Title: Wild Ride
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Series: Kitty Norville #0.7
In: Kitty’s Greatest Hits (Carrie Vaughn)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 17th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: The Dustbowl was part of a row of simple wooden buildings set up to look like an Old West street but without disguising the modern shingles, windows, and neon beer sings.
He’s just discovered that he’s not as well as he wants to be. But a motorbike accident and a twist of fate might provide him with an out. Will he be brave enough to start a new life?
I’ve decided that I absolutely adore werewolf stories which feature gay werewolves. This is only my second. The other is the Mercedes Thompson series. There is just something that pulls me in… I’m not sure why. Probably something to do with the fact that werewolves are often used to indicate our animalistic side, which is very much associated with power and masculinity where the males are concerned… things that are not traditionally associated with gay men. Which is stupid, but that’s another soapbox for another day. The point is… I loved this.
This isn’t a greatly positive story. Although, it’s not entirely negative either. Unlike some of the other lead-up Kitty Norville short stories, the man isn’t turned against his will and there’s really not much trauma associated with his turning. Rather, he trades one “cage” for another and then finds a way to live with the decisions he’s made. A much nicer and more PG story of paranormal turnings and becoming a monster.
What I loved most about this story though is the fact that he actually walked away. Although it was scary, possibly dangerous and could potentially lead to his death. He manages to stand up for himself, walk away and be his own person. Something that not everyone can do. Especially when surrounded by such intense peer pressure and an alpha figure such as the one in this story. All in all, a fantastic read and one that I absolutely ripped through.
Earth and Skye 
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