Review: Willow

Title - Willow

Author - Amy Richie

Series - Blood Vine #1

Genre - YA Paranormal Werewolves

Publication - August 24th 2012

Publisher - Anchor Group Publishing

Format - Kindle 

(Goodreads)(Amazon)

Synopsis

“Being a werewolf is harder than it looks. Everyone thinks it’s just morph at the full moon, kill, morph back. That’s not true. It’s a lot harder than that. Especially if you are seventeen years old.”

Willow has the worst luck. First she has to deal with her narcissistic foster mother, Bella; then of course there’s her horrid little sister Ivy; not to mention the pack of werewolves that belong to Bella. Now, they have to move and start a new school - again.

Just when Willow thinks things can’t get any worse, Blake shows up from a council she never knew existed to name her leader of a pack she never knew existed. How was she supposed to teach a bunch of teenagers how to be wolves when she herself hated everything about her life?

Review

Willow is a werewolf but she hasn't always been a werewolf she once was human but as a child she was bitten as well as her little sister and raised by Bella a female pack leader. The girls grew up living with Bella in the plans that one day they would lead their own packs but when the time comes for Willow to take her own pack she’s not sure she is up to the challenge. With the last move Bella has already planted Willow in the school with her new pack, and with the help of Gage her “Uncle” she should be able to lead a pack of teenage boys.

Being a werewolf is hard, leading a pack of boys is even harder but surviving high school may just be the end of Willow. With the help of her boys she integrates into the school as one of the popular girls even becoming a cheerleader. As she gets better at fitting in at school things in her real life go wonky, on of her pack is shot so they have to fake his death, next one of the guys is seen running as a wolf. One of her new friends at school knows about their secret and even has one of her own. What about the plans of the council who placed Willow with the pack? What about her feelings for Gage her protector? Will she survive high school?

I wasn't sure about Willow at first and maybe that’s because I expect my werewolves to be tough. Willow hasn't had the best life, her parents were murdered and she was turned into a werewolf with her little sister. Willow has been beaten down by her sister and the werewolf who raised her. As she spent more time on her own, falling for Gage and learning to live with the boys she got better. The more the book progressed the more I loved her character and I decided she’s tough just broken. I liked Gage he’s got a past but he’s a good guy, and her wolf pack they are an interesting mix of guys.

I’ve had Willow on my TBR pile forever picked up a kindle copy ages ago and it’s still been on my kindle. When I needed a “W” book for my final team-challenge it was a no brainer for me. The author has taken the werewolf concept adding her own unique twists and spinning a captivating story. The way the wolves change is smoother than most and add in learning to shift and not destroy your clothes I’m sold sign me up. The characters are easy to connect with, you can’t help falling in love with the guys even Willow as the book progressed I was cheering her own. Her story is a little emotional after all she’s a little broken but it’s worth it. I had a hard time putting the book down I was drawn right into the story if not for real life I would have stayed up all night reading. Willow has it all action, romance, suspense and mystery all woven into an intriguing story. I honestly enjoyed the whole story it’s well written and the author has done a beautiful job creating an exciting new series. I can't wait to start the next one it’s sitting on the shelf looking at me. I love the cover with the wolves it’s just screaming read me.

Teaser

 Being a werewolf is harder than it looks. Everyone thinks it’s just “morph at the full moon, kill, morph back”. That’s not true. It is a lot harder than that, especially if you are 17 years old. All I wanted at the start of my junior year in high school was to stay in one place long enough to make a friend. My sister, Ivy, and I lived with our surrogate mother, Bella, who also happened to be a pack leader. One day, Ivy and I would have to move on and either find packs of our own or become loners. There could never be two females in one pack. But for now, we lived with Bella. Staying in one place was hard for Bella. She never could keep herself out of trouble.

Rating

4 out of 5 stars