The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan
Reviewed by Cassandra Alpaugh, Librarian, Mary Jacobs Library
Welcome to a world of vampires, werewolves and otherworldly monsters along with the humans who hunt them. Warning: If you loved the Twilight series and A Discovery of Witches please do not pick up this book expecting it to give you the same ride. In this book, werewolves live to feed their desire for sex, blood, and food (werewolves only eat humans). Duncan creates a dark and gritty world that is written in a superbly elegant and sophisticated style. The descriptions are brutal, but it is a completely original take on the much done paranormal theme and it is definitely a thrilling ride.
The gist of the story is that Jacob Marlowe is the last werewolf and he has lost the will to live. He is also being hunted by WOCOP (World Organization for the Control of Occult Phenomena). It hasn’t helped that he killed and ate the father of one of the chief operatives. WOCOP’s goal is to give Marlowe something to live for so that the chase is more exciting and meaningful. As Marlowe’s resolve changes, the countdown to the hunt is on and it becomes a race to protect what he cares about most.
I have to admit that I listed to the audio version, read by the supremely talented Robin Sachs. (Sachs has read The Snowman and The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo.) I was completely sucked into the raw, dark, elegant prose and Sach’s voice is so deep and gritty that he was a perfect voice for the story. I even found myself taking the extra long way to work so I could keep listening. I completely recommend his entertaining and exciting book just as long as you aren’t feeling squeamish.
