Wolfsbane (Nightshade)

I need to pack this book away instead of rereading it... again... and again. (Yes, it's that good.)**This review is not very spoiler filled. I would say, however, that if you haven't already read at least the first chapter of Wolfsbane online, then you may not want to continue reading and/or may be surprised by one of my categories. Also, if you intend on reading Nightshade, check that out before reading this so the ending to that isn't spoiled for you.**Calla Tor, the protagonist - One of the best things about Nightshade had been Calla because she was such a strong female protagonist. That continues in Wolfsbane, even while Calla struggles with the consequences of her actions from Nightshade. She's a warrior through and through.World-building - You know, I don't usually like wolf/werewolf books. That's why I hadn't ordered Nightshade until a while after it had been released, but I gave it a chance.... and was promptly blown away by the world-building, especially by the intertwining of the wolves as Guardians with the Keepers and their enemies, the Searchers... And here I am, after finishing Wolfsbane, still blown away by the world-building. I loved the details Cremer added (i.e. the differences between the Searchers & Keepers, Shay's role in all of this, Haldis, etc.). I can't wait to find out more in Blood Rose!The Writing (dialogue & description in particular) - As an aspiring writer, I appreciate Cremer's work and think that I would even use her writing as an example of great dialogue and consistent POV. Not only is the dialogue entertaining, but it's also indicative of the character who's speaking (which may be the reason why I love Connor so much). This also happens because of how Cremer wrote Calla's POV--Calla, as an alpha, doesn't comment on the environment unless it's something useful to her. Yet, those descriptions still entraced me, emphasizing the power of the words Cremer chose. Great writing. Great development of character through dialogue (since, as I pointed out, the descriptions aren't as lengthy as in other books).Character Development - Old characters become more complex in this sequel. I can't say much beyond that because of spoilers, but when Cremer writes "betrayal, fear, pain, loss... how many trials can love survive," you bet there are going to be some trying episodes for our beloved character cast.New Characters - CONNOR!! Favorite character of this book. Just like the old characters, all of the newly introduced characters are fleshed out well and people with whom the reader can sympathize are introduced... (you know, in case you didn't already notice my all caps declaration of love for Connor).The Romance - First off, I was shocked when Cremer said that some of the criticisms of Nightshade was that it was too much lust and not enough love. One, of course there will be lust--appearances do count, and man, if you read the first chapter and didn't think that would be a part of the story, then you need to read closer. Secondly, Calla is part wolf. She perceives the world in terms of how things would be threatening/necessary/etc. and doesn't spend time thinking on and on about somebody... but if you examine her actions, you can see how she's feeling. And hell, those decisions are not made by somebody in the throes of lust. *Getting back to the point, however-- let me just say that the romance in Wolfsbane was satisfying for me. Yet, I also wasn't rooting for one particular "team" so other readers may not like Calla's choices. Still, you can appreciate how well-written it is even if your "team" doesn't "win."Themes/Separation into 3 parts - Purgatory/Inferno/Paradiso. Loved the way the book was separated into three parts. Doing that really highlighted the themes of the novel.Cliffhanger - Just as in Nightshade, this book ends on a pretty big cliffhanger... I understand why Cremer ended Wolfsbane the way she did, but that doesn't make me any happier about the cliffhanger.One concern I have is that there will be a lot to cover in Blood Rose, but given Cremer's talent, I'm sure she'll resolve the issues accordingly. And even better, Cremer said there will be more books to expect from her about this world! (A Nightshade prequel in 2012 and a Harrowing book at some point. Yay!)Get excited about Wolfsbane! You won't be disappointed :).Full review here: (...). Hope you enjoyed it!

When we last left Calla, she was trying to save Shay from being sacrificed at her bonding to Ren. In their attempt to escape, they were trapped in his house by Incubi, Succubi, and a whole other host of creepy creepers. Just before they were about to be overcome, the Searchers, the very group Calla was raised to fear, fight, and kill, comes to their rescue and take Calla and Shay back to their base. In Wolfsbane, Andrea Cremer gives a whole new meaning to plot twist.Just when you thought you knew who the bad guys were, you find out you were wrong. The Searchers tell Calla and Shay they are really the good guys who have been fighting the evil Keepers all their lives. The Searchers respect magic and the natural way, when the Keepers defy nature every day. In particular, by creating the Guardians. They want to gain the trust of Calla's pack because having the Guardians on their side is the only way they can stop the evil of the Keepers. But when Calla travels back to Vail, the group is attacked and she quickly realizes the packs have been changed. Nightshades are following the Bane alpha, Ren's father, and her pack is nowhere to be found.When Calla's brother Ansel arrives after being accidentally shot by Searchers, Calla manages to heal him with her pack blood. Unfortunately, Ansel is more damaged than she originally thought- as punishment, his wolf was permanently removed, stripping him of being a Guardian. Ansel is inconsolable and Calla doesn't know how to help him. When he tells her of the horrors her pack has suffered since she ran away, Calla is determined to help him. A group of Searchers volunteer to come along to help, but what they find is not a full and willing pack awaiting them. Now Calla must find a way to reconcile with losing half her pack, her feelings for both Ren and Shay, and how they all plan to work together to save the world from the Keepers.This was an excellent follow up novel and sets you right up for the final book in the trilogy. The Searchers added a great group of supporting characters, both with their own problems, love triangles, and reasons for being involved in the supernatural war. Some are serious, some hilarious, but they really added to the story. One really amazing thing I noticed in this story and the first book were the abundance of positive gay characters. In the first book, two young male wolves are in love, but they know their keeper has the ultimate say in mating and would never pair to male wolves. In this book, two female Searchers are a couple and when one is lost on a mission, you see the real grief experienced in losing the person you love. These characters were so positive and just a natural part of the story instead of being forced in for a specific objective. It made me so happy! These healthy, loving relationships are great for young adults to read about. While the stories about the negative end of being a gay teen are so vitally important to our young readers for empathy, I really like seeing happy couples who love each other. Cremer did a beautiful job with them in her story, and I think it is an invaluable exposure for young adults.The reading and age level for this book is similar to the first book. There is a little more intimacy in this story, as Calla is no longer bound by the Keepers' rules, but it still isn't overdone or gratuitous.

You really need to read the first book in this series,  Nightshade: Number 1 in series  otherwise it will be difficult to pick up the plot.Wolfsbane is the second book in the "Nightshade" Trilogy. Calla Tor, continues her adventures and the love triangle resumes. Calla wakes up in the den of her sworn enemies - the `Searchers'. She is convinced that her days are about to end, when then the Seachers make her an offer - one that gives her the opportunity to destroy her former masters and save her pack; but how will Shay and Ren, (the two sides of the love triangle) react? Will Ren be worth the price of her freedom and will Shay stand by her. Will true love survive? Calla is convinced that everything will work out fine, but is aware that the fight to get what she wants will be difficult. So the adventure begins, but things don't turn out quite as easily as Calla had anticipated.I really enjoyed the first book in the series, but this one seemed to drag a little and was a little boring in places. Also there wasn't a great deal of substance in the plot. In addition, the character of Shay was pretty annoying and it looks like he is turning out to be a control freak which I'm not sure Calla will be able to cope with. We certainly don't find out the answers to these questions in this book, but hopefully the final book in the Trilogy -  Bloodrose: Number 3 in series (Nightshade)  which is out now, will reveal all. Nightshade: Number 1 in seriesBloodrose: Number 3 in series (Nightshade)

Andrea Cremer's writing is amazing. Quite plain and simple really but that's exactly how I feel about it. While the book has a dark and mysterious tone throughout, the characters and language used was very real. Even though we are smack bang in the middle of a story about werewolves, there is a simple reality to the whole story because of the writing. Yes, some of the characters are werewolves but behind that, you can see that they are just normal people as well. They have the same problems and fears as everyone else but they also have a bit more than normal to deal with.Cremer doesn't hold back on the language she uses and I loved this. I have a big thing about the language used in YA books because some writers don't write believable characters at all and it's all down to the way they speak. The characters in Wolfsbane aren't afraid to swear at each other (in the right context of course) and while this won't be for everyone, I think it fit in to the story perfectly. A big war is about to happen and people are angry and upset so lashing out with what they say to people is only natural and this is captured wonderfully.Although the first half of this book is quite slow going, I loved it. As Calla and Shay are with the Searchers, we get to learn so much more about both of their backgrounds. There is a lot of mythology put into the first half of the book and while some people may find this a bit boring and frustrating, I loved it. I think having all of this information answered a lot of the questions that I had from Nightshade but also it gave the characters a lot more depth and meaning. I could understand a lot of the characters much better knowing what they had come from and now, what they were about to face.As Calla and Shay are now away from the other wolves and with a whole new group of people, they have a lot of time to grow closer but also further apart at the same time. I have always been split when it comes to the love triangle in this series and this book hasn't made my choice any easier. As much as I love Shay and the way in which his character develops in this book, I seriously missed Ren. In the last book, I wanted to slap him for being such an idiot but as he wasn't around in Wolfsbane much, I would have happily had that idiot back. I can definitely see why Calla is having such a hard time realising where her heart really lays and I can't wait to see who she chooses in the end.Calla is the character who really changes a lot in this book. Gone is the strong and confident leader we first met in Nightshade and instead, she is now very unsure of what she is doing... in all areas. Now that she is alone with Shay and Ren isn't around, Calla feels guilt like there's no tomorrow. Although she loves Shay, she can't help but feel something for Ren still but she doesn't know how to deal with these feelings. Shay doesn't exactly help in this department either. Also, Calla is trying to do what is best for everyone, especially her pack but now she doesn't know who she can really trust so again, her feelings are split in two.While I did love Wolfsbane, it did feel a bit like a filler book to me. It is the middle book of a trilogy and there was a lot of explaining before anything really happened. Now that a lot of that is out of the way, I can see the final book being non stop throughout and I can't wait for it to be released already.

Even better than Nightshade! (I know, how can that be possible? but believe me it is :D )I got this yesterday (25th) and finished it today (26)!So. Bad things first:Shay once again IRRITATED me to death. Seriously. That boy needs to crawl up and die somewhere. Alone. I do NOT like how he pushes Calla to do things when she can't even think straight (poor girl got a lot of stuff happening). He's also so annoying and selfish. Enough said.I don't know what to think of Calla. There are times when I admired her for being strong and confident, but there are several times when I felt like she was weak, and SELFISH. That is one thing that Shay and Calla have in common. I find her quite selfish, and didn't realize how much her stupid decisions (about saving Shay at the end of 'Nightshade') affected her family and pack mates back home. She's lucky she's got SOME great friends, 'cause if I were her I would not forgive her that easily after what the Keepers had done to the rest of her pack mates. And for what? For Shay?? Please he is not even worth it.ALSO: Where is Ren in this book? *SPOILER* He's only appeared in one tiny scene, which didn't even last long. Is this the way that Andrea's telling us that Calla will end up with Shay?????I HOPE HOPE HOPE Ren would play a MUCH BIGGER part in Bloodrose. Or I will die. And. You'll know who to blame.Now after I got that out of my chest, moving on to the best:What shines in both 'Nightshade' and 'Wolfsbane' is the plot. It is so amazing and complex and interesting. I really enjoyed learning more about the history of both the Keepers and the Searchers. How Andrea weaved them all together is just so magically done and wow, there are times when I my jaw literally dropped after all the revelations. Trust me, you wouldn't see anything coming. (Or at least, I didn't hehehe)While I didn't love the main characters (except for Ren! TEAM REN FOREVER!!! I did found myself loving the secondary characters much more. Monroe, Connor, Ethan, Adne and Silas all added something new to the story and I love learning the history and personalities of each one :DAnd I am in love with Connor. ;P *SPOILER* The pack members reappeared in Wolfsbane aswell, and I am not shocked to see which ones sided with the enemy (those that have read it would know what I mean).Overall, I LOVE Wolfsbane. And I screamed when the biggest cliffhanger of death appeared in front of me. Seriously I am already getting impatient waiting for Bloodrose. And we still have 3 months before its publication. Sigh.

[...]I'm so disappointed with this book. I'm actually in shock with how things played out, and not in a good way. I absolutely despise Shay even more now after reading this, so the fact that Shay was mentioned on nearly every page did not make me a happy bunny. And I was so upset that there was only one Ren scene . .how disappointing :(IMO, the first half of this book was was kinda dull, and that's putting it nicely. There was too much history and not enough action! Things only got interesting in part 2, after Calla's brother shows up. I finally got excited thinking it was maybe finally Ren-time . . but alas . . it was not to be :(I can't even put into words how much I was looking forward to reading this. I was literally counting down the days to Wolfsbane's release. I'd pre-ordered this book for my kindle on Amazon, and I couldn't wait to start reading it, so after reading that I'm really gutted! I gave Nightshade 5/5 stars because I honestly thought it was one of the best books I've read this year, but for me, Wolfsbane did not meet Nightshade's high standards.I will still be purchasing Bloodrose but only because of Ren because I'm firmly Team-Ren and I haven't given up hope yet!

Having finished Nightshade, I could not wait to get my hands on Wolfsbane. However having read some of the other reviews, I was a little wary that I wouldn't enjoy this one as much.Now having read Wolfsbane I defnitely agree that this book has some slow moments but for me the problem was not so much getting the history of the Witch Wars so much as the way it waws delivered which felt slow. I enjoyed getting to know the Characters of the Searchers (LOVE Ethan and Connor) and enjoyed the dynamic banter but it was frustrating during the background information being provide to have constant interruptions while they argued with each other and definitely slowed down the pace of the book.I also found Shay more than a little frustrating in this book - always telling Calla what to do. Originally I really liked his character but I find his possessive behaviour in this book irrating and unattractive. Especially when Ren is not even around to compete with him.Overall I can see why this book had so much information in it and less action and it all feels necessary to the story. If you enjoyed Nightshade I would definitely recomend reading this and then getting on to Bloodrose (which I am part way through) when the action picks up again. Not the best book in the series but still worth reading if only to learn more about the Searchers and the history of the War.