Brief Encounters

Title: A Werewolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Author: Rob Rosen
Length: 3,200 words (13 pdf pages)
Publisher: Torquere Press
Genre: m/m fantasy
Rating: C+

Blurb:

Meat might indeed be murder, but for a wolf, what choice is there? So thinks the blood-hating Jackson until he encounters a rather curious bear, one who introduces him to an equally odd assortment of vegetarian forest hunters, the most intriguing another wolf such as himself—in more ways than one. Love brings the two together, but can it save them from a sinister plot that is hatched by an animal that is not what it appears to be?

Review:

Jackson is a rather unusual werewolf. He find the concept of eating meat abhorrent and generally tries to eat vegetables when he can. One night while avoiding the kill his pack is devouring he comes across a bear who claims that he is of the same mind and that they are not alone. He invites Jackson to a meeting at the lake where he meets a variety of carnivorous (or omnivorous)  animals who all believe that meat is murder and have a self-help group to avoid meat and share tips on other healthy vegetation they can eat.

These are quite unique animals. Not traditional weres who are human mostly, these appear to be mostly animals and they can talk in their animal form to each other. It was really quite humorous at times, when they have their self-help group I was chuckling out loud.

“Good morning,” he said. “My name is Woodly and I am a herbivore. It’s been five months since last I killed.”

The group responded in unison. “Good morning, Woodly,” they said.

This admission was repeated with each of the animals, until finally, it was Jackson’s turn.

“Um,” he began, nervously. “I’m Jackson and I, well, I’m a, a… I’m a herbivore.” His knees buckled, but he otherwise remained upright, despite the boulder-sized pit that formed in his stomach at saying this aloud for the entire world to hear. “It’s been four weeks since last I killed.”

The group, mostly unable, of course, to clap, clicked their tongues in approval and in welcome. And then Woodly again took the makeshift podium. “Friends, I congratulate you all on your non-carnivorous achievements. And I remind you that meat, as we say, is murder.”

Again, the sound of tongue clicks filled the space around them. And then, one by one, the animals dispersed, clearly uplifted and prepared to fight their genetically predispositioned urges.

Jackson enjoys the support of the group and gets to know another wolf Frank, however as winter approaches Jackson wonders how he’ll find enough food when the snow comes. He asks Woodly the bear for guidance but finds it strange he never sees Woodly eating or gathering food. He and Frank have a little interlude in human form and decide that Woodly has a plot and engage the rest of the pack to help take their revenge on the sneaky bear.

I really enjoyed the first part of the books, as Jackson struggles to cope with his vegetarianism and meeting the others and getting to know him, but I felt the part with Frank was a bit tacked on as if “oh, it’s a romance, quick, have him hook up with someone”. It didn’t seem natural as you never saw him interact with Frank until that scene. I almost think I would have enjoyed it better if were just a story rather than a romance, but still, if you are in the mood for something light and quite humorous at times, it’s a cute read and was certainly not what I was expecting, which can be a good things.

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