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All the Dogs are Dancing
Burner’s world revolved around three things: protecting the wolf pack of Maine, keeping an eye on his best friend Aaron, and helping prepare enough summer food to take on the long road to Quebec for the winter months. But in the ruins of an old shopping mall on a hot summer night, his world crashes.
Now Burner has to face monsters he thought were just stories told to scare pups, and he must traverse a world he’s only seen in old magazines. Meanwhile, his best friend Aaron is dealing with monsters of his own and Burner will do whatever it takes to keep them both safe, even if it means finally admitting how he really feels.
Now Burner has to face monsters he thought were just stories told to scare pups, and he must traverse a world he’s only seen in old magazines. Meanwhile, his best friend Aaron is dealing with monsters of his own and Burner will do whatever it takes to keep them both safe, even if it means finally admitting how he really feels.
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First published October 15, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 28, 2018
*3.5 stars*
I think All the Dogs are Dancing by newbie author J.M. Goguen was a success, but with some kinks worked out, it could have been epic.
I like darker dystopian books sometimes, and All the Dogs are Dancing really fit that bill. I think it's important to know what you are getting into with this one as it is no steam and light on the romance, though the romance was still a central part of the story.
The world-building had so many interesting elements, I just think the author moved too quickly over the details at times. I often left scenes feeling a bit confused, but as the book went on, I found that I just rolled with the confusing parts because each page held something new and more and more intriguing. It felt, at times, that this book was a sequel where I missed the first in the series, and though that usually bothers me a lot, I was too swept up in the ultra fast-pace to linger on it for too long.
The romance was sweet and there was lots of buildup to it, which I always enjoy. I think many fans of queer dystopian books will enjoy this one. I know I did.
Content warning: references to child abuse.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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I think All the Dogs are Dancing by newbie author J.M. Goguen was a success, but with some kinks worked out, it could have been epic.
I like darker dystopian books sometimes, and All the Dogs are Dancing really fit that bill. I think it's important to know what you are getting into with this one as it is no steam and light on the romance, though the romance was still a central part of the story.
The world-building had so many interesting elements, I just think the author moved too quickly over the details at times. I often left scenes feeling a bit confused, but as the book went on, I found that I just rolled with the confusing parts because each page held something new and more and more intriguing. It felt, at times, that this book was a sequel where I missed the first in the series, and though that usually bothers me a lot, I was too swept up in the ultra fast-pace to linger on it for too long.
The romance was sweet and there was lots of buildup to it, which I always enjoy. I think many fans of queer dystopian books will enjoy this one. I know I did.
Content warning: references to child abuse.
*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*
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October 24, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
2.5 stars
I was excited to grab All the Dogs are Dancing because the blurb ticked two of my major buttons…shifters and post apocalyptic chaos. However, I’m sad to say, I just didn’t connect with this one. I really wanted to. Unfortunately, I found it to be difficult to follow and I was frequently confused as I got further in. There was a lot going on and there were a lot of side characters…bad guys, a human family in the woods, monsters, etc. I had to go back and read several passages multiple times to try and understand what was happening, but I just didn’t get a lot of it. I kept reading, though, hoping I’d relax into it, but it just never clicked for me.
I do want to say I liked Burner and Aaron very much. Protective Alphas is another big thing for me, and Burner was very much that. He looked after pups, den daughters, and especially Aaron. I was never really clear about whether he had deeper feelings than just friendship with Aaron, but there is a dream sequence where he envisions them to be married raising a daughter (an AI girl they find along the way…it’s all very confusing) together in a happily ever after scenario.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
2.5 stars
I was excited to grab All the Dogs are Dancing because the blurb ticked two of my major buttons…shifters and post apocalyptic chaos. However, I’m sad to say, I just didn’t connect with this one. I really wanted to. Unfortunately, I found it to be difficult to follow and I was frequently confused as I got further in. There was a lot going on and there were a lot of side characters…bad guys, a human family in the woods, monsters, etc. I had to go back and read several passages multiple times to try and understand what was happening, but I just didn’t get a lot of it. I kept reading, though, hoping I’d relax into it, but it just never clicked for me.
I do want to say I liked Burner and Aaron very much. Protective Alphas is another big thing for me, and Burner was very much that. He looked after pups, den daughters, and especially Aaron. I was never really clear about whether he had deeper feelings than just friendship with Aaron, but there is a dream sequence where he envisions them to be married raising a daughter (an AI girl they find along the way…it’s all very confusing) together in a happily ever after scenario.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
November 3, 2018
Far too many tropes shoved into one story.
Dystopian
Science Fiction
Werewolves
Vampires (?)
Alcoholic father
Dead mother
Abused child
Yadda
Yadda
Yadda
The author would randomly change direction then drop it then meander off on another trope. Several subjects and questions were brought up only to be left dangling with no answer then never brought up again.
Yes, you really can have too much of a good thing. The author needs to decide on substance and stick with it.
Dystopian
Science Fiction
Werewolves
Vampires (?)
Alcoholic father
Dead mother
Abused child
Yadda
Yadda
Yadda
The author would randomly change direction then drop it then meander off on another trope. Several subjects and questions were brought up only to be left dangling with no answer then never brought up again.
Yes, you really can have too much of a good thing. The author needs to decide on substance and stick with it.
October 7, 2018
ALL THE DOGS ARE DANCING is an absolute triumph in terms of world building. The post-apocalyptic North America that Burner and Aaron traverse has texture, beauty, foreboding, strange perils, deep history, and layers that give it a strange plausibility despite being fill with roaming lions, bands of human cannibals, werewolf fight clubs, and terrifying deadwalkers.
Burner has a great deal of charm as a protagonist and the planned future alpha of his pack--which makes a peaceful subsistence living migrating back and forth across the re-wilded countryside and staying away from the cities which are largely dystopian nightmares.
The plot, however… well. It starts off as a risky rescue mission but quickly becomes a disorganized zigzag across the country punctuated by torture, explosions, more torture, and more explosions. While Burner and Aaron instigate a few situations they spend the latter half of the story largely being rescued by more influential individuals. The author makes use of some pretty huge coincidences, a couple of info-dumps, and the story eventually just peters out without anything in the way of an obvious conclusion.
This story is also very much a “with romantic elements” rather than a romance, but the charms of the main characters are undeniable and they do get a happily-ever-at-least-for-a-while. but it’s kind of a bittersweet one compared to the life Burner was living in chapter one. I found the entire book wildly original and entertaining but hope that in her future endeavors the author decides to focus more on blending these aspects with a plot that properly resolves by the end.
That said the vampires-by-another-name in the story are a truly novel take on the vampire idea in their origins, attributes, and philosophies. Goguen has mastered the art of not over-explaining how the supernatural-esque elements of the novel work, and they stand apart for the cliches that are now so common. That alone makes me inclined to see what else this author may have written and look for opportunities to return to this dark world.
Burner has a great deal of charm as a protagonist and the planned future alpha of his pack--which makes a peaceful subsistence living migrating back and forth across the re-wilded countryside and staying away from the cities which are largely dystopian nightmares.
The plot, however… well. It starts off as a risky rescue mission but quickly becomes a disorganized zigzag across the country punctuated by torture, explosions, more torture, and more explosions. While Burner and Aaron instigate a few situations they spend the latter half of the story largely being rescued by more influential individuals. The author makes use of some pretty huge coincidences, a couple of info-dumps, and the story eventually just peters out without anything in the way of an obvious conclusion.
This story is also very much a “with romantic elements” rather than a romance, but the charms of the main characters are undeniable and they do get a happily-ever-at-least-for-a-while. but it’s kind of a bittersweet one compared to the life Burner was living in chapter one. I found the entire book wildly original and entertaining but hope that in her future endeavors the author decides to focus more on blending these aspects with a plot that properly resolves by the end.
That said the vampires-by-another-name in the story are a truly novel take on the vampire idea in their origins, attributes, and philosophies. Goguen has mastered the art of not over-explaining how the supernatural-esque elements of the novel work, and they stand apart for the cliches that are now so common. That alone makes me inclined to see what else this author may have written and look for opportunities to return to this dark world.
October 8, 2018
Wow didn't expect to love it this much ! The characters, the story, the world building, the romance, I loved all of it !
The only downside is that I felt like it was a bit rushed and I would've preferred if the author took the time to develop more at some points.
I hope there'll be more books in this universe !!!
The only downside is that I felt like it was a bit rushed and I would've preferred if the author took the time to develop more at some points.
I hope there'll be more books in this universe !!!
November 25, 2018
Alas, not for me. I liked the first 30% of the story and I was settling down into what I thought was a dystopian shifter story but then an attack happens and the characters set out to rescue their pack. The story then became too complicated for my simple brain. I couldn't stay abreast of what was happening, what had happened and who was who.
I didn't really understand the world building and what was what. I think this made it difficult for me to follow the story. I had reached the middle of the book and I was still a bit puzzled about the different kinds of 'beings' and what they were and how they were organised. At one point I realised that what I really needed was a glossary.
There were also some parts in the story which were just a bit too predictable me, for e.g when one of the characters decides he is going to stage a rescue. I just knew what would follow if he did that.
I like sci-fi, urban fantasy, paranormal and romance but I couldn't get into this. I think the writing is good but the story just isnt for me. This is just a matter of personal taste and other readers might like this.
Copy provided by Nine Star Press via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
I didn't really understand the world building and what was what. I think this made it difficult for me to follow the story. I had reached the middle of the book and I was still a bit puzzled about the different kinds of 'beings' and what they were and how they were organised. At one point I realised that what I really needed was a glossary.
There were also some parts in the story which were just a bit too predictable me, for e.g when one of the characters decides he is going to stage a rescue. I just knew what would follow if he did that.
I like sci-fi, urban fantasy, paranormal and romance but I couldn't get into this. I think the writing is good but the story just isnt for me. This is just a matter of personal taste and other readers might like this.
Copy provided by Nine Star Press via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
October 26, 2018
*ARC received through NetGalley*
I have mixed opinions about this book.
When I read the synopsis, I was really excited. It's a mix between three things I love: apocalyptic world, werewolves and mxm. I thought it would be right up my alley.
And plot wise, it really was. J.M. Goguen has a wonderful imagination, a definite knack for world building. And the characters were also extremely likable. Relatable each in their own ways.
The pace, however... The pace really hurt the story. It was way too fast paced. Being this fast makes the reader have no time at all to absorb so much information, and it takes away a lot of the enjoyment.
This is though, if I'm not mistaken, this author's first book. I will be excited to watch them grow as a writer. There is so much untapped potential.
I have mixed opinions about this book.
When I read the synopsis, I was really excited. It's a mix between three things I love: apocalyptic world, werewolves and mxm. I thought it would be right up my alley.
And plot wise, it really was. J.M. Goguen has a wonderful imagination, a definite knack for world building. And the characters were also extremely likable. Relatable each in their own ways.
The pace, however... The pace really hurt the story. It was way too fast paced. Being this fast makes the reader have no time at all to absorb so much information, and it takes away a lot of the enjoyment.
This is though, if I'm not mistaken, this author's first book. I will be excited to watch them grow as a writer. There is so much untapped potential.
October 10, 2018
I received a copy of All the Dogs are Dancing from NineStar Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All words, thoughts, and opinions are my own.
This has such interesting world building!
Content Notes:
🐺 sexual content (not explicit)
🐺 violence
🐺 abuse of an adult child by parent
🐺 mention of recent death of mother
🐺 mention of alcohol consumption
🐺 inebriation
🐺 chased by a boar
🐺 casual ableism
🐺 suicidal ideation mentioned
🐺 grief
🐺 vomiting
🐺 caught in snow storm
🐺 mention of animal abuse
🐺 dissociation, flashbacks
🐺 death, blood, gore
🐺 hunting
🐺 abduction, confinement
🐺 torture
🐺 nightmare
All the Dogs are Dancing follows Burner, a wild werewolf who will one day be the alpha. This takes place in a post apocalyptic world where 20 years previous there were two years of darkness where cars, radios, TVs, and other technology stopped working. There are tales of creatures known as Deadwalkers who smell of rot and can’t go out into sunlight without burning up. One day, Burner goes to the mall for a new net and realizes tales of Deadwalkers aren’t just tales, and a slew of events are set into motion.
There really is such great world building in this story. A meteor crashed into earth and caused two years of Darkness during which many things had to change. Seeing how Burner and his pack survive, and the adaptations that have gone into their survival, is so well thought out. It’s also interesting how events and settings that are familiar to the reader are interpreted by Burner, the pictures in magazines the main way he knows about the past.
I kinda have mixed feelings on Burner and Aaron, but mainly that’s because it hurt when they’d hurt each other. It’s obvious they care for one another deeply, and their friendship means a great deal to them. The shift from friendship to romance felt organic, especially given the life-or-death situations they kept finding themselves in.
Overall, this was a very interesting story with wonderful world building. I can’t wait to see more of the story and what’s going to happen next.
This has such interesting world building!
Content Notes:
🐺 sexual content (not explicit)
🐺 violence
🐺 abuse of an adult child by parent
🐺 mention of recent death of mother
🐺 mention of alcohol consumption
🐺 inebriation
🐺 chased by a boar
🐺 casual ableism
🐺 suicidal ideation mentioned
🐺 grief
🐺 vomiting
🐺 caught in snow storm
🐺 mention of animal abuse
🐺 dissociation, flashbacks
🐺 death, blood, gore
🐺 hunting
🐺 abduction, confinement
🐺 torture
🐺 nightmare
All the Dogs are Dancing follows Burner, a wild werewolf who will one day be the alpha. This takes place in a post apocalyptic world where 20 years previous there were two years of darkness where cars, radios, TVs, and other technology stopped working. There are tales of creatures known as Deadwalkers who smell of rot and can’t go out into sunlight without burning up. One day, Burner goes to the mall for a new net and realizes tales of Deadwalkers aren’t just tales, and a slew of events are set into motion.
There really is such great world building in this story. A meteor crashed into earth and caused two years of Darkness during which many things had to change. Seeing how Burner and his pack survive, and the adaptations that have gone into their survival, is so well thought out. It’s also interesting how events and settings that are familiar to the reader are interpreted by Burner, the pictures in magazines the main way he knows about the past.
I kinda have mixed feelings on Burner and Aaron, but mainly that’s because it hurt when they’d hurt each other. It’s obvious they care for one another deeply, and their friendship means a great deal to them. The shift from friendship to romance felt organic, especially given the life-or-death situations they kept finding themselves in.
Overall, this was a very interesting story with wonderful world building. I can’t wait to see more of the story and what’s going to happen next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2018
The world building was awesome and we actually get to find out how things got to where we are. I would have liked the romance to have happened sooner. I loved the characters. I'm hoping that there will be additional books as there are still issues that need to be resolved. First off, what is up with the collar??? Why can't it be removed? What are we going to happen with the den Mothers? Is there going to be war? How many deadwalkers are against how the wolves are being treated? What happened with the family that they stayed with? My only complaint is that the story seemed to be a little disorganized. But since this is the author's first novel, I thought it was pretty well done.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 15, 2018
Burner is a feral wolf living in the wilds of post apocalyptic Maine. H is pack is attacked and half of it kidnapped. Burner and his best friend go on a journey to save their captured packmates aided by the enemy. They struggle through the elements as they try to avoid their own capture. Their journey doesn't end once the pack is freed.
The story starts off slow though it quickly picks up as the story progresses. Characters develop at a steady rate budding into a predictable relationship. The relationship between Aaron and Burner doesn't take the front seat as it progresses. The plot moves along nicely, not stopping or sticking in any situation. The introduction and growth of all characters is believable. Some moments were rushed but major plot points are strong enough to cover the wanting of more in some places.
I didn't expect to enjoy the book and do I d it very predictable from the start. Although my predictions came to fruition I was pleased with the way it happened. There was enough backstory to fill in most gaps without drawing attention from the plot. The ending left a lot to be completed and I hope there is more to make this a series to the up the ends left loose.
The story starts off slow though it quickly picks up as the story progresses. Characters develop at a steady rate budding into a predictable relationship. The relationship between Aaron and Burner doesn't take the front seat as it progresses. The plot moves along nicely, not stopping or sticking in any situation. The introduction and growth of all characters is believable. Some moments were rushed but major plot points are strong enough to cover the wanting of more in some places.
I didn't expect to enjoy the book and do I d it very predictable from the start. Although my predictions came to fruition I was pleased with the way it happened. There was enough backstory to fill in most gaps without drawing attention from the plot. The ending left a lot to be completed and I hope there is more to make this a series to the up the ends left loose.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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