amielreads's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mikeroderique's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Bullying, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Eating disorder, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Homophobia
Minor: Vomit, Religious bigotry, Kidnapping, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Self harm, Outing, Murder, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Police brutality
cassie_happened's review
3.0
I'm a little conflicted about this one. I think the subject matter and how our main character deals with his trauma are important lessons and I think book was not meant for someone like me. I liked this book. It delves into some really serious issues and gives the character space to deal with his feelings. However, there were a few time throughout the book I found certain plot threads to be tied up very quickly for the interest of keeping the plot moving.
For instance, Virgil gets broken up with his boyfriend Luca at one point in the book and not too soon afterwards we learn that Luca has already moved on to someone else. This of course sends Virgil into a bit of a spiral and then its not brought up again until the end of the book.
So yea, just some issues with the plot and pacing.
Overall a solid read.
For instance, Virgil gets broken up with his boyfriend Luca at one point in the book and not too soon afterwards we learn that Luca has already moved on to someone else. This of course sends Virgil into a bit of a spiral and then its not brought up again until the end of the book.
So yea, just some issues with the plot and pacing.
Overall a solid read.
voidstar's review
5.0
Like most of this author's books, there's a stellar and amazing exploration of heavy subject matter mixed with fantastical metaphor.
I'm not kidding when I say this book changed me as a person.
This is a really compelling, and unfortunately relatable, read. Please heed the content warning at the start of the book.
I'm not kidding when I say this book changed me as a person.
This is a really compelling, and unfortunately relatable, read. Please heed the content warning at the start of the book.
intheblackout's review
5.0
Why haven't I read every single book [a:Shaun David Hutchinson|3130410|Shaun David Hutchinson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1387295428p2/3130410.jpg] has written yet?! I'll get there eventually, I promise.
Howl opens with our main character, Virgil, left bloodied and stumbling for help down the main street of small-town Merritt, after being attacked by a monster.
Having only just moved to Merritt due to the divorce of his parents, Virgil is isolated even more when nobody believes that he was attacked by a monster, not even his family.
Hutchinson does a does a brilliant job capturing the almost suffocating feeling of being a pariah in a small town; from the gossiping to the harassment.
The way the events of the night of the attack and the attack itself is interspersed throughout the novel, like in the moment flashbacks, really amped up the tension and horror aspect of the story.
__
My second favourite [a:Shaun David Hutchinson|3130410|Shaun David Hutchinson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1387295428p2/3130410.jpg] book (of the ones I've read so far!).
Howl opens with our main character, Virgil, left bloodied and stumbling for help down the main street of small-town Merritt, after being attacked by a monster.
Having only just moved to Merritt due to the divorce of his parents, Virgil is isolated even more when nobody believes that he was attacked by a monster, not even his family.
Hutchinson does a does a brilliant job capturing the almost suffocating feeling of being a pariah in a small town; from the gossiping to the harassment.
The way the events of the night of the attack and the attack itself is interspersed throughout the novel, like in the moment flashbacks, really amped up the tension and horror aspect of the story.
__
My second favourite [a:Shaun David Hutchinson|3130410|Shaun David Hutchinson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1387295428p2/3130410.jpg] book (of the ones I've read so far!).
dobbsthedog's review against another edition
4.0
This was quite a dark book. I liked it, I thought it was well done, but dark.
It starts with the MC moving to a small town in Florida and being attacked by a monster. The rest of the book looks at how he copes with it, how his life changes, and how he chooses to live his life after the attack. It’s quite clear to me that the monster attack is an allegory for sexual assault. The CWs at the beginning of the book pretty much says this. I liked the idea of using a monster attack instead of just blatantly saying it’s sexual assault.
Overall, a solid read, though not one of my favourites from Hutchinson. I always enjoy when his books just skirt around being Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror, which this one definitely did.
It starts with the MC moving to a small town in Florida and being attacked by a monster. The rest of the book looks at how he copes with it, how his life changes, and how he chooses to live his life after the attack. It’s quite clear to me that the monster attack is an allegory for sexual assault. The CWs at the beginning of the book pretty much says this. I liked the idea of using a monster attack instead of just blatantly saying it’s sexual assault.
Overall, a solid read, though not one of my favourites from Hutchinson. I always enjoy when his books just skirt around being Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror, which this one definitely did.
tommyreads95's review against another edition
4.0
From start to finish this book had me questioning so much!! It was a good read with an excellent plot, that was well executed. The ending was a bit predictable but overall I would recommend it. Check up trigger warnings as there are some in this book.
charliedryder's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
fabian21's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️.
Buena idea una ejecución no tan buena.
El final me dejó con dudas y se me hizo insatisfactorio
Buena idea una ejecución no tan buena.
El final me dejó con dudas y se me hizo insatisfactorio
pchb's review against another edition
4.0
I requested and received an advance copy ebook of "Howl" through Edelweiss (I'm an indie bookseller).
The Shaun David Hutchinson I love is back. If your favorites of his are "We Are The Ants" and "At the Edge of the Universe" (like me), you'll love "Howl": it's gay, angsty, and slightly supernatural. "Howl" just adds werewolves to the mix. Does it get better than that?
Something I admire about "Howl" is the main character's comfortability being out (but without losing any of the angst!), especially in comparison to Hutchinson's older titles. Main character Virgil's nonchalance about being gay, especially in a small southern town, is refreshing. Hutchinson's writing reflects the increasingly-accepting attitudes of younger generations.
The Shaun David Hutchinson I love is back. If your favorites of his are "We Are The Ants" and "At the Edge of the Universe" (like me), you'll love "Howl": it's gay, angsty, and slightly supernatural. "Howl" just adds werewolves to the mix. Does it get better than that?
Something I admire about "Howl" is the main character's comfortability being out (but without losing any of the angst!), especially in comparison to Hutchinson's older titles. Main character Virgil's nonchalance about being gay, especially in a small southern town, is refreshing. Hutchinson's writing reflects the increasingly-accepting attitudes of younger generations.