Thank you for the opportunity to read the advanced copy.
Wow wow wow! What incredible world-building. I loved the post-apocalyptic setting, it was developed beautifully. The author really has a knack for this. I also loved that there was such a rich history that was explored that showed how the world ended up in the state that it is.

The only criticism that I have was that the story felt a bit rushed considering how richly the world and characters were developed. This book should have been longer, or made into a series.

Thanks again. Pleasure to read.

I still haven’t read this book but it’s in my tbr. I’m still super excited about it, but due to health reasons I didn’t get the chance to read it.

Burner is a feral wolf living in the wilds of post apocalyptic Maine. H is pack is attacked and half of it kidnapped. Burner and his best friend go on a journey to save their captured packmates aided by the enemy. They struggle through the elements as they try to avoid their own capture. Their journey doesn't end once the pack is freed.

The story starts off slow though it quickly picks up as the story progresses. Characters develop at a steady rate budding into a predictable relationship. The relationship between Aaron and Burner doesn't take the front seat as it progresses. The plot moves along nicely, not stopping or sticking in any situation. The introduction and growth of all characters is believable. Some moments were rushed but major plot points are strong enough to cover the wanting of more in some places.

I didn't expect to enjoy the book and do even though it is predictable from the start. Although my predictions came to fruition I was pleased with the way it happened. There was enough backstory to fill in most gaps without drawing attention from the plot. The ending left a lot to be completed and I hope there is more to make this a series to the up the ends left loose.

Alas, not for me. I liked the first 30% of the story and I was settling down into what I thought was a dystopian shifter story but then an attack happens and the characters set out to rescue their pack. The story then became too complicated for my simple brain. I couldn't stay abreast of what was happening, what had happened and who was who.

I didn't really understand the world building and what was what. I think this made it difficult for me to follow the story. I had reached the middle of the book and I was still a bit puzzled about the different kinds of 'beings' and what they were and how they were organised. At one point I realised that what I really needed was a glossary.

There were also some parts in the story which were just a bit too predictable me, for e.g when one of the characters decides he is going to stage a rescue. I just knew what would follow if he did that.

I like sci-fi, urban fantasy, paranormal and romance but I couldn't get into this. I think the writing is good but the story just isnt for me. This is just a matter of personal taste and other readers might like this.

Copy provided by Nine Star Press via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

*3.5 stars*

I think All the Dogs are Dancing by newbie author J.M. Goguen was a success, but with some kinks worked out, it could have been epic.

I like darker dystopian books sometimes, and All the Dogs are Dancing really fit that bill. I think it's important to know what you are getting into with this one as it is no steam and light on the romance, though the romance was still a central part of the story.

The world-building had so many interesting elements, I just think the author moved too quickly over the details at times. I often left scenes feeling a bit confused, but as the book went on, I found that I just rolled with the confusing parts because each page held something new and more and more intriguing. It felt, at times, that this book was a sequel where I missed the first in the series, and though that usually bothers me a lot, I was too swept up in the ultra fast-pace to linger on it for too long.

The romance was sweet and there was lots of buildup to it, which I always enjoy. I think many fans of queer dystopian books will enjoy this one. I know I did.

Content warning: references to child abuse.

*Copy provided in exchange for an honest review*

*ARC received through NetGalley*

I have mixed opinions about this book.

When I read the synopsis, I was really excited. It's a mix between three things I love: apocalyptic world, werewolves and mxm. I thought it would be right up my alley.

And plot wise, it really was. J.M. Goguen has a wonderful imagination, a definite knack for world building. And the characters were also extremely likable. Relatable each in their own ways.

The pace, however... The pace really hurt the story. It was way too fast paced. Being this fast makes the reader have no time at all to absorb so much information, and it takes away a lot of the enjoyment.

This is though, if I'm not mistaken, this author's first book. I will be excited to watch them grow as a writer. There is so much untapped potential.

This has such interesting world building!

All the Dogs are Dancing follows Burner, a wild werewolf who will one day be the alpha. This takes place in a post apocalyptic world where 20 years previous there were two years of darkness where cars, radios, TVs, and other technology stopped working. There are tales of creatures known as Deadwalkers who smell of rot and can’t go out into sunlight without burning up. One day, Burner goes to the mall for a new net and realizes tales of Deadwalkers aren’t just tales, and a slew of events are set into motion.

There really is such great world building in this story. A meteor crashed into earth and caused two years of Darkness during which many things had to change. Seeing how Burner and his pack survive, and the adaptations that have gone into their survival, is so well thought out. It’s also interesting how events and settings that are familiar to the reader are interpreted by Burner, the pictures in magazines the main way he knows about the past.

I kinda have mixed feelings on Burner and Aaron, but mainly that’s because it hurt when they’d hurt each other. It’s obvious they care for one another deeply, and their friendship means a great deal to them. The shift from friendship to romance felt organic, especially given the life-or-death situations they kept finding themselves in.

Overall, this was a very interesting story with wonderful world building. I can’t wait to see more of the story and what’s going to happen next.

The world building was awesome and we actually get to find out how things got to where we are. I would have liked the romance to have happened sooner. I loved the characters. I'm hoping that there will be additional books as there are still issues that need to be resolved. First off, what is up with the collar??? Why can't it be removed? What are we going to happen with the den Mothers? Is there going to be war? How many deadwalkers are against how the wolves are being treated? What happened with the family that they stayed with? My only complaint is that the story seemed to be a little disorganized. But since this is the author's first novel, I thought it was pretty well done.