Review: The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group, by Catherine Jinks



I still hadn't fully absorbed the terrible possibility that I might actually be a werewolf. A werewolf. I kept stumbling over that word; it made no sense to me. How could I be a werewolf? Werewolves didn't exist.
When Tobias Richard Vandevelde wakes up in hospital with no memory of the night before, his horrified mother tells him that he was found by the police. At Featherdale Park. In a dingo pen. 
As if that isn't weird enough, suddenly a very menacing looking guy and a priest show up at his door. 
As the mystery unfolds, Toby finds himself keeping company with some very strange and sickly looking people - members of a suburban vampire support group. And when he's abducted in broad daylight, he will need all their help to break free ... and to come to terms with his own incredibly rare condition.
(From GoodReads)

My Thoughts

I'm not quite sure where to begin with this review. When The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group starts, Toby wakes in the hospital with no recollection of how he ended up in a dingo pen. Shortly thereafter, a young man and a priest show up at his home and inform him that he is a werewolf. Of course, Toby and his mother are convinced the two men are crazy and send them away. While he is still in denial, Toby is kidnapped by smugglers who run a "werewolf fighting ring". While trying for rescue, Toby and his new group of friends must overcome hurdle after hurdle. All the while, Toby is trying to get a grip on his newfound condition.

The book did get off to a mysterious start. Why and how does Toby end up in a dingo pen? And why can't he remember the events leading up to that? The mystery and action continues steadily throught Abused Werewolf, building up to an intense climax during the rescue. To be honest, the rescue efforts go on and on, a little too long. It seemed like everytime the rescue seemed to be finished, another obstacle popped up. I really just wanted to say "Enough!" and get on with it. After the constant action for numerous pages, the ending left me underwhelmed. The ending of the book revealed a premise behind the story, one I did not care for at all. It just felt too neat, or like a cliche`.

I did like the main character, Toby. Jinks did a fantastic job of writing a teen boy, something I think would be extremely difficult. Not once did I find myself incredulous towards the dialogue. I think Abused Werewolf would likely do well with YA boys.

*I received this book from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.*