Another remarkable work by Robert McCammon, yet again deserving of five stars. In fact, I'm reaching a stage where I'm inclined to award his books five stars even before turning the first page. McCammon's talent is truly that outstanding.

If you have a penchant for horror, suspense, or simply high-quality fiction, then you must give this author a try. Why not commence with "The Wolf's Hour"?

This particular novel is exceptionally good, even by McCammon's standards. I would rate it six stars if possible. It chronicles the adventures of World War Two British special agent Michael Galletin as he endeavors to thwart a Nazi plot to wreak havoc during the build-up to the D-Day landings. What makes it even more enticing is that Galletin harbors a secret that gives this one-man army an added edge. The clue lies in the title! Picture James Bond on steroids and far cooler.

The story is based on two distinct storylines. There's the present-day spy/espionage plot and flashbacks to Galletin's transformation into a werewolf in the former USSR. It offers a brilliant character study of our main hero, and I would even go as far as to claim that this is one of McCammon's very best. He truly crafts some remarkable characters, and this book is no exception, featuring several thoroughly despicable villains. That's the nature of Nazis.

The pacing in this book is immaculate, with some heart-stopping action sequences. There's one scene on a train that might just be the most thrilling thing I've ever read. It had me sweating buckets.

If I haven't convinced you to read this book, then I'm sorry, but there's little hope for you. Maybe you should stick to reading Mills and Boon with a caramel toffee latte and leave this one for the hardcore adrenaline junkies like me and the rest of the boys in the Night Shift!

  "It's the curse of man to have a mind and not have the sense to use it."







  "If you make friends with pain, you have a friend for life."

Brilliant!

Yet another McCammon masterpiece!

He has such a way with words that it simply leaves the readers in awe. McCammon's writing is like a magical spell that draws you in from the very first sentence and keeps you hooked until the very end. His ability to create vivid and believable characters, as well as immersive and atmospheric settings, is truly remarkable. Each of his novels is a unique and unforgettable experience that takes you on a journey through different worlds and emotions. Whether it's a thrilling mystery, a heart-pounding adventure, or a touching drama, McCammon always delivers. His works are not just books, but works of art that deserve to be cherished and admired. If you haven't read any of his novels yet, you are truly missing out on something special.

The Good

Michael Gallatin, a werewolf, serves the allies in World War II. The high-ranking officials assign him to venture deep behind enemy lines to connect with a double agent. The purpose is to obtain crucial information that will expose Hitler's Super Secret Plan. This plan aims to overcome the severe economic consequences of running a military state and ultimately win the Second World War. Why is Michael the chosen one? Well, simply because he is the perfect man for this dangerous job. He has the skills, the courage, and the determination to get it done.

The Not-so-good

The story alternates between a present-tense narrative that takes us on a thrilling journey across Europe, with Michael and his friends constantly getting entangled in one Nazi intrigue after another. It's exciting and engaging. However, there is also a past-tense narrative that delves into Michael's transformation from a carefree boy who loves chasing kites to a young, abused werewolf. While this backstory is interesting, it takes up far too much space. McCammon could have condensed it to about a tenth of what it is. Overall, it feels more like a two-hour B-horror movie than a complex and deeply developed novel.

The Downright Ugly

Every single sex scene in this book is a disaster. I had to skim through them all, and it was still a painful experience. They add nothing to the story and only serve to distract from the main plot. It's a real shame because the rest of the book has so much potential.

The Great

One of the highlights of the book is a scene where Michael has to avoid a crazy game hunter. It feels like something straight out of a James Bond novel. When Admiral Akbar says, "It's a trap!" it just adds to the excitement. I absolutely loved this part of the story. It shows that McCammon has the ability to create thrilling and engaging scenes when he wants to.

I am not among those individuals who assign high ratings to every horror novel simply because it contains werewolves or vampires. I don't have a particular inclination towards such creature features. However, on occasion, there are novels that introduce a truly ingenious twist to these subgenres. "Carrion Comfort" and "Necroscope" revolutionized vampire lore, and "Wolf's Hour" did the same for the werewolf narrative.

This is sheer brilliance. McCammon accomplished a nearly impossible feat by integrating numerous elements into an effective and thrilling historical thriller. At its core, the novel is a superhero action thriller, yet with a supernatural twist, and flavored with a touch of romance, drama, and comedy. Many have attempted such experiments and failed, resulting in a jumbled mess that lacks focus and pleases no one. But not so with "Wolf's Hour."

The pace is so intense that it will leave you gasping for breath, and you'll be on the edge of your seat with genuine suspense. This is because the threats are grounded in the very real evil that humans are capable of, rather than some outlandish and convoluted paranormal plot that might pull you out of the story. Even though the main protagonist is a werewolf, he is written with depth and compassion, feeling extremely real and likable as he struggles with his dark side. He is far from being another wooden pulp hero, more like "The Hulk" than "Superman." His adventures throughout this lengthy volume can be exhausting, but by the end, you'll feel satisfied with the literary workout you've received.

More exciting and satisfying than most movies of its kind, McCammon demonstrates to us the power of literature. It may not be to everyone's taste, but if you're a horror or thriller enthusiast, you should definitely seek this novel out.

While I didn't have the same level of affection for the main character and the story as I did for other McCammon stories, this one is still quite good. McCammon is truly a master when it comes to descriptive gore and narrative. His ability to paint vivid and often disturbing pictures in the reader's mind is remarkable. The details he provides add a layer of authenticity and intensity to the story that keeps you engaged from start to finish. Even though this particular tale didn't resonate with me as strongly as some of his others, I still found myself impressed by his craftsmanship. He continues to be a writer who can create immersive and unforgettable reading experiences. I look forward to seeing what he comes up with next.

If James Bond was a Russian Werewolf who killed Nazis in a Dean Koontz novel in occupied France/Germany during WW II, it would be this book.

This brief sentence is truly captivating. If it intrigues you, then this book is definitely for you.

It is a fun action/horror book that strikes the perfect balance between the two genres. The author takes the absurd premise and treats it with deadly seriousness, resulting in a thrilling and engaging read.

The story unfolds with great pace and energy, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish.

However, my only complaint is that it is a tad too long for what it is. Some of the scenes could have been trimmed down to make the book more concise and impactful.

Overall, though, this is a great book for fans of action and horror, and I would highly recommend it.

One of those books that is crying out to be fcked up by a Hollywood adaptation.

It has all the elements to become a summer blockbuster for sure.

The action scenes are intense and thrilling, with heart-pounding moments that will keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

The explosions are spectacular, adding a visual盛宴 to the story.

The romance is sweet and touching, adding an emotional depth to the plot.

The parallel storylines are complex and engaging, keeping the audience guessing until the very end.

So come on, Hollywood. What are you waiting for?

This book is a goldmine just waiting to be tapped into.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to turn this amazing story into a memorable movie.

I truly enjoyed this book more than I initially anticipated. I had previously delved into I Travel by Night, which was just decent. However, there is a significant gap of a few decades between that one and Wolf's Hour.

This particular book is a captivating WW2 spy novel, with a unique twist. It features a werewolf as the spy who is tasked with infiltrating Nazi Germany. The story also includes flashback chapters that beautifully fill in the character's backstory, both as a young man and as a wolf.

Nevertheless, like any book, it has its main weaknesses. It was a bit on the long side, and towards the end, it sort of lost its momentum and petered out. Additionally, almost every female character in the story was subconsciously attracted to him due to his so-called "animality".

Despite these flaws, I still liked it enough to round up my rating from 3.5 stars to 4 stars. It was an engaging read that kept me hooked throughout, and I would recommend it to others who enjoy a good blend of historical fiction and the supernatural.

“Wolf’s Hour” is truly a remarkable piece of work that essentially combines two captivating stories into one.

The first story follows the thrilling exploits of Michael Gallatin in the present day, which in this case is set during the Second World War. We witness his adventures as he navigates the dangerous world of espionage.

The other story delves into Michael Gallatinov's childhood and reveals how he came to be a lycanthrope. This part of the narrative is equally engaging as we learn about his early experiences and the events that shaped him.

Both stories are excellent and are mostly kept separate until the younger Michael accepts his true nature and the path that lies ahead of him.

The story of Michael's transformation is truly fascinating. McCammon vividly portrays the horror and abhorrence that comes with becoming a werewolf. He also subverts many of the familiar tropes from werewolf mythology, creating a unique and original take on the concept.

The story of young Michael's life in the pack and his education is equally engrossing. We see his acceptance into the pack, which is met with both welcome and resistance from the other wolves. Underlying this is the threat from a new wolf who wishes to claim their territory, adding an element of danger and excitement to the story.

The leader of the pack, Wiktor, is a great character. Wise and proud, he recognizes something special in Michael and pushes him to become stronger. The rest of the pack members are also interesting in their own right, each with their own unique personalities and traits.

The other storyline focuses on Michael's life as a secret spy for Britain. He has matured and become more self-assured, but he still has his vulnerabilities. We see him face many challenges and obstacles as he tries to accomplish his missions, often finding himself battered and bruised.

One of the great things about this book is that although Michael uses his supernatural abilities to help him, McCammon does not insult the reader's intelligence. The other characters notice his odd behavior and question where he disappears to, adding a sense of realism to the story.

McCammon also introduces several other characters at various stages of the adventure, all of whom are well-developed and engaging. Mouse, Lazaris, and Kitty are just a few examples of the memorable secondary characters in this book.

The main secondary character is Chesna, an undercover spy working with Michael. She starts off as enigmatic and dangerous, but as the story progresses, she loses some of her edge and becomes a bit of a damsel in distress. However, McCammon quickly rectifies this by having her return to the confident woman we first met.

Every good story needs a good villain, and in this case, we have Hitler himself. Although he is mostly in the background, it is his Nazi officers with their hideous secret experiments who drive the novel forward. Harry Sandler, Boots, and Jerek Blok are all great villains, each with their own motives and personalities.

The Second World War setting is captured beautifully, with McCammon paying attention to every detail from the clothes described to the Spitfires in the sky. The mystery of the Iron Fist adds an element of suspense and creates a sense of impending doom.

The ending of the book is more than satisfying, with a climactic battle that is both exciting and thrilling. Michael Gallatin is a character that I would love to read more about, and I can't wait to see what McCammon has in store for him in future books.

Overall, “Wolf’s Hour” is another great book from McCammon. His versatility as a writer is truly staggering, as he seamlessly bridges the spy/thriller/fantasy genres. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good adventure story with a touch of the supernatural. My rating: 9.2

I can't say I hated it, but I didn't like it much either.

It was really predictable, yet it had great action sequences.

“Truth is like fire, Mikhail,” he said. “It either heals or it destroys. But it never—never—leaves what it touches unchanged.” His head slowly swiveled, and he stared at the boy. “Can you stand the flames of truth, Mikhail?” In my mind, I added piercing eyes and a mullet hair toss. So cheesy.

The story has two parts. One is about Michael, the British spy out to take down the Nazis. The other half is a sort of coming-of-age story about his early days as a young werewolf. My favorite parts of the book were the younger years and the non-stop Indiana Jones-style action in the other half. There was one scene that was straight up from Raiders of the Lost Ark, but I won't spoil it.

All the parts in-between were horribly predictable and overdone to the point that I just started skimming and thought about ditching it. Overall, it was just too long. Lots of time was devoted to examples of evil Nazis and how they were either really smart or really stupid, whichever to support the storyline at the moment. So, it was pretty typical of an 80s action movie, and I'm just bored with that. Also, I pretty much hated all the female characters and the multitudes of sex scenes were cringy.

So, some parts were a 5 for me, and some was a 1. So 3, here I am, stuck in the middle with you.

I'll be reviewing more of Robert McCammon's books, but this one, 'The Wolf's Hour', is truly one of my favorites.

Of course, I can't persuade my wife to read it. She still judges the book by its cover and remarks, "I don't want to read a book with a werewolf on the cover howling at the moon." *sigh*

That being said, they really ought to change the cover art for this book. It is by no means a cheesy werewolf novel. Instead, it offers a fantastic journey through the life of a man who gets bitten by a wolf and is then drawn into a pack of people who can transform into wolf form (and back) at will.

Witnessing the struggles of a child learning to cope with this both physically and emotionally as he grows up is captivating enough on its own. But also seeing the grown man attempt to solve a mystery intertwined with the Nazis and World War II is simply astonishing.

It's a journey you won't regret taking. And you'll wonder why a good screenplay hasn't been written for this. If the subject matter is treated seriously and not as a cheesy werewolf story, it would make an outstanding film. It's not your typical Van Helsing read.

One of McCammon's finest works is indeed 'The Wolf's Hour'.

**"The Wolf's Hour" by Robert McCammon: A Captivating and Flawed Masterpiece**

Although it's only the beginning of the year, I've already managed to read the second McCammon book, and my opinion of it is both enthusiastic and critical. If I had to rate it in one sentence, I'd say it's one of the best and worst books by this author.

The action takes place in 1944 when British Major Michael Gallatin, after experiences with commando missions in Africa, receives another task. He has to investigate rumors of a secret German mission that could endanger the planned Allied invasion of the territories occupied by the Third Reich. However, all the clues lead to Berlin itself. On the surface, it sounds like a classic spy story where a spy enters enemy territory to uncover a terrifying secret. And although one can initially expect that, McCammon surprises by leading us through various occupied countries and involving us in a mission full of trails and discoveries. Each stage of Michael's journey makes sense, and the atmosphere of Paris or Berlin is conveyed in an incredibly suggestive way, making me completely immersed in this story.

However, it's not the spy plot that turns out to be the most important asset of this book. The author also provides us with another perspective - the story of Michael Gallatin's childhood and his transformation into a werewolf. The way McCammon shows the hero's inner struggle - a lost man who doesn't know if he's still a human or already a wolf - is absolutely touching. On the one hand, it's a coming-of-age story, on the other hand, a philosophical reflection on identity, wild nature, and morality. Michael repeatedly asks himself what lycanthropy is in the eyes of God, and these considerations add depth to his character. I thank McCammon for not falling into cliché and not treating the werewolf theme as something superficial.

There is also no shortage of brutality, which goes well with the war theme. The fragments where Gallatin transforms into a wolf are incredibly intense - the wolf, or rather the hybrid of a human and a predator, becomes an unmerciful killing machine. These moments are bloody, violent, and full of energy. McCammon, although not shying away from brutal scenes, manages to maintain a balance - after all, World War II itself is a synonym for cruelty, and the book perfectly conveys its darkest dimension.

Nevertheless, I can't overlook a certain flaw that slightly lowers my rating. It concerns the scenes with an erotic subtext. Although I understand their presence in the context of the plot, in some moments they were unnecessarily drawn out and, unfortunately, too detailed. McCammon in these fragments doesn't shy away from vulgar descriptions that for a moment pull you out of the reading and somewhat disrupt the rhythm. I think they could have been shortened or presented in a more concise form.

Despite this, I highly recommend "The Wolf's Hour". McCammon in an extraordinary way conveys the atmosphere of World War II, while also offering an incredibly complex and intriguing main character. The werewolf plot, intertwined with the war background, is a perfect cherry on top of this story. I recommend it!

Rating: ★★★★☆