Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones is a unique werewolf story told as a coming-of-age novel. The idea of being “raised by wolves” is taken literally here, as a young boy grows up surrounded by werewolves and dreams of becoming one himself.
Stephen Graham Jones brings a very personal angle to this story. As a Native American author, the idea of the pack often feels interchangeable with a tribe. There’s a strong undercurrent about identity and assimilation, especially with the concept of “sheep” werewolves who choose to deny their nature and try to live as something they’re not. That theme adds a lot of depth beneath what initially feels like a simple werewolf story.
At its core, this is a character driven, slice-of-life novel. The story is less about plot and more about moments of the boy growing up, learning the rules of this strange life, and slowly realizing he may never become what he wants to be. Because of that structure, the pacing can feel slow at times. There are stretches where not much happens, but those quieter moments are usually filled with stories or insights that build the world and characters.
The book is very dialogue heavy, but the characters carry it. Grandpa, Darren, and Libby all feel distinct and lived in. Grandpa’s stories were a highlight for me, and Darren brings a chaotic, wild energy that adds a lot of humor. This is a surprisingly funny book at times, and that humor helps balance some of the heavier themes.
Jones’ writing style is as unique as ever. He often drops you into scenes without much guidance and lets you piece things together yourself. That style didn’t fully work for me in My Heart Is a Chainsaw, but it worked better here. That said, it can still be a barrier. There were moments where I had to reread sections just to fully understand what was happening, which pulled me out of the story a bit.
The ending really worked for me. It felt earned and satisfying, especially in terms of where the boy ends up and what the family comes to understand about being a werewolf. It’s not about a big explosive payoff, but more about identity and acceptance, which fits the story perfectly.
Mongrels was first published on May 10, 2016, by William Morrow.
Why did I read Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones?
This was my Monster of the Month pick, and I asked for werewolf recommendations on Bluesky and Facebook. Mongrels was the clear winner. I had previously read My Heart Is a Chainsaw and thought it was good, but struggled with the writing style. I still have some of those same issues here, but overall, the style worked much better for this story.
Plot Summary:
A young boy grows up in a family of werewolves, raised by his grandfather, his uncle Darren, and his aunt Libby. His mother died during childbirth, and he has never met his father. At first, the boy is fascinated by the stories but doesn’t fully believe them — until he witnesses a transformation. From that moment on, he becomes obsessed with becoming a werewolf himself. As he grows older and passes the age when the change should happen, he’s forced to confront the possibility that it may never come.
What I Liked:
The coming-of-age aspect is the strongest part of the book. Even without the werewolves, this would still be a compelling story about growing up in an unconventional family.
Grandpa was my favorite character. His stories felt real and reminded me a lot of listening to older family members tell stories from their past.
Jones brings a lot of unique ideas to werewolf lore — especially with things like skin, pregnancy, digestion, and transformation.
The concept of “sheep” as werewolves who resist their nature is one of the most interesting thematic elements in the book.
Darren adds a ton of personality and humor. He’s unpredictable in the best way.
The ending felt satisfying and true to the story.
What I Disliked:
The writing style can be difficult to follow at times. The heavy reliance on dialogue with minimal description means you sometimes have to work to understand what’s happening.
There were moments where I had to reread scenes, which took me out of the immersion.
While the slower pacing fits the story, it may not work for readers looking for a more traditional, plot-driven werewolf novel.
Recommendation:
Mongrels is a very different kind of werewolf novel. It leans much more into coming-of-age and family than horror. If you’re looking for nonstop action or scares, this isn’t that kind of book. But if you want something more thoughtful and character-driven, it absolutely delivers.
I think this is a great recommendation for someone looking to branch into more literary horror or for younger readers, especially high school age, since the themes of identity and belonging hit hard.
Rating:
Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones
4.5 out of 5
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