RiftAuthor: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Philomel, 430 pages
Publication Date: August 7, 2012
From Goodreads:
Chronicling the rise of the Keepers, this is the stunning prequel to Andrea Cremer's internationally bestselling Nightshade trilogy!
Sixteen-year-old Ember Morrow is promised to a group called Conatus after one of their healers saves her mother's life. Once she arrives, Ember finds joy in wielding swords, learning magic, and fighting the encroaching darkness loose in the world. She also finds herself falling in love with her mentor, the dashing, brooding, and powerful Barrow Hess. When the knights realize Eira, one of their leaders, is dabbling in dark magic, Ember and Barrow must choose whether to follow Eira into the nether realm or to pledge their lives to destroying her and her kind.
With action, adventure, magic, and tantalizing sensuality, this book is as fast-paced and breathtaking as the Nightshade novels.
Review:
I liked Ember, the main character. She's a strong, courageous, determined heroine who chooses to become a knight over becoming a wife and mother. Barrow is her trainer and he definitely had that Dimitri from Vampire Academy vibe going on. The strong silent swoony type with principles and morals so that even though he's obviously attracted to Ember (and of course she doesn't see it) he resists. At first. I enjoyed how their relationship slowly developed. Alastair, I just couldn't stand him. He's just so weak and just...ugh. How were he and Ember such great friends growing up?
I enjoyed the mythology, the good versus evil, the camaraderie between the knights, and the temptation of power that leads to the rift. If you've read the Nightshade series, this prequel provides the backstory to how it all began and if you haven't read that series, you really don't have to. I do wish there had been more training for Ember, there was just a couple of scenes and I also wish there had been a bit more action (the beginning is a bit slow). A solid read and I'm definitely reading the next one.
Posted by: Pam
I'm glad you liked it. I won't be reading it. I just didn't like Nightshade. Well, I guess I liked the first book okay and then really didn't like the other two. Plus I like cleaner content most of the time. I know lots of people loved them though. I have been curious about this one regardless, so thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI didn't love the series either, but this book was completely different (no werewolves for one). And I don't remember, but since it was historical, I think the content was fairly clean. ~Pam
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting read. I haven't read the Nightshade series, and although you have said that you don't have to read it to enjoy this, would you recommend it? Have seen the books a few times at work and thought about picking them up. Thanks for the review :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a good series and I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it. I know people who went crazy over it, though. ~Pam
DeleteOooh, I just finished the Vampire Academy series so comparing a character to Dimitri really interests me! lol I'll have to try this one!
ReplyDeleteHe definitely had that Dimitri thing going on. I loved the VA series, what did you think about it? I'm hoping the movie is good! ~Pam
DeleteI haven't read this series, but I've heard some pretty good things about Nightshade. I love me some swoony guys so if there's a swoon-worthy guy in here I must read it. Great review!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, he's swoony all right. Sort of reminded me of Darius from Soulbound so I think you'd like him! ~Pam
DeleteI really enjoyed the Nightshade series and wouldn't mind a prequel but I think I am going to wait on this one a bit longer. Other books are calling to me more.
ReplyDeleteSo many books, it's definitely hard to choose sometimes what to read. ~Pam
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