Status
Available
Call number
Series
Publication
New York, N.Y. : ROC : New American Library, 2001.
Description
Fiction. Mystery. Science Fiction. Thriller. HTML:Ukiah Oregon is quickly becoming one of the greatest trackers in the country. Some call it luck�??those closest to him call it instinct. Abandoned as a child, he was found running with a wolf pack. Now, in his job as a private investigator, he puts his nose to the ground to track down missing persons and fugitives from the law. A heightened sense of smell and taste�??plus a photographic memory�??make him an invaluable asset to his partner. But when Ukiah kills a crazed young woman in self-defense, he draws the attention of the FBI�??s most wanted: a violent and elusive gang known as the Pack. And it won�??t be long before Ukiah discovers just how much he has in common with the Pack: a bond of brotherhood, blood… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member dictator555
I loved this book. It was so much fun! For the length of the novel, the characters are all really well explored. Even the minor characters are fun and interesting.
This is a quick read, almost young adult it's so easy. The subject matter might be a little dark for kids, though. None of the ideas in
This is a quick read, almost young adult it's so easy. The subject matter might be a little dark for kids, though. None of the ideas in
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the book are that novel; anyone who's read much SF would recognize the major elements. But it's well implemented and it's fun. Sorry to use the word so much, but "fun" is really the only word you need to know in association with this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member amberwitch
Ukiah Oregon is a private investigator whose ability to track has gotten him involved in a multiple homicide and missing person case.
He is a former "feral child" who grew up amongst wolves, and when he gets a hint of his own lost past during the case he pursues it, leading him directly into a war
Ukiahs hunt for his past places him firmly on the "good side" in the war, as he fights to protect the human race, as well as his family and loved ones.
In his fight for the good cause he manages to fall in love with an FBI agent, consummate this love (no purple prose), and save her from a fate worse than death.
Ukiah lives on a farm with his mothers and his little sister, and is a partner in a private investigation agency. He was found in a wolftrap by one of his mothers, taken ind and civilised.
He is a former "feral child" who grew up amongst wolves, and when he gets a hint of his own lost past during the case he pursues it, leading him directly into a war
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between different fractions of an alien race - a war that will decide the future of Earth and its ecological systems - and both sides has a vast interest in gaining control over him.Ukiahs hunt for his past places him firmly on the "good side" in the war, as he fights to protect the human race, as well as his family and loved ones.
In his fight for the good cause he manages to fall in love with an FBI agent, consummate this love (no purple prose), and save her from a fate worse than death.
Ukiah lives on a farm with his mothers and his little sister, and is a partner in a private investigation agency. He was found in a wolftrap by one of his mothers, taken ind and civilised.
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LibraryThing member Darla
I got the recommendation for this book from Dallas Schulze, who, in addition to writing wonderful books, also has damn good taste.
Ukiah Oregon was a boy raised by wolves. He's an extraordinary tracker with a photographic memory--of everything except his own past.
Together with his partner and
As the story opens, they're called to a crime scene where three women have been killed, and a fourth is missing, presumably abducted by the killer. Tracking her is the start of something much larger, and results in encounters with a mysterious and sinister motorcycle gang called the Pack, and revelations about Ukiah's own history.
A lot of the reviews about this book give away the punchline, which happens about halfway through the story. I'm not going to do that, but as a result, I'm leaving a lot out. It's written in Ukiah's POV, for the most part (*wincing* --it's been 3 weeks since I read this, so I can't remember if it's all in his POV), and therefore, we readers know what Ukiah knows. Which isn't much, at first.
The story is fascinating and clever, and the aliens (the title is Alien Taste--there have to be aliens) were unique and well thought-out. And they tended to prompt me to think Deep Thoughts about what it means to be human, always a good thing, especially when it's left up to me, the reader, rather than spoon-fed to me.
Huge thanks to Dallas for the recommendation. I wish I'd gotten to it sooner. The next book is in my e-reader.
Ukiah Oregon was a boy raised by wolves. He's an extraordinary tracker with a photographic memory--of everything except his own past.
Together with his partner and
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mentor, Max, he works as a private investigator, specializing in missing persons cases.As the story opens, they're called to a crime scene where three women have been killed, and a fourth is missing, presumably abducted by the killer. Tracking her is the start of something much larger, and results in encounters with a mysterious and sinister motorcycle gang called the Pack, and revelations about Ukiah's own history.
A lot of the reviews about this book give away the punchline, which happens about halfway through the story. I'm not going to do that, but as a result, I'm leaving a lot out. It's written in Ukiah's POV, for the most part (*wincing* --it's been 3 weeks since I read this, so I can't remember if it's all in his POV), and therefore, we readers know what Ukiah knows. Which isn't much, at first.
The story is fascinating and clever, and the aliens (the title is Alien Taste--there have to be aliens) were unique and well thought-out. And they tended to prompt me to think Deep Thoughts about what it means to be human, always a good thing, especially when it's left up to me, the reader, rather than spoon-fed to me.
Huge thanks to Dallas for the recommendation. I wish I'd gotten to it sooner. The next book is in my e-reader.
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LibraryThing member francescadefreitas
Totally improbable, but a lot of fun. I was willing to suspend all sorts of disbelief for a tracker who had been raised by wolves. I enjoyed the gradual uncovering of Ukiah's story, and I look forward to starting the next book in the series.
LibraryThing member amf0001
I first read this book several years ago and reread it around once every 2 years. It's always a good read. I like the concept a lot, Ukiah Oregon thinks he was raised by wolves and discovered when he was 12 or so, but socialized awfully fast. And he can do things, like taste blood and tell you
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about the DNA make up of that blood. As the book goes on, he discovers more and more about himself. It's well written and interesting, and I like dipping into his adventures. Show Less
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
This is a story where werewolves meet aliens. Ukiah Oregon is named after where he was found, running with wolves. He's now growing up and finding his way. He works as a private investigator using skills that appear to be supernatural. He also comes across as being a bit out of touch with the human
He finds that his destiny isn't what he might think and that there are complex things going on in his life, not all of which are possibly for the betterment of humanity.
It's interesting but it just didn't quite speak to me.
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world. He finds himself in conflict with a group of people who seem to want him, along with the FBI who aren't sure what to do with him.He finds that his destiny isn't what he might think and that there are complex things going on in his life, not all of which are possibly for the betterment of humanity.
It's interesting but it just didn't quite speak to me.
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LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
Its a good story - and its not quite like any other science fiction story out there. Where I was expecting a hard, down to business lead character, Ukiah is a quiet, young man, finding himself and trying to figure out who he is. Its part thriller, part detective story, and part science fiction that
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is a quick fast read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jenson_AKA_DL
Ukiah Oregon has always been as different as his name may suggest. Discovered naked in a wolf-friendly cage and adopted by a biologist studying the wolves Ukiah's evolution into a functioning society member and private investigator was nothing short of a miracle. But, when Ukiah and his partner are
This is one of the few books that I've had to completely change my tags once I've read it because what I thought the story was (urban fantasy), wasn't at all what it is (undeniably science fiction). In either event I still thought the story was very good and also very different from anything else I've ever read. I love the way the author set up the story and introduced us to Ukiah, his moms and sister and his partner, Max. The downfall was that towards the middle the book seemed to drag a bit and towards the end I lost some of my sense of connection with the characters. The writing style itself seemed to change over the course of the book which may have something to do with it. However, once the scene had set, and the investment in the characters had been made I was quite happy to read through to the end. Many books that you read all have to do with the same ideas, this one took the idea of alien invasion and tailored it into something totally different. I loved the ideas behind the plot and felt they were very imaginative and also very much enjoyed Ukiah’s progression toward self discovery. I was hard pressed to suspend my disbelief when it came to Ukiah's dealings with the police and FBI, things just didn't ring true there.
Despite the few quirks that bugged me it wasn't at all enough to taint my overall enjoyment of the book. It is highly imaginative science fiction stuff with great characters and a fascinating plot. I'd certainly recommend the story.
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called in to track a missing scientist the case strikes home for him in more ways than one and everything Ukiah believed about himself is about to be turned on its head.This is one of the few books that I've had to completely change my tags once I've read it because what I thought the story was (urban fantasy), wasn't at all what it is (undeniably science fiction). In either event I still thought the story was very good and also very different from anything else I've ever read. I love the way the author set up the story and introduced us to Ukiah, his moms and sister and his partner, Max. The downfall was that towards the middle the book seemed to drag a bit and towards the end I lost some of my sense of connection with the characters. The writing style itself seemed to change over the course of the book which may have something to do with it. However, once the scene had set, and the investment in the characters had been made I was quite happy to read through to the end. Many books that you read all have to do with the same ideas, this one took the idea of alien invasion and tailored it into something totally different. I loved the ideas behind the plot and felt they were very imaginative and also very much enjoyed Ukiah’s progression toward self discovery. I was hard pressed to suspend my disbelief when it came to Ukiah's dealings with the police and FBI, things just didn't ring true there.
Despite the few quirks that bugged me it wasn't at all enough to taint my overall enjoyment of the book. It is highly imaginative science fiction stuff with great characters and a fascinating plot. I'd certainly recommend the story.
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LibraryThing member VADRICAN
I loved this series. I have read this book 3 times. I like to wait a few years and read it again so it is almost like the first time all over again! The one thing I remember the clearest from my first time, was marvelling about a random paragraph. Flip in the book after you have read it. Find one
In my opinion Wen Spencer is way under known for her amount of talent. My mission, share her with all who are willing, and a several who are not! You are well loved by the readers in my family and friends. Hard sell for people that are not open to a little Scifi. Sorry, they are missing out. I am more of a urban fantasy girl myself, and this meshes quite well.
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substantial paragraph and read it out of context to someone who hasn't read it. It can really sound out there, particullarly if you read about blood or memory mice! Then reflect that you know exactly what they mean. Well done Wen Spencer! You took me for a grand adventure! In my opinion Wen Spencer is way under known for her amount of talent. My mission, share her with all who are willing, and a several who are not! You are well loved by the readers in my family and friends. Hard sell for people that are not open to a little Scifi. Sorry, they are missing out. I am more of a urban fantasy girl myself, and this meshes quite well.
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LibraryThing member SunnySD
Literally raised by wolves in the Oregon wilderness, Ukiah Oregon (named for the town closest to where his Mom Jo found him - and yes, he was raised by a lesbian couple) has become one of the country's best trackers. So much so that he and his partner have been called in on what appears to be a
I'm so glad this showed up in my LT Recommendations list - what fun! Can't wait to dive into the next installment.
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bizarre and bloody murder/kidnapping. A bloodbath on the surface, it's so much more beneath. Ukiah and his partner are quickly pulled into a centuries old conflict between powers literally not of this world. The race is on to save the planet - and amazingly, the FBI is actually helping this time.I'm so glad this showed up in my LT Recommendations list - what fun! Can't wait to dive into the next installment.
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LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
I've read this two or three times before, but it's been quite a while - I'd forgotten a lot of the details. Still, I remember the utter confusion of the first few chapters the first time I read it, before I knew who/what Ukiah was. It's a fascinating story, with some truly interesting aliens. It
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does seem a trifle convenient that Ukiah and Max run across the first hints of this, then things pile in - the Pack and the Ontongard both discover him in quick succession. On the other hand, it's kind of explained - the Pack never ran across him before and once they did they took action, and the Ontongard are taking more direct action than ever before (for good reason, not directly related to Ukiah). And the way Ukiah handles matters (or doesn't) is very nicely done - neither casual acceptance nor utter refusal to believe. Max is perhaps a trifle more accepting than I expected, but it fits their relationship. And Agent Zheng is also a long way ahead of where either Ukiah or I expect her to be. Fun - I think these are my favorites among Wen Spencer's books. Next! Show Less
LibraryThing member SimonW11
I enjojed this contemporary sf.
Ukiah Oregon a private detective/ tracker raised by wolves. finds himself
caught up in a feud between two undercover groups of aliens
Ukiah Oregon a private detective/ tracker raised by wolves. finds himself
caught up in a feud between two undercover groups of aliens
LibraryThing member readinggeek451
A keeper. It reads like fantasy at first, but it isn't; it's science fiction..
LibraryThing member Awfki
SF lite. Interesting and entertaining with no need to engage the brain.
LibraryThing member Magentawolf
While I like several of Wen Spencer's other works, such as Tinker and The Wolf Who Rules, this novel was simply atrocious. (And I blame the above books and the premise behind this one for getting me to try it.)
It has the singular honour of being the only book that I've never been able to force
It has the singular honour of being the only book that I've never been able to force
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myself to finish. Show Less
LibraryThing member kcollett
First of the Ukiah books; I should learn to trust Wen Spencer—she always sucks you in.
Awards
Gaylactic Spectrum Award (Nominee — Novel — 2002)
Compton Crook Award (Winner — 2002)
Locus Recommended Reading (First Novel — 2001)
Language
Original publication date
2001-07
Physical description
320 p.; 18 cm
ISBN
0451458370 / 9780451458377