Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Title: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel
Published: 2010
Pages: 452
My Copy: Won from Book Passion for Life

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?

This book has been on my radar since before it was released back in October of last year so, when I won a copy of this beautiful hardcover book I was over the moon! This story is unlike any other werewolf book that I’ve ever read. Andrea Cremer creates a very unique and far-ranging world. On top of having two incredible wolf packs full of great characters there’s even more otherworldly goodness thrown into the mix in the form of Keepers, Wraiths and Searchers. Upon finishing this novel I was happy to discover that Nightshade wasn’t over-hyped nor is it just a pretty cover. This book more than delivers!

I adored Calla (love the name too!) right from the start. She experiences extreme growing pains throughout this tale and handles them all like a seasoned pro. This young lady’s responsibilities include being a full-time student, wife-to-be and future female pack alpha. Talk about a heavy load to bare and she’s only seventeen! Calla’s strength and commitment to doing the right thing for her family and friends is unparalleled. I admire how strong-willed and determined she is. When confronted with the most impossible of situations Miss Tor always picks herself up and refuses to admit defeat. She proved herself deserving of the alpha position time and time again throughout this book. Calla’s a girl who I’d be happy to have by my side in a fight and she’s definitely BFF material.

Andrea Cremer’s werewolf universe is one that you need to experience first hand. Its scope is so vast and its details are so minute that the only way to possibly do it justice is to read the book. These aren’t your typical wolves and their purpose is shrouded in mystery. At the beginning of this novel Calla’s path is clear. She might not always like it but at least it makes sense. By the end of this book, everything is turned upside down and put into question leaving Calla completely lost and alone. The writing style of this novel is so compelling that you’ll feel like you’re experiencing this tale first-hand.

The love triangle between Calla, Ren and Shay is complex and moving. I despised Ren for the majority of this book. His cocky attitude, promiscuous habits and sense of entitlement got on my last nerve. But he redeems himself ten-fold by making the right call when it counts. Also, his outward appearance turns out to be a protection mechanism. Ren’s really not as shallow as he seems. I had a thing for Shay right from the start. His playfulness, sense of humour and loving nature paints him as a real sweetheart. Calla is faced with a tough decision: duty or freedom?

Nightshade culminates in the mother of all cliff hangers. This book may be 452 pages long but if I had a copy of Wolfsbane on-hand I would dive into it immediately. I can already feel myself going into Nightshade withdrawal so I downloaded Shadow Days, the novella, to tie me over for just a little longer. July 26th can’t come soon enough! This book is a must-read for all Young Adult and werewolf fans. No wait, scratch that. Nightshade is a must read. Period.

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