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Running with the Werewolf (Darkaway Island #1)
Running with the Werewolf (Darkaway Island #1)
Laurie London | 2025 | Humor & Comedy, Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
RUNNING WITH THE WEREWOLF is the first book in the Darkaway Island series, and introduces not only the characters but the magical island too.

Daphne doesn't know magic exists, but then, she does have other things on her mind, such as her crooked boss, who may have had her friend killed. With perfect timing, she is notified that she has won a holiday on Darkaway Island. It is her neighbour who encourages her to go. So she does. When she gets there, she realises that maybe there is more in the world than she had thought.

Travis is a werewolf actor who is recognised pretty much by everyone but Daphne. Due to complications from his dead father, he is the bachelor for a new show, Date-a-Wolf. And wouldn't you know it, Daphne is dragged into it too.

This was a light, easy read with a kooky island and characters. The pacing was smooth and flowed nicely, especially in the scenes with Travis and Daphne, as their feelings grew beyond what was expected in the show. There were some parts that felt superfluous to me, but that's just my opinion.

If you're looking for a cosy paranormal rom-com with a bunch of great characters, then this may be just for you. Personally, I am looking forward to returning to Darkaway Island, hopefully, with all my memories intact!

** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Nov 14, 2025
  
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Sarah (7800 KP) rated Dog Soldiers (2002) in Movies

Sep 11, 2017 (Updated Dec 24, 2018)  
Dog Soldiers (2002)
Dog Soldiers (2002)
2002 | Action, Horror
9
8.2 (26 Ratings)
Movie Rating
This is one of those small relatively unknown horror films that you watch with little to no expectations, and end up being pleasantly surprised. This is a hilariously funny take on a werewolf film, with a fantastic British cast, lots of blood and guts and is a great debut for Neil Marshall. The old school effects are also make for a refreshing change. There are some great one liners in this that are quotable for a long time afterwards. Sean Pertwee is a great actor and does brilliantly in this, alongside Kevin McKidd and Davos Seaworth himself, Liam Cunningham. This harks back to the days of trashy effects and a silly storyline, and doesn’t take itself too seriously either, giving a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable 2 hours for the watcher.
  
Wildling (2018)
Wildling (2018)
2018 | Fantasy, Horror
Contains spoilers, click to show
Wasn't sure what I was expecting from this one but got more than I thought. At first glance I thought it was going to be more of a "psychological' horror flick. Turned out to be more of a "creature feature". There was some killing in it, but nothing too gory. Things literally got hairy in this movie. The actors all did a decent job and the cinematography was good. I'd have liked more of a "back story" on the main character but they filled in some of the gaps about her. Overall this was an entertaining movie. Not really scary at all, but held the interest well enough to watch it all the way through. Interesting take on the werewolf genra. Worth a watch if you're bored some night.
  
The Company of Wolves (1984)
The Company of Wolves (1984)
1984 | Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
Curious British-made feminist werewolf movie retells the story of Little Red Riding Hood (along with various others). A young girl dreams of a fairy-tale world of wolves and dark magic, where some people are hairy on the inside and everyone has a bit of a beast in them.

One of those movies laden with a slightly ponderous symbolism; doesn't really make sense except as an allegory for something-or-other; quite what that is is a bit unclear. It's not that all men are wolves at heart, but something slightly more even-handed. Good cast, nice production values; some of the special effects have dated a bit, but not risibly so. In the end it is all quite impressive but at the same time wilfully oblique.
  
WolfCop (2014)
WolfCop (2014)
2014 | Comedy, Horror
7
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
B-rated movie lover's dream (0 more)
B-rated movie lover's dream (0 more)
Contains spoilers, click to show
Wolfcop is one of those movies that is really, really fun to watch and turns great if you've got a few beers in you (or, if like me, you enjoy a good b-rated movie that doesn't take itself seriously). It has a start that makes you wonder if you made the right choice, but it's outlandish and enjoyable enough to be a fun watch. It's a great take on the usual werewolf story. They've got some really great scenes in there, and the use of practical effects is admirable enough to warrant some serious props. No cheap CGI here, just some good ol' effects.

It was good enough to make me interested in the sequel, which is saying something for b-rated movies.
  
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
1981 | Comedy, Horror
Off-beat horror comedy. Two American backpackers travelling through Europe are attacked by a ferocious beast in the Yorkshire Dales; one of them is horribly slaughtered, the other is less fortunate.

In with a shout as the best werewolf movie ever, although this is partly because of the lack of serious competition. The story hits all the usual beats, but is elevated by a knowing sense of humour (and jokes which really land) and Rick Baker's still-impressive make-up effects (it's hard to know which sequence Landis seems more fascinated by, the transformation or Jenny Agutter in the shower). A fascination with the weirdness of British culture, along with a supporting cast of great character actors, also helps to make the film distinctive. Very funny, very scary, occasionally very gory; a great horror movie.
  
I have enjoyed every book in the Five Hundred Kingdoms series by Mercedes Lackey, and I eagerly waited for her to cover my favorite fairy tale, that of Beauty and the Beast. This book combines my favorite fairy tale with Little Red Riding Hood and a dash of Cinderella, all with its own unique twist characteristic of the series. While I had the ending predicted quite early in my reading, I still enjoyed following the character development and watching it all play out.
Bella is very much the modernized damsel in distress, as she finds a way to do her own saving, and chooses who she would rather fall in love with, rather than let the Tradition dictate her actions. As she learns about the manipulations of the Tradition, she also realizes her own way of unconsciously dealing with it and the power she has over it. I loved her intelligence and creativity in solving the daily problems that riddled her life, especially with the invisible servants at the Duke's residence.
Duke Sebastian is an interesting character -- a wizard werewolf with hermit-like habits -- he is the direct opposite of the type of character I expected to play the role of "Beast" in this fairy tale, but I like him all the same. His devotion to his craft makes him absentminded about everything else in his life, and except for when he is a werewolf, he likely would not hurt a fly. Bella's interactions with him draw him out and show him that he can have so much more in his life.
I also enjoyed Godmother Elena's part in the book, along with her mirror servant, as they cemented this book into the series and reminded me of some of the details that I had forgotten from previous books.