I, Wolf (Matt Boyd, ABC Books)

In the wake of Twilight and the paranormal romance that followed, it’s nice to see a grittier style of paranormal fiction coming through that expands its readership to include those who prefer action to passion. Romy from I, Wolf is not so much a dashing hero as one who would rather run away and hide because he’s not strong enough to fight back. His whole life has been shadowed with the knowledge that at any point after his 16th birthday the disease that sent his mother mad and finally took her life could infect him too. His father has spent 16 years looking for a cure, and several days after Romy’s 16th birthday it seems he might have found one. The experimental treatment has been known to cure terminal illnesses, but what Romy doesn’t know is that to be cured he will need to survive a wolf attack—and to become a wolf himself. There is definitely room in the market for paranormal action. Last year’s Department 19 was a good example and I, Wolf is another. It is fast-paced and for the most part entertaining, although there were sections in the story that could have been fleshed out more. This would make a good series and it certainly has elements to suggest it may become one.

Bec Kavanagh is a Melbourne-based writer and reviewer

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Category: Reviews