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Good Dogs
The debut novel from viral horror sensation Brian Asman, Good Dogs is a heartfelt and harrowing story of survival, belonging, found family, and the lengths we’ll go to protect it.
No one ever said being a werewolf was easy. Take Delia, for instance. She’s spent much of her life fighting against her own nature, plagued by nightmares of childhood trauma, and trying to find her place in the world. Many werewolves are just like ostracized by their families, forced to live alone and in secret as they await those nights when the Change overtakes them.
Becoming the den mother to an odd bunch of lycanthropes in Southern California isn’t exactly the answer Delia was looking for. But under the strict rules of the house, they are able to manage the Change safely, and hunt without endangering their San Diego suburb. And they aren’t lone wolves anymore, they’re a pack—a family.
But when one member’s carelessness leads to the discovery of a severed leg in their backyard, Delia and the rest of her family are forced to confront the cold, hard fact they’ve known all along—they don’t belong here. Their only option is to cover up the kill and head into the wilderness, far from people. There, hopefully, they can live out their lives without posing a threat to anyone else.
At home, they might’ve been apex predators. But in the wilds around Talbot—a town abandoned for a century—Delia and her pack aren’t the only ones with a savage bite …
No one ever said being a werewolf was easy. Take Delia, for instance. She’s spent much of her life fighting against her own nature, plagued by nightmares of childhood trauma, and trying to find her place in the world. Many werewolves are just like ostracized by their families, forced to live alone and in secret as they await those nights when the Change overtakes them.
Becoming the den mother to an odd bunch of lycanthropes in Southern California isn’t exactly the answer Delia was looking for. But under the strict rules of the house, they are able to manage the Change safely, and hunt without endangering their San Diego suburb. And they aren’t lone wolves anymore, they’re a pack—a family.
But when one member’s carelessness leads to the discovery of a severed leg in their backyard, Delia and the rest of her family are forced to confront the cold, hard fact they’ve known all along—they don’t belong here. Their only option is to cover up the kill and head into the wilderness, far from people. There, hopefully, they can live out their lives without posing a threat to anyone else.
At home, they might’ve been apex predators. But in the wilds around Talbot—a town abandoned for a century—Delia and her pack aren’t the only ones with a savage bite …
1 pages, Audio CD
First published October 1, 2024
41 people are currently reading
4792 people want to read
About the author
Brian Asman
30 books363 followersBrian Asman is a writer, actor, and director from San Diego, CA. He’s the author of the forthcoming expanded edition of Man, F*ck This House (and Other Disasters) as well as Good Dogs, Our Black Hearts Beat as One, I’m Not Even Supposed to Be Here Today, Neo Arcana, Nunchuck City, Jailbroke, and Return of the Living Elves. He’s recently published short stories in American Cannibal, The Dark Waves of Winter, DreadPop, Pulp Modern, Kelp, and comics in Tales of Horrorgasm.
A film he co-wrote and produced, A Haunting in Ravenwood, is available now on DVD and VOD from Breaking Glass. His short “Reel Trouble” won Best Short Film at Gen Con 2022 and Best Horror Short at the Indie Gathering.
Brian holds an MFA from UCR-Palm Desert. He’s represented by Dunham Literary, Inc.
Find him on social media (@thebrianasman) or his website www.brianasmanbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
May 30, 2024
Ha, like I'm going to see a book titled Good Dogs and not read it. Unfortunately, there are no frolicking golden retrievers or stubborn greyhounds (who are refusing to eat their breakfast because they want parmesan cheese sprinkled on top) in this one, but fortunately it's still a pretty good story about some werewolves. And, okay, so maybe my greyhound is the only one currently on a parmesan cheese-related hunger strike, but it would make a super intriguing and suspenseful novel, I think – hit me up for more great ideas, Brian Asman.
Anyway, for real though. It isn't every day that you read a book where werewolves are the good guys, but here we have it. When Delia's pack is forced to make a new home in the isolated ghost town of Talbot, they soon begin to suspect that they aren't as alone in the woods as they thought they'd be.
Good Dogs is a bit of a slow burn at first – the wolf pack doesn't even really come face-to-face with the monster who's stalking them until the final third-ish of the book – but I never found myself bored. Almost all of the characters have interesting backstories (including the monster), and the flashbacks to previous encounters with the creature are well-written and suspenseful. There's also all kinds of drama going on within the pack, which keeps the story moving along nicely. When the monster finally makes her appearance, however, things get super messed up super quickly. There's blood and gore and death and wolf-humans running for their lives, and it's definitely a nail-biter. (Not that there's blood and gore only toward the end of the novel, mind you – this is not a book for the squeamish.)
My only minor complaint is that while there's a lot about the why of the creature's century(plus)-long rampage, we don't really find out much about the how. It's probably too much to ask of a book that's basically a creature feature in print form, but I am so curious to know the mechanics behind … everything.
My overall rating: 3.95 stars, rounded up. If you enjoy creature horror, stories about werewolves, and/or found family tales with a supernatural twist, definitely consider giving this one a read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is October 1, 2024.
Anyway, for real though. It isn't every day that you read a book where werewolves are the good guys, but here we have it. When Delia's pack is forced to make a new home in the isolated ghost town of Talbot, they soon begin to suspect that they aren't as alone in the woods as they thought they'd be.
Good Dogs is a bit of a slow burn at first – the wolf pack doesn't even really come face-to-face with the monster who's stalking them until the final third-ish of the book – but I never found myself bored. Almost all of the characters have interesting backstories (including the monster), and the flashbacks to previous encounters with the creature are well-written and suspenseful. There's also all kinds of drama going on within the pack, which keeps the story moving along nicely. When the monster finally makes her appearance, however, things get super messed up super quickly. There's blood and gore and death and wolf-humans running for their lives, and it's definitely a nail-biter. (Not that there's blood and gore only toward the end of the novel, mind you – this is not a book for the squeamish.)
My only minor complaint is that while there's a lot about the why of the creature's century(plus)-long rampage, we don't really find out much about the how. It's probably too much to ask of a book that's basically a creature feature in print form, but I am so curious to know the mechanics behind … everything.
My overall rating: 3.95 stars, rounded up. If you enjoy creature horror, stories about werewolves, and/or found family tales with a supernatural twist, definitely consider giving this one a read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is October 1, 2024.
November 18, 2024
It is a very refreshing spin on werewolf folklore.
It has a lot of original ideas and I loved the execution. The interludes and multiple points of view give a good rhythm to the story and make the characters more interesting.
The horror and suspense are great, and mix very well with the more unexpected tale of self acceptance and found family.
I listened to the audiobook version and I really liked the narration.
I had a great time and would definitely recommend this book to any horror fan.
It has a lot of original ideas and I loved the execution. The interludes and multiple points of view give a good rhythm to the story and make the characters more interesting.
The horror and suspense are great, and mix very well with the more unexpected tale of self acceptance and found family.
I listened to the audiobook version and I really liked the narration.
I had a great time and would definitely recommend this book to any horror fan.
January 6, 2025
Informed by werewolf legend and folklore, Brian Asman spins a beastly horrific tale of bloody reckoning, found family, and resurrected hope in his debut horror novel, Good Dogs. This creature feature is adapted to play out in ink instead of film, so readers beware and trespass very carefully... A monster is slumbering within the pages, and should it be disturbed, death itself will be on the hunt to sate a fathomless appetite for blood and vengeance…
Hirsch, Naughton, Joey, Delia, Emily, and Linnae have all enjoyed a semi-normal existence in the suburbs of Sandiego, California, but that illusion of normality is abruptly cleaved in two because of the conspicuous appearance of a severed human limb in the front yard of their shared home after a night out as their wolf selves. With only snatches of memory to work with, they all try to get a leg up (HA!) on solving the murder mystery and covering up their crimes, but they deduce that rapid evacuation may be the only viable solution to avoid detection and impending extermination. Hirsch confesses to having thought about this possibility before and buying some abandoned property in Talbot for a suspiciously good price. But Talbot, California has none of their accustomed creature comforts. It is haunted by the past, isolated from the present, and inhabited only by a rare person…or creature. The entire pack flees to this location in the hopes of starting over, but they only succeed in stirring up more danger in a wild and unforgiving place. Something is monstrously wrong in Talbot, and their survival will depend on embracing their more animalistic instincts, which they have doggedly tried to muzzle while living their domesticated lives.
I loved this book! I’m a sucker for slasher type horror, which this book definitely delivers on. The pacing is slower to begin with, but things quickly start to heat up once that pesky leg makes an appearance. I really adored the pack dynamics since it is basically a dysfunctional and clunky found family that can’t stand each other but also can’t live without one another--so relatable! I found it so interesting that the lycanthropy condition is a genetic mutation in the human genome, not some infection from a bite or attack. I kind of wanted more information on that, but that’s just me being a mega science geek and a sci-fi girlie. Some of the sentence structure was a bit awkward, but that detracts nothing from a thrilling story. Delia was the star of the show, in my opinion. I loved her character growth, and though she really struggled at times, she never failed to rise to any challenge, whether that be wrangling the unruly youngsters within her family or fighting literal monsters. The werewolves are surprisingly good guys this time, and I was cheering them on in their dog-eat-dog world! I definitely recommend this book, and I will be looking out for more books by this author!
Thank you so much Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I think! All opinions are my own. Pub day is very aptly on OCTOBER 1st!
Hirsch, Naughton, Joey, Delia, Emily, and Linnae have all enjoyed a semi-normal existence in the suburbs of Sandiego, California, but that illusion of normality is abruptly cleaved in two because of the conspicuous appearance of a severed human limb in the front yard of their shared home after a night out as their wolf selves. With only snatches of memory to work with, they all try to get a leg up (HA!) on solving the murder mystery and covering up their crimes, but they deduce that rapid evacuation may be the only viable solution to avoid detection and impending extermination. Hirsch confesses to having thought about this possibility before and buying some abandoned property in Talbot for a suspiciously good price. But Talbot, California has none of their accustomed creature comforts. It is haunted by the past, isolated from the present, and inhabited only by a rare person…or creature. The entire pack flees to this location in the hopes of starting over, but they only succeed in stirring up more danger in a wild and unforgiving place. Something is monstrously wrong in Talbot, and their survival will depend on embracing their more animalistic instincts, which they have doggedly tried to muzzle while living their domesticated lives.
I loved this book! I’m a sucker for slasher type horror, which this book definitely delivers on. The pacing is slower to begin with, but things quickly start to heat up once that pesky leg makes an appearance. I really adored the pack dynamics since it is basically a dysfunctional and clunky found family that can’t stand each other but also can’t live without one another--so relatable! I found it so interesting that the lycanthropy condition is a genetic mutation in the human genome, not some infection from a bite or attack. I kind of wanted more information on that, but that’s just me being a mega science geek and a sci-fi girlie. Some of the sentence structure was a bit awkward, but that detracts nothing from a thrilling story. Delia was the star of the show, in my opinion. I loved her character growth, and though she really struggled at times, she never failed to rise to any challenge, whether that be wrangling the unruly youngsters within her family or fighting literal monsters. The werewolves are surprisingly good guys this time, and I was cheering them on in their dog-eat-dog world! I definitely recommend this book, and I will be looking out for more books by this author!
Thank you so much Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I think! All opinions are my own. Pub day is very aptly on OCTOBER 1st!
December 2, 2024
Bad Monster!
The good dogs are Delia, Naughton, Hirsch, Linnae, Baby Girl and Joey. But the good dogs engaged in some bad dog behavior which led them into the trouble that they fell into.
The whole group of them can turn into wolves at the full moon, several times a month. But they have to be careful. They don’t want to hurt any humans.
They wear a dog collar to keep them from leaving their boundary when the moon is in the sky. But once, one of them forgot to change his batteries, and it caused them to go past the boundary, and kill a person.
They decide that they need to leave town and bring all their furniture and clothes and stuff to their new home.
Unfortunately, unknown to them, there is already someone else there. Someone who is filled with hate, anger and evilness. And it’s already killed lots of people who come there. And it’s also planning on killing them, too.
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The good dogs are Delia, Naughton, Hirsch, Linnae, Baby Girl and Joey. But the good dogs engaged in some bad dog behavior which led them into the trouble that they fell into.
The whole group of them can turn into wolves at the full moon, several times a month. But they have to be careful. They don’t want to hurt any humans.
They wear a dog collar to keep them from leaving their boundary when the moon is in the sky. But once, one of them forgot to change his batteries, and it caused them to go past the boundary, and kill a person.
They decide that they need to leave town and bring all their furniture and clothes and stuff to their new home.
Unfortunately, unknown to them, there is already someone else there. Someone who is filled with hate, anger and evilness. And it’s already killed lots of people who come there. And it’s also planning on killing them, too.
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 9, 2024
I love a good werewolf book and this one is full of the things I like about these creatures. But it's also surprisingly "human" and, in fact, the werewolves here are not the most terrifying thing in this book.
A pack of werewolves live together in a home meant to harbor them. Kind of a halfway house of sorts as they've all had to come to terms with their affliction. They are free to run and hunt when they turn but with safety measures in place. They don't want to feast on humans during their cycles.
But one night, their precautions aren't good enough and they change back to find a bloody stump of a leg. Because of this, they're forced to move to an old abandoned ghost town far far from civilization so they don't get caught.
But something else is in that town. Something bigger, stronger, and hungry for violence and bloodshed. With internal strife threatening their pack and the hunters becoming the hunted, they'll have to find a way to protect themselves or die trying.
This novel focuses on each member of the pack from a human perspective. They've all had their separate experiences in the past dealing with what they are and it's not always a happy loving family. There's a good amount of heartfelt moments which gives these creatures a certain sympathy and understanding.
The evil thing they encounter in the ghost town is horrifying and we'll get to see it's backstory as well. It's fueled by hate and vengeance and seems unstoppable.
This is a great werewolf novel and I highly recommend it. I received an ARC through Netgalley with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
A pack of werewolves live together in a home meant to harbor them. Kind of a halfway house of sorts as they've all had to come to terms with their affliction. They are free to run and hunt when they turn but with safety measures in place. They don't want to feast on humans during their cycles.
But one night, their precautions aren't good enough and they change back to find a bloody stump of a leg. Because of this, they're forced to move to an old abandoned ghost town far far from civilization so they don't get caught.
But something else is in that town. Something bigger, stronger, and hungry for violence and bloodshed. With internal strife threatening their pack and the hunters becoming the hunted, they'll have to find a way to protect themselves or die trying.
This novel focuses on each member of the pack from a human perspective. They've all had their separate experiences in the past dealing with what they are and it's not always a happy loving family. There's a good amount of heartfelt moments which gives these creatures a certain sympathy and understanding.
The evil thing they encounter in the ghost town is horrifying and we'll get to see it's backstory as well. It's fueled by hate and vengeance and seems unstoppable.
This is a great werewolf novel and I highly recommend it. I received an ARC through Netgalley with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
December 8, 2024
What a great debut novel. I really enjoyed this fast paced read. All of the characters were well thought out and their interactions had a naturalness to them that I find a lot of books struggle with.
The Plot: very interesting. A little bit of supernatural and folklore. The rules of the werewolves in the story and Mama Bear were a bit ambiguous but I think that’s the point. We don’t know what we don’t know. It didn’t follow the typical werewolf/full moon lore. Instead, the wolves turn a few nights in a row. A bit like a menstrual cycle. I’ve always had a fascination with ghost towns so that also hooked me in as well.
The characters: they definitely had a found family dynamic. They lived and hated each other for things you would think of a typical family. The girls fought like siblings. The old man was defo the grumpy grandpa. It just worked with this book.
Overall, I think it’s a great debut novel. The writing style is more thought out than quite a few books I’ve read regardless of debut so I have hope for this author to create some more stories of this caliber or greater.
The Plot: very interesting. A little bit of supernatural and folklore. The rules of the werewolves in the story and Mama Bear were a bit ambiguous but I think that’s the point. We don’t know what we don’t know. It didn’t follow the typical werewolf/full moon lore. Instead, the wolves turn a few nights in a row. A bit like a menstrual cycle. I’ve always had a fascination with ghost towns so that also hooked me in as well.
The characters: they definitely had a found family dynamic. They lived and hated each other for things you would think of a typical family. The girls fought like siblings. The old man was defo the grumpy grandpa. It just worked with this book.
Overall, I think it’s a great debut novel. The writing style is more thought out than quite a few books I’ve read regardless of debut so I have hope for this author to create some more stories of this caliber or greater.
September 6, 2024
GOOD DOGS is a creature feature with one hell of a bite, Asman has crafted a refreshing take on the werewolf narrative in this heartfelt horror, character driven, propulsive plot and found family at its core make this a fantastic first length novel for the author. Although this is a werewolf book it is predominantly human in nature, there is plethora of relatable and sincere moments as the wolves grapple with guilt and shame over the uncontrollable aspect of their nature. For readers who appreciate flawed and idiosyncratic characters, dysfunctional found family tropes, unconventional heroes, and the writing style of Stephen Graham Jones I highly recommend this!
October 31, 2024
San Diego HWA Represent!!!!
It is hard for me to think of this as being the first novel for Brian Asman. I suppose you could say this is the first proper novel, published with an established publisher, but Asman has been publishing for a few years, but those have been novellas published in a DIY punk style have even produced a viral book release. I mean with a title like “Man, Fuck this House.” Asman already has a signature release. The novellas range from funny to weird and the last Our Black Hearts Beat as One could be argued is a short novel, or would have been considered a novel in the past. Truth is I think of it as a novel. Neat novel.
All that stuff aside I think of Brian as someone more of a vet than a normal debut author. He has done an amazing job marketing himself and his books long before this “debut” novel. Good Dogs is a modern novel that fits into the traditional werewolf genre, it has some humor Asman has built a rep for but it is a more straightforward horror novel than I was expecting. Maybe that has something to do with the elevator pitch which sounds funny on the surface. Sure there are funny moments but most serious novels still have a laugh or two.
Before I get into the story and the really good elements, let's just say that Good Dogs is about found family, identity, and the things that make us who we are. It has a high-concept horror story but mixed in a charming character study. Brian Asman is a one-of-a-kind blend of punk upbringing, MFA training, and a lifetime of genre books and movie consumption that makes a novel that is one of a kind. The best thing about this novel is that it is the unique product of a one-of-a-kind author.
There is a full cast of characters but the bulk of the story is focused on Delia a middle-aged werewolf living in San Diego. She has become an unofficial den mother to a found family of lycanthropes. They have a system for dealing with ‘the change’ the period of the full moon when they lose control and become wolves. They believe they are doing it safely until the sun comes up after a night of change and a severed leg is sitting in their yard.
“Question after question buzz through Delia's head. Where did the leg come from? Who did that leg come from? Where is the rest of them?
Did I do that?”
Hirsh from their crew has a solution, he has been thinking about this and bought Talbot a ghost town closer to central California up in the mountains. The idea spend the full moon up there wolfing out. The problem is once they get there they are the ones in danger.
Before I break it down, here are my non-spoiler feelings-- that this is a special book and a great example of Brian Asman bringing a unique voice to horror. I think it is his best work and I think monster and slasher fans will enjoy this. A must-read for modern horror fans looking for a unique voice. Also I think San Diego horror readers should read local.
Spoilers...
I know Brian pitches this as a slasher but the deep spoiler is that this slasher has supernatural reasons for existing and hunting wolves. I mean there are supernatural slashers for sure, but I wondered after I read the cool twist if this is more of two monsters facing off. It also made me think of The Howling - the excellent movie and not the thin barely novel, that really is terrible. The movie has an excellent Serial killer played by future Star Trek Actor Robert Picardo. The film is about a news anchor played by Dee Wallace who, following a brutal encounter with a serial killer has the bad luck of going to a resort inhabited by werewolves. Good Dogs feels like Brian watched that film and said, almost a cool story I can take a seed and grow a very different plant from it. That is how I Am Legend started, when Matheson watched Dracula and said to himself "if one is scary..."
There are cool moments and werewolf details throughout...
“Delia sniffed the air, turning in a wide circle. The mountains looked familiar, maybe she'd seen them from the road, but they weren't much use in orienting herself. The Vegas end of her night- self’s urine lingered in the air, however just enough of the wolf stayed with her during the days of the change that she had nose enough to follow the scent. Doing so was odd, like a musician fumbling through a song they'd heard once but couldn't quite recall, but it was her only option.”
Some of my favorite moments were when Delia and the crew were just experiencing the change. Asman creates some fun unique twists on werewolf lore.
There is also plenty of excellent prose that helps build the creepy vibe. “The sound was in the dream and the shadow was real. Or the shadow was real and the sound was in the dream, or both belonged in the sleeping world or The Walking one or sprung into being in both simultaneously as unrelated echoes. Either way, Amelia woke in a panic, every nerve on edge, heart beating out of her chest, even though for once her dreams hadn't been about bonds clenched tight around her wrist while the curtains over her bedroom windows caught flame. She sat up straight looking around for what troubled her.”
So when the final reveal happens we learn that the slasher is a supernatural creature named Mama Bear. The reveal grew on me over time as I sat with it. I love some of the details about Mama Bear.
“If she had a mind capable of nuance, she might have noticed that the whole 4 only the slightest scent of the creatures Esther had encountered the night before, and she smelt a good deal more of man but the nuance was lost on Mamma bear, as it likely would have been lost on Esther, had she been present,
What she sought was here, perhaps miles away from McKauver claim in the town of Talbot itself, a filthy readout chosen for his proximity to a mountain stream and its distance from civilization.
Mama bear dropped to all fours and crawled into the hole.”
Mama Bear is a force of nature slasher, driven by a chemical-level need to hunt wolves as revenge, this story is set up with excellent flashbacks that I suspect some readers will complain about. They are wrong, they add a richness and lore that expands the scope of the novel. Slasher hunting Werewolves is an elevator pitch but Mama Bear deepens the novel in ways that are surprising and welcome for this reader.
Good Dogs is a great debut or sophomore. I think it is fun and a fun entry to the growing catalog of San Diego horror writers' novels. This is a deeper and more exciting horror novel than I was expecting and I was looking forward to it. Well done my man.
It is hard for me to think of this as being the first novel for Brian Asman. I suppose you could say this is the first proper novel, published with an established publisher, but Asman has been publishing for a few years, but those have been novellas published in a DIY punk style have even produced a viral book release. I mean with a title like “Man, Fuck this House.” Asman already has a signature release. The novellas range from funny to weird and the last Our Black Hearts Beat as One could be argued is a short novel, or would have been considered a novel in the past. Truth is I think of it as a novel. Neat novel.
All that stuff aside I think of Brian as someone more of a vet than a normal debut author. He has done an amazing job marketing himself and his books long before this “debut” novel. Good Dogs is a modern novel that fits into the traditional werewolf genre, it has some humor Asman has built a rep for but it is a more straightforward horror novel than I was expecting. Maybe that has something to do with the elevator pitch which sounds funny on the surface. Sure there are funny moments but most serious novels still have a laugh or two.
Before I get into the story and the really good elements, let's just say that Good Dogs is about found family, identity, and the things that make us who we are. It has a high-concept horror story but mixed in a charming character study. Brian Asman is a one-of-a-kind blend of punk upbringing, MFA training, and a lifetime of genre books and movie consumption that makes a novel that is one of a kind. The best thing about this novel is that it is the unique product of a one-of-a-kind author.
There is a full cast of characters but the bulk of the story is focused on Delia a middle-aged werewolf living in San Diego. She has become an unofficial den mother to a found family of lycanthropes. They have a system for dealing with ‘the change’ the period of the full moon when they lose control and become wolves. They believe they are doing it safely until the sun comes up after a night of change and a severed leg is sitting in their yard.
“Question after question buzz through Delia's head. Where did the leg come from? Who did that leg come from? Where is the rest of them?
Did I do that?”
Hirsh from their crew has a solution, he has been thinking about this and bought Talbot a ghost town closer to central California up in the mountains. The idea spend the full moon up there wolfing out. The problem is once they get there they are the ones in danger.
Before I break it down, here are my non-spoiler feelings-- that this is a special book and a great example of Brian Asman bringing a unique voice to horror. I think it is his best work and I think monster and slasher fans will enjoy this. A must-read for modern horror fans looking for a unique voice. Also I think San Diego horror readers should read local.
Spoilers...
I know Brian pitches this as a slasher but the deep spoiler is that this slasher has supernatural reasons for existing and hunting wolves. I mean there are supernatural slashers for sure, but I wondered after I read the cool twist if this is more of two monsters facing off. It also made me think of The Howling - the excellent movie and not the thin barely novel, that really is terrible. The movie has an excellent Serial killer played by future Star Trek Actor Robert Picardo. The film is about a news anchor played by Dee Wallace who, following a brutal encounter with a serial killer has the bad luck of going to a resort inhabited by werewolves. Good Dogs feels like Brian watched that film and said, almost a cool story I can take a seed and grow a very different plant from it. That is how I Am Legend started, when Matheson watched Dracula and said to himself "if one is scary..."
There are cool moments and werewolf details throughout...
“Delia sniffed the air, turning in a wide circle. The mountains looked familiar, maybe she'd seen them from the road, but they weren't much use in orienting herself. The Vegas end of her night- self’s urine lingered in the air, however just enough of the wolf stayed with her during the days of the change that she had nose enough to follow the scent. Doing so was odd, like a musician fumbling through a song they'd heard once but couldn't quite recall, but it was her only option.”
Some of my favorite moments were when Delia and the crew were just experiencing the change. Asman creates some fun unique twists on werewolf lore.
There is also plenty of excellent prose that helps build the creepy vibe. “The sound was in the dream and the shadow was real. Or the shadow was real and the sound was in the dream, or both belonged in the sleeping world or The Walking one or sprung into being in both simultaneously as unrelated echoes. Either way, Amelia woke in a panic, every nerve on edge, heart beating out of her chest, even though for once her dreams hadn't been about bonds clenched tight around her wrist while the curtains over her bedroom windows caught flame. She sat up straight looking around for what troubled her.”
So when the final reveal happens we learn that the slasher is a supernatural creature named Mama Bear. The reveal grew on me over time as I sat with it. I love some of the details about Mama Bear.
“If she had a mind capable of nuance, she might have noticed that the whole 4 only the slightest scent of the creatures Esther had encountered the night before, and she smelt a good deal more of man but the nuance was lost on Mamma bear, as it likely would have been lost on Esther, had she been present,
What she sought was here, perhaps miles away from McKauver claim in the town of Talbot itself, a filthy readout chosen for his proximity to a mountain stream and its distance from civilization.
Mama bear dropped to all fours and crawled into the hole.”
Mama Bear is a force of nature slasher, driven by a chemical-level need to hunt wolves as revenge, this story is set up with excellent flashbacks that I suspect some readers will complain about. They are wrong, they add a richness and lore that expands the scope of the novel. Slasher hunting Werewolves is an elevator pitch but Mama Bear deepens the novel in ways that are surprising and welcome for this reader.
Good Dogs is a great debut or sophomore. I think it is fun and a fun entry to the growing catalog of San Diego horror writers' novels. This is a deeper and more exciting horror novel than I was expecting and I was looking forward to it. Well done my man.
October 1, 2024
This started with such potential. A story from the werewolves point of view and some very fun, innovative ideas. However it felt like they went from beasts to pups when trouble hits.
As the story progressed I lost connection with the story as it felt like too much unnecessary back story and internal thinking. I found myself rolling my eyes and mumbling aloud to get the action going.
There were some great aspects of the book with characters and relationships that felt genuine, a gripping opening scene, and a unique take on the werewolf lore
As the story progressed I lost connection with the story as it felt like too much unnecessary back story and internal thinking. I found myself rolling my eyes and mumbling aloud to get the action going.
There were some great aspects of the book with characters and relationships that felt genuine, a gripping opening scene, and a unique take on the werewolf lore
April 4, 2025
Let me just start off by saying I'm not typically a fan of Werewolves in fiction. I think that's important to note, because I absolutely LOVED this book.
Good Dogs is the story of a pack of Werewolves living peacefully in San Diego, until their lives get uprooted and they move to the ghost town of Talbot, where they discover an entity much, much worse than a werewolf. The book centers around Delia, an incredibly well developed "den mother" who is doing her best to keep her chosen family together in an extremely difficult time. She is the beating heart of this book, and you can't help but immediately root for her (and not just because I also have a dog named Cordelia, who for the record is a good dog). She cares about everyone in her pack, each of whom has their own strong personality which shines through. Sometimes when reading books that immediately introduce you to a cast of 6 or more central characters, it can be hard to keep track of who's who. That's not the case here; each character is so unique and fully realized that I felt like I knew every one of them by the end of the first chapter.
One of the many savvy decisions Asman made when writing this book was separating the characters daytime selves with their lycanthrope counterparts. We mostly only get the perspectives of the human beings, with them only having vague memories or feelings tied to their nocturnal activities. I absolutely loved this. It kept the werewolf aspect mysterious, and allowed us to really focus on the anxiety that surrounds the transformations, rather than the actual proceedings.
What shines the most here, though, is Asmans fluid prose that keeps dialogue snappy, and descriptions clear and evocative. The book is also occasionally very funny, which both breaks up the tension, and in one scene at an In-n-out parking lot, even adds to it. Asman is clearly no stranger to adding humor in his books, as clearly evidenced by his absurdist masterpiece "Man, F- This House." While this book is decidedly more grounded than that, he still manages to let his personality shine through the often anxiety filled content of the book.
Bottom line; if you dig werewolves, this is an absolute must read. If you don't dig werewolves (like me), you'll probably still love this book.
Good Dogs is the story of a pack of Werewolves living peacefully in San Diego, until their lives get uprooted and they move to the ghost town of Talbot, where they discover an entity much, much worse than a werewolf. The book centers around Delia, an incredibly well developed "den mother" who is doing her best to keep her chosen family together in an extremely difficult time. She is the beating heart of this book, and you can't help but immediately root for her (and not just because I also have a dog named Cordelia, who for the record is a good dog). She cares about everyone in her pack, each of whom has their own strong personality which shines through. Sometimes when reading books that immediately introduce you to a cast of 6 or more central characters, it can be hard to keep track of who's who. That's not the case here; each character is so unique and fully realized that I felt like I knew every one of them by the end of the first chapter.
One of the many savvy decisions Asman made when writing this book was separating the characters daytime selves with their lycanthrope counterparts. We mostly only get the perspectives of the human beings, with them only having vague memories or feelings tied to their nocturnal activities. I absolutely loved this. It kept the werewolf aspect mysterious, and allowed us to really focus on the anxiety that surrounds the transformations, rather than the actual proceedings.
What shines the most here, though, is Asmans fluid prose that keeps dialogue snappy, and descriptions clear and evocative. The book is also occasionally very funny, which both breaks up the tension, and in one scene at an In-n-out parking lot, even adds to it. Asman is clearly no stranger to adding humor in his books, as clearly evidenced by his absurdist masterpiece "Man, F- This House." While this book is decidedly more grounded than that, he still manages to let his personality shine through the often anxiety filled content of the book.
Bottom line; if you dig werewolves, this is an absolute must read. If you don't dig werewolves (like me), you'll probably still love this book.
February 6, 2025
Live, let live, and leave the things that howl in the night be.” Wise advice that absolutely no one in this book follows.
Brian Asman delivers a layered horror ride where a humanized monster chases other humanized monsters, who are also chasing humans—because why settle for one kind of terror when you can have them all? Told from the werewolves’ perspective, the lore is so engaging that I found myself questioning my own allegiance. The humans? Dubious. The werewolves? Surprisingly compelling. The real monster? Who’s to say?
The gore was delightful—visceral but never gratuitous—balanced with genuine character depth and storytelling that sticks with you. Add in injections of humor and pop culture references, and Good Dogs is the kind of horror that keeps you entertained while gnawing at your brain long after.
Brian Asman delivers a layered horror ride where a humanized monster chases other humanized monsters, who are also chasing humans—because why settle for one kind of terror when you can have them all? Told from the werewolves’ perspective, the lore is so engaging that I found myself questioning my own allegiance. The humans? Dubious. The werewolves? Surprisingly compelling. The real monster? Who’s to say?
The gore was delightful—visceral but never gratuitous—balanced with genuine character depth and storytelling that sticks with you. Add in injections of humor and pop culture references, and Good Dogs is the kind of horror that keeps you entertained while gnawing at your brain long after.
May 15, 2024
Quite simply one of the best monster stories you'll ever read, Good Dogs is a story sure to please both casual and hardcore horror fans. In his visionary first novel, Brian Asman transports his readers with an incantation of authentic characters, genuine emotion and vivid, clearly written action scenes. The book uses a staggered chronology to strategically reveal twists that propel the narrative at an exponential rate toward the pulse-pounding climax, as a group of friends, bonded over their shared curse, are faced with an enemy even more formidable than themselves. Fans of Lyn. I Kelly's Tracks and Max Brooks' Devolution should consider this story essential reading.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC.
September 30, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
If you only know Brian Asman from reading Man, Fuck This House you are doing yourself a disservice. The man can WRITE. Good Dogs is my new favorite werewolf book. It's an interesting take on the werewolf mythos, emphasizing the importance of found family. Dangers both supernatural and human abound, with lots of tension and incredible action scenes. Easy 5 stars
If you only know Brian Asman from reading Man, Fuck This House you are doing yourself a disservice. The man can WRITE. Good Dogs is my new favorite werewolf book. It's an interesting take on the werewolf mythos, emphasizing the importance of found family. Dangers both supernatural and human abound, with lots of tension and incredible action scenes. Easy 5 stars
June 2, 2024
Saw this one on netgalley and requested a copy because I really enjoyed his book Man, Fuck This House. And I'm so glad I did. What a fun spin on the genre!
Delia is a werewolf, though not in the sense that we've been led to believe. She wasn't bit or turned. She has a genetic disorder that makes her susceptible to The Change. She isn't a slave to the full moon. But she does change on a regular cycle. She leads a normal life as a human for most of the year, but during those change cycles, she has little to no memory of how she spends the nights as her wolf-self. Forced out of fear, and a care for others, she broke away from home and connected with other lycanthropes who, like her, are also ostracized and misunderstood.
As the unofficial den mother, it becomes her responsibility to relocate the younger members of the clan when one of them breaks through the barrier of their isolated hunting grounds and kills a human. They move to a ghost town their clan's founder purchased for just this type of crisis. But as they settle in, Delia and the others discover they are not the only ones there. And the thing that is stalking them is ancient and out for revenge.
It's a creature feature slash found family horror novel with a whole lot of blood and gore and a ton of heart, one where the werewolves are actually the good guys, which made for a very unique reading experience. There's tons of character backstory (yes, even for the 'monster'), and a great boss scene towards the end that kept me at the edge of my seat!
If you liked Glen Duncan's The Last Werewolf, you will dig Good Dogs. Brian's focus on the human side of the change is very similar and just as touching. While they might not remember what they do each time they change, their non-wolf selves struggle with the guilt and shame of what they are unable to control.
You guys, really. This book is sooo good.
Delia is a werewolf, though not in the sense that we've been led to believe. She wasn't bit or turned. She has a genetic disorder that makes her susceptible to The Change. She isn't a slave to the full moon. But she does change on a regular cycle. She leads a normal life as a human for most of the year, but during those change cycles, she has little to no memory of how she spends the nights as her wolf-self. Forced out of fear, and a care for others, she broke away from home and connected with other lycanthropes who, like her, are also ostracized and misunderstood.
As the unofficial den mother, it becomes her responsibility to relocate the younger members of the clan when one of them breaks through the barrier of their isolated hunting grounds and kills a human. They move to a ghost town their clan's founder purchased for just this type of crisis. But as they settle in, Delia and the others discover they are not the only ones there. And the thing that is stalking them is ancient and out for revenge.
It's a creature feature slash found family horror novel with a whole lot of blood and gore and a ton of heart, one where the werewolves are actually the good guys, which made for a very unique reading experience. There's tons of character backstory (yes, even for the 'monster'), and a great boss scene towards the end that kept me at the edge of my seat!
If you liked Glen Duncan's The Last Werewolf, you will dig Good Dogs. Brian's focus on the human side of the change is very similar and just as touching. While they might not remember what they do each time they change, their non-wolf selves struggle with the guilt and shame of what they are unable to control.
You guys, really. This book is sooo good.
February 28, 2025
This was a fantastic werewolf book. I couldn’t put it down!
November 23, 2024
Wow! This was a fun read, an interesting take on the werewolf story. Kills in this were off the charts visceral, and I loved every second of it. Would make for a great film. Recommend this one 👍🏼
April 11, 2025
Brian Asman's Good Dogs is an entertaining howling romp that pits a migrating group of werewolves against a beast higher up on their food chain. Having the hunters be the hunted allows for an interesting take on the type of characters that you root for while the big evil monster is stalking them. Each of these wolves has a defining role within their family, and I wish that Asman couldn't have explored that dynamic further within his narrative, except the flashbacks seem devoted to the murderous history of the "Watcher" or "Mama Bear" and her victims instead of strengthening how these characters became a found family. There could be missed opportunities for further flashbacks as this wild bunch manages to differentiate themselves from each other. They have regaling personalities and backstories surrounding their "change," which makes it difficult to see how they eventually become victims in the later half of the story, especially when it comes to Linnae, who probably has it the most difficult out of all of them as she was forced to become an attack dog for her drug-dealer boyfriend. However, the book has some entertaining and gruesome moments akin to a bloody monster flick that will flip through the pages.
The opening of Esther's siege against the werewolves is pretty tense, suggesting that most of the cast won't be unscathed by the end, whether human or not. This lack of armour is accentuated when you discover what happened to one of her children when she discovers the bone pitt near the mine within her transformation. There is also a scene from her perspective where she describes killing Joey, who is one of the lycanthropes. The way that his mangling and his last agonizing moments are expressed through a predatory lens is pretty visceral.
While I did expect more from the characters, I recommend this book to anyone who wants a distinctive take on the werewolf mythos and a creative perspective on the creature's feature.
The opening of Esther's siege against the werewolves is pretty tense, suggesting that most of the cast won't be unscathed by the end, whether human or not. This lack of armour is accentuated when you discover what happened to one of her children when she discovers the bone pitt near the mine within her transformation. There is also a scene from her perspective where she describes killing Joey, who is one of the lycanthropes. The way that his mangling and his last agonizing moments are expressed through a predatory lens is pretty visceral.
While I did expect more from the characters, I recommend this book to anyone who wants a distinctive take on the werewolf mythos and a creative perspective on the creature's feature.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2025
The word babygirl is used entirely too much in this book. Is this what my poor dog deals with when I call her babygirl all the time. I’m so sorry, Paisley 😂 (it's legit all I could focus on 😂)
Other than that, nothing memorable… but wasn’t bad.
Other than that, nothing memorable… but wasn’t bad.
August 15, 2024
Asman balances a brutal bite with a bleeding heart in this fresh take on the werewolf mythos.
This is Asman’s first full-length novel, having previously published a number of novellas. In one way I can see how this story might have been well-served as a novella, but by committing to the longer format it gave him more room to plumb the depth of his cast of characters and add a good deal of pathos to a simple, bloody plot. I appreciated the extra dimensions to the characters, each member of our pack having their own hang-ups and traumas that they brought to the group dynamic. They were all interesting, and while you could see the skeletons of the archetypical characters found in any given horror/slasher Asman did a decent job adding enough meat to the bones to make them all feel interesting, instead of just generic, enough so that I felt emotionally invested in all of them. Sometimes it did feel like mini exposition dumps to give us any given character’s backstory, it wasn’t always smooth or organic. It very much felt like, “Here is this character, and how they stand out from everyone else. OK, now, here is this character….” and so on. So, there was a little bit in the execution that felt heavy-handed, but the resulting characters were still engaging. The world building was decent enough, giving us a glimpse into what kind of world these characters have found themselves in and created for themselves, given their situation. I am always interested in tweaks or interesting takes on the werewolf mythos, and Asman does play with it here. We are kind of hampered by the ignorance of the characters, so there is more about what it means to be a werewolf in this world that we don’t know, but I appreciated the spin on a common story.
The writing was solid, pushing the narrative forward at a good clip, not too flowery but also not dry or boring, with convincing, natural dialogue. The pacing was nice, with a few interludes flashing back to the history of the land they were on, each of which adopted a writing style/vernacular particular to the time-period of that interlude, which felt a little cheesy but also a fun little addition, at the same time. These didn’t really add anything to the narrative other than ambiance, but they were strategic in breaking up the pacing in such a way to keep you invested in what was happening. The narration stays primarily with one character’s POV, only jumping around a little here and there. On one hand this makes sense, navigating equally between five or six characters might have been a little dizzying. On the other hand, I would have liked to spend more time with the secondary/supporting characters. That would have allowed us to learn about them with less heavy-handed info dumps and could have rounded out the depths of this found family story. Because, at its heart, that is what this story is. A bunch of misfits have found each other out of necessity and are now tested in how far they will go to protect not just each other but what they have created together. I felt like we were told about the importance of this found family more than we felt it, and more time with the secondary characters might have really deepened that experience.
I had fun reading this novel, and it felt like all the pieces were there. It had a simple but engaging plot, interesting characters, some brutal action scenes, a relatable world permeated with the need to feel safe and protected, and a lot of heart underneath the blood. That said, it did feel like it was missing something, like the volume was a little muted. I don’t know if this is the result of someone more accustomed to writing novellas taking their first venture in the novel space, or something else, but I consistently felt like this story was on the verge of being really great and just falling a little short. Again, though, this is a werewolf story with heart that was a joy to read. It is an exploration of relationships and loyalties, of tragedies and determination, and I didn’t want to put it down, the writing and plotting strong enough to pull me from one chapter to the next.
I want to thank the author, the publisher Blackstone Publishing, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
(Rounded from 3.5)
This is Asman’s first full-length novel, having previously published a number of novellas. In one way I can see how this story might have been well-served as a novella, but by committing to the longer format it gave him more room to plumb the depth of his cast of characters and add a good deal of pathos to a simple, bloody plot. I appreciated the extra dimensions to the characters, each member of our pack having their own hang-ups and traumas that they brought to the group dynamic. They were all interesting, and while you could see the skeletons of the archetypical characters found in any given horror/slasher Asman did a decent job adding enough meat to the bones to make them all feel interesting, instead of just generic, enough so that I felt emotionally invested in all of them. Sometimes it did feel like mini exposition dumps to give us any given character’s backstory, it wasn’t always smooth or organic. It very much felt like, “Here is this character, and how they stand out from everyone else. OK, now, here is this character….” and so on. So, there was a little bit in the execution that felt heavy-handed, but the resulting characters were still engaging. The world building was decent enough, giving us a glimpse into what kind of world these characters have found themselves in and created for themselves, given their situation. I am always interested in tweaks or interesting takes on the werewolf mythos, and Asman does play with it here. We are kind of hampered by the ignorance of the characters, so there is more about what it means to be a werewolf in this world that we don’t know, but I appreciated the spin on a common story.
The writing was solid, pushing the narrative forward at a good clip, not too flowery but also not dry or boring, with convincing, natural dialogue. The pacing was nice, with a few interludes flashing back to the history of the land they were on, each of which adopted a writing style/vernacular particular to the time-period of that interlude, which felt a little cheesy but also a fun little addition, at the same time. These didn’t really add anything to the narrative other than ambiance, but they were strategic in breaking up the pacing in such a way to keep you invested in what was happening. The narration stays primarily with one character’s POV, only jumping around a little here and there. On one hand this makes sense, navigating equally between five or six characters might have been a little dizzying. On the other hand, I would have liked to spend more time with the secondary/supporting characters. That would have allowed us to learn about them with less heavy-handed info dumps and could have rounded out the depths of this found family story. Because, at its heart, that is what this story is. A bunch of misfits have found each other out of necessity and are now tested in how far they will go to protect not just each other but what they have created together. I felt like we were told about the importance of this found family more than we felt it, and more time with the secondary characters might have really deepened that experience.
I had fun reading this novel, and it felt like all the pieces were there. It had a simple but engaging plot, interesting characters, some brutal action scenes, a relatable world permeated with the need to feel safe and protected, and a lot of heart underneath the blood. That said, it did feel like it was missing something, like the volume was a little muted. I don’t know if this is the result of someone more accustomed to writing novellas taking their first venture in the novel space, or something else, but I consistently felt like this story was on the verge of being really great and just falling a little short. Again, though, this is a werewolf story with heart that was a joy to read. It is an exploration of relationships and loyalties, of tragedies and determination, and I didn’t want to put it down, the writing and plotting strong enough to pull me from one chapter to the next.
I want to thank the author, the publisher Blackstone Publishing, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
(Rounded from 3.5)
October 2, 2024
This very quickly made its way into my heart. And then into my gut, my brain, my soul. Right from the beginning we are thrown into an unsettling situation, one that really pulls at your heartstrings. And then it cranks on your anxiety and twists in your gut as you watch - because the imagery is spot on - as things get creepier and more horrifying. I loved the POV we enter after the initial hell broke loose, a relatable character in many ways. I felt myself get hopefully for this character, felt my heart break for this character and I thoroughly enjoyed it the whole way. When a book pulls you in the way this one does, it’s hard to not become invested in the story. Immersed in the story. I’ll be adding this one to my “favorite werewolf story” shelf post haste!
February 3, 2025
my “woman-self” was so confused and kind of bored by this.
October 7, 2024
What if the werewolves were not the apex predators of the story?
That sounds exciting, right? I agree. And Good Dogs didn’t fail to entertain, but it did disappoint me. The biggest issue was that the werewolf aspect felt like such a minor component and the werewolves themselves were never truly prey. They were hunted only in their human form, and this doesn’t even happen until the end of the book.
It’s important to know that these are well-behaved lycanthropes. They’re trying their best not to kill people, and that is a worthy goal. I liked this aspect very much.
The synopsis suggested that this will have some depth to it, and the author certainly tried to fulfill this by giving some of the characters backgrounds of trauma. I could argue that this helped give them dimension, but they truly felt flat in the present day narration; all of them simply stereotypes brought to life.
It was also very easy to predict who the throwaway characters were, which is common enough in your standard slasher story, which is exactly what this ended up being.
Most of the novel involved drama between the characters with interludes of horror that hinted at the real villain of Good Dogs. It’s pretty gruesome, and those moments did succeed in creating an eerie atmosphere and amping up tension. It was just frustrating to get such small samples of horror. Then the final scenes played out as if Jason Voorhees was chasing a bunch of fearful victims at Camp Crystal Lake and that’s not what I signed on for. Why not pit the actual werewolves against the Watcher? What really was the point of our good dogs, as they didn’t offer anything especially good to the story? It seemed like their only purpose was to explain the unfortunate incident that sent the characters (in their human form) to the place of doom.
There were also some inconsistencies in the narrative, as well as threads left dangling. Considering this, along with the development of the Watcher‘s backstory, made this feel a bit like lazy storytelling.
This wasn't the innovative idea I had expected, and since I did find anything profound or emotional within it, I felt mostly dissatisfied. I was baited quickly by its opening, and it was engaging enough to see through, though.
I am immensely grateful to Libro.fm, Blackstone Publishing, and Brian Asman for my copy.
That sounds exciting, right? I agree. And Good Dogs didn’t fail to entertain, but it did disappoint me. The biggest issue was that the werewolf aspect felt like such a minor component and the werewolves themselves were never truly prey. They were hunted only in their human form, and this doesn’t even happen until the end of the book.
It’s important to know that these are well-behaved lycanthropes. They’re trying their best not to kill people, and that is a worthy goal. I liked this aspect very much.
The synopsis suggested that this will have some depth to it, and the author certainly tried to fulfill this by giving some of the characters backgrounds of trauma. I could argue that this helped give them dimension, but they truly felt flat in the present day narration; all of them simply stereotypes brought to life.
It was also very easy to predict who the throwaway characters were, which is common enough in your standard slasher story, which is exactly what this ended up being.
Most of the novel involved drama between the characters with interludes of horror that hinted at the real villain of Good Dogs. It’s pretty gruesome, and those moments did succeed in creating an eerie atmosphere and amping up tension. It was just frustrating to get such small samples of horror. Then the final scenes played out as if Jason Voorhees was chasing a bunch of fearful victims at Camp Crystal Lake and that’s not what I signed on for. Why not pit the actual werewolves against the Watcher? What really was the point of our good dogs, as they didn’t offer anything especially good to the story? It seemed like their only purpose was to explain the unfortunate incident that sent the characters (in their human form) to the place of doom.
There were also some inconsistencies in the narrative, as well as threads left dangling. Considering this, along with the development of the Watcher‘s backstory, made this feel a bit like lazy storytelling.
This wasn't the innovative idea I had expected, and since I did find anything profound or emotional within it, I felt mostly dissatisfied. I was baited quickly by its opening, and it was engaging enough to see through, though.
I am immensely grateful to Libro.fm, Blackstone Publishing, and Brian Asman for my copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2025
Delia is a werewolf. She lives with Hirsch and his pack of 4 others until one of the pack members has a rough night - rough as in breaks the boundaries they have set for themselves and tears apart a dogcatcher. While Hirsch and Delia's mate, Naughton, cover up the crime, Delia and the three young pups travel out to land that Hirsch has bought in California. It is a ghost town; what better place for a pack of unruly werewolves? The problem is, something else is living the ghost town. They are warned on their way in (as per horror rules :P), but why would werewolves worry? Unfortunately for the pack, the creature is big and fiercely protective over land.
I'm not huge into werewolves, but this was fun. Ultimately, this is just a story about 6 people who are different and want to be left to their own devices. I totally appreciate that!
I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed the multiple narrators. Great story.
I'm not huge into werewolves, but this was fun. Ultimately, this is just a story about 6 people who are different and want to be left to their own devices. I totally appreciate that!
I listened to the audiobook and I enjoyed the multiple narrators. Great story.
July 21, 2024
Terrific book from Asman about a makeshift family of werewolves who must move from their current home habitat after one of the members makes a deadly mistake on a nightly prowl. At the new site, they encounter a mysterious beast that challenges their ability to live peacefully in their surroundings, and they must figure out an answer before everyone winds up dead. Well-written with a nice horror vibe to it and fleshed-out characters that keep the whole thing quite interesting straight through the intense and highly satisfying ending. Wasn't sure what to expect from this one, as Asman was unknown to me (it's his first novel but apparently he's written some viral stuff), but I was pleasantly entertained. 4.25 stars. Highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 5, 2025
Werewolves are my favorite of the old school monsters, so in contrast to what you may expect, I rarely read werewolf books, because they generally just don’t stand up for me how I want them to.
Not the case with Good Dogs. This one rules. I have some small quibbles but nothing really worth mentioning cause it’s such a personal preference thing, but Brian Asman can really write, and I’m glad I took a shot on this.
A recent favorite of mine was Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones, and while they’re very different stories, I think if you dug one, you’re gonna dig the other, as they are both werewolf stories that put a ton of focus on the person in the wolf-skin, not just the teeth and claws.
Not the case with Good Dogs. This one rules. I have some small quibbles but nothing really worth mentioning cause it’s such a personal preference thing, but Brian Asman can really write, and I’m glad I took a shot on this.
A recent favorite of mine was Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones, and while they’re very different stories, I think if you dug one, you’re gonna dig the other, as they are both werewolf stories that put a ton of focus on the person in the wolf-skin, not just the teeth and claws.
October 7, 2025
Wow. So I have to say, I was really rooting for this one. It is an extremely easy read. It's not so much addictive, or hard to put down, but just smooth to consume. This makes it very likeable, and the story had great potential. However...putting it lightly, the story ends up completely spinning out in the home stretch. Internal lore was inconsistent, there were odd choices in events, and the ending was extremely unsatisfactory. You also don't get explanations as to how or why certain things occur, which is in line with the inconsistent lore bit, but just makes it even worse. This one was not for me.
September 6, 2024
At the end of the synopsis is the line the "pack aren't the only ones with a Savage bite". Brian Asman takes a story of werewolves trying to live a normal life while running free at night, and adds in a whole other creature feature and it works. Classic story of hunter becoming the hunted. My absolute favorite part, though is every character seems to named after a character in a werewolf movie. Loved the references I caught, wonder which ones I didn't!
January 10, 2025
Good Dog
Brian Asman
4.5 / 5
Thanks to Netgalley and Brian Asman for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
An excellent take on the stereotypical werewolf story, this book has both bite and a beating heart that guides you steadily toward it's excellent conclusion.
This updated creature feature certainly doesn't feel like a debut novel. (From what I can see, Brian has written a few novellas.)
The plot and pacing were nearly perfect.
I only regret not getting to this ARC sooner!
Recommended!
4.5 / 5
Brian Asman
4.5 / 5
Thanks to Netgalley and Brian Asman for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
An excellent take on the stereotypical werewolf story, this book has both bite and a beating heart that guides you steadily toward it's excellent conclusion.
This updated creature feature certainly doesn't feel like a debut novel. (From what I can see, Brian has written a few novellas.)
The plot and pacing were nearly perfect.
I only regret not getting to this ARC sooner!
Recommended!
4.5 / 5
January 16, 2025
*****I received this free audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Wow! When the werewolves aren’t the only things hunting the &$@! hits the fan! This “family” for werewolves try their best to fit in within the world around them. After a slip up they decide it is time to move to a more secluded area. Unbeknownst to them they are no longer the hunters but have become the hunted.
Wow! When the werewolves aren’t the only things hunting the &$@! hits the fan! This “family” for werewolves try their best to fit in within the world around them. After a slip up they decide it is time to move to a more secluded area. Unbeknownst to them they are no longer the hunters but have become the hunted.
October 4, 2024
AHH finally a book about a woman who is a werewolf whose story isn't about mating with friggin' alphas (in fact, the only time alphas are brought up in the book are to call the whole theory bullshit). And it's a found family story! It's horror, it's gory, it's a fun slasher-but-it's-a-monster read for spooky season.
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