Monday, May 16, 2011

ARC Review: The Pack by Jason Starr


The Pack is a Novel of Fiction by Jason Starr from ACE.

Book Blurb:

Simon Burns is not the only man this has happened to.  Fired from his job without warning, he takes on the role of stay-at-home dad for his three-year-old son, but his obvious reluctance pushes his already-strained marriage to the limit.  And while making his way through the shady streets and nestled playgrounds of the Upper West Side, Simon harbors a simmering rage at his boss’s betrayal.

Things take a turn when he meets a tight-knit trio of other dads at the playground: Michael. Charlie, and Ramon.  They are different from the other men Simon has met - stronger and more confident, more at ease with the darker side of life - and soon he is lured into their mix.  But after a guys’ night out gets frighteningly out of hand, Simon feels himself sliding into a new, nightmarish reality.

As he experiences disturbing changes in his body and perceptions, Simon starts to suspect that when Michael welcomed him to ‘the pack’, he was talking about much more than male bonding...

My thoughts:

Simon Burns has been climbing the ladder for seven years, hoping to finally get the promotion that would allow him to have a little wiggle room with the finances - maybe take his little family on a well deserved vacation.  Imagine his surprise when out of the blue - he’s fired.

Feeling angry and betrayed, Simon is then thrown completely out of his element when his wife suggests that he take his time finding a new job - and become a stay at home dad to their three year old son.

Spending the day in the park is nice - but a little monotonous until Simon meets a group of guys that are in a similar boat.  They all have sons close in age and they play well together - Simon is excited to be including in their group.

When a ‘guys night out’ is mentioned, Simon is at first reluctant to join in - but when his wife encourages him to go - he agrees to meet the guys.

The next morning Simon wakes and can’t remember what happened - but he is sure whatever it was - wasn’t good.

The Pack is the first book I have read by Jason Starr and I enjoyed it very much.  Combining the paranormal element with a little suspense makes The Pack a very interesting read.

I give The Pack 4 out of 5 stars.

 
   Product Details

    * Hardcover: 352 pages
    * Publisher: Ace Hardcover (06-07-11)
    * Language: English
    * ISBN-10: 0441020089
    * ISBN-13: 978-0441020089

3 comments:

Blodeuedd said...

Meh, I think it is the cover putting me off it. I just do not think it is for me

Danielle said...

I love the idea of werewolves meeting at a Daddy play-date. LOL! I want this!

Michelle Greathouse said...

B,

It is a pretty good book. Maybe it will have a different cover when it comes out in paperback.

Danielle,

It is certainly an original idea. :) Do you participate in R.A.K? It is a great way to share the books you've read - but don't want to keep - as well as getting books you have on your wishlist. I have a button on my right side bar, if you need more info.

M