WOUNDED by Stephen Cole
    Category:  Paranormal
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  1/27/05
    Publisher:  Razorbill
    Reviewed by:  Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"
    Rating: 5 Stars


    Sixteen-year-old Tom Anderson is a typical teen. Ticked off to be spending his summer vacation with his parents and
    younger brother, Tom storms out of their rented cabin in the Seattle forest, needing some time to himself. Next thing
    he knows, he's wading in a fast-moving river, with a bear between him and freedom. After being tossed mercilessly
    down-river, Tom passes out--and awakes in a strange bed in a strange house.

    Tom's now at the mercy of the Folan family--mom Marcie, a former nurse, dad Henry, an author, son Wesley, and
    strange daughter Kate. The family (minus Kate) informs Tom that he's now on an island, cut off from the mainland,
    with severe injuries sustained from his trip down the river. In terrible pain and totally weak, Tom spends what he
    believes is a week in the Folan home, recuperating from his wounds yet somehow feeling stranger as every day goes
    by.

    Then a shocker from the strange but lovely Kate--Tom's been in the Folan home for a month, not a week, and
    Marcie, Henry, and Wesley aren't normal family members. They're werewolves, and they're doing everything within
    their power to change Tom into one to act as Kate's mate.

    Suddenly, Tom is in fear for his life, and not from the raging river than wounded him. He realizes that Kate Folan may
    be his only chance for salvation from the beast that now resides within him, and the two set off in the dead of night
    after a deadly confrontation with Wesley to find a mystery man named Jicaque in New Orleans, who just might be
    able to cure Tom of the beast he's now living with.

    WOUNDED is a great, fast-paced read! Touted as young adult book, probably because the hero is sixteen, this
    story will appeal to any lovers of the paranormal, especially those who enjoy werewolf stories. I've already ordered
    the final two books in the series, PREY and RESURRECTION, and am looking forward to getting started on them.

    Definitely a recommended read!
The Wereling Bk. 1: Wounded
by Stephen Cole