolf. We have been warned for over 80 years, and now Matt Serafini is letting us know; werewolves are real.
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In this thrilling novel, an alpha lycanthrope named Fane moves to a small resort community in Massachusetts. His goal is to turn (or eat) the entire town's population, this turning this bucolic little town into the headquarters for a world-wide takeover. Fane's former protege, Elizabeth, is not keen on this idea and just wants to be left alone. When some college students become involved, the tension is ratcheted up to a fever pitch.
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Serafini has created a mesmerizing tale of horror, love and the evil in the hearts of men. The characters in this novel are incredibly well-crafted, as well as being some of the most empathetic I've seen in quite some time. Even some of the villains had me feeling bad for them. The storyline was well-thought out, and the action and suspense kept me engrossed until the very end. Now it's on to the sequel, or actually prequel, Devil's Row.
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My Rating: 4.25/5 stars
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In this thrilling novel, an alpha lycanthrope named Fane moves to a small resort community in Massachusetts. His goal is to turn (or eat) the entire town's population, this turning this bucolic little town into the headquarters for a world-wide takeover. Fane's former protege, Elizabeth, is not keen on this idea and just wants to be left alone. When some college students become involved, the tension is ratcheted up to a fever pitch.
.
Serafini has created a mesmerizing tale of horror, love and the evil in the hearts of men. The characters in this novel are incredibly well-crafted, as well as being some of the most empathetic I've seen in quite some time. Even some of the villains had me feeling bad for them. The storyline was well-thought out, and the action and suspense kept me engrossed until the very end. Now it's on to the sequel, or actually prequel, Devil's Row.
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My Rating: 4.25/5 stars
September 3, 2024
Feral by author Matt Serafini is the literary equivilant to the film sequel Howling II: Stirba-Werewolf Bitch, and I mean that as a compliment. Serafini throws everything and the kitchen sink into this, giving us warring werewolf clans, werewolf hunters, and everyone of 'em likes to fuck. Seriously, this book is crazy horny. It's also packed full of gory killings. He keeps the pace moving, which is great for a book like this as you're not really stopping to think about the gaping plot holes. The characters are pretty thinly drawn but they get the job done, and Serafini's cinematic prose helps paint a vivid picture. Feral is a good, old fashioned late 80's horror novel that would be right at home in Grady Hendrix's awesome collection 'Paperbacks from Hell'. If you're a fan of those type of books (and if you aren't, you really should be) you should definitely give this one a spin.
September 8, 2018
OK, despite the good review, this was a tough book for me to get through.
The good:
I loved the vicious werewolf action. The bloody chomping of the characters, the characters that I liked not ending up like I would have wanted, the plotline, etc. Matt Godfrey did a great job narrating it which really helped me stay with it in the first 3rd of the story.
The bad:
The level of depravity of the human sexual condition on display. It eased up somewhat after the first third I think, but it was always there in the back of my head once it arrived lending an even darker side to the tale. I skipped a bit when it came up.
Overall I liked the story. It was brutal but interesting.
This book was given to me for free at my request for my voluntary and unbiased review.
The good:
I loved the vicious werewolf action. The bloody chomping of the characters, the characters that I liked not ending up like I would have wanted, the plotline, etc. Matt Godfrey did a great job narrating it which really helped me stay with it in the first 3rd of the story.
The bad:
The level of depravity of the human sexual condition on display. It eased up somewhat after the first third I think, but it was always there in the back of my head once it arrived lending an even darker side to the tale. I skipped a bit when it came up.
Overall I liked the story. It was brutal but interesting.
This book was given to me for free at my request for my voluntary and unbiased review.
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