I didn't know where this book was going. I love when a book can do that. It truly had me enthralled from the beginning. It was an unusual story about 2 kids rumored to be raised by wolves. Throw in a small town, a little mystery and you have a good story.

I had enjoyed the Girl in the Castle by James Patterson and Emily Raymond, so I was excited to read this book. It had that concept that I wanted and enjoyed overall feel of this world. I thought the plot worked really well and was glad I got to get to know these characters. James Patterson and Emily Raymond were a great writing team and hope there is more from them.

James Patterson has done it again with his latest novel, "Raised by Wolves". While this is listed as Fiction, it could easily be labeled as a young adult novel. It doesn't take anything away from the story tho.

Raised by Wolves by James Patterson and Emily Raymond is an intriguing mystery that mixes suspense with a unique twist on teenage life. The story centers on Kai and Holo, two siblings who suddenly appear in the small town of Kokanee Creek, claiming to have been raised by wolves. The townspeople, including Police Chief Chester Greene, are bewildered by these feral teens who seem both wild and unusually wise. Chester takes them into his home as they attempt to adjust to high school life, where they’re treated as outsiders and face challenges from bullies. The story alternates between Chester’s and Kai’s perspectives, adding depth to the plot and keeping readers hooked. Although the FBI’s involvement adds layers of mystery, the novel also explores themes of belonging, survival, and family bonds. With its fast pace and intriguing characters, Raised by Wolves kept me engaged from start to finish—an enjoyable read with a fresh premise.
Very grateful to the publisher for my copy, opinions are my own.

The premise of this book was interesting, though it did feel a bit more like a young adult book. It didn't come across as other books by Patterson. There are a number of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged. I did have a harder time connecting to the characters than I expected. I enjoyed the alternating points of view.

Another quick, suspenseful Patterson page turner. The man never disappoints. I loved the crazy twists and turns that kept me guessing all throughout.

Raised by Wolves by James Patterson; Emily Raymond. The premise of the book was intriguing. The story was fast paced with many twists, turns and unanswered questions. Had difficulty relating to the characters and their actions. All in all, an entertaining read.

Thank you to the authors, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.

Raised by Wolves was not at all what I was expecting.
The story plot sounded so intriguing.
But, I have to say…..I had such a hard time getting into the storyline.
This did not read like previous books I’ve read by James Patterson. Something just felt off……
All in all, it’s a ok story. Just not one for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for the ARC Grand Central Publishing!

If you’re a fan of James Patterson, you won’t be disappointed in this one! It’s got everything you’re looking for with a Patterson book: fast paced, action, suspense and mystery. The characters were intriguing and kept me wanting to stay in this world with them. What a fun and exciting ride Raised by Wolves was!

Raised by Wolves by James Patterson and Emily Raymond is a very highly recommended mystery that will grab your attention from the first page.

In the small town of Kokanee Creek, Idaho, two barefoot and grubby teens are acting feral while ransacking the snack isle at Grizzly Grocery and Bait Shop. Police Chief Chester Greene arrives with a deputy. The two aren't talking, only growling, and when they try to run he has no choice but to handcuff the two and put them in jail. They eventually begin to talk. Chester learns they are sister and brother, Kai and Holo. Kai asserts they have no last name as they were raised by wolves - but she is also well spoken.

Chester and his partner, Lacey, take Kai and Holo into their home while trying to determine who they are. The FBI also turns up and is interested in who they are and where they came from. The two, who claim to be 17 and 14, are enrolled in the local high school, which brings additional problems.

The pace is fast in this well-written, intriguing mystery. The narrative alternates between the point-of-view of Kai and Chester. From Kai we learn that the two know how to survive in the wild and they really do have a family of wolves. There are many mentions of how they must always be alert and watchful for any threat, which serves them well as they negotiate high school. Readers will wonder why the two came into civilization, but that becomes clear later. The FBI remains involved in the story.

The high school scenes prompt the feeling that it could be relatable and suitable for YA readers as the two are clearly outsiders in that culture. However, it held my complete, definitely adult, attention also. Kai and Holo are interesting characters, which certainly helps. The plot becomes increasingly complicated as more players get involved in the narrative and there are a couple twists along the way.

Raised by Wolves is an entertaining, enjoyable mystery that moves at a quick pace and is engaging throughout. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

This is an amazing story of a brother (Holo) and sister (Kai). The kids appear to be children of the forest. They are caught stealing food at a gas station, after they are arrested, the Chief of Police (Chester) takes them into his home. The kids prove to be extremely intelligent. As he tries to find out more about the children, he gets more questions than answers. With lots of twists and turns as Patterson masterfully crafts, this is top notch story. 

4 Stars

Were two teenagers truly raised by wolves?

The town of Kokanee Creek isn’t quite sure what to make of the two teenagers who show up one day and ransack the Grizzly Grocery and Bait Shop. They are dirty and wearing raggedy clothes, and after smashing the glass door to get in they start eating food by the fistfuls. When they are approached by the store clerk they growl and bare their teeth, so he calls the police. Police Chief Chester Greene arrives to a crazy scene, but he treats the two with empathy. He isn’t able to get them to speak with him, so has little choice but to bring them along to the police station. There eventually the two start to talk; the elder says her name is Kai and introduces the boy as her younger brother Holo. Then she drops the bombshell….she says they were raised by wolves. While they certainly act feral, its hard for Chester to square that claim with their ability to speak English perfectly well, but Kai says they have no last name and no family other than the wolves. Chester decides to bring the pair back to his home while things are sorted out (to the delight of his partner Lacey), and enrolls them in the local high school. Two near-feral strangers are not received with much warmth by the local teenagers, who call them freaks, and they soon become the local bully’s favorite new target. Kai and Holo know how to fight and aren’t afraid to use their skills to defend themselves, but the principal takes their actions as further proof that they have behavioral issues. Then the FBI arrives, thinking that the two will lead them to someone they have sought for years. Who are these two young people, and why did they show up in Kokanee Creek? Will they be able to adapt to living like normal teenagers, making friends and maybe experiencing love? Were they truly raised by wolves? Will they stay, or will they return to the wild from which they came?
With chapters alternately narrated by Chester and by Kai, this at times reads like a mystery and at times like a YA novel. There are frequent comparisons between living by the harsh rules of nature, where one must always be on alert for predators and other dangers, and living within a small town, where food and shelter is readily available and the marvels of technology make life much easier. Wendy’s cheeseburgers vs freshly caught trout? Hot showers vs bathing in cold bodies of water? Sleeping in a warm, comfortable bed or sleeping outdoors with the stars above and sharing body warmth with one’s family? At the same time the reader is asked to decide if a wolf pack is really all that different at its core from a human family. The story moves briskly, and the characters are intriguing. While it was an enjoyable enough read (I would rate it a 3.5 rounded up to 4), I found it tried to be too many types of story at once. Is it a mystery? A YA novel exploring the plight of outsiders in the social hierarchy of teenage life as well as the odd sensation that is when feeling attraction to another for the first time? What does the arrival of the FBI mean and is their presence sinister or admirable? Readers of James Patterson know what to expect from his brand and this hits most of the usual notes. Readers of author Dean Koontz might also find the premise appealing. My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for allowing me early access to this interesting thriller.

An arresting tale filled with twists, turns and unanswered questions. Just when I thought I knew where Kai and Holo came from and who they were a new twist was added. This book kept me enthralled from the first page till long after the last.

In the very small town of Kokanee Creek, Idaho, two children have just run out of the woods and into a convenience store. Acting feral and growling. Not violent, just very hungry and dirty.

The Chief of Police takes them in but can’t get any real answers from them. Except the growling and howling. So, he takes them home.

Were they really raised by wolves? That would turn out not to be true. But then maybe they don’t know the truth.

I have read every one of James Patterson’s books. I would have never known this was one of his by the writing. I went to the website to see if this was a YA book, but no.

As just a story it was okay.


NetGalley/ Grand Central Publishing November 05, 2024

Kai and Kolo broke into a convenience store and tore apart bags of snack, made a general mess and growled at anyone who stood in their way.

The local chief of police hauled them into a jail cell, to try to identify them and find their parents. They said they were raised by wolves. However, when they started to talk, they sounded intelligent and educated but were poorly behaved. After a night in jail, Chester, the chief, brought them home to his partner. There, they started to enjoy the joys of modern day conveniences. School was a challenge for both of them with many of the students avoiding or harassing them. As the FBI, law enforcement and people of the community joined in the efforts, the story became even more complex. And the State of Idaho wanted a say.

It appears that they did have a wolf family, but where did they come from? Who educated them?

This is a fun story to read, but not aimed at adults.

Kai and Hola are found wrecking a store and eating their way through the store. When they are stopped by the chief of police who takes them to jail and tries to figure put where they came from. This book has so many twists that you will never see coming and makes you think about the various situations to see if they are good or bad. A great book!