Dec 22, 2011

Review: Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer



Title: Bloodrose
Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher:  Philomel
Publication Date: 1.3.12
Pages: 414
Genre: Paranormal, Romance
Series: Yes (Nightshade #3)
Source: ARC from a friend

Rating: B

Summary (from Goodreads):
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.

Review:
I feel fairly confident in saying I felt like this game was the YA Superbowl. You had Team Ren and Team Shay, both teams fierce and loyal (and gorgeous), and both vying for Calla’s love. Each team had to overcome huge obstacles and trials, but by the beginning of Bloodrose, Andrea Cremer has each team setting up on opposites ends the field. There’s that obligatory moment where they shake hands and make nice for the sake of the game, but you know they want to rip each other’s heads off and be the victor.

I will tell you that I am solidly Team Ren … but that’s as far as I’ll go. I won’t be revealing or alluding to which guy wins Calla in the end. I will also say I’m done with the football analogy. Onto the review:

The way Cremer’s mind works is astounding to me. This entire world she created with wolves and witches and magic is just so incredible, it’s almost beyond words. But I think that the most amazing part is how realistic it seems. She doesn’t gloss over facts or summarize them: A good chunk of this book is dedicated to mapping out this world she has crafted and molded. Cremer definitely doesn’t skimp on the details. I vividly pictured every scene in my mind as sure as if I were watching a movie.

That’s not to say this book is all narrative and storytelling. Anyone who has read the first two books in the series knows that Cremer is a master of piling on the action, the drama, and the romance. Oh, wow, the romance. I think Cremer’s writing would make a nun blush, but definitely keep reading. You can’t not read these books once you start.

My biggest issues was I felt like Calla wasn't the same girl she was in book 1. I know that characters evolve and change, but I felt like her shift wasn't for the better. As an alpha, she got better. But as a person ... she kinda sucked. She did a lot of things that irritated me, especially when it came to Ren and Shay.

I am desperately sad to see this series end. I could have read about this world (and these characters) forever. In three books I truly came to love and adore each of these characters. I know I will definitely miss reading out their adventures in the future. Whatever Cremer has in store next, I will happily delve into.

Buy: Amazon

16 comments:

  1. nice review.:) can’t wait to read it myself! :)

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  2. Great Review!! Very well written and interesting!! I havent even read Nightshade yet, so hopefully ill get to reading that soon!

    Farah @ MajiBookshelf

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  3. Great review! I've read mixed reviews about Bloodrose. Most of them seemed to be annoyed with Calla's behavior. I can't wait to read it to see what happens for myself.

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  4. Great review, I love paranormal stories

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  5. I like the review so I bet I will also like(even love) the book. Can't wait to read it.

    Thanks for the review

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  6. Here is where I have to admit that I have not read any of her books. However, I've been hearing about this series and I will probably be putting it on my wish list. Thank you for the review.

    seriousreader at live dot com

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  7. I liked how you described Cremer's worldbuilding. I am very excited to read Bloodrose :)

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  8. I love this series. I do hate the new covers though. Best book, lame remade covers.

    thegirlonfire27 at gmail dot com

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  9. I'm pretty surprised by the "B" rating.. I think Nightshade was the best in the series and it was downhill from there for me. This book just fell sort of flat for me which was very disappointing. But great review nonetheless!

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  10. Nice review...I've read several...on both side of the fence. I think I'm going to have to read this series myself just to see what the hype is all about. I liked your Super Bowl analogy...

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  11. First of all, I love the Super Bowl analogy. It made me giggle haha. I just started reading Nightshade because it was recommended to me by a friend an I can't wait to finish this series. I'm glad I got some insight on what the final book is going to be like (:

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  12. I haven't read this series, but I've heard great things about it:)

    Love the superbowl analogy! And I love how you obviously connected to the characters. The world-building sounds great - and there's action:)

    Your review got me sold on the series:)

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  13. Great review!
    I've been avoiding this book because I cannot her ending up with Shay.

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  14. Thanks for the well-done review. I've had this series sitting on my TBR shelves for awhile, I think their position relative to the top of the TBR Pile will be improving greatly!

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com


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  15. Haven't read this series, but I had already collected the books. Love your review. Great review.

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