Calla's Discovery....

Book Info: Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer. Published by Philomel in 2011.

The second book in Cremer's trilogy starts off slowly. This time we are seeing the other side of the war. Nightshade was about the wolves and their life; the routines and realities, the secrets and lies. Wolfsbane allows us a look at the reality of the Searcher's lives. The truth of the Keeper's treachery continues to be revealed but most of the book focuses on the good guys. Calla and Shay seem to have started the final battle of a war that has been ongoing for centuries. Keepers vs Searchers. As young adults thrown into a very adult world, Shay and Calla must decide who to trust.

Calla's main concern is for her family and her pack at home in Vail. While she understands the importance of the war, her alpha nature requires her to look after her pack. In her efforts to save them readers finally see the true evil of the keepers. The consequences of Calla's choices are horrific. Death and torture seem to be the standard. It is shocking to see who sides with Calla and Shay and who buckles under the pressure. Ansel shows up about halfway through the novel and readers mourn for this poor broken boy. Yet his arrival sets in motion things that no one expects.

We continue to see the failure of the Keepers patriarchal society. As one who was raised in a patriarchal society, I can see how evil could easily infiltrate such a society when women have less value then men. But I also realize that this outcome isn't a requirement. It is interesting to contrast my up bring with what I see in the novel.

Though this is a fairly dark novel of betrayal and war, there are quite a few moments of light. Connor continues to amuse, and the struggle of the love triangle provides a romantic air to certain scenes. All in all, I really enjoyed book 2!