Review: Rift by Andrea Cremer

Title: Rift
Author: Andrea Cremer
Series: Nightshade Prequel, #1
Publisher: Philomel
Release Date: August 7, 2012
Pages: 430
Rating:

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.

He drew a shuddering breath. “I thought myself strong, but discover I am weak as the next man. Perhaps weaker.” “And if I wish to give what you ask,” she whispered. “What then?” He bent down, brushing his lips over her forehead, the bridge of her nose.

After the horrifying ending of Andrea Cremer's Bloodrose, I have been a bit terrified to even read another one of her books. Come release day of RIFT I didn't realize how excited I was for it. I thought I"d give her one more chance since she is one of the few YA authors that have the power of blowing me away! Well, guess what? She blew me away again! RIFT has got to be one of the best YA books of the year! I sat reading this baby for a day and a half unable to put it down. My butt was seriously glued to my bed!

She cupped the pendant in her hand. It was rimmed with gold, its surface delicately carved to reveal a rose crossed by two swords. Alistair leaned over her shoulders. "The Bloodrose it represents the love and sacrifice required of a true warrior.”

RIFT is a prequel about the origin of the Keepers in Nightshade. It takes place in 1404 A.D., which is one of my favorite times because it is the time of those yummy sexy hottie scotties! RIFT is the story of Ember Morrow in training to become a guard with, the sexy and desirable, Barrow Hess mentoring her. There is much evil and deception and betrayal in RIFT that makes you hold your breath. Oh, and a whole set of wonderful characters you fall in love with! I loved Ember! She was strong-willed and stubborn and eager to fight on the battle field! She is a natural warrior and look forward seeing her grow more as a character!

Ember pulled his face to hers, kissing him again before she said, “Your strength gives me courage.” He smiled gently. “No, Ember, that is all your strength and none of mine.” She balked, but he kissed her, murmuring against her lips, “And that is why I love you.”

Barrow Hess. Nuff said. He reminds me of Dimitri from Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy in a way and I think that is one reason why I am so in love with him. Barrow is loyal, strong, sexy & hot, and my god. I love him! He doesn't quite turn into a love interest until almost the end and I really enjoyed Barrow and Ember's relationship just developing into something. No rush! But when it does turn into something. Oh. my. god. They have such sweet and tender moments that made me want to melt. I just needed more! I look forward to seeing their relationship develop more in the next book!

Breathing hard, Ember looked up into his face. He wore that infuriating expression of being on the verge of laughter. “You’re supposed to be teaching me,” she said. “Not enjoying yourself.” “I believe I can do both.” He smiled.

We have so many fun characters! Kael, Alistair, Lukasz, and Sorcha who are apart of the guard and I have a place in my heart for all of them! I would say that the evil that took place and who being responsible for bad stuff happening was predictable before it happened. Love triangle? We may have one in the next book. We'll see. And here is where I conclude my thoughts! I adored RIFT and I am both excited and terrified for the next book, Rise. And with Andrea Cremer's books you just can't help to be a little terrified, because you never know what she's going to do or who she's going to kill!