Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Hardcover, 528 Pages
2010, Philomel
ISBN: 039925482X
Series: Book 1 of Witches' War
Synopsis
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?
Review
I'm not a huge fan of werewolf novels, so when Nightshade started getting some hype, I dismissed it. After hearing many bloggers I trust continually rave about it, I decided to keep an open mind and give it a shot. I am so very glad I did. I devoured this novel. I was instantly sucked into the story and I couldn't put it down.
Nightshade has a very unique werewolf mythology that incorporates more magic into its history than is usually seen in books of this nature. The werewolf background is laid out smoothly, explaining the the different classes of supernatural beings and where they land in the grand scheme of things. Guardians, Searchers, Keepers, plus a variety of other paranormal beings (wraiths and incubi, among others) are incorporated into the story in an important way. What I really loved about Nightshade was the way everything was laid out in a seemingly convincing manner and then everything ever known was called into question. This allowed the reader to journey with Calla as she learned the truth of her world.
Calla is placed into a love triangle of sorts that was not resolved in this book, leaving readers to wait until the next book in the trilogy is released. This is less annoying than it sounds because Calla's choice between Ren and Shay was never really deemed important in the book. She's to be mated with Ren, so she and Shay's being drawn to each other should be a moot point. Her place in life doesn't allow her to make decisions like this, so while she seems equally attracted to and flustered by both boys, readers are always left to assume she'll be with Ren. The ending of the book finally allows readers, and Calla herself, to be put in the position to make the choice herself which will make it very hard to wait for the next book.
Nightshade is one of those books where you totally know what's happening on the surface, but as the truth is revealed bit by bit, you are always surprised. I was highly impressed by Nightshade and given my usual dislike of werewolf books, that is saying something. Nightshade is definitely a book you won't want to miss.
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