Review: Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer (Nightshade #3)

Publisher - Atom
Publication Date - 21st February 2012
Paperback - 416 pages
Genre - Young Adult/Urban Fantasy

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it.

Reviewed by - Chrissie

Book Info - 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, when the battle finally ends, then there's deciding what to do and who to love. That is, if Calla can make it out alive.

Review - I am a big fan of the Nightshade series so I was incredibly excited when I received this final instalment of the series through the post. Although I will admit to starting it with some trepidation - it is always a nerve-wracking experience to find out how a much-loved series is going to end. But luckily I was not at all disappointed!

Although Nightshade gets off to a slow start, once the action does start it doesn't let go and I was completely wrapped up in the story. There is a lot of suspense surrounding how the war against the Keepers was going to end and this kept me turning the pages until late in the night.

Plus, the way that the impending war affects the people involved made me fall in love with the characters even more. They are sure that they're taking part in a suicide mission and so they are trying to make the most of every last moment together - leading to some heart-melting and bitter-sweet interactions between them.

The ending was, for me, perfect. I read a huge spoiler about the ending a while ago in another review and I didn't think I would like the conclusion of the series, but after reading the rest of the book I could see that it couldn't end in any other way. And for the most part it is a happy ending - that made me shed a tear or two!

The only thing that I didn't like too much was Calla's treatment of Ren. She brings him back to the Guardians and Searchers to help them with the war but she makes him believe that he has a chance with her in the future just so that he'll stick around to fight. Although it is obvious Calla loves him in her own special way, it is also very obvious that her heart belongs to Shay. I just felt that she should have treated him better and this made me dislike her a little bit at certain points (in case you couldn't tell I am firmly in Team Ren :P).

Summary - Despite a slow start, this book managed to grab me and pull me into the story. With suspense, romance, betrayal and intrigue I really can't recommend this series enough. I loved the ending but I'm sad that it has now come to an end. If you haven't read this series yet then these books need to be added to your TBR list now!

Other books in the series:
1. Nightshade
2. Wolfsbane
3. Bloodrose

Other reviews of this book:
A Cupcake and a Latte / Literary Exploration / The Overflowing Library

This book counts towards the following challenges:
Book #2 for 2012 Finish the Series Reading Challenge
Book #24 for 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Waiting on Wednesday: Rift by Andrea Cremer

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Rift by Andrea Cremer
Set 500 years ago in a world ruled by hostile factions of Mages, this novel is the precursor to Andrea Cremer’s hit Nightshade series. Ember, one of the only female warriors in her tribe, has always known that she owed her life to a mysterious order of Knights who saved her life as a baby and called her best friend into service. But when Alistair returns unexpectedly, Ember places her trust in him as her only chance to escape. As warring magical forces close in, Ember is caught in the struggle between dark and light – with her heart on the line. A magical fantasy prequel for fans of the compulsive Nightshade series and Twilight.

Waiting on Wednesday: Bloodrose

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week my "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer (Nightshade #3)
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.

Review: Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer (Nightshade #2)

Publisher - Atom
Publication Date - 26th July 2011
Paperback - 400 pages
Genre - Young Adult/Urban Fantasy

Source - Purchased

Rating - 5 out of 5: It was amazing

Book Info - 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.

My Thoughts - I was very eager to read Wolfsbane after the jaw-dropping cliff-hanger at the end of Nightshade, and I'm glad to say that I was not the slightest bit disappointed. Wolfsbane is full of action, romance and intrigue, with amazing characters and great story-telling.

The author has perfected the balance between action and quiet moments. I found myself completely drawn into the many fights that Calla finds herself in, as well as being fascinated by all the history that is provided about the Keepers, Guardians, Searchers and the Scion during the quieter parts. My one and only complaint about Wolfsbane is that, at times, too much background information is given in a short space of time and I did feel a bit of an information overload. There were a few points where I would have to re-read a few pages to make sure I hadn't missed anything important.

It is impossible not to really feel for Calla and the situation that she finds herself in. Her whole world as she knows it has been turned upside down and she has to find a way to deal with that whilst trying to rescue the members of her pack that got left behind. And although Calla is a great main character, there is also an amazing supporting cast. The Searchers really come into the spotlight in this novel and the characters were well-written and likeable. My favourites were Adne and Connor. I loved reading the banter between these two and I look forward to reading more about them in the future.

Now onto the Team Ren/Team Shay debate. At the end of Nightshade I was definitely Team Ren, but after finishing Wolfsbane I don't think I belong to either team anymore. I don't really want to say why I'm not Team Ren anymore as it would give away too many spoilers, but I'm seriously hoping Ren sorts himself out in the next book. And as for Shay, he is just too aggressive in his pursuit of Calla for my liking. She has just made some life changing discoveries and she is in the process of making some tough decisions about the future of her pack, and he won't give her any room to breathe. To be fair though, this behaviour is explained later in the novel but it still made me feel uncomfortable.

Summary - A great addition to the series and I am really excited about the release of book three.

Other books in this series:
1. Nightshade
2. Wolfsbane
3. Bloodrose

Other reviews of this book:
Annette's Book Spot / Beckoned by Books / Girls in the Stacks / The Crooked Shelf
(If you would like your review of Wolfsbane included here, please leave a link to your review in the comments and I will be sure to add it)

Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer (Nightshade #1)

Publisher - Atom Books
Publication Date - 28th December 2010
Paperback - 480 pages
Genre - Young Adult/Urban Fantasy

Source - Recieved from publisher for review

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it

Book Info - 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?

My Thoughts - I absolutely loved the mythology behind this book - it is a unique take on the werewolf genre that I have never come across before. The Guardians (werewolves to you and I) have been created by the Keepers; a group of witches who need the Guardians to protect sacred sites. These sites are under threat from the Seekers - another group of witches who wish to find these sites and destroy them. The Keepers are in control of the Guardians, but in exchange for their loyal service they provide the Guardians with anything they could wish for, such as homes/cars/education etc.

Calla, a young Guardian, knows that she must marry Ren and then together they will lead a new pack. This has always been her destiny and she never questions it until she meets Shay - a human boy she seems to feel incredibly attracted to.  Calla is an amazing main character and I loved reading about her jouney from a young and loyal Guardian to somebody who has the courage to find out the truth about her life, and the lives of her fellow Guardians, even though it could prove very hazardous to her health!

Of course there is the usual love triangle that seems to be the staple of most YA novels these days. Calla definitely feels a spark of attraction for Ren in the lead up to their Union but she also finds herself being drawn to Shay as they spend more time together. Although I really liked Shay, I would have liked to find out more about Ren - there's nothing I like more than an alpha male!

There is a huge cliffhanger at the end making me desperate to get my hands on the next book in the series. But I did manage to predict a few elements of the ending quite early on and felt frustrated that Calla couldn't see what was going to happen. But this didn't affect my enjoyment of what was a brilliant debut novel.

Summary - A brilliantly unique take on a genre that has been done many times before, with loveable characters, intriguing plotline, breath-taking action and even some romance thrown in for good measure. If you haven't read this book yet then you need to go out and buy it now!

Other books in this series:
1. Nightshade
2. Wolfsbane
3. Bloodrose

Other reviews of this book:
Dear Author / Girls in the Stacks / Heaven, Hell and Purgatory / Read. Breathe. Relax.