Windigo Story

The Windigo stories, it is surmised, came out of the fear of dwindling supplies and starvation. Underlying fear that glimmers in Windigo stories is the constantly desperate struggle to survive – food ran out, the weather was prohibitive, cannibalism was an inevitable result. There is nothing worse than being alone, cold and hungry – the mind begins to play tricks. As a result, Windigo became this huge creature, 20-30′ feet high, with a block of ice surrounding it, particularly its heart, he was lipless, great bloody fangs, and bloody feet, hissing breath you could hear for miles, great speed and supernatural strength. – Shannon Thunderbird, M.A., Gispudwada Tribe – An Interview with Thunderbird About Windigo

Life in the wilds of Alaska can be not only hard, but deadly. Bitter cold and starvation are very real, and loneliness in this bitter landscape can drive even the most stable beyond madness. When Caleb’s plane goes down in the backcountry, his cousin Logan knows that he must reach him as quickly as possible if he is to have any chance of surviving. However, what he finds when he finally locates Caleb at an old trapper’s cabin proves that sometimes, survival isn’t for the best.

Lucas McWilliams has written an action/thriller with researched elements of Windigo legend. Of course, the Windigo is not just a Native American legend, but rather an archetype settled within the collective unconscious of humanity, harkening back to a time when humans huddled together in fear of the dark. The dark is inherent in this particular tale, on many levels – from the Windigo to the modern day military political machine.

The research on the Seneca and the Windigo myth is good, and the overall storyline showed promise. Personally, as a Native Quapaw, I was uncomfortable with the “prototypical Native American Mythos/Character” developed by the author. It is easy for a non-native author to gather up legends and weave them into their books. It is harder to not fall into the trap of creating such a clichéd stereotype as to insult the very people you are writing about.

This is, in my opinion of course, a book geared towards teenaged male ideology.

The women in the book are weak and hypersexual, falling into bed with the lead character without a whimper, no matter how badly he treats them. Though there is a supposed relationship between the lead and one of the female characters, he has no problem with having sex with other women on a whim, encouraging the idea that “real men” don’t do honesty. The action is well enough written, but again, the stereotypes in the book were uncomfortable for me. There are highly unrealistic happenings in what should be the “realistic” parts of the book, but the horror portions make up for it. Overall, though I am a huge fan of Joe Hill, Matthew Reilly, James Rollins, Richard Matheson and other action adventure and horror writers, I couldn’t really compare this book with any of my favorites.

Maybe because I had issues with the Windigo portion of the tale, but also because of the misogynistic bent. Be that as it may, for a certain audience this book will definitely appeal.

I received this book from Audiobooks Monthly in return for a realistic review. All thoughts are my own.

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Entertaining supernatural horror

This was an entertaining book. I've always been fascinated with Alaska, Native Americans, and Wendigo legends, which is why this book appealed to me. The book is pretty gripping, and I was able to finish it in one sitting. I listened to the Audible audio version of this book narrated by David Dietz. He did well in his narration, especially with pacing and character differentiation. I wasn't fond of his female voices, but they were still okay. Overall, this was not a great book, but it was definitely entertaining and keeps you engaged. This would probably be considered a supernatural horror/suspense book, and would appeal to fans of the genre.

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A modern take on the Wendigo legend

ETERNAL HUNT

Author: Lucas McWilliams

Type of Book: Audiobook - Unabridged

Length: 6 hours, 5 minutes

Narrator: David Dietz

Genre: Horror, Suspense, Thriller

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐

* I received a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*

NOTE:

* This book is not suitable for those under the age of 18 due to graphic violence and sexual situations.

Logan Longstride and his cousin Caleb are both full-blooded Seneca Indians who grew up on a reservation in southern New York state. They spent many youthful summers exploring and learning the secrets of living in the wild. Many of those trips were to Alaska and now that they are attending college Logan and Caleb have spent their last few summers working as Wilderness Guides.

Six weeks ago Logan and Caleb both led separate hunts. When Logan returned from his hunt he learned that Caleb's group had not yet returned. The last communication from the group was a distress call from the bush pilot saying that the plane was going down.

Logan gathered together a search and rescue party and went to try to find his cousin. Close to the coordinates of the plane's last known location there is an old hunting cabin. Logan had been hoping to find Caleb holed up there.

When the rescue group arrived at the cabin they came across strange tracks that looked like a mix of human and animal. Once inside they found human bones; some with bits of flesh still attached.

Enoch, an Inuit hunter knew what the discovery signified. He believed that Caleb's group had reached the cabin and that to stave off starvation one of the survivors had resorted to eating human flesh. "A man that eats the flesh of another is cursed to become a Wendigo. Cursed to always crave the flesh of man but never be satisfied."

It is at that moment that something grabbed Todd (a member of the search party) and sliced into him from behind. The beast dragged him off into the trees.

Logan believes the creature is a Wendigo. "It was a naked man with talons for fingernails and toenails. It's skin was stretched tight over it's bones. It was emaciated like nothing I've ever seen. It's naked skin was the ash grey of death; like a walking corpse. It's eyes were black as night and sunk deep into the sockets. It was as if it was a risen gaunt skeleton fresh from the earth. It smelled strongly of the musky odor of the grave."

The worst part is that Logan recognized the Wendigo. It was his beloved cousin and blood-brother Caleb.

While the rest of the search party is killed Logan is able to survive - barely. While in the hospital recuperating he is approached by a government representative who encourages him to join their "monster hunting" group. Lucas had planned to return to Alaska to hunt Caleb down anyway so he is intrigued.

Now Lucas must use all his wits and cunning as well as the knowledge of his Seneca ancestors to hunt the Wendigo.

This story is based on the centuries old legends of Native Americans and blends that ancient mystical world with the modern one.

There are parts of this book that are terrific and other parts that quite simply are not.

The information about the Seneca's belief in "Old Man Broken Nose" and the secret society that surrounds it are fascinating. I had never heard of either of them, but have since done an internet search and found some very interesting information and some great pictures.

*** SPOILER ALERT***
Stop reading NOW if you don't want part of the book revealed to you. What I am about to write will not ruin any major plot points, but potential readers may not want any of the story revealed.

This book almost seems like it was written by two different authors (or one author with multiple personalities). One author does a great job with creating a backstory and a plot-line and making us start to care about Logan. The "other" author then messes with the reader's head. Just when we start to think Logan is a great guy, he has sex with yet another female character. What the heck?

Logan starts off having sex (multiple times) with the woman who, along with her husband, had volunteered to help. Not twenty four hours after her husband is killed by the Windego Logan is sleeping with her. I understand that extreme stress and grief can cause people to react inappropriately, but Logan takes advantage of the woman's grief and has sex with her.
As the story continues we start to forgive him, especially when Jamie is introduced into the story. She is his on-and-off-again girlfriend back in his hometown. Logan redeems himself in the eyes (and ears, since this is an audiobook) of the reader. He sleeps with her and tells her he loves her and that even though he isn't yet ready for commitment, that he will probably marry her someday.
Then he has sex (twice) with another woman (Johansen). This forces the reader to start seeing Logan as a sex-crazed jerk. But, maybe he could be forgiven if he then didn't go out and have sex with a fourth woman. This one was a virgin and even though she was the instigator he should have known better and maybe exhibited some self control.
After this he goes back to Jamie again. Yikes! What the heck? This seems like overkill on the gratuitous sex scenes to me. I know that "sex sells" and I am not a prude. I just think that it is hard to identify with the lead character when he is such a 'dog' (also known as a 'player').

So, I choose to rate this book as 3 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐

I mostly enjoyed the narration. This is the third audiobook that I have listened to that was narrated by David Dietz. He has done an admirable job at differentiating between multiple male characters and a decent job voicing the females. I didn't like the sound of the Wendigo's yell, it didn't really sound monstrous to me, but that is a small thing in the overall scheme of things. Overall I enjoyed the narration. David Dietz did a great job with the material he had to work with. I give the narration 4 out of 5 stars.⭐⭐⭐⭐

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David Dietz, well that by far was the best part

Eternal Hunt by Lucas McWilliams was for me an interesting story. I love anything to do with the paranormal. When I saw that the book was about an Indian lore of a Wendigo. Well I was on board to listen to this 6+ hour book. Then I was kind of wondering when the ride would be over. It wasn’t that it was bad but, it was not where I put most of the books I listen to at the top.

The book opens up in Bear Ridge, Alaska. A plane goes down and the cousin of another hunting guide is called out for the search and rescue mission. 5 men and 1 woman team go into the area that the plane crashed. As soon as they get to the crash scene is they come up on the first bloody body. Shredded by what? As each of the rescue party is killed one by one. And that is just in the first 10-20 minutes of the book. There are 3 of the remaining rescue party held up in the cabin. Where all the other survivors of the crash are killed at the hand of what? All dead but one! Caleb, the cousin to one of the remaining rescue party. Logan Long Stride along with the remaining rescue party Liz and Inuk. Was it Caleb that killed them? If not was it a wild animal? Seeing the man like creature as it attacked the others. Logan knows as a full blooded Seneca Indian from New York that Caleb has turned into a Wendigo after eating the others to survive. As the remaining rescue team wait for the helicopter to come back and get them in the morning they hold up in the cabin. Hoping not to be Caleb’s’ next meal. Great start huh? Well, that was about the only one of a few parts that kept my interest. After that it was watching a movie that you just can’t turn away from just to see what happens.

Don’t get me wrong. It was well written. But, Logan seems to spend half the book in every female characters bed! From Liz who was so upset in the cabin and wanted her tensions relieved to his old girlfriend back home. The book could have done with less sex scenes for my taste! Really, I am not a prude but, there was a lot of it. Had Lucas put more time into the main topic of the novel it would definitely would draw me in to see what happens in the next book if this is part of series.

The journey that Logan goes thru from the beginning as a part time hunting guide in Alaska. Bent on returning to Alaska to kill his cousin. He returns home to become what I guess you would call a warrior of his tribe. Joining into an elite group that his grandfather and father belong to. Without question he was initiated into the group. Logan being a blood brother to his cousin finds himself seeing thru his cousin’s eyes and the terror he is raining down around him. Logan finally realizes that his cousin is near each time he has these visions. Now, enter FBI Agent Johannsson questioning what happened in Alaska. Offering her assistance in returning to Alaska to kill Caleb. But, is she really FBI or is she a branch of the FBI that no one knows about? Something Logan is wondering and does find out. Don’t want to give the book away with any spoilers. If you like the Indian paranormal and sex then this is the book for you.

Honestly, 6+ hour book could have really been longer. Just seemed that Lucas McWilliams tried to put a lot into this book and the way it ended you know that there will be more.

Narrated by David Dietz, well that by far was the best part of the book. David as always did a great performance of characters. I am not sure if that is how a Wendigo sounds in the book. I personally think that is would have a deeper more eerie sound and scream. Guess I watch too many of those type of movies. If there is a follow up in the series then I would consider listening to it if David does the narration.

Audiobook provided for review by the narrator.

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Was there 2 authors writing this??

I have a love/hate relationship with this book and let me tell you why. I had to google this and see was there two different authors writing this book because this book read like there was!!! One author nailed the action, the tenseness, the Wendigo and the Indian lore and legends, then the other author was this mad sex creep who made the MC act like a sex mad fool. But no, it's one author, and all I can say is WTH?? How can you go from making the book grab you in the first 10 mins with the action and then all of a sudden have the MC jump into bed with ever single female he met, all the while supposedly being in love with someone else?? It totally destroyed the book for me.

The Wendigo has always been a creature that has fascinated and repulsed me, the lore behind them is something that has a ring of truth to it but their appearance is repulsive and horrible. The author did a good job with the lore and bringing the thing to life. I liked how we got to see glimpses into the head of the creature. He did a great job of bringing the Indian lore and traditions to life too. That was the part of the book I liked best.... the lore, the history and the action and adventure of trying to find the creature and figuring out how to either kill it, then the author goes and ruins the book by adding the sex!!

As I said, I hated what the author did. There was absolutely no need for him to make the MC jump into bed with every single female he met. It really ruined an otherwise great book. Logan started out being an awesome character and I had high hopes for him, but by the end of the book I loathed him! He professes his love for a girl and two seconds later, jumps into bed with someone else. Now I'm sorry, but there was no need for it. It felt like he threw in sex just because. There was NO need for it!!!

In all, it's an OKish read. Get rid of the unnecessary sex from the book and you would have a good read. I don't think I would read another book in the series though, if there was one, as I loathed Logan and didn't care what happened him by the end.

David Dietz was the saving grace with the audio. He has an impressive array of tones and voices and nailed the action parts. He made the Wendigo stand out, and frightened me a few times when the Wendigo howled!! Great performance.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.

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3 people found this helpful

David Dietz makes this book come alive!

Eternal Hunt by Lucas McWilliams was for me an interesting story. I love anything to do with the paranormal. When I saw that the book was about an Indian lore of a Wendigo. Well I was on board to listen to this 6+ hour book. Then I was kind of wondering when the ride would be over. It wasn’t that it was bad but, it was not where I put most of the books I listen to at the top.

The book opens up in Bear Ridge, Alaska. A plane goes down and the cousin of another hunting guide is called out for the search and rescue mission. 5 men and 1 woman team go into the area that the plane crashed. As soon as they get to the crash scene is they come up on the first bloody body. Shredded by what? As each of the rescue party is killed one by one. And that is just in the first 10-20 minutes of the book. There are 3 of the remaining rescue party held up in the cabin. Where all the other survivors of the crash are killed at the hand of what? All dead but one! Caleb, the cousin to one of the remaining rescue party. Logan Long Stride along with the remaining rescue party Liz and Inuk. Was it Caleb that killed them? If not was it a wild animal? Seeing the man like creature as it attacked the others. Logan knows as a full blooded Seneca Indian from New York that Caleb has turned into a Wendigo after eating the others to survive. As the remaining rescue team wait for the helicopter to come back and get them in the morning they hold up in the cabin. Hoping not to be Caleb’s’ next meal. Great start huh? Well, that was about the only one of a few parts that kept my interest. After that it was watching a movie that you just can’t turn away from just to see what happens.

Narrated by David Dietz, well that by far was the best part of the book. David as always did a great performance of characters. I am not sure if that is how a Wendigo sounds in the book. I personally think that is would have a deeper more eerie sound and scream. Guess I watch too many of those type of movies. If there is a follow up in the series then I would consider listening to it if David does the narration.

Don’t get me wrong. It was well written. But, Logan seems to spend half the book in every female characters bed! The book could have done with less sex scenes for my taste! Really, I am not a prude but, there was a lot of it. More time into the main topic of the novel it would definitely would draw me in to see what happens in the next book if this is part of series.

This book was provided to me by Audio Book Reviewer. All of the comments are solely mine and in no way influenced by anyone. I welcome comments and “Was this helpful to my review”

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