Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1)

Reader reviewed by john

                     Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater was a very fresh, new, amazing new take on a werewolf story.  I fell in love with it ever since the first word.  The way the book was written, in my eyes, was very poetic.  I think Maggie was trying to go for that type of poetic feel especially for the werewold scenes because werewolves can't talk so you would have to find out a new way to express the wereolf's feelings.  I got this book for christmass '09 and I read it Christmass day and finished it Christmass day.  It was really that good.  I love how, in the book, the wereolves only have a limited amount of time of switching back and forth until the dreaded day they become a wolf. . . forever.  I'm not much of a fan of guys with long hair so I didn't really see Sam as a hottie.  Just putting that out there.  Just the way that the book was written, you could feel cold when it was a cold scene, you feel hot/warm when it's a hot/warm scene.  It is really well written.  Some books, just the way it is written takes away from the enjoyment of the book.  Not with Shiver. though. 

           There aren't any slow, boring scenes.  I loved how it flowed.  The author describes the wereolvs so well it is easy to picture them in your head.  Just a perfect, clean, clear picture.  It flowed like a movie, and it just so happens it is being made into a movie.  I can't wait for it.  I think my favorite charecter would probably have to be Olive.  If I had to make a choice to take the disease or just be a werewolf, I would so choose to be a werewolf.  Shiver had happy scenes, sad scenes, adrenaline-filled scenes, excited scenes, and all other scenes that are available.  I was sad when Beck turned for the last time, never to become human again.  I like/d Beck!  He seemed really nice.  I wouldn't want to snap a bunch of chicken necks like he made Sam do, though!  I'm vegan.  The background information about Sam was really intense, you know, with the whole bath tub and everything.  I like/d how throughout the book, Sam had flashbacks of his childhood.  It helped you understand Sam a lot more.

     

Reader reviewed by Sarah S

Just finished reading Shiver for the second time in
anticipation of the July release of Linger (the second book in the
Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy). It was just as wonderfully amazing as the first
time I read it last December. Maggie Stiefvater is an amazing writer and I am
so very excited to see where the story ends in the final installment, Forever
due out in 2011.



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, Same 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 ... unitl the cold makes him shift back
again.



Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away.
It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human
- or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever. -From Maggie Stiefvater's website.



The writing is absolutely amazing; the prose is beautifully crafted. Maggie
knows exactly how to get you really "into" a scene, a moment, a
feeling. The tone - the novel's core feeling - seeps from every scene. The
longing Same and Grace feel for each other and their understanding that time is
running out for them comes through every part of the novel. You can't help but
hope that they will find a way to be together and Sam will avoid shifting.



Beyong the wonderful writing, the characters are all realistic and interesting.
From the very beginning you're drawn into Grace and Sam's story. The novel
opens with Grace being attacked by a pack a wolves. It's not a violent,
introduction, as one might expect; Grace is calm and unafraid. immediately you
want to know why she's attacked, why she's not scared, and who the yellow-eyed
wolf who saves her is.



I especially enjoyed the narration shifts between Grace and Sam. By shifting
the story between the two you are pulled into their story even more. These
shifts aren't every other chapter, but are clearly carefully thought out as to
whose viewpoint a moment would be best told through. The chapters vary greatly
in length as well, which helps push the story forward and keeps the pacing from
dragging in the middle.



Beyond the content, this book is one of the most beautifully designed I've
seen. The cover is gorgeous; the blue graphic art with the red blood spot for
the dot on the "i" all work perfectly. Plus the entire interior text
is a beautiful dark, dark blue! So very pretty and original.



I absolutely loved this book and am eagerly awaiting the next two.



Get this book immediately and begin reading

Reader reviewed by Elizabeth

    Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, told from the points of view of the two main characters, is a story of temptation, romance, loss, and love. The two protagonists are two teens, Grace Brisbane and Sam Roth, who are soulmates that have yet to meet each other- at least when they are both of the same species. The two are separated by one pivitol fact: Sam Roth, the boy with the luring yellow eyes, is not just a boy, but a thing of folk lore- he is a werewolf. His inability to control his changing into a werewolf fights his will to hold on to his humanity as well as his love, Grace. The year that he and Grace finally meet and embrace their love may be Sam's last as a human- forever. The cold winter air that brings on the change of human to wolf threatens their dreams of staying together, and they fight the inevitable, Sam losing his humanity and forever becoming a wolf, with their everlasting love. Sam and Grace have finally found each other, but will they be able to hold on? 
    Shiver truly surprised me. With all the supernatural romances today, I expected this book to be just another generic werewolf story, but Maggie Stiefvater was successful at telling a great and unique tale of all the things I love most: werewolves and romance! I applaude Maggie and have to say that Shiver is definately a novel that I recommend to any of you readers who seek a little out of the ordinary love story.

Reader reviewed by Nancy M.

Grace was attacked by wolves in her backyard when she was 11 years old.  That incident has affected her more than she ever imagined.  Now 17, Grace prefers winter to summer because she can watch her wolf in the woods behind her house.  Sam is 18 years old and works summers near Grace.  His yellow eyes are his most distinguishing feature.  In fact, they are the same yellow eyes of Graces wolf.  Sam is a werewolf and changes form not by the phases of the moon but rather by cold temperatures.  Events unravel that bring Grace and Sam together and they discover a soul-mate bond with one another.  But his days as a human are numbered.  With the help of Sams wolf pack and Graces friends, they discover a cure for the werewolves.  Will they be able to save Graces friends?  Will she be in time to save Sam?  In a brilliantly written conclusion, Sams permanent conversion is unveiled.

The story is told from Graces and Sams perspectives, as indicated at the beginning of each chapter.  Stiefvater has miraculously created two distinct voices for the characters; it is obvious whose perspective the story is coming from.  I was also impressed by the authors ability to describe the chemistry between Grace and Sam in a realistic way and without resorting to telling us about it; she describes glances and gasps, touches and eye contact.  She also uses an interesting plot device: Each chapter opens with the current temperature.  As readers follow the story, the importance of the degrees dropping help carry the story forward.  When the temperature hovers just above freezing, the anxiety of finding the cure is subtly reinforced.  The cold blue type and end pages reinforce the theme as well.  Fans of the Twilight series and genre will find a treasure in this book.  

I can hardly wait for the sequel!  When is the movie coming out?  This ones a natural.  No wonder it made YALSAs Quick Pick Nominations for 2009.

(This review originally appeared in my blog, YA Need Books; reprinted here with permission of the author--me!)

Reader reviewed by Manda Kay

I've been
sitting for a while trying to compose this review.  This book has
totally stolen my words.  That's a scary thought, since I'm pretty sure
that has never happened before. 

Shiver
is the story of Grace and Sam.  Grace is a 17 year old girl whose
obsessed with the wolves that live in the woods behind her house. 
There is one wolf who she loves to watch, he sort of feels like "her"
wolf, but she doesn't know why.  Sam is that wolf.  During the summers,
he lives human and is able to be around Grace from a distance.  In the
winters, he is her yellow-eyed wolf that protects her and watches her
from afar.  What draws them to each other?  What is in their pasts that
makes them made to be together? How will they conquer their pasts to be
forever in love?  You'll have to read for yourself to find out. I know
the suspense is killing you.

I am
absolutely, without a doubt, in love with this story.  The tale that
Maggie Stiefvater spins of love, pain, and suspense is one you'll feel
in the depths of your soul.  After reading this book, I felt lost for
words.  I sat clutching the book to my chest with tears running down my
face, wishing that it wasn't over.  The emotions that are painted into
the voices and thoughts of Grace and Sam are those of first loves, old
loves, and forever loves.  I feel the love that Grace and Sam feel for
each other.  I want to live this love.  After reading, Shiver by Maggie
Stiefvater, I assure you you'll feel the same way too.

Reprinted here with author's permission. --I am that author.

Reader reviewed by Margay Justice

Maggie Stiefvater is fast becoming one of my favorite new authors. She has a way with words and prose that is awe-inspiring. With just a few key details, she places you right into the heart of the story and there you will remain until the conclusion. This is simply a stunning book about love, yearning and facing the prospect of loss head-on and taking the risk, anyway. Stiefvater takes you right into the heart of teenage angst and first love, adding a supernatural element that blends so well with the story, you soon forget that this is a paranormal tale. She has a way of bringing a sweet humanity to the paranormal characters in this book, even as those characters struggle with the inevitability of the loss of that humanity. The choices they make might not always be of the most noble nature, but they are understandable when you take the time to understand them.

Reader reviewed by Penultimate Page

My Thoughts:

Shiver has definitely made the list as one of my favorite books.

Shiver is one of the few books that left me absolutely speechless (not to mention bawling my eyes out). I was completely attached to the characters practically right off the bat. Grace is a girl that seems, on the outside, to lead a totally normal life. However, her parents, though alive, are never around. This has forced Grace to grow up and take responsibility for herself. One of her only comforts is the pack of wolves that live in the forest behind her house. She is a likable character that I wouldnt mind having a cup of coffee with, in the least.

Sam, oh Sam. Sa-woooon. Stupid in love? Check. Dark and mysterious? Check. Works at a bookstore? Check. Writes music? Check. Where do I sign up for one of those? Sam is a tortured soul that is forced to harbor a dark secret, even from Grace, in the beginning.

The pair are totally in love and completely dynamic. The chemistry between Grace and Sam left me wholly unaware that there were other characters in the book until those characters threatened what Grace and Sam had.

When I was forced to notice the other characters, it was easy to see that, while not as close to my heart as Grace and Sam, they too were dynamic. Graces group of friends acted like a real group of teenagers, while Sams pack behaved with the world-weariness and volatility you would expect.

Maggies writing style, whether in Shiver, Lament, or Ballad, always draws me in.
I love the dual points-of-view in Shiver, and not just how refreshing it is, but that there is an actual purpose to it. In my opinion, the emotions, memories, and ideas conveyed by both Grace and Sam would not have hit home as hard if Shiver had been written entirely in third person.

The Verdict:

Maggie Stiefvater draws you in the a no-nonsense quick start and sinks her claws in. There is no getting out of this story, even after the last page.

Reader reviewed by Katie

"For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolfher wolfis 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.
Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay humanor risk losing himself, and Grace, forever." - From author's website
This book was amazing. You know, I like Twilight just as much as the next [average] person, but all the vampire copycat stories were making me dread going into the teen section at bookstores. Shiver is why you should do it anyway. This book is about werewolves, and Maggie Stiefvater puts a creative new spin on the human/wolf thing. This was the best book I have read in a long time, blending the unusual cross-species romance with the everyday. The characters were so genuine, and even their flaws just made you want to love them more. For those who love Twilight and those who hate it, this is one of the best books you will ever read. Definitely going up on my list of favorites with books like The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and The Host.

Reader reviewed by cbrett60

Reader reviewed by Sab H.

I loved this book. It's the sweetest thing I've read in a while. I was
prepared to cry, but I didn't; I loved every step. It was a truly
amazing story, with wonderful supernatural elements included. The
writing was great. Maggie is a wonderful writer. She makes the reader feel so much when reading.

The
characters were incredible. I'm running out of praise for characters,
specially for the lovable male character. Oh Sam, I loved Sam. I loved
Grace too, she's a simple normal decision-making girl. The plot was
superb, I never lost interest. Not once. It has a steady pace and one
moment you are drooling because the romance is so yummy, and at the
next minute you're turning the pages wanting to find out what happens,
as if your life depends on it.

The cover is not one of my
favorites but it suits the book quite well. For those Twilight fans,
and those who love wonderful love stories with a supernatural edge, go
pick this New York Times Best-selling title right now!