Alma Katsu

The Wehrwolf

I believe I got this from prime reading, which also made the audio available, so I have it a go.

In continuously shrinking Nazi Germany, 1945, the arrival of Allied soldiers is all but guaranteed. Uwe just seeks to keep his town safe, so when the town’s bully, Hans, offers him the ability to protect his family, as well as grow powerful, the allure is too great to say no.

In a short story that apparently follows the typical styling of the author (this is a first for me from them) we see the true transformation between man and monster. What drives man to evil, and how sometimes the transformation isn’t all that difficult. Everyday citizens turn into monsters, in this one, literal werewolves. In no time, regardless of what ‘skin’ they’re wearing, the transformation is permanent.

Personally a 4/5* for me. The German accent for the narration was great.

C. J. Daley 

I believe I got this from prime reading, which also made the audio available, so I have it a go.

In continuously shrinking Nazi Germany, 1945, the arrival of Allied soldiers is all but guaranteed. Uwe just seeks to keep his town safe, so when the town’s bully, Hans, offers him the ability to protect his family, as well as grow powerful, the allure is too great to say no.

In a short story that apparently follows the typical styling of the author (this is a first for me from them) we see the true transformation between man and monster. What drives man to evil, and how sometimes the transformation isn’t all that difficult. Everyday citizens turn into monsters, in this one, literal werewolves. In no time, regardless of what ‘skin’ they’re wearing, the transformation is permanent.

Personally a 4/5* for me. The German accent for the narration was great.

Sabrina

this book was a ARC for me from NetGalley. This is just an honest, consumer review** 

Books like this are the reason why I fell in love with reading. The introduction grips me to want to figure out who died, what happened and I turn into an investigator. Also, at 150 pages, it’s the perfect sweet spot for length. I loved that the little red riding hood was intertwined into the story, it was a perfect execution. 

Furthermore, I am a big fan of the 40’s and 50’s, so this was a must read for me. I enjoyed that it followed the realism of Germany & Russia in the 40’s while still portraying the story well. It gave me ‘an American werewolf in London’ vibe, if you have ever watched that movie. Also, the way Reinhardswald was explained gave me amazing imagery and now I want to dive it to other works by this author. The encounter with the wolf had me on my toes! Probably my favourite part in the whole entire book. 

My only critique would be to make short chapters. For me and a lot of others that I have spoke to that read a ton, we love short chapters. It makes the reader feel as though we’re reading faster & it creates a want to keep reading. Just a thought. Nonetheless, I gave this book a 5 star!