It’s an interesting and – I have to admit – refreshing new take on werewolves. The shifts are not because of a curse, they are magic. They shimmer when they change. Sparkles. Anyways this means three things: 1) they don’t “infect” others through bites or scratches, 2) they don’t lose any of their clothes when they go wolf, and 3) the shifts are painless and fast. The story begins right in the middle of the action, which I liked. But it took me a while to figure out some things, like what the Keepers really were. At first I thought they were vampires (with the whole wraiths hanging around), then I thought of evil faeries or some such. By then I was several chapters into the books when they finally mention the word witches. I was like *slaps self* duh! So the Keepers (“good”) are in constant battle with the Searchers (“bad”) to protect some “sacred sites.” This is where the Guardians (wolf shifters) come in, they are in charge of scouting the land around Haldis (the sacred cave). We never find out what exactly these ‘sacred sites’ are and why is it so important to guard them. I did find interesting the whole Alchemy and four elements theme. The “moment of truth”, when they actually go inside the cave, felt rushed and I was left reeling with too many questions. Hopefully they will be answered in the second novel. Like it says in the summary, Calla (don’t you just love that name) is an alpha of the Nightshade pack and she is betrothed to Ren an alpha of the Bane pack. She has accepted her fate so far, but her steel resolution begins to melt when mystery boy Shay comes into her life. Is not that she doesn’t like Ren but it grates on her when Ren over situations, after all she is accustomed to being the alpha in charge. She tries not to dwell much on what she really wants, but when she discovers that everything she has been taught since little might not be true… well then, it means she no longer has to follow the rules. Right? :DLike Calla, I didn’t know whom to love more! Ren is a bit forceful and a bit rough, but that all part of being an alpha male. He really tries to show Calla his love, and not be like his father who treats female alphas like his personal play things. Even at the end when Calla doesn’t choose Ren, he still tries to protect her and be there for her. Shay, on the other hand, is really sweet and has the balls to stand up to Ren, even when he is just a human against an enraged jealous alpha werewolf. He really wants Calla to fight for what she wants, and not settle just because of some century old traditions that might not even be true. I really liked this novel; it was a fun and easy read. I shall go now and continue this story on Wolfsbane!
