First published back in January of 2025, ‘Strange New Moons’ aimed to deliver a wild and purposefully different werewolf themed anthology which was compiled by authors Kayleigh Dobbs and Stephen Kozeniewski.
Vargsången – Mary SanGiovanni – 24 Pages
Winter for the small mountain top community of Bergstopp, was nothing short of a bitter challenge upon the body and soul. Johanna lived within the log cabin situated highest on the slope. Isolated by the relentless snow and the perils which such a location brought. The snow had taken her husband the previous winter, leaving Johanna to bring up their twin boys alone. Tormund had never been found, alive or dead. No longer there to protect her and the boys. And tonight, with the silver moon bright in the night sky, she felt truly alone. She knew what lurked outside the cabin tonight was no mere animal of the mountainside. What Johanna heard pacing outside, guttural breathing audible over the howling winter snow, wanted in. After all, the season was not all that held dominion over the mountain…
What a fucking opening story! US author Mary SanGiovanni gets the werewolf anthology off to a blood-chilling start, with a wonderfully Scandinavian set offering, drenched in Nordic custom and mythology. However, it’s not just the bitterly cold setting, nor the desperate isolation, or indeed the threat of whatever lurks outside the cabin, which pounds you in the chest. It’s the masterfully delivered twist that not even Nostradamus would see coming. Upon which the primal, animalistic ferocity of the story is suddenly unleashed. What an opening story, my lycanthropic loving friends! Spectacular!
Seamus – Keawe Melina Patrick – 36 Pages
The last thing Seamus O’Connor remembered was a bright moon illuminating the thick woodland he’d been stalking through. As a philanthropist, animal rights activist and the CEO of Wildlife of the Americas, he’d thought the woods to be a safe haven. However, the metal claws of the animal trap he’d been caught by told a different story. The cruel device had broken his tibia, rendering him immobile. That was all he remembered before waking within the secure veterinarian’s cage.
Now Seamus was at the mercy of the woman who’d brought him here. The woman – Zennia – who’d locked him away within this prison and drugged him with tranquilizers. Seamus was trapped, not only within the cage, but also within his current form. And despite Zennia’s promises of care, supposedly nurturing him back to health, Seamus had realised the veterinarian might have other plans for him. She’d seen more than just a wounded 200lb wolf. She’d found out Seamus’ secret. That wasn’t good. For the first time in his life, Seamus O’Connor was no longer in control...
For her contribution, US based author Keawe Melina Patrick flips the idea of veterinary care on its head, showing the scenario of care from the perspective of the animal, although here of course we know said animal isn’t your normal run-of-the-mill wolf.
However, it’s an underlying reversal of the preconceived roles which ultimately pulls the reader into the thick of the narrative. On the face of it, one would usually assume the veterinarian to be the trusted, selfless, caring and good-willed role in the piece. Whereas the werewolf would normally take the position of the feral, self-driven, vicious beast. What if we switched these roles? What if the vet was the one who in fact had the hidden side? That’s what Patrick explores here. A story where none of these assumed roles can be taken at face value. Where character roles are reversed, and through that, an alternative perspective brought to the table. Who’s the real Dr Jekyll here? It’s an interesting and imaginative concept, delivered through a wonderfully tight character-driven narrative.
Agonies Of The Flesh – EJ Sidle – 16 Pages
Dr Francine Saddler wasn’t expecting to see Aria again. Especially not sitting in her veterinary clinic accompanied by a friend. However, the visit wasn’t for a catch up on old times. Aria had a favour to ask. For some time, her family had battled with cycles other than the moon. Endometriosis. A condition where the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. However, discomfort can make her kind irritable, and transformations can then be unstable. For a family of werewolves, that can be a problem. A big, vicious, deadly problem…
For her story, British author EJ Sidle offers up a short tale weaving in a medical condition females can be afflicted with, only here put into the context of a werewolf family. It’s an intriguing, cleverly considered concept, which puts an ethical dilemma and clinical integrity into focus. It’s clever and quirky, in a sort of “I bet no one’s considered such a circumstance before” kind of way. For a swift, straight to the crux of the matter read, it more than delivers.
That Time Of The Month – Kayleigh Dobbs – 34 Pages
When his car chugged to a stop in the middle of the road twenty minutes from home, Justin Rees knew he was in deep shit. He didn’t need to look up at the sky to know how close to sunset it was. Night was almost upon him, and tonight of all nights, a full moon. With no other option he clambered out of the car and set off running in the direction of home. He had no other option. He knew every other sensible male would be safely locked away inside their Full Moon Night cages. After all, tonight was the most dangerous night of the month. It was that time of the month when women transformed. When the streets were alive with werewolves…
Oh man, is this one an absolute hoot. Undoubtedly with a grin plastered across her face, British author Kayleigh Dobbs has come in with teeth bared and ready to give a full-blown female take on lycanthropy! The story is a comically mischievous offering, where we have the female population being afflicted (if indeed, one could say it’s an affliction?) with lycanthropy. A witty swapping of the menstrual cycle with that of becoming a werewolf. But from there Dobbs builds up a whole feminist take on it all. A womanhood which howls from the pages. Putting men in their place, with a delightful chuckle reverberating behind it all. The story as a whole is utterly captivating, with a light-hearted prose and pacing, portrayed through the perspectives of a few key characters. It’s a superbly imaginative twist on werewolves. Brilliantly executed with just the right amount of crisp, quick-witted comedy.
It's All For The Best, Sweetie – Rose Strickman – 24 Pages
Although Roja Ellwood was her granddaughter, Beth Hopkins knew she didn’t really have a choice about what had to be done. It wasn’t her granddaughter’s fault, but there was no other way. That wasn’t to say it wasn’t difficult for all concerned. Having Roja locked up in the basement, with food and supplies sent down via the dumbwaiter. Of course, Roja made all hell during those first few days being down there. Shouting all sorts of obscenities up through the old shaft. But that didn’t deter her grandmother one bit. The basement was the safest place for her. So, tagged to the little packages of food, blankets and clothes her grandmother sent down each day, would always be a handwritten note. Words written to explain. Notes to keep Roja going. To let her know that it was really, all for the best…
For her contribution, US author Rose Strickman tells a story through a series of letters which have been penned an elderly grandmother to her granddaughter, who’s locked in her basement. As we work through each letter, we lean more a little of the events which led to the young girl’s imprisonment. Building up a picture. The story of course is all told from the grandmother’s perspective. A sequence of events which play out like a twisted re-enactment of a the ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ fairy tale. It’s quirky and compelling, with a well-executed air of underlying mystery leading us all the way to the story’s end. Fairy tale found footage!
The Pit – John Durgin – 30 Pages
The Lycan Pit was where the world’s most fierce competitors battle it out in a life-or-death fight. A dog-eat-dog fighting pit, located on a highly secure island, where spectators’ admission to the fights was invite only. However, this was no normal spectator’s sport. Those in the ring were forced to be there. Dragged from their homes, ripped away from their lives and held captive on the island, ready for the next fight to the death. Fights where werewolves rip each other to shreds…
US author John Durgin offers up a high-octane Death Match story with a twist. Okay, so it’s a set up we’ve seen in numerous stories. Hell, we’ve even seen infants thrust into such a ring in Essig’s novella ‘Baby Fights’ (2023). However, here we have werewolves pitted against each other for the amusement of the rich and famous. And the marrying of the two elements works damn well.
Durgin’s story focuses on one lead character, Lee Styles, who’s thrown into the ring. The character is given a magnificently laid out backstory, and the whole setup is fleshed out well via a gradual unveiling of the wider plot. As soon as this is achieved, Durgin pulls out all the stops with one frenzied assault on the senses, alongside a superbly penned, action-rich narrative, that races to an explosive and utterly enthralling conclusion. Brilliantly written. The very definition of a page turner too!
Expose The Fur Below – Rebecca Rowland – 24 Pages
For a while now, Ronald Jenson had been concerned he might be a werewolf. It was more a collection of things which brought him to this potential conclusion, rather than one big revelation. It worried him. In particular, he worried for the safety of Betty. She’d been such a close friend through his life. Almost like a sister to him. What if she got caught up in all this? What if he turned when she was in his company? It was worrying. Ron knew he had to do something about it. He had to make sure he was right about his concerns. Although, you never really know what’s under someone’s skin, that is until it’s too late…
US author Rebecca Rowland offers up a wonderfully constructed, character-driven story, that focusses itself on two key characters – Ron and Betty – who we assume are in their late teens or early twenties. It’s a story which explores the worry that there’s something dark within oneself, but they’re not 100% sure. Seeds of uncertainty scattered through a few small events, of which we’re thrown back-and-forth between, until the big reveal at the end. Throughout this proverbial sewing of seeds, the storyline utterly captivates you with its character focus, drawing us deep into the internal conflicts and investing us in the outcome. It’s a superb read, somehow with so much crammed into so few pages.
Who Keeps Shitting On The Memorial Fire Tower? – Somer Canon – 24 Pages
As city employees, Luis Alonzo-Diaz and Tom Wassler had been tasked with keeping the grounds of various municipal properties tidy. One of which was the old memorial fire tower. However, over the last year and a half, the two workers had noticed the fire tower had been subjected to some quite bizarre, and relatively regular nighttime occurrences. Often, they’d find the surrounding vegetation shredded and trampled. But it was the astonishing amount of excrement which baffled them the most. Lines of shit smeared over the sides and top of the tower. It was an incredible feat to clean if nothing else. And it always seemed to happen around the time of a full moon.
It was too much of a mystery not to investigate. So, the next full moon, the pair did what any sensible person would, they hid out amongst the weeds and vegetation, and waited for the nighttime visitor to reveal itself…
US author Somer Canon delivers a grisly comedy horror piece, which for the main part, seems to build towards a big reveal or some other twist. However, the dramatic reveal you’re anticipating doesn’t really happen. Well, I say doesn’t really happen… but that’s not entirely true! We have plenty of ferocious werewolf action bursting out from the pages in the latter half of the story. However, with so much excrement and wackiness being talked about in the lead up to the arrival of the werewolf, you kind of expect something a little more off-the-chart than what Canon finally delivers. That’s not to say it’s not an entertaining read. The prose is tight and concise with a colourful comic book flair to everything. It all works well, although the ending is perhaps cut a little short.
Lark – Amanda Headlee – 32 Pages
Lucy had pleaded to go outside so she could look at the stars. However, whilst their parents were out, Lila was in charge. She was the older sister, and so what she said goes. At least it should have! But Lucy was a determined little girl.
As soon as Lila realised Lucy wasn’t in bed, that her little sister had gone out into the freezing January night, taking their black-and-white husky, Lark, with her, Lila was racing out the door and into the cold night air. It was a night that would haunt the whole family. Lila seeing Lark racing out across the road, seconds later, Lucy chasing after him. The car hitting Lucy. Her fragile, broken body. A family torn in half. And then all that remained was hope, longing, and utter desperation…
Oh, this one is brilliant. US author Amanda Headlee offers up her own highly emotive take on a ‘Pet Sematary’ (1983) crossed with James Herbert’s ‘Fluke’ (1977), which has been told through the eyes of the teenaged Lila. A heartbreaking story of tragedy and a family’s desperation. Yes, we have a thread of horror in the story, and indeed a werewolf edge, but for the most part it’s a tale of loss. Furthermore, Headlee’s also capitalised on the special bond a family, and perhaps more so a child, has with their pet dog. Bringing all this together in one powerful, and incredibly emotional story that holds you in a cold embrace throughout. Masterfully written and wonderfully executed.
March Of Night, Scratch Of Claw – Tim Lebbon – 26 Pages
Andrew Sax walked down the crowded streets, watching as the various drunken revellers invariably knocked into each other, each wearing their own monstrous costume for the Night March. He and Pat were supposed to be together this evening. Although, Andrew didn’t know where Pat was now.
They’d been best friends since before they were teens, some forty years, but tonight Sax’s mouth had gotten away from him. They’d argued, split, and now Andrew was alone. Well, as alone as anyone can be amongst the throngs of costume-clad boozers. However, a chance meeting that night, a strange woman with a wolfskin cast over her back, would change everything for Andrew. He was alone, but he would no longer feel afraid. All because of her. This woman, and a curved, splintered claw…
We have another incredibly compelling read! Here, British author Tim Lebbon takes us on a Halloween-esque Night March, where this solitary man feels lost in himself as much as the streets he wanders aimlessly through. Whether Lebbon’s Night March was born from ‘taking back the streets’ isn’t entirely clear, although does provoke the reader to explore the potential subtleties behind the story. However, at least on the surface, what we have is an atmosphere which would feel at home in a Poppy Z. Brite offering, with a very human sense of bitterness under its nails…or should I say claws? Because Lebbon has kept the werewolf concept firmly in his sights. It creeps out from the shadows and leaps into the storyline with a blood-curdling ferocity. A lone wolf indeed! It’s a short story that explores under the skin to tell its grisly tale from the inside. Yeah, you know it, Lebbon is one hell of a writer.
Blackfish – Stephen Kozeniewski – 28 Pages
Anneka was on the last day of his thirty-day quarantine. Quarantined both physically and technologically, until the infirmary and IT determined he was over whatever it was he’d picked up on the ice moon. They couldn’t be too careful. After all, Anneka had discovered an ancient Fereen colony there, frozen over and perfectly preserved. But something had happened. Something which knocked Anneka out and seemed to infiltrate into the AginCorp’s ship – The Blackfish – affecting the entire crew aboard. Something reaching out through the limitless millennia…
Oh, how I love a good sci-fi/horror romp! US author Stephen Kozeniewski has taken werewolves through space and time, to offer up a magnificently involved and carefully orchestrated tale, packed with intricate sci-fi detail and more backstory than you can shake a furry alien claw at. The story is told through the frustrated perspective of our quarantined protagonist, who’s out of the picture with what’s transpired since he investigated the remains of this preserved alien colony. Of course, we have a niggling feeling out tooth-and-claw pals are gonna be at the root of it all. However, even with this in the readers’ mind, doesn’t lessen the impact of the piece. If anything, the knowledge quickens the pace and has us clawing at the pages to see where the author will take the horror.
It’s an incredibly well-written, imaginative and meticulously plotted short story, with more meat on its bones than you would have thought possible with the page count. Terrifyingly good!
Bit Part – Matthew R. Davis – 22 Pages
The sound of the woman’s cries persuaded Russell to venture down underneath the bridge to investigate. There he discovered the twitching, mangled thing on the train tracks. Then he realised he was not alone. A gore-soaked young women was standing behind him with a manic grin on her face and a dripping axe gripped tight in both hands. On the track, the thing looked half human, half beast. Seemingly a wolf of sorts. A wolf in Australia? Impossible. However, as he was soon to learn, it was a wolf, but only until a full moon, whereupon the beast takes the form of a man. A man who goes out on a hunt. A were-man! But they are rarely lone wolves. The Red Talons work in packs. Men who hunt and kill whenever the moon is full in the night sky…
Yeah, you read that right…were-men! The inversion of werewolves! Australian author Matthew R. Davis has well-and-truly flipped this whole werewolf malarky on its proverbial head, with a relatively textbook werewolf style of story, only given this inverted twist to present something utterly unique. All of this is delivered with a comical tongue-in-cheek way, with the dialogue between our hapless protagonist and an ass-kicking heroine, absolute gold from the minute the two start speaking. It’s equal parts humorous as it is gruesome, in a gorehound kinda way. Ingenious.
Red In Tooth And Law – Simon Clark – 34 Pages
He was a cop. He was also a werewolf. Although not one of the Feral variety. Not one of the werewolves who can’t control their violent impulses. He had control. Although he knew it was going to take every bit of his willpower to prevent him transforming into a full-blooded howler before the night was through.
It wasn’t so much the presence of another werewolf, nor the chase through woodland, then into the supermarket warehouse. It was more with the frustration he felt from the disbelieving warehouse workers he was trying to protect. They’re inaction and blatant scepticism was making his blood boil. But he had to stay in control. After all, there was a Feral lurking in the shadows of the warehouse somewhere. A Feral werewolf he had to protect them from…
Finishing off the anthology we have British author Simon Clark’s fast-paced and action-rich werewolf offering which basically does to werewolves what ‘Blade’ (1998) did for vampires. It’s a grisly cop vs werewolf romp of a tale, which eventually ramps up the ante to ‘I Am Legend’ (1954) proportions. Trust me, this is one hell of a gripping read, packed with ferocious werewolf attacks, helpless victims cornered in a huge warehouse cage, and a cop-cum-werewolf who’s barely able to hold his shit together. It’s as good as it sounds!
DLS Conclusion:
As Kayleigh Dobbs set out in her foreword, the idea behind the anthology was to deliver a collection of stories which took werewolf fiction outside of its usual stomping ground. An anthology to serve up unusual, weird and wacky stories involving werewolves. Well, mission well-and-truly accomplished!
What we have with ‘Strange New Moons’ is an anthology that not only howls from the pages but also throws the reader into unchartered realms of lycanthropy fiction. Within this collection fierce imagination runs rampant. From the freezing cold Scandinavian mountain tops, to an ice moon within outer space, to a remote high-security island, to the shadowy aisles of a supermarket warehouse… these stories take the reader everywhere these thirteen uniquely different authors have conjured up their bloodthirsty mayhem to be.
And what a gore-drenched treat it is. Could this be the start of the next era in werewolf fiction? I wholeheartedly hope so!
The anthology runs for a total of 355 pages.
© DLS Reviews
