Reviewed by: Book Addict
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Published June 1, 2010 by Scholastic Paperbacks
For six years Sam has watched and waited. In the woods behind her house, Grace has observed the wolves. A familiar yellow-eyed wolf keeps coming back and she is sure she must know it somehow. Sam lives with his feet in two worlds. In the cold, deep winters he lives as a wolf but when the warmth of summer shines down, he returns to being a boy.
He has loved Grace from afar, but will he have the courage to approach her? Will their love be enough to keep Sam human even through the coldest days? Has Grace finally found the place where she belongs?
For a complete review which may contain SPOILERS, please click 'Read More' below:
He has loved Grace from afar, but will he have the courage to approach her? Will their love be enough to keep Sam human even through the coldest days? Has Grace finally found the place where she belongs?
For a complete review which may contain SPOILERS, please click 'Read More' below:
Shiver brings an interesting new twist the werewolf mythos. Cold weather brings about the change into wolf form and warm weather allows the transformation back to human. This is what causes the story's central drama. Grace has watched the woods in her backyard for years. She knows the wolves who roam there, in particular a yellow-eyed one who seems to be watching her back. She feels a connection to it that her friends call obsession, but she doesn't know why. When a local teenage boy is ravaged and killed by wild animals, the adults take up arms to hunt down the wolf pack. Grace knows she cannot let this happen and goes to the woods to try and stop it. After being escorted home by an officer she finds a surprise waiting for her on the back porch: a naked, bleeding boy with yellow eyes.
Sam has been shot by the hunters, causing a shock back to human form. Finally he can get to know the girl he's loved for years. Sam stays in Grace's bedroom (her parents are kind of oblivious) and as long as they keep him warm, he will remain human. This poses a huge problem as the temperatures continue to drop.
A new werewolf has been turned and is showing up in human places. Sam needs to find it before something bad happens. There's also a she-wolf on the prowl who doesn't appreciate Grace's new closeness to Sam.
This book blew me away. It is chock full of emotion and drama. The scenes between Grace and Sam are heartbreakingly beautiful. Here is a boy who is struggling to stay a boy and a girl who wishes she could turn into a wolf to be with him. The characters are so real, so in love you forget that this is a young adult book - it feels like they've been together forever. The story is a roller coaster ride you feel is headed for impact and yet, you wouldn't get off the ride even if you could. There was a fluttery feeling of dread that persisted for the last few chapters because I just couldn't see how it would work out for these two but the ending was wonderful! I'm not going to give it away for those of you who have not read this story yet. (And why haven't you? Go get it!) But I will tell you Kleenex were needed after I finished. Isn't that a sign of a truly engaging story? Maggie Stiefvater does an incredible job of weaving love and sadness, joy and heartbreak together to make the spectacular tale that is Shiver.
The second book in the trilogy, Linger, and the final book, Forever, are both out already.
Sam has been shot by the hunters, causing a shock back to human form. Finally he can get to know the girl he's loved for years. Sam stays in Grace's bedroom (her parents are kind of oblivious) and as long as they keep him warm, he will remain human. This poses a huge problem as the temperatures continue to drop.
A new werewolf has been turned and is showing up in human places. Sam needs to find it before something bad happens. There's also a she-wolf on the prowl who doesn't appreciate Grace's new closeness to Sam.
This book blew me away. It is chock full of emotion and drama. The scenes between Grace and Sam are heartbreakingly beautiful. Here is a boy who is struggling to stay a boy and a girl who wishes she could turn into a wolf to be with him. The characters are so real, so in love you forget that this is a young adult book - it feels like they've been together forever. The story is a roller coaster ride you feel is headed for impact and yet, you wouldn't get off the ride even if you could. There was a fluttery feeling of dread that persisted for the last few chapters because I just couldn't see how it would work out for these two but the ending was wonderful! I'm not going to give it away for those of you who have not read this story yet. (And why haven't you? Go get it!) But I will tell you Kleenex were needed after I finished. Isn't that a sign of a truly engaging story? Maggie Stiefvater does an incredible job of weaving love and sadness, joy and heartbreak together to make the spectacular tale that is Shiver.
The second book in the trilogy, Linger, and the final book, Forever, are both out already.
