This is the third and final book I read as part of the Horror Writer’s Association Summer Scares reading list. Simply put, this story earns 5 stars from me because of the number of levels it works on. It’s a coming-of-age story told from the perspective of a burgeoning werewolf. The coming-of-age story and the horror story contained within work on their own and Stephen Graham Jones arguably could have written two separate books, and they both would’ve drawn me in.

With werewolf elements temporarily withdrawn, this is the story of a young teenage boy living with his aunt and uncle. This cobbled-together family is trying make their way in the world, scraping by on a day-to-day basis. All the while, our unnamed narrator is trying to figure out how he fits into this family as well as the world at large. This works so beautifully because although the members of our family are so rough and tumble, there is genuine love and care throughout, as well as a willingness on the part of the characters to do just about anything for each other.

Mongrels also serves as a necessary entry into werewolf literature and lore. I’m a sucker for stories that acknowledge lore and mythology, but are bold enough to say okay, here’s what’s right, here’s what’s dead wrong, and here’s what’s just a little bit different. SGJ is clearly a student/fan of the genre and explores the different tropes to make it his own. One of the most interesting, or disturbing, being how werewolves have to choose their clothing carefully to avoid the posited pantyhose disaster.

SGJ said in the notes at the end of Mongrels that one of his main goals was to write a werewolf story from the perspective of every day people, and round of applause, because that’s precisely what we get. Flawed, but extremely likable characters, and a story that takes us on their collective and individual journeys. If you’re a fan of werewolf or monster literature or just like a tale with heart and a bit of gore, Mongrels should absolutely make it to your to-be-read list.