#147 Book Review: Rift

Rift
Release Date: August 14th 2012
Author: Andrea Cremer
Publisher: Atom (Hachette Australia)
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy: Fishpond | Booktopia | Dymocks
More Info: Goodreads

Summary from Goodreads:

Discover where the Nightshade series began. . .

Ember has always known that she owed her life to a mysterious order of Knights who saved her as a baby. The same order of Knights who called her best friend to service, leaving her behind to play the dutiful daughter.

But shortly after her sixteenth birthday, Alistair returns. Although he seems altered - shadowed and brooding - Ember places her trust in him, knowing that he's her one chance to escape.

Little does she know what danger lies ahead. For this is a tumultuous time, and Ember will soon be caught up in an age-old struggle between darkness and light. Neither she, nor her heart, can possibly survive unscathed.

Cover:
I love how the UK cover still keeps a similar style to the covers of the Nightshade trilogy. The swirls of the title is gorgeous and the colour combination of green, pink, blue creates a calm and serene feeling! 

Story:

A whole new world before the Nightshade series...

I remember reading Bloodrose earlier this year and feeling sad that the Nightshade trilogy had come to an end. I was not prepared to part with the world of Nightshade but when I heard that Andrea Cremer was writing a new series, prequel to the Nightshade world, I was ecstatic. Sure, the series was not set in the world of Nightshade any longer but a prequel? A possible explanation to how the Nightshade world came to be? Well, I think it's perfect so count me in! Rift is the start of an exciting new series...

Set in the Scottish Lowlands, Rift introduced us to a new heroine called Ember Morrow. The story revolves around Ember, how she owed a debt to Conatus, order of knights who saved her life when she was a baby. Back in those days, women are expected to marry someone, bear children and of course, not fight. But Ember was born to be more than just this. She is not pleased with her life, until the knights came back to fulfill the debt. And so the story goes as Ember trains to be someone as strong and skillful as the knights in Conatus. The story plot is action-packed, thrilling and I enjoyed every moment of it. Andrea's writing as usual never fails to grip me into the story. The romance is just as amazing as it was with the Nightshade trilogy. It's not a love triangle since Ember is in love with only one person although there are two guys who love her. The romance develops slowly until it reaches a point where it makes your heart tremble as it's so beautiful. The ending completely satisfied me although I still can't wait for the sequel!

Characters:
Ember Morrow, please take me to Conatus. Actually, scratch that. I don't actually want to live in Conatus since it can be quite scary but I do want to be like you! You're such a strong heroine, skillful and I love how strong-minded you are! Plus, you live in Scotland and there's....Barrow!

Barrow, oh I can already imagine you speaking in Scottish accent. Train me to be a strong warrior too! I love how you care so deeply for Ember and the ending? I seriously want to give you a huge huge hug and high five!

So, yes I LOVE these two so much. They are wonderful and the developing relationship between those two are so gorgeous. And there's also Alistair, the other guy who loves Ember. Yes Alistair, you are quite gorgeous but I can't see anything charming with the way you behave. But, we'll see how you go in the next book. The characters are as usual, absolutely well-written and I just can't wait to meet them again in the next book.

Overall:
Miss the world of Nighthshade? Well here's something better! Rift is the first book in a brand new series, prequel to the world of Nightshade. Set in the beautiful Scotland, action-packed and brimming with gorgeous romance, fans of the Nightshade trilogy will definitely adore this book too! 

4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Rift!

Thank you Hachette Australia for the review copy!

Check out the book trailer below!