Nightshade Review (spoiler-free!)

Saturday, November 13, 2010


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?
Taken from GoodReads.

Nightshade follows the story of Calla, a teenage girl with the heart of a wolf - literally. Born to be at the front of the pack, Calla knows her path in life. It's been set for her since she was a baby. What Calla didn't plan on was finding the one person in the world who could help her see another path, another future, or maybe just a hint of another possibility. She's born to lead, but can she control her own heart first?

I'm not going to lie to any of you. Nightshade has had more than its fair share of publicity which, yet again, is part of the reason that I've put off reading it for a while. I don't like getting swept up in the hype. Now, with all that said, let me just take the time to say...the hype was right! Nightshade is such a fun, refreshing, and fantasy-ful world that I didn't want to put it down! Andrea Cremer has created a magical world that was already well put-together from the first page. Rather than being inundated with an unrealistic world and character transformation, Andrea Cremer treats us to a tongue-tying, spellbinding, artfully woven story of truth, love, and destiny.

The enigmatic nature of Calla, as well as the two male leads, Ren and Shay, in Nightshade is both tangible and electric. The characters are clearly defined with their true natures at the forefront of their personality. There are no wishy-washy MCs in Nightshade. Calla is strong, Ren is raw power, and Shay exudes gorgeous from every pore of his being. The interaction, chemistry, and dynamic between the characters is also artfully-spun, giving us a trio that drives the already fast-paced plot along.

Nightshade is one of the best reads I have sunk my teeth into in a while. Taking the all-too-popular werewolf trend and spinning it on its heel, Nightshade creates a new world that any reader would love to be lost in. I give it a 5 out of 5, hands down, and I'd recommend it to fans of YA, paranormal and fantasy stories, as well as anyone who loves werewolf lore.

25 comments:

  1. Excellent, spoiler-free review! I've been wondering about this one too. there's so much hype about it.

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  2. The hype for this book has been too much for me, so I pretty much decided not to read it for not wanting to be disappointed. I'll definitely have to give it a read now after reading your review.

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  3. Every review I've read gives this book a 5/5. I really must read it! Thanks for the review. :)

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  4. Great review! I haven't seen one bad review yet of this one...

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  5. Like you said, I'veheard a lot about this book already! But most people, including you, seem to love it! So I might haveto put this book om my wishlist ;)

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  6. I think I must be the only person on earth who hasn't read this book yet. Like you, I've also heard a lot of hype around this book, but now I'm definitely going to have to get this book asap - loved your review!

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  7. Glad to read you enjoyed this one too. Like you said, the three leads were so great, it's pretty impossible not to love them. Ren and Shay are the whole reason I wanted to do YA Love Triangle Week. I couldn't choose who I liked best or who Calla should pick which is unusual for me. Great spoiler free review.

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  8. I do like your review, and this YA, it could be a good YA :) I have been so disappointed in Paranormal YA lately

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  9. I like your review very much and I think this book will make my TBR list. Definitely a good YA is as worth reading as any other book. But these trios...you really don't want me to start on it.

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  10. Yeah, glad you like this one. I thought it was quite original and charged too. I am really anxious to see what's up next. Great review!

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  11. Yay! I'm glad you loved it! Excellent, non-spoiler review!

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  12. "Sunk your teeth into" Nice! Great review! 5 out of 5? Great to hear!

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  13. I enjoyed this book too. I'm very Team Ren for this one. Usually I'm not on any team (unless it's for me... ) but this one I have chosen sides. I do agree it's a good book.

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  14. Great review. Agree this book definitely live up to the hype!

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  15. I couldn't agree more Melissa! It's refreshing to have characters who know who they are and who don't have personalities that go from one extreme to another. Nightshade is one of my favorite reads of the year.

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  16. The book has JUST been added to my wishlist! :D Thanks fro the GREAT Review

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  17. Awesome review! I'm really looking forward to this one.

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  18. Such a fun book! I totally fell in love with it. Awesome review!

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  19. i hear it's supposed to be sizzling and full of awesome, can't wait!

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  20. Yay! So glad you enjoyed this one as well, I can't wait for Wolfsbane after the way things ended. I completely agree with your assessment of the main characters, no wishy-washy there at all which was refreshing. Fabulous review Melissa!

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  21. Yay! A full 5! I love the sound of this, I really do. I'm hoping I could read it soon! Thanks for your review, Melissa ;)

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  22. Oooo, great review! I have it on my WANT list, but it sounds like I need to get to it sooner than later. :) Thanks! So glad you enjoyed the book. :)

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  23. I guess because i've only started book blogging recently, I never really heard of this book! I noticed it on the shelf of Target on the weekend and picked it up. It sounded interesting! I'm glad now I bought it, seeings as I've gone through and noticed a lot of good reviews!

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  24. This is probably one of the only books with a love triangle where I am not sure what "team" I'm on. I'm leaning towards Ren, but I'm not sold yet.

    I did hate the cliffhanger on this one...

    25hourbooks.com

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  25. Great review Melissa :o) I was so nervous when I first picked it up as I don't always have the best luck with books that have a lot of hype but Nightshade more than lived up to it! I don't know how I'll survive the wait until Wolfsbane though LOL

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