Review: Wolf Pact by Melissa de la Cruz

Wolf Pact by Melissa de la Cruz
Publisher: ATOM
Publication date: September 25th, 2012
Number of pages: 304
Format: Paperback
Buy: The Book Depository
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Lawson and his brothers escaped from the underworld and now lead desperate, dangerous lives. They’re pursued by the Hounds of Hell from one town to the next, never calling any place home. But when the hounds finally catch up with them and capture the girl Lawson loves, the hunters become the hunted. Lawson will stop at nothing to track down the hounds, even if the chances of saving Tala are slim...

The only hope he has lies in Bliss Llewellyn. Bliss, too, has lost someone to the beasts and will do anything to get them back—even if it means joining forces with the insolent, dangerously good-looking boy with a wolf’s soul.

I would say this spinoff book has been in the works longer than most books are, and longer than it should have.
I understand Melissa's reasons for why this has taken so long to be released, but since it has relevance to Gates of Paradise, so it being released just before the release of the final book in the Blue Bloods series makes sense. In a way, I am glad that it happened like this.  And I am glad I was able to get the paperback, which I was given as a prize for my participation in the Blue Bloods read-a-long, and it was a pleasure in re-reading all these books again as they are one of my favourite series in the YA genre.

Melissa is one of my favourite YA authors, and I look forward to reading what she has planned next. She could re-write the dictionary for all I care, and I would read every word. Because I know she has this unique way she tells her stories that sucks you in every bit of the way.

Anyway... I should talk about the book, right? Yes, well...

Back at the end of..Van Alen Legacy, I believe it was -- Bliss had sacrificed herself to be rid of Lucifer, and she was changed. Human. Her mother, Allegra had told her that she had a mission to send her on. That her role in the battle between the Blue Bloods and the Silver Bloods was just as important. She was told to find the Hellhounds, tame them and convince them to return to help in the battle between good and evil. To give them the home they once had, and still craved.
And so that is what Bliss did. With the help of Aunt Jane, otherwise known as the Watcher, she set off in search for the hellbounds unknown on what she might run into during the course of her journey.

While Bliss was on the lookout for the hellhounds, it is not who she encountered though. Who she discovered would change her forever.
Meet Lawson and his pack. They are wolves, but also part human... that was as long as they didn't have their collars. Back in hell, Lawson and his packmates were biding their time for the chance to escape. To go someplace else so they wouldn't have to be turned into Hell's Hounds. If that ever happened... well, nothing good could ever come out of that. That would be worse than death itself..
Bliss soon finds herself in their company as they try to discover Lucifer's plan, his ultimate goal, and just what it is will surprise you. Praise the Blue Bloods that they succeed in defeating him once and for all.

The relationship between Lawson and Bliss was an interesting one. While in this book, it was not really romantic, but there was moments between them where you can see there was a connection between that that could be life-lasting, and if only they took the chance, it would be good for them both.
They both have been through their own shares of loss. With Dylan for Bliss, who she finally learned to let go, and Lawson lost a girl he loved, or thought he loved. A packmate who was taken too fast, which only made the loss all the more tragic for him.
I also loved his brothers. They may not be his real brothers but they were as close as brothers could be and that was what happened most. They were family and had been for the longest time.
The group of them, including Bliss made a great team as they fought enemies, and became more than friends. More than family. They became a life worth living.

I did love the small crossover from the Witches series, in which Arthur Beauchamp made an appearance, and a worthy one as he helped out the boys when they first came topside, as a promise to Gabrielle. I didn't even realize they knew each other, less alone that they were friends of any sort. Wasn't it said that Vampires and Witches didn't interact with one another, or they didn't get involved in each others affairs? But I guess it wasn't always that way.
While Melissa did mention this book was to be read in preparation for Gates of Paradise.... I don't think that was because it revealed things, well I guess in this case it did reveal Lucifer's plan, but I think it was to introduce Lawson and his relationship with Bliss. We would then understand who he was, as I can imagine he will be featured in Gates of Paradise. It would be easier, as we wouldn't be so confused when that time came.

Overall, this was a great spinoff for Bliss. did completed her mission and got something she never counted on. Family. Acceptance and a home.

I look forward to reading the final installment to the Blue Bloods series. My copy is on the way to me right now. This book for all those loyal fans of this series, and it's a book not to miss.

Verdict: 4.5/5