Nightshade by Andrea Cremer (Nightshade #1)

 Synopsis:

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?

Got it with my own monies

Review:

I was very excited to get this book, sure I bought the e-book myself even though I much prefer print copies, I just could not wait. It was the cover art that first drew me in, the picture was just absolutely stunning and lucky for me, the story turned out to be as well.

The character's in the novel are very well thought through, each of them strong and rounded, perhaps one of my favorite that shows just how realistic the characters were created, was the fact that there was a gay couple within the pack's, and as you might imagine, not everyone agreed with it. Despite being told by the Alpha, that they needed to suck it up and deal with it because they were in full support of the relationship, words were exchanged as well as a couple of punches and instead of it rolling through as if it was no big deal. The alpha's actually punished those who were in the wrong.

That was another thing that I liked about this book. I have noticed a lot of the time, author's forget the wolf hierarchy that comes with werewolves,this one was obviously not one of those cases. To me they seemed to follow the wolf hierarchy pretty close, even to the point on who eats first.

I did have a little bit of mixed feelings when it came to the main character Calla, I liked her personality, and the fact that it seemed well balanced, not to sweet so everyone loves her and not to witchy so everyone hates her. What really disappointed me was Calla's reaction to Shay. I felt that she was practically engaged and arranged marriage or not, she had been serious with it and Ren definitely drew some sort of emotion out of her but she still seemed to not act as if she were engaged and that bothered me.

The big fight scene at the end also seemed a little rushed for my taste but it left off in a way that I immediately went and bout the sequel so it could have possibly been the point.

Favorite Charrie: 

Ren. He is one fine piece of beef cake and his actions in the end sealed the deal where I am concerned.

Quotes:
1. " I swallowed a groan, searching for any clothes I particularly wanted to protect, and sat on top of my Republicans for Voldermort hoodie."
2. "I've got a bottle full of hydrochloric acid in my hand, Ren. Don't piss me off."
3. " I didn't have these boobs until you cinched it up.

Rating: 

5 Stars!