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What It Means To Be Family
Among the Wolves of Nottely Lake follows a teen living with his wolf-hunter father, who never knew his mother, who discovers he is part wolf after taking a DNA test. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My stories usually happen when two ideas collide. For this book, I wanted to write a story about someone searching for family, as that is a personal interest of mine, but it’s not much of a story idea. Then I had the idea about someone taking a DNA test that comes back with wolf DNA, and the book was there. I also wanted to honor my favorite author, Wylly Folk St. John, so I located the story in the Blue Ridge Mountains on Lake Nottely.
Rob Giroux is a fascinating character who has to work through a complicated situation. What scene was the most interesting to write for that character?
I loved writing the scene when Rob’s sisters find him at the bowling alley. He is surprised by so many unusual circumstances at that point, and I hope the reader is surprised as well. That moment, early in the novel, is exciting to me and so full of possibilities. I also loved writing the end!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted to explore family bonds, and what it even means to be ‘family.’ It was also important to me to show character(s) who are fierce and resourceful, yet also reliant on loved ones. I wanted to explore trust and loyalty coupled with fear and uncertainty.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out and what can your fans expect in the next story?
I planned for this to be a standalone novel, but the feedback I’ve received has been pushing me toward a second book. I would personally like a prequel story – I’d like to see the relationship between Rob’s parents unfold. It would be interesting, to me, to see how we arrive at page one of Among the Wolves.
As for my next book, it’s on the way – hopefully 2025. It’s a middle grades adventure story that again focuses on family ties.
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High school senior Rob Giroux has always wondered about his mother. Who is she? Why did she leave? Is she even still alive? At the urging of his girlfriend, Candace, Rob takes a DNA test that comes back with shocking results: Rob has the DNA of Canis lupus. Wolf. What Rob doesn’t know is that his father is a leader in a ruthless group of werewolf hunters, and now, Rob is the very thing his father wants to destroy.
When Candace disappears, Rob’s long-lost werewolf sisters arrive, offering Rob the chance to find the family for which he has always longed. Rob journeys with them to their ancestral home in North Georgia. There, in the swirling snows of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Rob must make a choice: reconcile with his human father and become a powerful werewolf Hunter, or accept his supernatural heritage, join his sisters, and embrace the one true love who has always been by his side.
Among the Wolves of Nottely Lake
Chip Jett’s Among the Wolves of Nottely Lake interlaces dark fantasy with a journey of self-discovery, pulling readers into a narrative that is rich with suspense, myth, and the complexities of belonging. At the heart of this compelling story is Rob Giroux, a high school senior haunted by the enigma of his mother’s disappearance. Urged on by his girlfriend, Candace, he submits to a DNA test, unaware that this single act will shatter the foundations of his world. What he uncovers is nothing short of staggering. His genetic makeup carries more than human traits. It holds a secret that thrusts him into a hidden world, one teeming with ancient power struggles and uncharted alliances.
The novel deftly introduces this revelation, layering tension and mystery as Rob confronts an unimaginable truth. Instead of granting the clarity he seeks, this discovery drags him into a whirlwind of questions about his origins and identity, with Jett’s narrative momentum ensuring readers feel every twist and revelation alongside Rob. This layered approach transforms a simple coming-of-age tale into an enthralling saga, making the reader as eager as the protagonist to piece together the puzzle of his heritage. Jett breathes fresh life into the familiar werewolf lore, framing it within an ongoing conflict between werewolves and hunters. This feud, steeped in history and animosity, injects a potent mix of suspense and moral complexity into the story. Rob soon realizes that even some of the people he trusts most may be hunters, forcing him to question his loyalty and the true nature of those around him.
The themes of betrayal and trust reverberate throughout the novel, heightening the tension and making every relationship fraught with hidden motives. Rob’s transformation is not only physical but deeply psychological. He wrestles with an identity crisis, torn between the world he’s always known and a supernatural legacy he cannot ignore. Jett weaves this struggle with precision, shaping Rob from a bewildered teenager into someone faced with life-altering choices about belonging and acceptance. The evolution of his character is a testament to Jett’s narrative skill, where each emotional beat is carefully developed, and every revelation leaves readers hanging on for more. The emotional stakes are compounded by Rob’s turbulent relationship with his father, a figure whose harshness has left deep emotional scars. This difficult dynamic is explored with sensitivity, adding layers to Rob’s journey and touching on universal themes of family, loss, and the search for validation. In contrast, Rob’s connection with his sisters brings moments of warmth and perspective, offering a balance to the story’s darker undertones. Jett’s vivid portrayal of the Blue Ridge Mountains serves as a fitting backdrop to this emotional rollercoaster, painting a landscape as wild and isolated as Rob’s internal struggle.
Among the Wolves of Nottely Lake stands apart in the fantasy genre. Jett balances the supernatural with authentic human experiences to create a narrative that is as heart-pounding as it is heartfelt. The book explores loyalty, identity, and the cost of secrets, all while maintaining a suspenseful pace that grips young adult and adult readers alike.
Pages: 291 | ASIN : B0D5Z21T5S
LITERARY TITAN 