Review: Unleashed by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

Unleashed by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

Release Date: November 22, 2011
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Format: Paperback
Pages: 382
Genre: YA Paranormal
Series: Wolf Springs Chronicles#1

Source: Book Depot

Goodreads Synopsis:

Katelyn McBride’s life changed in an instant when her mother died. Uprooted from her California home, Katelyn was shipped to the middle of nowhere, Arkansas, to her only living relative, her grandfather. And now she has to start over in Wolf Springs, a tiny village in the Ozark Mountains. Like any small town, Wolf Springs has secrets. But the secrets hidden here are more sinister than Katelyn could ever imagine. It’s a town with a history that reaches back centuries, spans continents, and conceals terrifying truths. And Katelyn McBride is about to change everything.

Broken families, ageless grudges, forced alliances, and love that blooms in the darkest night—welcome to Wolf Springs.

My Thoughts:

I don’t normally read reviews before I read a book. I worry that my enjoyment of the story will be tainted by other reviewer’s opinions. Unleashed was no exception and I am actually thankful for my little rule now. I absolutely loved Unleashed, but some reviewers didn’t.

I am Team Wolf all the way. Not being able to go out in the day and enjoy the sunlight? So not my idea of the good life. Now, running wild through dense forests, basking in a warm sunny patch, snuggling down with pack mates in a big wolfie puddle, yeah, that sounds more like it.

So, of course I was excited to get into Unleashed. Let’s face it, werewolves are not a new concept. So, to read a werewolf story and not feel that it’s old and unoriginal is actually a bit of a surprise. I loved the teenage angst throughout the story; Kat has lost her family (not normal teenage angst), she has to go live with her grandfather (again, not normal), new kid in school (fairly normal), boys (very normal), possible werewolf infection (so not normal), creepy town in which half the residents seem either insane or to be hiding something (Is that normal for anyone?)

I thought that the plot of Unleashed ran along fairly well with some predictable parts and some unexpected twists. While there is not a long back story, you get the basis of what’s going on fairly quickly and are able to move forward. I finished this book in 2 days; I couldn’t put it down. I just needed to see what happened next.

I didn’t really have a favorite character, as all of the characters had good points and bad. I thought our main character was flaky, caught in a current and unable to take control of her life. But put into the situation she was in, I can imagine anyone would be a little flaky. Cordelia seemed a little scatterbrain, considering her dad was considering her for Alpha. Alphas need to be strong and self-confident and she didn’t seem to be either. I felt both our boys were off centre as well. Justin being a werewolf, and therefore very loyal, cheats on his long term girlfriend on compulsion. “I don’t know why, but I gotta have you”? And Trip seems perfect, then suddenly he gets moody and distant, or just disappears on Kat. What’s his deal? I am so looking forward to unraveling the mystery that is Trick.  

Unleashed was, in my opinion, an amazing story and I would recommended it for YA readers of paranormal romance, mystery, and suspense. I look forward to Wolf Springs Chronicles #2 Hot Blooded.