Feral

by N.L. McLaughlin

An orphaned teen. A blood-bound curse. A predator born, not made.

Fifteen years ago, a terrified woman fled a hidden colony of feral Tricksters, taking a toddler she believed she’d saved from monsters. She was wrong. Now, the darkness in his blood is waking.

One single bite shatters Luca’s humanity, unleashing the predator beneath his skin. Jewel has been running for years; stalking the night, feeding on fear and flesh. When she crosses paths with Luca, the connection is instant and violent… a hunger for each other matched only by the rush of the kill.

Together, they are savage. Relentless. Deadly.

As they rampage, leaving death and carnage in their wake, they stumble upon Wyatt—a boy on the edge of his first turning.

Feeling a connection with the boy, they embark on a mission to find some answers. Who are his people? Why is he out in the human world all alone?

The search brings them to the heart of the Trickster colony… and to the predator who wants them Jewel’s murderous uncle.

Perfect for fans of Rachel Harrison’s Such Sharp Teeth and Nat Cassidy's When the Wolf Comes Home, this is a brutal, addictive supernatural horror where blood binds, the hunt thrills, and death follows.

244 pages, Paperback

Published October 9, 2025

About the author

Nancy was born and raised in Massachusetts. After serving in the USMC, she returned home and went to college. Not long after, she moved to California and married. Six kids and multiple moves around the US later, she and her family call Texas home.

Reviews

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has me hooked! Following Tricksters, Feral gives a deeper look into the trickster lore and introduces a new supernatural to the pack.

This gives all the carnivorous, feral, viscousness packed with an edge-of-your-seat plot!!

I don’t want to give anything away. There were a lot of pleasing unexpected surprises! I really did enjoy this and highly recommend!
I Hope there will be more.

Thank you for the ARC!!!

[Kswag · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

There is always a level of appreciation I have for authors who write books outside my comfort zone and want to finish.

I love how things became full circle with the pack from Tricksters.

And I will say Sheriff although I didn’t see that coming you should have. Just saying.

The momentum in this story with Weston and Jewel was astounding and although what I would have wanted Jewel to do and what she did , doesn’t necessarily align, it did give meaning.

And NL still showed the fuck up in giving the story the gruesome grisly horrid turn of events that she is known for.

Definitely read Tricksters and then buckle up for this one.

[Ella Graff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone looking for a little snack?

Jewel is a Trickster, who meets Luca - who is something else entirely. Their adventures lead them down a road with some bloodshed, some snacks and maybe some more tricksters. I don’t know about you, but I’m finding the family units endearing. I know, it’s sick, but I love it.

[Amber K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book in 1 sitting! This time our story centers around Jewel, the little sister from the first book, Tricksters.
Thus is a shifter, horror thriller and it is action packed! I was so thrilled to discover the fate of the Uncle also..made my day, lol!
Highly recommend!!

[Kelly Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, read it in 12 hours and loved how the author took us back to Tricksters

Fun easy read, paranormal shapeshifters with werewolves and coyotes (tricksters)
One of the reasons I enjoy it so much, the books are set in Oklahoma and Texas so that an added enjoyment for me

It’s also a coming of age story
Found family
Bullying
Romance
NL has it all in these books

[Stefanie Silvestri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely absorbed in this series, and Feral's addition of depth to the tricksters lore has taken it to a whole new level. The book had me in shock and I was thoroughly entertained by the creative take on paranormal shapeshifters, including werewolves and coyotes. The story was so engaging that I devoured the entire book in less than a day, barely taking a break from reading.

[iesha Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved that the author took me back to tricksters with this one. the book starts off strong and ends even stronger. i fell for Luca so hard. he was so caring towards Jewels and his accent (swoon) we also have wyatt and orphan on the verge of his first turning. with the help of jewels and luca he finds his family and starts to settle in but what happens when jewels uncle finally finds her??? you will have to read it yourself to find out. this book is a 10 out of 10 my jaw was on the floor with some parts and at other i was literally gasping out loud from shock. the author did an amazing job telling this one and i cant wait to see what she has in store for me next.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So excited to read book 2 in the Tricksters series!

This book packs a healthy serving of teeth and claws! We unravel what happened in the aftermath of Tricksters and we get to meet some new characters and "monsters". Travel across TX while unpacking the history of Luca and Jewel as they explore their very different lives. On was made and one was born. A perfect blend of unhinged eating habits and young love 🫶

Together they help a newly transitioning trickster who has no idea where he came from and more importantly what he is.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this as a horror novel, it had that tension that I was looking for and was hooked from the start. It uses the horror concept perfectly and had that shapeshifter element that I look for in this type of book. I was invested in what was happening and enjoyed the overall concept. I loved getting to know the characters and how everything worked together with them. N.L. McLaughlin wrote this perfectly and was glad I read this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Queenie2023 aka Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been so so ready and waiting for this book and it did not disappoint!!! Love how the Tricksters story really came together with Feral ! Jewel and Luca are gold together — I love their passion and spirit ! 10/10 recommend !

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was definitely a great sequel, I loved the storyline an reconnection, an new shifter type I hope they'll be more new types

[Shannon Shumway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the characters, Luca truly is a favorite. The ending had me on my toes wanting more. The first book was a good one but this one takes the cake.