Monday, March 29, 2010

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver
From Maggie Stiefvater's blog: For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human... until the cold makes him shift back again. 


Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever. 

This book is more of a character study of Sam and Grace. Each has their own voice and POV. This character development is a wonderful way of telling a love story. You get to know both main characters well and feel deeply for them. To me, the werewolf part of the story was secondary to main love story, although it did enhance the love between the two. It became the reason they had to listen, learn, and find what was real and true about the other. The werewolf angle could have been replaced by some other problem that finds that Sam and Grace may never get their happily ever after. However, Maggie's angle plays very creatively and magically in the way she wrote it. In fact I'd say that the true magic was not shape-shifting into a wolf, but it was in the simple and beautiful love story Maggie tells with such poetry.

I gave this book 5 stars and recommend this book to anyone looking for a love story. There is some violence and some well some sexual content. So, bear those in mind for the very young set.





7 comments:

  1. I loved this book! So different than your average werewolf/shapeshifter book.

    I need to get my hands on Linger, but somebody ::points to chest:: has to stop down loading m/m ebooks. Vicious cycle.

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  2. I'm glad to hear you liked this book so much! I was a bit on the fence about it...I didn't think there was a need for a sequel, but that's just me! :)

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  3. I don't know what's keeping me from reading this book - Loved Jacob in Twilight, bullied my family into watching The Wolfman with me for my b-day. I think I'm afraid it might disappoint me.

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  4. @ Smokinhotbooks... lol, you just need to download Linger ebook with the rest. :)

    @ Melissa (love the new icon) I don't know if the same characters show up in Linger. So, I agree no need for a sequel, but it might be different. I'm curious.

    @ StephanieD.. I understand. I usually shy away from the big hyped books, but I read her faerie stories so I knew she was a good writer. So, maybe try one of her less hyped stories. She has a few on "Merry Sisters of Fate" blog. Try that first.

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  5. Ooohhh, I have this series on my list. I really want to read this. And reading these reviews are not helping me. Thanks for the great review!

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  6. I adore Shiver and can not wait to see what comes of a movie.

    Right now I am following Shiverguy. He is hilarious reading and reviewing Shiver!=)

    I will have to look at the vids you posted!

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  7. I havent read the book, but I just bought it. I can't wait!

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