By: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel (October 19th, 2010)
My Copy: Librarything Early Reviewer
BookWhisperer Rating:
Description:
While other teenage girls daydream about boys, Calla Tor imagines ripping out her enemies’ throats. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Calla was born a warrior and on her eighteenth-birthday she’ll become the alpha female of the next generation of Guardian wolves. But Calla’s predestined path veers off course the moment she saves the life of a wayward hiker, a boy her own age. This human boy’s secret will turn the young pack's world upside down and forever alter the outcome of the centuries-old Witches' War that surrounds them all.
If only allowed one word to express my feelings toward this book; I would have say it would be INCREDIBLE. Nightshade instantly appeared to me as a new age story for the supernatural lover. Cremer has created a intriguing story that has been immediately addicted. While primarily about a Werewolf pack, various characteristics included in the Nightshade series are comparable to that of Vampire myths and beliefs. This gives the story a truely unique feel that readers will experience learning the species all over again. There are many characters that make up the Nightshade cast; with the combination of two packs this could have been somewhat anticipated. Although, not anticipated were the number of incredible characters in one novel. Not only have they been included, but it seems as though all of the characters play leading roles through the majority of the story. This is a very unqiue talent that it appears Cremer has mastered perfectly. Through this experience I believe this style of writing is allowing the reader to feel some of the true extent of the pack bonds. Nightshade's main character is a female Alpha named Calla; she is an incredibly deep character. I enjoyed reading the story through this character because of the different levels to her personality. While this story take on a feel of tragedy and menace; it is also capable of being fun and free through this character. Her witty charms and dramatic take action personality is one of the reasons this story is so darn good. All the while, I love seeing a character so strong but unsure deep down. This allows readers to bring this character to a level where they can relate, and live the story as their reading. Inevitably, if I mention this character I have to mention Ren and Shay. Ren being the Bale pack alpha, to which Calla is basically betrothed. This being said you can assume there is friction included. Ren's haracter begins pushy, overbearing, and just down right mean. Although, even through this phase of reading I struggled with my constant attraction to his character. Metaphorically, I personally see Ren as a flower getting read to bloom; once he blumes all of his layers will show. I would actually find myself getting furious with Calla when she would make progress with Shay. How crazy am I? With these incredibly indepth characters it was not hard to see the level of emotion that accompanied my reading. Although, now that I have finished I am still tremendously conflicted on my feelings about the outcome of this story. I know that Calla was acting out for what she felt was right, but I just can't help but think that maybe there was another way. So my confliction will have to fester until I have the opportunity to read Wolfbane (Nightshade Book 2) in Summer 2011. Cremer has created this explosion of love, loss, and betrayal in this novel; that leaves me only guessing about what is to come. This is a promising new series that every reader will enjoy.
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