Shiver {book review & GIVEAWAY}

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Book Order (Wolves of Mercy Falls)

1. Shiver
2. Linger (July 20, 2010 – my birthday!)

Book Links

Amazon : Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (hardback / paperback (Jun 2010) / eBook)

This book in 6 words:

beautifully painful story will break heart

Why did I read this? And am I glad I did?

This was originally a cover shopping buy. The beautiful cover called out to me and the inside cover sold me. I believe I was planning on reading it during October’s Read-a-Thon, however, I was afraid to start another series that wasn’t finished. So Shiver got placed in the ever-growing pile on my coffee table. I’m not really sure what made me get the eBook (crazy book buying spree?) and I started it yesterday on a whim… and finished it late last night/early this morning. I’m beyond happy that I read this (and well a little depressed that I finished it)!

Maggie Stiefvater is an amazing writing. Her style is just so beautiful. I’m not usually one to overly care about writing style. Once I really get into a book, it all fades away. However, I couldn’t help but stop to reread sentences just to soak in her almost poetry-like descriptions.

Brief Summary

the cold.

Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf – her wolf – watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn’t know why.

the heat.

Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace… until now.

the shiver.

For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it’s spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human – and Grace must fight to keep him – even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future.

- via inside cover

Plot/Pacing/Setting

I thought the plot was extremely original! While I haven’t read a ton of books involving werewolves, I felt that this concept of them being affected by the temperature is really unique. I felt like I was on an emotional roller-coaster. I went from blissful highs to aching lows with nail-biting  anxiety throughout.

The story was perfectly paced. You got to witness Grace and Sam falling in love and fighting to stay together while wondering how it will all work out without feeling like it was dragging or being rushed.

The setting is beautifully written. You will feel as if you’ve been there to see the golden woods yourself.

Characters

Grace and Sam are wonderful. They balance and contradict each other in a very realistic and magical way. Grace is stoic. She has raised herself and wishes to be organized, liking all the pieces to fit. Sam is emotional. He’s constantly looking for song lyrics to fit his mood. He wants to appreciate the moment without making it all fit into some plan.

I grew so attached to these two that I was crying through the whole end of the book. I caught myself thinking of Sam while making eggs this morning. I desperately want to curl up on the couch and reread the book. Yep, definitely PABD…

The side characters are also very well-written. I laughed and cried for them as well. I’m excited to get to learn more about them in the next book.

Favorite Quotes

As the hours crept by, the afternoon sunlight bleached all the books on the shelves to pale, gilded versions of themselves and warmed the paper and ink inside the covers so that the smell of unread words hung in the air.

- I think this is a good example of why I love the author’s writing style.

One thousand brilliant stars punched holes in my consciousness, pricking me with longing.

- Grace

I immediately turned this thought over in my head, creating lyrics. You’re the change of skin/ my summer-winter-fall / I spring to follow you / this loss is beautiful.

- Sam

Recommendations

If you like YA please read this book! You’ll be even more inclined to love it if you like paranormal or impossible romances. Sex is mentioned in the book, but not described, so I think this would be fine for anyone over 14 (although the older I get the older I think kids should be to read about sex lol).

Going Deeper

For me this was more of an escape book. I was completely absorbed into the story. While it touches on parenting skills (or lack there of) and loyalty between friends, it’s ultimately a captivating love story.

Giveaway!

Since I originally bought the book for the cover, but ended up getting the eBook so I could easily carry it with me… I now have an extra copy. Simply fill out the form for a chance to win the brand-new, never-read hardcopy of Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater!! You don’t have to do anything but fill out the form to be entered, but there are ways to get extra entries.

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