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MOONRISE: A Werewolf Novel
How would you handle being bitten and cursed by a werewolf? One young man finds out the hard way. While camping with friends Alan was bitten by the leader of a pack of werewolves. Fighting for his life, he slashes the wolf’s face and barely escapes. But his nightmare has just begun.
--------- “You alright?” ---- His head down, and his teeth grinding he snarled, “What the hell do you think?” Dropping into a full squat, he added, “I doubt that I’ll ever be alright again.” ------------
His friends dead, his family in danger, hunted by a Pack Leader in search of revenge, and now cursed as well, this teenager needs all the help he can get, and he finds it in the personage of a beautiful witch, Autumn Fire. Witchcraft initially caused his curse, but it may be Alan's only hope of surviving it. Follow Alan and Autumn as they race against time while preparing for the next full moon. Coming of age is hard enough without this supernatural struggle.
---------- If you like strong character development and tension, you’ll love this book!
--------- “You alright?” ---- His head down, and his teeth grinding he snarled, “What the hell do you think?” Dropping into a full squat, he added, “I doubt that I’ll ever be alright again.” ------------
His friends dead, his family in danger, hunted by a Pack Leader in search of revenge, and now cursed as well, this teenager needs all the help he can get, and he finds it in the personage of a beautiful witch, Autumn Fire. Witchcraft initially caused his curse, but it may be Alan's only hope of surviving it. Follow Alan and Autumn as they race against time while preparing for the next full moon. Coming of age is hard enough without this supernatural struggle.
---------- If you like strong character development and tension, you’ll love this book!
- GenresWerewolves
570 pages, ebook
Published June 18, 2017
120 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Joseph Hagen
28 books14 followersAfter 40 years dealing with the harsh realities of fact while working in the Federal Court System, Joseph Hagen is breaking into the sometimes tense, but entertaining realm of fiction.
A lifetime of reading first led Joe to creating two-word stories at his children’s bedtime. He quickly realized he enjoyed creating and after several years of practice is now focusing on bringing his stories to a broader audience.
Already published:
MOONRISE, a werewolf novel. 17-year-old Alan is attacked by a pack of werewolves. Bitten and cursed, he manages to cut the pack leader with a silver knife. A witch, Autumn Fire, attempts to save Alan from the pack led by the now scarred wolf, Salvador, who wants revenge on the boy. At the same time, Alan struggles through changes to his body and mind as the curse takes hold.
WOLF HUNT, the sequel to MOONRISE was released July of 2020. Featuring Salvador's brother, Orsino, it also tracks Alan's continuing struggle and introduces several new characters including Rose, a witch who is also a werewolf. The saga continues with action, the werewolf's origin, a love triangle between wolves, and hopes of Alan and Autumn's unrequited love being fulfilled.
DARK TUNES. Released as an e-book in November 2020 the novel is centered around a trio of young musicians trying to find their place in a new, and sometimes mysterious part of Saint Louis, Missouri. Renting living and practice space in a closed girl's high school they soon realize that bad things in the hood seem linked to the school and the old nuns staying in the residence connected to their building.
A lifetime of reading first led Joe to creating two-word stories at his children’s bedtime. He quickly realized he enjoyed creating and after several years of practice is now focusing on bringing his stories to a broader audience.
Already published:
MOONRISE, a werewolf novel. 17-year-old Alan is attacked by a pack of werewolves. Bitten and cursed, he manages to cut the pack leader with a silver knife. A witch, Autumn Fire, attempts to save Alan from the pack led by the now scarred wolf, Salvador, who wants revenge on the boy. At the same time, Alan struggles through changes to his body and mind as the curse takes hold.
WOLF HUNT, the sequel to MOONRISE was released July of 2020. Featuring Salvador's brother, Orsino, it also tracks Alan's continuing struggle and introduces several new characters including Rose, a witch who is also a werewolf. The saga continues with action, the werewolf's origin, a love triangle between wolves, and hopes of Alan and Autumn's unrequited love being fulfilled.
DARK TUNES. Released as an e-book in November 2020 the novel is centered around a trio of young musicians trying to find their place in a new, and sometimes mysterious part of Saint Louis, Missouri. Renting living and practice space in a closed girl's high school they soon realize that bad things in the hood seem linked to the school and the old nuns staying in the residence connected to their building.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 29, 2018
Moonrise is a coming of age story masquerading as a horror thriller, and you know what? That's not necessarily a bad thing.
The plot line follows the trials and tribulations of Alan, a young man who is struggling to deal with an nasty and unusual affliction - lycanthropy. Alan and his friends are mauled by a werewolf pack while on a camping trip, leaving them all dead, with the exception of Alan ... who now finds himself infected by the curse that just keeps on cursing. His personal life in a shambles, his family in danger, pursued relentlessly by a monster bent on vengeance, Alan finds further complications in Autumn Fire, a beautiful witch who may hold his salvation, but also his heart.
Moonrise reads like a YA thriller with depth and insight. It's not a traditional werewolf story by any means - I wouldn't even really classify it as a horror novel - but it will hold your attention and make you think about the ties that bind us to the people we care about. Joseph Hagen writes with his heart on his sleeve, and that's not a bad thing, either.
The plot line follows the trials and tribulations of Alan, a young man who is struggling to deal with an nasty and unusual affliction - lycanthropy. Alan and his friends are mauled by a werewolf pack while on a camping trip, leaving them all dead, with the exception of Alan ... who now finds himself infected by the curse that just keeps on cursing. His personal life in a shambles, his family in danger, pursued relentlessly by a monster bent on vengeance, Alan finds further complications in Autumn Fire, a beautiful witch who may hold his salvation, but also his heart.
Moonrise reads like a YA thriller with depth and insight. It's not a traditional werewolf story by any means - I wouldn't even really classify it as a horror novel - but it will hold your attention and make you think about the ties that bind us to the people we care about. Joseph Hagen writes with his heart on his sleeve, and that's not a bad thing, either.
December 1, 2017
Great story with good characters. Definitely hard to put down. Hope there will be a second one
I recommend this for anyone that wants a good story that doesn't drag by or can be easily figured out
I recommend this for anyone that wants a good story that doesn't drag by or can be easily figured out
September 28, 2018
Couldn't put it down!
Stayed on the edge of my seat! The characters were all interesting and brought believability to the story. Can't wait for a spinoff.
Stayed on the edge of my seat! The characters were all interesting and brought believability to the story. Can't wait for a spinoff.
September 12, 2017
Ready for the sequel
I wasn't sure I would enjoy a book about werewolves and witches, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It kept my interest piqued. And I definitely want to read more about the adventures of Alan and Autumn. Joseph Hagan, you have made me like werewolves and witches!
I wasn't sure I would enjoy a book about werewolves and witches, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It kept my interest piqued. And I definitely want to read more about the adventures of Alan and Autumn. Joseph Hagan, you have made me like werewolves and witches!
June 9, 2018
This is not my preferred genre, but I got hooked in the first chapter. The book is more about characters and their struggles with supernatural events and beings than about the gore and mayhem that inevitable arises from those events, although there are those scenes of struggle. Nicely done.
January 1, 2019
I was hesitant to write a review for Moonrise because the author is a good friend of mine. But Mister Hagen knows I would not do him the disservice of padding a review for his own benefit.
This is a great, creative work of urban fantasy with some strong characters and heart-breaking sequences. Alan and Autumn are lovable characters who keep the pages turning. The drama and magic are believable. The action is realistic and fun.
My only criticism is that the work overall could have used a little more editing. I did come across a handful of missteps. Having said that, I cannot wait for the sequel that I know Joe is working on.
This is a great, creative work of urban fantasy with some strong characters and heart-breaking sequences. Alan and Autumn are lovable characters who keep the pages turning. The drama and magic are believable. The action is realistic and fun.
My only criticism is that the work overall could have used a little more editing. I did come across a handful of missteps. Having said that, I cannot wait for the sequel that I know Joe is working on.
May 7, 2020
Werewolves and witches are not my usual genre of choice. However, I immediately was caught up in this story! The sign of a good book to me is one which I cannot predict which direction it's going to go or where the characters will end up. I found this to be true of of Moonrise! I was captivated by the mysteries of both werewolves and witches. I quickly became attached to several characters and hoped they would still be with me at the end! I highly recommend this book and am eagerly awaiting the sequel!
March 24, 2019
I love werewolf novels. There's a lot of what you expect, but enough to give a different world view of the mythos. The book is a little long. I don't mind long books, but I do feel it could have gone through more refinement. The author obviously had the story proofread and it's an interesting premise. I would have like some more backstory on the origin of the curse, or at least hints.
There's not a lot of sex or gore. So, it's safe for all ages. I don't need that in a werewolf book.
There's not a lot of sex or gore. So, it's safe for all ages. I don't need that in a werewolf book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2022
Ok, but needed a lot of editing
At least 200 pages too long. The last 100 pages were completely unnecessary and were extremely boring. To keep going for over a hundred pages after the climactic event that concluded the conflict in the story was poor writing. The 100 plus pages to end the book should have been in an epilogue and reduced to 20 or so pages. The conclusion to this book ruined what could have been a proper understandable ending.
At least 200 pages too long. The last 100 pages were completely unnecessary and were extremely boring. To keep going for over a hundred pages after the climactic event that concluded the conflict in the story was poor writing. The 100 plus pages to end the book should have been in an epilogue and reduced to 20 or so pages. The conclusion to this book ruined what could have been a proper understandable ending.
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February 8, 2024My novel has a new cover.
August 12, 2022
How would you handle getting bitten and cursed by a werewolf? Alan finds out the hard way. While on a camping trip with friends he was bitten by the Pack Leader of a pack of werewolves. Fighting for his life, he slashes the wolf’s face and barely escapes. But his nightmare has just begun.
---------
“You alright?”
His head down, and his teeth grinding Alan snarled, “What the hell do you think?” Dropping into a full squat, he added, “I doubt that I’ll ever be alright again.”
---------
His friends dead, his family in danger, hunted by a Pack Leader in search of revenge, and cursed, this teenager needs all the help he can get, and he finds it in the personage of a beautiful witch. Witchcraft caused his curse, but it may be his only hope of surviving it. Coming of age is difficult enough without this supernatural struggle.
If you like strong character development, and tension without gratuitous gore, you’ll love this book!
---------
“You alright?”
His head down, and his teeth grinding Alan snarled, “What the hell do you think?” Dropping into a full squat, he added, “I doubt that I’ll ever be alright again.”
---------
His friends dead, his family in danger, hunted by a Pack Leader in search of revenge, and cursed, this teenager needs all the help he can get, and he finds it in the personage of a beautiful witch. Witchcraft caused his curse, but it may be his only hope of surviving it. Coming of age is difficult enough without this supernatural struggle.
If you like strong character development, and tension without gratuitous gore, you’ll love this book!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews