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?

For years Guardians, human beings who can shift into wolves, have served the Keepers, magical beings who provide and care for the Guardians. The Guardians have served the Keepers with absolute loyalty, never questioning the orders they are given. All of this is true for Calla Tor, the female alpha of the newest pack appointed by the Keepers. Calla has always known her destiny, and never once questioned it. She was to stand beside her mate, Ren, and lead their fellow packmates. Strength and loyalty were her two best traits, and she was prepared to live out the life that had been mandated for her. That is, until Shay came along.

After breaking the Keeper’s law, and saving Shay from a bear attack up in the woods, Calla’s life began to flip upside down. The world as she knew it was rapidly changing, with Shay there every step of the way to remind her of all the lies the Keeper’s had told her and her fellow packmakes throughout the years. Now, Calla must make the one decision that will make or break her. Should she continue to stick by the Keeper’s law, her fellow packmates, and her destined mate, Ren? Or should she take a chance and try to save the live and souls of everyone she holds dear to her heart from the Keepers?

Before Nightshade became our bookclub choice for April I had never heard of it. I was skeptical to read another book on wolves and feared that I was about to read a cheap imitation of a Twilight novel. I could not have been more wrong. From word one I was sucked into this vortex that did not release me until I finished the last word of the novel. I was addicted to every single thing that happened throughout Nightshade, and I was appalled that I had never read it before. I quickly fell in love with this novel, and was quick to get the rest in the series.

Although I love this series, I had a few complaints. I found that I was really uncomfortable with so many references to child rape. What the Keepers were doing to those children was beyond disgusting, and I wish that Andrea Cremer would have left it out. If abuse was absolutely necessary in this novel, then I wish that it would have been focused on the adults rather than the children. I also had a big problem with the character of Shay. Now, I know that there are a lot of fans of Shay. However, I felt that he often contradicted himself. He seemed to be all about Calla gaining freedom and learning that others could not make her decisions for her. However, Shay often told Calla what to do, ignored her when she told him that she did not want something, and pretty much tried to make her decisions for her. Not only did this come across as a form of mental abuse, but he ended up acting just like the Keepers. No matter how hard I tried to like Shay, I just could not. I have never hated a character so much in my life, and I believe that the books would have been way better off without him.

What I did love about this book was the concept. I had never read anything like this before, and I really enjoyed all of the twists and turns that Andrea Cremer through my way. I found a lot of things to be very predictable. However, I think that might have just been because there was so much history that was explained throughout the novel. I also really enjoyed the characters of the packmates. I found them to be unique, funky and fresh, and I really enjoyed reading about them throughout the entire series.

In the end, I would definitely recommend this book to young adults. As I said before, though, there are a lot of references of abuse. Therefore, I would not recommend this book to anyone under the age of sixteen without parental approval. While many may disagree with me, I find this to be a passionate subject of mine. It was very difficult for me to read any scene that involved Shay, and I was thourougly disgusted when it came to some of the actions of the Keepers. On another note, I did really enjoy this book as a whole. I pretty much devoured the entire series within a week. I cannot wait to see what else Andrea Cremer will produce, and I can pretty guarantee I will be at the bookstore on the release date of her next book.

Pages: 452

Publication Date: October, 2010

Publisher: Philomel

Format: Finished Copy

Rating: : ★★★☆☆

 

Teaser Quote: “I didn’t realize I needed to point out that if we are attacked by a fire-breathing bitch, you can change forms.”