Howl of the Hunted | JT Patten | Book Review
Man, Beast and So Much Mayhem All Wrapped Up in This Engrossing Supernatural Tail, er, Tale
Synopsis
In the eerie backcountry of the mysterious Louisiana bayous, a chilling legend lingers. The curse of the Rougarou, a dreaded hoodoo-conjured creature that prowls the swamps under the silver moon, has hunted inhabitants for centuries, binding sacred lands to keep balance between the living and the dead. Now, in the heart of the Big Easy, a harrowing chapter of terror unfolds when a self-absorbed new resident, L.J. Talbot, becomes entwined in a web of darkness that threatens to devour him as he unwittingly passes the conjuring spell to a cold-hearted criminal.
Haunted by guilt and a sense of responsibility, L.J. faces a choice. Should he forsake his own sanity and take back the malevolent curse to confront the ravenous creature he created?
In this spine-chilling tale of survival and sacrifice, the fate of New Orleans hangs in the balance. Prepare to be ravaged by the horrifying story of the Rougarou, where redemption and damnation collide in a battle for the soul of a city.
My Review
Bravo, Mr. Patten. Bravo.
If you've followed my reviews, you know I'm already a big fan of the works of JT Patten, and I am elated to say that Howl of the Hunted is another rousing success from his pen.
A great opener, we are dropped into the middle of a night hunt that quickly goes awry in a way that will delight every werewolf fan out there. And the story just rolls out from there.
When LJ and his little family move to New Orleans, Louisiana, due to his promotion, he starts the new chapter by hitting someone. The first in a handful of mistakes, he soon finds himself at the mercy of the bayou and its haunting curse. His struggle is tangible, as his whole world is decimated, but when he is faced with a bigger threat to the city, he makes a decision that is built on the character arc he experiences. His only gain isn't selfish but quite selfless, even dangerous, but it's believable.
Mr. Patten does not skimp on the descriptions of all the face-paced thrills. From murder to mayhem, the story unfolds in a way that you can easy 'see' it in your head. Which I absolutely love.
At no point was I taken out of the story, and like all of his other books, I read it all in one sitting. It pulled me in, and while I don't know that I experienced a lot of character investment, I did have a lot of storyline interest that found me cheering our anti-hero as he grew into his literal new skin.
There were several points where it could've ended satisfactorily, setting up for a sequel, but I admit that was delighted to see I had more to read. It never felt drawn out for word count, but paced in a stride perfect for the story.
I really hope there's more in the future.
Great job, Mr. Patten.