Review: Rift by Andrea Cremer

Rift

Andrea Cremer

Copyright 2012, Philomel

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.  --- BN.com

Oh my holy goodness. I didn't read the blurb. I saw "Prequel to Nightshade!" and I screamed. I had to read it. I would have done anything to get my hands on it. Holy cow. The first thirty pages or so I was soooo confused. I kept thinking "I thought this was going to be about Ren and Calla before Shay came to town?" Yep. Way to read the description of the book, Lynn. BUT I think that speaks bounds for how much I trust Andrea Cremer. Seriously, I didn't even know what it was ABOUT and I still rushed to read it!!!

Ember is a total badass. She lives under rules that oppress her, but she won't be oppressed. There a fire in her that I admire, a desire to be something great that will inspire you. And on top of that, she doesn't even realize how truly awesome she is.

And Barrow. Holy cow. Where do I even START?! I LOVE BARROW HESS. He's the definition of strong and silent, tall dark and handsome. He's always there, always where he needs to be and saying the right thing. And then there's the TENSION. Oh my. I was just about biting my nails, why won't he kiss her? When are they going to realize they are so totally in love?

Yes. There is fighting, which is epic, there are moments of complete triumph where you feel so happy for Ember that you can't stand it. And then there's that one introduction that changes the whole world. The name that made me gasp and beg Eira to please please don't do it. Nothing is left out, nothing is forgotten, no feeling left unstirred.

Andrea Cremer has shown us time and time again that she can create stories that invade our lives, leaving us living dreams we never thought we'd have and falling deeply in love. Whether you are Team Ren or Team Shay, leave it all at the door and enjoy the ride of a time before the packs - a time when the Keepers are being birthed.