Review: Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer

Publisher: Philomel

Publication Date:  January 3rd, 2012

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.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I loved the first two books in this series, Nightshade and Wolfsbane (click the title to the left to read my full review of each).  I was reluctant to read Nightshade at first because I thought it was going to be a rip-off of The Wolves of Mercy Falls books (Shiver, et. al.), which I kind of hated.  I could not have been more wrong.  Not only was Nightshade amazing, but it was not even remotely similar.  I am sad to see this trilogy come to end, but I'm so very glad that I took a chance on it in the first place.

Bloodrose was probably one of my most anticipated releases of 2012.  I ran out on bought it on release day, and then waited...and waited...and waited to read it.  I had read a lot of reviews and there were a lot of people who HATED the ending, and I was afraid that it might ruin my love for the series.  It sat on my shelf calling me like a siren calls a sailor.  Finally, I faced my fear and decided to read it.  I was blown away.

I can't talk much about the actual story or the characters in this review because there will be way too many spoilers.  I loved this book as much as I did the first two, even though there were a few times when I wanted to throw it against the wall.  There was even one part that made me cry; not just a few tears, but THE ugly cry where snot bubbles out your nostrils and you get all red and blotchy.  That said, I was happy with the ending.  It wasn't at all what I expected, and it wasn't what I wanted, but it was satisfying and it made sense.  

If you've read the first two books, and haven't read Bloodrose yet, GET ON IT.  If you haven't read any of these books, DO IT.  They are great and original, and the writing is beautiful.  I'm looking forward to the prequel series that starts with Rift, and releases August 7th.  I'm also looking forward to Andrea Cremer's unrelated books, coming out in 2013, The Inventor's Secret (a Steampunk novel) and The Invisibilty Curse (co-written with David Levithan!!!!).  She is a true talent, I will always read anything she writes!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  

Grade Level Recommendation:  Because I recommended Nightshade and Wolfsbane to grades 8 and up (ages 13+), I will do the same with Bloodrose. 

**Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a SIGNED hardcover copy of Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver.  Click HERE! **

Review: Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer

Publisher: Philomel/Penguin Young Readers Group

Publication Date: July 26th, 2011

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.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I want to start with my one and only complaint and get it out of the way... Why the eff did they change the cover of this book?  I adored the early cover that matched Nightshade and I really detest this one.  It looks so grandma's-bad-romance-novel-esque.  Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I can focus on my actual review...

This is a book that earned an honored spot on my Top 10 YA Books of 2011 list because it was awesome!  I put off reading it's predecessor, Nightshade, for far too long, and I kicked myself once I got around to reading it because I loved it so much (read my review HERE).  I was not going to make the same mistake when this book came out!  As soon as I got my hands on it, I devoured it.  It was one of those books that I just couldn't put down until I finished it.

I thought I loved Nightshade, but I felt like this blew it out of the water.  Better story, better writing, better everything!  It pretty much picks up where Nightshade left off, and it turns out that things were never quite what they seemed to be...  I won't give spoilers, but I will say that the world building this time around was spectacular, especially the descriptions of the Searcher compound and their methods of travel.  I also really enjoyed the new characters.  I bonded with them and I felt a solid punch in the gut when things didn't go well for certain ones.  When some of the characters from Nightshade reappeared in the story, I was really thrown for a loop.  Not at all what I expected...  Calla is still kick-ass, and I love her more and more with each book (please don't disappoint me, Bloodrose).  I find Shay as repulsive as ever, although I still can't put my finger on why.  I totally get why people love him, but he rubs me the wrong way;  I'm still solidly on Team Ren.  I have faith in him (plus my imagination says he SO much hotter than Shay).

I cannot wait for the release of Bloodrose on January 24th.  I will devour it as well.  Judging from Andrea Cremer's first two installments, I am sure it will not be a disappointment.  I'm hoping maybe she will have some tidbits for us at YallFest in November.  She is one of the main attractions for me.  Stay tuned!

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ++

Grade Level Recommendation: Because I said Nightshade was an 8th grade+ book (ages 14+), I'm going to say the same of this one.  See the Nightshade review for my reasons.