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Hidebound
The legends lied... the moon doesn't matter.
Rayne Ellison is a werewolf on the run—from her past, from the law, from the influence of the terrible thing lurking in her own genetics. A monster that takes control of her mind and transforms her body, compelling her to commit brutal murders without warning.
Fleeing in the wake of her latest relapse, during which she unwittingly murdered her best friend, Rayne finds herself alone and broke on a tiny island near Seattle. But even as she lands a job and begins forming a wary friendship with one local family, Rayne senses danger looming on two the increasingly uncontrollable animal inside herself, and a very different predator tracking her every move, a professional hunter with a single to kill one of every living thing on the planet. He knows werewolves exist. He knows Rayne's deadly secret. He knows exactly where to hang her head in his trophy room—and he doesn't care how many people have to die to make that happen.
Now, Rayne must master the monster within if she hopes to protect her newfound friends, defeat the psychopath stalking her, and learn to live with the awful things she has done.
Hidebound, first installment in The Ambush Moon Cycle, a new trilogy of novellas from Luciano Marano, is a bold and modern take on the classic werewolf myth. A twisted tale of equal parts horror and heart... and guts... and claws... and teeth.
Rayne Ellison is a werewolf on the run—from her past, from the law, from the influence of the terrible thing lurking in her own genetics. A monster that takes control of her mind and transforms her body, compelling her to commit brutal murders without warning.
Fleeing in the wake of her latest relapse, during which she unwittingly murdered her best friend, Rayne finds herself alone and broke on a tiny island near Seattle. But even as she lands a job and begins forming a wary friendship with one local family, Rayne senses danger looming on two the increasingly uncontrollable animal inside herself, and a very different predator tracking her every move, a professional hunter with a single to kill one of every living thing on the planet. He knows werewolves exist. He knows Rayne's deadly secret. He knows exactly where to hang her head in his trophy room—and he doesn't care how many people have to die to make that happen.
Now, Rayne must master the monster within if she hopes to protect her newfound friends, defeat the psychopath stalking her, and learn to live with the awful things she has done.
Hidebound, first installment in The Ambush Moon Cycle, a new trilogy of novellas from Luciano Marano, is a bold and modern take on the classic werewolf myth. A twisted tale of equal parts horror and heart... and guts... and claws... and teeth.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2022
43 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 17, 2025
This was an enjoyable short novel about a unique werewolf.
The story wastes no time, getting right at it and giving a taste of the hell that is MC Rayne Ellison's life.
A nomad borne from her need to keep the blood on her hands to a minimum, she's on her way out of San Francisco, away from the disaster her Other self has created. All she knows, based on the little she knows of her kind, is to go north.
She ends up on a small island off the Washington. Just when things are looking okay, she gets the sense that it might all go to crap--again.
I liked that Rayne was both dangerous and sympathetic. A monster but a feeling, caring human. Seemingly indestructible, yet vulnerable.
The story clips along quite nicely. There were a few times where
The story promises more adventures, which I fully intend to read. Quite enjoyable.
The story wastes no time, getting right at it and giving a taste of the hell that is MC Rayne Ellison's life.
A nomad borne from her need to keep the blood on her hands to a minimum, she's on her way out of San Francisco, away from the disaster her Other self has created. All she knows, based on the little she knows of her kind, is to go north.
She ends up on a small island off the Washington. Just when things are looking okay, she gets the sense that it might all go to crap--again.
I liked that Rayne was both dangerous and sympathetic. A monster but a feeling, caring human. Seemingly indestructible, yet vulnerable.
The story clips along quite nicely. There were a few times where
The story promises more adventures, which I fully intend to read. Quite enjoyable.
August 30, 2022
Taut, fun, werewolf tale with great characters and tons of forward momentum. This was a blast to read and a great addition to the werewolf canon.
February 20, 2025
This story is really good and kept me interested in turning pages through the quick read cover to cover.
I loved the characters and the plot. It has just enough gore to really make it real that her werewolf is indeed uncontrollable and dangerous, unlike most werewolf books.
I can't wait to see what happens in this next book, which I already have sitting here waiting to be cracked. Let's get started.
I loved the characters and the plot. It has just enough gore to really make it real that her werewolf is indeed uncontrollable and dangerous, unlike most werewolf books.
I can't wait to see what happens in this next book, which I already have sitting here waiting to be cracked. Let's get started.
October 24, 2024
A very good read
Really enjoyed Hidebound, I tried ‘on spec’ after hearing one of Luciano’s short stories on Drew Blood’s Dark Tales podcast. I wasn’t sure how a werewolf tale would go down, it went down well and not in any expected direction.
An interesting tale well told. I will be trying book #2.
Really enjoyed Hidebound, I tried ‘on spec’ after hearing one of Luciano’s short stories on Drew Blood’s Dark Tales podcast. I wasn’t sure how a werewolf tale would go down, it went down well and not in any expected direction.
An interesting tale well told. I will be trying book #2.
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November 4, 2022Great Story
Really enjoyed the book. Good Werewolf story's are tough to come by. I tend to prefer my reads a little more gore and action filled, but that's by no means a knock on Hidebound. I will definitely read the next book in the series.
Really enjoyed the book. Good Werewolf story's are tough to come by. I tend to prefer my reads a little more gore and action filled, but that's by no means a knock on Hidebound. I will definitely read the next book in the series.
September 18, 2023
Love a werewolf ...
Liked the ease of the story telling, from the start you are swept into a life. Interesting characters. Can see more to come. I liked the book. Will read next. Short books. Hopefully author will jump into next book without repeat narrative.
Liked the ease of the story telling, from the start you are swept into a life. Interesting characters. Can see more to come. I liked the book. Will read next. Short books. Hopefully author will jump into next book without repeat narrative.
August 27, 2023
fun
This was a fun little werewolf story. Not too gory but descriptive enough that you could see it in your minds eye
This was a fun little werewolf story. Not too gory but descriptive enough that you could see it in your minds eye
December 18, 2023
needed more
Overall, not a bad story. Needed more character development and definitely more action. Hopefully, book two is a bit better.
Overall, not a bad story. Needed more character development and definitely more action. Hopefully, book two is a bit better.
December 12, 2025
I really enjoyed this. A really good character, with an interesting history. I liked that she was so strong and mysterious. I really am excited to see where she goes from here.
July 5, 2025
I picked this up at a convention as an avid indie reader and was blown away with what I got! I loved this book immensely. I initially purchased because I couldn’t even think of one piece of media featuring a female werewolf protagonist, and this did not disappoint.
Right away, I felt completely attached to Rayne, the protagonist. I finished the book over three sittings, and each time I had to set it down, I found myself wondering what her next move was going to be.
I think the exposition was a major strong point. At the beginning, the reader gets just enough to stay intrigued but not enough to feel like you’ve just been dumped on with too much information.
The suspense of her transformation was compelling, the reader only getting the complete and full sight of the creature towards the end of the book, something I think is a dying art that the author gave us without issue.
As a woman, I also loved the written portrayal of Rayne. Her descriptions are tasteful and provide the full image to form your own picture in your head without creating unnecessary tension between the reader and book.
The highlight was my interpretation of Rayne’s disease being a mental illness. I have suffered with psychosis in the past and could completely relate to Rayne. Feeling powerless to the Other you; uncontrolled, feral, and vicious, but mostly just misunderstood. Overall, through her mistakes and shortcomings, Rayne is a relatable heroine. One that has flaws, but is actively trying to make herself a better person. Something we can all relate to.
If I can offer any constructive criticism, it would only be that there were few and far between errors in the script, maybe about 3. I also would have loved a little more expansion on Melissa and Rayne towards the end of the book. I also wish it was longer!
That all being said, I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to purchase and read the next two in the trilogy. I’ve already recommended it and will be trying to get it into my bookclub when I can.
Right away, I felt completely attached to Rayne, the protagonist. I finished the book over three sittings, and each time I had to set it down, I found myself wondering what her next move was going to be.
I think the exposition was a major strong point. At the beginning, the reader gets just enough to stay intrigued but not enough to feel like you’ve just been dumped on with too much information.
The suspense of her transformation was compelling, the reader only getting the complete and full sight of the creature towards the end of the book, something I think is a dying art that the author gave us without issue.
As a woman, I also loved the written portrayal of Rayne. Her descriptions are tasteful and provide the full image to form your own picture in your head without creating unnecessary tension between the reader and book.
The highlight was my interpretation of Rayne’s disease being a mental illness. I have suffered with psychosis in the past and could completely relate to Rayne. Feeling powerless to the Other you; uncontrolled, feral, and vicious, but mostly just misunderstood. Overall, through her mistakes and shortcomings, Rayne is a relatable heroine. One that has flaws, but is actively trying to make herself a better person. Something we can all relate to.
If I can offer any constructive criticism, it would only be that there were few and far between errors in the script, maybe about 3. I also would have loved a little more expansion on Melissa and Rayne towards the end of the book. I also wish it was longer!
That all being said, I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to purchase and read the next two in the trilogy. I’ve already recommended it and will be trying to get it into my bookclub when I can.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews