I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A group of wolf siblings turned teenagers push their adoptive family to the limits when their transformation is caught on camera, and their sister is taken by a scientist ready to expose them to the world in author Edo Van Belkam’s “Wolf Pack”, the first book in the series of the same name. 

The Synopsis

Winner of the prestigious Aurora Award and Silver Birch Award, Wolf Pack is the inspiration for the highly anticipated original series coming to Paramount+

Nothing gets between a wolf and its pack…

Most of the time, Noble, Argus, Harlan and Tora are like any other teenagers. Prowling the halls of their high school in search of new crushes and true friendships, all while trying to keep up their grades. Except these teens are anything but ordinary…

Discovered as wolf cubs in the wilderness of Redstone Forest, the pack knows their adoptive parents are the only humans they can trust with their shape-shifting secret. So whenever the siblings want to wolf around, they race to the forest to run—and relish their special bond. Until the terrible day a TV crew films their shocking transformation—and Tora is captured by a scientist determined to reveal her supernatural abilities to the world.

Now the brothers will do anything to get their sister back. Even if it means taking their powers to a whole new level by becoming werewolves for the very first time–something their parents warned them never to attempt. But once the teens go to the dark side, will they ever make it back to the only life they’ve ever known?

The Review

This was an exhilarating and fantastic take on the werewolf lore. The fast pace of the narrative and the exploration of themes such as family and environmentalism were very prominent in this narrative, as was the detailed imagery that brought these transformations to life. The unique take on the change from a wolf into a werewolf and the dangers that lurk within that transformation were so great to see come to life on the page.

Having not seen the show and being fresh to this series, I was so enthralled with this incredible cast of characters. The fierce loyalty of the brothers to their sister and their adoptive parents’ struggles to keep their children safe while trying to understand their unique physiology was so rich and compelling to get into. The heart and emotional connection the author makes between the reader and the characters is heartfelt. 

The Verdict

Thoughtful, entertaining, and thrilling, author Edo Van Belkom’s “Wolf Pack” is a must-read children’s and YA fantasy horror novel you won’t want to miss. The incredible mythos the author brings to life and the sensational character arcs get the start of this fantastic series to life perfectly. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Bram Stoker and Aurora Award-winner Edo van Belkom is the author of over 200 stories of horror, science fiction, fantasy, and mystery. As an editor, he has four anthologies to his credit that include two books for young adults, Be Afraid! (A Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book of the Year finalist) and Be Very Afraid! (An Aurora Award winner — Best Work in English). Born in Toronto, van Belkom graduated from York University, then worked as a daily newspaper sports and police reporter before becoming a full-time writer. Edo van Belkom lives in Brampton, Ontario, with his wife Roberta and son Luke.