Following Shiver (2009) and Linger (2010), the tables have turned. Instead of changing himself, Sam must wait and watch as his beloved Grace undergoes the sudden shifts from human to wolf. Former rock star and recently turned werewolf Cole believes he is close to a cure, but tensions in Mercy Falls have stretched to the breaking point in the wake of more attacks, and sharpshooters are being brought in to kill every wolf in the Boundary Woods. A hastily put together plan involves moving the pack, but who will lead them? The parallel love stories contrast beautifully with each other: Grace and Sam are sweetly innocent together, constant and enduring; while Isabel and Cole's relationship is more knowing, with sharp edges and an uncertain future. Stiefvater's emotional prose is rich without being melodramatic, and she clearly shares her fans' love of these characters. In a brief author's note, she describes her resolve to "stay true" to real wolf behavior and provides insight into her choice of settings.

Newly turned wolf Grace and her newly human boyfriend Sam (Shiver, Linger) must find a way to relocate their pack before a large-scale wolf hunt; the solution exacts a terrible sacrifice from Sam. Meanwhile, Cole (wolf) and Isabel (human) struggle with their mutual attraction. Lyrical, atmospheric language and complex relationships give this paranormal trilogy ender depth.

Gr 8 Up-Readers will like much about this conclusion to the series. The love between Grace and Sam grows stronger and stronger, and the pain of their plight is palpable and heart-wrenching. The book begins where Linger (Scholastic, 2010) left off: Grace, thought to be immune to the "werewolf gene," has turned into a wolf, fleeing the hospital bed where she was dying. Much suspicion now surrounds Sam, the last person to see her. And now another local girl, Olivia, has been found dead, ravaged by wolves. Cole St. Clair's life as a famous rock star is at odds with his drug abuse. He sees no reason to live, and becoming a wolf seems like the best solution. But something is keeping him from shifting, so he begins to experiment on himself to find a cure for the werewolf gene. If he can find it, he can possibly save Grace and ensure that Sam is permanently cured. There isn't much time, though, as Tom Culpepper is still out for revenge on the wolves that killed his son. To make matters worse, Grace, the most logical of the bunch, keeps shifting between wolf and human. Sam's character is one to make teen girls swoon as he bakes, recites poetry, and sings love songs to Grace. Cole offers a nice contrast to Sam, with his rock-star charm and reckless ways. There is much action and suspense, although the idea of Officer Koenig riding in to help save the day is a bit far-fetched. The only downside to the story is the ending, which is left open for interpretation. While some readers will like drawing their own conclusions, others may feel let down at the lack of closure. This is not a stand-alone novel; familiarity with the previous two books is a must. Lauren Newman, Northern Burlington County Regional Middle School, Columbus, NJ