Nightshade

Nightshade is a well-written book by Andrea Creamer. Set in modern-day Vail, Colorado, young Calla Tor is a Guardian, the to-be Alpha female for the Nightshade pack. Guardians protect Vail from Searchers, the 'evil' group of magically gifted teens and young adults in a fast-paced chase for the Scion. The Scion is a individual, gifted in the art of fighting, and capable of ending the War of All Against All. Calla's life is complicated by her to-be husband and Alpha male, Ren, from the Bane pack, a group of similar Guardians and Keepers. Things turn south for her however, when she saves Shay. Knowing her secret of being able to transform into a wolf complicates their relationship, especially with jealous Ren following Calla's every move. Thing accelerate when Shay is discovered to be a vital piece of Calla's life, even with her marriage to Ren coming up, and her becoming the Alpha leader to the Nightshade pack.I thought this was a good book because it is not terribly focused on the religious aspect of the Nightshades, Keepers or Seekers, but more in the action, drama and history behind the three groups. In a less direct way, it shows how love can be fickle, and how it can tear two people apart, then put them back together, then rip them apart again. Creamer uses a collection of interesting characters, clever twists and turns, and complicated love triangles. The greatest reason I liked this book was because of Calla's personality; she is brave, determined, and loves her pack mates with a passion. She is the support system to her Nightshade pack, and with out her, it would collapse internally. The only problem I thought the book had was that it didn't explain the Guardian-Keeper-Seeker-Scion relationship very well, thought their history is both scandalous and shocking. Overall, the book was good and I recommend it to those who like scandal, love, werewolves, or adventure.