THE DEVOURING WOLF

When the Devouring Wolf, a vengeful monster of legend, breaks free from his secret prison, five tenderfoot pups in Kansas band together to save their pack.

Like every young werewolf, Riley Callahan awaits the first full moon of summer with anticipation. As a 12-year-old, she’s guaranteed to transform this year and find her prime pack, the four other wolves who are linked to her for life by magic. She dreams of following in the footsteps of her Mama C to become a great leader of their community. However, when Riley and four other tenderfoot pups remain stuck in human form, it’s clear that something has gone wrong and their entire pack might be in danger. At first, Riley battles insecurity, but as the fast-paced story unravels, she develops a deeper understanding of herself along with greater empathy and trust in others. Diary entries between chapters connect the past to the present conflict. Queer and trans representation flourishes in Riley’s werewolf community, including Riley’s moms, her transgender older sister, her nonbinary pack mate, and Riley herself, who awakens to feelings for her pack mate Lydia, who was raised by her uncles. Apart from Riley’s biracial cousin, whose dad is Black, and a pack mate who is cued as Latinx, most characters read as White. Unresolved mysteries will leave readers hungering for a sequel. Champion’s atmospheric black-and-white illustrations add to the suspense.

An easily devoured, chilling, and suspenseful adventure.