Book Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Ever since a yellow-eyed wolf saved her from an attack by other wolves, Grace has felt drawn to “her wolf” and looks out for him. Sam is that wolf – allowed to be the human he was born as for a few months each summer – but who must change back when the cold weather comes. A twist of fate brings them together finally, and Sam must fight to retain his humanity and to be able to stay with Grace.

Recently a few authors and bloggers were making lists of their favorite YA couples. Since I’m not too big on reading romance, I didn’t make my own list because I couldn’t even come up with five favorites. But after having read SHIVER, an engrossing novel with an amazingly unsappy romance at its’ core, I have to say Sam and Grace would easily make my list. The scene in the candy store could have been totally cheesy, but it was pitch perfect. *sigh*

Sam is attracted to Grace because she brings out the humanity in him even when he’s a wolf, and Grace is attracted to Sam for his gentle yet protective personality. Grace feels neglected by her largely absent parents and yearns for the closeness Sam shares with the “wolf pack”. This pack and the mythology surrounding them was one of the best parts of the novel after Grace and Sam’s relationship. Beck’s story was especially heartbreaking. Although we only really experience the pack’s summer escapades as humans through Sam’s remembrances of them, these scenes were some of the most vivid, making me prefer them over the scenes featuring Grace and her fully human friends.

The ending definitely brought tears to my eyes, and I 100% look forward to LINGER, the sequel/companion novel coming out Fall 2010.

SHIVER comes out this week in hardcover. Find out more about it, watch two different trailers and listen to Maggie read the first two chapters at Maggie's website.