Book Recap: Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Cover Inspection:
I like the first design better.

SUMMARY (book description based on 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.

BOOK REPORT CARD:

Cover	2.5
Plot	2.5
Writing	3.0
Characters	3.0
Ending	2.0
Overall Rating	2.5 Good  (85% - 88%) * highest rating possible is 4.0

LOCATION/SETTING:

Mostly in Denver, the place where the Searchers stay. The story takes place about a week after Call and Shay escaped from the Keepers.

MAIN CHARACTERS:

Calla, of course, is the main character. She just escaped the clutches of the Keepers, and is somehow free to be whatever she wants to be, and be with whomever she wants to be with. However, in this books, Calla seemed lost as she is without her wolf pack. Although Shay is with her, she cannot help but miss her family and friends in Vail. Shay, on the other hand, is adjusting well in being a wolf, and he even discovers that he possesses great powers which can save them all. What about Ren, you ask? I am sorry Team Ren, but Ren is not present for most of the story. We only see him in the last few chapters. 

WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT:

At the beginning of the book, Calla wakes up to find her in the Searcher's lair. At first, her instincts took over and thinks that the searchers are the enemies, but as the story progresses, she finds out that the Keepers have been feeding them lies all their lives, and that the searchers are on her side. In this books, the searchers basically narrated the real history, and talked about Shay's powers up until midpoint of the book. During the time she spent with the searchers, Calla feels lost without her pack. She feels guilty for having left them, most especially Ren because he let them escape. Deep in her heart, Calla knows that something has gone wrong with her pack, and she feels that as the alpha, she must set things right. When she was presented with the opportunity to go back to Vail, she did not have second thoughts about going back to save her loved ones. As to romantic aspect of the book, I would have to say, this one is for Team Shay. The romantic scenes just got heavier and more complicated. I cannot wait for the third book, and read about the guy Calla chooses.

LOVE:
Sabine. She was actually nice to Calla in this book. I was surprised by her loyalty. I wanna see more of her in Bloodrose. And I like that she might have her share of romantic entanglements. Really looking forward to that!

NO LOVE:

I don't like to wait for the third book.

FAVORITE CHARACTER:

I have to say Connor. He cracks jokes to ease the tension. Wolfsbane is a somewhat heavy book (or at least heavier, than Nightshade), and these kinds of books need a jester to lighten up the mood. Connor did just that.

FAVORITE LINE:

The rules have changed. I'm going to fight to be the one at your side.

MUSINGS:

I have to admit I didn't like the first half of the book. I felt like it was getting nowhere. The characters were just talking among themselves, and nothing was happening. It got better, and I mean a whole lot better upon arrival of a character in the searcher's lair. That quickened the pacing of the story. And from that point onward, you would not want to put the book down. Also, it kind of annoys me that Calla can't seem to make up her mind about her feelings. But I can't blame her, if I had to choose between Ren or Shay, I probably wouldn't know who to choose too. 

DOODLES:

First Chapter of Bloodrose here.

AUTHOR'S WEBSITE:
Nighshade Website

SIMILAR READS:
The Wolves of Mercy Falls by Maggie Stiefvater 

Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Need Series by Carrie Jones

CONTENT REVIEW:
profanity: moderate
violence: moderate
sexual content: heavy
mature themes: moderate
age recommendation: 14+