Monday, October 18, 2010

Book Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer



Nightshade

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel
Publish Date: October 19, 2010
Hardcover, 528 pages
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 website
Her Blog 
Twitter
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.

What are you Reading Monday - October 18

Come post weekly and see what others are reading too just so you can add to your tbr - I always do! For more information see Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books and join in!

Books Completed Last Week 
Reading Now:
  • To the Nines by Janet Evanovich (audiobook in car)
  • Don't Look Back by Lynette Eason (review)
  • Somewhere Along the Way by Jodi Thomas 
Next:
  • The Mullah's Storm by Thomas W. Young
  • Shedrow by Dean DeLuke
  • The Unidentified by Rae Mariz
  • Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
  • Ascendent by Diana Peterfreund
  • Love Means Zero by Daisy Jordan
Reviews completed this week (books read before this week):
Other books still need to review:
  • Wings by Aprilynne Pike (library) 
  • The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong (mine)  
  • The Van Alen Legacy by Melissa de la Cruz
  • Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs (audiobook)
  • Matched by Ally Condie (review)
  • Break No Bones by Kathy Reichs (audiobook) 
  • Evermore by Alyson Noel (library)  
  • Spells by Aprylynne Pike (library) 
  • Nightshade by Andrea Cremer  (review)
  • Candor by Pam Bachorz
  • The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan 
  • Tough Customer by Sandra Brown
  • Definitely Dead (audiobook)
  • Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich (audiobook)
  • Jenna and Jonah's Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin
  • Sloane Hall by Libby Sternberg (ebook, review)
  • I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore (review) 
  • Audrey, Wait by Robin Benway (library)
Summary -

Great reading week - the read-a-thon has left me not overwhelmed by reading but refreshed so I stayed busy during this week with my reading and keeping caught up with my reviews.  The end of the week found me at the Fall Cub Scout campout and that was fun with the husband and the oldest son and allowed for some relaxation time for me as well.


Best of the week:  Solitary by Travis Thrasher - this is one amazing book and I don't care what age you are - I think you will enjoy this book.  I look forward to more in this series.