Book Review: Bloodrose

Bloodrose (Nightshade #3)

By: Andrea Cremer

Published By: Philomel

Publication Date: January 3, 2012

Page Count: 406

Buy it at Amazon or IndieBound

Source: Owned by Reviewer

Audience: YA - Paranormal

This is perhaps the hardest review I have ever had to write. I have been enamored with Andrea Cremer's writing and the Nightshade universe since I picked up the first book in early 2011. I anxiously awaited learning more about Calla's fate as the long months until Wolfsbane was finally in my hand. The wait for Bloodrose was perhaps even more agonizing for me since so many characters were left in limbo at the end of Wolfsbane. I was so excited to get this book that I had trouble falling asleep the night before its release - yes, it conjured to mind my reaction to Santa as a kid. I couldn't wait to get this book on my Kindle and start reading. Once I did finally have my copy, I wasn't sure whether I should devour it as quickly as possible or savor it, lingering with some of my favorite characters since I knew that this was the end of the road. 

Bloodrose follows the same path of Wolfsbane by dropping the reader immediately into the action. It literally picks up in the same breath that Wolfsbane left us. It took a few pages for me to orientate myself with the story again and get immersed in the moment. I refrained from reading the teaser chapter that Cremer posted pretty quickly after Wolfsbane release so everything was new and fresh. Calla must find Ren and convince him to join the fight on the side of the Searchers - not an easy task after a lifetime of being raised to believe that the Searchers enemies. The rest of the novel focuses on the quest to bring together the pieces of the elemental cross and the preparation for the war between the Searchers and the Keepers. culminating in the epic battle that has been brewing since Calla chose to save Shay. Calla and Co travel to various exotic locales on their quest to arm Shay with the weapon that can truly banish the evil bred by Bosque and the Keepers forever.

I honestly don't know what to say because there are so many things I want to discuss, but I don't want to spoil the book for anyone. I can tell you that I laughed, I cursed, and I cried. My first reaction when I finished this book was to fill sorrow that things had finally come to an end. Moments later, I felt so angry that I almost wished that I had never started down the path with Calla. If I had known how the story ended up, I might have skipped it altogether. As the anger faded, I realized I honestly loved and hated this book. It was not an easy read for me and I spent a lot of the time being frustrated by Calla's choices. In her shoes, I would have chosen very differently, but at the end of the day I am not Calla nor did I create her. Who would know her more intimately than Andrea Cremer? I have to trust that this was the destiny that Calla was always meant to have. After working through all of these emotions, I finally decided that in spite of the frustration and pain, that this series was worth every minute of my time. If a novel can inspire me to feel so passionately, then it is truly a work of a gifted writer.

I know that this is not the sort of review I typically write, but even now I honestly can't sort through my lingering emotions and thoughts about the book. It effected me that deeply. All I can say is this series is something special and it has sparked in me a deep devotion. These characters and this world have left their mark on me. 

I am so excited to see what Andrea Cremer will bring to us in the future. Her writing is some of the best I have seen in quite some time. I love everything about it - the characters, the world building, the setting, the dialog. 

One Last Gripe: I can't share my biggest gripe with the book because it would spoil the read.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: Spending time with Ren - hello showers!

First Sentence: I could hear each heavy beat of my heart.

Favorite Character: Ren

Least Favorite Character: Emile

Summary:

The Ultimate Sacrifice. 

Calla has always welcomed war. But now that the final battle is upon her, there’s more at stake than fighting. There’s saving Ren, even if it incurs Shay’s wrath. There’s keeping Ansel safe, even if he’s been branded a traitor. There’s proving herself as the pack’s alpha, facing unnamable horrors, and ridding the world of the Keepers’ magic once and for all. And then there’s deciding what to do when the war ends. If Calla makes it out alive, that is. 

In the final installment of the Nightshade trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Andrea Cremer creates a novel with twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat until its final pages. A dynamic end to this breathtaking trilogy.

Rift, a Nightshade prequel, will be out in August. I can't wait to get my hands this. You can read a sample chapter here!