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Wendigo Road
Nobody drives Wendigo Road. But to return home to his wife and son, one Blackfeet warrior will be forced to brave this treacherous mountain road full of Native American monsters and raging wildfires. In this re-imagining of Homer's "The Odyssey," a band of soldiers volunteer to escort the legendary Blackfeet warrior home. When they discover abandoned children in a small Montana ghost town, their mission and their lives will be changed forever. Now they aren’t just fighting for survival, but for redemption.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2018
206 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Doug Goodman
34 books62 followersI live in Houston, but I was raised in Lubbock, Texas. I’m an animal writer. It doesn’t matter if the animals I write about are zombie-hunting dogs, dinosaurs, or giant kaiju monsters, I’m interested in that area where animals and humans intersect. I’m especially curious about the mind meld that happens with working animals. This is my point of view for examining human nature, and why I enjoy writing these books so much.
My site says I’m a writer and an explorer. My wife and I are “often” travelers. Thanks to my work, I sometimes get the opportunity to visit extraordinary people in out-of-the-way places. In recent years I’ve explored parts of the Navajo Nation, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and I did a mesmerizing 20-state roadtrip with my supportive family. I’ve been to all but four states in the United States.
I live with two awesome kids (though one is having her own adventures in college), one amazing wife, and two white German Shepherds. Thank you for stopping by, and please check out one of my books. (They are all available from Amazon as paperbacks and e-books.) Since mid-2019, I’ve been donating twenty percent of my proceeds to charity. If you want to see where I donate, I update my donations via my newsletter.
My site says I’m a writer and an explorer. My wife and I are “often” travelers. Thanks to my work, I sometimes get the opportunity to visit extraordinary people in out-of-the-way places. In recent years I’ve explored parts of the Navajo Nation, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and I did a mesmerizing 20-state roadtrip with my supportive family. I’ve been to all but four states in the United States.
I live with two awesome kids (though one is having her own adventures in college), one amazing wife, and two white German Shepherds. Thank you for stopping by, and please check out one of my books. (They are all available from Amazon as paperbacks and e-books.) Since mid-2019, I’ve been donating twenty percent of my proceeds to charity. If you want to see where I donate, I update my donations via my newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 6, 2023
I enjoyed this take on the Windigo lore.
Truth is that Windigo scare me silly! I love reading about them. But, I will say that maybe I liked it so much because I'm from this part of the States!? I've traveled these paths.
I was completely annoyed however when the author couldn't get Sandpoint, Idaho right! Really? You've had your character's cross "The Long Bridge" but then it's NOT Sandpoint?
Dick move.
Truth is that Windigo scare me silly! I love reading about them. But, I will say that maybe I liked it so much because I'm from this part of the States!? I've traveled these paths.
I was completely annoyed however when the author couldn't get Sandpoint, Idaho right! Really? You've had your character's cross "The Long Bridge" but then it's NOT Sandpoint?
Dick move.
May 9, 2023
It tells the story of a Native American war hero and Blackfeet Indian named Oran Old Chief. The narrative follows both he and a ragtag group of soldiers as they journey through the western American wasteland to return not only Oran's home, but to the homes of several of the other people. It was too bad that that we couldn't have been given a broader "picture" of the road, and to have expanded on some of the mythological aspects that take place, or were rumored to have taken place there. The world had obviously changed, since the undead and monsters entered through some kind of "rift" into our world. Readers that feast on mythology will have a buffet with this one. The Native lore is finely detailed, and the attention to character development is extremely well-done. There is a large and dynamic cast of characters, and the reader will see how much effort the author put into creating this world. It's filled with action and drama with some silliness, a slight hint of romance wrapped up nicely in a story you will remember long after you close the cover. Enjoy it it's a good book.
November 6, 2019
I love a good Wendigo story. It’s pretty much the only reason I selected this book, having never heard of the author. The publishers I am familiar with, they specialize in creature features and cryptozoological terrors. And sticking with that game plan, Wendigo Road turned out to be essentially apocalypse via Wendigos story. Upon discovering this, I promptly set the book down and didn’t get back to it for weeks, but then my inner completist protested not completing the book and so I finish it I did. To be fair, it turned out more decently than I initially expected, it was pretty well written, with developed characters and even some world building. The Native American folklore was utilized well and extensively. It was one of those…people didn’t take care of the planet and now are being punished for it via solar and Wendigo powers. It still wasn’t quite for me, I prefer a quiet spooky Wendigo tale, something localized to an eerie forest somewhere, something like that, not an outright war for supremacy between people and gigantic Wendigos. But it was objectively decent for what it was, which is essentially a heavily action driven creature feature apocalyptic tale. For an alternative to this, I’d recommend Edgewise or classic The Willows. It’s just a matter of tone and volume, this story was loud, very loud. Reader mileage may vary.
December 19, 2025
One of the scariest creatures in fiction to me is a Wendigo and a skinwalker and this lovely piece of literature had both. This was a serious dystopian nightmare. Forget zombies, have you ever had a 100 foot Wendigo chase you? I think that is more frightening. In this book we had thousands of these creatures walking around and destroying anything they could get their hands on. They could wipe out whole army platoons in one swipe. Our MC had been part of a platoon and had been away for 4 years. Now he was back in the states and headed home except the plane he was on broke down. Oran wanted home so bad he decided to drive, but another platoon who was defending the airport decided they would escort him. The journey was anything but easy and there were many hardships. My favorite part of the book were the wide cast of characters.
October 15, 2018
The action begins on page one, drawing you into the story. Wendigo Road is such an original idea, that many writers will wish they'd thought of it first. This apocalyptic novel is about a military group, Recon Team, hell bent on destroying wendigos, or wendys as they are affectionately named. They are supernatural creatures right out of Native American mythology. They are incredibly tall, standing on their hind legs and usually have the head of non-predatory animals such as deer, goats, or bison. They often have huge antler racks dripping with velvet. In this story, the young ones are as tall as trees and the old ones grow from 25 to 100 feet tall--and they are tearing up everything in sight. They make a meal of any people they run into, and they are eternally hungry!
One of the main characters, a Native American, tells his crew that this apocalypse has occurred because the Sun is angry with the world! "Natosi is the Sun, and the creator of the Earth. I believe that he is displeased with the world of humans . . . and he is infecting the world with wendigos to devour man as punishment." The sun has also maimed many people causing melanoma and leaving everyone's skin with scars from the cancer. One of his crew, nicknamed Molotov, doesn't believe it, but what else could explain the rise of these destructive mythical creatures? Things start to get very interesting when Recon Team must rescue various children from a nearly abandoned town they come across at the beginning of their journey.
Doug Goodman knows how to hold your attention, he knows how to tell a great story, and he knows how to create believable and sympathetic characters. This is an action-packed supernatural thriller you don't want to miss!
One of the main characters, a Native American, tells his crew that this apocalypse has occurred because the Sun is angry with the world! "Natosi is the Sun, and the creator of the Earth. I believe that he is displeased with the world of humans . . . and he is infecting the world with wendigos to devour man as punishment." The sun has also maimed many people causing melanoma and leaving everyone's skin with scars from the cancer. One of his crew, nicknamed Molotov, doesn't believe it, but what else could explain the rise of these destructive mythical creatures? Things start to get very interesting when Recon Team must rescue various children from a nearly abandoned town they come across at the beginning of their journey.
Doug Goodman knows how to hold your attention, he knows how to tell a great story, and he knows how to create believable and sympathetic characters. This is an action-packed supernatural thriller you don't want to miss!
May 13, 2020
Different from the other books I have read by this author. Good stuff.
November 14, 2018
An awesome trip through a wasteland populated by Native American monsters. Highly recommended!
May 22, 2020
While the re-imagining of wendigo lore is incredibly inventive (and I didn't hate it nearly as much as I thought I would), there's little beyond this core concept that's really... good. The main thing is that the plot is just way too busy. If a few concepts had been nixed (the cyborg quality of the soldiers, the additional monsters, the scene where they're drugged) maybe this would have been better; not quite perfect, as there's a lot of issues with the writing itself (repetitive details or unsatisfying similes; there's one scene where it's just described as "like something from a Stephen King nightmare", and that definitely takes you out of the narrative). As much as I enjoy all forms of horror (especially when giant monsters are involved) there's just too little good for me to offer a higher rating.
October 28, 2018
Wendigo Road is a well-crafted tale that will at times have you gripping your tablet (or physical book) as you read. Goodman has a unique way of making you feel that you know the characters and experience their emotions as they do. The creatures are from Native American mythology, which I found refreshing. I also enjoyed the comardamy of the recon team. "Kill first and die last." There are no 'safe spaces' on Wendigo Road.
Wendigo Road is a supernatural action-thriller that deserves every one of the five starts I gave it.
Wendigo Road is a supernatural action-thriller that deserves every one of the five starts I gave it.
August 6, 2020
3.75 out of 5. It was a good story in general, I enjoyed all the mythological characters from Native American lore but the story needed a little more details/explanation and had kind of a typical (and not epic or completely satisfying) ending. It was missing something I can’t quite put my finger on (besides some proofing) that left me liking the story a lot but wanting it told a little better. Still all that said, it’s worth reading, especially if you like end of days and mythology stories.
May 31, 2020
I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. Based on Native American folklore but set in the future when the sun is a punisher of mankind and the earth creatures are reeking vengeance in the worst possible way, I couldn't put it down. It had a dystopian feel with diverse and likable misfit characters, and a hope for mankind's redemption.
July 11, 2020
I'm not too familiar with The Odyssey but it seems a stretch to call this story a "re-imaging". It has some similarities, but not enough for this sort of comparison. Don't choose this book based on that promise.
The core story line was relatively interesting and engaging as they went on their journey. It was an interesting end-of-the-world / punishing mankind setting, with the story focused on the main character and supporting roles. It's a very small part of a very dark landscape. This book succeeded at building tension and sprinkling in action. However, it isn't particularly creepy or horrifying. The supporting military characters were a good mix of rough through past experience and softened by the children. There was some native american lore but not enough explanation for those with little prior knowledge of it.
Some encounters just felt out of place or out of character. I particularly disliked the part A wasn't a fan of the ending either. It felt like a strange turn of events which were then conveniently wrapped out.
The core story line was relatively interesting and engaging as they went on their journey. It was an interesting end-of-the-world / punishing mankind setting, with the story focused on the main character and supporting roles. It's a very small part of a very dark landscape. This book succeeded at building tension and sprinkling in action. However, it isn't particularly creepy or horrifying. The supporting military characters were a good mix of rough through past experience and softened by the children. There was some native american lore but not enough explanation for those with little prior knowledge of it.
Some encounters just felt out of place or out of character. I particularly disliked the part A wasn't a fan of the ending either. It felt like a strange turn of events which were then conveniently wrapped out.
July 25, 2020
A solid read. There are small/medium inconsistencies here and there with the worldbuilding itself and minor typos. And it had been great with a time reference.
I liked the plot, story telling and characters.
Author had a way of combining the extraordinaire with the mundane in a great way. I gave a very special atmosphere to the book and mostly why I rate it this high.
I could have lived without the last couple of chapters in the book as they plot wise felt out of character for the central plot in the book - the journey.
I liked the plot, story telling and characters.
Author had a way of combining the extraordinaire with the mundane in a great way. I gave a very special atmosphere to the book and mostly why I rate it this high.
I could have lived without the last couple of chapters in the book as they plot wise felt out of character for the central plot in the book - the journey.
May 25, 2020
Gripping story
I could not put this book down. I read it from cover to cover in less than a day. You will feel so many raw emotions and fear. I don't want to say anything further because you have to read it to experience it.
I could not put this book down. I read it from cover to cover in less than a day. You will feel so many raw emotions and fear. I don't want to say anything further because you have to read it to experience it.
June 11, 2020
One of my favorite reads so far this year. It was a little slow in the beginning but it picked up quickly and the story was very different from the books I normally devour.
RIP Nobody, Jack, TELLER & MOLOTOV😩😩 I was sooo hurt when Mo was killed. He was my favorite character besides Ghost!!
RIP Nobody, Jack, TELLER & MOLOTOV😩😩 I was sooo hurt when Mo was killed. He was my favorite character besides Ghost!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2020
It was a little hard getting through. My expectations was a little different from what I was reading. If as a reader you are into upfront and detailed reading this is the book for you.
January 5, 2021
What I thought about Wendigo road
Was Was a good book written well had a really good premise my biggest problem with it was that it wasn't long enough. Which there was more to read.
Was Was a good book written well had a really good premise my biggest problem with it was that it wasn't long enough. Which there was more to read.
June 27, 2022
Tengo sentimientos encontrados con este libro ¿por qué? Porque el 80% lo disfruté y el 10% final a mi gusto arruina la historia, haciendo que todo lo ocurrido se contradiga.
La primera parte es la mejor, conocemos a los personajes, los cuales tienen la misión de acompañar a un guerrero, llamado Blackfeet quién retirado de la guerra desea regresar a su hogar, a su mujer y a su pequeño hijo. El problema está que para que pueda reunirse con su familia tiene que atravesar el territorio de los wendigos, y no solo de ellos, sino también de varias criaturas sacadas de nuestros peores temores. Hay muertes, hay tristeza pero también un hilo de esperanza, que los impulsa a continuar. Y cuando todo parece que va a salir mal, logran recuperarse y salir adelante, y encima se encuentra con unos niños que necesitan ayuda.
Los soldados que acompañan a este guerrero, son seres humanos que han recibido modificaciones médicas que los hacen superiores al humano común, aún así enfrentar a los monstruos de leyenda no será tarea fácil.
Como siempre, no se encariñen con los personajes, hay varias bajas por el camino.
Lo que no me gustó, entra en Spoiler, así que ya saben....
La primera parte es la mejor, conocemos a los personajes, los cuales tienen la misión de acompañar a un guerrero, llamado Blackfeet quién retirado de la guerra desea regresar a su hogar, a su mujer y a su pequeño hijo. El problema está que para que pueda reunirse con su familia tiene que atravesar el territorio de los wendigos, y no solo de ellos, sino también de varias criaturas sacadas de nuestros peores temores. Hay muertes, hay tristeza pero también un hilo de esperanza, que los impulsa a continuar. Y cuando todo parece que va a salir mal, logran recuperarse y salir adelante, y encima se encuentra con unos niños que necesitan ayuda.
Los soldados que acompañan a este guerrero, son seres humanos que han recibido modificaciones médicas que los hacen superiores al humano común, aún así enfrentar a los monstruos de leyenda no será tarea fácil.
Como siempre, no se encariñen con los personajes, hay varias bajas por el camino.
Lo que no me gustó, entra en Spoiler, así que ya saben....
June 12, 2020
That was one hell of a ride. As I jumped into this almost by accident - and just after I finished last Yanrsworld From the Shadows of the Owl Queen's Court - it just fitted my mood and hunger for more mythology-like books.
It would be full five stars (and its more like 4.5) but I found out the last part of book was not so satisfying as most of it. Ending was nice, but different pace and something else just didn't feel as good as whole experience before.
Definitely recommended. I have to check some other books from the author.
It would be full five stars (and its more like 4.5) but I found out the last part of book was not so satisfying as most of it. Ending was nice, but different pace and something else just didn't feel as good as whole experience before.
Definitely recommended. I have to check some other books from the author.
August 7, 2021
This has some proofreading errors, almost as if the author lost track. It was like inserting really good info, phrased two different ways within the space of two paragraphs. Other than that the fans of Walking Dead should love it. Tons of original ideas, edge of the seat happenings, unexpected allies, friendship, family and a slap at conservation issues. The conservation issues are stated in a way that it's everyone's fault and not offensive where some authors just grind it in your face as if you are the only one responsible. And that in addition to the monsters made this SYFY, war of man eating monsters, ancient mythical beings a book to read about the hope for humanity.
July 21, 2020
Inventive, no question about that...
Though I found the book wanting in a few areas, I enjoyed the read. The subjects raised and explored are interesting and timely brought to the reader in archetypal characters and unusual/creative allegories. I also appreciated the somewhat rare representation of AmerIndian/American Native culture and main character- mixed with the presentation of the physical need for racial unity.
This book is rife for sequels and fillers.
Though I found the book wanting in a few areas, I enjoyed the read. The subjects raised and explored are interesting and timely brought to the reader in archetypal characters and unusual/creative allegories. I also appreciated the somewhat rare representation of AmerIndian/American Native culture and main character- mixed with the presentation of the physical need for racial unity.
This book is rife for sequels and fillers.
June 13, 2021
3.5 stars. Interesting take/reimagining of “The Odyssey” that draws the ready in with the high-paced action and storyline. A good, fun read that kept me interested and entertained. I really enjoyed the use of Native American lore and mythology as well as the similarities to Homer’s classic epic. Some parts were very rushed, however, and there were several editing and consistency errors throughout the book. There were also parts that were very predictable as well as areas of missed opportunity.
April 14, 2023
Very interesting!
I loved this story of the creatures Father Sun sends into the world to bring balance back to nature.
The battle scenes are great. The cast of characters are awesome! I especially liked when they took those children with them, trying to get them to safety.
I really recommend giving this book a go, you’ll enjoy the story.
I loved this story of the creatures Father Sun sends into the world to bring balance back to nature.
The battle scenes are great. The cast of characters are awesome! I especially liked when they took those children with them, trying to get them to safety.
I really recommend giving this book a go, you’ll enjoy the story.
May 24, 2020
The cover attracted me to picked this book to read. And I found everything as good as the cover. A group of a military soldiers, native American monsters, and a fascinating & flawless story full of action, adventure, and emotions. I enjoyed it from the very beginning to the end. Highly recommended
September 4, 2020
Interesting story
Would have liked a bit more (or any) background info on the monsters. Prolly make the book more meaningful.
Did consider giving 4 stares but there were errors and missing or wrong words through the book. Was kinda distracting.
Would have liked a bit more (or any) background info on the monsters. Prolly make the book more meaningful.
Did consider giving 4 stares but there were errors and missing or wrong words through the book. Was kinda distracting.
May 30, 2020
Spiritual and scary
Really enjoyed this!! What an amazing and suspenseful read. The Native American legends come to life, literally. Beautiful and horrible.
Really enjoyed this!! What an amazing and suspenseful read. The Native American legends come to life, literally. Beautiful and horrible.
August 11, 2020
Great read
Ì did enjoy reading this book and enjoyed the characters in it. I felt that they worked very well together and the storyline was wonderful
Ì did enjoy reading this book and enjoyed the characters in it. I felt that they worked very well together and the storyline was wonderful
October 26, 2020
Another win for Doug Goodman. So far I have truly enjoyed each of the books I have read. Still waiting for #5 Murder Dog. Looking forward to checking out more of his earlier works.
November 5, 2022
Wendigo Road is a very unusual tale! There’s not a lot of depth to most of the characters but the protagonist is quite interesting. I enjoyed it very much.
January 18, 2024
3.5 stars. Started out slow but really got good toward the middle and ended good too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews