Werewolves of Brooklyn, by Brad Vance
Darien Mackey wasn’t
looking for an adventure. For ten years, he’d been happy living in
Brooklyn, working as a butcher in the same job, living in the same
apartment, dating some “nothing-special” guys. Until one night his buddy
Jacob talked him into taking ayahuasca, the soul-changing drug. And
Darien had a vision…of a wolf, its all-too-human eyes on him, its paws
on his chest, its enquiring mind in his own…
Darien Mackey is
changing. He’s more confident, more assertive, hungrier, hornier. And
his world is changing around him – his job, his home, his beloved
Mechanic’s Library all falling victim to the predations of unscrupulous
developers, bent on demolishing the old Brooklyn he loves and replacing
it with a forest of condos. But he’s no longer a passive observer of his
own life, and as this thing, this power, grows inside of him, he
resolves to fight back, to preserve the way of life he loves.
And
he’s not alone in the fight. The Lipsius Preservation Society of
Brooklyn stands ready to assist in the battle, even though it seems like
a bit of a joke to Darien, with its King and its Duke, Marquess, Earl
and Viscount.
But there’s nothing funny about his growing
attraction to Albeus Finley, King of this mysterious Court. And when
slumlords and condo-mongers start to die mysterious, violent deaths at
the hands of savage animals, Darien begins to realize that something is
afoot in Brooklyn – something supernatural.
And it’s afoot in him, too…
Rating: 4 out of 5
There
are so many great parts to this book. A great setting, fascinating
world-building, interesting characters, and an interesting take on
morality. Unfortunately it doesn’t…quite…come together. The pacing
seems off, and the plot threads that lead off in different directions
are maddening. Even so, the writing is evocative and enjoyable.
Huge
props to Vance for the research he has done, both in the skill of
butchering and in the details of Civil War battles. Both have their
place, and are used to excellent results. Darien’s character arc is
great fun to read, and seeing him grow into his place in the world is
enjoyable. The side-characters are engaging as well (with some of those
being the meandering plot threads). There is enough material here for a
good four or five book series. I will definitely keep an eye out for
more!
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