In the book Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, a girl named Grace has a near death experience with wolves and since that point is obsessed with them, especially one wolf in particular. A gun shot wound brings “her” gold-eyed wolf into her lap six years later – only the wolf is a boy, a cute boy, Sam. A neighbor had been attacked by wolves, or so they say, bringing the wolf pack in the nearby forest into the limelight.

No one could predict how this event and the wolf hunt that followed would throw Grace’s perfectly ordered world out the window. Will she ever be the same again? Does she want to? Can Sam and Grace find a way to protect their love from the cold of winter threatening to tear them apart forever?

The emotion and the passion conveyed really brought the story to life. The author also managed to strike the perfect balance between the idealistic and realistic truths of pain and love. I would love to write a story that felt real and dreamlike all at once. The one thing that I wasn’t a complete fan of was the length. One of the author’s goals, per her blog, was to keep a slow pace for the story, but I still think it could’ve quickened a touch.

I would recommend this book but to an older crowd due to the sexual tension and innuendos.

Enjoyment: 4/5
Beginning: 3/5 → took a little while for me to really get into the story
Middle: 5/5 – loved the tension and suspense
Ending: 4/5

There is a sequel to this story, but I don’t think that was necessary. In my opinion, the tale is whole and satisfying on its’ own. I have heard good things about it, though, so I will probably read the next book Linger when I get the chance.

One of my favorite passages was a lyric by Sam: “Crashing into the trembling void/ Stretching my hand to you/ Losing myself to frigid regret/ Is this fragile love/ A way/ To say/ Good-bye”

Kate

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
(c) 2010, Scholastic
Publisher Reading Level: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-0545123273
400 Pages