Review Detail
4.0 16
Young Adult Fiction
2486
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater Review
(Updated: June 11, 2026)
Overall rating
3.0
Plot
3.0
Characters
N/A
Writing Style
N/A
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
N/A
Reader reviewed by The Bookshelf Sophisticate
If you've ever read a review or critique on Maggie Stiefvater or her previous books you will recognize and come to expect certain key terms like lyrical, passionate, poetic, creative and talented. All of these descriptions ring true for Stiefvater and her writing. After reading and enjoying Shiver I had high expectations for Linger and I was not disappointed. Stiefvater took the love story between Sam and Grace and if it's even possible made it more dramatic and heart wrenching. You are constantly rooting for them and crossing your fingers that they will finally get the happy ending that they so greatly deserve. But rather than stop there (because apparently Stiefvater wanted to torture readers more) we are presented with a new character Cole, and a new connection between he and Isabel.
Cole and Isabel are both going through a difficult time and I enjoyed watching them go through that together (not in a mean way or anything). It was like they recognized something in each other and knew they could lean on one another. I was a little disappointed that at times in the book we got more information on these two than on Sam and Grace, but at the same time it was like an added bonus. We got two more characters to root for and care about, and another couple to hope for. Overall I think Cole and Isabel added to the greatness that is the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, but I know some readers will want nothing but Sam and Grace and who can blame them?
I'm not sure I have a favorite when comparing Shiver and Linger but I'm upset that I have to wait a year for Forever to be released, that's just too long. All in all I think Stiefvater has another success on her hands and an overall fan pleaser.
If you've ever read a review or critique on Maggie Stiefvater or her previous books you will recognize and come to expect certain key terms like lyrical, passionate, poetic, creative and talented. All of these descriptions ring true for Stiefvater and her writing. After reading and enjoying Shiver I had high expectations for Linger and I was not disappointed. Stiefvater took the love story between Sam and Grace and if it's even possible made it more dramatic and heart wrenching. You are constantly rooting for them and crossing your fingers that they will finally get the happy ending that they so greatly deserve. But rather than stop there (because apparently Stiefvater wanted to torture readers more) we are presented with a new character Cole, and a new connection between he and Isabel.
Cole and Isabel are both going through a difficult time and I enjoyed watching them go through that together (not in a mean way or anything). It was like they recognized something in each other and knew they could lean on one another. I was a little disappointed that at times in the book we got more information on these two than on Sam and Grace, but at the same time it was like an added bonus. We got two more characters to root for and care about, and another couple to hope for. Overall I think Cole and Isabel added to the greatness that is the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, but I know some readers will want nothing but Sam and Grace and who can blame them?
I'm not sure I have a favorite when comparing Shiver and Linger but I'm upset that I have to wait a year for Forever to be released, that's just too long. All in all I think Stiefvater has another success on her hands and an overall fan pleaser.
G
Guest
Comments
Already have an account? Log in now or Create an account
