Review: Dust City

Dust City by Robert Paul Weston

Summary: Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?

His son, that’s who.

Ever since his father’s arrest for the murder of Little Red Riding Hood, teen wolf Henry Whelp has kept a low profile in a Home for Wayward Wolves . . . until a murder at the Home leads Henry to believe his father may have been framed.

Now, with the help of his kleptomaniac roommate, Jack, and a daring she-wolf named Fiona, Henry will have to venture deep into the heart of Dust City: a rundown, gritty metropolis where fairydust is craved by everyone and controlled by a dangerous mob of Water Nixies and their crime boss leader, Skinner.

Can Henry solve the mystery of his family’s sinister past? Or, like his father before him, is he destined for life as a big bad wolf?

My Thoughts: This was very different from what I’ve been reading lately, but I really like it. While it is YA, it doesn’t read like YA much at all. I often forgot that Henry is a teenager. I don’t think this book really fit the synopsis provided on the back cover (as seen above), though. Jack and Fiona aren’t quite as big of characters as this makes them sound. I expected more of a group story, but really it was more Henry than anyone.

The world Weston created is quite interesting. This is thousands (millions?) of years beyond where we are today, to where wolves, foxes, cats, frogs, etc. have evolved to be more human-like. They walk upright, talk, and intermingle in the city. But, it’s also a twisted fairy tale, as there are giants, dwarves, etc. and fairy dust … the world is quite interesting, although I did have trouble visualizing these characters. It was hard for me to figure out exactly how they looked. Are the wolves just that – wolves, but walking upright and talking? Is that how all species are now?

I did like Henry. He’s an interesting and compelling main character. He has depth – and we get to see much of it. We see him struggle with who he is and whether he can tame the inherent beast within. I think I might have liked if the story showed us a bit more of his relationship with Doc, though. I think it could have helped enrich the story a little.

Overall, this was a great book. It’s a quick read, although somewhat dark.

My Rating: 4 stars

Source: Received through Book It Forward ARC Tours for review.

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FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.

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