The Curse of the Wendigo (2) (The Monstrumologist)

If you thought Yancey could not possibly up the creepy vibe from "The Monstrumologist", you thought wrong."The Curse of the Wendigo" continues Will and Warthrop's adventures (after a slight time lapse, of course) as Warthrop is enlisted by a former paramour to find her husband, who was also Warthrop's "friend" (as much as anybody can be his friend) and fellow student of monstrumology. Cue the duo's travels to the north, where they encounter the legendary Wendigo, a being that divides monstrumology between those who believe certain creatures should be included in the study while others (like Warthrop) vehemently deny their existence.Like its predecessor, "The Curse of the Wendigo" offers quite a bit of adventure, introspection, and existential crises, both for Will and Warthrop. While the previous book focused on the sins of the father, this one definitely emphasizes the fall of the prideful. You also find out quite a bit about Warthrop's past and meet quite a cast of characters, ranging from the fictitious to the historic. As always, Yancey astounds with his descriptions, captures your imagination with the plot, and blankets a philosophical piece in the garb of a youth horror novel. There is quite a bit to be gleaned from and ruminated over, and you'll find yourself wanting more after you finish. (Or perhaps wanting less, if the gore scares you off!)

Picked this up as a Daily Deal, even though I had not read the first one. It reads perfectly well as a standalone. I had my doubts about it - I thought 'Monstrumologist' sounded a little silly. Despite a well written start I became even more irritated at the passing mention of a senior monstrumologist named 'Von Helrung'. Major eyeroll there - is this author seriously going to try to slip a ripoff character of Van Helsing past horror readers? It was a brief mention however, and the story in the Canadian backwoods was exciting enough that I quickly pushed my concern aside. The interaction of Will Henry and the Doctor is fantastic, and the Doctor is quite an original character. Its a tight rope to walk, to write a prominent character that is deeply flawed and very difficult to like, but Yancey does it well.About halfway through the book however, 'Van Helrung' comes to the fore. Without ruining it for the reader - I was floored when I realized just how Yancey fit him into the universe of this novel. Suddenly this book became everything that I had wanted but did not get out of the disappointing 'Anno Dracula'. The original Dracula is one of my all-time favorite stories, and Yancey's writing and universe is the closest I've ever come to finding a modern successor to Stoker and Blackwood. I'm also a huge fan of historical fiction, even when its more fiction than historical, and it was a pleasure to find that even the most minor names in his story were actual people, and done seamlessly with a minimum of contrivance. As if that's not enough, the thrilling final hunt reminded me of another favorite book, Perdido Street Station. His handling of the Wendigo itself contains both a reverent and a cheeky nod to Blackwood's story, but is also an original and chilling new interpretation.I loved the book. I loved the blend of horror and historical fiction, it hit all the right notes for me. Despite an extremely dark story there's a really human element to his writing and the relationships in it, which is either missing or clumsily done by most authors in this genre. Real horror is magnified when you actually care about the characters! For classic horror fans, I highly recommend checking this series out. I greatly look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Will Henry has lost his family, but the Monstrumologist, Dr. Pellinore Warthrop took him in. Will Henry's father was Warthrop's assistant, and after his death the doctor kept Will Henry on as his assistant. While it might not seem like a young teen would be the best assistant, Will Henry is the only person in Warthrop's life who truly cares about him... even if he isn't thrilled about all the monsters. In Rick Yancey's sequel to The Monstrumlogist, The Curse of the Wendigo, Will Henry and Warthrop aren't trying to find a monster. They are trying to convince everyone it doesn't exist...When Warthrop's best friend and arch nemesis goes missing, Warthrop agrees to go to Canada to find John Chanler. Chanler was sent by the head of the Monstrumology Society, Dr. von Helrung, to find tangible proof that the Wendigo truly did exist and have it entered into the list of existing monsters. Warthrop knows the Wendigo is just a myth, but nonetheless, Chanler has still gone missing. He and Will Henry set off to find the missing scientist only to find themselves lost in the wilderness and being hunted by something that neither of them can explain. They find Chanler, but returning to civilization is no easy feat.When they finally find their way back to the town, Warthrop refuses to admit anything was hunting them. He convinces Will Henry it was all dehydration and exhaustion playing tricks on their minds, but Will Henry can't forget those yellow eyes. Chanler is returned to his wife in New York City and Warthrop and Will Henry head to the same city for the annual Monstrumologist convention. But went they find Chanler being kept under guard in von Helrung's house, not a hospital, Warthrop accuses the old scientist of losing his mind and endangering Chanler's life. What they don't expect is for Chanler to quickly devolve into more beast than man. Can you still question the existence of a Wendigo when it is rampaging through the city and hunting your own apprentice? Dr. Pellinore Warthrop can!When I try to describe Dr. Pellinore Warthrop, I always find myself claiming him to be a male Temperance Brennan, from the television show "Bones". He isn't heartless, he is just very scientific and logical, to the point of seeming to be without emotion. In the first book, however, it became very clear that he cared very much for the orphan boy he took in. In this book, that fatherly devotion grows to the point where Warthrop even considers sending Will Henry away to protect him from the dangerous profession of Monstrumology. In fact, the relationship between the young apprentice and the doctor is what makes me love this series so much. Warthrop doesn't care much about the lives of other people, but he would do anything to keep Will Henry safe- even send away the only person he actually cares about. And sometimes, when Warthrop is describing something very clinically, and Will Henry is struggling to maintain his composure and not laugh out loud in front of the doctor, I found myself cracking up! The very dynamic between the two is hilarious.I think this is a good series for most junior high through high school students. It is set at the turn of the century, so the historical aspects of New York City at that time are very interesting (giant piles of horse poo from the carriages!). There is certainly some violence with the rescue and escape of John Chanler and Will Henry always seems to find himself in grave danger, much to the irritation of Dr. Warthrop. There are some times when the story slows a little bit, so a stronger reader with a little stamina might be necessary. Still, these are great books that have a subtle humor that will keep you sniggering and giggling right along with Will Henry!

Best book I read all year. This is a great series each book can stand alone but the character development grows with each book. This is book 2 and even greater than book 1. It is gripping and exciting centering on the wendigo a form of vampire. The doctors past regrets and love lost are exposed in this book. Read it you will love it.

Saga stupenda, molto più da adulti che molti libri horror "da adulti" che ho letto. E ne ho letti parecchi. Non fidatevi se cercando l'autore trovate che scriva libri per giovani adulti, magari "the fifth wave" che non ho nessuna intenzione di leggere sì, questa saga no, è meravigliosa.

As expected

Wenn man mit lesen startet kann man nicht mehr aufhalten. Sehr gutes Buch. Bleib bitte schreiben Rick Yancey, nicht aufhalten!