Drawing on Native American traditions and his own lively imagination, Bruchac has written a genre-blending novel that combines horror, science fiction, and adventure into a satisfying whole. The fast pace will hold readers’ attention to the end, which—yes—leaves the door open to the possibility of a sequel.
Bruchac (Dragon Castle) delivers a fun twist on werewolf stories mixed with some mad science and espionage. . . . Bruchac adeptly incorporates characters of various heritages: Luke is Native American; his best friend/crush, Meena, is Pakistani; and the Sunglass Mafia—a group of students who are more than they seem—are from eastern Russia. Luke also possesses a hefty amount of cultural and political awareness to go with his combat and espionage expertise, which serve him well.
Bruchac (Dragon Castle) delivers a fun twist on werewolf stories mixed with some mad science and espionage. Luke King’s black ops father spent years teaching him various survival skills, and Luke’s heightened senses also come in handy. When Luke’s father is kidnapped, Luke discovers that these powers are only the tip of the iceberg. As he investigates his father’s disappearance, Luke learns more about his real heritage as a beast and about the mysterious goings-on at the Maxico corporation, which has set up shop in town. Bruchac adeptly incorporates characters of various heritages: Luke is Native American; his best friend/crush, Meena, is Pakistani; and the Sunglass Mafia—a group of students who are more than they seem—are from eastern Russia. Luke also possesses a hefty amount of cultural and political awareness to go with his combat and espionage expertise, which serve him well (and make him a bit too perfect). There are some minor shortcuts—notably Luke’s inconsistent tendency to disrupt some electrical objects, but not others—but the action and Luke’s narration carry the book nicely. Ages 12–up. (Sept.)
"[W]hen the action kicks in, it does so in overdrive. A solid entry into the paranormal market, with an appealingly different hero." Kirkus Reviews
"Drawing on Native American traditions and his own lively imagination, Bruchac has written a genre-blending novel that combines horror, science fiction, and adventure into a satisfying whole. The fast pace will hold readers' attention to the end, which—yes—leaves the door open to the possibility of a sequel." Booklist
"Bruchac has created a tense, readable novel. He combines Native American lore, supernatural elements, genetic engineering, romance, geopolitics, and adventure in one story." School Library Journal
"A howling great read–equal parts smarts, action & heart." Cynthia Leitich Smith, author of Tantalize
"What a page turner from Joe Bruchac. It begins like a YA fantasy novel, and ends in a rush of science fiction, with a promise (fingers crossed from this reader at any rate) that there is a possible sequel. The book is endlessly inventive and rushes ahead till one is breathless with anxiety and hope." Jane Yolen, author of The Devil's Arithmetic
"Bruchac delivers a fun twist on werewolf stories mixed with some mad science and espionage." Publishers Weekly
Westchester Fiction Award - Westchester Fiction Award Committee