Doglands

Doglands is a children's fantasy novel that follows Furgul, a young lurcher who was born in a racing greyhound kennel. The story is told from Furgul's perspective as he navigates life after discovering he is not a purebred greyhound. After being forced to flee the breeding facility, Furgul embarks on a journey through different worlds - from life as a pet to time in shelters to existence as a stray. He carries the weight of a promise to return and rescue his mother Keeva, while facing challenges and threats in each new environment he encounters. The narrative tracks Furgul's growth from an innocent pup to a dog who must confront harsh realities about freedom, loyalty, and survival. His quest leads him to connect with other dogs and explore the mysterious "Doglands" - a place that holds deep significance for his kind. The book examines themes of identity, belonging, and the tension between domestication and wildness through its canine characters. Through Furgul's journey, it raises questions about what it means to be "purebred" versus mixed breed, and the true nature of freedom.

Readers describe Doglands as an action-packed survival story that follows stray dogs but contains themes of freedom, loyalty and discrimination. Many compare it to Watership Down but with dogs. Readers appreciated: - Fast-paced plot with high stakes - Complex themes accessible to young readers - Realistic portrayal of dog behavior and pack dynamics - Strong character development of the main dog Furgul - Emotional depth despite being aimed at middle grade readers Common criticisms: - Violence and dark themes too intense for younger readers - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Descriptions of dog fighting upset sensitive readers - Anthropomorphized dogs felt unrealistic to some Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (487 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (43 ratings) Multiple reviewers noted the book "stays with you long after reading." Several parents recommended pre-reading to assess appropriateness for their child due to mature themes.

Watership Down by Richard Adams A group of rabbits face dangers and harsh realities while searching for a new home, depicting similar themes of freedom and survival through the lens of animals.

The Call of the Wild by Jack London A domesticated dog discovers his wild nature and must adapt to survive in the Yukon, mirroring Furgul's journey between domestic and wild worlds.

Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams A young cat embarks on a quest through a complex feline society to find missing cats, exploring similar themes of identity and belonging in an animal-centric world.

The Wild Road by Gabriel King A cat named Tag journeys through both physical and mystical realms while discovering his true nature, paralleling the exploration of the Doglands in Willocks' work.

Varjak Paw by S. F. Said A Mesopotamian Blue cat leaves his sheltered life to survive in the city streets, presenting a comparable narrative of self-discovery and adaptation in unfamiliar territories.

🐕 Lurchers, like Furgul in the story, are specifically bred crosses between greyhounds and other dog breeds, historically used by poachers due to their speed and agility. 🏃 Professional greyhound racing began in the 1920s in the United States, following the invention of the mechanical lure by Owen Patrick Smith. ✍️ Author Tim Willocks is also a practicing psychiatrist who brings his understanding of psychology and behavior to his diverse writing portfolio, which includes adult thrillers and historical novels. 🌟 The novel draws parallels to classic animal-perspective stories like "Watership Down" and "The Call of the Wild," but stands out for its authentic portrayal of canine psychology. 🎯 Racing greyhounds can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour and are considered the second-fastest accelerating land mammal after the cheetah.