Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer (REVIEW)

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. (Goodreads.com)

I have wanted to read this book since I read the last page of Nightshade about a year ago. I must say, I am NOT disappointed. Cremer created compelling characters, a juicy history, and a luscious romance with Nightshade and as I learned more about all of those things in Wolfsbane, I found myself loving the series even more. Mind-blowing secrets are unveiled and heartbreaking decisions are made.

This book really explains a lot of things that were unclear to me in Nightshade. It delves further into the history of the Keepers, the Searchers, and the Guardians and introduces great new characters.

One thing I think is important about this series is that it is NOT about werewolves. Upon reading Nightshade, I made the mistake of believing that it was a werewolf tale, But as I learned more about the characters and witnessed the challenges that they faced I realized that it was so much more than that. This series is about love, about sacrifice, about protecting those you love, about making life-altering decisions, about learning who to trust. This series is so much more than a werewolf story and it has a uniqueness all its own.

• The protagonist. Calla Tor is independent, strong (both physically and emotionally), and she has a tongue as sharp as her teeth. She would do anything to protect the people that she loves and she has an iron strong will. Nobody gets away with messing with her. She has to make a lot of extremely difficult decisions for the sake of her pack and her heart. She is a fearless leader, ready to jump into battle at any time. She's not afraid to ask the questions that nobody else would dare ask and she has a tendency to get to the bottom of things.
• The lust. There is PLENTY of that in this series and it is refreshing compared to the mushy crap that takes place in a lot of books. Because while there is plenty of love in this book, there's also a whole lot of temptation to rip clothes off.
• The history. Me saying that I like the history of anything is not a frequent occurrence. I've always dreaded history of any sort, but the history of Nightshade is full of deception, blood shed, and other awesome factors that make me actually want to learn more.
• The deaths. It seems a little harsh to LIKE people dying, but what can I say? I guess I'm a harsh person. Because when you are shoved into the kind of situations that the characters from Wolfsbane are shoved into, people are going to die. Not everybody is going to make it out of those ordeals.

Booking Through Thursday

Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme you can find HERE.

This weeks question:

What’s the last book you were really EXCITED to read?

And, were you excited about it in advance? Or did the excitement bloom while you were reading it?

Are there any books you’re excited about right NOW?

MY ANSWER:

The last book that I was really excited to read was Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer. I'd been excited about that book for about a year when I finished Nightshade. I was also excited to read Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins, and We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han, both of which I was excited to read beforehand.

There are a ton of books that I'm excited to read right now. Divergent by Veronica Roth, I think is the book in my possession that I'm most excited to read.

What about you?

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

TEASER:

 He shuddered, clutching at his stomach as though he were about to be ill. "It's like I can still feel them tearing it out of me. I can't stop remembering how they took it."

Page 239

On my wishlist (1)

On my wishlist is a weekly meme hosted by Book Chick City every Saturday.

If you would like to participate or learn more about it, click HERE.



My wishlist:

Betrayal by Lee Nichols.

Publication date: March, 2011

Genre: YA paranormal

Summary from Goodreads:



Emma Vaile is the most powerful ghostkeeper in centuries. Which is great when she's battling the wraith-master Neos, but terrible when she's flirting with fellow ghostkeeper (and soul mate) Bennett. When ghostkeepers fall in love, the weaker one loses all power, and that's not something Bennett can handle. Heartbroken and alone, Emma tries to lose herself in school with fellow ghostkeeper, Natalie. When a new team of ghostkeepers arrive-one a snarky teen
boy, the other a British scholar-Emma finds solace in training for the battle against Neos. But as the team grows stronger, they are threatened by an unknown force. One they thought was good.
As chilling and page-turning as Deception, this sequel will grab readers and hold them to the last page. No one is safe from suspicion as Emma closes in on the traitor.

Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.

Publication date: June, 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal

Summary from Goodreads:

There can only be one alpha.

Bryn is finally settling into her position as alpha of the Cedar Ridge Pack—or at least, her own version of what it means to be alpha when you’re a human leading a band of werewolves. Then she finds a teenage boy bleeding on her front porch. Before collapsing, he tells her his name is Lucas, he’s a Were, and Bryn’s protection is his only hope.

But Lucas isn’t part of Bryn’s pack, and she has no right to claim another alpha’s Were.  With threats—old and new—looming, and danger closing in from all sides, Bryn will have to accept what her guardian Callum knew all along. To be alpha, she will have to give in to her own animal instincts and become less human. And, she’s going to have to do it alone.

Bryn faces both the costs, and the rewards, of love and loyalty, in this thrilling sequel to Raised by Wolves.

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer.

Publication Date: July, 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal

Summary from 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.