A trashy, genre-crossing mess that tells the story of a Russian refugee werewolf who is engaged in a battle against the Nazis while also having sex. I happened to read this during my early teens. At that time, I thought it was rather pervy. However, in hindsight, I'm certain that when compared to a great many later "paranormal" novels, it would seem quite mild.

The concept of a werewolf fighting Nazis is an interesting one, although the way it was executed in this particular piece might not have been the most refined. The addition of the sexual element perhaps added a certain level of shock value at the time, but it also detracted from what could have been a more engaging and serious narrative.

Nevertheless, it's important to note that our perspectives change as we grow older and are exposed to a wider range of literature. What might have seemed scandalous or inappropriate in our youth can often appear relatively tame in comparison to the more extreme and diverse offerings that come along later.

As the blurb on the back cover promises, this novel is a thrilling adventure that unfolds towards the end of World War II. In the traditions of the genre, the main hero is a muscular and intelligent alpha-male, and here on top of all that, he's also a werewolf. :) Of course, one shouldn't expect particularly detailed historical accuracy, but in return, the action is abundant. It reminds me of a James Bond movie* that takes place during World War II and is more brutal in terms of graphic violence and kitsch than the others.

It reads very quickly, despite the substantial volume, and the reader remains quite satisfied. As long as one doesn't expect something of the caliber of "Swan Lake", of course! ;)

* In the 1985 Bond film "A View to a Kill", in which the lead role is still played by Roger Moore, there is a character named Dr. Carl Mortner, who is a naturalized Nazi with a former name of Hans Glau and the father of the main antagonist (Christopher Walken) - a product of Nazi genetic engineering experiments. Well, this long preamble serves to mention that in the version released in Germany, Hans Glau is a former Polish communist. ;)

Satisfied 4.5 - mainly because of the good action and decent writing.

P.S. And I'll quietly note with mixed feelings that the werewolf on the otherwise quite eye-catching cover has nothing to do with the one in the book ;)

4.5 stars rounded up for GR! This story is truly epic. It stands out as being completely unique in the literary landscape. The plot is not only compelling but also action-packed, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish. It is so much more than just a "werewolf" book. It delves deep into the characters' emotions, their struggles, and their growth. The world-building is vivid and detailed, making it easy for the reader to immerse themselves in this fantastical realm. The author has done an excellent job of creating a story that is both exciting and thought-provoking. Whether you are a fan of werewolf stories or not, this book is definitely worth a read. It will leave you wanting more and eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

Not one of his best.

The following review is my personal opinion, based on my own likes and dislikes. It doesn't necessarily represent how others may experience the book.

This story could have been two separate ones. There was just too much going on. There were too many characters and too many plots. It seemed to me that McCammon had too many ideas and couldn't focus on what was truly important and what could have been omitted.

I didn't have any affection for any of the characters. Michael was flat and stereotypical, both in his wolf and human forms. He wasn't even arrogant enough to be called a rake. He also lacked any romantic emotions. He was shallow but sensual. There was no real romance, yet McCammon wrote the sex scenes as if he had only researched the sex scenes in romance novels. The sex scenes were well-written, but they lacked emotion. To be honest, when it came to women, Michael was a bit of a jerk.

Summary: The story takes place during WWII. The main character, Michael, was born in Russia. When he was 8, his family was murdered, and he fled into the woods, where he was inducted into a werewolf pack. Eventually, the pack was diminished, and he had to integrate into the human world. He becomes a spy for the allies and is sent on a mission.

The bad guys were extremely bad, almost cartoonish. The action was like something out of a comic book and felt like an Indiana Jones movie. There were plot inconsistencies, and serious wounds seemed to heal magically in an unrealistic amount of time.

I skimmed at times and was engaged at others. This book really needs a proper editor.

So, it was just okay. I'm glad I got it on sale for $1.99.

Content concerns: There is extreme violence, extreme blood and gore, and it's detailed. For the romance safety gang, this book is not for you unless you can emotionally separate yourself from the main character/hero. Michael has sex with four women, none of whom he loves. There is a hint of a possible lasting relationship with the last woman, but I don't plan on continuing the series.

Sexy werewolf!

The concept of a sexy werewolf is both alluring and mysterious. Picture a creature that combines the wildness and power of a wolf with the charm and sensuality of a human.

A sexy werewolf might have a tall and muscular build, with sleek fur that glistens in the moonlight. Their eyes could be a captivating shade of gold or green, filled with a hint of danger and passion.

They might move with a grace and agility that is both captivating and intimidating. Their presence could fill a room, commanding attention and making hearts race.

The idea of a sexy werewolf has been popularized in movies, books, and TV shows, where they are often portrayed as complex and conflicted characters. Some are heroes, fighting to protect the innocent, while others are villains, driven by their primal instincts.

Whether they are good or bad, one thing is for sure: a sexy werewolf is a force to be reckoned with.

The movie I just watched was very generic, much like a typical James Bond film.

The characters in it were extremely flat, lacking in depth and complexity. There was no real development or growth for them throughout the story.

However, despite these flaws, I still found the movie to be very enjoyable. The action scenes were thrilling and exciting, keeping me on the edge of my seat. The special effects were also top-notch, adding to the overall atmosphere of the movie.

Perhaps it's because I have a soft spot for this kind of genre, or maybe it's just that sometimes, you don't need a deep and meaningful story to have a good time. Whatever the reason, I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who is looking for a fun and entertaining way to spend a couple of hours.

\\n  “If you make friends with pain, you have a friend for life.”\\n

I have always been the kind of person who favored werewolves over vampires in the intense debate about which monster is superior. So it comes as a bit of a surprise to me that I never got around to reading this book until now! Nevertheless, I'm extremely glad that I finally did, because once again McCammon has completely blown my mind.

The combination of history and horror in this book is truly fantastic, and McCammon executes it with such finesse. The way he smoothly integrates Michael Gallatin into historical events makes it almost seem as if these events could have actually occurred. Or, at least, could have happened within the realm of reason, of course. I was completely enthralled by the book from start to finish, and I'm now eagerly looking forward to reading more of McCammon's works. I can't wait to see what other amazing stories and characters he has in store for us.

Robert McCammon has always been a source of great entertainment for me, and this particular work was no different.

Primarily a World War II spy novel, it follows Michael Gallatin on a mission to support the allied D-Day invasion by thwarting a Nazi gas warfare scheme. The plot is ingenious, filled with heart-pounding action at every twist and turn. On its own, it would be an excellent thriller, but the added element of Michael being a werewolf makes it truly a keeper.

In the hands of a less skilled author, the combination of a werewolf story and a WWII spy novel might seem cheesy at best. However, McCammon handles it masterfully. Michael's werewolf origin story is told through a series of long flashback sections that not only hold their own but also offer some powerful emotional scenes that blend seamlessly with the events of the spy story. It all comes together beautifully, and despite its considerable length (over 600 small print paperback pages in my copy), I devoured it quickly, completely engrossed throughout.

This is a stand-alone novel, but fortunately, McCammon has provided additional material for us in the form of interlinked short stories collected in a volume called The Hunter from the Woods. I reserved my copy at the library as soon as I finished this book.

I can't wait to explore more of McCammon's work and see what other thrilling stories he has in store for us.

We are all familiar with the old adage, "Time and Tide wait for none", and this truly applies to me.

I am that grasshopper who starts working at the last minute, whether it's studying for exams, completing tasks, or even reading books. Procrastination is like a second skin to me, and I have to admit that I'm not proud of it. Only true procrastinators will understand the futility of being advised with dire consequences. It is, as I said, part and parcel of our lives. Why am I talking about procrastination and this adage here? Well, this book is one such procrastinated effort!

At the beginning of 2015, my dearest buddy Manu and I decided to exchange 12 recommendations, with the promise that we would read all twelve this year. Now, my buddy is a diligent soul and has completed several of my recommendations, but I, the great procrastinator, always put off reading these books by saying there are 11 months, then 10, then 9, and so forth. I'm sure you get the drift. We are now in the final month of the year, and I finally realized that I have read only 4 - 5 of the recommended 12. Naturally, I decided to rush to the finish and wanted to get as many done as possible. This book was one such effort, and I must say that the rush to the finish line isn't going to happen, despite the fact that the books recommended by her are truly superb.

Coming to this book in particular, I have to say that this is my second book by the author, and I totally loved it. Set against the backdrop of World War II, this book is a spy thriller with a supernatural element. The combination itself is deadly, and when you add Robert McCammon's writing to it, it is transformed into something so sublime and superior that you are left with a feeling of awe reserved for those books that move you.

Moving seamlessly between the past and present, McCammon treats the reader to a feast of words that can only be described using superlatives. Let's start with the theme. I love WWII books, and I love supernatural elements, especially werewolves. When a book has both together, it has enough to intrigue me to read it. McCammon's genius lies in the fact that he hasn't used the stereotypical supernatural element that is all strong and invincible, but has created a hero who is capable yet susceptible to pain and death like all others. There is honesty in this particular portrayal of the wolf - man, and it is so brutally honest that it will appeal even to those who aren't really fascinated with the supernatural theme.

Michael Gallatin, the main character in this book, is your average guy, but he is also a werewolf. Robert McCammon brings Michael to life, and his descriptions of how he turned into a werewolf and how he learned to accept it are truly transcendent. I believe that this part of the book, the past, is filled with pathos that is heart - wrenching and yet so beautiful that you are inclined to stay there forever. The honesty and superb portrayal continue when the author writes about Michael, the spy. For a person like me, who is used to reading about various superhuman werewolves, this was a bright spot and a perfect change. I have to say here that the author, while writing the wolf parts, has truly delved into the mind of the wolf and written it as if he were a true wolf, which is something truly magical.

Moving on to the parts about the Nazi regime, I have to say that this part was brutal and really painful to read. I have read a lot about the Holocaust and the Nazi regime and have felt the horrors, but McCammon's soulful writing brings those horrors to life in such a way that you feel as if you are experiencing it. When reading these parts, I actually wanted to kill them with my bare hands, and this was only because of the realistic writing of the author.

While the book deserves all the praise that it gets in this review, I won't say that this book is without its faults. One major problem that I had with this book was the movie - like writing in the action sequences, especially the climax scene. Don't get me wrong, I totally loved it, but I felt that it read more like a movie script than a book. It kept me on the edge of my seat even when I felt it to be unrealistic, especially the final scenes, which I felt detracted a little from my enjoyment and made me give a rating lower than a complete 5. However, despite this small issue with the climax and action scenes, I truly enjoyed this book and the experience it gave me as I wandered through the Nazi lands and war - affected regions of Europe and experienced everything through the eyes of Michael and his friends.

At the end of my review, I would like to thank Manju for recommending this book to me. While I can't promise that I will finish all your recommendations by the end of this month, I will try and get to all of them by Jan/Feb next year.

Wow, this book is truly amazing!

It's like a Bond film with a werewolf twist. The concept might seem a bit cheesy at first, but it's like those big budget blockbuster action movies from the 80's where everything just clicks and makes it an incredibly rewatchable classic. The same goes for this book. It's so much fun to read, and the werewolf elements take it from a typical WWII spy thriller to an unforgettable tale of a man who is both a wolf and a spy. The wolves admire him, and the women are drawn to him!

Part man, part wolf, all action!

And here's another one:

This summer, get ready for a new kind of action with the name spelled: W-O-L-F!!!!! It's going to be an adventure like no other, filled with excitement, mystery, and of course, plenty of werewolf action. So don't miss out on this thrilling book that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

DNF at about the 80% mark.

I initially had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, my interest started to wane after the conclusion of Michael's childhood. The spy bits that followed were just okay. To be honest, no particular scenario or character truly managed to grip me. Michael's childhood was indeed brilliant and had me readily engaged. However, as the story progressed into the spy part, I found myself skimming through it quickly just to get to the next flashback.

As other reviewers have also mentioned, this book almost gives the impression of two separate books haphazardly stapled together. The adult Michael, who rarely transforms into a wolf unless he is cornered, makes the adult sections read like a run-of-the-mill spy thriller that simply failed to captivate me.

If you're in search of a super awesome werewolf story, I would suggest looking elsewhere. However, if you're interested in a spy thriller with just a few elements of werewolf sprinkled throughout, then you might give this book a try. But don't expect it to be a fully immersive werewolf experience.

I have an intense love for this book. It is truly a captivating piece of literature that is filled to the brim with non-stop action. The characters within its pages are simply outstanding, and the addition of werewolves and Nazis only serves to heighten the excitement. This is the third time I have delved into its story, and each time it has been just as remarkable as the first.

I am aware that some individuals may not be fond of flashbacks. However, this book incorporates flashback sections that are masterfully intertwined with the main story, which is set during the era of the D-Day landings. As a result, we are treated to a wealth of both thrilling action and rich historical content. This allows the lead character, Michael, to possess a much greater depth and complexity.

There are certain parts of the book that can be quite vicious, but it is never done in a gratuitous or unnecessary manner. The majority of the Nazis depicted in the story are members of the SS or Gestapo, so it goes without saying that it is not always a pleasant read. Nevertheless, the writing is brilliant, and the omnipotent point of view, which could have potentially been confusing, is executed extremely well. The brief glimpses into the minds of each character only serve to make the story all the more exciting. Despite my general aversion to war books, I find myself completely enamored with this one due to the seamless integration of the werewolf element.

If you are seeking an exciting read that has a paranormal edge to it, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a thrilling and engaging story that will keep them on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.