Baird (The Dragon Throne series) pays loving homage to her birthplace in the vibrant first installment of her contemporary paranormal series The Werewolves of Quebec. Hunter, a young wolf who lost his parents and siblings but survived thanks to a pack begrudgingly accepting him, is excited to discover that he’s a loup garou, a werewolf capable of changing forms. Hunter and his new friends come to the rescue of Chantal, a young woman who has lost her own parents, too, and faces a cruel betrayal, and the secrets of her father. Filled with “pity and tenderness” at Chantal’s situation, Hunter decides to live as “a man among men,” and the young wolf and woman develop a strong bond as they resist their mutual enemies and strive to accept their natures.

The tale is contemplative, attentive to pack and family dynamics, but it shifts deftly as it showcases Hunter and Chantal, city and country, dynastic conflict, philosophical musing, and high action. Although some characters could benefit from more fine-tuning, Baird excels at creating a lavishly detailed world. Her protagonists are newcomers, which gives Baird the opportunity to elaborate, entwining history and lore with vividly atmospheric imagery to introduce an absorbing milieu with a rich past. The immersive result feels a bit like a Gothic novel mixed with a nature story. It’s also surprisingly wholesome—despite having elements of romance and violence, like most modern werewolf takes, the story itself is never lurid or gratuitous.

Baird forgoes most of the modern werewolf traditions and favors a more natural approach to her depiction. She doesn't try to give a definite explanation of their existence, instead using werewolves and their lore as framework for an exploration of humanity and nature, and the relationship between the two. Her realistic yet loving outlook makes for a refreshingly optimistic read, which readers of paranormal or nature-minded YA will find compelling.

Takeaway: Lovers of the natural and supernatural alike will be captivated by Baird's striking and intricate world of werewolves.

Great for fans of: Maggie Stiefvater, Charles de Lint.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B