Review: Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2) by Andrea Cremer

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.

After reading Nightshade in the summer of 2011, I had some extremely high expectations, not to mention concerns, when I first delved into Wolfsbane. As a permanent member of #TeamRen, I wasn't quite sure if I would end up disappointed. Although there was, in my opinion, a serious lack of Ren in this novel, I was once again left in awe by Andrea Cremer's ability to weave a storyline like I'd never seen before.

Wolfsbane picks up where Nightshade left off, which I will not specify for the sake of avoiding spoilers. As the story progresses, Calla comes face to face with a number of revelations that forever alter life as she knows it. With the plot of the novel comes the introduction of a number of new characters, including my new favorites, Connor and Adne. Connor's sense of humor kept me relatively at ease, while Adne's "ability" repeatedly blew my mind.

One thing about this series that has always bothered me is the love triangle. I never really could wrap my mind around Calla's interest in Shay--is it simply because he's human and therefore a temptation since he's off limits? Is it because she has an issue with being Ren's alpha female? For goodness' sake, I think we can all agree on the fact that Ren is nowhere near a bad guy, no matter how big of an ego he has or no matter the lifestyle with which they have been raised. Personally, I've believed from the start that the two of them belong together, but perhaps it's just me.

My love for Ren aside, Wolfsbane was a fabulous sequel. I've heard a few people mention that it was a little slow in pacing, but I appreciated the building tension between characters and overall. The blend between the supernatural and historical was just right, all the while keeping me entertained and intrigued by the life of the brave and beautiful warrior that is Calla Tor.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars