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    Nightshade
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    Nightshade
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    Nightshade
    Audiobook12 hours

    Nightshade

    Written by Andrea Cremer

    Narrated by Rebecca Lowman

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    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?
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateOct 26, 2010
    ISBN9780307745941
    Unavailable
    Nightshade

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    Reviews for Nightshade

    4/5

    646 ratings134 reviews

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    • 3/5
      The back of the book made this book sound like it was going to be a 4 star for me at the minimum. Turns out this book was more of a 3 star. I did like it. It just wasn't amazing, and I didn't love it. Didn't like the ending. The cliffhanger was good, but most of the events before the mansion, like the chase scene, I think could have had more to it.

      Let me backtrack here before I start talking about the ending.

      This book starts out with two Alphas and two packs in high school. They're more of like the kids of the real pack. On Oct 31, the two Alpha's (Calla and Ren) are suppose to be married to form a new pack. Now they are werewolves but in this book they are called Guardians, because they guard the Keepers. Keepers are like magic users, witches and summoner. I think I would lump them in with more of a summoner with cruel amplification magic.

      Anyways, so Calla and Ren have this arranged marriage thing going on for them. The Keepers decide everything for the Guardians. They pay for everything for the Guardians as well, but when it comes to marriage and what not, it is decided by the Keepers. That sucks for them.

      The guardians are suppose to protect the Keepers from the Searchers... and who or what they are or even can do. I don't know. They can do some magic. They seem to fight with weapons, and not summons. They want to kill Keepers and will kill Guardians.

      Anyways... Calla and Ren decided to start merging their packs, before the union, so that everyone can start to work with each other better. See and this is one of the things I didn't like. Calla is suppose to be an Alpha, but as soon as they merge packs, only two people in her pack still seem to respect her as an Alpha. That doesn't make sense at all.

      Calla is torn between the two boys. Ren, (the Alpha she has a burning desire for) and Shay, (the boy who's life Calla saved and is only a human.) Her romance in this book is a bunch of steamy stolen kisses, when she isn't even suppose to be kissed before she is married. Calla is only suppose to ever be touched by Ren... That's not adding to the tension for me, that's just a little weird. Ren was being a man-whore, and Calla has to be perfectly chaste. That just seems unfair and a little weird for a story. Shay seems to be draw to Calla.

      Problems are she's not suppose to tell Shay about her world. Shay is not suppose to snoop around his uncles mansion. Calla is not suppose to kiss anyone till she is married, only exception possibly being Ren. I don't think even that really.




    • 4/5
      It is a pretty great book! I quite enjoyed it. I read this a few years back. Now that I'm a bit older I've come to realize I'm not very into romance novels. This book wasn't so bad though because it was a pretty awesome. Unfortunately I will probably never actually read the second book. I've practically skimmed through the second whole book out of laziness, so I know enough to know what's kinda going on. But I really doubt I will ever actual get myself to read it.
    • 5/5
      So good love werewolves!
    • 5/5
      Ever since Calla was very young she knew what was expected of her. Graduate high school, mate with alpha Ren Laroche. A union which will bring an alliance between Nightshade and Bane, forming a third pack. But when she breaks the law by saving a human boy... She starts a chain reaction that turns her world upside down and makes her question every aspect of her life.Fantastic read, loved it! I love when a book lives up to all the anticipation. Nightshade is an enthralling story. Every minute of the story was pretty exciting, this is a book that once you start you won't want to put it down. Very seductive and suspenseful. A heart-pounding story that leaves you on the edge of your seat, and most certainly leaves you want more.Calla was great character, I liked her a lot. She's a warrior at heart, but there's a normal teenage girl just itching to break out. All the characters are wonderful in their own way. But Ren and Shay both stand out for me. Both want Calla and she feels something for both guys. Now I can't wait to see what well happen next in this series. Ahh... more anticipation!
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this book. The main character, Calla, is the alpha wolf of her pack. She has been taught that her life is to be lived in a certain way, traditions are to be followed, and she must not waver from the path she is on. The book is intriguing and it was interesting to see some of the choices Calla makes and how they affect both her and her pack. There were some confusing areas in the book and I had to go back to re-read in a couple of places, but overall, an enjoyable read for a debut author. I can't wait to read the next installment to find out what happens next.
    • 3/5
      For werewolf Calla Tor her future has always been set. Graduate from school, marry another predetermined alpha to join two packs. But when she saves a human boy from a bear attack things start to change. The future may not be so set. An interesting take on the shapeshifter story.
    • 5/5
      This is a great book! So far most books I've read have been about vampires so this was a nice change. I really like Shay & Ren. Yes, Ren is arrogant but for me he was likable. I was left wanting more in the end and will definitley read more of Andreas books.
    • 5/5
      Very romantic and suspenseful it mad me imagine that it was actually happening
    • 5/5
      Nightshade is a completely engrossing novel that has enough action—and romance—to keep your heart pounding for hours after you put it down.I really, really enjoyed Nightshade— so much, in fact, that I made myself read the book slowly so that I could savor every bit (a difficult task!). And let me tell you, Nightshade is quite savory. With a love triangle that doesn’t make the decision easy (for either Calla or the reader), Nightshade is totally swoon-worthy. There are cute moments, steamy moments, and tug-of-war moments abound. You’ve got Ren, the alpha boy Calla has to love, and Shay, the adorable, puppy-like boy who Calla might just love. I suppose if I have to state my preference, I’d pick Shay, since he’s not as pushy as Ren and he’s much sweeter (but, you know, Ren’s fine, too).Many of the scenes in Nightshade went a little like this:SHAY: Can I take your clothes off? *puppy eyes*REN: Forget asking, I WILL take your clothes off!CALLA: (halfheartedly) Nooo… I’m not allowed to participate in sexytimes until I get married!Though Nightshade focused heavily on romance, Andrea Cremer did one heck of a job building a world for Calla and the other Guardians to live in. The history of the Nightshades and Banes was absolutely fascinating—it mixed fairy-tale and werewolf lore with a dark twist— and the pack dynamic was great. I felt like I was a part of the book myself, taking in all the scenery and characters.Nightshade ends on a cliffhanger, which is completely unfair and awful, but it only spurred my excitement for book two! I can’t wait! (No, really, Andrea Cremer, lock your doors!)I would definitely recommend Nightshade to any teen, especially to those who are reluctant readers. Nightshade is completely addictive, and it has the chops to make almost any reader fall in love with it. (Originally posted to 365 Days of Reading)
    • 4/5
      Nightshade kept me intrigued right from the beginning. I loved all of the characters, even the secondary ones. The pack dynamic was interesting, and I enjoyed learning about it. The beginning of the book was a bit confusing. You are not really told what or who the Keepers are or what the role of the Guardians are for almost half the book.
    • 4/5
      The premise: ganked from BN.com: 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?My RatingBuy the Paperback: Yeah, I know. This comes out in HARDCOVER in October. But it's worth waiting for the paperback or a cheaper copy. Not because it's a bad book either. It's a fun, fast read with some fascinating world-building and a romance that has you wondering. What hampers the book is the author's inability to reveal much of anything at all for a good portion of the beginning (an author who takes the rule "Show don't tell" a little too literally) and then ends the book with quite the cliffhanger. In truth, I don't mind the cliffhanger ending. I'm actually interested, on the whole, to read the next installment. But despite the VERY gorgeous cover, I'm not inclined to buy the hardcover when it comes out, because this is also one of those books that you read, enjoy, and move on from. Still, I enjoyed this debut from Cremer, and when the sequel's available (next year?) I might see if I can't snag a free copy. This book opens with a bang and keeps you turning the pages, and hosts a cast with many likable people, though at times, it's difficult to keep everyone straight. Still, a fun book, and I'm glad I was able to score a free copy via LibraryThing.Review style: You know the painkillers are wearing off when you start taking notes on post-its and sticking said notes in the book. Lots of discussion about what this debut author has done right, what I wish she'd done better, and why I'd satisfied regardless. Minor, kind of vague spoilers, but if you want the full review, click the link below to go to my LJ. As always, comments and discussion are most welcome.REVIEW: Andrea Cremer's NIGHTSHADEHappy Reading!
    • 4/5
      very cool and unique book!
    • 4/5
      I have to say this a very compelling read but I HATED the ending. I abhore cliffhangers in books and this one has a whopper of a cliffhanger. I am pretty angry about it still.

      The book moves at a pretty fast pace and I like that the usual teenage hormones are running amock. I liked both Ren and Shay, when usually I have to pick one of the guys in the triangle and then I just root for him. I found myself leaning slightly toward Ren though, even though I am sure I was supposed to choose Shay.

      I like the unique world building and the way the author seperated herself from other werewolf books that are saturating the genre. I think her charachters are well built with strong beliefs, emotions, and attachments; they feel real to me.

      I was suprised at how easily Calla was able to defy her enire belief system, everything she was ever taught growing up for a boy she just met. I need something more in order to make that more convincing for me.

      The sensuality of the characters is spot on. The book is sexy without being gratuitous for a teen reader. I enjoyed it (even with the effing cliffhanger) and will read the next one.
    • 4/5
      Calla has always followed orders from her masters, the Keepers, without question. She is to marry Ren, the alpha of the Bane pack, on Halloween in order to create a new pack of wolves.

      Calla saves a boy named Shay from a bear during one of her patrols. By doing that, she has opened up a world of questions. She begins to wonder what the Keepers’ interest is in Shay, and if everything they have told them is the true. Calla must choose to stay on the path the Keepers have laid before her, or follow her heart and defy the only truths she has ever known.

      This book was very good. Calla has to learn to trust her gut feeling or follow blind. The love triangle is a bit different. It wasn’t really good boy vs bad boy as is the case in most novels in this genre. Ren is most definitely a bad boy, which is established by his reputation. Shay is a mystery of sorts. You never really know the full background on him until the last quarter of the book. I love the banter between Calla, Shay, and Ren.

      You can feel a connection with most of the characters in this novel. Naomi, Calla’s mother, is overbearing and can be annoying. Ansel is a funny kid. He has a positive outlook on life no matter what the situation. I wish we could have heard about Sabine a bit more. She has a difficult life that I wanted to see more of in order to understand her better. Bryn, Calla’s BFF and second in command, has Calla’s back no matter what and without question. You will love, and may very well strongly dislike/hate, some of the characters.

      I was confused in the beginning as to the purpose of the wolves (Guardians), and their relationship to the Keepers. Everything starts to make sense through the progression of the story. I really appreciated the mystery instead of being told a majority of the plot in the first half of the novel. It kept me intrigued. If you want a wolf story with a little bit of a twist I highly recommend this book.
    • 4/5
      There were moments where I felt it faltered a bit but overall this story of Calla Tor who knows what her future is going to be, she's going to be alpha of a new pack with Ren as her mate, graduate school and help the Keepers keep the social order as it is. When Shay enters her life it all changes and he's the catalyst, her life will never be the same after all of this and she will never look at it the same.I liked it but there were times when it faltered a bit for me and people blurred a little too much.
    • 5/5
      That was actually really awesome once I got further into the story. Can't wait to get my hands on the second book!
    • 2/5
      Not as good as I expected it to be. The best bit was at the ending when it all finally started to get exciting... but then the ending came revealing that it is obviously going to carry on into the next book. I'd like to say I'm hyped up to read the next book, but I'm not. Nightshade was quite disappointing really, but when the second comes out I may borrow it from the library in order to find out the conclusion.
    • 3/5
      Nightshade

      Lets start with the cover, shall we? It's nothing short of gorgeous. I love the shades of purple and the lilies, white with magenta. Calla's shocking orange/yellow eye contrast nicely to all the purple. The cover shimmers too. It's a nice change from from the white on black with red painting across most YA paranormal covers these days.

      -
      The book starts off introducing us to Calla, a female Alpha 'Guardian' wolf from the NightShade pack whose protecting a human from a grizzly bear. The boy is bleeding out behind her as she growls and snaps at the predator and with the help of her second, Bryn, the bear is warded off and disaster is avoided. knowing that by letting the boy live, it would mean certain death if the pack's 'Keepers' found out. Fortunately, her and Bryn oath to secrecy and Calla vows to put it all behind her. She has more important things to look forward too, like her future union with sexy Alpha Ren Laroche from the neighboring pack, Bane. The union's been in the works since the two were 5 so it's nothing new to Calla and she knows no different.

      We're explained of pack dynamics, Guardians serve witches known as 'Keepers'. This generation of Guardians and Keepers attend school together with the humans and neither class associates with humans. Wolves on one side of the cafeteria (split into Bane pack and Nightshade pack at separate tables), witches on the other and humans sandwiched in the middle. For the sake of the union at the end of the month, Ren suggests fuzing their pack of friends together a little early because that's what will happen anyway. Both Ren and Calla have been reminded by their keeper leaders that they should be ready to commit and they want to know neither will stray.

      Enter Shay, the boy Calla saved over the weekend, now a new student attending their school and new to the rules.

      -
      Things I liked

      I can't tell you how much I loved the beginning of this book, abet it's predictability. You can tell that the boy she saved will eventually turn up later but you can sense the urgency of not wanting her superiors finding out what she did. Even as Alpha Female, Calla and her second, Bryn, know too well that the Nightshade Keeper would not hesitate to make an example out of her. The first few chapters are a wonderful setup

      I like the concept of two Alpha's being in a relationship. It had potential and most of the time, I enjoyed Ren's protectiveness over Calla. Aside from a few moments of jerkiness, I saw Ren as the better option.


      -
      Things I didn't like

      It should be dearly noted that Ren is somewhat of a womanizer and has had more then his fair share of the girls at school. While Ren is allowed to his pick of girls, Calla must stay pure until the union. In fact, the school nurse corners her in the bathroom and reminds her about this after seeing Calla with Shay.

      Shay and Calla's whole relationship. It quite plainly set up Ren as being the jealous jerk we're not supposed to like. I didn't care to much for Shay's prying, he assumed it was a situation that Calla could easily walk away from. He embedded himself so deep into Calla's life for 300 pages until a major confrontation with Ren left Shay finally saying he didn't want to come between Ren and Calla. The pacing bothers me. It follows the fast love trend in so many YA's these days. I get no intensity of love and longing from them. Whenever they get close or intimate, it tore me from the story and left me shaking my head in confusion as to what just happened. It bothered me that she would be sitting on Ren's lap one night and the next day she's seeking out a private place to lock lips with Shay.

      Not to mention, when Union Day does come, Calla goes off to save Shay. There's a scene where they run back to Shay's uncle's house (the last place they should go really) and Shay has to help her out of her dress to change into more practical clothes for running away in. He has time to remark how she's not wearing a bra, has time to run his hands up her sides, get very suggestive with everything still happening around them. The scene was enough to break me out of the story, it just seemed so misplaced.

      With Ren acting as Alpha male, Calla's Alpha Female status is pretty much wiped out. While she's still an Alpha, her word isn't as strong as Ren's. Shay pretty much acts as a beta type, which would clearly set Calla up as being dominant. I thought the concept of two Alpha's being together far more intriguing IF Ren and Calla stood on equal grounds. Even though I was suppose to be rooting for Shay, I found myself leading towards Ren in that aspect. I would have loved to see Calla fight for her Alpha status and succeed, instead of being handed a free pass with Shay.

      Personally, her Alpha status could have been removed and the book wouldn't have suffered. It felt like a slap to the face when her mother told her 'That's the way it is, deal with it.' after the Bane's Alpha started to hit on Calla's mother during a visit. If there's no benefits from being a female Alpha, it shouldn't have been wrote in. Her mother even got abusive with her, slapping Calla across the face when she questioned her mothers actions.

      Calla clearly states her beliefs, her motives, who she is, but is changed without so much as a 'whatevs'. She's a tomboy, but her mom wants her to be more feminine. She has a fit when she sees her mother rummaging through her closet, replacing clothes, but within pages she's wearing skirts, dresses and corsets with minimal complaint. The transition doesn't seem to bother her much outside of the argument with her mother. She fears the outcome of being caught for saving a human to eventually turning Shay into a wolf, two very strict no-no's. her thinking process during these events aren't very thoughtful for someone who shows concern for the rules and she wasn't set up for breaking them. Every time she breaks a rule, she has a moment where she clearly states it's wrong, she doesn't want to get caught, she'll die if she does. She's afraid to do so, yet when she does, there's not much guilt she goes through.

      I really want to touch upon the love triangle that is Ren/Calla/Shay, but frankly since this is the first book out of a series, I can't say much about it but it's one of the most painful triangles I've read. Shay's part in the love triangle seems forced. Whenever Shay leads Calla astray I think to myself 'she should have just stayed with Ren.' Then I remember Ren's 'Bad Boy' image. I cringe at the thought of Calla being with either guy, really. However, as I've said, it's the first book, for all we know Calla could end up alone.

      I wanted to give this book a 2, but settled for a three because this book did keep me entertained. I'll most likely seek out the second book when it comes out in a few weeks, but instead of buying it, I'll be saving my money and getting it through the library.
    • 5/5
      WOW. That's all I can say right now. Awesome book!

      Complete review soon.
    • 2/5
      Disappointing. Strong potential ruined by an annoyingly dull love triangle composed of a 'strong female character' who bows to the wishes of men and the two jerks who use her for selfish gains. Review to come.
    • 4/5
      Nightshade is Andrea Cremer’s exciting debut novel in the young adult fantasy genre. Nightshade’s protagonist is Calla Tor, alpha wolf for the Nightshade pack. Calla is a driven, fierce and loyal Guardian who is destined to marry Ren, alpha wolf for the Banes. After they marry, their packs are to merge. They both report to the Keepers, and must follow their many laws to the letter. Life gets more complicated for beautiful Calla when she saves the hiker Shay from being mauled by a bear by healing him with her blood. He sees her change into a wolf, which is forbidden. She is surprised to see him shortly thereafter as the new student at school.

      Nightshade includes magic, history and mythology, a lot of action, and a love triangle. It is interesting to see a female alpha and feel her struggle on her way towards choosing her path. Calla enjoys being a tough alpha and rebels against her softer side. She worries about her upcoming union with Ren, who is known to play the field, while she saves herself for him. Enter Shay, who has her questioning her role.

      There is a lot of romance, mystery, wolf politics and suspense in this fast-paced story. It was hard to put down and kept me guessing throughout. I was torn along with Calla on who to choose between Ren and Shay.

      In addition to the love triangle, there are a lot of interesting and complex characters in Calla’s family and in the wolf packs. I’m looking forward to learning more about them in the sequels.

      Even though I have read many books in the paranormal and werewolf theme, this one had enough of a twist on the genre to feel fresh for me.

      My one criticism would be the pacing of the book. I was drawn in from the beginning, but the middle was a bit slow, and it was hard to keep track of all the characters and the mythology. The ending, however, is action packed and had me hooked.

      The Nightshade trilogy is off to a thrilling start. The cliffhanger ending has me clamoring for the sequel Wolfsbane due out in 2011.

      Recommended for readers of paranormal romance, fans of werewolves, and fans of The Dark Divine, Hush, Hush or Vampire Academy series.
    • 3/5
      Nightshade has a flashy, eye-catching cover. Quite beautiful. The chapters, of the ARC at least, each begin with an image of the waxing or waning moon. Also lovely. The publishers have done a lot to make this book appealing and have aesthetically succeeded. Except that these images are not well-matched to the content of the book. As I said, I like the cover art, but there is nothing about Calla that says purple, especially not her hair. Calla also hates makeup and will not wear it for even the fanciest events, so why would the girl on the cover (presumably Calla) be covered in glitter? As for the moon shots, I liked them a lot until I got to the climax of the book, which takes place at the 'Blood Moon,' which is described in the book as being a full moon. And yet the moon images at the end of the book are of the moon disappearing entirely. Did no one notice this?The story itself is certainly melodramatic, as is rather unavoidable when the plot is based entirely around a love triangle. Still, I enjoyed the book and will probably read any sequels fairly eagerly. Cremer has done interesting things with the basic premise of werewolves (which these aren't really). Her story definitely falls into a more serious fantasy category than the paranormal bandwagon books. I do hope to see some more exposition about the Keepers and Searchers in later volumes, as this one left a lot of information out.Nightshade falls somewhere between Twilight and Shiver, but I liked it better than both. Elements of the love triangle were certainly frustrating (such as Calla's inability to suss out her feelings), but I try not hold it against her too much. I did not blame Katniss for that, so Call also deserves a pardon for her circumstances. Paranormal romance fans, this one won't disappoint you!
    • 4/5
      I work in a bookstore and have seen some online buzz about this book, so when it was released I thought I'd check it out.

      I'm glad I did. I read a lot of teen fiction and there is a lot of dreck out there, pandering to the lowest possible appeal of the teen paranormal genre, formulaic and without strong female characters, peddling values to young girls I often find questionable.

      This is not one of those books. I was pleasantly surprised at how the werewolf mythology was fresh and not only used to convey strong messages about sexuality, choices, questioning tradition and values (I found Guardian tradition a fantastic metaphor for patriarchal hegemony, to be honest), but done in a way that was actually very engaging. Calla was an alpha female whose character was meant to adhere to tradition, but she questions it without just being belligerent or angsty. Plus, there were a lot of well-rounded characters and a love triangle that didn't upset me, nor was it lopsided in who you root for (at least in my case--I found appeal in both Ren and Shay).

      This is definitely a book I will recommend to teen girls without hesitation. Can't wait for the next book either.
    • 3/5
      I would have enjoyed a little more description in certain scenes (other than having buttons, I have no idea what the "wedding" dress looked like), but, other than that, it was a solid introduction into the new series. Fast paced enough to allow me to read it in one sitting.
    • 4/5
      So I only very recently entered the world of shifters and I don't know what all the "rules" are yet (you know, besides being awesomesauce, which should be the #1 rule BTW). But Nightshade was nothing short of amazing and extremely engaging and entertaining.
      Calla is the Alpha of the Nightshade werewolf pack. She's known all her life where her future lays and it's not with the human boy, Shay, who captivates her. She's to mate with the Bane Alpha, Ren, and together, they will lead their new pack of wolves, secret from the human world, although they do live among them.
      There isn't really anything negative for me to say about Nightshade, it's really just that good. One nit-picky detail: [SPOILER ALERT] When Calla changes Shay, his transformation is just too easy and the whole episode is glossed over. I thought more could have gone into that to make it really heart-palpitating. [/SPOILER ALERT]
      Nightshade has so much going for it that I think readers of paranormal/young-adult will like: it's fast-paced (there is always something going on), it's easy to identify with, it's sexy (grrrr), and it has that special paranormal element, that, while it's not unique, the author twists to make it her own. Andrea Cremer hits a home run with Nightshade and I can't wait to read Wolfsbane!
    • 4/5
      Calla is the alpha female of the younger generation of her werewolf pack. In Calla’s world there are werewolfs called the Guardians who serves witches called The Keepers. The Keepers are in war with Searchers who used to be part of The Keepers. Calla has always known her future: to bond with Ren, the alpha male of the other pack, and to form a new pack with him. But when their packs are beginning to merge, things start to change.

      When Calla is on a patrol she comes across human hiker, Shay, being attacked by a bear and can’t let him die. But when Shay turns out to be a new student in Calla’s school things are about to get complicated.

      I’m glad to tell that I loved this book! I’ve read so many great reviews and I feared I would end hating it and I’m glad I was wrong.

      Calla is strong, has a sense of duty and knows what is expected of her. She has been raised as a warrior and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. I liked her and the fact that she wasn’t a damsel in distress waiting for someone to save her.

      And of course there is the love truangle.
      Ren is the young alpha male of the Bane pack - hot, womanizing and he’s used to girls fallin’ at his feet. But he is lot more insecure about Calla than he pretends to be. I may or may not have a liitle crush on him...

      Then there’s the human boy Shay. There’s something about him that Calla can’t let him die and ends up saving him against every rule. I kinda liked him but had some problems too. He keeps insulting the werewolves and can’t understand Calla’s loyalty to the Keepers. And he has problem with the tradition of bonding with someone who’s been chosen to be your mate. Because Calla’s should be able to choose for herself and of course Shay is the right one for that. I thought he was little selfish at times.
      Don’t get me wrong, I liked Shay but I could have lived without him too. I liked Ren and I think he was much better for Calla and didn’t understand the need for love triangle. I just wanted more Calla-Ren scenes.

      I’m surprised that there wasn’t any characters who really annoyed me. Because I didn’t hate Shay but just didn’t like him to be with Calla. And I would have liked to read more about Mason and Nev. Now there would have been a story!

      I’m looking forward reading the next book and I’m hoping there will be more Ren in it!
    • 4/5
      I had very mixed emotions about this book. At first I didn't think that I liked the book it's self. Then about a third of the way through I realized that it wasn't the book at all, but the main character Calla that I didn't like. I loved the story. I thought that it was very imaginative and I could actually picture the surroundings in my head. I just couldn't make myself like Calla! She was all oh I don't want you on the outside and on the inside, I really hate when authors do this, (Oh but I really do want you) I almost put the book down. However I really liked the rest of the characters and like I said before the story so I read on and finished it. I bought the second book with the first so I will read it. I just hope the author allows her main character to get to know herself.
    • 4/5
      I almost gave this book a three star. Only I want to get my hands on the next book. If I want to continue the series general it's a little higher than 'it was okay'. So it was borderline. It's borderline because I had a few problems with the book. One is that the book was a bit too predictable. Another is Calla's meltiness for both Shay and Ren. For one I can understand. For both I can even accept if there was more depth and growth to it. Perhaps I was hoping for too much when I picked it up. As a young adult book it was entertaining and gripping; about right for a audience who doesn’t like too much detail. For me I either have to have the detail or a story that a little more simple that it doesn't need the detail. This one was in the middle. There was a lot of potential but it's stuck in the young adult genre. I admit, nothing wrong with that. I simply prefer more meat. Otherwise, it's an intriguing story. I'm off to find the next book to get the rest of the story.
    • 5/5
      "I'd always welcomed war, but in battle my passion rose unbidden."OMG right? Nightshade starts out exactly PERFECTLY to pull this Brunette straight into Andrea Cramer's world of loyalty or death."his body's fight against its impending collapse, rendering his torture sublime."Calla breaks the two most EPICly important rules of being a were all within MOMENTS of laying eyes on Shay. She throws herself into a dangerous battle with a BEAR, then SHIFTS from her wolf form to her human self right in front of him in order to save his life after the bear mortally wounds him.She saves him, knocks him out (I know right???), leaves him in his truck... And hopes that no one ever finds out.Calla is the daughter of the current Nightshade alpha, and she's been bethrothed to marry REN *sigh* the alpha's son of their rival pack the Banes. This is to unite the packs and create peace.Ren suggests they start "dating" before the actually joining ceremony to ease the transition for not only both of their packs, but also his... um... horde of lady friends. ;) YES please.Then low and behold, here comes Mr. Get Attacked by a Bear... *ahem* SHAY... to wreck everything!I tempted fate and now it's hunting me down. I should have let the bear kill him.Okay, really... my ISSUE with Shay is that I never FELT Calla's pull to him. Sure she mentions it and she talks about it and we're SUPPOSED to FEEL it. But, I did not. I didn't get their "connection". *sigh*I was super, hardcore feeling Ren. Uh shhhhyea I was dude. He seems all super "devil may care" but he's really sensitive and protective and ooooooh so YUMMY.Sorry. I just can't get over it."This isn't about love, it's about survival""No Calla" His voice became hushed "This is only about love"This book is so much more than a seriously hot alpha wolf, his betrothed and the dude who has to get in between all the hotness. It's about loyalty, family, friends, love... life and LIVING...Nightshade is PERFECT, I seriously DEVOURED this book! I read the entire thing off and on throughout the course of a day! If you haven't read it... WHERE have you been? Don't wait like I did!! Read it NOW!
    • 4/5
      Quick & Dirty: A young alpha must make a choice between her past and her future. Opening Sentence: I’d always welcomed war, but in battle my passion rose unbidden. The Review: Andrea Cremer brings us into a world filled with detailed history, culture and folklore in Nightshade, the first of the Nightshade trilogy. Cremer introduces us to Calla, an alpha female of the Nightshade pack, destined to mate with Ren, an alpha male of the Bane pack. Together, they will lead their newly formed pack to blur the lines of animosity between the two packs. They will protect a part of their history from the Searchers, and be called the Haldis pack. Within a world of werewolves, Calla and her pack are called the Guardians, protecting humans and the world alike. Led and guided by the Keepers, Calla succumbs to the rules instilled within her and many generations before her. Calla, meets a trespasser during a routine patrol, which changes her life forever. The trespasser, Shay, is of particular interest to the Keepers, and her pack is ordered to protect and watch over Shay. She must keep him safe from the Searchers. Everything within a blink of an eye has changed, her feelings for her upcoming mating, her thoughts about who she has become, and the way of her people. Calla, a strong heroine who is torn between duty and personal thought. History, and what is taught, versus instinct. She rewrote the rules, changed her destiny, all for her personal beliefs and gut instincts. I thought that it was normal for Calla to listen to her instincts. Yes, she had internal battles about the choices she made in her book, but she grew so much within Nightshade. She seeked the truth, and while Shay helped her along, she had it in her to be curious. Shay, the secret. Secret for the pack and secret for Calla. There is a sense of insta-love, but without being love. I guess an instant attraction would be the better word. I felt that Shay brought new life to Calla’s world, and with that a sense of freedom. Shay is smart and world-travelled, but he is also inhabited by the restrictions of duty. There is a lot unknown about Shay. He only recently moved into town with his Uncle, someone whom I didn’t expect to be important. But he’s knee deep into everyone’s life, and I want to know why. Ren, I felt, was a tortured soul. I felt that he was a great leader, respected and just. He valued Calla as his mate and as an alpha. I’m weary of his feelings for her, but I think he has true feelings for her. Unrequited love? Possibly, well at least that’s what we see so far. But in his unease of his emotional feelings for Calla, he also comes off as an arrogant boy, too eager to make his claim on Calla. I’m not a fan of love triangles, and Nightshade has a pretty strong one. Cremer makes it difficult by having both Ren and Shay be appealing. I saw great things in both of them, and I do not envy Calla. Not one bit at all. History, folklore, a world built with history. It felt like everything truly existed, and not just a world created by Cremer. With classes like the Keepers, Guardians, and Searchers, Nightshade is filled with so much culture and so much history. It is amazing to see the influences that Cremer has instilled within Nightshade. The story is well written, filling the pages with one anticipated scene after the next. Notable Scene: “I’m not sure.” I was trying to be truthful, but every word I spoke seemed like a stray thread that could unravel my life. “What exactly did he say?” Shay leaned forward, watching me intently. “He asked where you were . . .” I said, pausing to dig up the memory. “And then he said: ‘He doesn’t know, does he? Who he is? That you took Tristan and Sarah? What you’re going to do?’” Shay gripped the arms of his chair. “I thought the Searchers were trying to destroy the world. Aren’t they the bad guys?” I nodded, not having any explanations to offer. He rose, shutting his laptop and picking up his backpack. “I’m sorry, but I need to leave. There’s too much . . .” He shook his head. “I need some time alone. But I’ll be back here tomorrow.” I stayed still as he moved past me, wanting to go with him. “And Calla.” He bent down for a moment, whispering into my hair. “I don’t think I’m the only one who’s being lied to.”FTC Advisory: Penguin Teen provided me with a copy of Nightshade. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.