Femme Feral
A Novel
by Sam Beckbessinger
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Pub Date May 12 2026 | Archive Date Jul 11 2026
Viking Penguin | Penguin Books
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Description
Hyper-competent Ellie thinks she’s going through perimenopause, but discovers she’s actually turning into a werewolf in this feminist, dark-comedy debut
The head of a company she started from the ground-up, the worried mother of a troublingly secretive daughter, and the wife of an easy-going man who always has her picking up the slack—Ellie is already juggling too much. So, it's an inconvenient time to find herself beset by strange physical changes: hair sprouting in new places, running hot, trouble sleeping, losing time, finding bloodstains in all her clothing. And underneath it all, a boiling rage that threatens to disrupt the life she's worked so hard to build.
Her doctor diagnoses perimenopause. But it's another twenty-eight-day cycle that's taking hold, one that involves fur, teeth, and a not-insignificant amount of howling at the moon—and that gifts Ellie incredible strength and speed. Her new power's thrilling, as is releasing the anger she’s suppressed for years—especially as it turns out that there are some problems that can be solved with violence: The terrible new hire who is sabotaging her careful plans. The creep who's stalking her daughter. Only, the beast within isn't easy to control, and its bloody trail is getting harder to hide. With an obsessive hunter on her trail and a growing fear of what she's becoming, Ellie must find a way to yoke her fury before she tears through the people she loves.
A deeply gratifying, highly addictive and provocative read, Femme Feral is an exhilarating expression of feminine rage, with a warning: If you swallow your anger, it's sure to come back with a bite.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9780593513057 |
| PRICE | $12.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 384 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 28 members
Featured Reviews
Reviewer 1763166
From the very beginning of the book, it's obvious Ellie is overextended and trying to manage her life as best as possible but the world kind of sucks and she can't get a win. The book is written in a way that resonates so well with women who work, are moms, wives, and juggling the whole world on their shoulders without any appreciation. Add on starting premenopause and it all becomes a shit show.
Through this, animals start showing up dead around her neighborhood and her body is changing in ways that seem a little extreme (even for menopause). There's not much correlation in the beginning as these just seem another thing she has to deal with/worry about/make to do list for.
At some point the story moves to multiple pov's which I wasn't sure about at first but ended up appreciating. All the characters had unique stories and their endings were nuts (for lack of a better term 😂)
I actually really enjoyed this book. It was stressful at first but I think it was obvious some kind of breaking point was coming along with retribution.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Ellie has her hands full. She’s working her way up to CEO all while being a wife and mother to boot. She starts exhibiting very strange symptoms that her doctor attributes to the dreaded menopause. But she’s only 44! Turns out it isn’t menopause. It’s actually much worse- she’s turning into a werewolf. As if she has time for this!
When I started reading this book I was worried it would be too similar to the Nightbitch novel, but in reality this one is much better.
Unhinged, insightful, and smart. Highly recommend.
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