For ten years, Captain Peter Knowles has been at the front line of Britain’s defence against the wolf threat. Attacks have been on the decline and wolf sightings have decreased. However, a botched mission in London reveals a new threat. This wolf pack has information Knowles has tried to keep secret. They know Jack Stadler is alive. And they know where to find him…
Dark bleatings, my furry tribe! We’re back talking about the third book in David Watkins’ werewolf trilogy today, so stop now if you haven’t read the first two because there will be spoilers about where some of the characters ended up in previous instalments. Spoilers are nigh!
Before I start talking about the story, I just want to say kudos to David for his excellent references to other books and authors, especially that The Finite one (it gave me a giggle!). Now, the book! This one, I have to say, is my favourite of the trilogy. I wondered how much further David could expand this because in book one, he sets the world and the conflict that kicks everything off, then in book two, he escalated the scenario and gave us some of that sweet werewolf showdown stuff we all know and want. So what was left, after a gruesome battle to the death between Originals?
Lots, apparently. I loved the direction that David went in with this one. When you’ve already given us blood and guts and fur flying everywhere, where do you go next? Well, to blackmail, threats on family, and questions that run parallel to real world prejudices and violent bigotry, of course!
We open with a couple of werewolves (who are a couple). They’re in love but have problems. The lady wolf is an addict, and we join this pair as she’s sinking into a high, and he’s fretting about her wellbeing. We meet them as harmless, troubled people, not beasts. And then Knowles rolls in with his werewolf killing team, and ruin their lives, and thus the plot of book three begins.
Set a decade after the last book, we’re now exploring Knowles’ world through ten long years of hunting creatures that shouldn’t even exist, and catching up with Jack and his family after they’ve started anew (and quietly) elsewhere. But the past always catches up, doesn’t it?
Once again, Watkins treats us to action, horror, ever-developing, easy to like characters, and utter carnage. But he also threw in a heavy dose of heartbreak this time. I messaged him, mid-read actually, saying “You better not have actually killed (insert name here, I won’t spoil it).” Later, I followed up by cussing him out for almost bringing me to tears. In this third instalment, the author was as ruthless as his most evil characters, I must say. Don’t trust his smiling face and pleasant demeanour, you guys, for he is a thing of evil. Not that I’m being dramatic or anything.
I did wonder how he could possibly write in a climax that was somehow more thrilling than book two’s epic Original battle, but don’t worry, he did. He found a way to go even bigger, and it was very exciting.
This is my favourite book in the trilogy because he just excelled everywhere, honestly. Greater stakes, even more action, fantastic fast pacing, mortal and werewolf peril, heart-wrenching decisions, and the showdown of showdowns. Obviously, if you like the first two, I recommend this one!
If you’d like to check out the book or the author, I’ve popped some links below for you:
Bleeeeat!
Happy Goat Horror 
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