Bloodrose

January 1, 2012
Fast paced and full of action, the Nightshade trilogy comes to a howling conclusion. As with the second installment, Cremer writes little to no exposition of the overall plot, clearly expecting that new readers will begin with the first book. Heroine alpha–woman-wolf Calla remains in love with alpha–man-wolf Shay, while still burning for her previously intended mate, other alpha–man-wolf Ren. Shay, the only person alive who can wield enchanted swords, must find the final three pieces of two swords that can slay the evil force that threatens them. Calla, her wolf pack and their allies magically travel to exotic locales for suspenseful fights to retrieve them. After suffering casualties, the group faces the final, desperate showdown, but Calla still can't disentangle from her romantic problems. With abundant action and sexy heavy breathing, the trilogy ends in a nifty resolution that readers won't see coming. The author sustains the pace throughout by filling even her peaceful scenes with aggressive behavior, and she keeps romantic pulses constantly pounding. She briefly returns to her earlier underlying theme of freedom, but this series finally becomes more about action scenes and sexual tension than about lofty ideals, a development that should keep its many fans briskly turning pages. Yet the saga's clever surprise ending intimates that Calla's long-sought freedom comes with limitations. Fans will eat it up. (Paranormal adventure/romance. 14 & up)

(COPYRIGHT (2012) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

March 1, 2012

Gr 10 Up-It is always difficult to come to a trilogy on the third book. While some aspects of the world Cremer creates are tough to grasp for first-timers, she does a better-than-average job of catching readers up on what's happened in the previous two books. This is the story of Calla and Ren, two alpha werewolves destined to mate, and Shay, the human Calla changes into a werewolf to save him. Now revealed as the scion, Shay leads the quest for swords and scabbards that will enable the werewolves (Guardians) and humans (Searchers) to destroy the evil, slave-owning witches (Keepers). Both the quest and the triangular love story are old hat-as are werewolves as central characters at this point. Nevertheless, Bloodrose is a fun read, and a must-have for fans of the earlier titles.-Nina Sachs, Walker Memorial Library, Westbrook, ME

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2012
Grades 7-11 The last installment in the Nightshade trilogy suffers from the weaknesses common to multivolume finales: the need to compress plot summary and character development from earlier titles into the opening while building a story that not only stands on its own but ties up loose ends. Still, Cremer's many fans will be willing to overlook these flaws in exchange for another fast-paced romp with shapeshifters Calla, Ren, and Shay as the fight between Keepers and Searchers comes to a bloody end. Calla is drawn to both Ren, her original intended, and Shay, who turned werewolf for her in the first title (Nightshade, 2010). She tries to remain neutral while maintaining her alpha status, protecting her traitorous brother, and navigating the many familial revelations presented as Cremer ties up plot details. Although the writing is frequently overwroughtwith constant growling, fighting, and lustingCremer's device of focusing on the werewolves' sense of smell to describe their emotions remains a clever touch in this crowd-pleasing finale. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Author appearances, a fat advertising budget, and a dedicated website are all lined up to promote the final book in the internationally best-selling Nightshade series.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)