Series Review

Nightshade and Wolfsbane Review

By: Andrea Cremer

MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!!!(first book)

Synopsis:Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything- including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

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.

My Review:  I will start by saying " not your average wolf book" Andrea Cremer  uses a unique approach to how you perceive her characters.

Calla is a strong willed determined young lady, the kind of roll model you would love your daughter to have. She is the alpha female to the nightshade pack and will soon be married to Ren, the alpha male for the Bane pack. A chance encounter with a beautiful human while out on patrol threatens to change everything. As long as the elders do not learn of Calla's deception she will be safe. As the two packs begin to merge to form the new pack the new keeper has ordered Calla to protect Shay, the human boy at all cost. The more time they spend together the more Calla begins to second guess her life and what she should do. Becoming torn between right and wrong she finds it hard to determine who she loves more. Before the union begins Ren gives Calla a token of the love he has for her, while waiting to descend the steps and take her place she finds Shay set up as her sacrifice. She rescues him and they make their escape, only to be taken hostage by searchers. As you begin reading Wolfsbane you find a week has gone by,  thanks to the enchanted bolts that Calla was struck with she has been unconscious. Once she is reunited with Shay, Calla must learn to trust the searchers while trying to figure out about Shay's past and his abilities as well as rescuing her pack.

In this book you encounter a whole new set of characters, the searchers. I enjoyed the back story of the searchers as well as the keepers and how they came to be enemies. You will also see a different side of the beloved Shay that makes you think twice about why Calla went out on a limb for him.

This book contains a bit of everything, mythology, romance, betrayal, mystery, action, friendship and death. I was so upset however by the cliff hanger ending simply because I have to wait so long to see what happens.