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Thursday, October 8, 2009

Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater


Title: Shiver
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic
Pub. Date: 2009
Genre: YA
Main Themes: Love, Friendship, Shapeshifting
Pages: 390
Plot (from book jacket):
"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 a 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."

Shiver is an absolutely gorgeous novel. I could go on and on about how wonderful it is, but I think it is better to keep it simple. I really enjoyed Stiefvater's first novel, Lament. I seriously didn't really think I would like Shiver better, but I have a whole different kind of respect for Stiefvater after reading this novel.  I fell in love with this book.

I generally don't reread books, but Shiver is a book that I will definitely read again. The story is so beautifully told that I don't think I'll ever get tired of reading it.

I suppose this is a human/werewolf love story, but it is so much more. I don't really feel comfortable classifying it this way because Shiver is so far from the stereotypical werewolf stories.

Grace and Sam are an amazing leading duo. They complement each other perfectly; the reader can see why they fall in love with one another. I feel like it is hard to find that in character couples lately. I also love the fact that Sam is sensitive and not a bad boy. I generally am a sucker for the dark, brooding characters with hidden marshmallow centers, but Sam is such an obvious marshmallow and he's proud of it. I love that fact that he has a dark past, but he isn't dark... that is so rare to see!

And the ending... loved it.

Ratings (Out of 10):
Plot: 10
Characters: 10
Writing: 10
Romance: 10
Originality: 10
Total: 50/50

If you haven't read Shiver yet, don't wait any longer! It is an amazing story, plus, you need to be caught up for when the next book, Linger, comes out in 2010!

9 comments:

  1. Wow, this is quite the recommendation. I've been hearing alot of good things about Stiefvater. I'm hoping to get around to this book very soon. Thanks for your review :)

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  2. I absolutely LOVED this book. How excited are you for Linger?! It needs to come out now!

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  3. Wow, fantastic review. I wanted to read this and it just jumped up my list. I am really glad to hear it was so good.

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  4. I can't wait to read my copy of Shiver :) Great review =D

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  5. I really want this book now. It just sounds fabulous. You always know you have read a good book if you are desperate to read it again.

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  6. Your review just made me want to read this ten times more! I have been hearing so much about Maggie Stiefvater lately. I've never read any of her books, so I really need to step up the pace. Totally reading this after I'm finished my current book! Love the review!

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  7. Oh I LOVED Shiver :)

    ps...go team Peeta!

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  8. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. SO. MUCH.

    PS: Team Gale. Forgive me.

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  9. i agree i loved that he was a marshmellow :D

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