Review - Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) by Andrea Cremer

Title: BloodRose

Author: Andrea Cremer

Series: 3rd (Nightshade, Wolfsbane)

Page: 406

Published: January 3rd 2012 by Philomel 

ISBN:  9780399256127

Source: Personal Copy

 

Description: Calla has always welcomed war.  But now that the final battle is upon her, there's more at stake than fighting. There's saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay's wrath. There's keeping Ansel safe, even if he's been branded a traitor. There's proving herself as the pack's alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers' magic once and for all. And then there's deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is. In this remarkable final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, international bestselling author Andrea Cremer crafts a dynamic novel with twists and turns that will keep you breathless until its final pages. 

I Give This ...

I picked this final book in the series up with much trepidation.  It's so hard to see a series that you've enjoyed end.  And then there's the worry about how it's going to end because you never know if it's going to live up to your expectations.  While this one had a twist I was not expecting, I was satisfied with the chain of events to get there.  

I was a little annoyed with Calla at first.  At this point in the game, I had hoped she had made a decision on who she wanted to be with.  She gives off the impression that she doesn't.  Turns out she knows what's she doing.  The minute she declares a mate, she knows she will loose one of them.  And they really need all hands on deck.  Plus, she really has a hard time letting go of Ren.  Even if she knows she doesn't love him in the same way she loves Shay.   But, men will be men and sometimes they feel the need to mark their territory.

I was also pleased to see that the author didn't drag this series out.  I think she easily could have by stretching out the plot line in between each battle.  They still have to get both swords fully assembled and face down the bad guys, all in 400 pages.  It also doesn't feel rushed.  They know they are running out of time, and so do we.  It's barely time to clean-up, eat, and rest before it's on to the next nearly impossible task.   

There's plenty of danger involved.  It's always amazing when character pulls of these crazy feats with barely a scratch.  Not here, people get hurt and people die.  And some of them I did not expect in the slightest.  I love it when authors take risks.  There are those who are not going to like how this plays out.

The ending was completely different that how I was expecting it to go.  That scenario never once popped up in to my head, but it really should have.  In a way it was extremely sad.  But, only because we are on the outside looking in.   To them, they don't know any differently.  Bittersweet really.  

 

Review - Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2) by Andrea Cremer

Title: Wolfsbane

Author: Andrea Cremer

Series: 2nd (Nightshade)

Pages: 390

Published: July 26th 2011 by Philomel 

ISBN: 9780399254833

Source: Purchased Copy

Description: Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemy, and she's certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer–one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack–and the man–she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive. 

I Give This ...

 Sometimes the problem with accepting review books is they start to pile up.  And then your books get lost in the pile and you never read them.  In one way I'm glad I broke my kindle fire this.  It forced me to pick up one of my own and read it.  I'm so happy I picked up this one.

I've missed the world of Calla, Ren, Shay, and the rest of the pack.  I remembered the ending was a definite cliffhanger.  We open the story shortly after in the hands of the Searchers.  Calla quickly learns that they aren't out to hurt her, but she's unsure if she should completely trust them.   While her reasoning seems to be  unfounded throughout this book, I'm really glad she didn't openly trust them.  Calla's loyalty is to her pack, and I think it really shows.  Her thoughts are always with how to help get them back.

The  Searchers version of history is vastly different than the one that Calla has been taught.  Some of the things that she found the most troublesome are things the Keepers deeply controlled.  When Calla has the opportunity to free her pack and possibly have the freedom they so desperately crave, she never stops to think twice about it.  It was sad to see how much control the Keepers have over the guardians.  Not many are willing to give up everything for a chance of something unknown.

I liked our new cast of characters for the most part.  The main ones introduced seem like a solid group to surround Calla and help bring down the Keepers.  However, I was a little disappointed in our leaders at the end of the story.  Once again, I feel that push of control on Calla.  I want her to realize she's subject to no one but herself.   She knows whats best for her pack and that she can walk for the Searchers at any point in time.  The Searchers need her and Shay, but I think they might be caught up in the idea of taking down the Keepers.   

I'm sorry to have left this sitting on my shelf for so long.  I'm going to have to pick up the last the series soon! 

  

Nightshade (Nightshade, #1) by Andrea Cremer

Title: Nightshade

Author: Andrea Cremer

Series: 1st in series

Published: October 19, 2010

Publisher: Philomel

Pages: 464

ISBN: 9780399254826

Source: ARC from Around The World Tours

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.

I Give This Book 4.5 Stars!

This book went on my to read list the moment it came to my attention.  I never dreamed I would get the chance to read it 6 months in advance.  It has me from the opening chapter!  I do have to admit that I was a little confused at first.  The author uses some terms interchangeably and doesn't really offer a full explanation until later.  But, since this was an ARC, it's possible that this might be cleared up before publication.  The author offers up something entirely new into the werewolf legends.  I didn't think this was possible when the young adult paranormal genre has had a huge explosion of werewolf books.  Calla was an interesting addition to this pack.  It's great to see an alpha female when most stories hold true to the belief that werewolf females are lower than any male (unless they are mated).  I enjoyed both love interests as well.  Most stories it's easy to choose which one you prefer.  I'm not sure I could say that in this case.  Ren and Shay both have qualities that draw you to them.  The secondary characters are great.  They are developed enough that they add humor and support to the story.  I loved how the worked in the packs dynamics and how they change throughout the story.  There's also some humor in the story that makes the story extremely well rounded.  My only draw back was I felt the story should have ended a little sooner than it did.  I'm not a big fan of huge cliffhangers, but I think it might have worked better in this story.  You get the dramatic ending, but then the story goes on for a few more pages.  But, like before, this is an ARC and it wouldn't be the first time if the author chose to alter the ending.  Still, I would recommend this to just about anybody who enjoys young adult.  I will probably buy a copy when it's released in October (and I rarely do that)!

*I used the series name of Nightshade, but I've also seen it named The Witches War series.  It might be that the author hasn't fully decided on what the series may be called.