Review: Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

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?

Thoughts:

Ever since I heard about this title on Amazon, back in April earlier this year, I've been obsessed with this book. Stalking it up until the release date. I had high expectations of this read, and for the most part this book delivered.

The world Cremer developed is intense, especially for a young adult novel. As a first novel this is really a great way to showcase her world building skills. Calla is part of the Guardians, werewolves who serve the Keepers (witches). The Guardians listen to and do everything the Keepers tell them to do. They marry, live, and breath by the Keepers wishes. This book touches on the dark side of brain washing and what tyranny can do when left to take control. It's frustrating at times seeing the powerful Guardians brought to do tasks and actions that will leave you cringing in revulsion.

The plot moves along at a pretty fast pace so the reader can jump on in and get over all that slow build up most debuts have. As Calla slowly finds out about the truth I was eager for any tidbit I could get. I was so focused on what everything could be with the keepers, searchers, alchemy symbols, samhain night, gifts, and who the real villains are --that it was a huge slap in the face when the book ends and we're left with so little information.

This book suffered from a crappy love triangle. Shay is candidate number one. He's the new guy in town and it's love at first sight. As the plot continues we dont' get much on him and I really can't buy Calla's "love" for him. It needed more build up and time to blossom. Which is a shame because the awesome plot takes a backseat for this love triangle, clearly over shadowing how great this read could have be.

Ren is the other side of this love story. Calla's known him forever, known forever that she would marry him. Arranged marriages are like my own worst fear, so let's just say I was invested in Call getting out of it. Ren makes my fear valid. He spends a lot of the novel trying to get Calla in some kind of heated situation, even though she has to be "untouched" until the mating ceremony. Sure Ren had his awwww moments towards the end of this book, plus back history with Calla. Personally I can't get past a guy who knew he would be mating with Calla and just samples all the goods out there. It feels like cheating to me. My girl Calla sums it up, "I don't share."

As sad before the plot was really intense when it wasn't focusing on a terrible love triangle. Another plus was the side characters. Calla's pack and Ren's pack were all so fun to learn about. Each of them made an impression and I wanted more of them. The terrors that they all have to face because of the hold the Keepers on them had me worried for each member.

Now let's not forget Calla. It's hard to find strong female leads in paranormal YA. For some reason they always feel like damsels. Calla was not a damsel, but an Alpha. One heck of a one at that. It was painful watching how brainwashed she was so that she was slowing killing herself off to appease her destiny. As everyone tries to change her from Alpha to Ren's mate.

Bottom Line: Even though I disliked the love triangle enough to almost want to give this a 3/5 rating. The plot, other characters, and the many mysteries around the truth are so engaging that I can almost ignore the over shadowing love story. This is probably one of the darkest paranormal YAs out there and you don't want to miss it. Cremer has so much potential for this series and I'm dieing to get my hands on the next installment.

Sexual Content:

Make out scenes, and some more in detailed "desires" Calla is curious about as she's untouched. Ren is a little pushy in some scenes making Calla make out with him. There is some references to homosexuality and forced sex.

4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

Add it:

Amazon: Nightshade

goodreads: Nightshade

Sunday Sweets

I get to show of my goodies for the week! Sunday Sweets I also like to tell you where I found them, what kind of deals are up for grabs. Occasionally I'll even try a different method of buying books to see if it's faster and cheaper somewhere else. (This post also follows The Story Sirens' weekly meme, In My Mailbox.) At the moment I'm a poor college student so you might not see this post every Sunday. If it's not there, that means the book gods have frowned upon me.

All books bought as Borders again!!

After reading Lord of the Fading Lands (review up later), I couldn’t resists getting the next two.

Amazon Lord of the Fading Lands (Tairen Soul) / goodreads Lord of the Fading Lands

Amazon Lady of Light and Shadows/ goodreads Lady of Light and Shadows

Amazon King of Sword and Sky (Tairen Soul)/ goodreads King of Sword and Sky

I’ve been eyeballing this book for years.  I’ve read the excerpt three times, but I never could bring myself to read it.  I finally cracked, so look out for my review here!

Amazon Fantasy Lover (Dark-Hunter, Book 1)/ goodreads Fantasy Lover

Hope everyone had a fantastic book week!

Twilight Saga The Musical Parodies

Books and Babbles is a fun post where I can share anything about books, and just babble on. Or, even babble about movies, hot topics, whatever strikes my fancy.

Seems like ages since I last posted one of these bad boys.  So I decided to post about something I love: Parodies.

I love making fun of anything and everything.  So what better thing to get a life out of then Twilight and High School Musical parodies?  How about them combined together in one awesome joke!  It amazes me how many people haven’t seen these yet. 

So . . .

GAME ON!

All right that was priceless right?  Well the next one is even better!

A little wierd changing Edwards I know, but he boy bands it well.  It’s awesome how the feature a book each time. 

I was wondering when they would do a new one for Eclipse, but you’re all in luck.

Sad bunnies new Edward and Bella.  At least they look pretty close to the part. Maybe the old Bella was the only one who could sing the blood thirsty red-head song? Who is Edward kidding, no girl wants Jacob to own a shirt.  I think it’s against some kind of law.  Personally I think Jacob’s musical numbers are the best part of every single one of these spoofs! ^_-

If you’re anything like me you’re going to be singing these songs all weekend long.  My TGIF gift to you all!

Book Blogger Hop and the Weekly Overview

To join in the fun, just click the picture above!

Ah, it feels so good to not be sick and back to regular posts. I feel so bad I missed last weeks Hop, which sounded like a ton of fun.

"If you find a book that looks interesting but is part of a series, do you always start with the first title?"

Hecks yes!!  It drives me insane if I don't start out with book one.  When you skip around willy-nilly like I feel that I'm missing something from the series.  There's a reason they're numbered and have an order.  Personally I don't want to miss out on the emotional build up the author has worked so hard to create, or get dumped into some big plot that I can't appreciate because I wasn't there from the beginning. Plus, I don't feel it's far for my reviews--fairness is the name of the game!

Weekly Overview:

Again sorry to everyone who missed out on the posting, and thank you to all of those who gave me get well posts/emails.  It means a lot.  So you'll all be happy to know I'm back up to health, and I'm starting to gain weight.  Never thought I'd be so happy to gain weight.

• Lips Don't Lie: Author Gossip was packed with hot new covers, question and answers for the author Kaylana Price. (Who's book I just finished, Grave Witch! If the exclamation point didn't tip you off I'll be writing a review for this later.)
• Wednesday Wishes I was playing a little catch up, because even if you can't get up because your so sick there are always books to lust after.

Slim pickings this week but I'll be up and posting to normal like usual.  Keep an eye out because I have reviews to catch up on so there might be a review attack coming up. I'll try and keep it so I don't post reviews and regular posts on the same day. 

I'm off to the Hop!

A Giant Wednesday Wishes

Hunting for books is one of my favorite things. Finding a new title is my equivalent of "getting rich." Whether the titles been around for a while, brand spanking new, or just not that common Wednesday Wishes is here for me to share them with you.

Just be warned since I wasn't feeling well and couldn't post last week I really mean it when I say "Giant."


Entwined by Heather Dixon

Azalea and her younger sisters dance in the mysterious silver forest every night, escaping from the sadness of the palace and their father’s grief. What they don’t understand—although as time passes they begin to get an inkling of the danger they are in—is that the mysterious and dashing Keeper is tightening his snare with deadly purpose. Luckily, Azalea is brave and steadfast. Luckily, a handsome young army captain also has his eye on Azalea. . . . Lush, romantic, and compelling, this debut novel by Heather Dixon will thrill fans of Shannon Hale, Robin McKinley, and Edith Pattou.

The book sounds pretty good right, all of those authors they've listed are some of my favs!  Still in all honesty, I'm crazy about that cover.


Tiger's Curse (Tiger #1) by Colleen Houck

Kelsey Hayes was just a freshman in high school when her parents were killed in an automobile accident, sending her into the foster-care system. After graduation, she takes a job at a circus in Oregon to earn money for college. There, she becomes fascinated with the star attraction, a white tiger named Dhiren. When the tiger is sold to the mysterious Mr. Kadam, Kelsey is heartbroken—until Mr. Kadam offers her a job as Dhiren’s traveling companion. Because of her strong affection for the tiger, she agrees . When their truck is hijacked on a dirt road outside of Mumbai, Dhiren leads Kelsey deep into the jungle. There, he reveals his true nature: he is a three-hundred-fifty-year-old Indian prince, cursed by an ancient magician to live out eternity as a tiger. Young-adult readers will be enthralled by this mystical adventure story of a girl who risks her life to save the man she comes to love.

The description on this book really interests me.  It's kind of like a Beauty and the Beast love story, which I can never resist.


Ruined: A Ghost Story by Paula Morris

Rebecca couldn't feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to spend the year while her dad is traveling. She's staying in a creepy old house with her aunt. And at the snooty prep school, the filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she's invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he's got a hidden agenda. Then one night, in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to talk to Rebecca, and to show her the nooks and crannies of the city. There's just one catch: Lisette is a ghost.

A ghost with a deep, dark secret, and a serious score to settle.

As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend -- and as she slowly learns to trust Anton Grey -- she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair?

Ah, another ghost story. Personally I don't like the cover. It feels likes it's trying to hard.


Haven by Kristi Cook

Violet McKenna isn't a normal girl with normal teenage issues; she has more to contend with than most people could handle. Violet thought she was just crazy when she had a vivid vision of her dad's murder. Her life started falling apart when her premonition came true. She's had flashes of other events too. The problem was nobody believed her until she found a new school: Winterhaven. At Winterhaven, Violet finally feels like she belongs. She quickly finds a close group of friends and discovers that they too have psychic 'gifts'--as do all the students at Winterhaven. But as soon as she feels settled she discovers the most intriguing and alluring boy she has ever met, and things quickly go awry. As the attraction between them grows, intense visions of the boy's death start to haunt her. In her premonitions the secret he is unwilling to share begins to reveal itself. And to Violet's horror, she learns that their destinies are intertwined in a critical--and deadly--way

It's like a standard thing any more for the descriptions of book to state they have an "alluring boy" within.  Why can't it be an alluring plot, mystery, or something.  Don't get me wrong this book sounds amazing, but is that all YA readers are looking for?


The Demon Girl by Penelope Fletcher

Rae Wilder has problems. Plunged into a world of dark magic, fierce creatures and ritual sacrifice, she is charged with a guarding a magical amulet. Rae finds herself beaten up, repeatedly, and forced to make a choice: to live and die human, or embrace her birth-right and wield magics that could turn her into something wicked, a force of nature nothing can control.

Dark Magic, fierce creatures, and sacrifices!! I am so there!  Plus look at this cover it's simplistic tones and cure little fairy our perfect.


Breath of Angel (The Angeleon Circle #1) by Karyn Henley

Melaia, a young priestess, is drawn into an ancient feud between immortal brothers who destroyed the Wisdom Tree with its stairway to heaven, stranding angels in the world of humans. For the Tree and its stairway to be restored, the debt that sparked the ancient feud must be paid, and the payment, Melaia discovers, involves her own destiny.

Ooo, kind of gives me chills.  The "immortal brothers" part makes me think there may be a love triangle rearing its head up at me.


Beauty by Nancy Butcher

Queen Veda is the most beautiful woman in the kingdom and that's the way she wants it to stay. So when she sends all the girls of the realm to a new academy where they are offered a 'beauty wonder pill', her daughter Princess Ana is suspicious. She has always had to hide her good looks in order to keep her mother's affection. So why is the queen suddenly promoting beauty, when she has always been the 'fairest of them all'?

Bringing a modern twist to a classic fairy story, Mirror, Mirror is a lyrical and absorbing tale that resonates strongly in today's looks-obsessed world.

This cover is just stunning with it's blue tones and that lovely pattern on the left.  It's nice to have a Cinderella retelling.


The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (The Inheritance Trilogy #1) by N.K. Jemisin

Yeine Darr is an outcast from the barbarian north. But when her mother dies under mysterious circumstances, she is summoned to the majestic city of Sky. There, to her shock, Yeine is named an heiress to the king. But the throne of the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is not easily won, and Yeine is thrust into a vicious power struggle with a pair of cousins she never knew she had. As she fights for her life, she draws ever closer to the secrets of her mother's death and her family's bloody history.

With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Yeine will learn how perilous it can be when love and hate - and gods and mortals - are bound inseparably together

This seems to have pretty solid reviews.  Sounds like it has pretty great political plot and wonderful characters, always a plus for epic fantasy.


Magic Slays (Kate Daniels #5) by Ilona Andrews

No description yet.  However, look at this cover!  This has to be the best one yet.  For once the lion looks like it's part of the cover and not just thrown in there for effect.



Dark Descendant (Descendants #1) by Jenna Black

A brand-new urban fantasy from the acclaimed author of the Morgan Kingsley series!

Nikki Glass thinks of herself as an ordinary person, although her skills as a private investigator sometimes verge on the uncanny. But whatever Nikki might think of herself, she is far from ordinary, as she discovers one life-altering night when she loses control of her car on an icy road, accidentally killing a man who appears out of nowhere. The man Nikki struck with her car was an immortal who wanted to die—and she has now inadvertently stolen his immortality. As a descendant of the Greek goddess Artemis, Nikki’s talents have reached supernatural proportions. Of course, before she was an immortal, there wasn’t anyone who wanted her dead….

Can I say how much I love Black?  That alone is enough to make me clutch this book to me.  I've really had a craving for Greek mythology in my UF lately.  How did Black read my mind!?!


Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale by Carolyn Turgeon

The story of two very different women, one mortal, one mermaid, and the clash between worlds best kept apart... It is a cold day at the end of the world when a young woman, a princess in hiding, looks out across a Northern sea and sees something she could not have seen. It looks...it can't be. It looks like a mermaid's tail. And, as she looks more closely, she sees that the mermaid is dragging a drowning sailor in her arms. Because, only hours before, another princess, the daughter of the sea queen, has decided to risk everything and take a look at the world above the sea: the world of mortals. And there she finds a storm, a shipwreck, a sailor, and sets in train events which will change both women's worlds for ever.

Not only does this sound like a kick ass retelling of The Little Mermaid, but that cover!!  That has to be the best mermaid cover my eyes have had the pleasure of drooling over.


Atlantis Rising (Warriors of Poseidon #1) by Alyssa Day

Eleven thousand years ago, before the seas swallowed the Atlanteans, Poseidon assigned a few chosen warriors to act as sentinels for humans in the new world. There was only one rule-desiring them was forbidden. But rules were made to be broken...

When she calls...
Riley Dawson is more than a dedicated Virginia Beach social worker. She's blessed with a mind link that only Atlanteans have been able to access for thousands of years. Being an "empath" may explain her wistful connection to the roiling waves of the ocean, the sanctuary it provides, and the sexual urges that seem to emanate from fathoms below...

He will come.
Conlan, the High Prince of Atlantis, has surfaced on a mission to retrieve Poseidon's stolen trident. Yet something else has possessed Conlan: the intimate emotions-and desires-of a human. Irresistibly drawn to the uncanny beauty, Conlan soon shares more than his mind. But in the midst of a battle to reclaim Poseidon's power, how long can a forbidden love last between two different souls from two different worlds?

Normally I wouldn't give this kind of book a second glance, especially with a cover like that.  However, some of my goodread friends are really like the series--at least after book 2.

Lips Don’t Lie: Author Gossip

As a reader I always want the download on what's going on with authors. Do they have new books coming out, how the latest tour going, any thing juicy! So, I decided to bring the news to my readers. I'm lurking around all of those author blogs anyway, might as well do something productive.

Finally back after my long week of sickness.  Never thought I’d be so happy to be gaining weight.  Hopefully with all of this cold and wet weather coming in everyone else’s health is good.

General News:

As fans finally have the pleasure of turning the final page of Faythe’s story, many fans have been wondering about another series.  Sure she has her YA Soul Screamers coming out strong, but fans still want the pleasure of her adult books. 

Fans can rest assured now, here’s some words from the author.

And I did come up with another adult series concept. The concept was approved by my publisher months ago, the release has been scheduled, the back cover synopsis has been written, and cover design has already begun.

Vincent will post as soon as she can about what this new series is about once she gets more of the first manuscript done.  Right now she’s in the build up, learning the world and characters.  Personally I have great faith in this new series. Author Post.

The synopsis has finally been officially released, sounds like another fantastic read.

Times are hard for newly minted vampire Merit. Ever since shapeshifters announced their presence to the world, humans have been rallying against supernaturals--and they're camping outside of Cadogan House with protest signs that could turn to pitchforks at any moment. Inside its doors, things between Merit and her Master, green-eyed heartbreaker Ethan Sullivan are ... tense. But then the mayor of Chicago calls Merit and Ethan to a clandestine meeting and tells them about a violent vamp attack that has left three women missing. His message is simple: get your House in order. Or else.

Merit needs to get to the bottom of this crime, but it doesn't help that she can't tell who's on her side. So she secretly calls in a favor from someone who's tall, dark, and part of underground vamp group that may have some deep intel on the attack. Merit soon finds herself in theheady, dark heart of Chicago's supernatural society--a world full of vampires who seem to ready to fulfill the protesting human's worst fears, and a place where she'll learn that you can't be a vampire without getting a little blood on your hands…

Here's a chance to when a ARC of Vincent's latest Soul Screamers book.

 Kaylana Price was taking questions and now has posted some answers. So check them out here.

Edna asked:

Q. How many books will there be for the Alex Craft series? A. Currently there are three books contracted in the series, but I have ideas that go beyond the third book, so I hope Roc buys more of the series. The next book, GRAVE DANCE, will be released late next summer.

Q. Falin and Death both seem like fantastic love interests for Alex. I was wondering if you already have it set in mind who she will end up with, if anyone at all? A. I have a definite direction for Alex's love life, but as I'm writing surprises often occur, so nothing is set in stone.

Q. And this is a general sort of comment but I'm incredibly fascinated by Death. In a future book I hope Alex can learn more about him and maybe get a glimpse into his world. How about "A Day in the Life of a Soul Collector"? ;) Falin is quite interesting himself. I'm eagerly awaiting to read more of his history. A. Those aren't really questions, but I thought I'd just comment that you will definitely be seeing more of both and learning quite a bit more in the next two books. I'm glad you're enjoying the characters and the world! Thanks so much, and thanks for the questions!

The next set of questions are from Natalie via Facebook:

Q.How do you pronounce Falin? I have an acquaintance named Fallon (rhymes with Allen), and I've been pronouncing it the same way, but I've nev...er seen it spelled your way. A. Technically, the 'i' would make the 'a' long, so I pronounce it FA lin. That said, FAH lin isn't that far off so is probably an acceptable pronunciation.

Q.Why a Chinese Crested? I mean, I love cresties, but it seems like an odd match for Alex. A. This is actually a question I answered in a recent interview over at Smexy Books. Instead of thinking up a different way to say the same thing, I'm just going to steal that answer. I hope you don't mind.

A Chinese Crested of the truly hairless variety is a small dog with patches of hair only on the head (the crest), feet, and tail. This hair is typically white or black, and their skin is usually pigmented any number of combinations of pink and grey. The first time I saw one, I couldn't decide if it was adorable or had some terrible disease. In my experience, most people either think they look like ugly hairless rats or are cute in a pathetic way. When I was creating Alex's character, I liked the idea that she'd be drawn to a dog who just didn't fit in. He's not a stray of unknown origin—let's face it, sadly, those are a dime a dozen. He's a pure breed that many people would be vaguely repulsed by. It worked for her. Thanks for the questions, Natalie!

Christina asked:

Q. I've read your Haven books and love them. I was wondering if we were going to see more of Tatius in the next book. I really like him, he is such a fascinating character.(and I may have a teeny tiny crush on him) I was intrigued by his behavior towards Kita in the second book. What is he about? A. This question makes me smile. I'm so glad you like Tatius. He was one of those characters who was just a name and a small note in the outline of the first book. I mean, I knew his history and his agenda before I started writing, but he was just supposed to be a minor antagonist. Then I wrote his first scene in Once Bitten and he jumped right off the page. Sometimes characters surprise the writer. After the events in Twice Dead, Tatius wasn't supposed to reappear in the series until book four because Third Blood is very shifter and Firth centered, but that punk haired master vamp doesn't tend to care what my outline says. ^_^ Thanks for the question!Author Post

New Covers:

The latest Keri Arthur cover has been released officially for Mercy Burns. Personally I don’t feel wowed, it’s to typical.  Another over done naked back.

This cover is for the audiobook release of Twice Bitten.  The cover really is stunning, the paperback cover has real competition here.

This is the second book in the series, first one Grave Witch.  Personally I love this cover, way better then the last one.  I like that the top is a green, the last book the top was red.

This has to be the best cover yet in the series. The reflection is just stunning with the ripple.

Latest Kate Daniels cover has been released. Personally I like this Kate better then how she’s featured on other covers.  Plus the lion doesn’t look so spitted on there.

Author Wit:

Bless Katie Macallister for always having yummy men ready to post. This is a little naughty for younger readers.

Back from the Dead, Hopefully

Just thought I'd give everyone an update.  I've been bed ridden since Monday, so that's why posts and emails have not been getting updated/replied to.  Today's the first day I've been able to sit up. "Hip-hip hurray!"

I'm hoping that I'll get back on to regular posts today.  Poor LPL keeps getting the bad end of the stick in these little mini crisis! Ever onward!