Waiting on Wednesday, #50

Waiting on Wednsday is a weekly meme hosted by Jill @ Breaking the Spine. WOW spotlights upcoming releases that you are dying to read and can't wait to get your hands on!
                                                                                                                                

Rift, by Andrea Cremer
(Nightshade Prequel, #1)
Publisher: Philomel
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Pre-Order: Amazon

Chronicling the rise of the Keepers, this is the stunning prequel to Andrea Cremer's internationally bestselling Nightshade trilogy!
Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow is promised to a group called Conatus after one of their healers saves her mother's life. Once she arrives, Ember finds joy in wielding swords, learning magic, and fighting the encroaching darkness loose in the world. She also finds herself falling in love with her mentor, the dashing, brooding, and powerful Barrow Hess. When the knights realize Eira, one of their leaders, is dabbling in dark magic, Ember and Barrow must choose whether to follow Eira into the nether realm or to pledge their lives to destroying her and her kind.
With action, adventure, magic, and tantalizing sensuality, this book is as fast-paced and breathtaking as the Nightshade novels.

 Why Do I Want It? Seriously, if you don't know why I want this, you are either crazy or you haven't read Nightshade. I haven't had the chance to read Bloodrose yet, but I'm dying to. I love the series and I'm so happy there is a prequel, I'm very curious about it. =D

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
(Nightshade, #2)
Publisher: Philomel 
Release Date: July 26, 2011
Hardcover: 400 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy:Amazon
Source: Library
Challenge: Support Your Local Library, 350 page
Rating: 

When Calla Tor wakes up in the lair of the Searchers, her sworn enemies, she’s certain her days are numbered. But then the Searchers make her an offer—one that gives her the chance to destroy her former masters and save the pack—and the man—she left behind. Is Ren worth the price of her freedom? And will Shay stand by her side no matter what? Now in control of her own destiny, Calla must decide which battles are worth fighting and how many trials true love can endure and still survive.

After finishing Nightshade I knew I had to dive into this ASAP, so I put it on hold in the library and got it pretty quickly. It took me a bit to read this, sadly, because I just didn't have much reading time. But every time I picked it up I was sucked into the world of Calla. And when I wasn't reading, I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next. 


I was never (That I can remember!) able to guess what was going to happen next. I was hopelessly captivated by this story. These books are so addicting! They keep you reading, and reading, and reading. I was never, EVER bored. The history in the books for the Keepers, Searchers, and wolves are just...amazing. So intriguing. I thought you knew pretty much most of the history after reading the first book, but boy was I wrong! You dive even deeper into the history, the REAL history (You'll understand if you've read the first book.)in this sequel. 


This one seemed short (Though it definitely wasn't!), and didn't have as much action as the first book, but it was very intense. And it made my heart break for Calla. 


The writing is great, and I can tell I will not be disappointed with these books. It isn't one of those series that gets worse and worse as they presume, but one that with each new book it gets better, or equals or at least nearly equals the amazement of the first book. 


When the last book ended, I couldn't figure out if I was Team Shay or Team Ren. I still can't truly figure it out, I love them both. But with this book Shay kind of annoyed me a bit with how he was. Sometimes he was truly mean with Calla's feelings. She can't help he feelings! She can't help how brainwashed she is with how things in her world used to be. He made me want to smack him SO much in this book, though I still love him. And Ren kind of made me mad too, but I'm not going to get into that. His couldn't completely be helped. 


Overall, I loved this book. It wasn't AS great as the first book, but pretty damn close. If you haven't picked up this series yet; do it as soon as possible. You will NOT be sorry. And if you've read the first book, but haven't read this one yet; again, do it as soon as possible. Bump it up on your list. You know you have to be dying to know what happens. And, by the way, can Bloodrose PLEASE come out sooner? I need it in my hands right now. 


I really, really love this cover. I actually kind of like it better than the original Nightshade cover. The one I have for my hardback copy. I love the green and darkness of the cover, and I love, love, love the cover model's hair. I am SO jealous. Oh, and she fits Calla's description so well. 

The third book in the series is Bloodrose. It will be released on January 3, 2012. My review of Nightshade. 

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
(Nightshade, #1)
Publisher: Philomel
Release Date: October 19, 2010
Hardcover: 528 pages
Age Group: Young Adult
Buy:Amazon
Source: Bought
Challenge: A to Z, Off the Shelf, Book Blogger Recommendation,  350 Page
Rating: 

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?

After hearing such great things about this book, I bought it last Christmas with a gift card my husband got me, and I finally got to read it. I've been dying to read it for a long time, but there just isn't enough time in the day to get through my tbr list! 


I know a lot of books don't live up to their hype, but boy this one was one. It lived up to the hype and went way over it. I know some people may be getting tired of werewolves (I love werewolves!), but this is a unique take on it. Werewolves and witches. It's amazing!


What makes a great book a lot of time when I'm reading, is the characters. But this one was definitely the plot. I mean, the characters were AWESOME! But the plot? The plot was unique and intriguing and just kept throwing new and exciting things at you. 


Sometimes I would think, "Oh, this is going to happen next.", but it didn't! I was left with my mouth hanging open and my eyes on overdrive trying to take in everything on the page so I could flip to the next one.


I've been looking for another book that has a strong female character. A kick-ass, strong female character. (i.e. Rose from Vampire Academy.) And I haven't really found many lately, but Calla? Calla is DEFINITELY kick ass. She cared about her pack, she put her pack in front of her own happiness. I'm not going to get into that because it would giveaway some of the story, but you'll understand once you pick this book up. 


Yes, there is a love triangle in this book. But I really can't figure out which guy I want Calla to be with. They both have their qualities and both sound smokin' hot. Sometimes I like Shay more, and sometimes it's Ren. 


Hopefully the next book (Which I'm currently reading! Yay! That's how great Nightshade is, I read ONE book after this book before I took on Wolfsbane.) will help me figure out which side I'm on. 


Overall, pick it up. Do it. If you haven't read it already, please get a move on it. It's not your typical werewolf book. And the writing is amazing. It keeps you reading and keeps you interested and wanting more. Andrea Cremer is definitely on my author watch list now. 


The cover is gorgeous. I can't figure out if I like this versions cover, or the new paperback cover better. I'm really mad, though, because once I buy Wolfsbane for my shelf, my covers aren't going to match. Anyone know where I can get a new book cover to put on my hardback? I've seen them around the blog-o-sphere. 

The second book in this series is Wolfsbane. It was released on July 26, 2011.