Lycanthropy and other Chronic Illnesses – Kristin O’Neal
Werewolves, Lyme disease, young adult, fiction.
Rating 10/10
Priya is undergoing treatments and aftercare with Lyme disease put her plans for premed school in halt. She joins a support group of individuals who like her have chronic illnesses. Her online friend, Brigid, goes offline which is not in character so she goes out of her way to try to find out what happened to her. Priya enters an open and seemingly empty house to find a giant dog. Later finds out it is Brigid who explains she has lycanthropy. She turns into a wolf at certain times of the month. Her condition is only getting worse over time and Priya has empathy for her. The two of them spend time together and navigate their chronic illnesses together while empowering each other.
I have heard so much about this novel and am glad I found a copy. I was not expecting to read such an empowering narrative. I was expecting another sick teen novel with an unhappy ending because that seemed like it. I loved the writing and the unique style that the texting or messaging was done with a discord-like template. The characters felt real and the conversations felt so natural and believable. There was some humor to this and serious tones as well. I found myself really enveloped and loved this novel.
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