Nightshade (Nightshade, #1; Nightshade World, #4) in Once Upon a Twilight blog

Apr 20, 2010 Damaris (GoodChoiceReading) rated it it was amazing

Imagine growing up always following the rules and thinking that you know everything about your life and your family, only for it to all fall apart one day, and all because you met a boy.

That is exactly what happens to Calla. All her life she has known how her life was going to turn out and knew what to expect. She knew the rules of her kind and what was expected from her. Calla also understood that she does not get to pick who she loves or gets to marry and she is okay with this. That is until s ...more

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May 16, 2010 Elizabeth *Swords for Fighting* rated it it was amazing

Recently, there has been a lot of hype going around the book blogging world about Nightshade, and I will add to that hype. Nightshade was absolutely amazing. I was blown away by this fantastic story. Andrea Cremer is a talented writer that took werewolves to a new level of awesome.

Nightshade starts off with a bang. Throwing the reader right into the middle of the action. Every moment of this book was great. I loved that I never wanted to put the book down. I was hooked from beginning to end, and ...more

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Jul 19, 2010 Raquel Vega-Grieder rated it it was amazing

Review Of Nightshade ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) By Andrea Cremer

Nightshade ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) by Andrea Cremer
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 528 pages
Publisher: Philomel (October 19, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 039925482X
ISBN-13: 978-0399254826
Source: Amazon (link to purchase HERE)
Purchase: Barnes And Nobel (link to purchase HERE)

Blurb:

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 Review Of Nightshade ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) By Andrea Cremer

Nightshade ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) by Andrea Cremer
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 528 pages
Publisher: Philomel (October 19, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 039925482X
ISBN-13: 978-0399254826
Source: Amazon (link to purchase HERE)
Purchase: Barnes And Nobel (link to purchase HERE)

Blurb:

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?

Nightshade is Andrea Cremer's debut novel. I can't tell you the amount of luck I have had this year reading debut novels. This ARC was so worth all the things I had to do to get my hands on it. The story of Calla and Shay had me captivated. This may seem strange to some but I took my time reading this book because I wanted to savor each moment between our main characters Calla and Shay. Shay is a transfer student whom meets Calla accidentally. Calla is an alpha wolf while Shay is just your ordinary run of the mill human, or is he. This Arc starts with Calla doing the unthinkable, which in turn sets the stage for the rest of the story. Calla being an alpha wolf of the Nightshade pack is expected to obey her masters and do her duty. Renier, better known as Ren, is also an alpha wolf but of the Bane pack. His pack and Calla's park are expected to be united at their union. Making one great pack of younger wolves sworn to protect the Keepers. I don't want to give too much away but lets just say nothing goes according to plan. This ARC is more than just a love triangle it is a thrill ride that will keep you guessing all the way to the end. You may think you have it all figured out, but let me tell you, the obvious is not always true. Calla's true mate is up for debate. I know someone who is team Ren while I myself am Team Shay all the way. Why is Calla drawn to Shay? Why is Shay so determined to win Calla? I can tell you why, its for the simple fact that with Shay, Calla can be herself and not the person/wolf everyone expects her to be. As for Shay, Calla is the first person who has gotten to know him and brings him the companionship he has always longed for in my opinion. This ARC has it all secrets, lies, mysteries aplenty, teen angst, a love triangle, and a love that is unbreakable. This is actually the first time I have read a book before it has actually come out. Let me tell you it is fantastic and nerve wrecking all at the same time. I love that I got to experience this wonder tale but at the same time it just makes me realize how much longer I have to wait for book 2 and 3 to come out. *Nightshade is a trilogy. Wolfsbane (Nightshade #2) will be published in July 2011 and Bloodrose (Nightshade #3) in spring 2012. After that Andrea will be writing a prequel about the origins of the Witches War, which will be on bookstore shelves in fall 2012. I don't know how I am going to be able to wait that long to find out what happens with Calla, Shay, Ren, and all the others. This has got to be one of the best books I have read all year. This ranks right up there with Shadow Hills By Anastasia Hopcus and Shiver By Maggie Stiefvater. On a scale of 1 to 10 I give this book a resounding 20 (standing ovation included). If you live on the planet Earth YOU NEED to pick up a copy of Nightshade when it hits shelves OCTOBER 19,2010. Andrea is truly a gifted story teller with a unique tale all her own. Discover why I think Andrea is a phenomenal writer who weaves a masterful story you just have to read for yourself.

*Copied from Amazon.Com

Link:
http://www.andreacremer.com/
http://www.nightshadebook.com/ ...more

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Aug 18, 2010 Len rated it it was amazing

original post here

The future and her life had always been planned for Calla. Everything has been laid out for her as the pack leader of the Nightshades and future bride of the rival pack's alpha, Ren Laroche. Then a human props up making her think otherwise.

This is an enthralling first novel from Andrea Cremer about supernatural teenagers, plagued by hormonal surge, issues on identity, friends and family, and being responsible for the choices one makes. You'll fall in-love with the strong will ...more

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Aug 22, 2010 Mummy Cat Claire rated it it was ok

Shelves: series, ya-novels, read-in-2013, audio-book

When this book came out it was super popular. The cover is very pretty and it did the job drawing readers in.
I had started this book several years ago and just wasn't able to get into it. I finally made it back to this book.
I found the book on CD at my local library, I thought this would be easier to read the book. I was right, because I never would have made it through to the end.
I found that the story I imagined wasn't even close. While the book is about wolves and people, going with werewolv When this book came out it was super popular. The cover is very pretty and it did the job drawing readers in.
I had started this book several years ago and just wasn't able to get into it. I finally made it back to this book.
I found the book on CD at my local library, I thought this would be easier to read the book. I was right, because I never would have made it through to the end.
I found that the story I imagined wasn't even close. While the book is about wolves and people, going with werewolves was super popular, Cremer added in many different elements to the book.
I found the book to be creative but nothing really new was introduced. Cremer used almost every supernatural being ever created. What was a little new was the world she introduced to the reader. I found Calla's world to be pretty interesting. Cremer did a pretty good job at developing and explaining this world. It started to become clear that things were oppressive rather than based on necessary protection, as they were taught. This concept of oppression was interesting to me. Shay had quoted some philosophy theory that I liked but can't remember what it was.
I liked Calla but she was quite serious. Not a fun, loving person but almost stern. Shay and Ren had a wild streak but revealed it differently. By the end of the book, I liked Ren. I felt he was handed a bad deal in life. Maybe in book two the reader will get to know more about his character. In this book, he was painted more of a player than anything, until the end.
Shay was fun, serious, and thoughtful. I think he was a good match to Calla. The other characters were ok. They were less mentioned in the book. As the series goes on, I can only assume their characters will be better developed. This book really didn't talk about them.
The things I didn't like about this book were the topic of homosexuality. I just felt it was an unnecessary add in. It had no bearing to the plot. Cremer rambles too, but not in a good way. I found that even when the characters are conversing...I didn't care. It was so boring. I pushed the skim button on the cd player several times. *gasp*. Seems a sin but I just couldn't take the crap. Ugh!
Also, I found the ending to be quite anti climatic. I'm not sure if Cremer added in too many clues or failed to add a twist or something but from the middle of the book I had guessed the ending. But even with the guess, it was not very exciting. Not how I pictured the book ending. I found, I liked my imagined ending much better.
Overall, I chose 2 stars for this book because I thought some of the situations were not appropriate for teens. I felt that, while, they were just suggested, I certainly understood it. The sexuality in the book wasn't something I would want my teen reading. Add in the slow times and it's just not something I really enjoyed.
Maybe one day I'll make it to the second book. But, right now, I have no plans to read it. ...more

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Sep 28, 2010 Mette rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorite-covers

This book has a gorgeous cover and that was what primary got me to read the book in the first place but I was not disappointed by the story.

I was a little afraid in the beginning because the story on some points reminded me of Twilight, I like Twilight but I didn't need to read the same story again.
I didn't need to go far into the book before I was very intrigued by the plot, it really drew me in and I had a hard time putting the book down.

I love how the book portray the wolfs/people and their ...more

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Oct 08, 2010 Christin (Portrait of a Book) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: btc-review, young-adult, 100in2010, urban-fantasy

Nightshade is one of those books that got tons of hype around the blogging community before its release, and even more after - and in this case, it was 100% deserved. Although Nightshade is about werewolves, it really has something for everyone - great characters, well-developed setting, fantasy, a little history, and a lot of romance. And look at that cover - is it not beautiful?

Calla has never questioned what life has in store for her - she loves being a Guardian, and the Keepers provide for e Nightshade is one of those books that got tons of hype around the blogging community before its release, and even more after - and in this case, it was 100% deserved. Although Nightshade is about werewolves, it really has something for everyone - great characters, well-developed setting, fantasy, a little history, and a lot of romance. And look at that cover - is it not beautiful?

Calla has never questioned what life has in store for her - she loves being a Guardian, and the Keepers provide for everything her family could want. She's always done what she should, until she reveals her true nature to save a strange boy from certain death by a bear. Though worried, she thinks nothing will come of the incident - until the boy shows up in her class at the Mountain School the next day. It soon becomes clear that Shay plays a much larger part in her world than Calla ever realized; in fact, her world is not even what she imagined it to be. As she learns more of the Keepers' secrets, she finds herself drawn to Shay; but she is mated to Ren, the alpha male. Throughout the book, the tensions and romances heat up, all coming to a head on Samhain, the day of the union - the day for which nobody is prepared.

The world of Nightshade was excellently created. I loved the blending of actual history with a fantasy world. But more than that, I loved the characters. The Nightshade and Lumine pack members were quite diverse and yet all believable. Calla is definitely a strong, independent character, though not without her flaws and unique traits. And Ren and Shay - how could anyone choose one?

Occasionally parts of the story were a bit confusing, but as the reader learns along with Calla, that is to be expected. And the ending...well, all I can say is that I needed Wolfsbane yesterday.

Nightshade kept me turning page after page, eager for more, with its engaging story, sweet (and sometimes steamy) romance, and imaginative world. Andrea Cremer has a brilliant style, and I cannot wait to read more! ...more

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Aug 11, 2010 Brandi rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal, young-adult

Conflicted about the events & outcome of this book...Many times I was irked by what happened in the love triangle & I found myself upset with Calla. I don't want to give anything away, but I really found myself leaning towards one guy in particular...who someone might call the "wrong" guy. At times I felt like I knew what was going to happen but was hoping against hope that it wouldn't- which of course it usually did.

Even though Calla & one of the guys' behavior bothered me, I did give this book ...more

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