Read What Others are Saying!
More Golden Than Day - An Awesome Conclusion to The Last Werewolf Hunter Series!
Read the first two pages of these books and you'll be hooked! I was totally sucked in to this trilogy and read them all in about two days. The whole series is hinged on a werewolf theme but really I think this is more of a coming of age story. Zach is growing up and learning what kind of man he wants to be. It's a young adult book but I think it's relate-able to everyone. The writing is so genuine and heartfelt coming from Zach who is hovering between a boy and a man. So full of honesty, simple wisdom, and innocence. Despite the werewolves, this book is not at all gory. Suspenseful yes, but it's not horror and won't leave you with nightmares. This is a very well-written Christian YA series with a fantasy twist.
I can't wait to see what this author does next!
Writing ***** 5 stars
Christian Aspect ***** 5 stars
Storyline ***** 5 stars
-Christian Fiction Ebooks, Oldfield, Missouri
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Cry for the Moon
I read Cry for the Moon in one go. Once I started, I just had to keep going until I finished. I found it to be original, warm and entertaining. I found myself completely empathising with young Zach. I loved every page.
-Nicole Currey, Australia
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Inspirational
Cry for the Moon is one of the best books I've ever read. I think readers of all ages will love this inspirational tale. I was hooked from the start. On the surface it is a humourous adventure and yet if you look deeper it is a story about life and searching for something more. Twelve year-old Zach comes from a family of loup garous (werewolves). He has now reached the age where he is ready to be initiated and become a 'monster' as he puts it. His family have already set the wheels in motion to turn him into a fully fledged loup garou. This is when Zach makes his escape fleeing from the family home under some pressure to avoid being there for the next full moon when he will be expected to make his first kill.
The story is written in the first person from Zach's viewpoint, in a loose style reminiscent of JD Salinger's 'Catcher in the Rye'.
It is the story of Zach's quest to find his uncle Justin who is one of the only members of his family who is not a werewolf. He has never met his uncle before and doesn't even know where he lives. He sets out on a search from Tennessee to Texas, living rough and getting by on the little money he can make along the way. It's a fun read and contains some inspirational writing. In his search for his uncle, Zach finds more than he set out to find. On a deeper level the book is also about turning from the dark and finding God. It is also a story about the choices that we have to make in life, and how difficult those choices can be.
-Maria Savva, Hertfordshire,
England
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Highly Recommended
As an avid fan of Christian Fantasy work, I was more than willing to review William's work for him. Completely unfamiliar with his previous books, I was taken aback by the introduction. What place do werewolves have in Christian Fantasy?
However, as I continued to read, I became captivated by the story of Zach, told from the boy's own point of view; a story of fear, desperation, and, ultimately, rejection. Suffice it to say, this book stuck with me, forcing me to read chapter after chapter, the story coming to life through the first-person narrative.
Woodall hits one out of the park with his fantastic tale of a young boy striving with all his heart to change future, against all odds. The best I can do to sum up this review is with the very verse he uses to introduce the book: "When my mother and father forsake me, then the Lord will take me up," (Psalm 27:10).
- Abel J. Larkin, Adams, NY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fantastic BOOK!!!!
I have to say that this book took my attention right off the first page. I just had surgery and this book kept me company for the past 2 days I was in bed. This book will suck you in until you get to the last page. I love it and i give William a A++++ on his work.
-Leslie Victoria, Bronx, NY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cry for the Moon - a book that dares to be different! WELL DONE!
Even the description of the story did not quite prepare me for the disturbing start of this book - but I had to read on (do NOT let the beginning keep you from reading the book - you will soon understand how crucial that scene is to the rest of the story).
I was rewarded for my efforts, as this tale unfolds with surprising satisfaction! The author is very skilled at creating the mood and making you feel the emotions of this young man, who is faced with very grown-up dilemmas and decisions.
I found myself captivated with the story and could not stop reading until I reached the end! Everything about this story is thought-provoking, from the young man's ability to cope with various situations, to the ultimate choice he must make.
The monster that Zach has to deal with may be nothing, compared with the 'monsters' that other children are facing - this book could easily be a turning point for them. Readers of all ages will appreciate this wonderfully told story. I look forward to reading more books by this author and I will recommend this book to everyone!
-Jancy Dunn, Kansas
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cry for all the right reasons....
Okay, by now you know the theme,premise,and simply the summary for this book, which has been done well by some other reviewers. So, I will review from the manner in what I feel about the book and the author. If you do an intro sample please do not be turned off as others have mentioned by the rather startling, graphically, detailed depiction of a very quick incident that almost made me think that it maybe more of a horror flick than what I thought it was. Now I can laugh at that part because it is nothing of the sort. It was necessary and if you read past that, the reward is a book that is well written in a very simple yet poignant manner. So much so that sometimes I felt more like I was talking to Zach himself than reading about him.
That style appealed to me so much but I was pleasantly surprised by some things that I simply weren't prepared for or expected. I found myself following Zach and unable to leave this story because I had to walk with him to the end. I still sort of find myself yearning to hear from an older Zach. From the perspective of a young man, who tells how those choices affected and shaped the man that he became but you sort of come away feeling that somethings in life will always be left unanswered and also that you will have to accept that and still strive to be pro-active about who and what shapes your life. While hoping, believing, trusting, dreaming, and making the choices to live the best life that you can, with the cards that are laid out before you.
This book was special to me for many reasons that I cannot put here but let me tell you that if you get this one, you will not regret it. It's funny at times, and I had come to look forward to and expect the humor but what I didn't expect was to find myself up at 5a.m. curled up on the sofa ending that journey with Zach and having my pet poodle leaning on me to kiss away my tears. Yes, maybe I am just mushy or soft or something of the sort but I did find it impossible to keep the "waterworks" turned off as I realized that we had come to the end of the journey and although I was so satisfied and appreciative for the way in which this story was told, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Zach,...the things that he endured,the sacrifices and choices he had to make. Someone commented that this is a teen book. I would have to disagree. This book is for anyone who is willing to read it and would enjoy watching a young boy learn that depth of character is important and choices that we make in life are developed and made by so many different experiences and influenced by so many different entities; and that as we make each choice, they shape our life and who we are and what type of life we will have to a great extinct or not have. That making choices are not always easy or welcomed but sometimes, to not make them, is actually still making a choice and could leave us even more vulnerable and worse for the wear.
I will say that there were things and situations in this book that were familiar to me and reminded me of someone who was and is special to me that had to go through a life choice(and crisis) at twelve years old that would forever shaped his life. Like Zach, he had to come to terms with not ever having some very important questions answered and had to make the decision to accept that and live his life until the day that he died. But, I do know that it affected the man that he became. No he wasn't running away from monsters in that sense but then again,maybe, and so that to made it even more special a read for me. There was so much that I think anyone can relate to and identify with.
At last, by this long review, I know that you can by now surmise that I loved the book and will be looking forward to purchasing more work from this author. A job well done Mr. Woodall. You write beautifully and your style is so realistic. So special, so much so that one can easily see one's self melting into the background, and walking along like a shadow following your characters all the way to the end. You know, you don't just jump into the background of a good and well written novel, you just lie back and sort of allow yourself to be taken away and melt into the background. I must confess that I sort of borrowed that
from my friend Zach and put my own little twist on it for this instance. But you know what? I found that happening a great deal along our journey. Wolves, curses,...some believe, some don't, but regardless, there's enough realism to support it all and the boy who shared his life with me and the wonderful author,
who inspired me. This reader is pleased and you have a new fan.
-Shadow, Louisiana
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't be turned off by the start of the book!
An excellent adventure novel that follows a young boy on his journey to "freedom" of soul... really surprisingly good!
When I first started reading this book, I almost put it down. It seemed odd, starting out with a werewolf scene that almost turned me off from the book, since I have no experience with this author. However, I kept going and I was REALLY pulled into the story. The beginning was then fitting for the story as well, the whole point is that you are repulsed by the start, same as the main character!!
An excellent book by a newish author... he should be in the ranks of the rest of the Christian Fiction authors!! Very excellent writing, very good storyline, excellent, well-rounded characters! Highly recommend! I am going to read his other books now when I get a moment!
-Natalie Porter, Kansas
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I LOVED this book!
Echoing what other reviewers have said, this book begins in a very graphic and disturbing manner. I totally agree it was necessary to set up the story; anything less wouldn't have been nearly as effective. It serves to both immediately draw the reader into the story and, makes you understand completely why twelve year old Zach would run away from home.
Told in first person, Zach chronicles the events that led him to run away from home and family, all the way through to what I think was a very satisfying ending.
This book is fantasy, yet is filled with so many truths that characters and situations became real to me. I especially related to Zach when he learns a painful truth about love. That truth is a reality that as an adult I've struggled to come to terms with for many years now. That a child of twelve, even a fictional one, was put in a situation to have to deal with this truth, was heart wrenching.
As for the religious aspect of this book, I found this to have also been beautifully written and believably chronicled. It was never once `preachy' or `in your face Christian', even towards the end when Zach tells of finding God. It comes across only as someone giving voice to his experience. That there is more mention of religion at the end of the story also seems logical to me, since someone coming from Zach's situation most likely wouldn't have had much, if any, exposure to God or religion in the beginning.
In a response to one of the reviews, Mr. Woodall wrote,
"When I reflect on the books that have meant the most to me personally, all of them have been what I would call ageless. That is, there's something in them that can touch the heart of a 13 year old when he's still too young and raw to appreciate subtlety, but there's also something in them that he can still feed on when he's old and gray, although perhaps not the same things. Every book I ever truly loved has been worth reading more than once."
He then went on to add that he aspired to write those kinds of books. Mr. Woodall, at least in this reader/reviewer's opinion, you've done it. Cry For The Moon has something to touch the heart of readers of any age and is most definitely worth reading more than once. I love this story so much that I'm planning to buy it in its paper form.
-Desert Brat, Southern California
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More Golden Than Day - An Awesome Conclusion to The Last Werewolf Hunter Series!
Read the first two pages of these books and you'll be hooked! I was totally sucked in to this trilogy and read them all in about two days. The whole series is hinged on a werewolf theme but really I think this is more of a coming of age story. Zach is growing up and learning what kind of man he wants to be. It's a young adult book but I think it's relate-able to everyone. The writing is so genuine and heartfelt coming from Zach who is hovering between a boy and a man. So full of honesty, simple wisdom, and innocence. Despite the werewolves, this book is not at all gory. Suspenseful yes, but it's not horror and won't leave you with nightmares. This is a very well-written Christian YA series with a fantasy twist.
I can't wait to see what this author does next!
Writing ***** 5 stars
Christian Aspect ***** 5 stars
Storyline ***** 5 stars
-Christian Fiction Ebooks, Oldfield, Missouri
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cry for the Moon
I read Cry for the Moon in one go. Once I started, I just had to keep going until I finished. I found it to be original, warm and entertaining. I found myself completely empathising with young Zach. I loved every page.
-Nicole Currey, Australia
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspirational
Cry for the Moon is one of the best books I've ever read. I think readers of all ages will love this inspirational tale. I was hooked from the start. On the surface it is a humourous adventure and yet if you look deeper it is a story about life and searching for something more. Twelve year-old Zach comes from a family of loup garous (werewolves). He has now reached the age where he is ready to be initiated and become a 'monster' as he puts it. His family have already set the wheels in motion to turn him into a fully fledged loup garou. This is when Zach makes his escape fleeing from the family home under some pressure to avoid being there for the next full moon when he will be expected to make his first kill.
The story is written in the first person from Zach's viewpoint, in a loose style reminiscent of JD Salinger's 'Catcher in the Rye'.
It is the story of Zach's quest to find his uncle Justin who is one of the only members of his family who is not a werewolf. He has never met his uncle before and doesn't even know where he lives. He sets out on a search from Tennessee to Texas, living rough and getting by on the little money he can make along the way. It's a fun read and contains some inspirational writing. In his search for his uncle, Zach finds more than he set out to find. On a deeper level the book is also about turning from the dark and finding God. It is also a story about the choices that we have to make in life, and how difficult those choices can be.
-Maria Savva, Hertfordshire,
England
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Highly Recommended
As an avid fan of Christian Fantasy work, I was more than willing to review William's work for him. Completely unfamiliar with his previous books, I was taken aback by the introduction. What place do werewolves have in Christian Fantasy?
However, as I continued to read, I became captivated by the story of Zach, told from the boy's own point of view; a story of fear, desperation, and, ultimately, rejection. Suffice it to say, this book stuck with me, forcing me to read chapter after chapter, the story coming to life through the first-person narrative.
Woodall hits one out of the park with his fantastic tale of a young boy striving with all his heart to change future, against all odds. The best I can do to sum up this review is with the very verse he uses to introduce the book: "When my mother and father forsake me, then the Lord will take me up," (Psalm 27:10).
- Abel J. Larkin, Adams, NY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fantastic BOOK!!!!
I have to say that this book took my attention right off the first page. I just had surgery and this book kept me company for the past 2 days I was in bed. This book will suck you in until you get to the last page. I love it and i give William a A++++ on his work.
-Leslie Victoria, Bronx, NY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cry for the Moon - a book that dares to be different! WELL DONE!
Even the description of the story did not quite prepare me for the disturbing start of this book - but I had to read on (do NOT let the beginning keep you from reading the book - you will soon understand how crucial that scene is to the rest of the story).
I was rewarded for my efforts, as this tale unfolds with surprising satisfaction! The author is very skilled at creating the mood and making you feel the emotions of this young man, who is faced with very grown-up dilemmas and decisions.
I found myself captivated with the story and could not stop reading until I reached the end! Everything about this story is thought-provoking, from the young man's ability to cope with various situations, to the ultimate choice he must make.
The monster that Zach has to deal with may be nothing, compared with the 'monsters' that other children are facing - this book could easily be a turning point for them. Readers of all ages will appreciate this wonderfully told story. I look forward to reading more books by this author and I will recommend this book to everyone!
-Jancy Dunn, Kansas
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cry for all the right reasons....
Okay, by now you know the theme,premise,and simply the summary for this book, which has been done well by some other reviewers. So, I will review from the manner in what I feel about the book and the author. If you do an intro sample please do not be turned off as others have mentioned by the rather startling, graphically, detailed depiction of a very quick incident that almost made me think that it maybe more of a horror flick than what I thought it was. Now I can laugh at that part because it is nothing of the sort. It was necessary and if you read past that, the reward is a book that is well written in a very simple yet poignant manner. So much so that sometimes I felt more like I was talking to Zach himself than reading about him.
That style appealed to me so much but I was pleasantly surprised by some things that I simply weren't prepared for or expected. I found myself following Zach and unable to leave this story because I had to walk with him to the end. I still sort of find myself yearning to hear from an older Zach. From the perspective of a young man, who tells how those choices affected and shaped the man that he became but you sort of come away feeling that somethings in life will always be left unanswered and also that you will have to accept that and still strive to be pro-active about who and what shapes your life. While hoping, believing, trusting, dreaming, and making the choices to live the best life that you can, with the cards that are laid out before you.
This book was special to me for many reasons that I cannot put here but let me tell you that if you get this one, you will not regret it. It's funny at times, and I had come to look forward to and expect the humor but what I didn't expect was to find myself up at 5a.m. curled up on the sofa ending that journey with Zach and having my pet poodle leaning on me to kiss away my tears. Yes, maybe I am just mushy or soft or something of the sort but I did find it impossible to keep the "waterworks" turned off as I realized that we had come to the end of the journey and although I was so satisfied and appreciative for the way in which this story was told, I couldn't help but feel sorry for Zach,...the things that he endured,the sacrifices and choices he had to make. Someone commented that this is a teen book. I would have to disagree. This book is for anyone who is willing to read it and would enjoy watching a young boy learn that depth of character is important and choices that we make in life are developed and made by so many different experiences and influenced by so many different entities; and that as we make each choice, they shape our life and who we are and what type of life we will have to a great extinct or not have. That making choices are not always easy or welcomed but sometimes, to not make them, is actually still making a choice and could leave us even more vulnerable and worse for the wear.
I will say that there were things and situations in this book that were familiar to me and reminded me of someone who was and is special to me that had to go through a life choice(and crisis) at twelve years old that would forever shaped his life. Like Zach, he had to come to terms with not ever having some very important questions answered and had to make the decision to accept that and live his life until the day that he died. But, I do know that it affected the man that he became. No he wasn't running away from monsters in that sense but then again,maybe, and so that to made it even more special a read for me. There was so much that I think anyone can relate to and identify with.
At last, by this long review, I know that you can by now surmise that I loved the book and will be looking forward to purchasing more work from this author. A job well done Mr. Woodall. You write beautifully and your style is so realistic. So special, so much so that one can easily see one's self melting into the background, and walking along like a shadow following your characters all the way to the end. You know, you don't just jump into the background of a good and well written novel, you just lie back and sort of allow yourself to be taken away and melt into the background. I must confess that I sort of borrowed that
from my friend Zach and put my own little twist on it for this instance. But you know what? I found that happening a great deal along our journey. Wolves, curses,...some believe, some don't, but regardless, there's enough realism to support it all and the boy who shared his life with me and the wonderful author,
who inspired me. This reader is pleased and you have a new fan.
-Shadow, Louisiana
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't be turned off by the start of the book!
An excellent adventure novel that follows a young boy on his journey to "freedom" of soul... really surprisingly good!
When I first started reading this book, I almost put it down. It seemed odd, starting out with a werewolf scene that almost turned me off from the book, since I have no experience with this author. However, I kept going and I was REALLY pulled into the story. The beginning was then fitting for the story as well, the whole point is that you are repulsed by the start, same as the main character!!
An excellent book by a newish author... he should be in the ranks of the rest of the Christian Fiction authors!! Very excellent writing, very good storyline, excellent, well-rounded characters! Highly recommend! I am going to read his other books now when I get a moment!
-Natalie Porter, Kansas
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I LOVED this book!
Echoing what other reviewers have said, this book begins in a very graphic and disturbing manner. I totally agree it was necessary to set up the story; anything less wouldn't have been nearly as effective. It serves to both immediately draw the reader into the story and, makes you understand completely why twelve year old Zach would run away from home.
Told in first person, Zach chronicles the events that led him to run away from home and family, all the way through to what I think was a very satisfying ending.
This book is fantasy, yet is filled with so many truths that characters and situations became real to me. I especially related to Zach when he learns a painful truth about love. That truth is a reality that as an adult I've struggled to come to terms with for many years now. That a child of twelve, even a fictional one, was put in a situation to have to deal with this truth, was heart wrenching.
As for the religious aspect of this book, I found this to have also been beautifully written and believably chronicled. It was never once `preachy' or `in your face Christian', even towards the end when Zach tells of finding God. It comes across only as someone giving voice to his experience. That there is more mention of religion at the end of the story also seems logical to me, since someone coming from Zach's situation most likely wouldn't have had much, if any, exposure to God or religion in the beginning.
In a response to one of the reviews, Mr. Woodall wrote,
"When I reflect on the books that have meant the most to me personally, all of them have been what I would call ageless. That is, there's something in them that can touch the heart of a 13 year old when he's still too young and raw to appreciate subtlety, but there's also something in them that he can still feed on when he's old and gray, although perhaps not the same things. Every book I ever truly loved has been worth reading more than once."
He then went on to add that he aspired to write those kinds of books. Mr. Woodall, at least in this reader/reviewer's opinion, you've done it. Cry For The Moon has something to touch the heart of readers of any age and is most definitely worth reading more than once. I love this story so much that I'm planning to buy it in its paper form.
-Desert Brat, Southern California
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------