This is a followup to Masques where Aralorn and Wolf meet and defeat the ae'Magi. Time has passed with their relationship deepening but Wolf still going off on solitary trips to show his independence. When Aralorn hears that her estranged father has died she heads home for the funeral. Wolf shows up to accompany her. It's been ten years of mercenary life since she left. She is still an outsider who doesn't fit their lifestyle. Then Aralorn finds her father is not quite dead but ensorcelled by the ae'Magi they thought they defeated. So its back to figuring out how. This didn't have the appeal of the first volume. I just found to slow and less adventurous. Briggs has done better. ( )

This is a great book to relax with. If you loved "Masques" you will love this book too.
( )

It was nice, but not my favorite of Patricia Briggs' old stuff. It was worth reading, since I'd read Masques and liked the characters, but for her older writing, I'd recommend Raven's Shadow and Raven's Strike above all the others. ( )

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. ( )

Excellent book. Good, fun characters. A fun world and a mystery that had me fooled until the end. Wish there was more. ( )

Yay Briggs, soon, soon I will be finished with her entire backlist.

Right, Aralorn is back home, something is wrong and she must fix it. Wolf/Cain is with her, they are in love, but there is the whole my dad was evil, everyone think I am evil cloud over them.

I think I actually will manage to keep this short. I find myself not with a lot to say. Not in a bad way mind you, just..not much to say.

A nice little story that is better read after you have read book 1 ;) As things went down in that one. I quite like Brigg's light fantasy stories. They are set in an interesting world. Too bad I only got 2 more about another character and then no more fantasy :/

For the Briggs fan, or anyone who likes light fantasy ( )

A nice finish to Aralorn's and Wolf's story. Got to learn a bit more about Cain's childhood and meet Aralorn's family. They get married in a death goddess's temple. Lots of action and intrigue and a mystery to solve. ( )

The author tells at the beginning of this book that she wrote the book she wanted to write, that she has carried and loved the characters for a long time. It shows, this book is a wonderful treat to read.
I love Wolf and Aralorn, they are so connected and the story never brings any doubt their relationship. They travel to Aralorn's home for her father's burial. Something is not right, danger and mystery surround her family. Lady death is near, somebody will die. ( )

Wolfsbane is the sequel to Masques and begins with Aralorn going home to Lambshold for the first time in ten years to attend her father's funeral. When she arrives with Wolf they discover that her father isn't actually dead but rather under some kind of spell. The story revolves around who cast the spell and why, with some insight into Aralorn's background and why she left her home to become a mercenary. I found this to be a pretty solid story, perhaps better than Masques.

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.

Wolfsbane, the sequel to Patricia Briggs’ debut novel Masques, was written later in her career and just published last month. It continues the story of the shapeshifters Aralorn and Wolf, whose relationship has developed significantly since the beginning of Masques. Aralorn has been called home after a ten-year absence because her father has died. When she and her “pet” Wolf arrive, they find some evil magic at work and a mystery to solve.

As you’d expect, Briggs’ writing is better this time. She has a smooth style that I find pleasant to read (or in this case, listen to, since I read this on audio, again read by Katherine Kellgren). I enjoyed spending more time with Aralorn and Wolf and agree with Ms. Briggs who, in the humble introduction to the book, said she wrote Wolfsbane because these characters deserve further attention. They’re smart, witty, and good, and their relationship is believable.

Though Wolfsbane may be a better crafted book, I didn’t find its plot to be as compelling as the plot of Masques. This may be partly because it felt very much like a sequel — the characters and the world are no longer something new to explore, so enjoyment of the novel must come from either spectacular style or truly engaging plot and Wolfsbane, though it’s a pleasant read, has neither. There was a lot of talking through ideas and coming to conclusions by discussion or spying rather than by active investigation, so I was bored in spots (but not for long because Wolfsbane is short and quick-paced).

The evil magic that Aralorn and Wolf must overcome directly affects their relationship, and this is the true focus of Wolfsbane. For this reason, I think readers of romances will probably enjoy Wolfsbane more than I did. The plot lacks thrills, but the romance is sweet and satisfying.

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature. ( )

Another wonderful book! Aralorn is such a good story-teller, on top of being strong, loyal and funny. ( )

Reading Wolfsbane made me want to revisit The Hob's Bargain and When Demons Walk, hints of sweet relationships and clever, strong characters. While I don't think Wolfsbane will be one I reread often, I am glad I read it once. ( )

Long-unpublished sequel to Briggs’ first published novel Masques, featuring a mage/spy and her lover who spends most of his public time in wolf form. She goes home because her father dies—except there’s a lot more involved. Palace intrigue outside the palace, and a muted romance that is about learning to love more deeply rather than falling in love. Definitely an earlier work. ( )

Solid book by Briggs - much delayed sequel to Masques - but not her best. Too much psychological analysis of everyones motives and not enough real suspense. Still fun! ( )

A bit awkward at first and the story isn't totally original, but once it gets going it's a smooth and enjoyable ride. While it's definitely a fantasy novel, there's a strong romantic element--actually, it does a better job with Aralorn and Wolf's relationship than many of the romance novels I've read recently. And for those who are as squeamish as I am, there are references to previous episodes of torture and sexual assault but minimal on-screen ickiness. It could be read as a stand-alone, but will definitely make more sense if you've read Masques first. ( )

For Aralorn, the relief of the ae'magi's death was short-lived. Wolf has vanished, and when new of her own father's death reaches her she begins the long ride home to Lambshold after a ten-year absence a bit unsure as to the welcome she'll receive.

Her arrival coincides with Wolf's and brings the discovery that her father isn't actually dead but lies ensorcelled and guarded by a black, life-sucking shadow. Is it possible that the ae'magi still lives?

Without Masques as a precursor, this would have made far less sense - a bit predictable, but well told. Romance, sacrifice, adventure and plenty of action. ( )

3.75 stars. Great characters, good interaction, very interesting magic. Fans of Patricia Briggs will recognize many themes and story lines from this sequel to Masques which according to an essay at the beginning of Wolfsbane -- she wrote many years ago. Themese such as a very strong female heroine that is liked by others and intersting but a loaner and she is not physically attractive but she is strong and appealing. Additionally, magic in this world Briggs has created has a cost -- it does not come easily, this seems very similar to the world Briggs created in the Mercy Thompson series and Apha & Omega series. Briggs touches on the bonding theme that is so strong in her other two urban fantasy series and it is clear where she got the idea of bonds that join mates but in a metaphysical way are tangible.

Aralorn is the heroine of the story and "Wolf" (aka Cain) is the hero. Their relationship is touching and their interactions are very real. Cain is physically and emotionally scarred -- but he is a very powerful mage and shapechanger. Aralorn is half human and half shapechanger, she is also a spy and a mercenary. These are the main two characters in Masques, so Wolfsbane is a cotinuation of their story. Aralorn visits with her family and we get to know and see Wolf and Aralorn.

Parts of the story were slower and dragged, but it as still a very intersting story, good characters and intriguing use of magic. It closes with the hope of a sequel. It is not clear of Briggs will write one, but I hope she does! ( )

Aralorn and Wolf come home to bury Aralorn's beloved father only to discover that he isn't dead but rather ensorcelled. Aralorn and Wolf thought that they had killed Wolf's father who was an evil sorcerer but it seems that he isn't quite dead yet. This was excellent high fantasy and had a wonderful romance too. ( )

Better than Masques from a writing viewpoint - as good as the Hurog books. From a story viewpoint - just as good (as Masques and as Hurog). A very rich story, with a lot of confusion and unclear motives on several people's parts - Wolf's trick on Kisrah to get him out from under the spell was neat. Aralorn's trick on Wolf was pretty good too, even if it didn't work right. Heh - one bit she borrowed for other books (she mentioned that there are several in her intro) is having a werewolf for a partner! Not at all the same (as Alpha and Omega), but... It's interesting dealing with all these people who knew Cain as a youngster - and Aralorn as a youngster, for that matter - it gives interesting new insights into both of them. The dreams are a bit of a shortcut - no way Wolf would ever have told her those things - but they serve several purposes besides telling Aralorn and us more about Wolf's upbringing. Excellent story, want to read the other Sianim books even more, hope she keeps writing in this vein. ( )

A different feel from Brigg's Mercy Thompson Series: slightly darker, more magic, set in olden times. And yet, there is the same good vs. evil plot, a strong lead woman, and star-crossed lovers. Aralorn has returned home for her father's funeral, only to discover that he is not dead, but enchanted. She must find the evil doer and discover the reason behind the magic. Is her father the true _target? Or is it Aralorn or her shape-shifting wolf companion? I enjoyed this book thoroughly and now I have to go back and read the first in the series! (Obvioulsy it was a good read even out of sequence, but if you have a choice I'd read Masques first and then this one!) ( )

I enjoyed the book. It was fun to find out more about wolf and other characters from Masque and the new characters. The setting was good. It was easy and flowed well. look forward to reading more of her books ( )

NIL