Review: Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2) by Andrea Cremer

Wolfsbane

Author: Andrea Cremer
Series: Nightshade #2

Synopsis (goodreads): 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.

Review

NOTE: I wouldn't read past the first paragraph if you haven't read Nightshade. There are some spoilers in this review.

The second installation of the Nightshade series was just as amazing, if not better, than the first. Though there is definitely more violence and heartbreak. When Calla wakes up, she is amidst the Searchers, who in the first book we didn't learn much about. They are the people who have been her sworn enemies her entire life, and now suddenly she is in their Academy, forced to trust them. She soon realizes just how far the Keepers went to keep the truth hidden from the Guardians and just how imperative it is to get her pack to safety.

Calla struggles a lot with her identity in Wolfsbane. In a quick attempt to save Shay from being the sacrifice at her union, she (and Shay) end up with the Searchers and suddenly she's free to do whatever she wants, if only she could decide what that is. One minute she was in her wedding dress, about to be united with her alpha male Renier Laroche, the next she's running away with Shay to save his life. Both of whom she loves. It's very confusing to her. Her whole life she's been destined to be with one man, and now, suddenly, she has a choice. And she isn't sure if she's making the right one. Leaving Ren and her wolf pack, her friends and family, behind with the malicious Keepers is weighing down on her and she struggles to find a way to save them all and keep her sanity.

We learn a lot about loyalties in this book, and some of them will shock you. I'm still trying to figure them out myself, but I know Andrea has a reason for things turning out as they did. We also learn a lot more about the Searchers, who they are, the magic they wield, even about past alliances and the history between the Searchers and the Keepers and their origins. We learn more about Shay's lineage, who he is and how he could change things in the war. I also have to point out that I'm still a huge fan of Shay, and I'm hoping that in the end, Calla chooses him, but I'm having the feeling that somehow she's going to end up with Ren. I'm hoping that isn't the case though. I don't hate Ren.. I actually really like him, but I think Shay is the better match for her.

Andrea did an amazing job continuing on with this story. It was as much of an easy read as Nightshade. There was never a dull moment throughout the story, and I couldn't put it down. There's a lot of action in it, There's even some comical bantering which was for the most part absent from the first book. I absolutely loved it, even if it did hold a lot of heartbreak and a dark edge.

I rate this book: