Having recently discovered the writing of the famous James Patterson, I opted to read the latest collaboration with author, Emily Raymond, with the interesting title, Raised by wolves. I am now left with a conundrum: what genre would best describe this novel? It has elements of a thriller, suspense, adventure, even a beautiful and unusual love story. It can also comfortably fit the Young Adult bill.
Relationships are key in the plot, be it between people, people and nature, people and animals. And in particular, between humans and wolves. “There is a language, somewhere between human and wolf, that they alone speak.” (p.305) The author closely explores the dynamics within family and the roles assumed in a group, and continually draws comparisons between humans and wolves. “Anger’s a human thing. So is regret – and revenge.” (p.120)
The day that two teenagers emerge from the woods and ransack a grocery store, many lives are changed for ever. I will not divulge and more, for fear of spoiling the read. The story evolves slowly but interestingly, with a definite and dramatic plot twist that left me surprised, just about halfway through the book. Die-hard Patterson readers might find it too easy on suspense, but I enjoyed the easy read and engaging plot. I could not foresee the end, and must admit that I choked up.
Raised by wolves is a product of Penguin Books, distributed in South Africa by Penguin Random House SA.