Calla Tor has always known her destiny. She is the alpha female of her pack of shape-shifting wolves, known as Guardians, and the intended mate of Renier Laroche, alpha male of a rival pack. Their union – determined by the packs’ masters, the Keepers – will bring together a new pack, which will continue to do the Keepers’ bidding by guarding the sacred sites from the evil Searchers.
However, Calla’s previously unshakeable knowledge of what her future will hold is challenged when she rescues a boy from a bear attack, risking her own life by breaking laws of the pack and believing that she will never see him again. Soon afterwards, Shay Doran – the boy from the bear attack – returns to Calla’s life, and seems to play a much bigger role in her world than anyone had guessed.
As she befriends Shay, Calla begins to question both her future and everything the Keepers have told her and the rest of the Guardians in the past. She must choose between obedience to the only life she has ever known, following her ‘destiny,’ and an uncertain rebellion that may allow her to find the truth and follow her heart.
Andrea Cremer’s Nightshade is definitely not your stereotypical werewolf novel. The book has many wonderful elements: a strong female protagonist in Calla, a believable love triangle, well-developed supporting characters, humor, and a thrilling, suspenseful plot to name a few. What really sets Nighshade apart, however, is the history woven into the story. Cremer is a history professor with a self-described “fascination with witchcraft and warfare,” and it absolutely shows.
The history of the Keepers and the Searchers and the unique twists on paranormal elements added a lot to an already amazing story. Another interesting factor is that the story is told from Calla’s perspective, allowing the reader to experience her transition from certainty to all-out questioning, along with the depth of the Guardians’ misconceptions of the Keepers. Nightshade is a must-read for all paranormal fans: it’s smart, funny, sexy, unique, and all-around a fantastic read.
- Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
- Date of Publication: October 19, 2010
