NIGHTSHADE BY ANDREA CREMER

''She can control her pack but not her heart." 


(MY RATINGS: 3.5/5)

I should preface this review with the fact that I was not a huge fan of werewolves YA paranormal novels until I read this book Nightshade. Nightshade introduces its readers to a new fantasy world of werewolves, who can transform at their will.

It tells the story of the strong Calla Tor, an young guardian or ''Alpha Female'' of her pack. In the world of Nightshade, the guardians are bound to serve the witches known as Keepers and in return they are provided with every comfort in life. The Keepers are in an eternal battle with Searchers, who used to be part of the Keepers until a schism centuries ago led them to split in two. Guardians are charged by Keepers with the duty of protecting sacred sites all over world, especially from Searchers but also from anyone who might stumble across them accidentally. These sacred sites are supposed to be kept secret and are forbidden.

Ren, the HOT young ''Alpha Male'' of another pack, the Banes is the mate chosen for Calla since birth by the keepers. Things are all right in Calla's world until a young human hiker Shay steps in and accidentally discovers Calla's true identity that she is a wolf. She’s known about the mating for a while and has prepared for it. But Shay’s arrival complicates that, because now here is something new, mysterious, and forbidden. It’s not just the third side of love triangle that Shay offers. Shay has a mysterious background. Despite being human, he’s also the nephew of a Keeper. He has a cross tattoo on the back of his neck that he cannot see. Even though his “uncle” is a Keeper, Shay knew nothing of the supernatural world — or his uncle’s true nature. Surrounded by secrets and forbidden knowledge, Shay and Calla set out to find the truth about the world around them. As a result, their lives, and the lives of their loved ones will never be the same.

The only thing that irritated me is the ending. Though the novel ends with a positive note, it is very abrubpt and at a few instances the plot was easily predictable. Otherwise Nightshade is totally unputdownable and addictive. If you are a fan of YA paranormal genre of novels with a touch of romance, its really worthy finding a place in your bookshelf.