The Curse of the Wendigo (Monstrumologist) [Hardcover]

Rick Yancey (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 12, 2010 | Series: Monstrumologist (Book 2)

While attempting to disprove that Homo vampiris, the vampire, could exist, Dr. Warthrop is asked by his former fiancé to rescue her husband from the Wendigo, a creature that starves even as it gorges itself on human flesh, which has snatched him in the Canadian wilderness. Although Warthrop also considers the Wendigo to be fictitious, he relents and rescues her husband from death and starvation, and then sees the man transform into a Wendigo. Can the doctor and Will Henry hunt down the ultimate predator, who, like the legendary vampire, is neither living nor dead, whose hunger for human flesh is never satisfied? This second book in The Monstrumologist series explores the line between myth and reality, love and hate, genius and madness.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YANCEY, Rick. The Curse of the Wendigo. Bk. 2. 423p. (Monstrumologist Series). S & S. 2010. Tr $17.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-8450-4; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-8973-8. LC number unavailable. ~Gr 9 Up–Will Henry, assistant to monstrumologist Pellinore Warthrop, finds a woman at his doorstep who seeks Warthrop's help in recovering her missing husband. He vanished while in search of a mythical creature known as the Wendigo, a vampirelike monster whose hunger for human flesh is insatiable. Will Henry and Warthrop travel to Canada to find Jack Fiddler, a Native shaman who was the last person to see Chanler alive. While he puts forward a supernatural scenario for Chanler's disappearance, Warthrop is convinced that there is a rational scientific explanation for everything, even when faced with seemingly incontrovertible evidence to the contrary. His stubborn commitment to the rational is challenged by his own mentor, Dr. von Helrung, who is about to propose that the Monstrumology Society accept mythological monsters as real. Refusing to accept what Chanler has become, Warthrop ends up endangering not only himself and Will but also the only woman he has ever loved. The style is reminiscent of older classic horror novels, such as Bram Stoker's Dracula, mixed with the storytelling sensibilities of Dickens. The ever-present, explicitly detailed, over-the-top, disgusting gore, however, is very much a product of modern times. The Curse of the Wendigo is certain to be popular with fans of The Monstrumologist (S & S, 2009), and the horror genre in general, but the disturbing, cynical tone makes the most appropriate audience for this book uncertain.–Tim Wadham, St. Louis County Library, MO. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Examples of literary horror don’t come much finer than The Monstrumologist (2009), and Yancey’s second volume sustains that high bar with lush prose, devilish characterizations, and more honest emotion than any book involving copious de-facings (yes, you read that right) ought to have. The new case: lepto luranis, aka the Wendigo, a vampiric creature whose mythic origins have monstrumologists divided. If they accept the existence of mystic shape-shifters, is not their “science” balderdash? Dr. Pellinore Warthrop has no interest until his former true love appears and begs him to find her husband—once Warthrop’s best friend—who has gone missing in search of the creature. Yes, female characters have arrived to the series and smashingly so, none better than Lilly, the talkative 13-year-old scientist who gives Warthrop’s faithful assistant, Will, his first kiss. The Monstrumologist was more propulsive, but the worthy trade-off here is the introduction of an alternate, monster-plagued 1888 New York, complete with irresistible historical cameos. So far, Yancey has written both books in the Monstrumologist series as if they were the last, going for broke and playing for keeps, no matter who or what ends up on the chopping block. This is Warthrop’s The Hound of the Baskervilles; if we hold our breath, maybe part 3 will come faster. Grades 9-12. --Daniel Kraus

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 448 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (October 12, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141698450X
• ISBN-13: 978-1416984504
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #389,290 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The saga continues with unparalleled style and monstrous grace October 29, 2010

By J. Prather TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

If someone asked me what was the best horror novel of the last ten years, I would say The Monstrumologist without hesitation. The author's second novel in the series not only sustains the same level of excellence but in many ways even surpasses the first. While The Curse of the Wendigo might not have quite as many "gasp worthy" moments as The Monstrumologist, in this volume we are treated to characters who are more fully developed, drawn not in broad strokes, but in fine detailed lines.

The author does a wonderful job of building on the story, taking us deeper into the world of the Doctor, Will Henry and Monstrumology itself. The Wendigo is fascinating and the author spares no sentiment in describing the monster in all of it's gruesome hunger and decay. The Doctor's past plays a large role in this mission and Will Henry acquits himself with the courage and steadfast loyalty that we have come to expect.

This is an exciting, fast paced read. It's not often that readers are treated to such action, adventure, and intense horror elements all couched in language that is rich and as lush as a warm blanket on a cold day. This series is not for everyone. It is a dark and bleak world portrayed here. As Will Henry states "...tell me why God felt the need to make a hell. It seems so redundant." Hell has never been so effectively portrayed. A recommend for any fan of literary horror fiction whether teen or adult. I can't believe I now have to wait so long for the next one. This is a must read.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than the first one! (A no-spoilers review) January 11, 2011

By Mindy VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

You don't need to read "The Monstrumologist" in order to enjoy "The Curse of the Wendigo"; it stands alone quite well. That said, if you enjoyed the first one, you MUST read this one.

I don't know how Yancey does it, he has an amazing gift for writing horror that truly makes you tremble. He plumbs the depth of human potential and scrapes the bottom, things too horrific to imagine are dredged up, brought to the light of day and described with unflinching brutality. But then he goes and shows you beauty as well: love, loyalty and laughter.

And that's where this book excels beyond "The Monstrumologist." I liked the Monstrumologist but the cast was all male. There were female victims of course, but no main player. Here, you have the enchanting Muriel whose relationship with the Monstrumologist makes him seem more human. You have Lilly, a girl slightly older than Will whom I found delightful. I do hope that she will be seen in future installments of Will's story. Other characters abound: Von Helrung (The Monstrumologist's mentor), John Chanler, Sergent Hawk. They all combine to make the story compelling, utterly engrossing. But the biggest draw is Will himself, how he could still be so innocent after witnessing so many horrors, how unfailing his loyalty is and how brave he becomes when grown men pale and flinch.

As usual there is the caveat: This is a gory book with mature content. I would hesitate to put it in the hands of children. It's more geared towards older teens and adults.

Bravo to Rick Yancey; I eagerly await the next installment.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Your nightmares meets Sherlock Holmes meets Silence of the Lambs November 10, 2010

By J. Essex

Format:Hardcover

This is one of the better books I've read in a long time. I really enjoyed the first book, "The Monstrumologist," for its atmosphere and premise, but couldn't help but find the monsters a little on the comical side. Not so here. The monster that stalks the pages of "The Curse of the Wendigo" is terrifying. Don't let the vampire face on the cover fool you - this is no vampire story. I think the cover design decision was made to cash in on the current vampire trends in fiction.
This story has more humor, emotion, and heartbreak than the first, and plenty of scares.