Hybrid

Hybrid #1

by Nick Stead

"Stead weaves an intricate world of hierarchy, history and culture with a sinister underbelly, whilst keeping a popular theme fresh and without any of the old clichés. There is the epic, the sublime and the downright terrifying. Think you know vampires and werewolves? Think again."

A full moon rises and blood is about to be spilled. Nick Stead, once a regular teenage boy falls prey to the werewolf curse. He begins to change in ways he cannot understand. The first transformation after receiving the bite is only the beginning. From that moment on, death follows in his wake as he seeks to satisfy the insatiable hunger awoken within. But hunter can easily become the hunted, and whilst battling his own lupine instincts, he must also hide his lycanthropy from those who would seek to wipe out his race. A clandestine faction known as the Demon Slayers are closing in on his trail and mean to wipe out his kind once and for all.

Genres: Horror, Werewolves

329 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 2, 2015

About the author

A lifelong fan of supernatural horror and fantasy, Nick spends his days prowling the darker side of fiction, often to the scream of heavy metal guitars and the purrs of his feline companions.

Fate set him on the path of the writer at the tender age of 15. The journey has been much longer and harder than his teenage self ever anticipated, but 17 years later he is still forging ahead.

Nick is best known for his Hybrid series, the first of which was published under Wild Wolf Publishing in 2015. The second and third instalments originally launched 2016 and 2017 respectively, but a planned move to another publisher brought the series to a standstill over the next two years, when things didn't work out as hoped.

2020 saw him teaming up with two other esteemed Huddersfield authors, to form their own label, Twisted Fate Publishing. Nick spent most of the 2020 lockdown working hard on editing the three manuscripts for re-release as revised and extended second editions, and the reboot began with Hybrid on July 31st. The long awaited fourth instalment is planned for around Halloween 2020, at which point he will get to work on the fifth for release in 2021.

Nick has also had short stories published in various anthologies, and will soon be releasing his first non-Hybrid novel based on the true story of the Pendle witches.

For more information about Nick and his work:

Web: https://www.nick-stead.co.uk

https://www.hybridseries.co.uk

FB: https://www.facebook.com/officialnick...

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nick_stead

Amazon: http://author.to/nickstead

Reviews

[Gina Stead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update:

The second edition is a huge improvement, so much more polished. The author's writing has come on leaps and bounds. Well worth another read.

Wow what a ride! Be prepared to hold on to your lunch, gruesome but compelling. I don't normally read gory fiction but had to keep going to the end. I'm looking forward to the second book with equal measures of excitement and trepidation.....

[Dgonzilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, this is no revolutionary work of fiction, but in a world where the standard for werewolf stories in literature revolves around the idea of making them flawless power fantasies that boil down to what's basically superheroes stories in urban fantasy settings, a story that actually portraits lycanthropy as a extremely conflicting state of being that can actually work as a power fantasy still but not without it having a double edge to it really stands out. I’ve been looking for a book like this for a very very long time.

And this book doesn’t pull its punches. When it gets nasty, its really fucking nasty.

It still works like a power fantasy, as all “turn into a monster” stories should, but it also makes the reader grateful for their normal lives. At no point the reader will envy the protagonist of this book, unless you really really really hate your family and your life and human society overall. In that case go ahead and put yourself in the MC’s shoes. But also please go to therapy, for everyones’ sake.

Lets keep it spoiler free.

This book is filled with great ideas. Stuff that I’ve been waiting to see in werewolf books for a while. But bizarrely enough it also has what I could only call outdated ideas as well. For once, the point of view in wolf form and human form and treated as different points of view, since they are technically different people, but at the same time they are not. Whether or not the wolf and the human are different entities or just two aspects of the same person is an unanswered enigma in the book and it really makes judging the main character more and more complicated as the story goes on. This, I thought, was extremely creative and well executed.

On the less creative side of the scale, this book has vampires and they are weak to crosses and holy water...but not garlic. This took me by surprise. When it comes to vampires in urban fantasy there are usually two ways to approach it, either full supernatural in which case they are weak to all symbols of spirituality and holiness, in this case the effect is determined by the fate of the user or something like that. Or you go full science fiction, in this case, religious symbols and holy water do nothing, cus they are not demons or undead, they are just mutants and usually allergic to garlic, as it's treated as a natural allergic reaction. But this author went the opposite route. The lore in this world is entirely based on judeo-christian superstitions with some vague references to Greek mythology that are quickly dismissed by the narrative. The whole thing just felt extremely unoriginal and narrow minded.

Also werewolves in this book are, just like vampires, classified as undead creatures. I know hardcore werewolf fans will have huge issues with this. But it really changes nothing in any way that matters. The story treats it as a matter of semantics.

The lore overall is poorly handled. Not the werewolf lore, since one of the sources of conflict is how the MC is speculated to be the last werewolf and there is no one to teach him anything. So in that case being clueless is part of the plot. But every other monster is handled poorly in my opinion. The vampires are poorly handled and lazily executed at best. There are other monsters that showed up in the end out of nowhere after being mentioned once. Demons are also mentioned but it was pretty clear that those are being set up to play a bigger part in the sequel.

Another problem is that certain plot points felt neglected. Some characters seemed to get neglected as well. I felt like that author had the talent and creativity to make some great character dynamics and plot points, but he would just abandon them or not give them the attention I felt they deserved. Literary, some of these characters and plot points should have had a bigger word count.

I just feel like there is a lot to discuss about this book. For me, if I have to grade it, this book is the most conflicting 3 out of 5 stars ever. It's constantly oscillating in my head between a 2 and a 4 out of 5 stars. Never quit settling on the 3, but I don't feel good saying it's a 2 or a 4 either. And it's definitely not a 1, but certainly not a 5 either.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

From a debut horror author this werewolf tale takes a pinch of inspiration from Interview with a Vampire, a dollop of teenager issues from BBC Wolfblood and all the raw gore from every decent horror film possible. It is also what some may call a personal fantasy reliving of someones life to a degree or two.
There is a teenage with the usual problems of family feuds, bully fights and GCSEs and then there is the teenager werewolf who has a horid passion for meat both cooked and raw and a dual of minds and wills with the Inner Wolf inside. Oh and the extra challenge in that he is the last of his kind and is being hunted by a mysterious secret faction call Demon Slayers who know its more than werewolves that go bump in the night.
The reader gets on a truly wild ride with this story that I think really rewrites the image of the werewolf. You enter the story literally in the prologue with a direct 2nd person narrative. From Chap 1 it's all about Nick the teenager with a fascination of wolves and then following the bite which comes the reader gets to know the Wolf within Nick and that is a refreshing non-human twist on the myth. That Werewolve are in fact homosapien and lupine blended together in a freakish mental combination.
I particularly liked one chapter, after the discovery of a horrific and devestating murder (there is a lot of violent deaths in this book so readers had best have a strong stomach) Nick out of anger mentally attacks and argues with his Inner Wolf and the argument is really quite insightful into how a predator sees and acts when compared with that of humanity.
The first half of the book is all about a teenager adjusting to a very unusual sudden set of conditions but as the body count rises and his normal life becomes more and more fragmented by the impact of his actions under the full moon the second half leads into a savage and viscous mindset where Nick may have to loose his idea of humanity to stay alive as the Slayers pose an ever increasing threat.
Although I would have preffered more action and bloody drama from the go the slow first half does help as a poignant reminder of the boy Nick no longer is by the end of the book.

[Owen Townend · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Intel Leader Matheson of Slayer Division 9, commandeering the Goodreads account of Owen Townend (incapacitated).

Working closely with the spellcasters has finally yielded results. Not only have they managed to access an alternate reality through its version of the internet, they have brought to my attention an electronic document that will prove invaluable in the ongoing struggle.

While Nick Stead is known as the Last Werewolf in our world, in this alternate it appears he is a horror author. In this second edition book titled Hybrid, he evokes a vividly violent account that aligns with most of our existing intel of Nick Stead the Werewolf and all sites of his devastation up to and including the most recent Battle with the Undead. In addition to this he provides an insight into the thought process of the beast.

Though I am hesitant to put forward this work of fiction as a guide for future interception of the Werewolf and all his known associates, its value remains undeniable. I post my recommendation to both my immediate superiors and what I assume is the online presence of the Slayer network in the alternate world. This Nick Stead novelist must be watched for sudden transformation into a clear and present danger.

The Last of the Werewolves must be stopped at all costs and in all realities. Read Hybrid for a quality analysis of lyncanthrope savagery.

[P Rodgers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very gripping from start to finish. This book is not for the faint hearted - gory descriptions. I feel like I have learnt a bit about Werewolves along the way too. Definitely a must read - highly recommend!

Looking forward to reading 'Hunted'.

[Matt Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Background: Nick Stead lives in Huddersfield in the UK, and Hybrid has been a labour of love for him. It began life back in 2003 when he was only 15, and finally saw the light of day via Wild Wolf Publishing in 2015. The book is the first in a series and follows a teenager – also named Nick Stead – that has been afflicted with lycanthropy. Now, not only must he battle with his newly formed instincts, he must also find a way to hide his nature from a clan of Demon Slayers that want to see werewolves wiped from existence.

The Good: Okay, so there are a lot of different werewolf stories out there right now. These range from old school tales of curses and bloodshed to the romance tinged world of Urban Fantasy. Now, personally, I tend to like Urban Fantasy as much as any other type of werewolf story. However, I know that many people prefer werewolves to place a little bit more focus on the monstrous side of the beast than that particular genre sometimes does. Well, if you’re that sort of fan, you’re in luck here! Nick’s werewolf tale is nothing short of brutal at times, and there is never any question that any advantages of lycanthropy are countered by a lot of negatives.

In a way, this is helped immensly by our protagonist too. Nick begins the book as the sort of teen that likes to say things that will get a reaction. And by that, I mean that he tends to talk about darker subject matter. As the book continues though, he begins to learn that there are some serious downsides to a darker life. Seeing him battle his conscience on when and how to embrace his lycanthropic instincts is a big part of the book and Nick’s character arc, and it really does make for an interesting read.

The supporting cast feature a decent variety of people, both ally and enemy too. At first, we primarily deal with Nick’s family and schoolfriends, but the cast soon grows to include not only the aforementioned Demon Slayers, but a couple of vampires too. In particular, I found the vampire Lady Sarah to be an excellent addition to the cast. Taking on the role of teacher for Nick in his new, inhuman existence, she really is instrumental in his development, and is one of the major sources of world building for the book.

I enjoyed Nick’s writing style and the no holds barred nature of it all really put me in mind of Darren Shan’s Demonata series. It’s not all blood and gore though, and Nick does a great job of making our main characters feel real. Yes, some are given more time than others, but that is to be expected. The key here is that the main drivers of the story are developed enough to rise above the one-dimensional tropes that some horror leads fall into.

The Bad: First a content warning. If you’re squeamish or just don’t like gore, this is going to be far too visceral for you. Nick’s werewolf is a ravenous monster, and this is demonstrated in a number of very graphic scenes. I’d also say that some may not enjoy our main protagonist at first, at least if they tend to dislike teens that try to garner reactions from others. To be clear, these were not issues for me in this case, but it’s certainly worth noting.

The one criticism I want to give here is that the story is told by the protagonist as a recounting of his past. This is made clear throughout the book. As a result, even when we hit the life-threatening points of the climactic scenes, we already know that the protagonist survives. It’s well executed, but it did remove some of the tension for me, unfortunately. I would say though, that the final two characters go a long way to counter this with one being a clear set up for things to come, and the actual epilogue being a clever way to close things out.

Final View: Hybrid is brutally graphic, but it has plenty of heart. Look beyond the bloodshed and you’ll find a world rich in lore, and characters with rewarding story arcs. In short, this is a fine addition to the world of werewolves, and well worth checking out if you like your fuzzies vicious.

Final Score: 4 out of 5

[James Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading and it is among the better in the genre, it have twist and turns and a very detailed description of a teenager beeing bitten by a werewolf and how his life slowly changes alonge the curse which forces him to feed on human flesh with the moons cycle and monthly turning, he fights to keep his humanity but is loosing and on top of this there are a organized group of slayers targeting the undead. This is a very heavy, gory story and not for the faint of hearth but well written

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have just finished Hybrid, the first in a series by new author Nick Stead.

The book tells the story of Nick Stead, a teenager who has an fascination and obsession for werewolves and love of wolves. He dreams of becoming a werewolf and wonders what it would be like. Unfortunately, after a werewolf turns him, it's not all he hoped. Nick soon finds himself embroiled in a centuries old shadow war between humans and the undead. Nick quickly has a lot of growing up to do and does so in a very convincing way.

I loved the lore in the story. It’s quite unique and I haven’t heard anything else like it before. The inner-wolf personality is very compelling and definitely a very complex character. Despite its actions throughout the story you can't help but be sympathetic towards it (as well as Nick, the human side). There’s a few scenes that really make you think about humanity’s impact on nature. I thought all the characters were well put together, and the story kept me guessing - not to mention hiding behind the sofa at times!

I highly recommend this to anyone into horror or dark fantasy. It is quite gory so if you're squeamish then it probably isn't the book for you, but it’s really that bad.

I can't wait for the next in the series and what Stead has to offer in the future.

My only real complaint is that I now have to wait for the next book!

[S. L. Mewse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gruesomely good read! Hybrid is a look into what happens when a young man is bitten and becomes the werewolf that he always dreamed of being, but the reality is much harder than he imagined. I loved the descriptive gore and the transformations in this book, and the plot kept me interested and wanting more. I enjoyed the way that Nick's emotional and psychological change was explored, the book really delved into every aspect of his blossoming curse and the various stages of his changing. I can't wait for the second book!

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

The plot of this story held my attention from beginning to end. Nick,a teenage boy is bitten by a wolf and almost dies,when he recovers he is changed forever.He finds out that supernatural creatures are not myth but real. The author even gives the reader a lesson on the beginnings of the werewolf and his take on it is positively brilliant. This is a fantastic book,well written and engaging,exactly what a book junkie like myself looks for. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great story.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, dark read from beginning to end.
The best way I can describe it is as a book of two halves.
The first half is about a teenagers difficult adjustment to becoming a werewolf, even though he had always wanted to be one.
The second half is more action packed as the body count rises and the undead battle to survive the slayers.
The characters were well written and the story kept me guessing.
I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.

[George Duvet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth a read.
Loved the transformation and wolf's personality.

[Jetta Chandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

First thing that I noticed upon reading it is that the jarring writing of 'teenage banter' between the characters. This is a recurring thing that happens in plenty of novels, that some authors don't actually know how teenagers talk, so they just put something that they *think* teenagers sound like.

Most of the time, I don't know if the characters were being serious or talking in a joking manner. Sometimes they sounded old, instead of a teenagers. This book is set somewhere in England, not sure where. To a non-British person (me), they sometimes sounded very American, sometimes they sounded somewhat Scottish.

Here's an example of a jarring convo. Context - it was Halloween and the characters were dressing up for Trick or Treat:
“You didn’t tell me there’d be kids,” I said. I hated kids.
Fiona gave an apologetic shrug. “Sorry, Mum made me bring her along.”
“I guess I’ll put up with your kid sister just this once, but I hope you know this is seriously damaging to my image! The King of Horror can’t be seen with little ’uns.”

And

"I considered walking away. The vampire looked ready to defend his kill to the death and that was a fight I was certain I couldn’t win – not when I had no control over the transformation. It would be a tragedy, a little girl killed at so young an age, but these things happen."

"Little 'uns?" Why was he talking like an old man? He's a teenager! And "these things happen?" why was he talking as if this was the Middle Ages lol.

Maybe it's just me, but everytime a character talked, it doesn't feel natural.

[Catherine Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is not for the faint-hearted! If you are squeamish, do not read this book!

Ok so I met the author at an event and decided to download the free edition of Hybrid. It took a while to read the book for various reasons. The MC is a teenage boy in a Northern UK town, and I can totally relate because I am from a very similar background and grew up with people just like him. But that was a bit boring for me because I want to escape from my mundane life, not be reminded of it. But then I liked that I could connect with the character on a personal level. So I'm conflicted.

The werewolf story is intriguing but I did not like the vampires as they were too flimsy and generic. The violence, however, wow! That was where the author came into his own. I think I preferred the wolf to the human in this book, because he did not sugar coat his existence. He lived for the kill, for the food, for the sex when he needed it. And the poor body whose body he inhabits simply gets taken for a ride. It's bound to leave a lasting impression...

[Lou Canning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Loving the werewolf genre I get so excited when I find another great series to read!

Nick Stead does not disappoint. Action, gore, surprises and so much more and it’s only the first book!
It’s a different take on the genre, I was surprised at some of the characters but not in a bad way. With all the books out there it’s a positive change to have a different take on a genre having been done so many times.
I’m not having a break in between the first and second book. I’m going to straight into the second! Wish my luck!!

[Jesse Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Werewolves and Vampires, it doesn't get much better than this! I love a story where you get to be a part of the person's transformation from man to beast. and it gets pretty detailed in the most amazing ways. this book for me was so good that half way through Hybrid, I went and ordered every remaining book in the series just so I didn't have to wait. I can't wait

[gordon musgrave · Rating 1 out of 5]

Missing pages

Around 75 % of the book pages started to be blank but more and more was blank till I completely lost the story had to give up on I!!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read! Grim and gory descriptions are not for those that are faint of heart