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Werewolves of Brooklyn
Darien Mackey wasn’t looking for an adventure. For ten years, he’d been happy living in Brooklyn, working as a butcher in the same job, living in the same apartment, dating some “nothing-special” guys. Until one night his buddy Jacob talked him into taking ayahuasca, the soul-changing drug. And Darien had a vision…of a wolf, its all-too-human eyes on him, its paws on his chest, its enquiring mind in his own…
Darien Mackey is changing. He’s more confident, more assertive, hungrier, hornier. And his world is changing around him – his job, his home, his beloved Mechanic’s Library all falling victim to the predations of unscrupulous developers, bent on demolishing the old Brooklyn he loves and replacing it with a forest of condos. But he’s no longer a passive observer of his own life, and as this thing, this power, grows inside of him, he resolves to fight back, to preserve the way of life he loves.
And he’s not alone in the fight. The Lipsius Preservation Society of Brooklyn stands ready to assist in the battle, even though it seems like a bit of a joke to Darien, with its King and its Duke, Marquess, Earl and Viscount.
But there’s nothing funny about his growing attraction to Albeus Finley, King of this mysterious Court. And when slumlords and condo-mongers start to die mysterious, violent deaths at the hands of savage animals, Darien begins to realize that something is afoot in Brooklyn – something supernatural.
And it’s afoot in him, too…
Darien Mackey is changing. He’s more confident, more assertive, hungrier, hornier. And his world is changing around him – his job, his home, his beloved Mechanic’s Library all falling victim to the predations of unscrupulous developers, bent on demolishing the old Brooklyn he loves and replacing it with a forest of condos. But he’s no longer a passive observer of his own life, and as this thing, this power, grows inside of him, he resolves to fight back, to preserve the way of life he loves.
And he’s not alone in the fight. The Lipsius Preservation Society of Brooklyn stands ready to assist in the battle, even though it seems like a bit of a joke to Darien, with its King and its Duke, Marquess, Earl and Viscount.
But there’s nothing funny about his growing attraction to Albeus Finley, King of this mysterious Court. And when slumlords and condo-mongers start to die mysterious, violent deaths at the hands of savage animals, Darien begins to realize that something is afoot in Brooklyn – something supernatural.
And it’s afoot in him, too…
205 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2015
19 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
About the author
Brad Vance
61 books245 followersBrad Vance is the author of over twenty books. He's hard at work on the sequel to Stabitha. Keep up with Brad at BradVanceAuthor.com, or email him at BradVanceAuthor@gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
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September 2, 2015Kindle freebie 9/2/15
September 4, 2015
Eager to learn about and understand various writing genres, I have now read several male on male romance novels. Here’s what I can tell you: each book is about two hundred pages, give or take 25-50 pages in either direction. The protagonists are always wildly virile and handsome (sounds like hetero romance novels, doesn’t it?) and the lead couple must have passionate, prolonged, graphic sex twice in the novel. That’s about it. Those are the rules. So Brad Vance’s Werewolves of Brooklyn is of that genre. But it transcends. Vance’s writing is elegant and eloquent. His descriptions are so vivid that the reader doesn’t feel as if he is reading, but rather you feel as if you are right there, experiencing. Werewolves of Brooklyn concerns Darrien Mackey, a loner who has apprenticed and become a master butcher in modern day Brooklyn. He lives to cut meat, and he does so not only in the Polish style of the man he apprenticed under, but he also knows the styles of other cultures, for he has travelled to enrich his craft. And into his life comes a pack of werewolves. I won’t say any more, but I feel that last statement is okay since, after all, Vance’s novel is titled Werewolves of Brooklyn. I was taken by Vance’s extensive knowledge. His descriptions of Brooklyn and its gentrification seem spot on; his literary allusions are wonderful. I must say that just when the plot gets at its thickest, and we, as readers, are sure that the climax is near, Vance goes on a lengthy journey through flashback. At first, I was angry and annoyed. Then I got caught up in this flashback. It is a vivid piece of storytelling. Being a musical theater aficionado, I absolutely adored the scene set in a theater where The Black Crook, considered the first American musical comedy, is being performed. I’ve read dozens of accounts of this, but Vance brought this to life so well I thought, “So that’s what it was like.” And another thing I loved about Vance’s writing—he brings us gay male characters who talk about each other as one would expect heterosexual males talk about their female conquests. It is so refreshing to hear Vance toss off this seemingly “locker room talk” as if it is normal, totally conversational, and not done to titillate at all. Werewolves of Brooklyn is writing at its best, and Vance is a master. I’m thrilled that I picked this up and began reading. My tastes don’t run to werewolf tales, but this is so much more. It is literature disguised as a m/m genre novel.
August 11, 2015
The writing is very good, the story well edited. But in the end I just wasn't moved by the strange (but unique) take on werewolves and their culture and history. I'm sure others will find the story unique and enjoyable. Just not my cuppa.
Read
September 14, 2015DNF @ 22%.
I don't have a clue what was going on. Darien persona changed. I'm left clueless and uninterested in it.
I don't have a clue what was going on. Darien persona changed. I'm left clueless and uninterested in it.
October 23, 2017
Genre - M/M Romance/Supernatural/Werewolves
Publication Date - August 4, 2015
Pages - 233
Stars - 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I don’t read many romance type novels because most times, in my opinion and my experience they are nothing more than soft porn! “Werewolves of Brooklyn” by Brad Vance however was an excellent and most enjoyable read. A gay werewolf butcher and a court of male werewolves with royal titles...how can that possibly be anything but fabulous. The cover of this book may give the impression of a historical piece, but it’s mostly contemporary. There are a few chapters that look back on the Civil War era and the history and story were well written and came across as well researched. Great characters, a wonderful story and fast paced action made this quite the page turner. I was a bit disappointed by how it ended so abruptly. This is my first read by Brad Vance, but I will definitely read more of his work in the future. Highly recommend this read. It has just the right amount of all the right ingredients.
Synopsis (from back cover): Darien Mackey wasn’t looking for an adventure. For ten years, he’d been happy living in Brooklyn, working as a butcher in the same job, living in the same apartment, dating some “nothing-special” guys. Until one night his buddy Jacob talked him into taking ayahuasca, the soul-changing drug. And Darien had a vision…of a wolf, its all-too-human eyes on him, its paws on his chest, its enquiring mind in his own…
Darien Mackey is changing. He’s more confident, more assertive, hungrier, hornier. And his world is changing around him – his job, his home, his beloved Mechanic’s Library all falling victim to the predations of unscrupulous developers, bent on demolishing the old Brooklyn he loves and replacing it with a forest of condos. But he’s no longer a passive observer of his own life, and as this thing, this power, grows inside of him, he resolves to fight back, to preserve the way of life he loves.
And he’s not alone in the fight. The Lipsius Preservation Society of Brooklyn stands ready to assist in the battle, even though it seems like a bit of a joke to Darien, with its King and its Duke, Marquess, Earl and Viscount.
But there’s nothing funny about his growing attraction to Albeus Finley, King of this mysterious Court. And when slumlords and condo-mongers start to die mysterious, violent deaths at the hands of savage animals, Darien begins to realize that something is afoot in Brooklyn – something supernatural.
And it’s afoot in him, too…
Publication Date - August 4, 2015
Pages - 233
Stars - 🌟🌟🌟🌟
I don’t read many romance type novels because most times, in my opinion and my experience they are nothing more than soft porn! “Werewolves of Brooklyn” by Brad Vance however was an excellent and most enjoyable read. A gay werewolf butcher and a court of male werewolves with royal titles...how can that possibly be anything but fabulous. The cover of this book may give the impression of a historical piece, but it’s mostly contemporary. There are a few chapters that look back on the Civil War era and the history and story were well written and came across as well researched. Great characters, a wonderful story and fast paced action made this quite the page turner. I was a bit disappointed by how it ended so abruptly. This is my first read by Brad Vance, but I will definitely read more of his work in the future. Highly recommend this read. It has just the right amount of all the right ingredients.
Synopsis (from back cover): Darien Mackey wasn’t looking for an adventure. For ten years, he’d been happy living in Brooklyn, working as a butcher in the same job, living in the same apartment, dating some “nothing-special” guys. Until one night his buddy Jacob talked him into taking ayahuasca, the soul-changing drug. And Darien had a vision…of a wolf, its all-too-human eyes on him, its paws on his chest, its enquiring mind in his own…
Darien Mackey is changing. He’s more confident, more assertive, hungrier, hornier. And his world is changing around him – his job, his home, his beloved Mechanic’s Library all falling victim to the predations of unscrupulous developers, bent on demolishing the old Brooklyn he loves and replacing it with a forest of condos. But he’s no longer a passive observer of his own life, and as this thing, this power, grows inside of him, he resolves to fight back, to preserve the way of life he loves.
And he’s not alone in the fight. The Lipsius Preservation Society of Brooklyn stands ready to assist in the battle, even though it seems like a bit of a joke to Darien, with its King and its Duke, Marquess, Earl and Viscount.
But there’s nothing funny about his growing attraction to Albeus Finley, King of this mysterious Court. And when slumlords and condo-mongers start to die mysterious, violent deaths at the hands of savage animals, Darien begins to realize that something is afoot in Brooklyn – something supernatural.
And it’s afoot in him, too…
April 25, 2019
Excellent Shifter story. If you like Shifters/Mafia/MM romance, this is a must read.
A story with substance, well rounded characters and great writing.
Highly recommended.
A story with substance, well rounded characters and great writing.
Highly recommended.
September 2, 2015
I must admit, I’m addicted to shifter stories. I’ve read dozens by now, and I was so engaged in this one. It’s not the normal “guy gets bitten” story, though. In fact, the mythos regarding transformation was completely new to me and gave the story a freshness I didn’t expect.
Darien is a man out of time. He lives in contemporary Brooklyn but he doesn’t have a TV or a computer. He has restored his apartment to it’s Old World charm, and has learned to be a craftsman butcher, traveling to Italy, Poland and other areas to learn from the masters. He’s an apprentice to Mr. Nowak who is more father than employer. Every Sunday he sits to dinner with the Nowak’s and Darien is a part of their family–well, until money comes into the matter. Mr. Nowak is offered $12 million for his property, including his business and Darien’s apartment above it. The Nowak family is clamoring to sell, but Mr. Nowak is holding out for Darien to find a new job, a new home, and the family is growing impatient.
Also impatient are the real estate developers who cannot wait to carve the history and soul out of Darien’s once down-rodden Brooklyn slum, as expertly as Darien would carve a side of beef. Gentrification is ripping the heart right out of the area, and the historic Mechanic’s Library is on the chopping block, as well. Invigorated by an experience with Amazonian medicine, (read: psychadelic trip) Darien cannot sit on the sidelines any longer. Becoming an activist for the first time in his life, Darien meets all the members of a community he’d lived in yet hardly experienced. Among them the Court.
Darien thought the Lipsius Preservation Society would be a consortium of billionaires who’d never worked a day and had money to blow–and he was so, so wrong. Their Old World manners belied a secret world that Darien was only beginning to experience. And, as his hungers become more and more primal, Darien knows that Albeus, King of the Court, is the secret to understanding his brave new world.
I really was taken by Darien–such an old soul. His attraction to Albeus is immediate, and Albeus senses this, but the physicality comes so much later. Darien doesn’t understand the full ramifications of his dabbling in the spectral plane, but he does get that he is forever changed, and that his transformation is not complete. His energy is through the roof, he’s ravenous, and his sexual appetite is far more physical than previously. Albeus is a bit stunned by the rapid pace of Darien’s transition, but he’s grateful–it seems clear the connection between them is more than camaraderie, in contrast to that with the bulk of the Court. No, Albeus and Darien believe they are mates–and move all the more slowly to cement a permanent bond.
In the backdrop are the realty haggles, personal tragedy, and Albeus’ own transformation story. The book is so well-developed and richly textured I could see it all unfold through Darius and Albeus’ eyes the entire time. I really loved the slow burn, but I’d have liked a bit more sexytimes, too.
Darien is a man out of time. He lives in contemporary Brooklyn but he doesn’t have a TV or a computer. He has restored his apartment to it’s Old World charm, and has learned to be a craftsman butcher, traveling to Italy, Poland and other areas to learn from the masters. He’s an apprentice to Mr. Nowak who is more father than employer. Every Sunday he sits to dinner with the Nowak’s and Darien is a part of their family–well, until money comes into the matter. Mr. Nowak is offered $12 million for his property, including his business and Darien’s apartment above it. The Nowak family is clamoring to sell, but Mr. Nowak is holding out for Darien to find a new job, a new home, and the family is growing impatient.
Also impatient are the real estate developers who cannot wait to carve the history and soul out of Darien’s once down-rodden Brooklyn slum, as expertly as Darien would carve a side of beef. Gentrification is ripping the heart right out of the area, and the historic Mechanic’s Library is on the chopping block, as well. Invigorated by an experience with Amazonian medicine, (read: psychadelic trip) Darien cannot sit on the sidelines any longer. Becoming an activist for the first time in his life, Darien meets all the members of a community he’d lived in yet hardly experienced. Among them the Court.
Darien thought the Lipsius Preservation Society would be a consortium of billionaires who’d never worked a day and had money to blow–and he was so, so wrong. Their Old World manners belied a secret world that Darien was only beginning to experience. And, as his hungers become more and more primal, Darien knows that Albeus, King of the Court, is the secret to understanding his brave new world.
I really was taken by Darien–such an old soul. His attraction to Albeus is immediate, and Albeus senses this, but the physicality comes so much later. Darien doesn’t understand the full ramifications of his dabbling in the spectral plane, but he does get that he is forever changed, and that his transformation is not complete. His energy is through the roof, he’s ravenous, and his sexual appetite is far more physical than previously. Albeus is a bit stunned by the rapid pace of Darien’s transition, but he’s grateful–it seems clear the connection between them is more than camaraderie, in contrast to that with the bulk of the Court. No, Albeus and Darien believe they are mates–and move all the more slowly to cement a permanent bond.
In the backdrop are the realty haggles, personal tragedy, and Albeus’ own transformation story. The book is so well-developed and richly textured I could see it all unfold through Darius and Albeus’ eyes the entire time. I really loved the slow burn, but I’d have liked a bit more sexytimes, too.
September 5, 2015
Ok, first things first, as a point of information rather than part of the review: despite the cover, this is not a historical novel. With the exception of a rather lengthy flashback this has a contemporary setting. That surprised me. As did the fact that the story ends at 82%, the rest being a sneak-peak of another book.
Moving on. I basically liked this but it felt insubstantial, at least the latter half did. It had a very strong start but then the pace picked up and everything happened too quickly and there developed a 'Darien can do anything without consequences feel' that just felt like poor structuring. The romance was almost instant, though I'm still not sure if this was a 'fated mate' scenario or just insta-love. There were mysteries left unsolved--why was Darien progressing in his change quicker than others, what was the friend's trip like, where was the Count from, what happened to Daniel, what's with the court titles anyway, etc.
There were also some hinky sexual roles going on. I'll grant that I've been party to a few 'penetration politics' discussions lately, so maybe I'm just on the lookout for this, but I was greatly disturbed by the very clear association with bottoming and submitting or being submissive. Even when one character was described as a 'power bottom who's always in control' he was also described as a submissive for being the catcher. How is that being submissive? I get it with the wolves, sure, but this was general. And it was all complicated by how much topy-top-top Darien's personality changed once he decided he was willing to 'submit' to Albeus. At one point he (6 foot plus and over 200 pounds) really was carried up the stairs in a princess hold while he clung weepily to Albeus. That should tell you something.
I did appreciate that the men were kind of like hipster bears. (Though Darien hated the term hipster.) But they were big and bearded, wore flannel and long johns and started youthful urban businesses. Hipsters. Either way, it was nice to see a different body type presented as sexy.
Moving on. I basically liked this but it felt insubstantial, at least the latter half did. It had a very strong start but then the pace picked up and everything happened too quickly and there developed a 'Darien can do anything without consequences feel' that just felt like poor structuring. The romance was almost instant, though I'm still not sure if this was a 'fated mate' scenario or just insta-love. There were mysteries left unsolved--why was Darien progressing in his change quicker than others, what was the friend's trip like, where was the Count from, what happened to Daniel, what's with the court titles anyway, etc.
There were also some hinky sexual roles going on. I'll grant that I've been party to a few 'penetration politics' discussions lately, so maybe I'm just on the lookout for this, but I was greatly disturbed by the very clear association with bottoming and submitting or being submissive. Even when one character was described as a 'power bottom who's always in control' he was also described as a submissive for being the catcher. How is that being submissive? I get it with the wolves, sure, but this was general. And it was all complicated by how much topy-top-top Darien's personality changed once he decided he was willing to 'submit' to Albeus. At one point he (6 foot plus and over 200 pounds) really was carried up the stairs in a princess hold while he clung weepily to Albeus. That should tell you something.
I did appreciate that the men were kind of like hipster bears. (Though Darien hated the term hipster.) But they were big and bearded, wore flannel and long johns and started youthful urban businesses. Hipsters. Either way, it was nice to see a different body type presented as sexy.
August 1, 2016
Another great read from Brad.
I'm not a fan of shifters, shedders and suckers, but I enjoyed the way this part was more about their nature than a physical transformation.
As usual with Brad, a section of the book was devoted to a flashback of the other MC's backstory. This time, it explored the world of a Union soldier in the American Civil War. That sent me scurrying to the Wikipedia a couple of times as my only knowledge of this comes from Michael Shaara's "Killer Angels" and Jeff Mann's "Purgatory"!
He even had me checking out Visigoths in Wikipedia.
Some may find these sorts of things off putting and they are if you're looking for simple MM Romance, but I enjoy learning about things and I know Brad's done enough research to give a full picture.
Definitely recommended for those who are into gay fiction or who like their MM with a bit of substance.
I'm not a fan of shifters, shedders and suckers, but I enjoyed the way this part was more about their nature than a physical transformation.
As usual with Brad, a section of the book was devoted to a flashback of the other MC's backstory. This time, it explored the world of a Union soldier in the American Civil War. That sent me scurrying to the Wikipedia a couple of times as my only knowledge of this comes from Michael Shaara's "Killer Angels" and Jeff Mann's "Purgatory"!
He even had me checking out Visigoths in Wikipedia.
Some may find these sorts of things off putting and they are if you're looking for simple MM Romance, but I enjoy learning about things and I know Brad's done enough research to give a full picture.
Definitely recommended for those who are into gay fiction or who like their MM with a bit of substance.
d-n-f
September 20, 2015DNF @ 26%
This started off interesting enough and I quite liked our main character Darien. But then when we started meeting the members of The Lipsius Preservation Society they kind of freaked me out with the whole dressing as if they live in the past thing. It was kinda weird!
I didn't much care for the sex scenes either (although admittedly I've only seen Darien with his 'friend-with-benefits' up to this point).
This could be good, but it's just not for me. I won't be rating this either as I only got a quarter of the way through.
This started off interesting enough and I quite liked our main character Darien. But then when we started meeting the members of The Lipsius Preservation Society they kind of freaked me out with the whole dressing as if they live in the past thing. It was kinda weird!
I didn't much care for the sex scenes either (although admittedly I've only seen Darien with his 'friend-with-benefits' up to this point).
This could be good, but it's just not for me. I won't be rating this either as I only got a quarter of the way through.
Want to read
September 2, 2015Currently free on Amazon 9/2/15 http://smile.amazon.com/Werewolves-Br...
August 11, 2015
Darien Mackey is a content loner who makes his living as a butcher. What family he has, consists of the owner of the butcher shop where Darien's reputation is held in high esteem by the neighborhood. Unfortunately, the old Brooklyn that is his beloved home is under attack by developers that want to destroy all that he holds dear.
Darien's life begins to change when a friend convinces him to try a drug that has a mind altering affect on him. In his altered state, there is an all too human wolf that seems to be talking to Darien. When Darien mounts a protest to save the neighborhood, he finds he is not alone. The Lipsius Preservation Society of Brooklyn, headed by one Albeus Finley, aka the King comes to aid and support his battle. Soon Darien will find out what is so familiar and special about this group.
This was absolutely amazing. The story is fast paced, and sexy as hell. Mr. Vance never leaves a research stone upturned, as is so evident in the way he writes. There is not a single passage that doesn't make me wish it were real, or at least that I could live it. If you don't read this, you are cheating yourself out of an amazing experience. One that will have you asking for more.
When you read a lot of amazing books, it's always incredible that you find one that jumps to the top of the list. This one did just that.
Darien's life begins to change when a friend convinces him to try a drug that has a mind altering affect on him. In his altered state, there is an all too human wolf that seems to be talking to Darien. When Darien mounts a protest to save the neighborhood, he finds he is not alone. The Lipsius Preservation Society of Brooklyn, headed by one Albeus Finley, aka the King comes to aid and support his battle. Soon Darien will find out what is so familiar and special about this group.
This was absolutely amazing. The story is fast paced, and sexy as hell. Mr. Vance never leaves a research stone upturned, as is so evident in the way he writes. There is not a single passage that doesn't make me wish it were real, or at least that I could live it. If you don't read this, you are cheating yourself out of an amazing experience. One that will have you asking for more.
When you read a lot of amazing books, it's always incredible that you find one that jumps to the top of the list. This one did just that.
August 10, 2015
A new take on werewolves mythology
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. It roped me in right from the start. I love reading about NY and NY history, and being a Brooklyn girl, I enjoyed reading about places that are familiar to me. I found myself cheering for the the Society and the war on gentrification. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Darien and Albeus, they were hot together. I am really hoping this is the first of many books, I want to know the story of each member of the court.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this story. It roped me in right from the start. I love reading about NY and NY history, and being a Brooklyn girl, I enjoyed reading about places that are familiar to me. I found myself cheering for the the Society and the war on gentrification. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Darien and Albeus, they were hot together. I am really hoping this is the first of many books, I want to know the story of each member of the court.
September 22, 2015
Nothing like seeing the baddies get what's coming to them! *eg*
November 16, 2015
Not a fan.....1.5 stars rounded up. One-dimensional characters with meandering storyline.
August 22, 2015
Brad Vance gave my beloved monsters their teeth and I thank him most heartily for that.
This was an interesting read. I didn't not like it, but I think the flow of the story threw me off a bit. I liked the beginning and was totally digging Darien's groove. But sometimes things would happen as if a couple of scenes of film had been lost. Like the fire. It just came out of nowhere, which fires do, but Darien just seemed to know about it within a sentence, before he saw it. That was jarring and tossed me out of the story. I actually combed back through the last bit to see if I had turned more than one page. There were a few parts like that.
I thought the relationship between Albeus and Darien was built a little too fast. It seemed to be leaning on the "one true mate" trope without saying it. Since I seriously hate that trope I may have been a bit too sensitive to it, but still, I wanted more buildup. This was important because when the story went into Albeus' flashback I put the book down and read another. I just wasn't interested enough in Albeus to ditch Darien for a chapter or more. However, after running out of other books to read and payday being days away, I went back to this book. And I admit I liked Albeus' backstory. Perhaps the time away from Darien allowed me to see Albeus as his own character. I don't know, but I did dig the illumination of Albeus' character and the emotional impact and draw to him as I watched him through the war and his time as a veteran on the streets of New York. That was when he truly became a real character and not a caricature for me.
After that the book runs quickly to climax with a pretty neat fight and good resolution. However, I really wish the story had been fleshed out better. The Duke could have been more menacing if I'd had more time to see him, whether in the flesh or his deeds. He was just a flash in the pan, so he was more minor nuisance than villain. I would have preferred to get more details in more than the Civil War battles. The ravens, what was their story and reason for being? I mean, they were cool and all, but they weren't cemented enough in the story to be other than window dressing to me.
In the end, I am very pleased to have werewolves who can and will be the monsters they are. I'll read the next in this series and hope there is better emotional pull to the characters. But, yes, the monsters have teeth and the story was well-researched and had almost zero typos. I would have enjoyed it for that alone.
This was an interesting read. I didn't not like it, but I think the flow of the story threw me off a bit. I liked the beginning and was totally digging Darien's groove. But sometimes things would happen as if a couple of scenes of film had been lost. Like the fire. It just came out of nowhere, which fires do, but Darien just seemed to know about it within a sentence, before he saw it. That was jarring and tossed me out of the story. I actually combed back through the last bit to see if I had turned more than one page. There were a few parts like that.
I thought the relationship between Albeus and Darien was built a little too fast. It seemed to be leaning on the "one true mate" trope without saying it. Since I seriously hate that trope I may have been a bit too sensitive to it, but still, I wanted more buildup. This was important because when the story went into Albeus' flashback I put the book down and read another. I just wasn't interested enough in Albeus to ditch Darien for a chapter or more. However, after running out of other books to read and payday being days away, I went back to this book. And I admit I liked Albeus' backstory. Perhaps the time away from Darien allowed me to see Albeus as his own character. I don't know, but I did dig the illumination of Albeus' character and the emotional impact and draw to him as I watched him through the war and his time as a veteran on the streets of New York. That was when he truly became a real character and not a caricature for me.
After that the book runs quickly to climax with a pretty neat fight and good resolution. However, I really wish the story had been fleshed out better. The Duke could have been more menacing if I'd had more time to see him, whether in the flesh or his deeds. He was just a flash in the pan, so he was more minor nuisance than villain. I would have preferred to get more details in more than the Civil War battles. The ravens, what was their story and reason for being? I mean, they were cool and all, but they weren't cemented enough in the story to be other than window dressing to me.
In the end, I am very pleased to have werewolves who can and will be the monsters they are. I'll read the next in this series and hope there is better emotional pull to the characters. But, yes, the monsters have teeth and the story was well-researched and had almost zero typos. I would have enjoyed it for that alone.
October 15, 2015
From the cover and the blurb I was expecting this to be a historical, and while it definitely FEELS like a historical it IS set in modern day. There is a chunk of it that is set in the Civil War though. I enjoyed the different take on werewolves, it's hard to be different but this book manages. It was interesting, and I'd like to see it continue into a series. It feels unfinished to me.
October 14, 2017
Brad Vance’s Werewolves of Brooklyn combines social commentary, historical realities, paranormal fiction, and gay erotic romance to an extremely satisfying conclusion. Any author able to blend such disparate elements deserves attention.
Darien Mackey is a master butcher at Novack’s Meats. He joins the Novack family for Sunday dinner and lives in an apartment in their building. Otherwise, he reads or occasionally nabs a meaningless lay. Isolation prevents the admission that he’s never found his “tribe.”
Invited by a friend to see a medicine man, Darien ingests a hallucinogen. A lupine aficionado since childhood, Darien encounters a wolf while “tripping.”
He awakens a different man, full of life, only to learn that a developer plans to gentrify his favorite Brooklyn “workers” library, turning it into condos. The developer has also offered Mr. Novack lots of money for the business, which will terminate Darien’s employment and home.
Unwilling to give up the library, Darien speaks up at a community protest regarding its sale. This garners the attention of the Lipsius Preservation Society, a band of men who treat their group like a regal court.
Darien finds “King” Albeus Finley dangerously attractive.
Changes within Darien are occurring too fast to process. And the developer he’s challenged is not pleased. Can and will the Lipsius Society help?
As Darien muses about the library, and Brooklyn’s gritty atmosphere, which is also changing too rapidly for the neighborhood’s worker-bees, he thinks, “No wonder it’s all going away. Because of people like me, who didn’t lift a finger.”
The plot is exciting. I found myself reading faster and faster to discover the ending. Yet it’s much more.
.Werewolves of Brooklyn. is a fun Halloween read. These are not “nice” werewolves. They’re angry creatures who have seen blood, and will do so again, in an “the ends justify the means,” mentality.
To counter a reader’s squeamishness, Vance challenges us to consider mankind’s history.
As Albeus recounts images of life during and after the Civil war, we must ask ourselves what we would fight for, and how far we would go.
I found myself listening to audiotapes of books written in the late 1800’s, about Lincoln’s view of the civil war. And history was my least favorite topic! But Vance’s rendition made me live the period, and I hungered for more.
To make tough questions more palatable, Vance’s language is like cold ice cream going down our throats on a hot day. “Home was a feeling, not a place, and all those feelings had been shot in the heart, again and again, and now there was no such thing as home anymore,” Albeus realizes. Yet Vance also shows love as the ultimate “home.”
Because Brad Vance is a terrific psychological author, we recognize his characters from our own lives. The fascinating cast of Albeus’ court sets up Werewolves of Brooklyn as a series to anticipate. (Hope, hope.)
Buckle up and let Vance take you on a Halloween thrill ride. Try Werewolves. I bet you can’t read just one Vance novel.
Darien Mackey is a master butcher at Novack’s Meats. He joins the Novack family for Sunday dinner and lives in an apartment in their building. Otherwise, he reads or occasionally nabs a meaningless lay. Isolation prevents the admission that he’s never found his “tribe.”
Invited by a friend to see a medicine man, Darien ingests a hallucinogen. A lupine aficionado since childhood, Darien encounters a wolf while “tripping.”
He awakens a different man, full of life, only to learn that a developer plans to gentrify his favorite Brooklyn “workers” library, turning it into condos. The developer has also offered Mr. Novack lots of money for the business, which will terminate Darien’s employment and home.
Unwilling to give up the library, Darien speaks up at a community protest regarding its sale. This garners the attention of the Lipsius Preservation Society, a band of men who treat their group like a regal court.
Darien finds “King” Albeus Finley dangerously attractive.
Changes within Darien are occurring too fast to process. And the developer he’s challenged is not pleased. Can and will the Lipsius Society help?
As Darien muses about the library, and Brooklyn’s gritty atmosphere, which is also changing too rapidly for the neighborhood’s worker-bees, he thinks, “No wonder it’s all going away. Because of people like me, who didn’t lift a finger.”
The plot is exciting. I found myself reading faster and faster to discover the ending. Yet it’s much more.
.Werewolves of Brooklyn. is a fun Halloween read. These are not “nice” werewolves. They’re angry creatures who have seen blood, and will do so again, in an “the ends justify the means,” mentality.
To counter a reader’s squeamishness, Vance challenges us to consider mankind’s history.
As Albeus recounts images of life during and after the Civil war, we must ask ourselves what we would fight for, and how far we would go.
I found myself listening to audiotapes of books written in the late 1800’s, about Lincoln’s view of the civil war. And history was my least favorite topic! But Vance’s rendition made me live the period, and I hungered for more.
To make tough questions more palatable, Vance’s language is like cold ice cream going down our throats on a hot day. “Home was a feeling, not a place, and all those feelings had been shot in the heart, again and again, and now there was no such thing as home anymore,” Albeus realizes. Yet Vance also shows love as the ultimate “home.”
Because Brad Vance is a terrific psychological author, we recognize his characters from our own lives. The fascinating cast of Albeus’ court sets up Werewolves of Brooklyn as a series to anticipate. (Hope, hope.)
Buckle up and let Vance take you on a Halloween thrill ride. Try Werewolves. I bet you can’t read just one Vance novel.
January 13, 2025
"There should have been guillotines on Wall Street after the crash of 2008... Instead, taxpayer money funded the bonuses of the people who crashed the economy, because Wall Street needed to 'retain talent.' As if wrecking millions of lives was a talent."
The villains in gay wolf books are always landlords and developers, which is exactly why gay wolf books are one of the most radical forms of fiction being published today (this is not a joke).
Werewolves of Brooklyn is the first Vance I've read and I'm struggling to put into words how truly transcendent an experience it was. Vance's beautiful, trippy, neo-gaslight love story is rough around the edges and at times its uncompromising message steers it towards a polemic place. But these features only highlight what a truly unique, staggeringly tragic, and smart-assedly optimistic tale it is.
I came across Brad Vance after reading his incredible blog essay on Josh Lanyon and the reality of the authorial landscape in m/m fiction. As a TJ Klune superfan, it hasn't escaped me that the rare male romance authors that manage to "go pro" often have to make significant sacrifices when it comes to their content (to see what I mean, compare Klune's earlier Wolfsong to his breakout Cerulean Sea series). Homophobia is alive and well even in the world of gay romance, and even amongst those who count themselves as fans of the genre.
I'm a woman reading gay male romance. I'm a member of the dominant readership of m/m fiction, and while I readily read and love the work of many female authors in the genre, it matters to me that queer men should have a not-inconsequential seat at the author's table. I've been shocked, and at times despaired, at how difficult it is to find male authors in the genre - the professional publishing world is almost entirely bereft and the indie world has seemed little better. This made it all the more a delight and honour to stumble across Vance's fierce and weird Brooklyn and the werewolves who love it.
I could go on and on about the way Vance conceives of werewolves, community, nationality, sexuality, political and civic identity, family, heritage, work and trade, etc etc etc. But what it really comes down to is this: we all deserve the kind of love that moves us to kill slumlords.
This is a great fucking book, Brad. Thank you for writing it.
The villains in gay wolf books are always landlords and developers, which is exactly why gay wolf books are one of the most radical forms of fiction being published today (this is not a joke).
Werewolves of Brooklyn is the first Vance I've read and I'm struggling to put into words how truly transcendent an experience it was. Vance's beautiful, trippy, neo-gaslight love story is rough around the edges and at times its uncompromising message steers it towards a polemic place. But these features only highlight what a truly unique, staggeringly tragic, and smart-assedly optimistic tale it is.
I came across Brad Vance after reading his incredible blog essay on Josh Lanyon and the reality of the authorial landscape in m/m fiction. As a TJ Klune superfan, it hasn't escaped me that the rare male romance authors that manage to "go pro" often have to make significant sacrifices when it comes to their content (to see what I mean, compare Klune's earlier Wolfsong to his breakout Cerulean Sea series). Homophobia is alive and well even in the world of gay romance, and even amongst those who count themselves as fans of the genre.
I'm a woman reading gay male romance. I'm a member of the dominant readership of m/m fiction, and while I readily read and love the work of many female authors in the genre, it matters to me that queer men should have a not-inconsequential seat at the author's table. I've been shocked, and at times despaired, at how difficult it is to find male authors in the genre - the professional publishing world is almost entirely bereft and the indie world has seemed little better. This made it all the more a delight and honour to stumble across Vance's fierce and weird Brooklyn and the werewolves who love it.
I could go on and on about the way Vance conceives of werewolves, community, nationality, sexuality, political and civic identity, family, heritage, work and trade, etc etc etc. But what it really comes down to is this: we all deserve the kind of love that moves us to kill slumlords.
This is a great fucking book, Brad. Thank you for writing it.
May 3, 2025
It took me a while to get into this story. The writing didn't grip me from the start, and it really took a bit for me to grasp what was going on and why. By the time I got to the end, I was wanting to see how it resolved and was invested in Mr. Nowak and Darien's future, but it took a lot to get there. Not my favorite, but not horrible either.
July 14, 2025
A very high three stars... the writing is quite good, and the historical details are excellent, but it needed fifty more pages. A rare thing for me to say, but after the foray back to the civil way, the last act just flies too easily and quickly. I wish the author had spent the time to develop Darian's evolution, and those of his new people, past a simple 'falling in'.
August 18, 2015
4.5 Heart Review by Dan
I really liked this book. The main thing I took from it? I feel like I need to find a shaman who can brew me up some Ayahuasca, the soul-changing drug. I too want to be a werewolf. And I already have the beard and the tats, so I’m ready! What? It is fiction? Damn….sigh. But the Ayahausca is real….all I need to do is travel to the rainforests of South America and I could come back a whole new Dan!
Brad Vance has brought us a whole new take on the werewolf legends. This isn’t your grandfather’s shifter novel, nor is it the shifter novel that most authors are regurgitating over and over and over and over and over in this genre. Did you pick up that I’m a little sick of those? I really came close to not reading this book, because I was afraid it would be more of the same. It wasn’t. Mr. Vance brings us a totally different take on where werewolves come from, without the bites and the howling at the moon, the uncontrollable changing during a full moon, and all that other stuff that we’ve all read way too many times.
I loved the character of Darien Mackey. A native Californian who fled the glass and steel world of Palo Alto and fled to an older neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY for a more “real” life, Darien has worked his way up from apprentice butcher to being one of the best butchers in New York. He still works for the family that helped him train, and he likes his quiet, (ok boring), life. But all that changes when his best friend drags him to this undercover event where he is introduced to the soul-changing drug Ayahausca. At first he believes it won’t affect him, but soon he is seeing and conversing with a wolf, and when he awakens his whole world has shifted.
In the days following the soul changing drug use, Darien starts to notice things are different. He is much more aggressive, wants sex all the time, and is always hungry! He can see and hear more clearly and has a heightened sense of smell. Best of all is his “take no shit” attitude. Can he use that new attitude and confidence to stop the sleazy developer from acquiring the local library and turning it into million dollar studio apartments?
Along the way he will meet talking Ravens, and a group of men with royal titles. Who are these men, and what do they want from him. He knows what he wants from King Albeus Finley, but they are both tops…how would that work? I liked how Albeus’ history was woven into the book as well, so we knew his backstory. My only slightly negative comment on the book, was that I wish Albeus’ story had been told in broken up flashbacks. The one big flashback, for me, pulled me out of Darien’s story a little too much, and it took me a minute to catch back up when it switched back. But that was just me, and it might be because I read too darn fast. Not that I don’t still want more of Albeus’ story. How did he go from selling shoe laces to being a multi-billionaire?? Overall it was a great book, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I highly recommend you pick up this book and give it a read. I’m expecting more to the story, since there are some answers we don’t have yet, and the book just seemed like it wants to go on. I’m sure the voices are still speaking in Brad’s head. Hopefully he lets them out to play. If you are a fan of hot, bearded, tatted up men, who also happen to be werewolves…hit one click today, you can thank me later.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
I really liked this book. The main thing I took from it? I feel like I need to find a shaman who can brew me up some Ayahuasca, the soul-changing drug. I too want to be a werewolf. And I already have the beard and the tats, so I’m ready! What? It is fiction? Damn….sigh. But the Ayahausca is real….all I need to do is travel to the rainforests of South America and I could come back a whole new Dan!
Brad Vance has brought us a whole new take on the werewolf legends. This isn’t your grandfather’s shifter novel, nor is it the shifter novel that most authors are regurgitating over and over and over and over and over in this genre. Did you pick up that I’m a little sick of those? I really came close to not reading this book, because I was afraid it would be more of the same. It wasn’t. Mr. Vance brings us a totally different take on where werewolves come from, without the bites and the howling at the moon, the uncontrollable changing during a full moon, and all that other stuff that we’ve all read way too many times.
I loved the character of Darien Mackey. A native Californian who fled the glass and steel world of Palo Alto and fled to an older neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY for a more “real” life, Darien has worked his way up from apprentice butcher to being one of the best butchers in New York. He still works for the family that helped him train, and he likes his quiet, (ok boring), life. But all that changes when his best friend drags him to this undercover event where he is introduced to the soul-changing drug Ayahausca. At first he believes it won’t affect him, but soon he is seeing and conversing with a wolf, and when he awakens his whole world has shifted.
In the days following the soul changing drug use, Darien starts to notice things are different. He is much more aggressive, wants sex all the time, and is always hungry! He can see and hear more clearly and has a heightened sense of smell. Best of all is his “take no shit” attitude. Can he use that new attitude and confidence to stop the sleazy developer from acquiring the local library and turning it into million dollar studio apartments?
Along the way he will meet talking Ravens, and a group of men with royal titles. Who are these men, and what do they want from him. He knows what he wants from King Albeus Finley, but they are both tops…how would that work? I liked how Albeus’ history was woven into the book as well, so we knew his backstory. My only slightly negative comment on the book, was that I wish Albeus’ story had been told in broken up flashbacks. The one big flashback, for me, pulled me out of Darien’s story a little too much, and it took me a minute to catch back up when it switched back. But that was just me, and it might be because I read too darn fast. Not that I don’t still want more of Albeus’ story. How did he go from selling shoe laces to being a multi-billionaire?? Overall it was a great book, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I highly recommend you pick up this book and give it a read. I’m expecting more to the story, since there are some answers we don’t have yet, and the book just seemed like it wants to go on. I’m sure the voices are still speaking in Brad’s head. Hopefully he lets them out to play. If you are a fan of hot, bearded, tatted up men, who also happen to be werewolves…hit one click today, you can thank me later.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
September 9, 2015
Je ne sais plus laquelle de mes amies m’a conseillé ce livre et cet auteur, mais je ne saurais jamais assez la remercier. Des histoires de loups-garous, ils en existent beaucoup et elles finissent toutes par se ressembler, mais celle-ci possède une fraicheur et une originalité qui vous font oublier beaucoup de déceptions dans ce genre, surtout en romance MM. Brad Vance a cherché à sortir de la classique « morsure » et a fait fonctionner son imagination pour trouver une « mythologie » totalement nouvelle et c’est réussi.
Darien est un homme qui vit dans un monde moderne sans en accepter les contraintes technologiques, il vit sans téléviseur, ordinateur ou téléphone, il est foncièrement attaché à son vieux quartier et même son appartement est décoré comme au dix-neuvième siècle. C’est un artisan, amoureux du travail manuel, qui travaille comme apprenti, malheureusement malgré lui le monde contemporain va le rattraper sous la forme de promoteurs immobiliers qui veulent racheter l’immeuble où il travaille et au-dessus duquel il vit. Refusant cette situation, il va devenir un véritable militant et chercher des appuis partout où il peut et découvrir la Cour et surtout son roi Albeus, mystérieux, séduisant et pas vraiment humain.
Un lien va se créer entre les deux « hommes » et tout un processus va se mettre en route dès que Darien va entrer dans cette société particulière qu’est la cour qui vit au rythme des mœurs d’un autre temps. C’est un récit riche, fortement détaillé avec un luxe de détails effarants, vous êtes immergées par la voix des deux hommes dans un monde nouveau tout en restant dans notre siècle. Les personnages sont travaillés en profondeur, et toujours sympathiques même lorsqu’ils se transforment, ils conservent une note d’humanité à travers leur humour, c’est déconcertant et jouissif au possible.
Une romance contemporaine, paranormale et historique à la fois, une lecture vraiment plaisante qui m’a fait découvrir un auteur remarquable.
Darien est un homme qui vit dans un monde moderne sans en accepter les contraintes technologiques, il vit sans téléviseur, ordinateur ou téléphone, il est foncièrement attaché à son vieux quartier et même son appartement est décoré comme au dix-neuvième siècle. C’est un artisan, amoureux du travail manuel, qui travaille comme apprenti, malheureusement malgré lui le monde contemporain va le rattraper sous la forme de promoteurs immobiliers qui veulent racheter l’immeuble où il travaille et au-dessus duquel il vit. Refusant cette situation, il va devenir un véritable militant et chercher des appuis partout où il peut et découvrir la Cour et surtout son roi Albeus, mystérieux, séduisant et pas vraiment humain.
Un lien va se créer entre les deux « hommes » et tout un processus va se mettre en route dès que Darien va entrer dans cette société particulière qu’est la cour qui vit au rythme des mœurs d’un autre temps. C’est un récit riche, fortement détaillé avec un luxe de détails effarants, vous êtes immergées par la voix des deux hommes dans un monde nouveau tout en restant dans notre siècle. Les personnages sont travaillés en profondeur, et toujours sympathiques même lorsqu’ils se transforment, ils conservent une note d’humanité à travers leur humour, c’est déconcertant et jouissif au possible.
Une romance contemporaine, paranormale et historique à la fois, une lecture vraiment plaisante qui m’a fait découvrir un auteur remarquable.
December 31, 2015
***Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange of a fair and honest review. ***
Wow, I'm not sure what I expected when I signed up to read this book, but it wasn't what I got. It was better than I expected, for one, and that's saying something because Brad Vance is a fantastic writer. But it was also intense and engrossing and I didn't want to put it down, especially when I started the second half of the story.
Darien Mackey is a butcher in Brooklyn, he's lived with the Nowaks, his employers, for 10 years, learning his trade. He's never felt that sense of belonging anywhere, though, until one night that his friend Jacob talks him into taking Ayahuasca, which is a soul changing drug and damn if it didn't work on Darien. His world changes as he starts experiencing life in a different way. He's more assertive, more dominant, more full of life and willing to fight to get what he wants.
In the meantime, other things are changing, too. A developer wants to buy Mr. Nowak's building and that means that Darien will be losing his job, even if he might be keeping his apartment. And the developer also wants to buy the Mechanic's Library and it's then when Darien starts to take an interest on preserving at least part of what he's used to. He's invited to a Preservation Society that ends up being more than just that and where he finds all he's ever wanted.
This was a very original take on Shifters, intriguing and enthralling. I loved reading Albeus' backstory and adored him and Darien together. They were awesome on their own, but together they were dynamite! Hot and tender and intense and very passionate! Yumm!
This is the first book on this series, and I'm looking forward to more! This was such a fantastic book, really recommendable!
Rating: 5 Stars!!!
Wow, I'm not sure what I expected when I signed up to read this book, but it wasn't what I got. It was better than I expected, for one, and that's saying something because Brad Vance is a fantastic writer. But it was also intense and engrossing and I didn't want to put it down, especially when I started the second half of the story.
Darien Mackey is a butcher in Brooklyn, he's lived with the Nowaks, his employers, for 10 years, learning his trade. He's never felt that sense of belonging anywhere, though, until one night that his friend Jacob talks him into taking Ayahuasca, which is a soul changing drug and damn if it didn't work on Darien. His world changes as he starts experiencing life in a different way. He's more assertive, more dominant, more full of life and willing to fight to get what he wants.
In the meantime, other things are changing, too. A developer wants to buy Mr. Nowak's building and that means that Darien will be losing his job, even if he might be keeping his apartment. And the developer also wants to buy the Mechanic's Library and it's then when Darien starts to take an interest on preserving at least part of what he's used to. He's invited to a Preservation Society that ends up being more than just that and where he finds all he's ever wanted.
This was a very original take on Shifters, intriguing and enthralling. I loved reading Albeus' backstory and adored him and Darien together. They were awesome on their own, but together they were dynamite! Hot and tender and intense and very passionate! Yumm!
This is the first book on this series, and I'm looking forward to more! This was such a fantastic book, really recommendable!
Rating: 5 Stars!!!
August 28, 2015
What an interesting and unique book. Brad Vance has taken the werewolf myth and given it an entirely new lease on life. The whole creation and way of life of werewolves is something I have never seen before. I really did enjoy the outlook Vance came up with.
Darian was a likeable and easily relatable character. He is settled into his life. He sees no real reason to change things. He may want things life maybe a more permanent partner, but he does nothing to go about it. He also does not like change in general. Darian is the sort of man that was born in the wrong time.
Albeus is also likable, but a bit more standoffish at the start. He has lived a difficult and hard life. But the attraction between Darian and Albeus is there from the start. The only issue they really have is that they are both tops.
The descriptiveness and detail given to the surroundings and history are lovely and very well done. The book moved at a fast pace. I kept reading just to find out what happened next. The romance, the violence, the sex, simply everything was just well written and pulled me into the story.
The ending left me wanting more and I really hope there will be more to this world Brad Vance has created. There are some strings that seemed left wide open to me for another book.
What a great and very enjoyable read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through https://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
Darian was a likeable and easily relatable character. He is settled into his life. He sees no real reason to change things. He may want things life maybe a more permanent partner, but he does nothing to go about it. He also does not like change in general. Darian is the sort of man that was born in the wrong time.
Albeus is also likable, but a bit more standoffish at the start. He has lived a difficult and hard life. But the attraction between Darian and Albeus is there from the start. The only issue they really have is that they are both tops.
The descriptiveness and detail given to the surroundings and history are lovely and very well done. The book moved at a fast pace. I kept reading just to find out what happened next. The romance, the violence, the sex, simply everything was just well written and pulled me into the story.
The ending left me wanting more and I really hope there will be more to this world Brad Vance has created. There are some strings that seemed left wide open to me for another book.
What a great and very enjoyable read.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through https://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *
August 16, 2015
ThreeandHalfStars
From the start I enjoyed the characters in this book and the varying personalities they displayed. The development of each of them, down to the supporting cast was well planned and they drew me in wonderfully. The setting was detailed and the plot flowed at an amazing pace that kept me wrapped up in the story. Grammar, spelling, editing and formatting were all up to par with my usual standards but there was one major issues outside these things.
The flow of the book changed when it reached a couple flashback chapters, one with a lot of wartime/battlefield information in it. While the background provided is detailed it was slightly off-putting to someone like myself who isn't really into such things. I believe the objective of the flashback could have been obtained by other means rather than getting into such lengthy detail about battle strategy and such. This is a personal preference however and anyone with a fondness or enjoyment for war history or battle scenes would probably enjoy it. This fact was all that kept this book below 4 stars for me.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads.
Rhayne
From the start I enjoyed the characters in this book and the varying personalities they displayed. The development of each of them, down to the supporting cast was well planned and they drew me in wonderfully. The setting was detailed and the plot flowed at an amazing pace that kept me wrapped up in the story. Grammar, spelling, editing and formatting were all up to par with my usual standards but there was one major issues outside these things.
The flow of the book changed when it reached a couple flashback chapters, one with a lot of wartime/battlefield information in it. While the background provided is detailed it was slightly off-putting to someone like myself who isn't really into such things. I believe the objective of the flashback could have been obtained by other means rather than getting into such lengthy detail about battle strategy and such. This is a personal preference however and anyone with a fondness or enjoyment for war history or battle scenes would probably enjoy it. This fact was all that kept this book below 4 stars for me.
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads.
Rhayne
September 13, 2015
Original review on Molly Lolly
Four and a half stars!
What a marvelous story! As someone that grew up in a Polish household, I loved all of the references that I recognized from my childhood. And definitely the language too. Many of the things said by Mr. and Mrs. Nowak were heard in my house. I enjoyed seeing Darien grow and change as he transformed into his true self. Albeus was a wonderful guide to help Darien over the hurdles along the way. I totally nerded out over the history in the story. I loved the accuracy, but yet how Brad took liberties where they were appropriate or holes in knowledge. I was fascinated by Albeus’ past and how he went from Captain to King. There’s definitely more story there that I hope we get to learn. But the other characters in the Court are intriguing as well. I want to know more about them too. I wasn’t sure if Albeus and Darien were going to make it because of their “differences in plumbing” but it was so beautiful, and of course sexy as hell, when they did.
Four and a half stars!
What a marvelous story! As someone that grew up in a Polish household, I loved all of the references that I recognized from my childhood. And definitely the language too. Many of the things said by Mr. and Mrs. Nowak were heard in my house. I enjoyed seeing Darien grow and change as he transformed into his true self. Albeus was a wonderful guide to help Darien over the hurdles along the way. I totally nerded out over the history in the story. I loved the accuracy, but yet how Brad took liberties where they were appropriate or holes in knowledge. I was fascinated by Albeus’ past and how he went from Captain to King. There’s definitely more story there that I hope we get to learn. But the other characters in the Court are intriguing as well. I want to know more about them too. I wasn’t sure if Albeus and Darien were going to make it because of their “differences in plumbing” but it was so beautiful, and of course sexy as hell, when they did.
December 11, 2016
There are so many great parts to this book. A great setting, fascinating world-building, interesting characters, and an interesting take on morality. Unfortunately it doesn't...quite...come together. The pacing seems off, and the plot threads that lead off in different directions are maddening. Even so, the writing is evocative and enjoyable.
Huge props to Vance for the research he has done, both in the skill of butchering and in the details of Civil War battles. Both have their place, and are used to excellent results. Darien's character arc is great fun to read, and seeing him grow into his place in the world is enjoyable. The side-characters are engaging as well (with some of those being the meandering plot threads). There is enough material here for a good four or five book series. I will definitely keep an eye out for more!
Huge props to Vance for the research he has done, both in the skill of butchering and in the details of Civil War battles. Both have their place, and are used to excellent results. Darien's character arc is great fun to read, and seeing him grow into his place in the world is enjoyable. The side-characters are engaging as well (with some of those being the meandering plot threads). There is enough material here for a good four or five book series. I will definitely keep an eye out for more!
August 10, 2015
I've read a handful of Brad Vance's stories and this one is one of my favorites. Brad has a way of bringing you into the story so you too experience the sights, sounds, auras around the characters. The research into the past to make this book the perfect combination of fact and fantasy is excellent.
Darien is a butcher in Brooklyn who doesn't see himself as lonely but a lone. He goes on a drug induced trip with his bestfriend and has a very unusual experience. Soon after he starts to notice significant changes in his body that he can't explain. Soon after the trip he comes in contact with a preservation society that seems huge on royal niceties and starts to crush on the king, Albeus Finlay.
Definetely not your typical werewolf novel which is very refreshing.
Darien is a butcher in Brooklyn who doesn't see himself as lonely but a lone. He goes on a drug induced trip with his bestfriend and has a very unusual experience. Soon after he starts to notice significant changes in his body that he can't explain. Soon after the trip he comes in contact with a preservation society that seems huge on royal niceties and starts to crush on the king, Albeus Finlay.
Definetely not your typical werewolf novel which is very refreshing.
August 6, 2015
Fantastic! The kind of depth and detail that the author puts into his books is always spot on. I knew that it would be the case with this newest publication,,,but when I heard it was werewolves, I was a little hesitant. Well, I should have trusted Brad to handle werewolves in a way that made it not only tolerable, but totally fascinating. The world building and pacing were PERFECT, the characters stole my attention so that I was only able to go back to real life after I finished the book (in one sitting). It's everything I wanted in a werewolf book, but never thought I'd get. I really hope there are more in this series.
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