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Silver Nights Trilogy #1
Leaving the Pack
Nobody believes in werewolves.
That's just what Paul McHew and his friends are counting on.
They and their kind roam our city a race of people from whom the terrible legend stems; now living among us invisibly after centuries of persecution through fear and ignorance. Superficially Caucasian but physiologically very different, with lunar rhythms so strong that during the three days of the full moon they are almost completely controlled by their hormonal instincts, you might have cursed them as just another group of brawling youths or drunken gang-bangers. Now at the point of extinction, if they are to survive their existence must remain restricted to mere stories and legend, but, paradoxically, they also must marry outside their society in order to persist.
The responsibility for negotiating this knife-edge is given to Paul, who runs the streets with his friends during the full moon, keeping them out of real trouble and its resultant difficult questions. Having succeeded for years, he finds his real test of leadership comes when he meets Susan, a potential life-mate, to whom he will have to reveal his true identity if he is ever to leave his pack.
** 10% of the author's royalties will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund. **
That's just what Paul McHew and his friends are counting on.
They and their kind roam our city a race of people from whom the terrible legend stems; now living among us invisibly after centuries of persecution through fear and ignorance. Superficially Caucasian but physiologically very different, with lunar rhythms so strong that during the three days of the full moon they are almost completely controlled by their hormonal instincts, you might have cursed them as just another group of brawling youths or drunken gang-bangers. Now at the point of extinction, if they are to survive their existence must remain restricted to mere stories and legend, but, paradoxically, they also must marry outside their society in order to persist.
The responsibility for negotiating this knife-edge is given to Paul, who runs the streets with his friends during the full moon, keeping them out of real trouble and its resultant difficult questions. Having succeeded for years, he finds his real test of leadership comes when he meets Susan, a potential life-mate, to whom he will have to reveal his true identity if he is ever to leave his pack.
** 10% of the author's royalties will be donated to the World Wildlife Fund. **
- GenresFantasy
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2014
4 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
David J. O'Brien
8 books6 followersDavid is a writer, ecologist and teacher from Dublin, Ireland, now living in Pamplona Spain. He has a degree in environmental biology and doctorate in zoology, specialising in deer biology and is still involved in deer management in his spare time.
As an avid wildlife enthusiast and ecologist, much of David's non-academic writing, especially poetry, is inspired by wildlife and science. While some of his stories and novels are contemporary, others seek to describe the science behind the supernatural or the paranormal.
A long-time member of The World Wildlife Fund, David has pledged to donate 10% of his royalties on all his hitherto published books to that charity to aid with protecting endangered species and habitats.
As an avid wildlife enthusiast and ecologist, much of David's non-academic writing, especially poetry, is inspired by wildlife and science. While some of his stories and novels are contemporary, others seek to describe the science behind the supernatural or the paranormal.
A long-time member of The World Wildlife Fund, David has pledged to donate 10% of his royalties on all his hitherto published books to that charity to aid with protecting endangered species and habitats.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 24, 2014
This story is a little different than most shifter books I have read. They way O’Brien writes this story and the characters makes it believable. He gives just enough detail to keep you interested and wanting more. This is the perfect start to a trilogy. I look forward to reading more. If you’ve not read this, you should!
June 11, 2014
Amazing book, great characters. It catches your attention from the very beginning. I enjoyed the well done descriptions.Nothing to do with other werewolves stories, this one is much better. It is a must.
June 24, 2014
This fast-paced novel is utterly compelling from the first sentence. Well written; the science grounds this book about werewolves firmly in reality.
June 16, 2014
The story opens with Paul waking up by the knowledge that today is the day he will meet the woman with whom he’ll spend the rest of his life. It’s a day he awaits with great joy and mind-numbing fear!
For Paul McHew, lawyer by day and werewolf by night, is the leader of a werewolf pack that runs the local city streets during the three nights of every full moon cycle each month. During that time the pack seeks to drink their fill and enjoy as many women as they can have; they’re full of an extraordinary energy and lust for life during this lunar time. However, they will die out unless they marry outside of their pack and what human would marry a werewolf?
Susan is a feisty gal who actually makes the first move when she spots Paul in a local bar. For the first few minutes it even seems as if they clash so much, there isn’t a chance they will wind up on a date let alone fall in love. However, that spark has been lit for sure and they do begin to have some wildly hot romantic nights, spend many an evening sharing drinks, and even get to the point when Paul tells Sara he has to be with his buddies at the time of the full moon. Susan is amused for the first few months but then begins to wonder at this obsession Paul must fulfill each month!
Meeting Paul’s family and planning for the holidays delights Susan, yet Paul is unhappier within himself as time passes for he must tell her about the secret his family has held for centuries. Humans have been told some truths, some lies, some fantastical stories and more about the true identity of werewolves, with the result being that all humans associate with the word werewolf is absolute, unmitigated horror!
Some scenes in the book carry just enough violence to confirm the association, but the reader must decide how much of reason and animal behavior accounts for what happens in each scene.
This is the story of a huge romance that must unfold with the reality of horror diluted by the truth. David O’Brien paces the conflict perfectly and it all reads like a light-hearted, passionate romance tinged with some darkness. It seems like a wonderful beginning to this horror-romance trilogy and it has just the right amount of passion and intrigue to keep the reader avidly flipping the pages! Nicely done, David O’Brien – looking forward to the next novel!
For Paul McHew, lawyer by day and werewolf by night, is the leader of a werewolf pack that runs the local city streets during the three nights of every full moon cycle each month. During that time the pack seeks to drink their fill and enjoy as many women as they can have; they’re full of an extraordinary energy and lust for life during this lunar time. However, they will die out unless they marry outside of their pack and what human would marry a werewolf?
Susan is a feisty gal who actually makes the first move when she spots Paul in a local bar. For the first few minutes it even seems as if they clash so much, there isn’t a chance they will wind up on a date let alone fall in love. However, that spark has been lit for sure and they do begin to have some wildly hot romantic nights, spend many an evening sharing drinks, and even get to the point when Paul tells Sara he has to be with his buddies at the time of the full moon. Susan is amused for the first few months but then begins to wonder at this obsession Paul must fulfill each month!
Meeting Paul’s family and planning for the holidays delights Susan, yet Paul is unhappier within himself as time passes for he must tell her about the secret his family has held for centuries. Humans have been told some truths, some lies, some fantastical stories and more about the true identity of werewolves, with the result being that all humans associate with the word werewolf is absolute, unmitigated horror!
Some scenes in the book carry just enough violence to confirm the association, but the reader must decide how much of reason and animal behavior accounts for what happens in each scene.
This is the story of a huge romance that must unfold with the reality of horror diluted by the truth. David O’Brien paces the conflict perfectly and it all reads like a light-hearted, passionate romance tinged with some darkness. It seems like a wonderful beginning to this horror-romance trilogy and it has just the right amount of passion and intrigue to keep the reader avidly flipping the pages! Nicely done, David O’Brien – looking forward to the next novel!
September 13, 2014
As I'm not a fan of romance or books about werewolves, I wasn't expecting to enjoy this book very much. I was in for quite a surprise, as this book was engaging, enjoyable, and a fascinating read.
The story follows a young lady, Susan, and a young man, Paul. They meet unexpectedly in a club and fall deeply in love. Unknown to Susan though, Paul is harboring a shocking secret, that he is a werewolf. As Susan and Paul's relationship continues and Paul realizes that Susan is the woman he will settle down with, there are some things to take care of within the pack of werewolves that Paul leads. The story follows the two as Susan copes with her own issues and Paul takes care of things with the pack, all as they discover their growing relationship.
While I'm normally not a huge fan of books that feature romance, this story was tastefully done. There are many romantic aspects within the book, but the author keeps the sleaze and sex to a minimum and focuses on other aspects of the relationship. I really appreciated that while I was reading.
The authors writing style is very pleasant to read. While I can't say that this story read as if written by a truly experienced author (there were a few parts that didn't quite flow right), for the most part the writing was smooth and easy to read. I wasn't distracted by any quirks that the authors writing style contained and didn't find many faults within the writing at all.
In the end, I truly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more. I would definitely recommend this book to those who are interested in books about werewolves or tasteful romances.
The story follows a young lady, Susan, and a young man, Paul. They meet unexpectedly in a club and fall deeply in love. Unknown to Susan though, Paul is harboring a shocking secret, that he is a werewolf. As Susan and Paul's relationship continues and Paul realizes that Susan is the woman he will settle down with, there are some things to take care of within the pack of werewolves that Paul leads. The story follows the two as Susan copes with her own issues and Paul takes care of things with the pack, all as they discover their growing relationship.
While I'm normally not a huge fan of books that feature romance, this story was tastefully done. There are many romantic aspects within the book, but the author keeps the sleaze and sex to a minimum and focuses on other aspects of the relationship. I really appreciated that while I was reading.
The authors writing style is very pleasant to read. While I can't say that this story read as if written by a truly experienced author (there were a few parts that didn't quite flow right), for the most part the writing was smooth and easy to read. I wasn't distracted by any quirks that the authors writing style contained and didn't find many faults within the writing at all.
In the end, I truly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more. I would definitely recommend this book to those who are interested in books about werewolves or tasteful romances.
June 11, 2014
Amazing story great characters. It catches your attention from the very beginning. Nothing to do with others novel about werewolves. This one is much better. It is a must.
October 17, 2014
This book is not the typical shape shifter/werewolf book. I kept waiting and waiting to find out what this author’s take on the werewolf would be and thoroughly enjoyed the unfolding of the history of Paul and his ancestors when it arrived near the end. This is definitely a love story but it also tells of Paul’s strong ties to his “gang” or pack – the group of young men that he spends three nights with every month during the full moon. The author has written a believable story with characters living real lives in a real world - even though Paul and his mates are a bit other than the humans they live among. This book has fights, blood, some violence, love, sex and conflicts to overcome. I liked all of the characters in the book and look forward to learning more about them and their pack in the books to follow.
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
July 3, 2014
Excellent read, I'd highly recommend this book.
I found this book extremely enjoyable. The characters were very realistic, you really become immersed in their world.
The plot was exciting and fast paced, I was turning the pages to find out what happened next. I am really looking forward to the next chapter of this action packed trilogy.
I found this book extremely enjoyable. The characters were very realistic, you really become immersed in their world.
The plot was exciting and fast paced, I was turning the pages to find out what happened next. I am really looking forward to the next chapter of this action packed trilogy.
September 14, 2014
This is not a type of book that I would normally read but did so on the recommendation of a friend. I'm glad I did. Excellent read from the very first chapter and very soon I found myself unable to put it down. Can't wait for the 2nd instalment to be published.
September 30, 2014
Hmmn. I thought I was in control of who I choose to “hook up” with. Apparently, the werewolves have set their sites on me, and I am in their spell. All in the name of the full moon. Hmmn.
An interesting take on the werewolf legend, it gives the reader plenty of opportunities to re-think the scores of paranormal romances out there, and lends a new voice to the “pack”.
Superficially, this novel follows a traditional romance – boy meets girl, boy gets girl. Things are rosy until something happens. Then, boy loses girl. But that is where the similarities end.
The first difference of note is the descriptive quality that Paul's thoughts. The prose is effusive, and perhaps indicative of his age. There is a vast amount of time in sensory and emotional description as well as time spent in learning the history of Paul and the pack.
While I found it difficult to read at times (as it felt like a regency romance at times and not the recent historical it is), the reader should most certainly keep going.
Our heroine, Susan, is much easier to read. Sadly, at times, she feels like an afterthought, not like the integral part of the story that she truly is. On a side note, she also takes a lot more crap from Paul than I ever would. But then again, I'm not dating a werewolf. (I think!)
It is specifically important to note: the quality of the sex scenes is wonderful! Descriptive, plentiful, and mostly emotional. The fight scenes are also fantastic. The made me very happy I was reading and not there in person.
I am not sure why the book is set in 1988. Thoughts running through my head as I was reading it were that perhaps this was a reissue and really was written as a contemporary, or perhaps this was just a special time in the author's life, and that is why he chose to write in this time period. It was, at times, distracting, to know the exact year the author was writing in. On the plus side, he is able to reference specific songs – and they are all real and start to play in your head as you read that scene. A nice touch. The other problem I had was in that I do not know where this story occurs. I don't know if it is real or immaginary. There is a line in the book that calls it an “eternal” city. This captured my mind and kept me guessing as to which city, which county it might have been. (I hear “eternal city” and think of Paris, which it clearly was not!)
With all of the events occurring throughout the book, one of my favorite scenes in the book was where Paul took Susan to meet his father and grandfather. There is just enough mystical quality to keep you guessing. Truly, I am still not sure that Grandfather can't shape-shift (even though Paul specifically tells Susan that werewolves can not do so).
There are stories that you finish, and, well, that's it. It was good and then it was over. Then there are the stories and the characters that stay with you. Happily, I can include Leaving the Pack in this second category. It is a good thing this is so. . . there are two more stories in the trilogy. . . a good thing I want some more!
An interesting take on the werewolf legend, it gives the reader plenty of opportunities to re-think the scores of paranormal romances out there, and lends a new voice to the “pack”.
Superficially, this novel follows a traditional romance – boy meets girl, boy gets girl. Things are rosy until something happens. Then, boy loses girl. But that is where the similarities end.
The first difference of note is the descriptive quality that Paul's thoughts. The prose is effusive, and perhaps indicative of his age. There is a vast amount of time in sensory and emotional description as well as time spent in learning the history of Paul and the pack.
While I found it difficult to read at times (as it felt like a regency romance at times and not the recent historical it is), the reader should most certainly keep going.
Our heroine, Susan, is much easier to read. Sadly, at times, she feels like an afterthought, not like the integral part of the story that she truly is. On a side note, she also takes a lot more crap from Paul than I ever would. But then again, I'm not dating a werewolf. (I think!)
It is specifically important to note: the quality of the sex scenes is wonderful! Descriptive, plentiful, and mostly emotional. The fight scenes are also fantastic. The made me very happy I was reading and not there in person.
I am not sure why the book is set in 1988. Thoughts running through my head as I was reading it were that perhaps this was a reissue and really was written as a contemporary, or perhaps this was just a special time in the author's life, and that is why he chose to write in this time period. It was, at times, distracting, to know the exact year the author was writing in. On the plus side, he is able to reference specific songs – and they are all real and start to play in your head as you read that scene. A nice touch. The other problem I had was in that I do not know where this story occurs. I don't know if it is real or immaginary. There is a line in the book that calls it an “eternal” city. This captured my mind and kept me guessing as to which city, which county it might have been. (I hear “eternal city” and think of Paris, which it clearly was not!)
With all of the events occurring throughout the book, one of my favorite scenes in the book was where Paul took Susan to meet his father and grandfather. There is just enough mystical quality to keep you guessing. Truly, I am still not sure that Grandfather can't shape-shift (even though Paul specifically tells Susan that werewolves can not do so).
There are stories that you finish, and, well, that's it. It was good and then it was over. Then there are the stories and the characters that stay with you. Happily, I can include Leaving the Pack in this second category. It is a good thing this is so. . . there are two more stories in the trilogy. . . a good thing I want some more!
March 10, 2015
*I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Leaving the Pack is a solid book that has a well-thought science background and writing that was almost lyrical at times. I would classify this book as lightly paranormal but more of a drama; the romance portion of the book was present but the intimate scenes, which most PNR fans look to read, were fluffy and almost non-existent. As I mentioned, the writing is very good- descriptive and lyrical at times, although there were some instances were I just skimmed through paragraphs to skip the details of the weather and city because it really had no bearing on the storyline.
Paul was a well-rounded character who's thoughts and actions seemed consistent and showed growth. I wish I could say the same about Susan- for being an "independent woman" she sure lets Paul get away with a lot without sticking up for herself. I felt the story was inconsistent only when Susan is initially suspicious of Paul being a were wolf, but due to the tales her grandfather told her she would be ok with it. But when he reveals what he is, she freaks out and can't accept him. Then she flees to Budapest, which I thought was a little ridiculous.
Although the writing is good, i noticed several editing mistakes and an overuse of exclamation points (people were very excited to say the simplest things!). I thought the constant reference to what song was playing was annoying, and dating the book specifically in the '80s took away from the setting which was otherwise anonymously urban and romantic.
I would recommend this book to people who like general fiction but want to dabble in paranormal, but not to those who like PNR. It wasn't a favorite story of mine but it says a lot about the author's writing that I wanted to and did finish the book. I'll consider reading the second in the series just to see where this story goes.
Leaving the Pack is a solid book that has a well-thought science background and writing that was almost lyrical at times. I would classify this book as lightly paranormal but more of a drama; the romance portion of the book was present but the intimate scenes, which most PNR fans look to read, were fluffy and almost non-existent. As I mentioned, the writing is very good- descriptive and lyrical at times, although there were some instances were I just skimmed through paragraphs to skip the details of the weather and city because it really had no bearing on the storyline.
Paul was a well-rounded character who's thoughts and actions seemed consistent and showed growth. I wish I could say the same about Susan- for being an "independent woman" she sure lets Paul get away with a lot without sticking up for herself. I felt the story was inconsistent only when Susan is initially suspicious of Paul being a were wolf, but due to the tales her grandfather told her she would be ok with it. But when he reveals what he is, she freaks out and can't accept him. Then she flees to Budapest, which I thought was a little ridiculous.
Although the writing is good, i noticed several editing mistakes and an overuse of exclamation points (people were very excited to say the simplest things!). I thought the constant reference to what song was playing was annoying, and dating the book specifically in the '80s took away from the setting which was otherwise anonymously urban and romantic.
I would recommend this book to people who like general fiction but want to dabble in paranormal, but not to those who like PNR. It wasn't a favorite story of mine but it says a lot about the author's writing that I wanted to and did finish the book. I'll consider reading the second in the series just to see where this story goes.
August 1, 2014
Paul has been the leader of the pack for some time now and knows that soon it will come time for him to settle down and pass the reins onto someone else. He can feel it in the air that his life is going to change tonight. As usual him and his pack meet up and head out to the clubs to blow off a little steam. Susan is sitting at the bar with some of her work mates and starting to question why they came to this particular bar. That is until she spies a group of men walk into the club that exude confidence and something else she can’t quite put her finger on. She starts to flirt from afar with one of the men but does not want to appear to him as all the rest of the women who are drooling non-stop. Paul makes his way over to Susan and the going is rough at first but soon they hit it off. Paul knows from their first encounter that Susan is the one. He just has to figure out how to tell her what he is and prepare his pack for his departure. Will Paul lose Susan when she finds out the truth? Will Susan be strong enough to deal with Paul’s secret? Or will they both loose a one of a kind love over doubts and legends?
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June 5, 2023I had a hard time getting into this story. I felt no connection to the characters. The plot felt choppy to me and it seemed like there were enough gaps between scenes, my attention was pulled out of the story. I didn't feel the connection between Paul and Susan was believable to me.
I'm not a big fan of the werewolf genre as a rule but the story may have held my interest more if there was more showing instead of telling.
I'm not a big fan of the werewolf genre as a rule but the story may have held my interest more if there was more showing instead of telling.
November 18, 2014
I gave it a good effort, 45% but just couldn't finish. Ok, I get that the Weres are just big kids...ok but public destruction of property for fun? Paul goes out on one of his boys night and next paragraph, it's a month or 2 later...umm, did I miss something? And sex??? Well the description in some YA books is more erotic. Yeah... I'm done.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews