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nancyotoole's review against another edition
3.0
After hearing that her father has passed away, Aralorn and her companion Wolf travel back to the home and family that Aralorn has not seen in ten years. When Aralorn approaches her father's body to say goodbye, she discovers that that man is still alive. Aralorn soon learns that her father is under the influence of magic, and will die very soon if they cannot figure out a way to awaken him. Meanwhile, they must also discover the culprit behind her father's suffering.
Wolfsbane is the sequel to Masques, Patricia Brigg's debut novel that was recently updated and re-released. Wolfsbane is its formally unpublished sequel, that spent years collecting dust before finally being released last year. Similar to Masques, Wolfsbane is a solid traditional fantasy that succeeds mainly due to the likableness of the main characters, and the strong relationship they share. Also similar to Masques, Wolfsbane is a flawed book, despite it's strengths.
One thing I noticed right away about Wolfsbane is that the quality of the writing was better than Masques, which makes sense giving that Briggs wrote two novels between Masques and Wolfsbane. The pacing seems to be smoother, despite the fact that there are fewer exciting moments this time around. I enjoyed getting to known more about Aralorn's past and family, and the fact that Briggs did not take the easy path of making all of her family utterly unlikable (which other authors would have done, seeing how Aralorn is the bastard daughter of Lyon, before he ended up marrying and having a legitimate family). I also enjoyed the fact that we got to see more scenes of Aralorn as a storyteller, as well as more romantic moments between Aralorn and Wolf.
At the same time, Wolfsbane is not without it's faults. The story may be a swift and enjoyable read, but like many books by Patiricia Briggs, the ending doesn't come together as smoothly as it should. I found the revelation about who the villain was, and why this person acted in a certain way, to be a little to convenient. I also wish that Briggs had taken time to further explore some other elements that were raised in this novel, such as Wolf's struggle between his human magic and green magic. Given that Briggs has found such success with her urban fantasy novels, I suspect that this is the last time we will see these characters, so it would have been nice to see a little more of them.
Wolfsbane is a satisfying sequel to Masques, an early work by Patricia Briggs. The book admittedly has it's faults, and really shouldn't be read without having read and enjoyed Masques previously. My positive experiences with Masques and Wolfsbane has convinced me to read more of Briggs's traditional fantasy works.
Wolfsbane is the sequel to Masques, Patricia Brigg's debut novel that was recently updated and re-released. Wolfsbane is its formally unpublished sequel, that spent years collecting dust before finally being released last year. Similar to Masques, Wolfsbane is a solid traditional fantasy that succeeds mainly due to the likableness of the main characters, and the strong relationship they share. Also similar to Masques, Wolfsbane is a flawed book, despite it's strengths.
One thing I noticed right away about Wolfsbane is that the quality of the writing was better than Masques, which makes sense giving that Briggs wrote two novels between Masques and Wolfsbane. The pacing seems to be smoother, despite the fact that there are fewer exciting moments this time around. I enjoyed getting to known more about Aralorn's past and family, and the fact that Briggs did not take the easy path of making all of her family utterly unlikable (which other authors would have done, seeing how Aralorn is the bastard daughter of Lyon, before he ended up marrying and having a legitimate family). I also enjoyed the fact that we got to see more scenes of Aralorn as a storyteller, as well as more romantic moments between Aralorn and Wolf.
At the same time, Wolfsbane is not without it's faults. The story may be a swift and enjoyable read, but like many books by Patiricia Briggs, the ending doesn't come together as smoothly as it should. I found the revelation about who the villain was, and why this person acted in a certain way, to be a little to convenient. I also wish that Briggs had taken time to further explore some other elements that were raised in this novel, such as Wolf's struggle between his human magic and green magic. Given that Briggs has found such success with her urban fantasy novels, I suspect that this is the last time we will see these characters, so it would have been nice to see a little more of them.
Wolfsbane is a satisfying sequel to Masques, an early work by Patricia Briggs. The book admittedly has it's faults, and really shouldn't be read without having read and enjoyed Masques previously. My positive experiences with Masques and Wolfsbane has convinced me to read more of Briggs's traditional fantasy works.
shawnbilodeau's review against another edition
Sequel to "Masques." Aralorn the shape-shifting mercenary, and her lover Wolf, return to Aralorn's home to attend her father's funeral. But is he really dead? Magic, mystery, and murder in equal parts with romance, rediscovery, and reconciliation all play a part in the unfolding of this story. Everything Briggs writes is worth the time spent reading it.
amdame1's review against another edition
3.0
Aralorn returns home after 10 years because her father has died. There are mixed reactions from her family as some of them do not approve of her shape-shifter magical abilities, and others do not approve of her Wolf/lover. But they tolerate her as she is needed to unravel the mystery of what happened to her father.
Not as good as her OtherWorld/werewolf series, but still a good read.
Not as good as her OtherWorld/werewolf series, but still a good read.
amym84's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book. I thought that it was a quick and easy read. I enjoyed going back to the characters. I'm sure that fans of the first book Masques were excited when this book was announced. I know if a book that I liked and thought was only going to be a standalone and then the author says they ar finally releasing the sequel. I would be estatic.
One thing, I wished there would have been more focus on the developing relationship between Wolf and Aralorn. You can see that they care about each other, but sometimes they seemed so distant from each other. I think the fact that they were at Aralorn's father's house and they kept their relationship quiet from the rest of the family they could really be seen together except when they were alone and that's why they seemed distant.
The conflict of the story was, at times, a little confusing. They were fighting the same villain from the first book but not in the flesh really. I guess I just don't understand how it all came about. This could do for a re-read.
I think that the end kind of left it to where Briggs could revisit these characters sometime if she chose. I have no idea if she has plans to but it's nice that there might be a possibility in there.
One thing, I wished there would have been more focus on the developing relationship between Wolf and Aralorn. You can see that they care about each other, but sometimes they seemed so distant from each other. I think the fact that they were at Aralorn's father's house and they kept their relationship quiet from the rest of the family they could really be seen together except when they were alone and that's why they seemed distant.
The conflict of the story was, at times, a little confusing. They were fighting the same villain from the first book but not in the flesh really. I guess I just don't understand how it all came about. This could do for a re-read.
I think that the end kind of left it to where Briggs could revisit these characters sometime if she chose. I have no idea if she has plans to but it's nice that there might be a possibility in there.
linyarai's review against another edition
3.0
This is a nice, easy read with a great plot. It's captivating the whole way through, the characters are likeable, and there's enough surprises that it doesn't become predictable. I look forward to reading more about Aralorn.
librarycatnip's review against another edition
2.0
Was hoping for the poignancy that is Briggs' calling card. Even in other examples of her earlier work like Steal the Dragon and When Demons Walk, this is present. I gave up on Aralorn 90% through the book, and won't be reading Masques.
lefthandedbibliophile's review against another edition
2.0
Finishing this book became a chore by the time I reached half-way mark. I just wanted it to be OVER!
Its strange how I liked its prequel, which was popularly disliked while I lost my way with this one which many readers enjoyed. I am doomed to always fall in the other side of the spectrum... Gaah!
1.25-headache-inducing-story-which-would-go-on-and-on-stars :(
Its strange how I liked its prequel, which was popularly disliked while I lost my way with this one which many readers enjoyed. I am doomed to always fall in the other side of the spectrum... Gaah!
1.25-headache-inducing-story-which-would-go-on-and-on-stars :(
bethmitcham's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this -- Aralorn dealing with her large family that she has avoided for a decade; she and Wolf figuring out their emotions, different kinds of magic and creatures, and a basic kindness and compassion that believes in forgiveness and trust.
carosbcher's review against another edition
4.0
Even though this is the second part of a series around the shapeshifter Aralorn (yes, she can be a little mouse, a poisonous icelynx, or simply put on different faces) I enjoyed reading this book a lot without knowing the first part...it just made me eager to get my hands on more stories set in this fantastic world and starring this sympathetic young woman.
Aralorn comes home after bring absent for ten long years. The only reason for her return is the funeral of her father...but then everything changes, nothing is as it seems and magic drops thickly from the walls of the wintery castle...
The combination of a snowy world, fantastic creatures, magic, and a mystery to be solved was just wonderful to read, the intrigues packed with spells and dark forces were thrilling and the characters lively, the two main protagonists very sympathetic. Sometimes the love story was slightly over the top but as it never was in the focus for long it was not annoying. But the cover...ugh!
Aralorn comes home after bring absent for ten long years. The only reason for her return is the funeral of her father...but then everything changes, nothing is as it seems and magic drops thickly from the walls of the wintery castle...
The combination of a snowy world, fantastic creatures, magic, and a mystery to be solved was just wonderful to read, the intrigues packed with spells and dark forces were thrilling and the characters lively, the two main protagonists very sympathetic. Sometimes the love story was slightly over the top but as it never was in the focus for long it was not annoying. But the cover...ugh!
katiev's review against another edition
3.0
The follow-up to Briggs' first book, Masques. Aralorn and Wolf are together and return to Aralorn's childhood home when she gets word that her father is dead. Things aren't as clear as they seem and there is a mystery to be solved and more healing/redemption for Wolf.
I enjoyed it, but not as much as the first one. Surprising, since it was written later in Briggs' career and sat unpublished for years until she became popular enough for a re-release of the little-read Masques. It was interesting to see the themes so prevalent in the Mercy Thompson novels in Aralorn's separateness from the family she loves and loves her in return, yet her half-shapeshifter status keeps her from feeling entirely at home and has led her to create her own home with Wolf and her adopted people, the mercenary Sian.
I think it was the lack of action. There was a lot of discussion in trying to solve the mystery and it didn't hold my interest quite as well. Still, I enjoyed it, and was glad to get the HEA hinted at in Masques.
I enjoyed it, but not as much as the first one. Surprising, since it was written later in Briggs' career and sat unpublished for years until she became popular enough for a re-release of the little-read Masques. It was interesting to see the themes so prevalent in the Mercy Thompson novels in Aralorn's separateness from the family she loves and loves her in return, yet her half-shapeshifter status keeps her from feeling entirely at home and has led her to create her own home with Wolf and her adopted people, the mercenary Sian.
I think it was the lack of action. There was a lot of discussion in trying to solve the mystery and it didn't hold my interest quite as well. Still, I enjoyed it, and was glad to get the HEA hinted at in Masques.