Helpful Score: 5
I really did not want to like this book. The book has so much publicity and I wanted to rebel and hate it. I really dislike overhyped books. As hard as I tried, I failed at disliking this book. In fact, my only disappointment came in the fact that I have no clue what is going to happen (yes, there is a cliffhanger) and frankly, I want to know!
This is a book about werewolves. Oh pardon me, do not call them werewolves, they are Guardians. It is also about witches and sorcerers, my bad- they are called Keepers. The Keepers created the Guardians long ago to protect some sacred sites. The Searchers are the bad people trying to find those sacred sites. Or are they bad? Hmmm, are you figuring out the mystery here?
The key to this book is Calla. As a Guardian, she has been raised to protect her pack, and follow the rules of the Keepers. She has been taught that she should not question them regardless of what looks like a bad outcome for her pack or herself. It is not until she meets Shay that she discovers that not everything is the way it appears.
There is a large cast of characters here and Ren is the one that I struggled with the most. In the beginning, I liked him. He is to be mated with Calla and he is a bit of a player. He seemed to have her best interest at heart and you really felt that he did care for Calla. In the middle of the book, I changed my mind and thought he was just a player and was controlling. Towards the end.. Im not telling since it will be a spoiler.
When I liked Ren, I disliked Shay and vice versa. The author did a great job of making you question what is really going on.
Overall, a very good read. I look forward to book 2!
This is a book about werewolves. Oh pardon me, do not call them werewolves, they are Guardians. It is also about witches and sorcerers, my bad- they are called Keepers. The Keepers created the Guardians long ago to protect some sacred sites. The Searchers are the bad people trying to find those sacred sites. Or are they bad? Hmmm, are you figuring out the mystery here?
The key to this book is Calla. As a Guardian, she has been raised to protect her pack, and follow the rules of the Keepers. She has been taught that she should not question them regardless of what looks like a bad outcome for her pack or herself. It is not until she meets Shay that she discovers that not everything is the way it appears.
There is a large cast of characters here and Ren is the one that I struggled with the most. In the beginning, I liked him. He is to be mated with Calla and he is a bit of a player. He seemed to have her best interest at heart and you really felt that he did care for Calla. In the middle of the book, I changed my mind and thought he was just a player and was controlling. Towards the end.. Im not telling since it will be a spoiler.
When I liked Ren, I disliked Shay and vice versa. The author did a great job of making you question what is really going on.
Overall, a very good read. I look forward to book 2!
Amazingly awesome book! I did not think at first that I would like this book, but after reading the first chapter in the store I was hooked and had to buy it. A fast paced, who is really who, and what is really going on story. Granted there are so many characters and clicks and nicknames for everyone it's a little hard to figure out who is who to begin with, but once you get into the story you start to figure it out. A lovely story that just keeps moving and moving. It has something for everyone in it!
Nightshade was such an amazing engaging read! I flew through this book at the speed of light because I couldn't stand to wait to find out what was going to happen next. This book was action-packed from beginning to end! One great thing about this book is that it doesn't waste a lot of time with the world-building. A lot of paranormal books take a long time to build up to the story because of the details, Andrea Cremer built a fabulous paranormal word for us without once every taking away from the story.
I'm not normally all about the romance in a book, but this one is just too good not to talk about. I'm a big fan of the love triangle, even though at times it can be overdone. Anytime I've ever read a book/series with a triangle I always have a clear choice of who's side I'm on. There are times that I like both choices, but there is still one I like more than the other. Not this time! Ren and Shay are both so amazing. They both push different buttons for me and do it so well! If I could just forge them together somehow they might make the perfect male! All of the characters in this book were amazing. Each member of the pack had such rich personalities that they just popped of the page!
Overall, this was an amazing read that I recommend to any YA or paranormal fan out there. This was such a breath of fresh air after reading some stale paranormal reads lately. I cannot wait for the next installment in the series to see what happens with Calla and the packs!
I'm not normally all about the romance in a book, but this one is just too good not to talk about. I'm a big fan of the love triangle, even though at times it can be overdone. Anytime I've ever read a book/series with a triangle I always have a clear choice of who's side I'm on. There are times that I like both choices, but there is still one I like more than the other. Not this time! Ren and Shay are both so amazing. They both push different buttons for me and do it so well! If I could just forge them together somehow they might make the perfect male! All of the characters in this book were amazing. Each member of the pack had such rich personalities that they just popped of the page!
Overall, this was an amazing read that I recommend to any YA or paranormal fan out there. This was such a breath of fresh air after reading some stale paranormal reads lately. I cannot wait for the next installment in the series to see what happens with Calla and the packs!
Reviewed by Lesley for TeensReadToo.com
Calla is the leader of the Nighshades, one of the two wolf packs in town. Her destiny has always been to mate with Ren, the leader of the Bane pack, and she has always been preparing for mating.
Ren has always been the carefree one. Though an obvious alpha leader, he bends the rules and doesn't take them so seriously. Calla and Ren have never been close, but knowing the date of their wedding is approaching, they both try and make an effort to get to know one another. They start hanging out after school and realize they have more than just a destiny together or an instant attraction.
Then on a routine patrol on Nightshade territory, Calla saves Shay, the new boy in town, from a bear attack. Calla doesn't know why she broke the rules for him, but she wants to forget it ever happened. Shay isn't ready to let her go; he soon pushes his way in and becomes a big part of her life. He makes her feel things she's never felt before, like she can become someone other than who she is being forced to be.
Now, Calla has her hands full. Does she stay with Ren and learn to love him? Does she risk the loss of her pack and everything she's ever known for Shay? And just who is Shay, and where did he come from?
NIGHTSHADE is great from the start and instantly pulls you in. I refused to put it down, each chapter more compelling than the next. This is book one of the series, and I for one am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next!
Calla is the leader of the Nighshades, one of the two wolf packs in town. Her destiny has always been to mate with Ren, the leader of the Bane pack, and she has always been preparing for mating.
Ren has always been the carefree one. Though an obvious alpha leader, he bends the rules and doesn't take them so seriously. Calla and Ren have never been close, but knowing the date of their wedding is approaching, they both try and make an effort to get to know one another. They start hanging out after school and realize they have more than just a destiny together or an instant attraction.
Then on a routine patrol on Nightshade territory, Calla saves Shay, the new boy in town, from a bear attack. Calla doesn't know why she broke the rules for him, but she wants to forget it ever happened. Shay isn't ready to let her go; he soon pushes his way in and becomes a big part of her life. He makes her feel things she's never felt before, like she can become someone other than who she is being forced to be.
Now, Calla has her hands full. Does she stay with Ren and learn to love him? Does she risk the loss of her pack and everything she's ever known for Shay? And just who is Shay, and where did he come from?
NIGHTSHADE is great from the start and instantly pulls you in. I refused to put it down, each chapter more compelling than the next. This is book one of the series, and I for one am on the edge of my seat waiting for the next!
I wishlisted this book back when the serious marketing campaign for the book was practically saturating every blog I read. You have to love the cover art. Andrea Cremer must have done some serious praying to the cover art gods. And what the other reviewers said is right, this book gets right into it. From page one you're thrown into Calla's life and the details of it unfold in such a way that it maintains intrigue but isn't frustrating.
There are some parallels to Blood and Chocolate, which is in my top 5 favorite books of all time. Had I read the reviews that said this, I would have bought it the day it came out. The werewolf lore is a bit...unique, if vague. It's a nice change of pace that we don't have to read about the kinda gross process of shifting and breaking bones, blah blah blah.
As far as the supporting characters, I really liked Calla's betrothed, Ren. Despite being a product of his upbringing he's the one I'm ultimately rooting for.
To sum it up, it's a worthwhile read and is one of those books that once you hit page 20 you'll probably stay up all night and finish it. I'd say it's worth the purchase price, but with hardbacks I'm always frugal.
There are some parallels to Blood and Chocolate, which is in my top 5 favorite books of all time. Had I read the reviews that said this, I would have bought it the day it came out. The werewolf lore is a bit...unique, if vague. It's a nice change of pace that we don't have to read about the kinda gross process of shifting and breaking bones, blah blah blah.
As far as the supporting characters, I really liked Calla's betrothed, Ren. Despite being a product of his upbringing he's the one I'm ultimately rooting for.
To sum it up, it's a worthwhile read and is one of those books that once you hit page 20 you'll probably stay up all night and finish it. I'd say it's worth the purchase price, but with hardbacks I'm always frugal.
I got my copy of Nightshade through the Amazon Vine program. To be honest what drew me to this book initially was the stunning cover; it is just beautiful. When I read the description I was wary...is this just another paranormal werewolf teen book? Then I started seeing reviews on the book and they were positive, not to mention the author is a Minnesota native. So I decided to give it a read; it was a really well done book. Somehow despite the long length, I zipped right through it and was completely engrossed in the story. The second book in this series, Wolfsbane has a planned summer of 2011 release date and the third book, Bloodrose, is planned to be released in the spring of 2012.
Calla (Nightshade clan) was born to be an alpha. Before her birth it was planned that she would marry Ren (the Bane clan alpha) and they would start a new clan of Guardians. The Keepers had it all planned out. As the night of Calla and Ren's joining gets closer and closer Calla is starting to question herself. Ren keeps getting under her skin about her purity, which is required by tradition. Then a mysterious boy starts at their school name Shay. Calla ends up doing something forbidden when she saves Shay's life. For some reason Calla and Shay are drawn together. For some reason the evil Searchers are out to capture Shay. Can Calla remain steadfast in the duty to her pack? Or will her attraction to Shay and the mystery that surrounds him be her undoing? Is the tradition that Calla was raised with really the right way?
The above description makes this book sound a bit more romance than it is. There is a lot of action in this book; at heart Calla is a warrior, she was raised as a warrior and is a tomboy to boot. Her mom despairs at trying to mold Calla into a proper alpha female. Calla has an excellent sense of humor and was amusing to read about. Calla is torn between Ren and Shay and drawn to them both. That is the only part of this book that gets to be a bit much; every time Calla enters a room with either boy in it she melts into a pile of goo and turns into a raging ball of hormones...but that is my only complaint about this book. That being said the characters have excellent chemistry and the scenes between Calla and the boys are very well done; it wasn't until towards the end of the almost 600 page book that I thought all the lusting was getting to be a bit much.
The book is a bit confusing to start; it takes about 60 pages for the reader to figure out that Guardians are werewolves, Keepers are sorcerers who govern the Guardians, and Searchers are evil mages who try to hurt the Guardians. Cremer has done an excellent job creating a deep and complex culture with the Guardians and Keepers; it is realistic, intriguing and something you want to learn more about. The dialogue and characters are really well done. I thought Cremer's writing was just unbelievably readable; I seriously got through this dauntingly sized book in 2 days and never felt like the story was dragging...it was just that engaging and that well written.
The characters are also really well done. Ren and Shay both have traits that are endearing and traits that are selfish. Calla is a complicated character too; she is at times sweet and innocent and at times incredibly vicious. The characters are likable but not lovable, they are too real for that.
The book wraps up some of the story but really leaves you at a cliffhanger. If wasn't the type of cliffhanger that was annoying, but it was the type that made me wistfully wish to be able to pickup the second book in the series, Wolfsbane, as soon as possibly.
Overall this was a story that was written exceptionally well. The detailed history and complex characters make this a young adult paranormal book that really stands above most books that I have read in that genre. The book does come off as more of a romance at points, but Calla is a tough girl and kicks butt enough to keep things from getting too touchy feely. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book, Wolfsbane.
Calla (Nightshade clan) was born to be an alpha. Before her birth it was planned that she would marry Ren (the Bane clan alpha) and they would start a new clan of Guardians. The Keepers had it all planned out. As the night of Calla and Ren's joining gets closer and closer Calla is starting to question herself. Ren keeps getting under her skin about her purity, which is required by tradition. Then a mysterious boy starts at their school name Shay. Calla ends up doing something forbidden when she saves Shay's life. For some reason Calla and Shay are drawn together. For some reason the evil Searchers are out to capture Shay. Can Calla remain steadfast in the duty to her pack? Or will her attraction to Shay and the mystery that surrounds him be her undoing? Is the tradition that Calla was raised with really the right way?
The above description makes this book sound a bit more romance than it is. There is a lot of action in this book; at heart Calla is a warrior, she was raised as a warrior and is a tomboy to boot. Her mom despairs at trying to mold Calla into a proper alpha female. Calla has an excellent sense of humor and was amusing to read about. Calla is torn between Ren and Shay and drawn to them both. That is the only part of this book that gets to be a bit much; every time Calla enters a room with either boy in it she melts into a pile of goo and turns into a raging ball of hormones...but that is my only complaint about this book. That being said the characters have excellent chemistry and the scenes between Calla and the boys are very well done; it wasn't until towards the end of the almost 600 page book that I thought all the lusting was getting to be a bit much.
The book is a bit confusing to start; it takes about 60 pages for the reader to figure out that Guardians are werewolves, Keepers are sorcerers who govern the Guardians, and Searchers are evil mages who try to hurt the Guardians. Cremer has done an excellent job creating a deep and complex culture with the Guardians and Keepers; it is realistic, intriguing and something you want to learn more about. The dialogue and characters are really well done. I thought Cremer's writing was just unbelievably readable; I seriously got through this dauntingly sized book in 2 days and never felt like the story was dragging...it was just that engaging and that well written.
The characters are also really well done. Ren and Shay both have traits that are endearing and traits that are selfish. Calla is a complicated character too; she is at times sweet and innocent and at times incredibly vicious. The characters are likable but not lovable, they are too real for that.
The book wraps up some of the story but really leaves you at a cliffhanger. If wasn't the type of cliffhanger that was annoying, but it was the type that made me wistfully wish to be able to pickup the second book in the series, Wolfsbane, as soon as possibly.
Overall this was a story that was written exceptionally well. The detailed history and complex characters make this a young adult paranormal book that really stands above most books that I have read in that genre. The book does come off as more of a romance at points, but Calla is a tough girl and kicks butt enough to keep things from getting too touchy feely. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book, Wolfsbane.
Absolutely loved the book. It sucked you right in, I finished it in 2 days (would've been 1 but I had to work lol). Calla is an Alpha female for her Pack (of werewolves aka Guardians), she is a strong character and I immediately liked her. She saves a guy in the woods although its something she's forbidden to do, little does she know how much of an impact that saving does to her life as she knows it. Great cliff hanger at the end, I cannot wait for the next book!
I also absolutely loved this book. I couldnt wait for the second one to come out!
What to say about this book. Talk about a cliff hanger!!! Now I have to wait until July for the 2nd book.
Calla the alpha female of the nightshades must make the decision of her life. Follow the rules that the Keepers lay out before her as a guardian. Follow the path that has been layed out in front of her since she was a child. Become Ren's mate and let him control both her pack along with his. All this by her 18th birthday. Or will she make the decision to follow her heart and defy the Keepers in order to be with Shay and protect him at all costs. Will she make her own decision or let others make them for her.
Does her heart truly love Shay or does it love Ren. They both make her feel things she has never felt before and both in a different way. She can only be with one but will she choose the right one in the end? She is drawn to Ren as he is the Alpha male. She is drawn to Shay the human boy who turns out to be special in his way.
Who are the Keepers really. They appear to be providers to the Guardians. As long as the Guardians sever as their protectors and obey the rules. The Guardians must protect them and the sacred grounds from the Searchers. However are the Searchers truly the bad guys or are the Keepers fooling the Guardians into believing they are.
Overall I really liked the book. The fact that Andrea actually wrote the book in which we as readers realize that the relationship between the Guardians and Keepers is more a slave/domination relationship, rather than the protectors/providors the guardians beleive it to be. However at the very end she Andrea has you question whether that is the case or not. So do you believe what Bosque says or do you believe that the Searchers are the good guys instead of the keepers.
I'm sorry folks but I am Team Ren/Renier. First you don't think that he loves her. That he is just being the Alpha male that he is and that Shay is the one that truly does love her. However at the end I think you realize Ren does lover her. He goes against the rules for her simply because she asks him too. He is willing to protect her at all costs without knowing 100% of the story or knowing whether she loves him in return. He is going into the situation with blind faith in Calla. If he did not lover her completely he would not jump in so blindly. Hence I am team Ren rather than team Shay
Calla the alpha female of the nightshades must make the decision of her life. Follow the rules that the Keepers lay out before her as a guardian. Follow the path that has been layed out in front of her since she was a child. Become Ren's mate and let him control both her pack along with his. All this by her 18th birthday. Or will she make the decision to follow her heart and defy the Keepers in order to be with Shay and protect him at all costs. Will she make her own decision or let others make them for her.
Does her heart truly love Shay or does it love Ren. They both make her feel things she has never felt before and both in a different way. She can only be with one but will she choose the right one in the end? She is drawn to Ren as he is the Alpha male. She is drawn to Shay the human boy who turns out to be special in his way.
Who are the Keepers really. They appear to be providers to the Guardians. As long as the Guardians sever as their protectors and obey the rules. The Guardians must protect them and the sacred grounds from the Searchers. However are the Searchers truly the bad guys or are the Keepers fooling the Guardians into believing they are.
Overall I really liked the book. The fact that Andrea actually wrote the book in which we as readers realize that the relationship between the Guardians and Keepers is more a slave/domination relationship, rather than the protectors/providors the guardians beleive it to be. However at the very end she Andrea has you question whether that is the case or not. So do you believe what Bosque says or do you believe that the Searchers are the good guys instead of the keepers.
I'm sorry folks but I am Team Ren/Renier. First you don't think that he loves her. That he is just being the Alpha male that he is and that Shay is the one that truly does love her. However at the end I think you realize Ren does lover her. He goes against the rules for her simply because she asks him too. He is willing to protect her at all costs without knowing 100% of the story or knowing whether she loves him in return. He is going into the situation with blind faith in Calla. If he did not lover her completely he would not jump in so blindly. Hence I am team Ren rather than team Shay
Loved this book. I thought it was an interesting twist on werewolves and the paranormal world. Plot twists around to keep you interested throughout. Good cliff hanger.
