FranJessca [at] Book Lovin' Mamas

Dusk is the second book in Alyssa Rose Ivy's The Dire Wolves Chronicles, and I have been waiting patiently to find out what would happen next after the cliffhanger from Dire. Alyssa left us hanging with what happened to Gage and what Mary Anne had promised in the first book.

Forewarned…you need to read the first book before reading Dusk. So I would highly recommend not reading my review of Dusk, otherwise you will miss out on the first book's storyline (which I loved by the way).

Alyssa continues the story of the two college kids that crossed paths with the Dires and witches that adorned the woods where their truck wouldn't start in a horrible winter storm. Mary Anne is forced to make a choice to stay with Hunter as his mate or witness Gage die from what happened in the first book. She chose to become Hunter's mate and it's not going to be easy. Hunter wants her to forget Gage (the boy she has had a crush on for years and fell in love with) to become a mate to a Dire who is a complete stranger. She chose the path, so now she needs to deal with her new responsibilities. She also has to forget Gage. It's going to be hard and Hunter doesn't make it easy for Mary Anne.

Alyssa picks up from where Dire (the first book left off), so there is no confusion at all. It's like continuing a movie after pausing it. She immediately goes into what happened to Gage and how he is accepting the new change. We also get to find out more about the Dires and why they are hiding in this book. There are also things that are brought up that I definitely feel Mary Anne is not asking the right questions to, especially when it comes to what Hunter is up to. I will say this…I like Hunter's character better than Gage. Hunter seems more caring and loving towards Mary Anne, but he is going the wrong way with it.

Mary Anne drove me crazy in this story due her constant change of mood. She would worry about Gage, but then she would worry about Hunter. It's like her feelings are sporadic at times, and the ending she has determined who is all for. I was a little confused with her.  I still enjoy her wiliness to not give up though and constant questions she asked. She wanted to understand and no one would let her. Gage drove me crazy with his erratic behavior, especially towards the end. I was expecting the ending to go the way it was because of how the characters were acting. I still don't know if Gage fully cares for Mary Anne like he says.

I'm left with more questions than answers because the story went pretty quickly, especially towards the end.  Alyssa left a cliffhanger again, so expect to be left in shock on what is going on. Don't get me wrong I loved the ending, but I'm a little worried what is going to happen next. I want a HEA for Mary Anne and Gage, but I'm not sure if I want them together. They don't click fully.

I recommend this book to readers who love the New Adult and Paranormal elements together. I loved how Alyssa is not following the trend of just New Adult Contemporary like other authors are doing right now. She's combining a favorite element of mine. Paranormal elements. Something that will always be dear to my heart.

I give this book 4 stars and look forward to reading the next installment in the Dire Wolves. =)