Snakeroot

September 15, 2013
This new Nightshade sequel takes up the action after the close of the first trilogy, when the wolf Guardians finally won their epic battle to banish evil Bosque Mar into the Nether. Now, Bosque wants to come back. By playing on the emotions of Ren's sister, Adne, now romantically entwined with Connor, Logan manages to infiltrate the Searchers at their headquarters, Rowan Estate. Thinking the war is over, the Searchers let their guards down until events finally compel them to see that another battle looms. By that time, much has been done against them, and there's a new war that should provide many more sequels for happy fans. Cremer, as always, keeps the narrative moving along briskly, but the focus here is more on magic than suspense. The wolves, including former protagonist Calla, remain wolves, never to return to human form. Instead, the Weavers, who create magical portals, and the fighters such as Connor appear to be taking center stage. Much intrigue results when the evil Logan dupes major Searcher figures into helping him. Those new to the series would be well-advised to read the first trilogy before beginning this book, as the history is so complicated and the characters so numerous that readers need a good background to get a grip on the plot. Plenty of suspense sets the stage for continuing this hit series. (Paranormal suspense. 12 & up)

COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2013
Grades 8-11 Cremer combines the present-day world of her Nightshade novels with the backstory for the world she created in Rift (2012) and Rise (2013). With so much history from very different times and a huge cast of primary characters, this title is not a good place to begin exploring Cremer's world of werewolves, Keepers, Guardians, and Searchers. But the series' many fans will be delighted to see how Cremer binds the two worlds together, with the powerful medieval priestess Eira present, in a magical necklace; evil Bosque Mar seducing a new generation; and the complicated love lives of Calla, Shay, Ren, Adne, Logan, Sabine, and Ethan providing a treat for romance readers. New characters include a deliciously snarky pair of siblingsChase and Audreywho work with Logan to summon Bosque Mar, fumbling their way through spells for comic relief. The first third of the book is heavily involved in plot exposition, which is both confusing for new readers and tiresome for devoted fans, but once she has laid out the basic history, the swift pace, romantic sensuality, and powerful magic will keep readers glued to the page.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2014
Power-hungry Logan joins forces with evil sorcerer Bosque Mar, whom the Searchers trapped in the Nether. Meanwhile, Searcher Ariadne speaks to Mar in visions, and werewolf Renier, now a ghost, must do his bidding. Mar manipulates all three teens in his plot to escape. Cremer's world-building is strong; banter and romance offer relief from the occasionally melodramatic prose in this installment.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)