Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel
Publish Date: October 19, 2010
Hardcover, 528 pages
Young Adult, Paranormal, Nightshade trilogy #1
Young Adult, Paranormal, Nightshade trilogy #1
My Review:
Why I read this: I received this coveted ARC from the publisher.
How is the novel driven: Character and plot, the character-development is key in this one to set up the series. There are major events, but I think the characters shine through.
My thoughts: I wasn't sure about this book when I got it (I'm not even sure how I received it, but I was thrilled when I did). Then I started reading it. Wow - the story completely sucked me in. I love love triangles and they abound in young adult fiction lately, but this one seems a little different to me.
Calla is a great character. She knows exactly what will happen with her life, it is all mapped out, it's the way her society will do things. She knows Ren will make an great match with her and their packs merging will be great. Then the monkey wrench is thrown in, in the form of a human boy named Shay. When Calla saves Shay, things begin to change and Calla begins to question her society and their rules. But she doesn't do this without Ren right there beside her. Ren who is a known ladies man in high school, but he is destined to be hers. Craziness also abounds within each pack where certain members are beginning to pair off, but that really isn't allowed yet. Ren and Calla are both trying to figure out what will be expected of them and what they want to do with their lives.
Setting the paranormal world in the midst of the human world is very well done in this book. I loved reading the interactions between the characters and the introduction to each member of the pack. I really like Ren, Calla and Shay. This wasn't one of those books where I hated one guy and loved the other. Ren becomes redeemable to me.
Well-written and exciting, Nighshade is a great addition to your reading pile if you want a different take on werewolves and a great story to go along with it. I look forward to the next installment in this series.
My Rating: 4.75/5.0
About the Book:
Calla Tor has always known her destiny: After graduating from the Mountain School, she'll be the mate of sexy alpha wolf Ren Laroche and fight with him, side by side, ruling their pack and guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But when she violates her masters' laws by saving a beautiful human boy out for a hike, Calla begins to question her fate, her existence, and the very essence of the world she has known. By following her heart, she might lose everything--including her own life. Is forbidden love worth the ultimate sacrifice?
Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2) will be published in July 2011
Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) in spring 2012
About the Author:
Andrea Cremer is a professor of history at Macalester College and lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Her Blog
Shay Doran on Facebook
FTC Information: I received this book from the publisher for review. I have Amazon links on my review pages but I do not make any money from these because of NC laws. I put them solely for people to check out the books on a retail site.
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4 comments:
I instantly had to see this post when i saw the cover, it's amazing!
Great review,, can't wait to read it (:
-Mia
Both characters were deeply affected by the keepers reaction to Calla's betrayal. I wonder how either of them can recover and forgive Calla. Even though their pain is not her fault, she believes it is and the two boys will have to face it.
Calla was completely kick ass! Sometimes an author portrays strong characters as unfeeling. Thankfully Cremer managed to make Calla strong and full of emotions at the same time. She felt real. Some of her choices were questionable, but she's a teenager! All the secondary characters, the packs, were fantastic. They were intricate, even though they might not have played a huge role in the story. I can remember each ones different personality days later!
This book was just a whole lotta lust. I can tolerate and even adore "love at first sight" books when done properly. However, this book just came off as three teenagers with crazy, raging hormones who need to touch and gaze and lust after each other EVERY MOMENT OF THE BOOK. Calla and Shay's "connection"? I just never felt it. They just seemed to lust and pine after each other for page after page.
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