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American Werewolves
America's venture capitalist werewolves meet their match in USA Today bestseller Emily Jane's third rollicking, genre-defying novel."It takes aliens (or an Emily Jane) to help us see our society for the bizarre, sugary, microplastic-poisoned dream it is." —Edgar CanteroFrom the author of On Earth as It Is on Television and Here Beside the Rising Tide…Many full moons ago, a young American boy with ambition in his belly and the moon in his veins followed his destiny west, determined to carve a path to success no matter the carnage.Two centuries later, a city is captivated by the strange and savage murder of a young woman. Her roommate, Natasha, no longer able to afford their apartment alone—and hounded by both rumors of wolves and a pop-star's angry fan-swarm—has resorted to living in her car. There's nothing left for her…except vengeance.Across town, Shane LaSalle is about to see his wildest dreams come true. He already has a gorgeous apartment and a high paying job in venture capital. Now the partners of Barrington Equity have invited him to board the company's private jet for an exclusive retreat. But with partnership finally in his reach, Shane realizes he's losing his taste for just how ruthless and all-consuming the firm is.Epic and electric, American Werewolves brings readers from the wilds of the New World to the opulent board rooms and golf courses of the twenty-first century, where devouring the weak is an American birthright as old as the country itself.
424 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2025
26 people are currently reading
13457 people want to read
About the author
Emily Jane
4 books307 followersEmily Jane is the USA Today bestselling author of fun, heartfelt, genre-bending novels. She grew up in Boise, Boulder, and San Francisco. She earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of San Francisco and her J.D. from the UC Law San Francisco. She lives on an urban farm in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, Steve, their two kids, three cats, and a husky.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
March 26, 2025
Q: What’s scarier than a werewolf?
A: A douchey, hyper-capitalist, sexist werewolf. Even worse, a firm full of them.
Fresh off the success of Here Beside the Rising Tide and 2023's On Earth as It Is on Television, Emily Jane returns with a bloodcurdling, but strangely human, tale of lycanthropy in Fog City.
A country club hostess is brutally murdered in Golden Gate Park, supposedly by an unidentified animal. Her roommate, Natasha, now living out of her car, takes the same job, partly to make rent, partly to find out what happened. Then, the vain but earnest Shane is attacked by a wolf-like creature at a party to celebrate his new partnership at a venture capitalist firm.
But he survives, and in the days to follow, he goes through a transformation: hair on his knuckles, speed in his legs, and a taste for small woodland creatures. And it seems everyone at Barrington has the same affliction. The plan is to keep doing what they’re doing: wrecking small companies, taking home the profit, and tearing the throats out of anyone in their way. Question is: how desperate is Shane to make that buck, to hold his place in the sun…er, moon?
There’s a subplot here of werewolfery (?) going back to the 1820s, in which a runt of a kid gains those powers, getting revenge on those who’d wronged him (and even those who hadn’t). He sees that his strengths get him what he wants: money, and lots of it. A bad combination, that: power and greed. And there’s a deep connection here with that modern-day Barrington firm.
Jane seems to be carving a new (at least to me) genre here: monsters among humans. Aliens in nuclear families, killer sea creatures living with divorcees, and now werewolves hanging out with San Franciscans. But here’s the twist: the monsters are often nice.
OK, in this one, there are some baddies, ripping off limbs and eating horse guts and whatnot. And they do what bad capitalists do: ripping off businesses and eating red meat and whatnot. Six of one, half dozen, I say! But Shane makes for a good MC: he’s more concerned about what happened to his friend, a workmate who didn’t make it through the initial werewolf attack. And he can’t bring himself to hurt Natasha. That’s an Emily Jane monster for you: not human but with good human instincts.
There’s quite a bit of world-building and character development at the onset, but once we get to the plot, it’s a good one. There’s a traditional bent, the group of ragtag, mismatched heroes out to stop a gang of some serious bad guys. From midpoint on, there’s nothing but action. Dashing around town, battling werewolves…and putting on the glitter. No spoilers!
The historical subplot at first felt like a separate novel. But eventually it connects with the firm in a way that makes a lot of sense. You’ll understand a “bit” more, again just around the midpoint, and it’s very satisfying. Also, Jane pocks the story with historical notes, delineating how Americans over the years have seen or interacted with werewolves. I wasn’t sure how necessary this was until the characters started acting out those spooky references. Pretty clever.
As for gore, look at the cover. You gotta expect some blood and guts, right? Well, it’s a departure of sorts from her prior work. Here, you’ll get some gruesome death, some nasty violence. But I didn’t think it was over the top or needless. It’s just what werewolves do. So, when someone gets his spleen chomped…just go with it.
Social and economic commentary delivered so brilliantly, right alongside terror and bloodshed: that’s good fun! Jane has a talent for bringing fantasy and fear, monsters and mayhem, directly into the lives of everyday schlubs like you and me. Another great effort from a creative, imaginative mind.
Thank you to Disney CP, Hyperion Avenue, and the author herself for a complimentary advance copy in exchange for an honest review. American Werewolves will be released September 16, 2025.
A: A douchey, hyper-capitalist, sexist werewolf. Even worse, a firm full of them.
Fresh off the success of Here Beside the Rising Tide and 2023's On Earth as It Is on Television, Emily Jane returns with a bloodcurdling, but strangely human, tale of lycanthropy in Fog City.
A country club hostess is brutally murdered in Golden Gate Park, supposedly by an unidentified animal. Her roommate, Natasha, now living out of her car, takes the same job, partly to make rent, partly to find out what happened. Then, the vain but earnest Shane is attacked by a wolf-like creature at a party to celebrate his new partnership at a venture capitalist firm.
But he survives, and in the days to follow, he goes through a transformation: hair on his knuckles, speed in his legs, and a taste for small woodland creatures. And it seems everyone at Barrington has the same affliction. The plan is to keep doing what they’re doing: wrecking small companies, taking home the profit, and tearing the throats out of anyone in their way. Question is: how desperate is Shane to make that buck, to hold his place in the sun…er, moon?
There’s a subplot here of werewolfery (?) going back to the 1820s, in which a runt of a kid gains those powers, getting revenge on those who’d wronged him (and even those who hadn’t). He sees that his strengths get him what he wants: money, and lots of it. A bad combination, that: power and greed. And there’s a deep connection here with that modern-day Barrington firm.
Jane seems to be carving a new (at least to me) genre here: monsters among humans. Aliens in nuclear families, killer sea creatures living with divorcees, and now werewolves hanging out with San Franciscans. But here’s the twist: the monsters are often nice.
OK, in this one, there are some baddies, ripping off limbs and eating horse guts and whatnot. And they do what bad capitalists do: ripping off businesses and eating red meat and whatnot. Six of one, half dozen, I say! But Shane makes for a good MC: he’s more concerned about what happened to his friend, a workmate who didn’t make it through the initial werewolf attack. And he can’t bring himself to hurt Natasha. That’s an Emily Jane monster for you: not human but with good human instincts.
There’s quite a bit of world-building and character development at the onset, but once we get to the plot, it’s a good one. There’s a traditional bent, the group of ragtag, mismatched heroes out to stop a gang of some serious bad guys. From midpoint on, there’s nothing but action. Dashing around town, battling werewolves…and putting on the glitter. No spoilers!
The historical subplot at first felt like a separate novel. But eventually it connects with the firm in a way that makes a lot of sense. You’ll understand a “bit” more, again just around the midpoint, and it’s very satisfying. Also, Jane pocks the story with historical notes, delineating how Americans over the years have seen or interacted with werewolves. I wasn’t sure how necessary this was until the characters started acting out those spooky references. Pretty clever.
As for gore, look at the cover. You gotta expect some blood and guts, right? Well, it’s a departure of sorts from her prior work. Here, you’ll get some gruesome death, some nasty violence. But I didn’t think it was over the top or needless. It’s just what werewolves do. So, when someone gets his spleen chomped…just go with it.
Social and economic commentary delivered so brilliantly, right alongside terror and bloodshed: that’s good fun! Jane has a talent for bringing fantasy and fear, monsters and mayhem, directly into the lives of everyday schlubs like you and me. Another great effort from a creative, imaginative mind.
Thank you to Disney CP, Hyperion Avenue, and the author herself for a complimentary advance copy in exchange for an honest review. American Werewolves will be released September 16, 2025.
August 24, 2025
I was all set to review this book on its social commentary and hard look at the literally dog eat man world that has become of our society. Until… in the year 2025, a white author trotted out the magical Black character trope nearly three-quarters of the way through this book.
Look, I get that this is satire-ish. I do. And I might give it a pass in another time, but today is not that day. Compounded by the fact that it literally hand-waves away all the bad people in the world as werewolves, thereby excusing their terribleness by making them something outside of human. That is also not okay. You can’t just lump all that together under oh, they are a creature/not of the rest of us. I don’t care if it is fiction, it parks that thought into your mind. We should be waking up and calling out people to be accountable, not excusing behavior as “other”. You also don’t get to be outraged at the way women are treated when you trot out the Magical Black Character trope. Those don’t get to exist separately. And…and if it’s meant in humor (which I really don’t think it is) then the joke didn’t land.
I wanted to like this, but between the issues listed above and the slow pacing and stilted dialogue, I’m struggling to want to finish this even though I’m sitting at the 76% mark. I will, but ugh, I am not happy about it. I’m hoping the last chunk of this pulls through and I’m wrong about how a certain two characters were used.
Update: Finished and… nope. Ending tied up everything a bit too easily and quickly (with sparkles). We can leave the glitter/sparkles equals whimsical BS in the past too. This had potential to be absolutely scathing but it just didn’t quite get there and got tangled in its own set of stereotypes instead.
Thank you to Hyperion Avenue for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Look, I get that this is satire-ish. I do. And I might give it a pass in another time, but today is not that day. Compounded by the fact that it literally hand-waves away all the bad people in the world as werewolves, thereby excusing their terribleness by making them something outside of human. That is also not okay. You can’t just lump all that together under oh, they are a creature/not of the rest of us. I don’t care if it is fiction, it parks that thought into your mind. We should be waking up and calling out people to be accountable, not excusing behavior as “other”. You also don’t get to be outraged at the way women are treated when you trot out the Magical Black Character trope. Those don’t get to exist separately. And…and if it’s meant in humor (which I really don’t think it is) then the joke didn’t land.
I wanted to like this, but between the issues listed above and the slow pacing and stilted dialogue, I’m struggling to want to finish this even though I’m sitting at the 76% mark. I will, but ugh, I am not happy about it. I’m hoping the last chunk of this pulls through and I’m wrong about how a certain two characters were used.
Update: Finished and… nope. Ending tied up everything a bit too easily and quickly (with sparkles). We can leave the glitter/sparkles equals whimsical BS in the past too. This had potential to be absolutely scathing but it just didn’t quite get there and got tangled in its own set of stereotypes instead.
Thank you to Hyperion Avenue for providing this ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
August 29, 2025
5 stars to American Werewolves by Emily Jane. This book was provided to me by the publisher and I am leaving a review voluntarily. This book was so much fucking fun!!!!!!!! I’ve been in an ebook slump and I think this may have cured it?? This book is about venture capitalists in San Francisco who are also werewolves, who get taken down by a homeless woman and a world renowned international popstar, alongside one of said VC’s who was non-consensually turned into a werewolf upon being made partner in the VC firm. This book started off slow, with several stories going on at once, which was kind of a drag, but the second they started to piece together and everything made sense I was HOOKED. The writing was captivating, and I liked how so much of it brought you back to the fact that this book is about werewolves. Something I particularly enjoyed about this book was the academic werewolf lore interspersed throughout, especially the bits about how come women are rarely ever werewolves (hint: misogyny!).
With a perfect amount of gore, comedy, satirical commentary, and lore, I absolutely loved this book and will recommend it to everyone. I’m going to be thinking about it for days! How lucky I was to get this ARC. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
Perhaps a top 10 book of the year?
PS. Told my partner Aerosmith is a pack of werewolves and they nodded and said “yeah that makes sense”.
With a perfect amount of gore, comedy, satirical commentary, and lore, I absolutely loved this book and will recommend it to everyone. I’m going to be thinking about it for days! How lucky I was to get this ARC. I will definitely be reading more by this author.
Perhaps a top 10 book of the year?
PS. Told my partner Aerosmith is a pack of werewolves and they nodded and said “yeah that makes sense”.
March 7, 2025
Let me begin by saying I absolutely loved Emily Jane’s debut, On Earth As It Is On Television, and I was equally enchanted with her follow up, Here Beside The Rising Tide. It’s always invigorating to discover an artist who’s doing something new, something no one else is doing. That’s Emily Jane.
Despite having high expectations already, I was completely blown away by this one. Not only are Emily Jane’s books unlike anything I’ve ever read, but they’re also not like each other.
American Werewolves is truly awesome! A bit darker than Here Beside The Rising Tide, and darker still than On Earth As It Is On Television, but imbued with the same absurdity, humor, and flat out weirdness as its predecessors.
Following multiple characters and timelines, Emily Jane weaves a seemingly simple series of events into a complex web of intrigue that climaxes in a fashion that’s so bombastic and thrilling that I couldn’t stop reading until I’d reached the end.
Emily Jane’s language and mastery of her craft results in a narrative that is at times as poetic as it is funny and thrilling. It defies genre expectations and categorizations in a way that is delightfully refreshing. You could call it horror, but you could also call it humor. There’s an element of historical fiction, but also satire. At times its pacing is reminiscent of a thriller but it’s far more contemplative than a typical thriller. Filled with well developed, lovable characters and loathsome villains, all of whom held my attention and left me craving more. In the immortal words of Duran Duran it left me feeling “hungry like the wolf.”
I absolutely cannot wait for the next book by Emily Jane, who is now my favorite author!
Despite having high expectations already, I was completely blown away by this one. Not only are Emily Jane’s books unlike anything I’ve ever read, but they’re also not like each other.
American Werewolves is truly awesome! A bit darker than Here Beside The Rising Tide, and darker still than On Earth As It Is On Television, but imbued with the same absurdity, humor, and flat out weirdness as its predecessors.
Following multiple characters and timelines, Emily Jane weaves a seemingly simple series of events into a complex web of intrigue that climaxes in a fashion that’s so bombastic and thrilling that I couldn’t stop reading until I’d reached the end.
Emily Jane’s language and mastery of her craft results in a narrative that is at times as poetic as it is funny and thrilling. It defies genre expectations and categorizations in a way that is delightfully refreshing. You could call it horror, but you could also call it humor. There’s an element of historical fiction, but also satire. At times its pacing is reminiscent of a thriller but it’s far more contemplative than a typical thriller. Filled with well developed, lovable characters and loathsome villains, all of whom held my attention and left me craving more. In the immortal words of Duran Duran it left me feeling “hungry like the wolf.”
I absolutely cannot wait for the next book by Emily Jane, who is now my favorite author!
September 20, 2025
The werewolf book I've been looking for! Well. Not exactly. But at least it addressed why the vast majority of werewolves are men, and the whole alpha bullshit was addressed as more of a human construct than anything to do with real wolves. The phrase only appears four times in the book, and it comes from a businessman on a power trip. And yes, dual timelines, but the past segments are actually interesting and provide backstory for the present rather than just filling space. It's information the present-day characters couldn't know about (and don't find out in the course of the story) so I won't bag too hard on that.
It DID suffer from the Men In Black cliche of naming a whole slew of celebrities who are secretly werewolves for no reason other than name-dropping. It didn't take anything away from the story it was just an annoying detour.
Otherwise I absolutely loved it. Not a fan of the cartoon-ish cover, which implies more of a fun romp instead of a gory, literary novel (and boy does it get gory and dark). Does not fit the vibe at all.
This is my second novel by Emily Jane. She's done aliens, sea creatures, and now werewolves. I'm definitely interested to see where she goes with her next release.
It DID suffer from the Men In Black cliche of naming a whole slew of celebrities who are secretly werewolves for no reason other than name-dropping. It didn't take anything away from the story it was just an annoying detour.
Otherwise I absolutely loved it. Not a fan of the cartoon-ish cover, which implies more of a fun romp instead of a gory, literary novel (and boy does it get gory and dark). Does not fit the vibe at all.
This is my second novel by Emily Jane. She's done aliens, sea creatures, and now werewolves. I'm definitely interested to see where she goes with her next release.
April 14, 2025
It might be a bit unfair for me to review this as Emily Jane is one of my favorite authors. I enjoy her brand of bizarre and how fun her stories are to read. And then days after you finish a book, it will hit you that she really tackled a lot of hard themes in a fun and engaging way. Well, throw most of that out the window, because this is a hard hitting story from beginning to end. It's a bit more gruesome than some of her other stories and the action begins from the very first page. This story has the typical fun, engaging and identifiable characters you can empathize with. It also tackles a lot harder social issues such as racism, toxic masculinity, misogyny and glitter! If you've ever wondered where someone like Jane gets her ideas, I think she answers that with the Lee and his family - how could they not grow up to write fun, engaging stories when they spend their childhood with ghosts, glitter wolves and a work-a-holic mom. :)
May 16, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
WOW. This took me a little bit to get into but only because the writing style was so specific and weird that I wasn’t sure where it was going at times. I loved the disconnected narratives and when they finally connect, it feels so natural. This book was funny, beautiful, horrifying and devastating wrapped into one. Emotions ran high during this read, you feel so connected to these characters and you root for them and cry for them. Truly some despicable villains in this one, there's also some crazy werewolf lore drops that I loved. I absolutely need to read Emily Jane’s other works after this. Who knew a book about misogynistic werewolf businessmen could go so hard?
Tw: blood, body horror, sexism, sexual assault mention, rape (minor), animal deaths, child death
WOW. This took me a little bit to get into but only because the writing style was so specific and weird that I wasn’t sure where it was going at times. I loved the disconnected narratives and when they finally connect, it feels so natural. This book was funny, beautiful, horrifying and devastating wrapped into one. Emotions ran high during this read, you feel so connected to these characters and you root for them and cry for them. Truly some despicable villains in this one, there's also some crazy werewolf lore drops that I loved. I absolutely need to read Emily Jane’s other works after this. Who knew a book about misogynistic werewolf businessmen could go so hard?
Tw: blood, body horror, sexism, sexual assault mention, rape (minor), animal deaths, child death
September 10, 2025
*rounded up from 4.5
I picked up three books planning to read just the first chapter of each to find my next read, but once I started AMERICAN WEREWOLVES, the other two didn’t stand a chance. @emilyjane.author ‘s writing pulled me in right away. It was sharp, unique, and completely absorbing.
The story follows Natasha, who’s out for revenge after her roommate’s violent death, and Shane, a rising star in venture capital who starts questioning if success is worth the damage it causes. There’s also a third POV from a boy named Bit in the 1820s that added another layer. His journey eventually weaves into the modern-day narrative in a way that I thought was satisfying
Also, the famous name drops that show up later in the book were such a fun surprise. It felt like a surprise cameo in a movie, it was pretty funny and I genuinely got a kick out of it.
What really stood out to me was the social commentary. Ruthless VCs as werewolves tearing through family businesses with women and wives who not only stay quiet but actively support it? 👀 Yeah, that feels uncomfortably real. The way it calls out corporate culture is spot on, but there are moments of humor that balance it all out (the side characters really helped with this!).
This was dark, funny, and felt totally original. The werewolf angle, even though a bit in the nose as venture capitalists, felt fresh, and the writing style is unlike anything I’ve read recently. I found myself really rooting for Natasha and Shane as they each tried to fight for their friends and for justice. AMERICAN WEREWOLVES comes out soon on 9/16 and I highly recommend adding it to your TBR immediately!
Thank you @emilyjane.author for gifting me a signed copy of your book!
Rating: I really really enjoyed it! 👏🏼👏🏼
I picked up three books planning to read just the first chapter of each to find my next read, but once I started AMERICAN WEREWOLVES, the other two didn’t stand a chance. @emilyjane.author ‘s writing pulled me in right away. It was sharp, unique, and completely absorbing.
The story follows Natasha, who’s out for revenge after her roommate’s violent death, and Shane, a rising star in venture capital who starts questioning if success is worth the damage it causes. There’s also a third POV from a boy named Bit in the 1820s that added another layer. His journey eventually weaves into the modern-day narrative in a way that I thought was satisfying
Also, the famous name drops that show up later in the book were such a fun surprise. It felt like a surprise cameo in a movie, it was pretty funny and I genuinely got a kick out of it.
What really stood out to me was the social commentary. Ruthless VCs as werewolves tearing through family businesses with women and wives who not only stay quiet but actively support it? 👀 Yeah, that feels uncomfortably real. The way it calls out corporate culture is spot on, but there are moments of humor that balance it all out (the side characters really helped with this!).
This was dark, funny, and felt totally original. The werewolf angle, even though a bit in the nose as venture capitalists, felt fresh, and the writing style is unlike anything I’ve read recently. I found myself really rooting for Natasha and Shane as they each tried to fight for their friends and for justice. AMERICAN WEREWOLVES comes out soon on 9/16 and I highly recommend adding it to your TBR immediately!
Thank you @emilyjane.author for gifting me a signed copy of your book!
Rating: I really really enjoyed it! 👏🏼👏🏼
September 11, 2025
Some people will do anything to make it to the top. Spend loads of money? Check. Eat at the country club? Check. Meet for drinks and talk crap about everyone? Check, check, and double check. That is Shane LaSalle’s life. He’s desperate to make partner at his company. He’s got the look, and puts in the hours. But he has no idea what he was truly asking for.
Natasha is in the bottom rung of society. She’s been ripped to shreds online by fans of a famous pop star, is living in her car, and is working as a hostess as a country club to make ends meet. She’s angry, but biding her time.
Emily Jane gives us 2 main characters in his satirical look at corporate greed, and how the veneer will bring out the worst in you, literally. But it starts with one kid, who after being tortured by his family for something beyond his control, set out to live his life how he wants to. Bit lives up to his name, and bites all the hands of those who represent the “norm” of society. It all leads to one of the wealthiest companies of the 21st century, and what one must do to join the big wigs.
But Emily also shows the holes in pretending to be something you’re not, and how to fight the powers-that-be. And she definitely hammers home the blatant misogyny that has spanned the centuries, and still continues today-highlighting the fight the women still take on to be on equal footing in corporate America.
Bloodshed, dark humor, strong female characters,, social commentary, and monsters make this novel and entertaining read. Be sure to pick this one up.
Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for my arc. My opinion is my own.
Natasha is in the bottom rung of society. She’s been ripped to shreds online by fans of a famous pop star, is living in her car, and is working as a hostess as a country club to make ends meet. She’s angry, but biding her time.
Emily Jane gives us 2 main characters in his satirical look at corporate greed, and how the veneer will bring out the worst in you, literally. But it starts with one kid, who after being tortured by his family for something beyond his control, set out to live his life how he wants to. Bit lives up to his name, and bites all the hands of those who represent the “norm” of society. It all leads to one of the wealthiest companies of the 21st century, and what one must do to join the big wigs.
But Emily also shows the holes in pretending to be something you’re not, and how to fight the powers-that-be. And she definitely hammers home the blatant misogyny that has spanned the centuries, and still continues today-highlighting the fight the women still take on to be on equal footing in corporate America.
Bloodshed, dark humor, strong female characters,, social commentary, and monsters make this novel and entertaining read. Be sure to pick this one up.
Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for my arc. My opinion is my own.
September 4, 2025
A fascinating dark satire of werewolves and toxic masculinity.
I've been a fan of Emily Jane for awhile now and this was another entertaining outing, taking a different genre cliche and bending it around. It grabs you right from the beginning of the novel, though I was a little confused (at first) with all of the different points of view. But, it all comes together in the end. This isn't going to be a novel that the white-male-bro-culture idiots are going to love, but there are excellent themes of exploitation, race and class at work here, woven in with other characters and a great ending message. I'm not sure I loved everything about it, but I'm having trouble putting my finger on what exactly I'd change. In the end, it is a great book, entertaining and very timely for the day and age we live in. Highly recommended. 4 stars.
I've been a fan of Emily Jane for awhile now and this was another entertaining outing, taking a different genre cliche and bending it around. It grabs you right from the beginning of the novel, though I was a little confused (at first) with all of the different points of view. But, it all comes together in the end. This isn't going to be a novel that the white-male-bro-culture idiots are going to love, but there are excellent themes of exploitation, race and class at work here, woven in with other characters and a great ending message. I'm not sure I loved everything about it, but I'm having trouble putting my finger on what exactly I'd change. In the end, it is a great book, entertaining and very timely for the day and age we live in. Highly recommended. 4 stars.
August 2, 2025
Thanks to Hyperion for the ARC.
4.5 rounded up to 5 - the more I sit with it the more I like it.
Emily Jane’s On Earth as It Is on Television is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year and werewolves are my favorite fantasy creature, so when I saw she was writing a werewolf novel I knew I had to get my hands on it.
American Werewolves was a fantastic read. The werewolves were both literal and metaphorical beasts, so you get a critique of capitalism with your gory transformation scenes. I found both elements worked really well together because after all, capitalism is its own horror story, so adding the werewolves only enhanced it. If you’re worried about there being a lack of werewolf action because they’re venture capitalists, that’s definitely not the case here!
One of the hallmarks of werewolf stories is the body horror and I thought it was very well done here. It’s definitely gruesome, but I wouldn’t say overly so for those more sensitive to gore. The transformation scenes are fascinating and gross and everything you want from a person shifting into a wolf.
I really appreciated that this novel pointed out how women (specifically white women) are a major part of upholding the patriarchy, to their own detriment ultimately. They didn’t get a pass just because their husbands were doing worse things.
Natasha and Shane were great protagonists, both dealing with the werewolf revelation in their own way. The results of their crash outs was also very representative of what rich white guys get away with that others don’t.
An element of Emily Jane’s writing I really enjoy is how she takes these seemingly separate stories and brings them all together in the end. With Natasha and Shane’s stories, you can see the connecting points early on, but where Bit’s story started intersecting with theirs wasn’t what I anticipated. I loved seeing the last few threads pull together with Bit.
If you’re looking for a good werewolf novel, this is it. It doesn’t get to much more than a surface level critique of capitalism, but ultimately I was in this for the werewolves anyway so that didn’t really bother me.
4.5 rounded up to 5 - the more I sit with it the more I like it.
Emily Jane’s On Earth as It Is on Television is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year and werewolves are my favorite fantasy creature, so when I saw she was writing a werewolf novel I knew I had to get my hands on it.
American Werewolves was a fantastic read. The werewolves were both literal and metaphorical beasts, so you get a critique of capitalism with your gory transformation scenes. I found both elements worked really well together because after all, capitalism is its own horror story, so adding the werewolves only enhanced it. If you’re worried about there being a lack of werewolf action because they’re venture capitalists, that’s definitely not the case here!
One of the hallmarks of werewolf stories is the body horror and I thought it was very well done here. It’s definitely gruesome, but I wouldn’t say overly so for those more sensitive to gore. The transformation scenes are fascinating and gross and everything you want from a person shifting into a wolf.
I really appreciated that this novel pointed out how women (specifically white women) are a major part of upholding the patriarchy, to their own detriment ultimately. They didn’t get a pass just because their husbands were doing worse things.
Natasha and Shane were great protagonists, both dealing with the werewolf revelation in their own way. The results of their crash outs was also very representative of what rich white guys get away with that others don’t.
An element of Emily Jane’s writing I really enjoy is how she takes these seemingly separate stories and brings them all together in the end. With Natasha and Shane’s stories, you can see the connecting points early on, but where Bit’s story started intersecting with theirs wasn’t what I anticipated. I loved seeing the last few threads pull together with Bit.
If you’re looking for a good werewolf novel, this is it. It doesn’t get to much more than a surface level critique of capitalism, but ultimately I was in this for the werewolves anyway so that didn’t really bother me.
August 18, 2025
This book was a much different take on werewolves and it made me laugh aloud at some points. It's told from multiple perspectives and it was fun seeing how they all related to each other.
August 28, 2025
Werewolves as metaphors for toxic male, venture capitalist greed. Suppose werewolves are real and spend one night a month (full moon) in werewolf form biting and slashing their way through animals, sometime humans and each other. The rest of the month, they are take anything I want, white bros who turn other white males into werewolves. They are racist, misogynistic entitled jerks who think they rule the world. But not all werewolves are that bad, some dont use their special status for bad things and want to eliminate or at least police the problem ones. This is a hilarious but gory romp that requires a suspension of reality to enjoy but just go with it. Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC of this book,
May 7, 2025
I cannot wait until this book comes out and the whole world gets to enjoy it as much as I did. This book is unique, quirky perfection that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's full of wit and metaphor, a healthy amount of gore and mayhem, and it's chock full of so much heart.
The werewolf venture capitalists of Barrington Equity quickly emerge as the villains of this story and for very good reasons, including, but not limited to, the routine total destruction of human and animal lives for sport, money, and possession. Our heros, the rag-tag pack cast of characters that become friends and team up to bring down the pack of rapey venture capitalist werewolves of Barrington Equity, were truly the best part of this book. The DIY pack included: a homeless formerly up and coming writer since cancelled, a queer venture capitalist turned good werewolf, a mega famous sequined glitter loving pop-star with a cult following, the pop-star's werewolf brother, and a responsible and kind stay at home dad. (Just in case this matters to anyone - I kept picturing Jimmy (Paul W. Downs) from Hacks as the stay at home dad, Lee Curtis, because mannerisms, and now I can't unsee it).
The book also beefs up the story by including alarming details about the restrictive lifestyle demanded of the wives of the venture capitalist werewolves and offspring, background as to how the firm started and werewolf who started it, and excerpts from academic and scientific texts on the history of werewolves. I personally felt that the excerpts from that book weren't entirely necessary because the story was interesting on its own, but I can see why the author included them to provide background.
One of the things I most enjoyed about the book is how eventually some of the historical background information (which TBH, can sometimes be excessively lengthy and overly drawn out - specifically, Bit's background when he's young) ties together in present day in ways that aren't always immediately obvious.
There were also so many cackle-out-loud parts of this story that I just loved. The famous individuals that are apparently werewolves and one vampire (I won't spoil the surprise), the self-consciousness of werewolves (excess body hair), and just the overall irony oozing from each page.
There are also so many good quotes, including: "Hi mom, guess what? I'm gay. And also, I'm a werewolf. And I just got fired. I'm an unemployed gay werewolf." and "Veronica tried to convince him that werewolves weren't supposed to cry, until her dad explained that werewolves could cry when they needed to and it didn't make them any less werewolvesy."
I can't wait for this book to come out. In the mean time, I definitely plan to read Emily Jane's other works.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue, for the eARC!! <3
The werewolf venture capitalists of Barrington Equity quickly emerge as the villains of this story and for very good reasons, including, but not limited to, the routine total destruction of human and animal lives for sport, money, and possession. Our heros, the rag-tag pack cast of characters that become friends and team up to bring down the pack of rapey venture capitalist werewolves of Barrington Equity, were truly the best part of this book. The DIY pack included: a homeless formerly up and coming writer since cancelled, a queer venture capitalist turned good werewolf, a mega famous sequined glitter loving pop-star with a cult following, the pop-star's werewolf brother, and a responsible and kind stay at home dad. (Just in case this matters to anyone - I kept picturing Jimmy (Paul W. Downs) from Hacks as the stay at home dad, Lee Curtis, because mannerisms, and now I can't unsee it).
The book also beefs up the story by including alarming details about the restrictive lifestyle demanded of the wives of the venture capitalist werewolves and offspring, background as to how the firm started and werewolf who started it, and excerpts from academic and scientific texts on the history of werewolves. I personally felt that the excerpts from that book weren't entirely necessary because the story was interesting on its own, but I can see why the author included them to provide background.
One of the things I most enjoyed about the book is how eventually some of the historical background information (which TBH, can sometimes be excessively lengthy and overly drawn out - specifically, Bit's background when he's young) ties together in present day in ways that aren't always immediately obvious.
There were also so many cackle-out-loud parts of this story that I just loved. The famous individuals that are apparently werewolves and one vampire (I won't spoil the surprise), the self-consciousness of werewolves (excess body hair), and just the overall irony oozing from each page.
There are also so many good quotes, including: "Hi mom, guess what? I'm gay. And also, I'm a werewolf. And I just got fired. I'm an unemployed gay werewolf." and "Veronica tried to convince him that werewolves weren't supposed to cry, until her dad explained that werewolves could cry when they needed to and it didn't make them any less werewolvesy."
I can't wait for this book to come out. In the mean time, I definitely plan to read Emily Jane's other works.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue, for the eARC!! <3
June 6, 2025
Book Review: American Werewolves by Emily Jane
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Quirky, Weird, and Wonderfully Emily Jane
If you’ve read Emily Jane before, you know exactly what you’re in for — and American Werewolves delivers on every bit of the quirky weirdness you’ve come to expect and love. From the very first pages, I had no idea what I was reading, but I loved every minute of it.
Jane’s signature style — playful, strange, and totally unpredictable — shines through in this genre-blending tale of werewolves, law firms, and historical intrigue. The story follows Shane Laselle, a man on the verge of making partner at his firm… with the small catch that the promotion might also come with a full moon curse. Meanwhile, in 1822, we meet Bit, a young boy turned werewolf whose path seems distant at first — until Jane masterfully connects the dots in ways that only she can.
The dual timeline is compelling, and the minor characters are vibrant, adding depth and humor while slowly tying themselves into the central plot. It’s a story that resists clear categorization — part supernatural mystery, part satire, part historical fantasy — but the journey is so unique and engaging, you won’t mind not knowing where it’s going.
Jane also touches thoughtfully (but never preachily) on social issues, including gender and race, particularly as they manifest within the werewolf hierarchy. It’s a subtle yet effective layer that adds surprising emotional depth to the chaos.
Here Beside the Rising Tide was one of my favorite books of 2025, so I was thrilled to dive into Emily Jane’s newest work. She’s become an auto-read author for me, and American Werewolves only reaffirms why. It’s bizarre, it’s smart, it’s hilarious — and it’s completely unforgettable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Quirky, Weird, and Wonderfully Emily Jane
If you’ve read Emily Jane before, you know exactly what you’re in for — and American Werewolves delivers on every bit of the quirky weirdness you’ve come to expect and love. From the very first pages, I had no idea what I was reading, but I loved every minute of it.
Jane’s signature style — playful, strange, and totally unpredictable — shines through in this genre-blending tale of werewolves, law firms, and historical intrigue. The story follows Shane Laselle, a man on the verge of making partner at his firm… with the small catch that the promotion might also come with a full moon curse. Meanwhile, in 1822, we meet Bit, a young boy turned werewolf whose path seems distant at first — until Jane masterfully connects the dots in ways that only she can.
The dual timeline is compelling, and the minor characters are vibrant, adding depth and humor while slowly tying themselves into the central plot. It’s a story that resists clear categorization — part supernatural mystery, part satire, part historical fantasy — but the journey is so unique and engaging, you won’t mind not knowing where it’s going.
Jane also touches thoughtfully (but never preachily) on social issues, including gender and race, particularly as they manifest within the werewolf hierarchy. It’s a subtle yet effective layer that adds surprising emotional depth to the chaos.
Here Beside the Rising Tide was one of my favorite books of 2025, so I was thrilled to dive into Emily Jane’s newest work. She’s become an auto-read author for me, and American Werewolves only reaffirms why. It’s bizarre, it’s smart, it’s hilarious — and it’s completely unforgettable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
May 16, 2025
Another imaginative, absurd, and surprisingly uplifting adventure from Emily Jane. Her third novel maintains the author’s trend of being hard to classify. Is it sci-fi? Fantasy? Magical realism? It’s Emily Jane, a blend of quirky characters, mythical monsters made real, and prose that blends humor with depictions of humankind that can break your heart and restore your hope. This novel has more gore and violence than her previous works, but even this weak-stomached scaredy-cat reader could not put it down—Shane is one of the most pitiable and lovable unwilling heroes I’ve read in a long time. A thrilling and surprisingly sweet allegory about greed and ambition, with glittery pop stars, closeted werewolves, and would it be an Emily Jane novel without at least one precocious child? Put this one on your “Must Read” list.
Disclosure: This reviewer received a free ARC through a Goodreads giveaway.
Disclosure: This reviewer received a free ARC through a Goodreads giveaway.
May 26, 2025
Another creative, completely bonkers novel from Emily Jane!
Shane LaSalle wants to make partner at the equity firm he's sacrificed so much of himself for, but he has to face the awful truth Natasha wants to know what vicious beast killed her roommate. Together can they take down a pack of gluttonous, bllionare wearwolves?
With a flare only Emily Jane can command, this book is a commentary on corporate America that is dark and violent while also being light and hilarious. I made all the faces and felt all the things
Thank you NetGalley and Emily Jane for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
Shane LaSalle wants to make partner at the equity firm he's sacrificed so much of himself for, but he has to face the awful truth Natasha wants to know what vicious beast killed her roommate. Together can they take down a pack of gluttonous, bllionare wearwolves?
With a flare only Emily Jane can command, this book is a commentary on corporate America that is dark and violent while also being light and hilarious. I made all the faces and felt all the things
Thank you NetGalley and Emily Jane for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
May 1, 2025
This was a really solid read. It took me a little while to get fully immersed but once I did I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. A funny and brutal story blending a classic genre with the modern world in a unique and poignant way. I’m a sucker for any critique of a predatory system and using werewolves to display the current state of affairs was a beautiful way to do that. This was my first book by Emily Jane and I’m excited to dive into some of her others!
May 15, 2025
Loved this book! I enjoyed the twist and turns and the interconnected storylines that helped bring the characters to life and give them dimension. It had a good amount of of scares, gore and GLITTER but it was also laugh out loud funny. I kept finding myself reading parts out loud to my husband. I loved that the the book had some familiar names and I enjoyed the commentary on power- who has it, and the price they pay for it. Best of all it has heart. I highly recommend this book.
April 28, 2025
Wow. This was such an easy, fun and campy read. It blended the ferocity of the werewolf legend with 2025 culture. I loved the characters, the setting, and the twists and turns. I hope to read more from this author ! thanks to NetGallery for an advanced copy!
March 20, 2025
This book is amazing
August 10, 2025
I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. It is an uncorrected advance proof.
2025
September 26, 2025📖 Thank you to Goodreads and Hyperion Avenue
October 29, 2025
From Emily Jane I always expect incisive social commentary laced with satire and not paranormal horror, so I was interested to see her take on venture capitalist werewolves as I enjoy a good werewolf tale. Literary werewolves? Sign me up. But ultimately this one just didn't work for me.
The story tells the point of view of three characters - Natasha, made homeless after her roommate is killed and she's canceled after criticizing a Taylor Swift-like pop star; Shane, a closeted gay man yearning for his work buddy, obsessed with status, and hoping to make partner at his private equity firm; and Bit, the first werewolf in the 1800s, as he founds the finance empire that becomes the firm.
The pacing was slow and jagged, not picking up until Shane and Natasha join forces with Nova, the queen of glitter pop, to take down the misogynistic bro werewolves. Shane, I felt, was the strongest character in the book, and I felt drawn to his story of realizing he's in love with his murdered best friend, deals with turning into a werewolf, and comes to understand who he is beneath his carefully manipulated online persona.
But Natasha's story fell off then and she became just a flat metaphor for female rage. I also thought it was a bit much for the POC characters (the pop star and her werewolf family) to become the saviors.
I also must confess I am bored by stories of rapey tech-bro billionaires getting their comeuppance. Hollywood loves this trope but I find them boring villains, in real life as well as fiction. This was also another story where all straight white men are nothing but paragons of toxic masculinity, which isn't exactly incisive social commentary to me. I can go to social media to get all the man hating I want.
It was funny that a venture capitalist firm, the Cheneys and Aerosmith were all werewolves, but that punchline seemed like the whole point to the story.
So I found this ultimately boring and predictable. Queer and feminine rage takes down clownish rich rapey bros, okay.
I also found the commentary on the academic side of lycanthropy sprinkled throughout the text to be distracting. I wish it had been portrayed as footnotes or set aside in its own chapters.
It got rather gruesome as well. I wasn't sure if it was trying to be literary, highbrow satire or horror but not fully succeeding at any of the three.
Perhaps this book was just too smart for me. I would still try this author again though because she always has wild, fun ideas.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story tells the point of view of three characters - Natasha, made homeless after her roommate is killed and she's canceled after criticizing a Taylor Swift-like pop star; Shane, a closeted gay man yearning for his work buddy, obsessed with status, and hoping to make partner at his private equity firm; and Bit, the first werewolf in the 1800s, as he founds the finance empire that becomes the firm.
The pacing was slow and jagged, not picking up until Shane and Natasha join forces with Nova, the queen of glitter pop, to take down the misogynistic bro werewolves. Shane, I felt, was the strongest character in the book, and I felt drawn to his story of realizing he's in love with his murdered best friend, deals with turning into a werewolf, and comes to understand who he is beneath his carefully manipulated online persona.
But Natasha's story fell off then and she became just a flat metaphor for female rage. I also thought it was a bit much for the POC characters (the pop star and her werewolf family) to become the saviors.
I also must confess I am bored by stories of rapey tech-bro billionaires getting their comeuppance. Hollywood loves this trope but I find them boring villains, in real life as well as fiction. This was also another story where all straight white men are nothing but paragons of toxic masculinity, which isn't exactly incisive social commentary to me. I can go to social media to get all the man hating I want.
It was funny that a venture capitalist firm, the Cheneys and Aerosmith were all werewolves, but that punchline seemed like the whole point to the story.
So I found this ultimately boring and predictable. Queer and feminine rage takes down clownish rich rapey bros, okay.
I also found the commentary on the academic side of lycanthropy sprinkled throughout the text to be distracting. I wish it had been portrayed as footnotes or set aside in its own chapters.
It got rather gruesome as well. I wasn't sure if it was trying to be literary, highbrow satire or horror but not fully succeeding at any of the three.
Perhaps this book was just too smart for me. I would still try this author again though because she always has wild, fun ideas.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 15, 2025
4 stars
I really enjoyed Jane's _On Earth as It Is on Television_, so I could not WAIT to get my paws on this wolfy new effort. San Francisco? Dirtbag finance bros? Toxic masculinity? Sounds like just another day in the City, but whoa, does this one pack some surprising content. There were times when I loved this book and times when I was a little frustrated, but overall, I had a highly enjoyable and memorable experience here.
There are a number of characters whose perspectives readers get to follow in chapters featuring their names, and these also happen in distinct timelines. Most of the book is told through characters running amok in and near San Francisco, but some of it happens in the relatively distant past. All chapters come together to explain - to some degree - where THESE particular werewolves come from and what the heck they are doing in the FiDi. P.S. They are still - by no means - the most bizarre thing happening in the area. IYKYK.
I really enjoyed learning how the distinct characters were going to fit into each other's lives, and while there aren't necessarily huge reveals (readers are largely set up for them as we go), there are still some very satisfying connections, some tragic moments (the book DOES start with a brutal murder, and it's not an isolated incident), and some great instances of retribution. This is, simply put, a total roller coaster of both events and emotions.
I came into this book a fan of the author, and I am leaving the experience a more devoted reader. Prospective readers should be prepared to devote some time - this is not a quick read - and they should also be ready for some troubling motifs underlying the dark humor. Rape, sexual assault, exploitation, murder (victims of all ages), graphic violence, misogyny, homophobia... it's all here. Folks who can handle that should sharpen their claws and sink their teeth into this absolutely wild read (don't judge - you'll be doing this, too, I suspect, after spending so much time with these beasts).
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I really enjoyed Jane's _On Earth as It Is on Television_, so I could not WAIT to get my paws on this wolfy new effort. San Francisco? Dirtbag finance bros? Toxic masculinity? Sounds like just another day in the City, but whoa, does this one pack some surprising content. There were times when I loved this book and times when I was a little frustrated, but overall, I had a highly enjoyable and memorable experience here.
There are a number of characters whose perspectives readers get to follow in chapters featuring their names, and these also happen in distinct timelines. Most of the book is told through characters running amok in and near San Francisco, but some of it happens in the relatively distant past. All chapters come together to explain - to some degree - where THESE particular werewolves come from and what the heck they are doing in the FiDi. P.S. They are still - by no means - the most bizarre thing happening in the area. IYKYK.
I really enjoyed learning how the distinct characters were going to fit into each other's lives, and while there aren't necessarily huge reveals (readers are largely set up for them as we go), there are still some very satisfying connections, some tragic moments (the book DOES start with a brutal murder, and it's not an isolated incident), and some great instances of retribution. This is, simply put, a total roller coaster of both events and emotions.
I came into this book a fan of the author, and I am leaving the experience a more devoted reader. Prospective readers should be prepared to devote some time - this is not a quick read - and they should also be ready for some troubling motifs underlying the dark humor. Rape, sexual assault, exploitation, murder (victims of all ages), graphic violence, misogyny, homophobia... it's all here. Folks who can handle that should sharpen their claws and sink their teeth into this absolutely wild read (don't judge - you'll be doing this, too, I suspect, after spending so much time with these beasts).
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
October 4, 2025
Emily Jane gives “The Wolf of Wall Street” an entirely new meaning in the rip-roaringly funny and horrific satire, American Werewolves. After her roommate turns up dead, mauled by some mysterious heretofore unknown creature, Natasha finds herself drawn into the world of venture capitalism. It’s a world filled with wolves of the highest caliber—as Barrington Equity’s newest partner, Shane LaSalle, can testify. But underneath this murky, immoral business lies a secret that traces its roots back into the earliest days of America. Werewolves have been roaming across America for centuries, and Natasha and Shane are right in their claws. With American Werewolves, Emily Jane is well on her way to carving out a very unique niche in the sci-fi/fantasy/horror world—lighthearted novels balancing excellent character work, genuine thriller and chills, and exceedingly clever and often absurd ideas.
On the one hand, American Werewolves offers up a biting satire on the rampant misogyny and predatory nature of modern-day venture capitalism. The business bros are exactly as despicable as you’d like them to be, and the added supernatural angle only adds to the very timely commentary. On the other hand, you’ve got this very classic werewolf tale, immensely gripping and spine-tinglingly horrific despite the moments of comedic brevity. It’s a combination that shouldn’t work on paper, but somehow leaps right off the page and burrows deep into your mind in the best of ways.
Loaded with Jane’s trademark absurdist humor and out-of-this-world ideas, American Werewolves jumps around from person to person (and back and forth through time) in ways that may seem random at first. But rest assured, as the novel progresses, Jane ties these disparate threads into an utterly satisfying tapestry. To say much more risks ruining some of the novel’s cleverer surprises, so just buckle in for an absolutely wild ride. It’s funny, it’s creepy, it’s gory as hell, and it’s an absolutely perfect read for the Halloween season.
Review as part of Geek Vibes Nation's September 2025 Book Round-Up.
A review copy was provided by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for a fair review.
On the one hand, American Werewolves offers up a biting satire on the rampant misogyny and predatory nature of modern-day venture capitalism. The business bros are exactly as despicable as you’d like them to be, and the added supernatural angle only adds to the very timely commentary. On the other hand, you’ve got this very classic werewolf tale, immensely gripping and spine-tinglingly horrific despite the moments of comedic brevity. It’s a combination that shouldn’t work on paper, but somehow leaps right off the page and burrows deep into your mind in the best of ways.
Loaded with Jane’s trademark absurdist humor and out-of-this-world ideas, American Werewolves jumps around from person to person (and back and forth through time) in ways that may seem random at first. But rest assured, as the novel progresses, Jane ties these disparate threads into an utterly satisfying tapestry. To say much more risks ruining some of the novel’s cleverer surprises, so just buckle in for an absolutely wild ride. It’s funny, it’s creepy, it’s gory as hell, and it’s an absolutely perfect read for the Halloween season.
Review as part of Geek Vibes Nation's September 2025 Book Round-Up.
A review copy was provided by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for a fair review.
September 15, 2025
After her roommate, Marie, is found murdered, Natasha finds herself living out of her car.
Shane is trying to climb the corporate ladder among the hedge fund bros.
And Bit’s story introduces us to the origination of the ancient werewolves.
How will these lives intersect in American Werewolves? Perhaps with a full moon, a lot of blood and a little glitter!
This was a unique read and I appreciate winning a gifted copy from GoodReads. I honestly don’t know if I would have picked up a copy otherwise and that is the beauty of taking chances on books!!!
Out of everyone, my favorite character was Lee Curtis’ daughter Veronica. While most of the books dragged on until latter portion, I always looked forward to a chapter that included her and her eavesdropping!
Thank you to author, Emily Jane, GoodReads and publisher Hyperion Avenue for the gifted copy and the opportunity to read this book. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Shane is trying to climb the corporate ladder among the hedge fund bros.
And Bit’s story introduces us to the origination of the ancient werewolves.
How will these lives intersect in American Werewolves? Perhaps with a full moon, a lot of blood and a little glitter!
This was a unique read and I appreciate winning a gifted copy from GoodReads. I honestly don’t know if I would have picked up a copy otherwise and that is the beauty of taking chances on books!!!
Out of everyone, my favorite character was Lee Curtis’ daughter Veronica. While most of the books dragged on until latter portion, I always looked forward to a chapter that included her and her eavesdropping!
Thank you to author, Emily Jane, GoodReads and publisher Hyperion Avenue for the gifted copy and the opportunity to read this book. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
September 25, 2025
4.25 Stars
Emily Jane does it again. Her writing is always fresh, strange, and wholly her own.
In American Werewolves, we get multiple POVs, dual timelines, a bit of historical fiction, and the perfect blend of humor and horror. The story follows Natasha, a woman reeling after her roommate’s death and desperate for closure, and Shane, a cutthroat venture capitalist willing to sacrifice anything for success. Later, we’re introduced to a third perspective: Bit, a young boy in the early 1800s grappling with power, identity, and survival.
As always, Jane threads sharp social commentary through her narrative—calling out toxic masculinity, flagrant misogyny, the churn of social media, and the constant pressure to conform.
After falling in love with her first two books, my expectations were already sky-high. American Werewolves not only met them, it exceeded them—cementing Emily Jane as an auto-buy author for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hyperion Avenue, and Emily Jane for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Emily Jane does it again. Her writing is always fresh, strange, and wholly her own.
In American Werewolves, we get multiple POVs, dual timelines, a bit of historical fiction, and the perfect blend of humor and horror. The story follows Natasha, a woman reeling after her roommate’s death and desperate for closure, and Shane, a cutthroat venture capitalist willing to sacrifice anything for success. Later, we’re introduced to a third perspective: Bit, a young boy in the early 1800s grappling with power, identity, and survival.
As always, Jane threads sharp social commentary through her narrative—calling out toxic masculinity, flagrant misogyny, the churn of social media, and the constant pressure to conform.
After falling in love with her first two books, my expectations were already sky-high. American Werewolves not only met them, it exceeded them—cementing Emily Jane as an auto-buy author for me.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hyperion Avenue, and Emily Jane for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2025
A viscerally engaging novel about underdogs fighting against venture capitalist werewolves. I’m a fan of Emily Jane’s unique and evocative writing style, and though I’m not usually much of a horror reader, this book really captured my imagination. It’s a clever piece of social commentary on the mindless evils of corporate businessmen, having them literally transform into bloodthirsty monsters, and the narrative jumps around to several different characters to explore the causes and effects of this modern lycanthropy. While the story is quite grim and violent, there were also glimpses of glitter and hope, which brightened the tone against the odds. Ultimately, I found this to be an original and compelling novel, with thrillingly scary moments and some badass empowerment.
Thanks to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thanks to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 3, 2025
Emily Jane has done it again. She puts her own unique spin on a well tread trope. Think you know werewolves? You don't know these werewolves. Combining venture capitalists with werewolves makes all the sense in the world. Combining these two makes for a potent set of villains.
The story takes you across not only memorable characters but also the present and past. I particularly enjoyed the storyline of Bit the young werewolf learning the ropes of their new life as a werewolf in the 1800's. Nova Z'Rhae, the sparkly and fabulous pop star, was a glittering highlight of the book as well.
If you enjoy the fantastical, the curious, and the monstrous this book is for you.
Emily Jane always blends fantasy worlds into our real world in such an interesting way that creates exciting storylines that keep you turning the page until the end.
I can't wait to see what she brings to us next.
The story takes you across not only memorable characters but also the present and past. I particularly enjoyed the storyline of Bit the young werewolf learning the ropes of their new life as a werewolf in the 1800's. Nova Z'Rhae, the sparkly and fabulous pop star, was a glittering highlight of the book as well.
If you enjoy the fantastical, the curious, and the monstrous this book is for you.
Emily Jane always blends fantasy worlds into our real world in such an interesting way that creates exciting storylines that keep you turning the page until the end.
I can't wait to see what she brings to us next.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews