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Wolf Bound

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A year after suffering a disastrous end to his relationship with his partner, teacher Jon Anderson trades his apartment in the city for a lake house in the country. Told there is an author living nearby, Jon, who dreams of being a writer, goes in search of him and finds the attractive older man in a small, rustic cabin on a tiny island on a neighboring lake. Harrison Kalmes shows Jon around, but makes it clear he’d rather be left alone. Jon respects that wish until the night he and his friend, Suzie, drink a little too much scotch and impulsively decide to visit the island.

What happens then is the start of an incredible journey that will eventually take Jon all the way to mysterious and seductive Transylvania in Romania, where he searches for the answers that will save someone’s life while setting him on the road to rediscovering his own.

Beware the woods. Transylvania isn’t only about vampires.

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 25, 2014

1 person is currently reading
47 people want to read

About the author

Theo Fenraven

32 books75 followers
Theo Fenraven happily lives in south Florida, where it is hot and sunny much of the year.


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5 stars
18 (38%)
4 stars
14 (29%)
3 stars
11 (23%)
2 stars
3 (6%)
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1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Sandra .
1,989 reviews347 followers
June 25, 2014
So, now that I've read my first book by Theo Fenraven, I should be smacked for not doing so sooner.

Aaaand - I'm not a huge shifter fan, but this book was great. Loved the mythology, loved how the old tales of Transylvania and Count Drakul were pulled into this novel, and really liked both main characters in this book. Their relationship progressed nicely and realistically, and I loved that there was not even a whisper of this 'mating bond' that we so often see in shifter stories.

I liked that the author spent time explaining the duality of being wolf and man, and how the two exist independently, even if they share a body, so to speak. Harrison wasn't keen on the idea, and fought what he had become, hating it to the point where he was almost completely removed from his wolf.

Yeah, I figured at some point something would happen that would cause Jon to become more like Harrison, but I was still edge of my seat for most of this book.

Lovely, engaging writing, a well-thought out plot with great side characters, and clever use of Wolfsbane - this was a winner from start to finish.

Well done, Theo!



Profile Image for Jamie.
128 reviews301 followers
July 22, 2014
I love good, crisp writing - prose that doesn't meander around in a foggy haze, prose in which every word has been carefully chosen for the best effect. That was my first impression of this novel, and thankfully it continued throughout the story. Theo Fenraven is an excellent wordsmith. The opening chapters were quietly eerie and beautifully wrought.

I am also a fan of the traditional werewolf story - one in which werewolves are still frightening. Harrison Kalmes is dangerous as a wolf, and Jon's first encounters with him in this form are classic horror.

There are places where the story hits some glitches. I found Jon's willingness to travel to eastern Europe with someone he's just met a bit hard to fathom. There was also a plot twist that seemed just too far-fetched.

But overall I loved this story and recommend it to fans of classic werewolf stories.
Profile Image for Jaycee Edward.
Author 2 books23 followers
May 25, 2014
I hate to say I don’t read paranormal/shifter stories - especially since my most recent addiction to reading was sparked by a somewhat unhealthy obsession over the Twilight series. Let’s just say, I’ve moved on and they no longer hold the same allure for me they once did. And, besides, I was never Team Jacob. So, when one of my one of my favorite authors said he was writing a shifter story, I’ll admit – I was a tad disappointed.

Then he posted the cover reveal and I was instantly intrigued. Theo Fenraven is not only a talented author, but he creates some of the most gorgeous covers I’ve ever seen. I was now drooling and slavering for this book.

Any disappointment I might have felt before, vanished the moment the wolf howled. I was hooked with no possibility to escape. I was reading this sucker until the end and not putting it down. From the early reviews I’ve seen, others are devouring it just as quickly. It’s only been released for a few hours and already I’m seeing rave reviews.

I’ve said this before, but unless you read Theo’s words for yourself, you won’t understand, but his fans will know exactly what I’m trying to say here. Theo writes such clean, smooth, beautiful prose that it’s not even like reading. You are there – in the moment with his characters. You feel with them, you see what they are seeing. No long, boring descriptions from Theo… ever. The scenes are painted for you stroke-by-stroke, word-by-word and it’s effortless.

While most paranormal stories require a certain amount of ‘world building’ and imagination on the reader’s part, Wolf Bound requires none. I was immediately in Jon’s world because it’s the exact same world I live in. I never had to suspend my grasp on reality to put myself in the story. I was on the edge of my seat until the end and I fully believed, while reading, it was entirely possible that one of my neighbors could be a werewolf.

There are lines that made me laugh out loud. I won’t share them because I don’t want to spoil anything about this book for you. Suffice it to say, I still remember them and that’s saying a lot. Several times I got goose-bumps and at one point, I literally gasped so loud my husband came to see what happened.

The romance between Jon and Harrison is natural, believable and tastefully done. No Tab A / Slot B. This is another thing that makes Theo’s works stand out from the crowd. His stories are never about the sex, although sex always plays a major part. With every book of his I’ve read so far, the fact that the main character(s) are gay is never the root of the story. It’s almost an afterthought. They could be straight (or crooked, or whatever…) and it wouldn’t change the story in the slightest. This is probably why I love reading his work - because it’s how I want the world to be.

Part of me wants every one of you to discover Theo’s wonderful words and part of me wants to keep him to ourselves – those few of us who “know”. Other Fenraven fans will get this too. But in the end, I guess the only way to change the world is to let other people read his words and see that being gay shouldn’t be any different than having blond hair and green eyes – it doesn’t change the story.

Mr. Fenraven, if you’re listening, I would love to see a sequel to Wolf Bound. I’m not quite ready to let go of Jon and Harrison and I’m rabid to know what the future holds in store for them!
Profile Image for Brigham Vaughn.
Author 82 books776 followers
May 28, 2014
I devoured Wolf Bound last night. And no, that wasn't meant as a clever nod toward the subject of the story. It had more to do with how quickly I tore through it. That's a fairly remarkable feat, because shifter stories aren't usually my thing. I've read a handful and they all pretty much seem the same. Another werewolf story? *snore* I know they're hugely popular but for whatever reason, they rarely pique my interest. If I hadn't read other work of Theo's before, I probably never would have read this story. As always, Theo put a unique twist on what I feel can be a tired genre. Wolf Bound was fresh and interesting and kept me guessing until the end. Theo never quite goes in the direction I expect and I enjoy that immensely.
Profile Image for BevS.
2,856 reviews2 followers
May 27, 2014
Totally unexpected. A shifter book from Fen...and me reading it, but what a new and refreshing take on a shifter story this was. 5 stars from me.

Not going into a lot of detail, but I loved that we got to have Harrison's POV both as a human and as a wolf, the battles for control, how being a wolf affected what Harrison did, his enhanced senses whilst he was a wolf, and how both the wolf and the man came to trust Jon.

Jon had had problems of his own with a nutty ex boyfriend who had shot him, so the further he was from civilisation, the better as far as he concerned, and his friendly relationship with Suzie, another teacher at the same school as him, was a joy to read about and watch from the outside looking in.

The writing was wonderfully descriptive as usual Fen, quite a few laughs and I'm already looking forward to the next story. Many congrats Mr Goodreads Author of the Month!!
Profile Image for Diverse.
1,179 reviews53 followers
May 25, 2014
I'm funny when it comes to paranormal. I either love it or hate it. I fear grabbing that sci-fi book from an unknown author and hope for the best. Theo Fenraven has dipped his hands in the paranormal before and I wasn't disappointing then and I'm not disappointed now.

It's rare when an author can make the unbelievable into something the reader can relate to. This story was not just about the shifting of the physical being but the shifting on the mental being too. Shaky ground and uncertain futures, about being in control even when you are pulled by things out of your control. We constantly struggle with that in our everyday. To see it from this perspective was fascinating.

Theo is a writer I very much look forward to reading when a new book comes out and I have been waiting for this. You can love paranormal or not, either way this book will suit you well. Wolf or human you will have no choice but to be pulled in by these majestic creatures and embrace the human in them.

How many times we wish we can hit reset, or wake up to find out that was a test and it all starts right now. Wolf Bound, for me, gave me that kind of feel. That, "You have no idea how big this world is and how much there is you'll never see unless you go and look for it," kind of feel.

It's a literary breath of fresh air that I highly and excitingly recommend!
Profile Image for Suze.
3,899 reviews
July 12, 2016
Despite having read a few, shifter stories are not a theme I ordinarily buy but Theo Fenraven is. You always get good, clean writing and an involved, intriguing story line so I got this knowing it would be good no matter the subject matter. 

I liked this one a lot because it is really about dealing with being a shifter rather than the  'normal' pack rules, mates, wild runs, fights etc you tend to get. The times when Wolf is seen are not often and I like that when we do, Wolf is portrayed as a wolf might think and not a human running around in a different form. The human is there, but along side, and having to learn to live with Wolf.

The story follows Jon and Harrison as they try to find a way to understand Harrison's condition and find a way to control it. Jon's early fear of Wolf was very real though his acceptance of shifters does come quite easy (though I suppose seeing is believing!). 
There was a sense of something dark coming, even after the successful return from Romania,
So, if you are looking for a book with an alternate view of wolf shifters, try it out.
Profile Image for Allison.
1,868 reviews13 followers
May 24, 2014
I beta read for this book.

Review to come but if you love shifter stories or if you're looking for a new look at the shifter story this is the book for you.
Profile Image for Amy.
2,070 reviews39 followers
May 26, 2014
I'd love to see a sequel for this one!!
Profile Image for Vero.
1,613 reviews9 followers
July 6, 2014
Lackluster gay werewolf trope-fest

Including Insta-love. At least there was no "mating" involved (thanks for small favors...).

I saw nothing, really nothing that was in any way special about this book. It started very similar as "Winter Wolf" - but it distinguished itself quite quickly from this one with being not very original or captivating.

I never got a good impression of the characters - all of whom were gay by the way, including best female friend, waiter in Romanian restaurant etc.

The attraction between the main characters was not based on anything deep. It happened all very fast. Jon's decision making skills were lacking, to say the least. His whole "I am going to be a writer, because it can't be so hard to write a book, I am an English teacher after all" really gave me the impression of arrogance and stupidity.
He was nosy and intrusive and his whole behaviour only got justified by his saving Harrison later on - kind of a "the end justifies the means" sort of story line. Didn't endear him to me. Harrison had potential, but unfortunately it remained unexplored.

The whole werewolf thing was lukewarm. There was a lot of potential - like Harrison's desparation, his life as a prisoner because of his condition, Jon's backstory of violence. But somehow it all got mashed and convoluted and left me cold and bored in the end.

I am quite disappointed as this came with high praise and an average rating of 4.24 at GR.
Profile Image for Becky Condit.
2,377 reviews66 followers
May 25, 2014
Becky Reviews Wolf Bound by Theo Fenraven

http://www.mrsconditreadsbooks.com/?p...

REVIEW: I have no idea how to write a review of Wolf Bound without unfortunate spoilers, and it is extremely important that there be no spoilers. This is a book of suspense, plot twists, unexpected love, murders, and revelations that sometimes it’s best to go with the pretend evil rather than the lurking real one.
There is also spirited humor, as when people continue with their everyday lives despite the nightmares that are no longer part of dreams. One thing that made me giggle is Theo Fenraven has built a world in which werewolves are very real and (small spoiler here) we learn they have reunions like any other extended family.
I am not a speed reader but this book was such a pleasure to read I couldn’t put it down and finished it in record (for me) time. Whether you have read Mr. Fenraven’s other books or not, you really should pick this one up and savor it. It cements his reputation as a writer of great talent who can take on a variety of topics and make the stories his own.
Profile Image for Marleen.
671 reviews67 followers
June 4, 2014
I got my copy from the author:

This, like all of Theo Fenraven's books is a remarkable book. Theo manages to write with words that bring a world to life, make characters real and the reader sit back in awe.

This is a story that will surprise you. It is a shifter story unlike most in the genre. It is a romance between two men in which the sex is implied rather than described in detail and is all the hotter for it. This is a fantasy so realistic you've no doubt everything in the book could actually happen.

Theo Fenraven is a magician with words. He makes few but carefully words say so much more than long sentences and paragraphs ever could. He draws you into his world and makes you part of it. You'll feel the emotions, see the sights and smell the aromas.

If you want to read a very special, unforgettable, unputdownable and very well written shifter story you should stop right here and buy Wolf Bound.


Profile Image for Plainbrownwrapper.
946 reviews73 followers
June 19, 2014
Too much telling instead of showing, and too many obvious dumb plot points, kept me from enjoying this very much. From the stupid incident with Suzie and Jon when they somehow felt entitled to , to Harrison actually NOT being , to the oh-so-convenient just happening to in the middle of a forest in the middle of a foreign country, there were too many incidences of me either rolling my eyes or yelling at the MCs for being TSTL. Added to that, there was no subtlety or complexity to either the story or the writing (and refer back to telling rather than showing).

On the good side, this was not a cliched story line -- I'll give it that. So, points for originality.

I'm giving this one something like 2.4 stars. Rounding down.
Profile Image for Tj.
2,225 reviews68 followers
September 6, 2015
I enjoyed the different take on wolves. I do wish that the attitude toward the whole being a werewolf were a little less of a quick turn around. That as a wolf Harrison finds just who he needs is also a little hard to swallow. Still I enjoyed the read and the fact that it wasn't the typical werewolf read. The author did a good job with his writing. The descriptions were great and the emotions of the characters came through beautifully. This is an author I would read again.
Profile Image for Donald.
472 reviews14 followers
March 24, 2018
Interesting...

It took me a while to get into the story, but once I did, I enjoyed it. The premise is a bit far fetched...but what am I saying....not a bad read.
Profile Image for Brandilyn.
1,126 reviews50 followers
March 14, 2015
If Theo Fenraven can get me to read a ghost story, he can certainly get me to read about a shifter. I have been intrigued to read Fenraven’s take on the werewolf/shifter trope for quite some time. He always swore he wouldn’t go there. Well, he did, and he did so with his usual impeccable style.

The sky had finally cleared. Moonlight gilded the landscape, making the road look almost as bright as day. Long grass waved in the ditches, and crystal in the small rocks at the side glittered and shone.

Fenraven had me smiling and my heartstrings tugging, often at the same time, from beginning to end. I wanted Jon to find his strength. I wanted Harrison to find himself. I wanted them to find each other. I wanted them to find the truth. I loved that neither Harrison nor Jon were perfect. They were flawed. They were believable. They were real (well as “real” as a werewolf could be).

Fenraven’s prose is not flowery, but it makes an impact in only few words.

The relative silence was suddenly shattered by a wolf’s howl. It started low and crescendoed to a high pitch, where it held for a long moment before dropping off.

Find the Full review at Prism Book Alliance http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
Profile Image for Nicole.
110 reviews7 followers
June 26, 2014
Theo Fenraven can write, and it's well-thought-out, internally consistent stories, that don't rely on silliness--at least, not very much. I felt the relationship in this one much better than in Phoenix Rising, which is the other Fenraven book I've read so far. But it still felt like…I don't know, something was missing for me. I think it was the lack of fulfilling sex. I think the sex was glossed, which is really what I read these books for. Plot with consummation. Preferably a lot of consummation. So if this had given me better consummation, I suspect I'd have rated it a 5, but instead, it was kind of low-key. Still, I enjoyed it and the different take on shifters, and especially the fact that I could read the prose without cringing. It sounds like damning with faint praise, but really, it's not. I guess the other thing was that it was short, and felt short. It felt like very little happened. So both of the Fenraven books I've read so far have felt more like novellas or novelettes. But they were also cheaper to buy so…. No complaints. :)
Profile Image for Skye Blue ☆*~゚ლ(´ڡ`ლ)~*☆.
2,809 reviews28 followers
April 4, 2016
3 1/2

This is different, in a good way. Not only the take on shifters.

Normally in a shifter book, or a book were the MC could be dangerous to the other MC, it is the dangerous party, pushing the other away for their own good, and the other party consoling them. They try to convince them that the danger will never get out of hand. If was refreshing to have Harrison being the one saying he thinks he can control it, and Jon being terrified, and backing off.
If makes more sense, that after being attacked, that Jon would be wary.

There were a few things, that were a little unbelievable...but HEY, it's a werewolf story, you go in knowing not everything is going to be realistic.

I enjoyed the story, and will be checking out the author again in the future.
Profile Image for Melyna.
918 reviews15 followers
July 15, 2014
I have read some of Theo Fenravens free reads on his blog and enjoyed them. When Wolf Bound was released, I was intrigued but hesitant. Of the paranormal sub-genres, shifters are not ones I gravitate to. I decided to read it because of the good experience I had with his other stories.
I was not disappointed.

To see the full review please got to:

http://bookscoffeeandcapturedmoments....
Profile Image for Teresa.
3,962 reviews41 followers
February 24, 2015
3.5 Stars - Well, that was really different!! I appreciated the freshness of a new look at werewolves in a genre flooded with cliches. I just didn't get the chemistry between Jon and Harrison, romantically.
2,922 reviews15 followers
June 9, 2014
I love his work but this one just wasn't as good as I expect from him.
Profile Image for Debfirpo.
450 reviews3 followers
November 18, 2015
Fantastic

Wow, just wow! This was by far the best shifter story that I've read. I wasn't sure what I was going to get but I'm so very pleased with this book.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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