review: Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel Books
Release date: July 26, 2011
Description from Amazon.com: This thrilling sequel to the much-talked-about Nightshade begins just where it ended-Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer-one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack-and the man-she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.
I enjoyed the first book in this series, Nightshade (see review here), very much. I enjoyed this book too, but there were parts that slowed the book down and dragged for me. The first part of the book was mostly the Searchers making inside jokes, being jerks, and talking about their history in a “*huff* I can’t believe you don’t know this” kind of tone to Calla. The first book was about the Guardians and Keepers; this second book is about the Searchers. Some of the characters grew on me, some didn’t, but there were so many new characters to learn about that I chose my favorites and the rest were just there for plot exposition.
The pace picks up after Calla and the Searchers decide to try and rescue Calla’s pack, and things get going fast and furious! Lots of twists and surprises, and some very sad bits when we lose a major character. And betrayal – oh man! I didn’t see it coming! The rescue scene was my absolute favorite – tense, with twists and an oh-my-gosh-what’s-gonna-happen-next feeling.
Calla is all in to rescue her pack from the wrath of the Keepers, but she is still conflicted in her feelings for Ren. While Ren only appears for a few short pages in this book, she thinks about him a lot. A LOT. Which brings me to the cliffhanger at the end – GAH! Darn cliffhangers! I think Andrea Cremer knew how I felt about those because she released the first chapter of Bloodrose, the sequel (click here), just so I wouldn’t be so anxious. *tears up, sniffs, blows nose* Thanks Andrea, you are a pal. But don’t read it until you have finished Wolfsbane, because that would be very spoilery. Very spoilery indeed. I’m treating this first chapter as the final chapter of Wolfsbane in my mind, because I can and because it was so good it earned another .5 in my rating.
Just one more point to make, which has no bearing on the story, but I am mourning the old cover they used for Wolfsbane. See? Isn’t it pretty? I know the marketing people must have their reasons for changing the cover, what sells, what doesn’t, etc., but I really loved this cover. Sigh. They changed the Nightshade cover too when they reprinted it in paperback to match the “new” style. Sigh again. At least they kept the title font and the blood droplet on the F – that is very cool.
I give this book 3.5 STACKS!
See you in the STACKS,
Nancy
There was entirely too much Shay in this book for my taste. I don’t connect to him at all. I was glad for the glimpses of Ren we got but wanted so much more. Just read the sneaky peaky at chapter one of Bloodrose and LOVED it a LOT.
I feel like i am the only person to have not read any of there books! thanks for the review i need to jump on the train lol.
@Melissa *whispers* Nancy is the only one who has read them here!
I miss the old cover, too! I have no idea why they changed it!
I loved Nightshade so had to get Wolfsbane. I was very disappointed. It was incredibly slow and lacking for me. It is pretty much the Searcher boys bickering and making stupid jokes like immature boys. Also I have never cared much for Shay. I was wanting more Ren and there were only a few pages with him. Overall rating for me has got to be just OK.
I Just Loved Nightshade, and i Have GOT to read Wolfsbane it sounds so amazing!!!!!!!!! <3
"(:
Where can i get a copy?
[...] was Nightshade (review here), then Wolfsbane (review here), and now the third and final installment is finally here! Yay for Ms. Cremer because she put the [...]