emiliebookworld's review against another edition
With the publicity campaign it got, it was almost impossible for me not have heard about Nightshade by Andrea Cremer. There was a lot of hype about the book and because of that I was afraid it wouldn’t live up to my expectations but it didn’t disappoint. Plus the book is all about wolves, so what’s not to love about it?
Calla has always known what her future would look like. When she turns 18 she’s going to marry Ren and then their two packs are going to come together and form a new one. As that day comes closer, Calla has come to terms with this idea and the two packs are starting to get closer, especially Calla and Ren. But then Shay arrives in town and everything seems to change. Now Calla starts doubting what everyone has been telling her for her entire life. Everything she has always believed in is now being challenged and Calla now has to choose between marrying Ren and following her destiny or giving up everything she knows and following Shay.
I’ve read my fair share of stories about wolves but never one quite like this one. Most of the time the wolves have to hide what they are and tend to live on the outside of societies. Here, the wolves and their leaders are the ones with the power and humans live in fear of them. It was unlike the other wolf stories I’ve read and I absolutely loved it! Cremer created a whole societal structure that actually works and doesn’t at all seem out of place in the modern world. I loved learning all about the inner workings of that society and seeing how all these lies were woven into it. It was just interesting to see how everything fell apart while at the same time it all fit together.
The workings of the pack were also interesting to learn about. It was almost like each pack was a family, despite them all being teenagers. The dynamics there were also interesting; even though they’re all friends, none of the wolves dared go against what Ren and Calla said. The budding relationship between Calla and Ren was fun to watch develop. Despite the front he put up, Ren seemed to really care about Calla, which became really obvious when her relationship with Shay started developing. The one I loved seeing the most, was the relationship between Bryn and Ansel. It was just so cute and I want them to have it all. But who knows what’s going to happen? As far as Team Ren and Team Shay goes, I’ll have to get back to you on that one, I haven’t made my mind up yet.
Nightshade was an awesome read. Andrea Cremer created a world and a story that stays with ou even once it’s over. I would never have guessed that this was Cremer’s first book, she is a phenomenal writer. Now I can’t wait to find out what happens next in Wolfsbane.
Calla has always known what her future would look like. When she turns 18 she’s going to marry Ren and then their two packs are going to come together and form a new one. As that day comes closer, Calla has come to terms with this idea and the two packs are starting to get closer, especially Calla and Ren. But then Shay arrives in town and everything seems to change. Now Calla starts doubting what everyone has been telling her for her entire life. Everything she has always believed in is now being challenged and Calla now has to choose between marrying Ren and following her destiny or giving up everything she knows and following Shay.
I’ve read my fair share of stories about wolves but never one quite like this one. Most of the time the wolves have to hide what they are and tend to live on the outside of societies. Here, the wolves and their leaders are the ones with the power and humans live in fear of them. It was unlike the other wolf stories I’ve read and I absolutely loved it! Cremer created a whole societal structure that actually works and doesn’t at all seem out of place in the modern world. I loved learning all about the inner workings of that society and seeing how all these lies were woven into it. It was just interesting to see how everything fell apart while at the same time it all fit together.
The workings of the pack were also interesting to learn about. It was almost like each pack was a family, despite them all being teenagers. The dynamics there were also interesting; even though they’re all friends, none of the wolves dared go against what Ren and Calla said. The budding relationship between Calla and Ren was fun to watch develop. Despite the front he put up, Ren seemed to really care about Calla, which became really obvious when her relationship with Shay started developing. The one I loved seeing the most, was the relationship between Bryn and Ansel. It was just so cute and I want them to have it all. But who knows what’s going to happen? As far as Team Ren and Team Shay goes, I’ll have to get back to you on that one, I haven’t made my mind up yet.
Nightshade was an awesome read. Andrea Cremer created a world and a story that stays with ou even once it’s over. I would never have guessed that this was Cremer’s first book, she is a phenomenal writer. Now I can’t wait to find out what happens next in Wolfsbane.
_alwaysrealokay's review
2.0
First time read: March 25 - March 26,2012
I have a lot to say about this book but since I'm on my phone at the moment, I'm going to postpone this review until Wednesday. I can't believe I rated this book 5 stars. Well I was young and foolish so I guess. Review coming soon.
cruzm1's review against another edition
3.0
It took me a while to get through this one... not because I didn't like it, because I did - but I'm definitely Team Ren Laroche! Calla didn't strike me as an Alpha and I don't know what to make of Shay yet.
bookladysreviews's review against another edition
4.0
That was a really good book...the plot and the characters were amazing.A wolf Calla, has to choose between an arranged marriage with the hottest boy-Ren- and someone she saved one day in the forest-Shay-a stranger who is going to ruin the balance between the supernatural world of the wolves So...I was a bit disappointed about the ending but the love triangle between those three was really interesting...But let's face it, Shay is a coward...That's my opinion...He is the little boy who can't take care of himself and has to rely on someone else to survive....that's what I think...Alright at least at the beggining...Anyway it's a really good book and I can't wait to read the next one!!!
silverdream's review against another edition
4.0
really good hated the masoginy and the old fashiond way women should be. it made me laugh, cry and srceam at the pages
novelheartbeat's review against another edition
3.0
I actually started this book last year and the timing was just terrible so I only made it about 80 pages in. Despite that, I was sure I was really going to love this book and there was a lot of hype about it...so I ended up being a bit disappointed. It was still good and went pretty fast, but it just didn't cut it for me.
In the beginning I was really confused about all the terminology and hierarchies. Terms were kind of thrown at you, such as "searchers," "keepers," and "wraiths" and not much explanation was given. You do get it eventually, but a little bit of information would have been nice early on to set the stage for the packs' worlds. And then when you do get information, it's still difficult to understand. There's a lot of talk about the war of all against all and Hobbes and not only was it over my head, but I didn't really care about it. I found all of that irrelevant to the history of the wolves.
There was also a love triangle. Ugh. I really hate love triangles and the notion is so overused that sometimes I will decide to not put a book on my TBR list just on the basis that I see a triangle in the synopsis. At one point it got so bad I wanted to hurl the book at my wall. Literally every 20 pages she was flip-flopping back and forth from kissing Shay to kissing Ren. And I'm talking 4 or 5 times. Make up your damn mind, woman! I found it rather disgusting, really. The indecision kept me from really getting into the romance.
I didn't care much for Calla. I love the name and I love strong female protags, but between her fickle ways and her dull personality, I had trouble liking her. She didn't have much of a sense of humor and her character just fell flat for me.
I was very disappointed in the descriptions. I had no freaking clue what anyone looked like because she never described anything, and when there's so many characters, it's necessary. For most of the book, I was getting a lot of the minor characters confused because I didn't have a clear picture in my head.
I would have loved to see a lot more humor in this one. I smiled a few times but never actually laughed out loud. A few surprises would have been nice, too - this book was so predictable! Maybe it's because it made me think of Blood and Chocolate, but I figured out the only real twist in the book 200 pages before it ever happened. So when the moment came, there wasn't the shock and horror I should have felt at the situation.
Despite all of that, I still somewhat liked Nightshade. Mainly because it's a werewolf story and I love those, but also because it didn't drag on like most books that I have complaints about. There was a big bang of action right at the end that made the book more interesting, but I'm not quite sure about getting book 2 just yet.
Favorite quote:
"I thought opposites attracted," I countered.
Ren shook his head. "No. That's pop culture drivel. If you're a real student of literature, and I mean the good stuff - Chaucer, Shakespeare - you figure out that only souls who truly reflect each other make good love matches. If they can find each other, that is."
Agreed! Opposites are no good because then you have nothing in common! I loved that one.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Plot: 3/5
Writing Style: 3/5
Needs more humor! Too stiff.
Characters: 3/5
Not realistic, no real depth and not enough description.
World-building: 3/5
Pace: 4/5
I didn't get bored surprisingly.
Cover: 5/5
The cover is gorgeous. Her eyes are beautiful, I love the font, and I love that there are Calla lilies on the front. And the book is sparkly!
To see more of my book reviews, visit geobobspinelli.blogspot.com
In the beginning I was really confused about all the terminology and hierarchies. Terms were kind of thrown at you, such as "searchers," "keepers," and "wraiths" and not much explanation was given. You do get it eventually, but a little bit of information would have been nice early on to set the stage for the packs' worlds. And then when you do get information, it's still difficult to understand. There's a lot of talk about the war of all against all and Hobbes and not only was it over my head, but I didn't really care about it. I found all of that irrelevant to the history of the wolves.
There was also a love triangle. Ugh. I really hate love triangles and the notion is so overused that sometimes I will decide to not put a book on my TBR list just on the basis that I see a triangle in the synopsis. At one point it got so bad I wanted to hurl the book at my wall. Literally every 20 pages she was flip-flopping back and forth from kissing Shay to kissing Ren. And I'm talking 4 or 5 times. Make up your damn mind, woman! I found it rather disgusting, really. The indecision kept me from really getting into the romance.
I didn't care much for Calla. I love the name and I love strong female protags, but between her fickle ways and her dull personality, I had trouble liking her. She didn't have much of a sense of humor and her character just fell flat for me.
I was very disappointed in the descriptions. I had no freaking clue what anyone looked like because she never described anything, and when there's so many characters, it's necessary. For most of the book, I was getting a lot of the minor characters confused because I didn't have a clear picture in my head.
I would have loved to see a lot more humor in this one. I smiled a few times but never actually laughed out loud. A few surprises would have been nice, too - this book was so predictable! Maybe it's because it made me think of Blood and Chocolate, but I figured out the only real twist in the book 200 pages before it ever happened. So when the moment came, there wasn't the shock and horror I should have felt at the situation.
Despite all of that, I still somewhat liked Nightshade. Mainly because it's a werewolf story and I love those, but also because it didn't drag on like most books that I have complaints about. There was a big bang of action right at the end that made the book more interesting, but I'm not quite sure about getting book 2 just yet.
Favorite quote:
"I thought opposites attracted," I countered.
Ren shook his head. "No. That's pop culture drivel. If you're a real student of literature, and I mean the good stuff - Chaucer, Shakespeare - you figure out that only souls who truly reflect each other make good love matches. If they can find each other, that is."
Agreed! Opposites are no good because then you have nothing in common! I loved that one.
OVERALL ASSESSMENT
Plot: 3/5
Writing Style: 3/5
Needs more humor! Too stiff.
Characters: 3/5
Not realistic, no real depth and not enough description.
World-building: 3/5
Pace: 4/5
I didn't get bored surprisingly.
Cover: 5/5
The cover is gorgeous. Her eyes are beautiful, I love the font, and I love that there are Calla lilies on the front. And the book is sparkly!
To see more of my book reviews, visit geobobspinelli.blogspot.com
dorisxdw's review against another edition
3.0
Nightshade is a great book and I really enjoyed reading it since it wasn't a typical werewolf story!
*spoiler*
But I just didn't like Shay and that she ended up loving him and I don't think turning him into a werwolf was necessary.. I really hoped she would pick Ren even though he is the 'bad guy' but I kinda liked him more than Shay and I just wanted Ren and Cally together.
*spoiler end*
Also I'm not sure if I want to pick up the next book after this ending.
*spoiler*
But I just didn't like Shay and that she ended up loving him and I don't think turning him into a werwolf was necessary.. I really hoped she would pick Ren even though he is the 'bad guy' but I kinda liked him more than Shay and I just wanted Ren and Cally together.
*spoiler end*
Also I'm not sure if I want to pick up the next book after this ending.
megs_magical_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75