Rift (Nightshade Prequel #1)

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Author(s)

Andrea Cremer

Publisher

Philomel

Genre(s)

Paranormal

Age Range

14+

Release Date

August 07, 2012

ISBN

978-0399256134

Buy This Book

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.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Awesome prequel to Nightshade series!

September 27, 2012

Overall rating

5.0

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If any of you have previously read my reviews of Andrea Cremer's Nightshade trilogy, you know I'm a HUGE fan. That being said I tried not to be biased when I started reading Rift. You know what? I didn't have to be. It's an incredible read that could stand alone apart from the Nightshade trilogy, but is also woven into the Nightshade series as well. You could read Rift on it's own if you wanted (though I don't know why you would want to) without having previously read the sequels, or even planning to read them after. There are a few minor spoilers in my review. I’m sorry, I tried to write it without any, but just couldn’t figure out how. You’ve been warned.

Ember is an incredible female lead. In a time where women are expected to marry and have children (and that is all they are good for), Ember's attitude does not bode well with her father. I loved Ember's individuality and spunk. She is a great role model for girls everywhere. She is courageous, strong, and stands up for herself. Not that getting married and having children is a bad thing at all. I’m actually a homemaker, and I love my decision to be so. However, this particular lifestyle was expected of women during Ember’s time and she actually fought against it because it’s not what she wanted. I admire that. I’m also very interested to see if her view on this subject changes at all in the next book. I really appreciated that fact that Ember wanted to learn to fight, and she was very good at it! She didn’t let being a girl stop her from what she was called to do.

Barrow is, oh my goodness how do I even start, very swoon worthy. For the readers who have read the ‘Nightshade’ series, he definitely fills the void of Ren and Shay. I really enjoyed his character and he made a great addition to this story. I love a man who is rough on the outside, but soft on the inside. I fell in love with the other characters of the story, too.

I greatly appreciated how Ms. Cremer gives us the backstory to what will eventually happen in the Nightshade series. When Bosque Mar presented himself I wanted a certain character to make him leave, but I knew that wouldn’t happen because I’ve read the Nightshade series. It was really interesting reading about him and it was scary to read how cunning he is. I also found it very interesting how the character (I don’t want to give away too many spoilers) who called upon him thought they were helping at first. Isn’t that always how it goes though?

All in all, action packed, romantic & great prequel to Nightshade. A definite read for those who love the Nightshade series, and a must for those who haven’t! I just adore this world that Andrea Cremer has created and I’m so excited that I get to read more about it!

Jillian Van Leer Top 50 Reviewer 304 reviews

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User reviews

5 reviews

Overall rating

4.7

Plot

5.0(5)

Characters

4.4(5)

Writing Style

4.8(5)

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Amazing

August 05, 2013

Overall rating

4.3

Plot

5.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

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Totally different from Nightshade but still amazing

Good Points

Different from Nightshade

Brynn Top 500 Reviewer 13 reviews

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Yay!! We haven't heard the last of Nightshade!!!

February 26, 2013

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

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N/A

When I first opened this book, I had very high expectations for it, because, as you would know if you had read them, the Nightshade series definitely sets the mark. Luckily, Rift does not disappoint.

Ember has been under her father's thumb for ever. One day, on her sixteenth birthday, she gets whisked away to Conatus to repay a debt, and finally, it seems she has found a place that she belongs. But all too soon, darkness is brewing within their ranks. Can Ember pull through?

If you have read the Nightshade series, you are probably expecting there to be a lot of kick-ass wolves like in the other books. But in fact, there is no mention of any wolves at all (because this is about how everything came to be). But don't worry! It's still got a few kick-ass girls, and then of course there's the whole knight thing, which is just awesome.

Aaaaah!!! MUST READ NEXT BOOK NOW!!!

I recommend this to EVERYONE (even if you haven't read Nightshade, because it doesn't spoil anything anyway).

Louisa Top 50 Reviewer 119 reviews

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An amazing prequel!!!!!

January 25, 2013

Overall rating

4.7

Plot

5.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

When I finished reading the Nightshade books, i couldn't believe it was all over, I was basically in tears because it ended. You cannot even start to believe my relief to know there was a prequel, and a prequel with a sequel!!!

In Rift, instead of being about the wolves like Calla, it is about the beginning of the Keepers, even though they are not called that in these books. There are small connections throughout the entire books that links to the Nightshade trilogy, which I really enjoy looking for. As well as those small details, there are new creatures not encountered in the original books, which is just brilliant, as it was totally unexpected and not repetitive of the last books, which is always a positive thing.

Ember is a strong female protagonist, and isn't one of those girls that would obsess about their male counterpart, which is another point in my good books. I thought that it was great that she didn't submit to her father's will, I just love characters who don't give up. What I found really funny was that Barrow and Morrow look quite similar, and at the very first page I kept getting mucked up with the names. I really like Barrow, as he was real tough on the outside, but so kind and gentle on the inside, and it was done so well that it felt really really strong.

I thought it was real clever to include Bosque Mar in this story as well, another great tie in with the original books. The whole quest for power and greatest desires is not done anywhere near cheesy in this book, and even though it's not, it feels like an original idea.

I cannot wait for to read the sequel to this amazing prequel, the magic, the monsters and the romance is so perfect in this book.

Casog Top 50 Reviewer 260 reviews

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You don't need to read the series to get it...

September 19, 2012

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

Background: Ember is a noble daughter of a Lord who has been promised to Conatus upon her sixteenth birthday. She is whisked away by the Knights of Conatus and begins her destiny there. Set in the time period of the Great Schism and the 100 Years War, darkness is brewing throughout their lands, and the Guard of Conatus stands to save them. But lurking in their ranks is someone also partaking in the dark magic and something must be done to stop them.

Review: I have not read the Nightshade series but was blown away by this prequel. I LOVED it. I received this copy as an Audio book from Random House Audio and could not wait to get back into my car to finish listening…and for the record I HATE driving so that was awesome! Ember is our main character who is strong, independent, clever, and brave. Barrow Hess, her mentor is strong, masculine, and apparently very good looking…
Following Ember as she is taken from her home (willingly) where she was under her father’s thumb to this adventure of a life in the ranks of Conatus was wonderful. I was nervous when she was and frustrated with her when her father was an idiot. Her and Barrow’s relationship was also fun to follow, I was not sure if it was going to progress at all or if the characters stubbornness was going to draw a line, you will have to read to see. :)
Being a huge nerd, I loved the historical references to the Schism and the War in this novel; even jokes were made about them, which I was laughing out loud about in the car. I am eagerly awaiting Prequel #2 Rise.

Good Points

Plot was breathtaking.

Stephanie Top 500 Reviewer 34 reviews

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A Masterpiece, such an Andrea Cremer thing.

August 13, 2012

Overall rating

4.7

Plot

5.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

N/A

My review is posted at: litupmyworld.tumblr.com

Good Points

Beautiful setting with a great composition of characters. The plot progression is wonderful and beautiful pacing! If you are a major history buff, you'll enjoy this read.