Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1)

4.3 (3)

4.3 (42)

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42 reviews

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50%

4 stars

36%

3 stars

12%

2 stars

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Overall rating

4.3

Plot

4.2(42)

Characters

4.0(18)

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4.6(17)

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Not your little sister's "Twilight"...

March 01, 2010

Overall rating

4.0

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Reader reviewed by VioLetSlieZ

So I read a few reviews on other sites comparing "Shiver" to the 'diluted version of Twilight'. This is NOT another version of Twilight nor is it 'diluted' in any way.

We meet Grace and Sam immediately and it becomes pretty clear from the start that Sam is the werewolf and Grace is the girl he has eyes for. She has suffered a traumatic attack as a child in her very own backyard and her life begins to unfold soon after. Grace is not your typical teenager with nagging parents and a horrible existence at school. She has the kind of parents that need parenting themselves and although Grace is more than happy to oblige, she stops and wonders from time time if they ever really care about her. For someone like me who was born to a teenage single mother and felt like she was a sister more than a parent growing up, it was very easy for me to understand Grace's plight when dealing with her parents.

Sam becomes a very important part of her life. He saved her from an almost fatal attack as a child and has watched her ever since. Grace has felt the pull and attraction to the woods and especially her 'wolf' from the time she was 6 years old. How is it possible that she knows when he is watching her without spotting him, feels his presence before he appears, understands his feelings without ever communicating? This is what Grace has to figure out for her own.
She has two best friends and they play an important role in her relationship with Sam.

Everything explodes when a school mate, Jack, is killed presumably by wolves. Just as his parents prepare to deal with the grief of a funeral, his body disappears from the morgue. We soon learn that Jack, Sam, Grace, her friends and even Jack's sister Isabel are all connected by the mystery that surrounds their town. The woods hold many secrets and they unravel right before their eyes.

It's very easy to say that this is the story that could have been written for Jacob from the Twilight Series but within the first few pages you see that Sam an Jacob are as different as they come. Even if they are both wolves. Maggie Stiefvater's writing flows and is lyrical in so many ways. She has a way of intoxicating the reader and bringing them into Grace and Sam's world. I usually take notice of what page I'm on when reading and then figure out how many more pages I have to go before the end of the book. I never did that with "Shiver"! Before I knew it I was on page 227 and I was immediately thinking 'I hope this goes on forever, better slow down my reading so it doesn't end so soon'. Give this book a try, go for it! Its worth it!

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This Book Will Steal Your Breath Away

February 16, 2010

Overall rating

5.0

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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.

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You May Shiver, But Not From The Cold

February 14, 2010

Overall rating

5.0

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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.

From the main characters to all of the secondary ones, the portraits the author draws are each unique and heartbreaking, in turns. You end up feeling sorry for the characters you didn't like in the beginning and wondering at the choices made by characters you did like. All of them are beautifully flawed. And so, in telling the tale of a girl whose boyfriend just might be a wolf, the author manages to tell a bittersweet story of love and humanity that will linger in your memory long after the last page is read. I look forward to reading the sequel, which appropriately enough, is titled Linger.

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Cold World, Hot Romance

February 14, 2010

Overall rating

5.0

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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.

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Beautiful, Real Book

January 28, 2010

Overall rating

5.0

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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.

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A New Take on Werewolf Mythology

January 26, 2010

Overall rating

4.0

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Reader reviewed by Natalie

What if you couldn't have the one you loved?

While this archetypal theme is extremely common in literature,
especially in teen fiction, Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver presents a fresh
take on the idea. In her latest novel, two teenagers in love are not
separated by race, social standing, or even parents. They're threatened
with separation by the coming winter, which will force Sam into his
other form, a wolf. Stiefvater's writing has the perfect amount of
description, and borders on poetic at some points. Her writing style
has a soft, well put together flow to it, while managing to keep the
reader turning pages.

As far as the plot goes, Stiefvater has taken werewolf mythology
down a whole new road. I've heard of the "change" being caused by
night, the lunar cycle, or even willpower. But a change initiated by
the changing of season was extremely creative, and aided in forming a
gripping, original plot.

With the plethora of teen fantasy romance books being published
after the onslaught of Twilight, I was afraid that this book would fall
into the poorly written majority. I'm glad to say that this is not the
case with Shiver. The main characters, Sam and Grace, experience the
natural, everyday emotions of the average teenager, along with those
problems caused by Sams condition, creating an interesting blend of
the real and the supernatural. The only complaint I would have at all
about the book is that I would have liked to see some more development
of the minor characters. But overall, this book provided a unique plot
with memorable characters. I would recommend Shiver to those readers
who are looking for a well-written fantasy novel, as well as those who
are just looking for a good read in general.

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Wonderful book!

January 24, 2010

Overall rating

4.0

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Reader reviewed by BookBegger

Grace was attacked by wolves years ago, she could of screamed and
struggled. But she didnt. She was saved by a wolf, her wolf, from
being torn to shreds. Every winter she knows that her wolf will be
lurking in the edge of the woods by her home watching her silently.

Sam
was bitten when he was very young, his parents thought he was
possessed. They tried killing him, giving him a fear of bathtubs. When
he is a wolf he watches Grace silently in the woods outside of her
home. But when he is human, he wouldnt dare talk to her. Until now.

Another
attack happens, leaving a teenager dead. The town decides to hunt down
the wolves and kill the animals to prevent future attacks. Grace finds
Sam wounded and half alive on her porch, she instantly knows its him.
Their love for each other deepens as Sam tries to stay alive, will Sam
stay human? Or will he turn into a wolf forever? What will Grace do to
keep Sam?

Told in alternative perspectives, Shiver will give you a whole new concept of werewolves.

This
book was very good! I loved the plot and idea of it. The writing was
great, urging you to keep reading no matter how late in the day it is.
The writing was understandable and clear, giving you a picture of the
characters surroundings in your head.

Maggie Stiefvater made
the characters with realistic flaws and feelings. The first page will
get you hooked to the book and its characters.

Love, mystery, secrets and grief Shiver is a great book that I recommend to readers who enjoy the Twilight Saga.

**contains brief sexual content**

For book updates and reviews go to my blog: http://bookstobegfor.blogspot.com/

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Review of Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

January 24, 2010

Overall rating

5.0

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Reader reviewed by cbrett60

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.wtpl.org/teens/images/bookcovers/aug09/shiver.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 185px; height: 278px;" src="http://www.wtpl.org/teens/images/bookcovers/aug09/shiver.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a>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.

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.

Reading level: Young Adult

Hardcover: 400 pages

Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (August 1, 2009)

Language: English

A perfect 5/5

Pros:

-Transition is flawless

-Passion is felt

-Ending is amazing

Cons

- Starts of just a little slow

- One character is two-dimensional to me. Her motivation isn't explained

Writing;

Maggie knows what she is doing. Her writing takes you from this world to the one she has created. Smells, sounds, descriptions are all flawless to give you the sense of belonging, desire and want. With such a well written book and a perfect ending, I do not know how Maggie has found a way to write a second book. But she has and if it is anywhere as well written as this book then it is bound to be Phenomenal.

Characters:

Sam is a wolf, and his is human. His motivation, back story and needs all convey who his is and what he is aiming for. What is it that he truly wants? You will have to read the book to find out. Hehe. (I want to be Sam)

Grace. Her name says it all. She knows what she wants, and she is going to do everything in her power to keep it safe. What is she protecting? What keeps attracting her to the woods? I believe girls will want to be Grace.

Dialogue:

When the characters speak to each other, the dialogue is truly how someone might say it. Even with there is no dialogue there is still dialogue. Unspoken words that say it all. You know that there is a connection between people when they don't have to speak to have a conversation.

Book Excerpt:

<blockquote>"She kissed me harder, breath huffing into my mouth, and bit my lip. Oh, hell that was amazing. I growled before I could stop myself."</blockquote>

About the Author

"I'm an avid reader, an award-winning colored pencil artist, and play several musical instruments, including the Celtic harp, the piano, and the bagpipes. I also make great cocktail party conversation." -Straight from her <a href="http://www.maggiestiefvater.com/me.php">site</a>

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Beatifully Written, but Not Quite the Wolf Tale I Expected

January 24, 2010

Overall rating

3.0

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Reader reviewed by Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books)

Shiver has gotten a lot of praise
since its release and I can understand why, in some respects at least.
Stiefvater introduces us to Grace, the everyday, average shy girl with
a strange obsession with wolves and Sam, one of the wolves in question.
Grace has had this obsession and need for the wolves in her life since
she was a little girl. Sam, the yellow-eyed wolf/man has been watching
Grace for as long as she can remember. When their worlds collide, a
romance spirals out from it and many difficulties follow.

The werewolf mythology that Stiefvater
develops is interesting, but the story is more about the romance and
Im not a huge romance person. The wolf story had me hooked from the
beginning though and I would have loved to know more about that aspect
of it. Graces and Sams alternating POVs is refreshing and I found
myself reading more to get to know them better. I do have to say that
there were more than a few parts that I didnt enjoy though.

Graces obsession with the wolves is
integral to the story, but her apparent love for the wolves, not Sam
the person, but being in love with a wolf prior to knowing it/he was a
person, is just weird to me. It made me view Grace in a skewed way. I
can understand her obsession, but her being in love just didnt make
sense to me. There was also some language that I absolutely could not
stand. Grace is 17 and Sam is 18 and I dont need them to be dropping
f-bombs left and right, but saying poopy!? No. Realistically, a 17 or
18 year old would not say poopy and it just made me laugh. Sams
constant lyrical, poetic breakthroughs were annoying and some scenes
were way too sappy for my liking.

The overall story and the rest of the
writing allowed me to get past these most of these issues and still
enjoy the book to a degree. Steifvater certainly can write well and put
you into that Minnesota atmosphere. The entire time I was reading it I
felt cold. The book is cold, but in such a good way. I do wish that the
minor characters had a somewhat larger role because I was completely
drawn to Isabel, but I did enjoy what little of them we get to see.
Unfortunately, I rarely felt completely engrossed and devoted to the
love story aspect, but the wolves kept me reading. Grace and Sam were
well-developed and even though the ending felt rushed, I still
recommend reading the book. Im sure many people will be unable to put
the book down, even though I dont feel quite the same way.

I have to say that the Rilke excerpts were incredible and the last one was absolutely heartbreaking.

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The sweetest thing I've read in a while

October 06, 2009

Overall rating

5.0

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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!

Guest #1 Reviewer