Rise by Andrea Cremer

Published: January 2013

Publisher: Philomel

Pages: 432

Copy Provided by: Bought

Summary: By Goodreads

Summary:

The sequel to Rift and the prequel to the New York Times bestselling novel Nightshade.

Everything Conatus stands for is at risk. Hoping to gather enough resistance to save their order, Ember and Barrow attempt a desperate escape. But fate offers little mercy. When their mission is exposed, the couple face relentless pursuit by the supernatural horrors that act on the commands of Eira’s ally: the mysterious Bosque Mar. A shocking revelation forces Ember out of hiding, sending her back into the heart of dark magic at Tearmunn keep, where she must convince her old friend Alistair of her love or face dire consequences. Ember’s deception offers the only chance for the resistance to succeed, but what she discovers in the shadows beneath the keep will shatter her world and bring about the Witches’ War.

Richly sensual and full of magic, action and danger, Andrea Cremer's fifth book set in the Nightshade world is an edge-of-your-seat page turner.

Review:

I devoured this title as soon as it came out and after it was done?  Well, I felt like I should stand up, clap loudly, wolf whistle and say BRAVO!!  ENCORE!! ENCORE!!  I LOVED this title!!

Andrea Cremer delivers (once again) with a highly imaginative second book in the prequel series to Nightshade.  If you like fantasy, historical fiction and the supernatural, you'll enjoy this series.  To give you an example - Bosque (a supernatural being who, for the moment, takes on the body of a human man) conjures a tunnel of fire to summon wolves (with fire for fur) who leave charred paw prints in their path.  I had a full vision of this in my head because Ms. Cremer is descriptive to the core and her words were like the paintbrush to the canvas in my mind.  She painted a world that was thrilling and packed with adventure and love.  The story is too hard to dismantle and review without giving things away but I'll tell you this, it will leave you saying - 

Dear Miss Cremer, 

Will you please hurry up and publish Book #3?

Your loyal fan, 

(insert name here)

One tiny warning is that there is implied sexuality and things get a little steamy so you might want to consider this title for a more mature reading audience.  

Ok, here's my last bit of praise - 

Attention to all you book to movie producers - YOU NEED TO PUT THIS UP ON THE BIG SCREEN PRONTO.  

Stop what you're doing and go out and get this book series.  Bask in its awesomeness.  Nuff said.



Rift by Andrea Cremer

Published: August 2012

Publisher: Philomel

Pages: 431

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

Chronicling the rise of the Keepers, this is the stunning prequel to Andrea Cremer's internationally bestselling Nightshade trilogy!

Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow is promised to a group called Conatus after one of their healers saves her mother's life. Once she arrives, Ember finds joy in wielding swords, learning magic, and fighting the encroaching darkness loose in the world. She also finds herself falling in love with her mentor, the dashing, brooding, and powerful Barrow Hess. When the knights realize Eira, one of their leaders, is dabbling in dark magic, Ember and Barrow must choose whether to follow Eira into the nether realm or to pledge their lives to destroying her and her kind.

With action, adventure, magic, and tantalizing sensuality, this book is as fast-paced and breathtaking as the Nightshade novels.

Review:

Wow.  Where do I even begin with this book?  Rift is the prequel to the Nightshade trilogy.  Initially I was hesitant to read Nightshade but once I began, I was sucked into the story.  There is something about Andrea Cremer's writing that draws you in and compels you to continue reading until the end.  She is one of my top storytellers and can weave a world like no other.  I am not a big into fantasy.  Supernatural, horror, paranormal, but I've always shied away from reading something that delves into fantasy.  Ms. Cremer's series will throw me back into this genre.  

Ember Morrow is yet another strong female protagonist who volunteers to enter a career typically suited for the male gender.  She rises to the challenge and demonstrates her wit and skill while juggling her feelings for her mentor.  What makes this plot more intriguing is how the author slowly establishes a subtle fissure in the beliefs of the leaders.  Rift just barely touches the surface of what this series is to become.  Look for a book with intrigue, action, romance and plenty of lies and betrayal.  I heartily enjoyed it and you will too if you liked Kristin Cashore's Graceling or enjoy reading stories about the Templar knights. Ms. Cremer crafts a mighty fine storyline.  I'm expecting this series to be epic.

Same book, Second look - Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Published: October 2010

Publisher: Philomel Books

Pages: 454

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Summary:

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?

Review:

OH MY GOODNESS! I was so unprepared for this book! I didn't know much about the story, just that Nightshade was receiving good reviews. I am so happy to have read it in 2010!! It exceeded my expectations. Andrea has created a wonderful and well thoughtout hierarchy with rules and complicated systems of ordering. It was like creating a brand new culture with subcultures!

The main character Cala was believeable and even though she was an alpha and expected others to follow her orders, she was 'human' enough to break rules she had been given and take chances. I love the dynamics between Ren, Cala and Shay and if I had to choose, I think I'd be Team Ren.

**possible spoiler**

Sorry Shay but you put the ones you love in too many situations that affect their well-being. I kept comparing it to cultures and respect for someone's culture. Even though Shay was not a werewolf, he was a part of their world, wanted to hang out with their pack but didn't really respect any of their rules and pushed Cala to bend them. Sure I can see how he wanted her to consider other options but I didn't feel comfortable with it.
Although, in retrospect, I did feel that Shay received a lot of "facetime" in the book so I'm thinking that they will probably end up together (If this were a movie, I'd be booing, throwing popcorn at the screen and possibly making lewd gestures).

**possible spoiler**

So let's talk Ren. MMM.....bad boys. Or should I say boys who attract EVERY girl but are attracted to only you. But how can you tell? I really felt the sincerity coming through when Ms Cremer worked in Ren's character. He was trying to shed his playboy image but continued using his rico suave technique with Cala. Smooth moves will get the girl for tonight but you've gotta change your tactics if you want to nab the one you want to marry. Go Ren!

 If you haven't already read Nightshade, you need to go out and get it now. Really, it's fantastic and I can't wait for the second in the series - Wolfsbane coming out July 12th (Seriously? That far away??)

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Published: October 2010

Publisher: Philomel Books

# Pages: 452

Copy Provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

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?

In 'Nightshade' Ms Cremer has written a complex and multi-layered story set in a wholly believable world. She has also populated it with multi-faceted characters that you can't help but become attached to. I very quickly became absorbed in the story of Calla, Ren and Shay and all of their friends and pack mates. Calla and Ren are strong and vibrant, and fit well in the world that Ms. Cremer has set up for them. Shay is the 'unknown' factor. Pivotal to the mystery that is at the heart of the story.

There is a major OMG moment about half-way through the book, which had me turning pages at a rapid rate from then on. I sort of guessed what was coming, but at the same time, so many new puzzles were thrown in that the ending came as a huge shock - although on hindsight I am convinced that I should have seen it coming, but I didn't - not really! Ok, if that just sounded confusing, I'm sorry. This book is exciting! It's full of twists and turns and yet at the same time seems very straight forward. The amazing world that has been created became very real and the characters were so believable. It is a completely new world with Guardians, Keepers and Searchers - good fighting evil - and you're never quite sure who is who and which is which. It is small town urban fantasy, and it works, in just about every way. It's new and different and well worth reading. I'm certain you won't be disappointed with this one.

Waiting on Wednesday - Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine , that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating. This week’s pre-publication “can’t-wait-to-read” selection is



Summary by Goodreads:

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?

I have been watching for this release for a few months now. Ms Cremer has done something rather unique in her pre-release marketing. She has an actual Shay Doran (main character) doing web episodes and creating buzz about her book. Not only that but he has involved several bloggers (I can think of at least a dozen that I follow) who have received clues to helping him solve a complex mystery. Hmm...he's not to bad on the eyes either....kinda like a Chace Crawford. Check out his web episodes here or on YouTube and he has a Facebook page and a blog. Makes for a very intriguing mystery...