From page one, Nightshade is an exceptional read. Cremer's writing flows effortlessly making the pages fly by. For such a thick novel, I am surprised that I read this in hours not days. I did not want to put this novel down.Nightshade stood out for two main reasons. First, the premise. I am not the largest werewolf supporter. For the most part, I find that it can be hard to introduce new elements into a topic that has been so highly discussed. But that was exactly what Cremer does. And I have to admit that I was blown away by her creativity and originality. The werewolf aspect feels new and refreshed. Gone are the werewolf stereotypes that many readers have come to expect. In their place are werewolves that are unique and so intriguing. While it did take me a little while to understand the pack's hierarchy and lore, I was captivated once I had it. And it all just left me in awe.The second reason was Cremer's usage of chemistry and humor. Calla gets entangled in a love triangle so to speak leaving her torn in her feelings. What surprised me was how likable both male characters were. Generally, in these types of situations, one character will be more likable so the reader is drawn towards one over the other. This is not the case in Nightshade. Cremer treats both characters fairly which allows the reader to really sympathize with Calla. It was only too easy to put myself in her position and understand the emotions that she was encountering. In addition to the chemistry between Calla and her male characters, is the humor. Although some of the humor is subtle, it matches the mood of the novel perfectly. Breaking up the heavier moments and allowing readers to feel apart of the novel.Nightshade was a surprising gem filled with action, romance, and a hint of mystery. Cremer does a superb job of creating a werewolf tale like I have never read before. Additionally, I must applaud Cremer for creating twists that I did not expect. It is definitely one of those reads that you think you know what is going to happen, but it does not happen in the way that you expected. Nightshade definitely kept me on my toes.Although there was much to love about this novel, the ending did leave me a little disappointed. Personally, I felt like it was too sudden. Personally, I would have preferred the novel to have ended a little earlier or at a more defining moment. As it is, it feels like an unpolished cliffhanger. However, it is important to note that the copy I read is an Advanced Reading Copy. So it is important to understand that it is possible that this is not the ending that the actual novel will have. Cremer is an incredibly gifted writer and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next.
