Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

HEY!

It's been quite a long time that we've gone without a review. Since we have been planning awesome new stuff for you guys we could only fit in the planned weekly memes. So now, for the first time in a while (and the first time with our new system), I am going to review NIGHTSHADE by Andrea Cremer.

There are quite a few different blurbs for this book:

Calla is the alpha female of a shape-shifting wolf pack. She is destined to marry Ren Laroche, the pack's alpha male. Together, they would rule their pack together, guarding sacred sites for the Keepers. But then, Calla saves a beautiful human boy, who captures her heart. Calla begins to question everything - her fate, her existence, and her world and the orders the Keepers have asked her to follow. She will have to make a choice. But will she follow her heart if it means losing everything, including her own life?
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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?
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(ON ACTUAL BOOK)
She risked her life to save his, believing she'd never see him again. But he has returned, challenging her destiny as alpha wolf, leaving her doubting her past and fearing her future.

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This book is a 6 star SPECIAL book for many reasons.

1) To begin with the characters are unbelievable. I fell in love with them instantly. They are very strong willed and have a strong wolf sense (which I always love) REN is extremely hot....I mean...WOAH.....hold on there. Probably one of the most sweetest characters.(and don't you just love his name?!) Even though he is a big jerk that has dated practically everyone in the school.....he still loves Calla.....deeply. And oooooooh he's the jealous type!! CALLA is one kick-butt, excuse my language, bad*** alpha girl/main character. She is strong willed....as we learn in the first and second chapter.(plus, okay I LOVE her name...So naming my first born daughter after her! ***Dedicated fan!***) BRYN is Calla's second, she is super stylish and just the perfect best friend....one you can spill all you secrets to.

2) The writing is phenomenal. Andrea is a genius. The writing is so descriptive and captivating. One of my favorite lines in the book (one of) is the first line:

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I'd always welcomed war, but in battle my passion rose, unbidden.
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It's that kind of hook at the beginning of a story that grabs you buy the seat of your pants and does not let go.

Now a couple things that I have to say, before we head into the Spoiler-y Discussion.




<----- Now before any of you get all excited/angry about this here Team Sticker let it be known that I am 100% totally absolutely not Team Shay. I do not like Shay and I never have. Not from the moment that we met him. He irritates me. A lot. Even though and hold on I must use a spoiler alert here *****SPOILER ALERT***** Because I don't want any accidental prying eyes those of you who wish to read this SPOILER, highlight between the brackets.{Shay helped her revolt against her masters and stopped the world from ending. I still don't like him....because he questioned everything she was...and to be honest I would much rather her not have betrayed the Keepers and stayed with Ren 1) because is soooooooooooo crazy hot, 2) because she wouldn't have had to break his heart and 3) because she wouldn't have kinda fallen in love with Shay. } ****END OF SPOILERS****

Obviously so, I am Team..............................................

REN!!!!!!


OOOOOOHHHHH THE HOTNESS. As I mentioned before, Ren is the jealous type. He is very possessive of Calla....Who wouldn't love him. Especially with this quote:

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Also spoiler alert-y. Highlight between the brackets to view.....read at your own risk.

{“Tell me you’ll come back for the pack. For me.” His eyes were bright with tears. “I don’t want to lose you.” }
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 Ren shows his true colors later in all the books.....and it only makes me love him more.

How about these covers?
I actually prefer (a lot)

<-------- this one.

for a few reasons.....While the one on the right portrays her name with the Calla Lilies and blood from the slaughter.....the one on the left explains more. Her wolf, her long platinum blond hair, and her yellow eyes. The one on the right is also sporting yellow irises but in that one her hair is purple....The one on the left screams the entire Nightshade novel while the one on the right screams only Calla's wedding.....Do you guys have thoughts on this? Which one do you prefer?


In conclusion, You should definitely read this book because it's very addicting....if you love a good twist on Werewolf books read this........You'll love these guys...instead of being called "Werewolves" they are called, Guardians.

Now it's time for the SPOILER-Y DISCUSSION. Read only if you have already read Nightshade.

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Highlight between the brackets to read....in case people skim I don't want them to accidentally read this.

{  It killed me a lot. When Calla left Ren....he was crying.........CRYING!!! HOW COULD SHE MAKE HIM CRY!? I knew that when I read that...maybe it can be totally fixed. Just because Calla ran away with Shay doesn't mean she loves him!! Ren seems so in love with her.....begs her to eventually come back for him and the pack. I desperately believed it to be true......I truly love the pack, they are soo soo funny...(and more so in Bloodrose and Wolfsbane) but they are just as sweet here....It made me wonder, Why choose Shay over that life?


Do you guys like the ending of Nightshade...you Shay lovers out there? Even if you don't like Shay...put aside the whole "running away with him" thing and think about the aspect of a good cliff hanger or a nice easy drop off....did you like it?  }

What did you guys think of the book as a whole? What are your favorite parts, characters, and quotes? Let me know in the comments!!!

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