Mean Who You Are

Wolfsbane

Series: Nightshade #2
Publisher: Philomel
Publication Date: 26 July 2011
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Source: Purchased
Audio or Book: paperback
Length: 390 pages

Overview:

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.

Previous reviews:

Nightshade (#1)

My Review:

Wolfbane picks up directly where Nightshade ended. The story is split into 3 parts in this book, and starts off with Calla and Shay adjusting to the searchers and forming new relationships. It has a lot of history and facts - It can come across as a small info dump but I found it fascinating. Initially I was worried that this was going to be a slow middle type book, but I was so wrong, and got completely caught up in Calla's world. 

Characters & Storyline: 5/5

Calla - This is such an intense journey for Calla. I related easily to her and found I actually loved her quite a lot more in Wolfsbane, than I did in Nightshade. Maybe it's because she considers Ren a little bit more and her heart aches for him in a different way. *tee hee* #TeamRen

Shay - I liked him more in this book too. He is great with, and for, Calla. (Even though I am still Team Ren!). Shay is on the back burner a bit for me in Wolfsbane but we find out a lot about the role he plays and his past in this book. Shay is a great character, and I think his role in Bloodrose is going to be intense.

Ren - Ren barely made an appearance in this book. I am still totally team Ren and really hope to see more of him in Bloodrose. 

Ansel - When Ansel first appeared my heart broke! He is a shadow of his former bubbly self and I really hope things change for him. 

Searchers - I enjoyed getting to know this group and really like Adne, Connor and Monroe.

Plot, Pace, Writing style: 5/5  

Part 2 is where it really kicked up a gear for me. It is filled with love, friendship and heartbreak. This is a fast paced, exciting and intense read. It does end with quite a huge cliffhanger, and I am extremely glad that I have the next book so that I can continue the story without a break! My heart was left beating with intensity in my chest the way things ended with Calla, Shay, Ren and Adne. Wolfsbane is a middle type book but it is gearing up for an intense war in Bloodrose. 

Cover talk: 3.5/5 

The cover is okay. The girl is not exactly the way I picture Calla but it is still a pretty cover - enough to catch your attention. 

Final Thoughts: I am really enjoying this series and cannot wait to pick up Bloodrose!!

Treachery

Series: Nightshade #2.5
Publisher: Philomel
Publication Date: 13 December 2011
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Audio or Book: ebook
Length: 34 pages

Overview:

Ansel’s world is falling apart. The Nightshade pack led by his parents has been violently destroyed. His sister, Calla, abandoned her little brother, leaving him to answer for her crimes. And the Haldis pack that would have been his future is irreparably broken by Calla's betrayal. Suffering at the hands of the Keepers, Ansel is losing everything he's ever loved. The only chance he has to save himself means an alliance with his tormentors, and repaying Calla in full for her treachery.

In this novella, find out why Ansel makes the decisions he does in Andrea Cremer's New York Times bestselling novel, Wolfsbane

My Review:

I don't like this side of Ren that they show. You get a look at Ansel and how he got to the agreement to betray Calla, but this is after they have tortured him and done all the bad stuff (not being specific here because of spoilers). 

Final Thoughts: This is an okay read. It does not really add value to the story for me even though I adore Ansel.

Author Bio:
Andrea Cremer is the author of the internationally bestselling Nightshade series. She spent her childhood daydreaming and roaming the forests and lakeshores of Northern Wisconsin. 

Andrea has always loved writing and has never stopped writing, but she only recently plunged into the deep end of the pool that is professional writing. Before she wrote her first novel, Andrea was a history professor at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. In her books, she strives to bring together her two passions: history and fantasy. Andrea now lives in New York and writes full time.

Author Links: Goodreads l website l twitter

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Chanzie