octagonal's review against another edition
3.0
Shay is a douuuche. I don't see how telling someone how they should feel about being told how to feel makes any sense... but whatever. Douche.
I like Calla, even her indecisiveness. Because let's face it, in that world, the girl is allowed to be a little confused.
My precious Ren needs hugs.
I like Calla, even her indecisiveness. Because let's face it, in that world, the girl is allowed to be a little confused.
My precious Ren needs hugs.
goodbetterbetsy's review against another edition
4.0
Kind of predictable, but still a good read. It's held my attention pretty well.
gbrooks15's review against another edition
4.0
This was a re read and I forgot that cliff hanger at the end
michaela95c's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Where do I even start with this? This was such an amazing book and so wonderfully written. I was hooked from the first page! I had a hard time deciding who I liked better: Ren or Shay? But by the end I was in love with Ren. Overall, great book that I highly recommend!
Spoiler
I'm not gonna lie, Calla irratated me a bit with all the lies and secrecy, and I really do wish she had chosen Ren instead, but I can't wait to see what happens in Wolfsbane!laramariereads's review against another edition
2.0
I almost DNF'd this several times throughout the book. I hated how the MC was trying to be portrayed as a powerful woman, but she was insufferable. It was sexist and derogatory towards women. How did none of the Guardians notice they were treated as slaves, it was spelled out from the beginning.
Why was there a love triangle! There could have been enough plot without it, and neither of the MC love interests were particularly well written to make sense.
The very little plot that was in it was enough for me to stick to the end. I looked up summaries of the other two books in this series and that was well enough for me, because based off what I read I would have been mad if I made myself finish the series.
Why was there a love triangle! There could have been enough plot without it, and neither of the MC love interests were particularly well written to make sense.
The very little plot that was in it was enough for me to stick to the end. I looked up summaries of the other two books in this series and that was well enough for me, because based off what I read I would have been mad if I made myself finish the series.
geldauran's review against another edition
2.0
Its been a little while since I read this book, but I remember being very torn about it.
I like Calla, I like the werewolf mythology and world that the author created. I liked the dynamic between the two packs, and the two alphas, and found the whole "supernatural teenagers going to high school" thing not entirely unbearable. These parts of the book almost won it 3 stars, but I really disliked Shay, the main love interest. I don't understand or empathize with Calla's fascination with him, so scenes between the two of them were always "ugh" moments for me.
Its a shame, because had it not been for the unfortunate love interest, I think I would have loved this book. As it is, I don't think I can stand reading another "love-triangle-that-isn't-really-a-love-triangle" series,and I don't think I'll be reading the rest of the Nightshade series.
I like Calla, I like the werewolf mythology and world that the author created. I liked the dynamic between the two packs, and the two alphas, and found the whole "supernatural teenagers going to high school" thing not entirely unbearable. These parts of the book almost won it 3 stars, but I really disliked Shay, the main love interest. I don't understand or empathize with Calla's fascination with him, so scenes between the two of them were always "ugh" moments for me.
Its a shame, because had it not been for the unfortunate love interest, I think I would have loved this book. As it is, I don't think I can stand reading another "love-triangle-that-isn't-really-a-love-triangle" series,and I don't think I'll be reading the rest of the Nightshade series.
maudd's review against another edition
4.0
J'ai vraiment adoré, je ne croyais pas que je trouverais une histoire sur les loups aussi bien. J'ai hâte de lire la suite!
readingrobin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book has been collecting dust on my bookshelves since the great vampire/werewolf YA fiction boom of the early 2010s. Really the only thing that's been keeping me from reading it has been circumstance and a deluge of other things I'd rather be reading. Big note to self, if the synopsis describes one of the teenage lead characters as "sexy," there's a good chance that I, an almost thirty year old adult, will get one of those ick feelings along my spine. It's one thing if it's coming through the perspective of a teenaged character, and another when you know it's more than likely coming from some middle-aged editor in a publishing office cubicle.
Now if I had read this over a decade ago, odds are I would have loved it. Awesome werewolf mythology that seemed very unique, a badass lead character that's not here for your girly dresses or makeup, sarcasm galore, oh yeah teen me would've eaten it up. While I can still appreciate the lore aspect, there are some qualities of the book that just tire me out.
Love triangles are always going to be some dodgy ground, particularly when you don't care for them or either of the love interests. Shay seemed so irresponsible and okay with constantly putting Calla in danger, even if it had the intention of trying to get her to see the truth behind the Keepers. Rey, though slightly better, made some comments here and there that set my teeth grinding, but at least it felt like he actually respected Calla at times. Pretty sure with how the story is going that Shay is ultimately going to win out in the end, which doesn't really encourage me to read any of the sequels.
At least pour one out for the gay werewolf representation in a time where queer characters, even queer side characters, were in short supply.
While I really liked the werewolf lore, the book also reinforces my least favorite werewolf trope, which is reinforcing incorrect "facts" about actual wolf pack dynamics to explain the weird sexism of the werewolf packs. I know it's all to make the term "alpha wolf" look cool and intimidating, but they literally do not exist. Wolf packs are made up of a mated pair and their kids/extended family. There's very little dominance involved. I know bringing actual reality to this werewolf book means absolutely nothing, but they they did it first.
There's also an absurd amount of sexism, misogyny, and slut-shaming going on here and yes, I know it's all for us to realize that werewolf society is corrupt and has this weird propaganda thing going on to keeps the wolves in line, but god it's overbearing at times. It's really just a me thing, but I had to visibly cringe when one of the adults told Calla to "keep her legs shut." I don't know, maybe it was too much just because all the characters are like 15-17 years old and I'm entering my "old person yells at YA for being YA" era. God help me.
So yeah, lots of emotions with this one and I'm not sure if I want to continue the series just to get closure or not.
Now if I had read this over a decade ago, odds are I would have loved it. Awesome werewolf mythology that seemed very unique, a badass lead character that's not here for your girly dresses or makeup, sarcasm galore, oh yeah teen me would've eaten it up. While I can still appreciate the lore aspect, there are some qualities of the book that just tire me out.
Love triangles are always going to be some dodgy ground, particularly when you don't care for them or either of the love interests. Shay seemed so irresponsible and okay with constantly putting Calla in danger, even if it had the intention of trying to get her to see the truth behind the Keepers. Rey, though slightly better, made some comments here and there that set my teeth grinding, but at least it felt like he actually respected Calla at times. Pretty sure with how the story is going that Shay is ultimately going to win out in the end, which doesn't really encourage me to read any of the sequels.
At least pour one out for the gay werewolf representation in a time where queer characters, even queer side characters, were in short supply.
While I really liked the werewolf lore, the book also reinforces my least favorite werewolf trope, which is reinforcing incorrect "facts" about actual wolf pack dynamics to explain the weird sexism of the werewolf packs. I know it's all to make the term "alpha wolf" look cool and intimidating, but they literally do not exist. Wolf packs are made up of a mated pair and their kids/extended family. There's very little dominance involved. I know bringing actual reality to this werewolf book means absolutely nothing, but they they did it first.
There's also an absurd amount of sexism, misogyny, and slut-shaming going on here and yes, I know it's all for us to realize that werewolf society is corrupt and has this weird propaganda thing going on to keeps the wolves in line, but god it's overbearing at times. It's really just a me thing, but I had to visibly cringe when one of the adults told Calla to "keep her legs shut." I don't know, maybe it was too much just because all the characters are like 15-17 years old and I'm entering my "old person yells at YA for being YA" era. God help me.
So yeah, lots of emotions with this one and I'm not sure if I want to continue the series just to get closure or not.
kikkrareads's review against another edition
5.0
Firstly can I say OH MY GOD! Its almost 2am here, and I refuse to sleep until I write this. I found this book to be amazing and one I know I have to read again and again just to understand more of it.
At first I found it a little intimidating, with so many characters with different names and back stories, Andrea Cremer jumped straight into the story and then slowly allowed her main character Calla to explain the laws and rules and what not.
While Calla tries to decide which boy she is meant to be with (a topic which I kept changing my mind on as well) I didn't feel as if I was reading some angsty young adult novel. In fact I felt as I was reading a true fantasy fiction. This was something new to the young adult genre that I didn't expect but loved nonetheless. It also wasn't a clichéd warewolf story. With a different spin on werewolves and they nature, this book really took me by surprise.
The hype that surrounds this book is well deserved, as I found I was unable to put it down. Each character has a back story and a different personality, they are strongly formed and well described. Calla is a strong alpha of her pack, fighting to understand the changes in her life and the paths that lay infront of her. Old laws, traditions and histories block her paths and trap her into a work that she slowly learns isn't quite what she always believed it to be. Ren, her chosen future mate and the alpha of another pack, is also left questioning what type of leader and man he will become. With his father pressuring him and noone else to turn to he is left to work out a lot of his future on his own. Wanting nothing more then to make Calla happy. Enter Shay, the mysterious boy who seems to be more intertwined into their lives than they expected and you have a great story on your hands.
The the melding of the two rival packs as well, there are many obstacles for these characters to face. This was seriously a brilliant read! I cannot get over how much I loved it!
At first I found it a little intimidating, with so many characters with different names and back stories, Andrea Cremer jumped straight into the story and then slowly allowed her main character Calla to explain the laws and rules and what not.
While Calla tries to decide which boy she is meant to be with (a topic which I kept changing my mind on as well) I didn't feel as if I was reading some angsty young adult novel. In fact I felt as I was reading a true fantasy fiction. This was something new to the young adult genre that I didn't expect but loved nonetheless. It also wasn't a clichéd warewolf story. With a different spin on werewolves and they nature, this book really took me by surprise.
The hype that surrounds this book is well deserved, as I found I was unable to put it down. Each character has a back story and a different personality, they are strongly formed and well described. Calla is a strong alpha of her pack, fighting to understand the changes in her life and the paths that lay infront of her. Old laws, traditions and histories block her paths and trap her into a work that she slowly learns isn't quite what she always believed it to be. Ren, her chosen future mate and the alpha of another pack, is also left questioning what type of leader and man he will become. With his father pressuring him and noone else to turn to he is left to work out a lot of his future on his own. Wanting nothing more then to make Calla happy. Enter Shay, the mysterious boy who seems to be more intertwined into their lives than they expected and you have a great story on your hands.
The the melding of the two rival packs as well, there are many obstacles for these characters to face. This was seriously a brilliant read! I cannot get over how much I loved it!