Bloodrose - Softcover

Andrea Cremer spent her childhood daydreaming while roaming the forests and lakeshores of Northern Wisconsin. She went to school until there wasn't any more school to go to, ending up with a Ph.D. in early modern history - a reflection of her fascination with witchcraft and warfare. She currently lives in Minnesota with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet. www.andreacremer.com

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 overwrought—with constant growling, fighting, and lusting—Cremer’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. Grades 7-11. --Debbie Carton