In the world of supernatural tales, vampires often take center stage. And while the bloodsuckers certainly make for an interesting subject, its counterpart is often sidelined. In Twilight, Bella eschews the world of the werewolf pack. In True Blood, Sookie abandons the potential of wolf Alcide to return to her relationships with the vamps.
However, there are a significant number of stories out there that allow the figure of the werewolf to exist at its forefront. Whether it’s a coming-of-age body horror story, or a romance tale between an Alpha and their fated mate (thanks largely to the popularity of books in the Omegaverse), novels featuring these four-legged creatures are equally as enthralling as their pale, fanged counterparts.
There are many to choose from, but we’ve compiled a list of books about werewolves in various genres to check out the next time you’re in the market for a good supernatural read.
10. Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison
A woman returning to her hometown to reconnect with her twin sister gets more than she bargained for in this feminist body horror exploration of family trauma by modern horror icon Rachel Harrison.
Rory Morris has come home. Her sister Scarlett is pregnant, currently estranged from her child’s father, and struggling. After an unexpected encounter with an old crush one night, she’s attacked by something she thinks is a large dog on the side of the road. Slowly, Rory begins to notice changes in her body, an increase in physical strength, and a strange aversion to silver…
As her reality implodes around her, Rory will have to confront her past traumas and decide whether she’s willing to fully accept this new, full moon-friendly side of herself.
Why we recommend it: Harrison’s signature blend of dark humor and horror, as well as the dynamics of the female relationships in the novel makes Such Sharp Teeth the perfect blend of genres.
9. Fan Service by Rosie Danan
This one’s for folks looking for a fun and light romance with their werewolf fiction. Outcast Alex Lawson found solace in the creation of a massive online fan forum for her favorite werewolf detective series, The Arcane Files. She loves what she does, but folks on the forum don’t know about her hatred of the show’s star, Devin Ashwood. An encounter years prior left a bad taste in her mouth, and Alex loathes the man who played a character she adored for years.
Following the cancellation of The Arcane Files, Devin’s career took a major downturn, and his personal life quickly followed suit. When he wakes up in the woods one morning with no memory of the previous night, he has no idea that his nightmare is only beginning.
Devin quickly begins exhibiting signs of being a real-life werewolf. He needs help, and quickly. Unfortunately, the only person equipped to help him is the same woman who hates his guts. What could possibly go wrong?
Why we recommend it: An entertaining blend of the supernatural and contemporary romance, Fan Service is a love letter to online fandoms, providing a unique take on the genre with plenty of laughs along the way.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter8. Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones
A moving and unforgettable exploration of discovery of self and coming-of-age narrations, Mongrels takes werewolf lore in a new direction for the reader. An unnamed boy living in the American South with his aunt and uncle struggles to find his place in a family of werewolves. He dreams of his own change and the difficulties of being the one who is left out.
The novel speaks to many of the struggles of adolescence, the changing of one’s body, and the uncertainty around “fitting in”. It’s an emotional story that brings to light real social issues using a supernatural lens.
Why we recommend it: Mongrels presents a unique perspective about the legends of werewolves, while also delving into complex issues around socio-economic status and people who are viewed as “other” by society.
7. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
If you’re in the mood for a supernatural novel with a cast of otherworldly creatures in it, Moon Called is for you. The first entry in the Mercy Thompson series, the story follows mechanic Mercy Thompson, a “walker” or coyote shifter who lives in Washington and is surrounded by creatures of all sorts. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf, she’s doing a mechanic job for a vampire, and her former boss is a gremlin.
When a young newly-made werewolf shows up, Mercy feels compelled to help the clueless kid out. Little does she know, that her act of generosity will set her on a dangerous path, one she’ll need plenty of help to get herself out of.
Why we recommend it: Briggs’ series boasts a whopping 14 entries as of 2024 – there are enough books to keep you entertained for a long while. Lovers of the fun but gritty paranormal narrative (think Supernatural or Buffy the Vampire Slayer) will appreciate the blend of humor and urban fantasy the novel has to offer.
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6. How to Help a Hungry Werewolf by Charlotte Stein
When Cassie Camberwell returns to her hometown of Hollow Brook, she just wants to clear out her late grandmother’s house. She doesn’t expect to run into her best friend-turned-enemy Seth Brubaker, the man responsible for one of the worst moments of her life. She expects even less for him to reveal to her that he’s an honest-to-god werewolf, and he believes that Cassie is a witch who can help him with his affliction.
The two strike up a deal: Seth will help Cassie tap into her undiscovered powers, and in return, she’ll brew the potions that he needs to ease his suffering. But what starts out as a no-funny business arrangement soon blossoms into something more, and Cassie will have to decide if she can let Seth into her life – and her heart – before it’s too late.
Why we recommend it: Touching on issues of trust, bullying, and abandonment, the novel delivers readers a small-town romance filled with charm, and some spice for good measure.
5. Sharp Teeth by Toby Barlow
While factions of ancient lycanthropes battle for dominance, a lonely dogcatcher falls in love with a female werewolf in this stirring novel by Toby Barlow. Rival groups of werewolves in Los Angeles are growing in size, and their leaders are leading them in a fight to determine who will rule.
When dogcatcher Anthony meets a werewolf who has left her pack, he’s quickly drawn into a war that spans generations and countries, and he’ll have to make the decision to survive or lose the love he’s been searching for.
Why we recommend it: Infusing a modern-day gang war into a story about people who can shift into wolf form may seem a little out of left field, but Barlow ties his narrative together well, blending elements of found family and rivalries into a modern urban backdrop.
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4. The Devourers by Indra Das
A merging of multiple mythologies sits at the forefront of The Devourers. In modern-day Kolkata, India, a college professor meets a mysterious stranger with a request. The stranger asks Professor Alok to transcribe a series of old documents – including weathered parchments and pieces of what was formerly skin – containing extraordinary tales of creatures that have the ability to shift from human to beast.
As Alok transcribes the stories, he finds himself swept up in the depicted realities of these “devourers” and the mysterious man who appears human but is soon revealed to be much, much more.
Why we recommend it: Blending themes of love, colonialism, and LGBTQ+ issues, The Devourers presents readers with multiple werewolves of folklore across the globe, making it an intricate and poignant read.
3. Wolfsong by T.J. Klune
A beautiful blending of fantasy and romance and centers on love, loss, healing, and family. The story follows Ox and Joe, who meet when Joe’s family, the Bennetts, move in next door to Ox. Over the course of 10 years, Ox and Joe become friends, then lovers, overcoming their traumas and learning to heal together.
The first in the Green Creek series, Klune’s Bennett family saga includes the following entries:
- Wolfsong
- Ravensong
- Heartsong
- Brothersong
Why we recommend it: A stunning depiction of grief and love, Wolfsong delivers the same level of heart as Klune’s previous bestselling works including the wildly popular The House in the Cerulean Sea.
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2. Bride by Ali Hazelwood
Bestselling romance author Ali Hazelwood gave us her first foray into the supernatural romance world last year with Bride. Vampire Misery Lark accepts an arranged marriage to Lowe Moreland, an Alpha werewolf, now knowing that their alliance will mean so much more than political stability and the chance for her to track down her missing best friend.
When threats from inside the pack threaten to destroy everyone around them, Misery and Lowe will set out to protect their families and discover along the way that their marriage of convenience is in fact so much more than either of them bargained for.
Why we recommend it: If you ever wanted a mix of Underworld and a witty enemies-to-lovers romance, this one’s for you.
Bonus: a sequel titled Mate is being published this October.
1. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
Urban fantasy is the perfect setting for werewolf stories. Something about the primal image of a wolf and the backdrop of a city setting really works. Kelley Armstrong doesn’t disappoint with the first of her Otherworld books, which contains 13 entries in total.
Bitten kicks things off with the story of Elena Michaels, the world’s only female werewolf. After being called back to the pack that she left behind, Elena discovers that a rogue werewolf is murdering pack members, and no one knows who’s behind the killings.
Elena will need to confront her feelings about her identity, as well as reunite with the former flame who betrayed her if she’s going to help take down this assassin before it’s too late.
Why we recommend it: Armstrong has been a big name in the supernatural fiction world for a long time, and this bestselling series provides readers a look at not only the world of werewolves, but witches, demons, necromancers, and more. It’s well worth a read for anyone searching for an extra dose of escapism.
While the werewolf story itself can be one-dimensional, these books about werewolves prove that their rich history is still relevant, and the idea of unleashing the beat under a full moon might be a more enticing idea than one would expect.
