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timinbc's review
3.0
Not bad for an early effort. A nicely-structured puzzle, a decent setting, good pace, readable.
Drake is a generic PI - complete with the inevitable fact that he's the smartest guy in the city but somehow never seems to have any money. He might become interesting in future.
Author might have checked and learned that is James Smith is knighted he becomes Sir James, never Sir Smith.
Carriage chase scene is vigorous but implausible, specifically re wheels, shotguns, and who's where when. Unless the foe and the horses are unusually slow. Also WTF with riding the horse into town and dropping it off at the knacker's yard like he's returning a rented Corolla to Avis? Maybe he's not such a swell guy after all.
And with all the clues lying around, how can Drake be so slow to notice the relevance of I will, however, cancel that with a point awarded for the wrap-up, where Drake discovers that .
There's a chance of a quite good series here as Palecek gets more writing experience.
Drake is a generic PI - complete with the inevitable fact that he's the smartest guy in the city but somehow never seems to have any money. He might become interesting in future.
Author might have checked and learned that is James Smith is knighted he becomes Sir James, never Sir Smith.
Carriage chase scene is vigorous but implausible, specifically re wheels, shotguns, and who's where when. Unless the foe and the horses are unusually slow. Also WTF with riding the horse into town and dropping it off at the knacker's yard like he's returning a rented Corolla to Avis? Maybe he's not such a swell guy after all.
And with all the clues lying around, how can Drake be so slow to notice the relevance of
Spoiler
the moon?Spoiler
ALL the nobles are werewolvesThere's a chance of a quite good series here as Palecek gets more writing experience.
tregina's review
3.0
While the novella does have its shortcomings--the characters aren't well developed and the plot moves abruptly, and it doesn't really bring anything new to the table--there was something about it that I found appealing all the same.
geekwayne's review
3.0
'City of Wolves' by Willow Palecek is a pretty decent fantasy novella. The lead is a decent detective, and one I wouldn't mind reading more of.
Alexander Drake is an investigator for hire in a pre-industrial world. He doesn't like to work for the rich, but this is exactly what he is called to do. When the head of a family dies suddenly and violently, he is called in to find out what happened, and, more importantly, to find the missing will. That the man was found naked and wounded outside his bedroom window is a very curious thing. There are werewolves about and Alexander finds himself threatened, but werewolves aren't the only things he has to fear.
At a little under 100 pages, it's a quick enough read. There are plenty of the usual tropes along with a likable enough lead character. I don't know if it's planned for this to be an ongoing series, but this wasn't a bad first outing.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Alexander Drake is an investigator for hire in a pre-industrial world. He doesn't like to work for the rich, but this is exactly what he is called to do. When the head of a family dies suddenly and violently, he is called in to find out what happened, and, more importantly, to find the missing will. That the man was found naked and wounded outside his bedroom window is a very curious thing. There are werewolves about and Alexander finds himself threatened, but werewolves aren't the only things he has to fear.
At a little under 100 pages, it's a quick enough read. There are plenty of the usual tropes along with a likable enough lead character. I don't know if it's planned for this to be an ongoing series, but this wasn't a bad first outing.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
stalwart's review
4.0
This is a fun novella. The protagonist, Alexander Drake, reminded me of Jim Butcher’s Harry Dresden—charismatic but rather coarse for the refined company in which he finds himself. The story moves with a brisk pace, and the world-building is slyly conveyed through choice of names, style of dialogue, and passing description. Passages of pure exposition are kept to a minimum. The action pieces are well-written, tense, and exciting. The mystery is unveiled in a classic drawing-room reveal in the vein of Agatha Christie. Plus, there are hints at larger forces at work in the Lupenwald that could easily lead to more adventures for Mr. Drake. Character development was a bit light, but the character certainly has potential for exploration in sequels.
qalminator's review against another edition
3.0
Fairly enjoyable, quick read, with a few problems.
The good: it's fairly well-written with a setting that feels realistic (bit of an alternate 1800's Europe, with magic and werewolves). The mystery and its resolution worked well, and the characters, while not as developed as they might have been in a longer work, were largely enjoyable.
My first problem I'd characterize as a minor editing mistake. It came when Drake visited his wizard friend, acted badly, and made an offhand comment about never being able to use the wizard's services again. This felt extreme in the scene, and a comment wondering how long it would be before he could safely visit again would have made more sense, especially since he did visit the wizard again very shortly later.
The second problem comes at the end, when Drake has figured out who the werewolves are. There's a scene where he's attacked by a werewolf on the road. The coachman is killed. At the end, Drake knows exactly which werewolf was responsible for this death, but it's not even mentioned. Besides the death, there's also the matter of the coach company losing a coach and two horses. But, no, apparently this isn't even worth mentioning. Even a nonverbal comment to himself about not wanting to risk himself over that death would have helped, but it's not brought up at all.
Still, it was an enjoyable story. Could have been better with a bit more thought put into some key details.
(Afterthought: The Vicar character made no sense to me in the context of the story. I can think of a potential implication from the ending that could shed light on his behavior, but, in all honesty, that character could have been deleted entirely, since it was clear Drake had his own means of escaping)
The good: it's fairly well-written with a setting that feels realistic (bit of an alternate 1800's Europe, with magic and werewolves). The mystery and its resolution worked well, and the characters, while not as developed as they might have been in a longer work, were largely enjoyable.
My first problem I'd characterize as a minor editing mistake. It came when Drake visited his wizard friend, acted badly, and made an offhand comment about never being able to use the wizard's services again. This felt extreme in the scene, and a comment wondering how long it would be before he could safely visit again would have made more sense, especially since he did visit the wizard again very shortly later.
The second problem comes at the end, when Drake has figured out who the werewolves are. There's a scene where he's attacked by a werewolf on the road. The coachman is killed. At the end, Drake knows exactly which werewolf was responsible for this death, but it's not even mentioned. Besides the death, there's also the matter of the coach company losing a coach and two horses. But, no, apparently this isn't even worth mentioning. Even a nonverbal comment to himself about not wanting to risk himself over that death would have helped, but it's not brought up at all.
Still, it was an enjoyable story. Could have been better with a bit more thought put into some key details.
(Afterthought: The Vicar character made no sense to me in the context of the story. I can think of a potential implication from the ending that could shed light on his behavior, but, in all honesty, that character could have been deleted entirely, since it was clear Drake had his own means of escaping)
ellelainey's review against another edition
5.0
Book – City of Wolves
Author – Willow Palecek
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 96
Cover – Stunning!
POV – 1st person, 1 character POV
Would I read it again – Yes.
Genre – Crime, Alternative History, Shifter
** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **
I really enjoyed this one. It's very “Hound of the Baskervilles”, which is one of my all time favourite novels.
So, normally I'm not a huge fan of 1st person, especially when the character talks to the reader, but somehow this one worked. It felt a little like a Penny Dreadful and had the definite mix of adventure, supernatural and crime that lent an air of Victoriana charm and Classic Crime elegance to the story.
I loved the way that Victorian England was seamlessly mixed into the supernatural world, with a complete alternative history of the War of the Wolves. Drake, as a main character, was a really interesting character to follow and the kind of rough, loveable rogue that we all love from Victorian crime stories. Someone who is of the people, for the people and yet is just a little reprehensible.
I could easily see the author digging this character back up for a few more novellas, especially continuing the story begun here. I would read them all, without a second of hesitation.
Author – Willow Palecek
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 96
Cover – Stunning!
POV – 1st person, 1 character POV
Would I read it again – Yes.
Genre – Crime, Alternative History, Shifter
** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **
I really enjoyed this one. It's very “Hound of the Baskervilles”, which is one of my all time favourite novels.
So, normally I'm not a huge fan of 1st person, especially when the character talks to the reader, but somehow this one worked. It felt a little like a Penny Dreadful and had the definite mix of adventure, supernatural and crime that lent an air of Victoriana charm and Classic Crime elegance to the story.
I loved the way that Victorian England was seamlessly mixed into the supernatural world, with a complete alternative history of the War of the Wolves. Drake, as a main character, was a really interesting character to follow and the kind of rough, loveable rogue that we all love from Victorian crime stories. Someone who is of the people, for the people and yet is just a little reprehensible.
I could easily see the author digging this character back up for a few more novellas, especially continuing the story begun here. I would read them all, without a second of hesitation.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
CITY OF WOLVES
Written by Willow Palecek
2016; 96 Pages
Tor
Genre: fantasy, fiction, novella, steampunk
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.)
★★1/2
"Alexander Drake, Investigator for Hire, doesn’t like working for the Nobility, and doesn’t prefer to take jobs from strange men who accost him in alleyways. A combination of hired muscle and ready silver have a way of changing a man’s mind. A lord has been killed, his body found covered in bite marks. Even worse, the late lord’s will is missing, and not everyone wants Drake to find it. Solving the case might plunge Drake into deeper danger." (From Publisher)
I had to think about the rating for awhile. While I liked the synopsis and characters, I also felt that a lot was not fleshed out. I kind of hope this is prequel to a future series. If this was a prequel I would say this is three-star book, but as a standalone it is not really worth the time to even read this novella.
k (My Novelesque Life)
Written by Willow Palecek
2016; 96 Pages
Tor
Genre: fantasy, fiction, novella, steampunk
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.)
★★1/2
"Alexander Drake, Investigator for Hire, doesn’t like working for the Nobility, and doesn’t prefer to take jobs from strange men who accost him in alleyways. A combination of hired muscle and ready silver have a way of changing a man’s mind. A lord has been killed, his body found covered in bite marks. Even worse, the late lord’s will is missing, and not everyone wants Drake to find it. Solving the case might plunge Drake into deeper danger." (From Publisher)
I had to think about the rating for awhile. While I liked the synopsis and characters, I also felt that a lot was not fleshed out. I kind of hope this is prequel to a future series. If this was a prequel I would say this is three-star book, but as a standalone it is not really worth the time to even read this novella.
k (My Novelesque Life)
book_whispers's review against another edition
3.0
**Review copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.**
Hmmm. An interesting short and I believe a fun introduction to what could be a fantastic new series. I did feel that some of the mythology was sketchy. It didn't fully develop the world in a timely fashion. Like letting readers know how much of the paranormal is known and so on. Not to mention what kinds of paranormal is out there.
The short didn't fully sell me on the lead or what I would assume is the cast of characters that would occupy the series. (If it was indeed made into a series.) That's the problem with shorts. Most of the time it's just not enough to establish a story properly. They tend to be good for snippets for series that are already being devoured and the mytho established.
However, I loved the writing style and with this I would be very interested if it turned out to be a series. The world, once established, was fun and I think plenty of room for potential. Not to mention that I'm interested enough about the lead to go forth and see a more developed version of him. I had a fun time and it was perfect for a quick read.
Content Warning: Some sexual humor and violent deaths. Nothing truly shocking or surprising.
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.
Originally reviewed at Book Whispers.
Hmmm. An interesting short and I believe a fun introduction to what could be a fantastic new series. I did feel that some of the mythology was sketchy. It didn't fully develop the world in a timely fashion. Like letting readers know how much of the paranormal is known and so on. Not to mention what kinds of paranormal is out there.
The short didn't fully sell me on the lead or what I would assume is the cast of characters that would occupy the series. (If it was indeed made into a series.) That's the problem with shorts. Most of the time it's just not enough to establish a story properly. They tend to be good for snippets for series that are already being devoured and the mytho established.
However, I loved the writing style and with this I would be very interested if it turned out to be a series. The world, once established, was fun and I think plenty of room for potential. Not to mention that I'm interested enough about the lead to go forth and see a more developed version of him. I had a fun time and it was perfect for a quick read.
Content Warning: Some sexual humor and violent deaths. Nothing truly shocking or surprising.
3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.
Originally reviewed at Book Whispers.
nuevecuervos's review against another edition
3.0
I picked this up on a whim based on a Tor recommendation and a BookOutlet clearance so like, for $1, I didn't do too poorly.
The city is called Lupenwald, and the body was found naked and covered in bite marks. It's left to the reader as an exercise to deduce what's going on here, lol.
But seriously. Our protagonist, Drake, is getting pissed in a bar when he's grabbed and coerced by lots of cash gold to take a job for a member of the nobility. Drake is a washed-up investigator, a remnant of the wrong side of a now-ended civil war, and he's got principles! Eat the rich! ...but the money! So he goes off to investigate, inadvertently starts a fight with a nobleman, eats with the servants, has a high-speed chase, meets up with a back-alley-wizard for some backup, and solves the crime!
96 Firefly-Harry-Dresden-Sherlock-Holmes-Every-Werewolf-Movie ever pages later, I wasn't sorry to have read it, but there wasn't anything that was outstanding or groundbreaking about it. So, if this sounds entertaining and you happen to have this tale on hand and an hour to kill whilst curled up with your dog as I did, it may be worthwhile to read.
The city is called Lupenwald, and the body was found naked and covered in bite marks. It's left to the reader as an exercise to deduce what's going on here, lol.
But seriously. Our protagonist, Drake, is getting pissed in a bar when he's grabbed and coerced by lots of cash gold to take a job for a member of the nobility. Drake is a washed-up investigator, a remnant of the wrong side of a now-ended civil war, and he's got principles! Eat the rich! ...but the money! So he goes off to investigate, inadvertently starts a fight with a nobleman, eats with the servants, has a high-speed chase, meets up with a back-alley-wizard for some backup, and solves the crime!
96 Firefly-Harry-Dresden-Sherlock-Holmes-Every-Werewolf-Movie ever pages later, I wasn't sorry to have read it, but there wasn't anything that was outstanding or groundbreaking about it. So, if this sounds entertaining and you happen to have this tale on hand and an hour to kill whilst curled up with your dog as I did, it may be worthwhile to read.
b0okcupidity's review
2.0
A very okay piece of quick fiction, it felt like a beginners effort if I were being completely honest. I wasn't entirely hooked into any part of the story, but pushed to finish it because it was only 96 pages, so why not?
Whatever this was trying to be, whether steampunk, or noir, or some hybrid of gaslight paranormal slash urban fantasy, I'm not sure, but it didn't work. It lacked all the pop on the page that any of those categories require - in short, it was shallow. One might argue that it's intent was to be quick and perfunctory, it is a novella after all, but length is hardly an excuse a lifeless execution.
Here's my biggest gripe. The author forgot that magic has a price, whether that price is paid by performing it or by having knowledge of it, treating it flippantly destroys any wonder for the reader.
Along those lines, even the title is a little careless...the only punchline to the book is given away by those three words. How anti-climatic is that, to get through all 96 pages to find out the the city is full of wolves. You don't say?
The protagonist himself, Alexander Drake, starts as a drunken fellow who might have something interesting up his sleeve - he's private drunk detective who is seemingly broke and perhaps disreputable? A little cliche but perfectly ripe for a nice backstory. Unfortunately, all personal characterization is tossed aside in the name of pacing, or at least, that's what it felt like.
I picked this up on my Overdrive account and it was such a quick read that I can't fault anyone for trying it. As a short mystery, it does work even with its problems - a puzzle was solved. I would give this author another shot down the road if anything else was published. There was a spark here that could catch light if allowed some greater fuel...but in this case maybe the paper was a little damp or something.
Whatever this was trying to be, whether steampunk, or noir, or some hybrid of gaslight paranormal slash urban fantasy, I'm not sure, but it didn't work. It lacked all the pop on the page that any of those categories require - in short, it was shallow. One might argue that it's intent was to be quick and perfunctory, it is a novella after all, but length is hardly an excuse a lifeless execution.
Here's my biggest gripe. The author forgot that magic has a price, whether that price is paid by performing it or by having knowledge of it, treating it flippantly destroys any wonder for the reader.
Along those lines, even the title is a little careless...the only punchline to the book is given away by those three words. How anti-climatic is that, to get through all 96 pages to find out the the city is full of wolves. You don't say?
The protagonist himself, Alexander Drake, starts as a drunken fellow who might have something interesting up his sleeve - he's private drunk detective who is seemingly broke and perhaps disreputable? A little cliche but perfectly ripe for a nice backstory. Unfortunately, all personal characterization is tossed aside in the name of pacing, or at least, that's what it felt like.
I picked this up on my Overdrive account and it was such a quick read that I can't fault anyone for trying it. As a short mystery, it does work even with its problems - a puzzle was solved. I would give this author another shot down the road if anything else was published. There was a spark here that could catch light if allowed some greater fuel...but in this case maybe the paper was a little damp or something.