Title: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Format: hardcover, 452 pages
Genre: Paranormal YA
Source: library
Published: October 2010 by Philomel
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?
Why I Read this Book: I almost didn’t read Nightshade. It was one of those books that I saw around the book blogging community but nothing about it really caught my attention, save the cover. But once the buzz got going and I heard it was about werewolves, I knew I had to pick it up.
What I Liked: Nightshade has two things I love: a good love triangle and werewolves. The love triangle has me caught in the middle – I’m rooting for Shay but Ren’s not a bad guy himself. Ren is just trying to live up to what’s expected of him. He really tries to make the unity of the pack work. Can’t beat a guy down for that. So I guess, for now, I’m Team Shen….or would Team Ray sound better? Well, I’m one of those.
The secondary characters were interesting as well. I would like to read more about Calla’s brother Ansel. I think there’s more to him than meets the eye. There are a few others in the pack that stand out as well and I’m hoping to read more about all them in the next book. Nightshade has a great ensemble.
The author’s writing style sucked me right in. Every time I had to put the book down, I couldn’t wait to pick it up again.
Nightshade, as a book in general, is aesthetically very pleasing. I love this cover and I love a book with deckled edge pages.
One of my favorite quotes is when Mason explains to Calla why he didn’t tell her about his relationship between him and Neville.
“Who I am, who I love…they’d never accept it. Neither would the elders in the pack, not my parents. No one. It would be the end for me and for Nev. And not just for our relationship. It would be the end.”
What I Didn’t Like: There are still some things about Calla’s world that remain a mystery and I’m hoping it will be explained in Wolfsbane.
Overall Impression: Nightshade was a really good YA Paranormal read. If you like werewolves and love triangles then you should pick this one up. There was a major cliffhanger ending so I’m definitely looking forward to reading Wolfsbane.
The Book Vixen’s Rating:
Glad you liked it too! I really enjoyed the series and can't wait for Wolfsbane!! I'm probably Team Ray at the moment as well! Just can't decide! ;)
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Jessica@a GREAT read
Now totally torn! I keep getting told that the Hunger Games has to be next on my list to read, but this sounds intriguing...
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ReplyDeleteI ADORE ANSEL! Probably my fav character. Cremer definitely does characterization well!
ReplyDeleteYou will get answers in Wolfsbane, as well as some heartache and anger!
I NEED to read this! *ugh*
ReplyDeleteAnd I freaking LOVE the cover!
Wolfsbane is even better, it envokes so much emotional responses. At least I felt on a roller coaster ride when I read the second book.
ReplyDeleteI should read it soon :D I just gotta borrow the ereader again
ReplyDeletemmshaunakelley - I still need to read the Hunger games too!
ReplyDeleteSmash - I want to read Wolfsbane so bad b/c of your tweets!! I have it on my shelf but I have some books to read before I can get into that one.
Thank you for this great spoiler free review! I have Nightshade in my TBR pile and now I can hardly wait to get to it!
ReplyDeleteYou haven't read The Hunger Games yet? I recommend requesting a copy of all three books from your library...Once you start them you just can't stop...well at least that was the case for me and all of my friends.
Found your blog via Jamie's Bookshelf. I'm a new follower too.
I enjoyed so much of this one - except the cliffhanger! The love triangle has two great guys. Who will she choose? I'll take the leftovers!
ReplyDeleteBumps in the Road - I actually have the HG trilogy on my shelf. I just haven't gotten to read it yet. Hopefully this year.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for following :)
Alyssa - It's a great love triangle. I'd take leftovers too ;)
I still haven't read this one, but want to based on the cover alone! I love me some love triangles so I will probably read this one eventually.
ReplyDeleteThis was an amazing read! I was so pleasantly surprised by how addicted I became to it. I love Shay and Ren and find Calla to have a lot of very difficult choices ahead of her.
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