BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of American Werewolves, by Emily Jane, from Hyperion Avenue| Minotaur Books /NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

Oh yay, yay, yay! Emily Jane is back on top of her game with this, her third book, AND it’s the second really good werewolf book I’ve read this month. Which makes this David Naughton An American Werewolf in London- and Sookie Stackhouse/Trueblood Alcide Herveaux-loving middle-aged lady just giddy.

(Whereas Teenage & Youthful Kristi had more of a thing for vampires. Boy did _she_ have a lot to learn.)

Anywhoodles, not only with this a really fun and good story to read, it was also a biting and spot-on critique of how white males have always rigged whatever game it is for themselves, doing whatever it takes. And I do mean whatever. Unfortunately, usually with the complicity of white women. (And yes Yours Truly is not without guilt when it comes to such, I am saddened to report. Guess it had a lot to do with internalizing the patriarchy. Still can’t seem to shake some of that, ugh.)

Which somehow makes American Werewolves the perfect book to read today—Saturday, June 14, 2025—when citizens of and across these United States of America are rising up in protest against a burgeoning authoritarian regime made up of _exactly_ those sorts of folks. No Kings, indeed!

PS
Having just recently finished the incredible HBO series Deadwood, I of course had to wonder if George Hearst was a bad werewolf, and Al Swearengen was a good one….

PPS
Yes, yes, I know I strayed from parallelism by calling the first werewolf referenced by the actor’s name and the second by the character’s name, but there’s a good reason for that. I first crushed on David Naughton when he was the original Dr Pepper guy, long about when I was in middle and early high school. I crushed on Alcide both in books and on the TV series, something like 20 years ago, and still can’t ever remember that his name is Joe Manganiello.

DESCRIPTION
America’s venture capitalist werewolves meet their match in USA Today bestseller Emily Jane’s third rollicking, genre-defying novel.

“It takes aliens (or an Emily Jane) to help us see our society for the bizarre, sugary, microplastic-poisoned dream it is.” —Edgar Cantero

From the author of On Earth as It Is on Television and Here Beside the Rising Tide…

Many full moons ago, a young American boy with ambition in his belly and the moon in his veins followed his destiny west, determined to carve a path to success no matter the carnage.

Two centuries later, a city is captivated by the strange and savage murder of a young woman. Her roommate, Natasha, no longer able to afford their apartment alone—and hounded by both rumors of wolves and a pop-star’s angry fan-swarm—has resorted to living in her car. There’s nothing left for her…except vengeance.

Across town, Shane LaSalle is about to see his wildest dreams come true. He already has a gorgeous apartment and a high paying job in venture capital. Now the partners of Barrington Equity have invited him to board the company’s private jet for an exclusive retreat. But with partnership finally in his reach, Shane realizes he’s losing his taste for just how ruthless and all-consuming the firm is.

Epic and electric, American Werewolves brings readers from the wilds of the New World to the opulent board rooms and golf courses of the twenty-first century, where devouring the weak is an American birthright as old as the country itself.

This just didn't do it for me. I enjoyed [book:Here Beside the Rising Tide|212249435] but I couldn't get interested in this one.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars
What a ride! I have no clue really how to review other than I loved it. This was my first book by this author, but I’ve already looked up and purchased another one that was highly recommended.
I say go in blind and just enjoy!

Venture capitalists are werewolves, destroying and devouring everything in sight. The partners at Barrington Equity welcome a new partner into their pack, Shane LaSalle. Shane thinks he finally made it; little does he know the price he'll pay to be the newest partner. Now Shane is a werewolf and the man he loves is dead, killed by a werewolf from the Barrington Equity pack. Shane realizes that this is not the life he wants, so he teams up with a ragtag handful of people to stop the werewolves/venture capitalists.

I really liked this genre-defying book. This book has scenes of horror and grossness. This book also has some bits that are laugh out loud funny! The story follows a few separate storylines, that eventually merge together and power the story forward. We get an historical look at werewolves as they become today's modern misogynistic, cruel, dangerous, gluttonous power brokers.

I recommend this allegorical book if you don't have a weak stomach. It's a great thriller in the end. I look forward to reading Emily Jane's earlier books.

Than you to NetGalley and Hyperion for the arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I had read a book by this author before, so I thought I’d try this one. I started this, and it really didn’t go the way I thought it would even if I had read another book before. It is a little hard to talk about this without accidentally spoiling it, but I’ll do my best. We have a couple/few plotlines that seem a little unrelated, but they eventually converge in an explosive way. This book is a turns funny, horrifying, gory, captivating, and above all highly engaging. While this really isn’t exactly a book that I would usually read, it was very well-written and entertaining. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — Quirky, Weird, and Wonderfully Emily Jane

If you’ve read Emily Jane before, you know exactly what you’re in for — and American Werewolves delivers on every bit of the quirky weirdness you’ve come to expect and love. From the very first pages, I had no idea what I was reading, but I loved every minute of it.

Jane’s signature style — playful, strange, and totally unpredictable — shines through in this genre-blending tale of werewolves, law firms, and historical intrigue. The story follows Shane Laselle, a man on the verge of making partner at his firm… with the small catch that the promotion might also come with a full moon curse. Meanwhile, in 1822, we meet Bit, a young boy turned werewolf whose path seems distant at first — until Jane masterfully connects the dots in ways that only she can.

The dual timeline is compelling, and the minor characters are vibrant, adding depth and humor while slowly tying themselves into the central plot. It’s a story that resists clear categorization — part supernatural mystery, part satire, part historical fantasy — but the journey is so unique and engaging, you won’t mind not knowing where it’s going.

Jane also touches thoughtfully (but never preachily) on social issues, including gender and race, particularly as they manifest within the werewolf hierarchy. It’s a subtle yet effective layer that adds surprising emotional depth to the chaos.

Here Beside the Rising Tide was one of my favorite books of 2025, so I was thrilled to dive into Emily Jane’s newest work. She’s become an auto-read author for me, and American Werewolves only reaffirms why. It’s bizarre, it’s smart, it’s hilarious — and it’s completely unforgettable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

American Werewolves is like if someone watched The Firm and decided it needed werewolves and more violence. Right out of the gate that is a wild idea, and oh boy did it pay off. The two major protagonists (Shane and Natasha) are relatable, relentless in their search for justice and both deeply in over their heads. Shane is the newest partner to the firm he works at, and on what should be a grand celebration turns into a blood fest when him and coworker Duane fight for their lives. Shane is irrevocably changed and now Duane is missing.

Natasha’s roommate is killed by a vicious beast, she is newly homeless, and she’s under attack from a popstar’s feral fanbase after Natasha makes negative comments about her during an interview. When she collides with Shane, a conspiracy unfolds itself.

Interspersed in the narrative are sections that read like a historical account of werewolves in America (which had me frothing at the mouth for more!) and chapters following a young werewolf named Bit as he traverses the country to find his destiny.

This was such a fun read. Thank you to NetGalley & Hyperion Avenue for the ARC - all thoughts are my own!

If you're looking for subtle metaphors, go elsewhere. This book has a point to make. It was strange and at times chilling, though not what I'd think of as typical horror. The characters were fun and I found myself eager to keep reading, although the style and tone of the book really seemed to shift as I progressed. I will read more work by this author.

Thanks to Hyperion Avenue and NetGalley for this arc.

Let me start off by saying that maybe if the humor hit in this book I wouldn’t have disliked it as much as I did.

At one point there is nearly a full page of characters laughing typed out hahahahah
If you think this is funny this might be the book for you

The werewolves are a metaphor. I mean they are also real in the story, but mostly a metaphor. For what ? Bad people.

It’s ham fisted, and uses far too many words to say nothing of substance.

It seems to rely on the idea that the reader does not know that Wall Street finance guys suck. It never really adds anything other than that except for vague comments on gender and racial inequality

Who is this book for? The only group I could see it impacting is the red pilled youth who worship at the alter of crypto bro podcasts but I don’t see them getting very far in. Maybe just for people who this type of humor REALLY hits for ?

The are some parts that veer more solidly into the horror potential of a werewolf novel that worked better for me. Bit, particularly young Bit was interesting.

It’s not the worst thing I’ve ever read but I probably wouldn’t pick anything up by this author again.

My Thoughts

This author took this reader on a weird journey which cannot totally be categorized as any particular genre and for myself leaned heavily on gory and horrific descriptions rather than what I consider straight horror.

As the past was revealed along with the present the manner of where these particular Werewolves originated from is explained.

Multiple twists that seem at first unrelated in the books beginning make sense as the readers get more context past halfway point in its story.

As others have said there is a lot going on action wise but it is easy to keep on course as you are learning and once you understand the converged plot lines if you are like me it will be a race to see who survives the carnage.

[EArc from Netgalley]


On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

Another creative, completely bonkers novel from Emily Jane!

Shane LaSalle wants to make partner at the equity firm he's sacrificed so much of himself for, but he has to face the awful truth Natasha wants to know what vicious beast killed her roommate. Together can they take down a pack of gluttonous, bllionare wearwolves?

With a flare only Emily Jane can command, this book is a commentary on corporate America that is dark and violent while also being light and hilarious. I made all the faces and felt all the things

Thank you NetGalley and Emily Jane for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

It’s hard to categorize this book, but that’s a good thing! If you’re into corporate skullduggery mixed with blood and guts (but only the blood and guts that naturally appear around werewolves, nothing gratuitous) then this novel is for you. It’s full of action, is socially aware, and is beyond quirky and unusual. I highly recommend it. Give it a try!

Slow start but then it was time to buckle up! Interesting lore and present day werewolf mythos. Not quite what I expected but a new take on venture capitalists!

Featuring a clever child, a closeted werewolf, college graduates, dead bodies, glittery pop stars, gluttony, and regular werewolves.

After the brutal murder of a young woman, we follow her roommate Natasha-a now homeless college graduate who was on the rise and is now being attacked by a popstar’s rabid fans after an interview gone wrong, Shane-a venture capitalist corporate rising star hoping to land a senior partner who realizes he may not be cut out for this life, and we go back in time to see Bit-an ambitious young boy traveling the states by himself.

A gratifying allegory for greed and ambition.
Unique and weird writing style that had me hooked from the beginning. This is written as an overly cheerful yet malicious and horrifying story that gives more and more as you go. The moon cycle being shown in the chapters is a nice little detail. The differing POVs from people we just meet and the main characters is really fun to go through. I really, really enjoyed how the author tied the three main characters together in the story.

I just about devoured this book. It was so refreshing. This book made me a fan of this author and I will be reading whatever else they have out.

If you, like me, enjoy books that are different, weird, funny, gruesome, and all around bizarre then this is the book for you. Add a main character that is a monster, but in many ways more human and compassionate than the ones surrounding him, and a generous dose of social issues, and you have a fun, thought provoking read. And the writing is great, too.

This story didn't really grab my attention like I thought it would. The concept of the story was definitely interesting, execution was a little off. I wish I liked it more than I did.

Thank you NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

WOW. This took me a little bit to get into but only because the writing style was so specific and weird that I wasn’t sure where it was going at times. I loved the disconnected narratives and when they finally connect, it feels so natural. This book was funny, beautiful, horrifying and devastating wrapped into one. Emotions ran high during this read, you feel so connected to these characters and you root for them and cry for them. I absolutely need to read Emily Jane’s other works after this. Who knew a book about misogynistic werewolf businessmen could go so hard?

Tw: blood, body horror, sexism, sexual assault mention, rape (minor), animal deaths, child death

Oh, my! American Werewolves was fast paced and weird and fun to read. Emily Jane is hilarious and kind of twisted, and her books make me smile so much! I don’t think this rose to the level of heartstring tugging that Here Beyond the Rising Tide did, but it was entertaining in different ways. Please continue to write bizarre and wonderful books, Emily Jane! I’m here for it!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy!

I've been in a vampire/spooky kick lately. This book definitely hit that craving. Well-written and satisfying. Books with 2-3 different POVs/stories going on are sometimes difficult to focus. However, American Werewolves didn't have that problem. I was enamored with each story, each timeline, each character. Louis Sachar's Holes does a similar successful multi-storyline thing: ancestors and current allies/enemies ultimately converging to tell one, cohesive story.

It's a really satisfying way to write and I'm so glad I got to read this book.

I cannot wait until this book comes out and the whole world gets to enjoy it as much as I did. This book is unique, quirky perfection that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's full of wit and metaphor, a healthy amount of gore and mayhem, and it's chock full of so much heart.

The werewolf venture capitalists of Barrington Equity quickly emerge as the villains of this story and for very good reasons, including, but not limited to, the routine total destruction of human and animal lives for sport, money, and possession. Our heros, the rag-tag pack cast of characters that become friends and team up to bring down the pack of rapey venture capitalist werewolves of Barrington Equity, were truly the best part of this book. The DIY pack included: a homeless formerly up and coming writer since cancelled, a queer venture capitalist turned good werewolf, a mega famous sequined glitter loving pop-star with a cult following, the pop-star's werewolf brother, and a responsible and kind stay at home dad. (Just in case this matters to anyone - I kept picturing Jimmy (Paul W. Downs) from Hacks as the stay at home dad, Lee Curtis, because mannerisms, and now I can't unsee it).

The book also beefs up the story by including alarming details about the restrictive lifestyle demanded of the wives of the venture capitalist werewolves and offspring, background as to how the firm started and werewolf who started it, and excerpts from academic and scientific texts on the history of werewolves. I personally felt that the excerpts from that book weren't entirely necessary because the story was interesting on its own, but I can see why the author included them to provide background.

One of the things I most enjoyed about the book is how eventually some of the historical background information (which TBH, can sometimes be excessively lengthy and overly drawn out - specifically, Bit's background when he's young) ties together in present day in ways that aren't always immediately obvious.

There were also so many cackle-out-loud parts of this story that I just loved. The famous individuals that are apparently werewolves and one vampire (I won't spoil the surprise), the self-consciousness of werewolves (excess body hair), and just the overall irony oozing from each page.

There are also so many good quotes, including: "Hi mom, guess what? I'm gay. And also, I'm a werewolf. And I just got fired. I'm an unemployed gay werewolf." and "Veronica tried to convince him that werewolves weren't supposed to cry, until her dad explained that werewolves could cry when they needed to and it didn't make them any less werewolvesy."

I can't wait for this book to come out. In the mean time, I definitely plan to read Emily Jane's other works.

Thank you, NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue, for the eARC!! <3