Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

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.

you can read the first couple of pages HERE

Review:

 

Ah Shiver, a book that I have been looking forward to reading.  I even waited until I had all of the books in the series to start just in case I wasn't going to be able to stop reading.  But alas, my dream of reading straight through this series because it was phenomenal came crashing down shortly into the book. 

 

Shiver takes place in Northern Minnesota, Maggie does a quick description of the woods and Grace's home but for the most part she lets the reader imagine the location based on her mentioning the state and providing the temperature.  Maggie starts each chapter with the temperature which I really liked, it instantly set the scene but I do wish she had gone into a bit more detail and not relied so heavily on peoples preconceived notions of what Northern Minnesota would be like at 37 degrees. 
 

 

The beginning of the book was enjoyable.  Maggie takes time to set up how obsessed/in love Grace is with "her wolf."  The reader (or at least me) feels heartbroken for Grace, knowing the feelings she has for the animal that will never be returned. 

 

When Sam, "her wolf," shows up in human form the book comes to a screeching halt.  I'm talking a sick tortuously slow pace.  You can see that Maggie was trying to mix in the mystery story line with the romance but it just didn't work.

 

"One Happy Day"

written by Maggie Stiefvater, performed by Maggie Stiefvater and Kate Hummel.
 

Grace is portrayed as a typical teen - self absorbed - only cares about Sam even when she finds out Olivia (her best friend) has been bitten.  Grace drops her friends as soon as Sam comes into the picture.  However, I don't think a teen reader would see the downside of this behavior or even recognize it as a bad move.  I'm not saying that ever teen book needs to have an overwhelmingly good message but this book seemed to lack any positive teenage behaviors. 

 

Maggie's use of foreshadowing is so obvious that its frustrating.  One can hardly call it foreshadowing.

 

This book wraps up all the loose ends so I don't see a reason to read on.  I read the jacket flaps on the next two books and they do flow but since I didn't enjoy this book to begin with I won't be reading on.

What have you been reading?  Let us know. 
I'm linking up to Ricki Jill's Literary Friday