Jemology

Wolf at the Door is billed as a prequel. But if you have read and liked Underdogs, it will come as a bit of a shock. Other than the fact that it is about werewolves, it has almost nothing to do with the Underdogs series. The characters have neither the charm nor wittiness of Ariadne, nor the warmth and loyalty of Dale. Where Underdogs was fun and an easy read, Wolf is a very dark tale.

Set around the time of France's unsuccessful invasion of Russia by Napoleon, there is a sudden outbreak of horrific attacks on children by 'monsters'--wolves with the bodies of animals but the cunning of men. Our two protagonists, a human and a canidae (were), hate each other to the bone. Both are trained killers of the other's race. But they are forced to work together against a common enemy whose 'messiah' like pronouncements promise salvation but may actually bring about annihilation of the secretive canidae population.

The book deals with universal issues of discrimination and overcoming deep seated prejudices. That was the best thing about the book. I like the way the heroines work through their differences. But they are only human (and canidae) and also succumb to tribal pressures of conformity and clannishness, even at the expense of their newly found friendship. The settings and weather were also appropriately gritty and desolate, adding to the nice creepy atmosphere (very cinematic).

...My only major gripe has to be the way the two leads 'resumed' their relationship. After so much that happened to tear them apart, It seemed a bit rushed. Other nitpicks: 'Hard kissing' in the middle of battle?--dramatic but not very realistic. Sex on the battlefield after a icky, bloody battle to the death? Ewwww.... Also, a bit of a warning for purists: graphic MF sex, and even MFF. Huh? For a moment I thought the author has decided to go mainstream. Fortunately, the ending proved my suspicions unfounded.