Werewolves: An Illustrated Journal of Transformation

by Paul Jessup, Allyson Haller (Illustrations)

Werewolves takes the form of an illustrated journal that plunges readers into the life of a high school girl-turned-werewolf as she makes her transformation. After Alice and her brother are bitten by what they assume are large dogs, her journal/sketchbook becomes a place for her to record the changes they start to experience her socially awkward brother falls in with some creepy new friends, and she surprises herself with new strengths and instincts and a suddenly nonvegetarian interest in raw steak. Joining the werewolf pack that bit them, they discover the pleasures and dangers that come with the cycles of the moon, including threats from "hunters" who stalk them, a researcher seeking a cure, and escalating violence within the pack itself. With a fresh take on the lore and legend, Werewolves gives fans a ripping tale to sink their teeth into.

Genres: Werewolves, Graphic Novels, Horror, Fantasy, Supernatural

144 pages, Paperback

First published August 4, 2010

About the author

Paul Jessup does not exist.

Reviews

[Ananya M · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was pretty normal, nothing extraordinary, but the illustrations were amazing!🐺

[Reg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cool. A nice short read (< one hour). The journal format is neat but it's a pretty typical plot. The only thing that really makes it near unique is the artwork. But I'm a sucker for 'wolves so meh. I enjoyed it enough to hang onto it for years and read it twice.

Tl;dr: 10/10 would watch an on-screen adaption.

[Jonathan Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, albeit brief, werewolf thriller. Jessup really captures the tone of a teenager struggling with lycanthropy, and making her vegetarian is a brilliant detail. The illustrations are beautiful as well. A great package with a nice open ending.

[October · Rating 4 out of 5]

Werewolves is, perhaps, one of the simplest stories I've ever read. I'm beginning to wonder if this is one of the saving graces of this story! Well--apart from the beautiful artwork, that is.

Yes, you have werewolf hunters, and little packs of werewolves, but it lacks the general 'emo' that normally accompanies those YA tree murders. Granted, there wasn't much in the way of development in terms of characters (since it was in journal format, the narrator was incredibly limited), but the reader wasn't assaulted with the garbage normally found in most paranormal novels (such as the drivel of Bitten,and the Twilight series, for instance. That being said, it's a fluff read in the extreme, and there isn't much of a chance for a lot of conflict. Personally, I think it would be better as, perhaps, a series or a much longer graphic novel. However, it's one of the few werewolf-related books that don't make me want to projectile vomit. It's worth the read--even if mostly for the artwork!

[RedDagger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic illustrations, the journal format means we get these half-completed sketches that do a wonderful job with depicting werewolves.

Unfortunately, despite the potential of this format, the story is bland and sticks uncritically to modern werewolf tropes which mostly ruins the sort of grounded theming necessary for this, and scuppers anything the perspective could offer. The stated folklore isn't even correct (I have a pet peeve of characters researching werewolves and then spouting bollocks), and everything falls into the generic alpha pack we're not human pattern with hunters and...that's it.

Her internal monologue doesn't offer anything interesting about the mindset of a newly turned werewolf; it's just the "I'm a werewolf now and human bodies are lame" that every other generic werewolf protagonist goes through with zero explanation. I can only assume some sort of mental parasite obliterates their sense of self while they're sleeping, where all their bizarre changes in lifestyle are justified with the black hole of "wolves tho :)".

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! A believable story that truly reads as a found journal, with an open ended finish and plenty of missing information for you to wonder about. The illustrator Allyson Haller brings the story to life with talent and attention to detail.

[laqueus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didnt love the story, but it had really cool artwork. So I enjoyed that.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing artwork and a brief entertaining story.

[Shivakukatla · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's an illustrated book based on the journal pickup by hikers on their hiking trail, in which there are accounts of a brother and sister transforming into werewolves and gets in terms with that unusual fact and also trying to wrap their minds about how to take their lives forward from there on. There's a lot of doubt and arbitrary on the truth and genuineness of the journal on which this book is based on. Even though the illustrations of the book are good and appealing, the book was very bland overall, and particularly, I'm not a fan of how the book ended.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a chick who has been journaling since she could write, I’d say Werewolves reads just like a teenage girl’s journal. I found that impressive. But what I found most amazing in this book was the style and the artwork. Everything from the realistic handwritten entries, to the totally random doodles (which I do in my journals too), to the stunning drawings, was highly impressive. I am so in love with Haller’s artwork in this book, I was mesmerized by each piece and found myself constantly stopping to examine the images. The style is traditional, with a mixture of mediums, and perfect for the story. Love!

As for the story itself, well, it was good, but it wasn’t the most amazing tale I have ever read. It was simple and expected. But in spite of that, I am in love with this book. The story and the artwork blended flawlessly and it felt like a real journal. I'd definitely recommend Werewolves for someone looking for a quick read full of gorgeous artwork.

[Meghann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up for the illustrations, which are sketchy and done in traditional media. I really liked all the artwork. The story isn't bad, though the climax is a but weak. All the characters show up at once and fight. The story then ends soon after. I would've liked more information on the hunters and the Alpha werewolf and more development with the main character's brother and his place in the pack hierarchy.

[Andreas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the journal of Alice and her transformation into a werewolve. The story isn't very deep but it takes an interesting look at werewolves. Every page features nice, large drawings and make the whole book an experience that no werewolve fan should miss.

You might like as well Sharp Teeth.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The honest truth is the art is what really sold me on this book. The art is such a nice touch to the story. And looks just like well done sketches that relate to the story. The story is fine. It's nothing to write home about, but it is a solid story. I wish it had a better conclusion, but these "found" books/movies rarely do.

[Colona Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a unique read combining illustration and a journal like writing fashion to tell a story of werewolf transformation. The illustration really is great and enhances the story greatly. The ending is more to be desired because it leaves you with many questions about the werewolf world,the hunters, and what will become of the main character. I really hope there is more to come! ~Ashley

[Claudia Loureiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice and fast read, well-written, straightforward story, beautifully illustrated by Allyson Haller. It's Alice's journal which tells of how her and her brother are bitten and then turn into werewolves. Interesting, and I was sad when it was done, wish there was more. The drawings were excellent as well.

[El Dubbs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing special. The drawings aren't very believable as a remnants of a teen's journal... just seems a bit too forced. I would of rather this been a more traditional graphic novel. Still a nice read though, but doesn't really do anything new an the characters are a bit too tidy in their roles.

[Kaysee · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't terrible.
I just don't think the story and the art mixes.
The story by itself is fine as is the art, but something about it together just didn't click with me.
I'd say read it though, I mean, if you like werewolves.

[Shoulanda August · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I expected

It started off okay but then it just went bad. No real details on the alpha wolf Tomas or why he went from town to town infecting people. I kept reading hoping it would get better but no!!!

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up as my Halloween read. I liked the format of diary with sketchbook. There was enough tension throughout to keep me turning pages.

[H. Givens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing remarkable.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked quite quickly however I would have wished for the story to go a bit further once Alice went into the woods to escape. The drawings really make the story seemed plausible.

[Dez Nemec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read. Amazing drawings!

[Kasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent story. Nest drawings. Will definitely be in a frequent rotation.