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kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
2.0
No Such Thing as Werewolves by Chris Fox started off promising, but sadly took a direction that lost me more and more the farther I read.
We start of with a rather clichéd cast. The one scientist who doesn't actually a degree being the best, the ex girlfriend who cheated, and her ex best friend, who can't be in the same room now, the super cold but efficient military man, the handy gun nut who has all the weapons and despite being a scientist, not a soldier or anything, who somehow is awesome at combat and doesn't even flinch in the worst moments.
I could look past that, as I loved the science hook and the tone and voice was engaging.
However I soon got annoyed by the writing style, which had quite a bit of the male gaze, noticing boobs and the way the women interacted. I also found the romance angle super annoying, when you just learned the world might end, but what are you worrying about? Sure, you're relationships...
The action scenes were nice and I enjoyed the fights and the fast pace there. However they got less and less "realistic". Yes I know werewolves aren't realistic on the first place, but some of them just went beyond cool into "I can't take this seriously, now I find it funny instead of exciting".
And then the science also seemed to go the same way, becoming ever weirder and as one character keeps calling it "woo-woo".
This could definitely find it's fans, no doubt about that, but sadly it wasn't my personal cup of tea.
We start of with a rather clichéd cast. The one scientist who doesn't actually a degree being the best, the ex girlfriend who cheated, and her ex best friend, who can't be in the same room now, the super cold but efficient military man, the handy gun nut who has all the weapons and despite being a scientist, not a soldier or anything, who somehow is awesome at combat and doesn't even flinch in the worst moments.
I could look past that, as I loved the science hook and the tone and voice was engaging.
However I soon got annoyed by the writing style, which had quite a bit of the male gaze, noticing boobs and the way the women interacted. I also found the romance angle super annoying, when you just learned the world might end, but what are you worrying about? Sure, you're relationships...
The action scenes were nice and I enjoyed the fights and the fast pace there. However they got less and less "realistic". Yes I know werewolves aren't realistic on the first place, but some of them just went beyond cool into "I can't take this seriously, now I find it funny instead of exciting".
And then the science also seemed to go the same way, becoming ever weirder and as one character keeps calling it "woo-woo".
This could definitely find it's fans, no doubt about that, but sadly it wasn't my personal cup of tea.
birdloveranne's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this. It was different. And creepy.
debbiesilkserif's review against another edition
3.0
Received via NetGalley and Chris Fox in exchange for an unbiased review.
Blair is called to a mysterious pyramid of unknown origin or age to decipher strange glyphs that could possibly revolutionize our understanding of human history. It is there he uncovers the truth: werewolves exist and they aren't our true enemies. He and Liz must release an ancient being to possibly avoid catastrophe, but with the clock ticking can they come to grips with this strange new reality and fix the mistakes they’ve made before it’s too late?
Fox attempts to take the Werewolf lore and make it his own, drawing on old lore and establishing a connection between werewolves and humans like never before. The werewolves aren’t necessarily as evil as we initially believed, and maybe they hold a purpose beyond slaughtering innocent humans for food. The development of a lore that places humans as a race not bred for sustenance but rather the “unblooded” delves into the current’s lore’s weaknesses: if we are just food why not enslave or massacre our population?
It was difficult to read this book and to take it seriously. Fox attempts to establish too many new tweaks on old lore, and develops a story that is entertaining but quickly leaps out of the pool of believability. Although well written and enjoyable, the book itself becomes less serious and more comical after a point. A development of new alterations to lore for not just werewolves but also their assailants (I don’t want to give away any details here!) made the book too obscure for a great sci-fi or paranormal adaptation.
The story still continues on with proper speed and detail: fitting for a book that requires a lot of one-on-one combat, fire arm use and blowing things up. In the style of Cussler, Reilly and Rollins, Fox creates a story that starts with an ancient mystery, sets us up with an enemy who wishes to destroy the world, a side love story, and a cliff-hanger ending to keep readers wanting more. Fox is a writer who will appeal to readers of action, adventure, paranormal and para-military fiction. A great read for a day when you don’t want to be challenged, but want a surprise – this book is anything but cliché.
Blair is called to a mysterious pyramid of unknown origin or age to decipher strange glyphs that could possibly revolutionize our understanding of human history. It is there he uncovers the truth: werewolves exist and they aren't our true enemies. He and Liz must release an ancient being to possibly avoid catastrophe, but with the clock ticking can they come to grips with this strange new reality and fix the mistakes they’ve made before it’s too late?
Fox attempts to take the Werewolf lore and make it his own, drawing on old lore and establishing a connection between werewolves and humans like never before. The werewolves aren’t necessarily as evil as we initially believed, and maybe they hold a purpose beyond slaughtering innocent humans for food. The development of a lore that places humans as a race not bred for sustenance but rather the “unblooded” delves into the current’s lore’s weaknesses: if we are just food why not enslave or massacre our population?
It was difficult to read this book and to take it seriously. Fox attempts to establish too many new tweaks on old lore, and develops a story that is entertaining but quickly leaps out of the pool of believability. Although well written and enjoyable, the book itself becomes less serious and more comical after a point. A development of new alterations to lore for not just werewolves but also their assailants (I don’t want to give away any details here!) made the book too obscure for a great sci-fi or paranormal adaptation.
The story still continues on with proper speed and detail: fitting for a book that requires a lot of one-on-one combat, fire arm use and blowing things up. In the style of Cussler, Reilly and Rollins, Fox creates a story that starts with an ancient mystery, sets us up with an enemy who wishes to destroy the world, a side love story, and a cliff-hanger ending to keep readers wanting more. Fox is a writer who will appeal to readers of action, adventure, paranormal and para-military fiction. A great read for a day when you don’t want to be challenged, but want a surprise – this book is anything but cliché.
tomwright's review against another edition
5.0
I could always do with less swearing, but other than that, this book hit it out of the park. I am very excited for the sequel. Werewolf action for the win.
paulataua's review against another edition
2.0
A mystery surrounding an ancient pyramid, werewolves, zombies, science fiction, romance, good guys and bad guys, and all rolled into a paramilitary action novel. Well I tried, but there was really nothing here for me. I never really got passed the cast of clichéd characters as they set about solving a mystery that was probably best left unsolved.
ryanjamesburt's review against another edition
4.0
I admit I started reading this and stopped to move on to a different book. It took me a while to get back to it but I am glad I did. I haven't read too many werewolf stories but I liked the way this one goes. There is a next book that I need to get around to buy.
thinde's review against another edition
2.0
DNF 46%
There are two things that made me drop this book. The first relates to pseudo-science. I don't mind a fantasy that explains impossibilities with magic. This book uses bullshit science to do the same. Did you know that extremely low frequencies can program proteins into DNA? Did you know there's an Egyptian Pyramid whose construction can't be explained by science? No, neither did I.
The second unforgivable sin is forcing the plot to rely on stupidly poor communication. The protagonist is supposed to save the world. All that has to happen for him to get on board is for the threat to be explained to him. Does that happen? No! Instead he is simply told he must kill great swathes of innocent people. Even a five-year-old knows better persuasion techniques than that.
I really wanted to see the epic battle this book promised but no. It's just too contrived.
There are two things that made me drop this book. The first relates to pseudo-science. I don't mind a fantasy that explains impossibilities with magic. This book uses bullshit science to do the same. Did you know that extremely low frequencies can program proteins into DNA? Did you know there's an Egyptian Pyramid whose construction can't be explained by science? No, neither did I.
The second unforgivable sin is forcing the plot to rely on stupidly poor communication. The protagonist is supposed to save the world. All that has to happen for him to get on board is for the threat to be explained to him. Does that happen? No! Instead he is simply told he must kill great swathes of innocent people. Even a five-year-old knows better persuasion techniques than that.
I really wanted to see the epic battle this book promised but no. It's just too contrived.
danguajars's review
3.0
Solo diré que es un interesante primer capítulo, es una parte de una novela, no es autoconclusiva.
Sigo al autor y entiendo su estructura de negocio, así que comprendo que venda la novela por partes; así también produce más rápido, en vez de publicar un novelón con todo el trabajo que esto implica, divide el trabajo en cuatro o cinco etapas y las va quemando una cada seis meses, o incluso menos.
Acerca de la historia, construye sus propias reglas y define los alcances del problema que implica la aparición de una pirámide/arca en la selva del Perú, con hombres lobo adentro. Está bien escrita. Está bien contenida en su propio mito, pero tiene un desarrollo de personajes básico, lo justo para echar a andar la historia.
Leeré el siguiente capítulo... digo, novela.
Sigo al autor y entiendo su estructura de negocio, así que comprendo que venda la novela por partes; así también produce más rápido, en vez de publicar un novelón con todo el trabajo que esto implica, divide el trabajo en cuatro o cinco etapas y las va quemando una cada seis meses, o incluso menos.
Acerca de la historia, construye sus propias reglas y define los alcances del problema que implica la aparición de una pirámide/arca en la selva del Perú, con hombres lobo adentro. Está bien escrita. Está bien contenida en su propio mito, pero tiene un desarrollo de personajes básico, lo justo para echar a andar la historia.
Leeré el siguiente capítulo... digo, novela.
bullfly7's review
3.0
Okay so i have posted a review in awhile, just no time with three kids, in college again and family drama like cancer but here i am. This book bored me to sleep. Literally. I listened to this book when i wanted to take a nap or go to bed. Most books keep me awake because i can't wait to know what happens next. This one was just okay and quite predictable at times. I don't know if it is me or this book or maybe my standards have risen but i was barely entertained. I picked this book in hopes of reading something different than my go to genres. Not satisfied so i will keep looking
mzzmia's review
3.0
Son of a...It's a damn cliffhanger. Oh hell no! I didn't go through this drawn out, although well written, frustrating read to be smacked with a cliffhanger. Rude.