Rift by Andrea Cremer: Book & Audiobook Review

AUDIOBOOK
Rift: A Nightshade Novel
UNABRIDGED
By Andrea Cremer
Narrated by Sile Bermingham
Series: Nightshade (Cremer), Book 0.5
Publisher:  Listening Library
Length: 12 hrs and 10 mins
Release Date:08-07-12
Buy on Audible
Buy the Hardcover

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.

At a Glance:

Rift was amazing detailed, fantastically written, and full of action, adventure and romance.  I loved it even more than the Nightshade series!

The Audio:

This audiobook was awesome!  I absolutely loved the reader, Sile Bermingham, who, fake or real...I don't know, had a Scottish accent that totally sucked me into the book, the time, and setting.  I can't even imagine not having her read this book to me.  I think if I had read the book myself, I would have lost a lot of the feel, since I don't read with a Scottish accent.  She had many different tones, for the many different characters in the book, and I always knew who was speaking.  She read with feeling and intensity, and I just loved it!  Listen to a sample here.

A Prequel.....

Yes, this book is a prequel to the Nightshade series, however, you do NOT have to have read Nightshade to read this book.  In fact, I often forgot that this book had anything to do with that series, as it was so different in feel and subject.  It wasn't until the end that I was reminded, but even then, you would not be lost.  It would be like starting at the beginning of the story instead of the middle.  Just jump in now!  Those who have read the Nightshade series will love getting a glimpse into this world, and seeing just how the different groups came into being.  I can't wait to find out more!

So Much Setting:

One thing that I loved so much, which the audiobook really helped bring to life, was the setting of the book.  I felt like I was there, and I love this time period.  It was written with detail without being boring, and was described richly without being wordy.  I just really liked it.

Dueling Viewpoints:

Something I really liked, which I hadn't really seen before, was the duel viewpoint from the heroine and the developing "villain."  It was so interesting to read from both of these points of view.  I love it when a villain is fully developed, and we get insight into why she has become what she's become.  I also really loved Ember.  I have to say, I liked Rift more than I liked Nightshade, and I think the reason is Ember.  I just could never connect with Calla, but I love Ember.  She reminded me so much of Merida from Disney Pixar's BRAVE.  She was feisty, and determined, and just full of life, and I can't wait to see where her life goes from here.

Sigh...Romance:

Yes.  This is one of my FAVORITE types of romances.  If you read Grave Mercy, you'll know what I'm talking about.  The slow build.  The tension.  The uncertainty.  The mutual respect.  The mutual misunderstandings.  The complete and utter satisfaction when it all comes together.  LOVE. 

Book Doppelgangers:

Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers, Nightshade by Andrea Cremer, Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Content:

• Profanity:  Minor
• Sexual Content:  Moderate
• Violence: Heavy
• Other Notables:  Sorcery, Mythical Creatures