bookswithbit's review against another edition
3.0
I re-read this in one sitting but it just wasn't as good as it was the first time I read it. I'm probably not going to continue to read the rest of the series just yet.
atlantiareads's review against another edition
5.0
I have nothing but good things to say about the first book in Andrea Cremer’s new series. Great Story, great characters, and a book that will keep you up till the wee hours of the morning unable to stop reading.
When I started this book I had pre-concieved notions of what this book would be like just because it was in the Young Adult genre. That was a huge mistake on my part, Because this book might be classified as young adult but it had none of the petty drama that usually happens in the YA books I have read.
The main character Calla is such a strong and smart “almost” woman. She doesn’t want to follow the rules that her pack has laid out for her. But she also doesn’t wan’t to die because she broke those rules. With adventure, love, angst, and jealousy; Nightshade leads the reader on an amazing ride that will not stop for anything. You better take this book every where you go because if you don’t you’ll only wish you had. This story finds its way into your heart and head, to the point where it is the only thing you can think about.
The dynamics of the wolves, the keepers, and the searchers societies are amazingly constructed. With an ending that leaves the reading wanting so much more you can’t help but wish that you had already bought the next book in the series.
When I started this book I had pre-concieved notions of what this book would be like just because it was in the Young Adult genre. That was a huge mistake on my part, Because this book might be classified as young adult but it had none of the petty drama that usually happens in the YA books I have read.
The main character Calla is such a strong and smart “almost” woman. She doesn’t want to follow the rules that her pack has laid out for her. But she also doesn’t wan’t to die because she broke those rules. With adventure, love, angst, and jealousy; Nightshade leads the reader on an amazing ride that will not stop for anything. You better take this book every where you go because if you don’t you’ll only wish you had. This story finds its way into your heart and head, to the point where it is the only thing you can think about.
The dynamics of the wolves, the keepers, and the searchers societies are amazingly constructed. With an ending that leaves the reading wanting so much more you can’t help but wish that you had already bought the next book in the series.
venation's review against another edition
3.0
Initially, I was passionate about getting this book in my hands. It had been the hottest YA book out so far, the one everyone was reading and the one everyone was talking about. Come on, after all it's been compared to Twilight, and the ravishing praises do raise your curiosities. Promotion for this book has been everywhere, from fans glossing over the gorgeous cover to Nightshade giveaways dotting the endless book blogs. I must admit, I DESPERATELY wanted to read this book for the longest time. After finally getting my hands on a copy these were my initial ideas.
1) Wow, it's a lot thicker than I imagined.
2) I can't wait to read it!!!
I expected a lot out of Nightshade, especially since it was using werewolves. (I mean after the whole Twilight craze, who's NOT using vampires/werewolves in their stories?) I wanted to see what Nightshade was doing differently to win such a fan following and bonanza. So I started my journey of reading and this is what I got:
Honestly, in the long run I'm a bit disappointed in Nightshade. I think it's been over hyped and over crazed and readers have overestimated it. Undoubtedly, it's a good well-written, book. Yet, I can't feel anything extremely surprising or great about it. So let's start with pros and cons.
Pros:
First off, the cover just catches your attention. It's spellbinding and mythical, and the color scheme fits! As with the title, it's pretty trendy and very sexy. Nightshade, (and the additional books in the series Wolfsbane and Bloodrose) are names of poisonous plants? Points for the creativity! So, as I started reading, I was impressed by the world building. Calla, as the alpha female of the Nightshades, can change from human to wolf appearance. It's oddly realistic yet fanciful, which follows the Twilight pattern. And Calla is likable at points - she's tomboyish, strong and willing to be decisive and follow her pack! I like the idea of Keepers and Guardians, the world they live in, the ancient rules they have and the secret scandalous history that comes in. The world building is undeniably its strongest aspect, and the idea of society, position and duty is a strong theme that calls to me.
Cons:
I don't really like the romance. I don't like Shay, and I slightly dislike Ren. They're both rather arrogant and try to woo Calla way too obviously. Shay..is supposed to represent the liberation of the world for Calla, yet all I see is another pushy male to dominate Calla. And Ren, the most popular boy, with all his flings and ex's. I'm annoyed at the way Calla melts at the boys' affection and how it really is all about who Calla loves in the end.
So overall, Nightshade fails to live to the hype. It really does. It's good, but still. I guess I should be a little suspicious of any book that gets so popular, so fast.
1) Wow, it's a lot thicker than I imagined.
2) I can't wait to read it!!!
I expected a lot out of Nightshade, especially since it was using werewolves. (I mean after the whole Twilight craze, who's NOT using vampires/werewolves in their stories?) I wanted to see what Nightshade was doing differently to win such a fan following and bonanza. So I started my journey of reading and this is what I got:
Honestly, in the long run I'm a bit disappointed in Nightshade. I think it's been over hyped and over crazed and readers have overestimated it. Undoubtedly, it's a good well-written, book. Yet, I can't feel anything extremely surprising or great about it. So let's start with pros and cons.
Pros:
First off, the cover just catches your attention. It's spellbinding and mythical, and the color scheme fits! As with the title, it's pretty trendy and very sexy. Nightshade, (and the additional books in the series Wolfsbane and Bloodrose) are names of poisonous plants? Points for the creativity! So, as I started reading, I was impressed by the world building. Calla, as the alpha female of the Nightshades, can change from human to wolf appearance. It's oddly realistic yet fanciful, which follows the Twilight pattern. And Calla is likable at points - she's tomboyish, strong and willing to be decisive and follow her pack! I like the idea of Keepers and Guardians, the world they live in, the ancient rules they have and the secret scandalous history that comes in. The world building is undeniably its strongest aspect, and the idea of society, position and duty is a strong theme that calls to me.
Cons:
I don't really like the romance. I don't like Shay, and I slightly dislike Ren. They're both rather arrogant and try to woo Calla way too obviously. Shay..is supposed to represent the liberation of the world for Calla, yet all I see is another pushy male to dominate Calla. And Ren, the most popular boy, with all his flings and ex's. I'm annoyed at the way Calla melts at the boys' affection and how it really is all about who Calla loves in the end.
So overall, Nightshade fails to live to the hype. It really does. It's good, but still. I guess I should be a little suspicious of any book that gets so popular, so fast.
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Loved reading this book again, this world is so great and I love these characters and their stories, and I can't wait to continue on again!
*First Read September 2nd, 2011*
Wow! What an amazing book! I loved it! Can't wait to read the sequel, and the 3rd book when it comes out!
*First Read September 2nd, 2011*
Wow! What an amazing book! I loved it! Can't wait to read the sequel, and the 3rd book when it comes out!
silvarai's review against another edition
3.0
This book was ok but definitely not great. I had more problems with it than things that I liked, and it took about 3/4s of the book for me to really get into it and even start caring what was happening.
I found the characters pretty annoying, particularly Shay. He basically believes Calla deserves better than Ren because he thinks Ren is too controlling...which is true. However, my issue with this is that Shay is just as controlling as Ren is! Talk about hypocritical! The other characters were just too young for me and there was a lot of focus on the teen club scene, which is not something I care about at this point in my life.
Then there was the fact that the werewolves shimmer when they shift...that's right, they shimmer. I thought we learned that sparkles/shimmers was not what we wanted from supernatural creatures after the twilight craze? Apparently this author missed the memo.
Overall, not a bad concept and there were some exciting moments, but for the reasons above I won't be in a big hurry to continue with this series.
I found the characters pretty annoying, particularly Shay. He basically believes Calla deserves better than Ren because he thinks Ren is too controlling...which is true. However, my issue with this is that Shay is just as controlling as Ren is! Talk about hypocritical! The other characters were just too young for me and there was a lot of focus on the teen club scene, which is not something I care about at this point in my life.
Then there was the fact that the werewolves shimmer when they shift...that's right, they shimmer. I thought we learned that sparkles/shimmers was not what we wanted from supernatural creatures after the twilight craze? Apparently this author missed the memo.
Overall, not a bad concept and there were some exciting moments, but for the reasons above I won't be in a big hurry to continue with this series.
chllybrd's review against another edition
4.0
Review posted at http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogspot.com
Who does NOT love this cover?? I saw it and knew I had to read it. Nightshade pretty much starts off right where Shadow Days ends with Shane being attacked by a bear. This book takes on a WHOLE new meaning to "werewolves" which technically the wolfs aren't they are called Guardians. And what is a Guardian might you ask? Well they are pretty much slaves to the Keepers who get to decide what they do, where they live, who they marry and have kids with. Calla the Alpha female of one pack is all set to marry "become mate to" Ren who is the Alpha male of another pack who she has been sworn to since birth. Then Shay moves to town and all of a sudden Calla starts questioning everything she has always known. There is tension, a love triangle and a super big cliff hanger in Nightshade but I think you will enjoy it anyways and want to continue with reading Wolfsbane which comes out in July 2011.
Who does NOT love this cover?? I saw it and knew I had to read it. Nightshade pretty much starts off right where Shadow Days ends with Shane being attacked by a bear. This book takes on a WHOLE new meaning to "werewolves" which technically the wolfs aren't they are called Guardians. And what is a Guardian might you ask? Well they are pretty much slaves to the Keepers who get to decide what they do, where they live, who they marry and have kids with. Calla the Alpha female of one pack is all set to marry "become mate to" Ren who is the Alpha male of another pack who she has been sworn to since birth. Then Shay moves to town and all of a sudden Calla starts questioning everything she has always known. There is tension, a love triangle and a super big cliff hanger in Nightshade but I think you will enjoy it anyways and want to continue with reading Wolfsbane which comes out in July 2011.
sharonskinner's review against another edition
3.0
Good storytelling and an original concept, but I felt cheated by the ending.
kacibookishkingdom's review against another edition
2.0
So, I didn't actually finish this one... I was listening to it as an audiobook and got all the way to the last CD, and realized I really didn't care what happened. I think I have just outgrown this sort of story - too much of a love triangle - most of the conflict was centered around that, and not the actually story, so I gave up.
ria_mhrj's review against another edition
4.0
I wish I was able to award 4.5 stars to this book, but never mind. Really enjoyed the world and the dilemmas that Calla faces throughout the book had me cringing in sympathy and wishing she could run away, but understanding why she didn't. It fell shy of the full five stars for me because I felt the ending was a little rushed - there was a lot more dramatic potential that could have been generated from the climax. That said, I loved the cliffhanger and I am looking forward to reading Wolfsbane.