REVIEWS ON OTHER PEOPLE'S HOWLERS


Okay, since I'm re-reading the series anyway, I've decided to review Jim Butcher's werewolves from The Dresden Files.  He took a fairly unique stance on the whole werewolf thing and separated them into different types depending on what word you use to describe these magnificent shapeshifters.


Firstly, we'll start with the ones Bob the Skull describes early on in Fool Moon.

Werewolf (2 kinds)
-- Uses magic to voluntarily shapeshift into a wolf.  Only physical form changes.  They retain human personality and reasoning abilities.  Do not gain insticts, reflexes, strength, etc.  No special weapons needed to kill them.  Can change back at will.
-- Transformed by someone else's magic.  Same as above, except can't change back on own, and if left too long in wolf form they will lose their human personalities entirely.

 Hexenwolf (1 kind)
Uses a talisman or magical object of some kind to transform into a wolf, usually a belt.  Deals with demons are made for these objects, and they are "an anchor for a spirit of bestial rage," one that cushions the human personality so it isn't damaged, but also eliminates moral inhibitions.  May cause possession (or simple loss of control, I guess) in human form as well.  Intelligent, remorseless killing machine.

Lycanthrope (1 kind)
Channels the spirit of rage, but only in their head.  Basically, they are still physically human but have mentally become a werewolf.  They pick up some of the more traditional werewolf characteristics such as regeneration, increased strength, and general resistance to pain/injury.

Loup-garou (1 kind)
Cursed (by someone else) to become a wolflike demon on the full moon.  Will go on a killing spree from moon rise to either sunrise or moon set, whichever happens first.  Supernatural everything:  speed, strength, reflexes, healing.  Can be harmed by weapon made from inherited silver.


So, how many of these did he use in his novel, and how well did he do it?  Let's review.

Overall, Jim Butcher gets a 10 out of 10 for his creativity, 9 out of 10 for execution, and a great big hug for not making these your run-of-the-mill cringe-worthy shapeshifters.  Excellent read for those of us that can't get enough of our howlers.


~Sassee~
The Bitchiest Wolf on the Intarwebz