BloodRose by Andrea Cremer
From Publishers – Atom
Release Date – March 2012
Check it out at Goodreads | The Book Depository

The third and final installment of the international bestselling Nightshade trilogy.

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all.

And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is.

In this remarkable final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, international bestselling author Andrea Cremer crafts a dynamic novel with twists and turns that will keep you breathless until its final pages.

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Book #2 in the Nightshade series
From Publishers – Hachette Australia
Release Date – August 2011

Check it out at Goodreads | The Book Depository

Book Description: Book two of a stunning paranormal series of forbidden love, destiny and werewolves by an astounding new voice in YA fiction.

You’re an alpha, a leader. That’s what we need. It’s what we’ve always needed. When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. Then the Searchers make her an offer, one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save her pack – and the boy – she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom. Will Shay stand by her side no matter what. Now in control of her destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials love can endure.

My Thoughts: Wolfsbane begins where Nightshade left off. Calla wakes up in the home of the Searchers, her enemies. She thinks she will be killed, but is made an offer instead. The Searchers need Calla’s help to take down the Keepers which will ultimately give Calla the freedom that she is so desperate for.

Andrea Cremer has done it again. Wolfsbane is fast paced and action packed and full of the answers to the questions we were asking after reading book one.

Wolfsbane has a new set of characters who I enjoyed getting to know. I especially liked the banter and jokes between the Searchers and watching all the different relationships unfold.

After reading  Nightshade, I thought that Calla had picked Shay over Ren,  but I really liked that her strong feelings towards Ren caused some problems throughout Wolfsbane. You know I’m all about the angst and Andrea delivered :P

I really enjoyed this installment in the series and am eagerly awaiting the next book Bloodrose!

If you haven’t read the series yet, go and read my review of Book #1 Nightshade!

About the Author: Andrea Cremer spent her childhood daydreaming while roaming the forests and lakeshores of Northern Wisconsin. She went to school until there wasn’t any more school to go to, ending up with a Ph.D. in early modern history – a reflection of her fascination with witchcraft and warfare. She currently lives in Minnesota with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet.

Have you read this book? What did you think? Leave me a comment below :)

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer is out today, find it in your local bookstore or order it online :)

Book two of a stunning paranormal series of forbidden love, destiny and werewolves by an astounding new voice in YA fiction.

You’re an alpha, a leader. That’s what we need. It’s what we’ve always needed. When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. Then the Searchers make her an offer, one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save her pack – and the boy – she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom. Will Shay stand by her side no matter what. Now in control of her destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials love can endure.

Check it out at Goodreads | The Book Depository

I’ve gotten some really great books this week, all of which I am super excited to get started on.

If you haven’t done so already, check out my Blogoversary Giveaway. I have $50 worth of Book Depository books up for grabs, and the best thing is, if Book Depository deliver to you, you can enter :)

If you are a participant in the IMM meme leave me a comment with your url and I’ll drop by and check out what you got in your mailbox this week :)

Ok, now on to the books:

The Vampire Shrink by Lynda Hilburn
Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Haunting Violet by Alyxandra Harvey

What did you get in your mailbox this week?

The Story Siren runs a meme called In My Mailbox where Book Bloggers can interact and talk about the books they have received in their mailbox each week. Go and check it out and join in the fun!

I’ve been waiting for months for this book and finally it arrived on my doorstep today, I can’t wait to get started :)

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
From Publishers – Hachette Australia
Release Date – August 2011

Check it out at Goodreads | The Book Depository

Book two of a stunning paranormal series of forbidden love, destiny and werewolves by an astounding new voice in YA fiction.

You’re an alpha, a leader. That’s what we need. It’s what we’ve always needed. When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. Then the Searchers make her an offer, one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save her pack – and the boy – she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom. Will Shay stand by her side no matter what. Now in control of her destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials love can endure.

Title: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Series: The Nightshade Series
Age Group: Young Adult
Release Date: 1st November 2010 (Aus)
Publishers: Atom Australia

Author’s Website

Book Summary: She can control her pack, but not her heart . . .While other teenage girls daydream about boys, Calla Tor imagines ripping out her enemies throats. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Calla was born a warrior and on her eighteenth-birthday she ll become the alpha female of the next generation of Guardian wolves. But Calla s predestined path veers off course the moment she saves the life of a wayward hiker, a boy her own age. This human boy s secret will turn the young pack’s world upside down and forever alter the outcome of the centuries-old Witches’ War that surrounds them all. . .

This story is mainly about a choice between destiny and love. It revolves around Calla a female Alpha wolf or Guardian who is destined to be mated with Alpha Male Ren, this has been destined since they were 5 years old and now at 17 it is only months away. Calla has accepted this as it is the way of her pack. That is until she saves the life of a human, Shay, who turns her life and destiny upside down.

Calla has to choose between her loyalty and love for her pack (and Ren) and her forbidden love for Shay. Although Calla cannot resist Ren’s affection she is inexplicably drawn to Shay, who turns out to have a greater destiny than anyone knew and proves to be very important to the future of her pack and her life.

This book draws you in from the very beginning, it is well written and I for one could not put it down. The story delves into the background of this fascinating world of Keepers (witches/wizards), Guardians (wolves) and Searchers (opposing wizards). I read the first 15 chapters the first day I picked it up. It definitely appeals to fantasy love story readers of all ages. I have 13 year old and 17 year old daughters and they also loved this book.

I wait with great anticipation for the second book in the series “Wolfsbane”.

You can also read my review here!

Get your copy from:

Fishpond
QBD
The Book Depository (free international shipping)

Title: Nightshade
Author: Andrea Cremer
Series: The Nightshade Series
Age Group: Young Adult
Release Date: 1st November 2010 (Aus)
Publishers: Atom Australia

Author’s Website

Book Summary: She can control her pack, but not her heart . . .While other teenage girls daydream about boys, Calla Tor imagines ripping out her enemies throats. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Calla was born a warrior and on her eighteenth-birthday she ll become the alpha female of the next generation of Guardian wolves. But Calla s predestined path veers off course the moment she saves the life of a wayward hiker, a boy her own age. This human boy s secret will turn the young pack’s world upside down and forever alter the outcome of the centuries-old Witches’ War that surrounds them all. . .

My Thoughts – Here is yet another YA book that I just could not put down! Andrea’s world of werewolves and witches was enthralling. The story is quite fast paced and always had me wondering what was coming next.

I loved the lead character Calla, a strong, intelligent girl who is thrust in to a very mature role and has to decide whether to follow tradition or follow her head and her heart.

I enjoyed Calla’s relationship with both Ren, the alpha male and Shay, the human boy. Andrea could have made Ren out to be the bad guy, and in parts of the book he is portrayed as just that, but there is just something about him that makes me feel compassion for him. And Shay, well Shay is just a sweetie :)

All up Nightshade was a great read and I am eagerly anticipating the next book in the series Wolfsbane!

My Rating: (out of 5)

Get your copy from:

Fishpond
QBD
The Book Depository (free international shipping)

More Books in the Series:

2. Wolfsbane (2011) – Betrayal, loss, pain, fear. How many trials can love endure and still survive?

3. Bloodrose (2012) – Is true love worth the ultimate sacrifice?

4. Untitled (2012) – Nightshade Companion Novel

About the Author: Andrea Cremer spent her childhood daydreaming while roaming the forests and lakeshores of Northern Wisconsin. She went to school until there wasn’t any more school to go to, ending up with a Ph.D. in early modern history – a reflection of her fascination with witchcraft and warfare. She currently lives in Minnesota with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet.

Have you read this book? What did you think? Leave your review or a comment below telling us what you thought :)

This week in my mailbox I received:

Night Shade by Andrea Cremer

While other teenage girls daydream about boys, Calla Tor imagines ripping out her enemies’ throats. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. Calla was born a warrior and on her eighteenth-birthday she’ll become the alpha female of the next generation of Guardian wolves. But Calla’s predestined path veers off course the moment she saves the life of a wayward hiker, a boy her own age. This human boy’s secret will turn the young pack’s world upside down and forever alter the outcome of the centuries-old Witches’ War that surrounds them all

If you have read Nightshade leave me a comment below letting me know what you though :)

The Story Siren runs a meme called In My Mailbox where Book Bloggers can interact and talk about the books they have received in their mailbox. Go and check it out!

Come back on Tuesday for a new meme here at Fictional Fantasy – On My Radar: The idea is to showcase a few books that have sparked our interest in the last week. You can read more here!