Review Detail

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!)