Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Title: Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2)

Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel
Release: July 26th 2011

Format: Finished Copy
Source: barnesandnoble.com 

When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, 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. 

Right when I began to feel as if werewolves were on the brink of becoming banal, Andrea Cremer comes to flips that mindset completely around. With Wolfsbane, the second installment in the Nightshade Series, greatness is the only word capable of describing my feelings for it. I may have even enjoyed it more then the primary Nightshade itself.

Wolfsbane starts right where Nightshade leaves off. Calla, who tells the story in a first person narrative, just bailed out of an arranged marriage to a fellow Alpha wolf. She does so to save Shay, a forbidden love, and to learn the truth about her world. Now Calla is forced to work with who she always believed to be her enemies (searchers), in order to save the wolf pack pack she left behind. Regrouping her pack and creating a strong relationship with the searchers might even be enough to save the world from the corrupt keepers, those who manipulated her since birth.  

Because of recent literary phenomena, most people imagine werewolves as tan and muscular Taylor Laughters. Even though the Nightshade world has a few of those, this story's heroine wolf is pretty and blonde. I love it! Book one focused mainly on Calla's pack; Wolfsbane has a whole different group of characters. Let me tell you, these new searchers really made the book for me. Each one has a very quirky and unique personality. This book provides an extensive history lesson, but the entertaining dialogue will make it worth anyone's while.

For all my Team Ren friends, prepare to be a little disappointed. Ren graces us with his presence for only one scene. None the less, the story is still very enjoyable without him. There is a magical balance of action and world-building. Shay comes off as annoying at the beginning, but he grew on me towards the end. I can sympathize with his unyielding love for Calla.

So what are some highlights of Wolfsbane?  Conner and Adne have become two of my favorite characters in the series. The searchers' commodity is just as exciting as the wolf pack's. This whole story brings the Nightshade trilogy to new heights. I recommend everyone to pick up Andrea Cremer's work.