This short story reads like a fable. It is filled with animals who talk and have all sorts of human issues, but, basically they are animals. All except one, werewolf Jackson, and the other werewolf he meets, Frank. The whole situation of a "herbivore" wolf made me laugh. The story is well written and totally in the style of all fables - well, with one notable exceptions when the two werewolves become "more closely acquainted".

The basic issue this story revolves around is that Jackson doesn't want to eat meat and, in fact, hates seeing blood. Frank is of the same conviction, and together they dutifully attend the "carnivores anonymous" meetings organized by a bear. I can't tell you too much more without giving away the ending - which is brilliant and totally logical, yet, I did not expect it.

If you like fables that will make you think, if you enjoy reading about a different kind of werewolf, and if you're looking for a short read that is funny but with a serious message and a surprise ending, then you should give this short story a try.


NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )

This short story reads like a fable. It is filled with animals who talk and have all sorts of human issues, but, basically they are animals the vast majority of the time. It’s an interesting take on the ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ theme of this year’s Dreamspinner Daily Dose collection, and even though I’ve read the story’s first edition, reading it again was just as much fun as the first time. The idea of a vegetarian werewolf, just barely accepted by a pack despite his “proclivities”, as they call it, is pretty funny to start with. But to then have him find others with his “preferences” and see them deal with life as the forest rejects them is pretty darn entertaining.

Jackson may look like a scary predator, but he doesn't want to eat meat and, in fact, hates seeing blood. When a bear catches him crunching on some delicious carrots, Jackson’s secret is out and he fears the worst. His reaction to the bear “confessing” similar issues is hilarious, and Jackson’s curiosity is piqued. What follows when Jackson attends his first "carnivores anonymous" meeting whose motto is “meat is murder” is the beginning of a new life for Jackson.

Frank is another werewolf attending the secret meetings of carnivores repulsed by killing their food, and Jackson is more than excited by the prospect of finding some real companionship, a pack, tiny as it may be, where he is accepted just the way he is. But the approaching winter with its lack of growing things to feed on presents a real challenge, and Jackson and Frank need to figure out how to survive. I can't tell you more without giving away the ending - which is brilliant, funny, and totally logical, yet I did not expect it.

If you like fables that will make you think, if you enjoy reading about a different kind of werewolf, and if you're looking for a short read that is funny but with a serious message and a surprise ending, then you should give this very entertaining short story a try.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )