Shiver

I was iffy on reading this book because it was supposedly a romance book and I do like romance, just not a lot of it, but my friend who loves romance, convinced me to read it and it was worth it xD

This was an interesting and different take on a werewolf book. Characters were well developed and likeable, plot was engaging, and I'm looking forward to more of her books. Both my husband and I read "Shiver" and will recommend to others.

I had been seeing this book on recommendation lists for a while before I decided to try it. It was a really good book. It was just so much fun. I can't wait to read the next book!

I had heard a few good things about this novel, before I began reading it. Shiver, of course, is listed as a read alike to Twilight, because of its romance and supernatural elements. This novel like the rest of Stiefvater's books takes turns using the main characters point of view and alternates between the two protagonists, Grace and Sam. Grace a native of Mercy Falls, Minnesota, was bitten and taken by wolves as a young girl, and was rescued by one of the wolves in the pack, Sam. Over the years Grace has always watched Sam through the glass surfaces of her house, as Sam watched Grace through the trees in the forest surrounding her home. During the cold months of snow and frost Sam would remain a wolf vaguely recalling people/events yet in the spring and summer months Sam would turn back into his human form and remember his infatuation and devotion to Grace. One day after Sam’s pack had attacked a local high school student, Sam was shot by one of the hunters agreeing the wolves should be eradicated. Grace worried about her wolf and found Sam shot and injured and took him to the hospital. From that moment on they became inseparable; especially when Sam admits he believes that this is his last year as a human. Grace and Sam struggle to find the boy who was attacked by the pack, as well as find a “cure” to being a wolf. While running out of time, they decide to take their chances and discover a drastic solution to keep Sam human. What will become of Sam? Will he be a wolf forever? (I’m not going to tell you! You have to read the book!) I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. As with the Twilight series and other teen books, you do lose some of the sophistication you get with adult novels. But of course that simplicity is why some people prefer reading teen literature. Shiver’s more mature than its Meyer counterpart, especially in the relationship between Grace and Sam. The alternating between the voices of the characters is also well done and is seamless in its telling of the story. I recommend this if you read and liked Twilight, or even just like romantic fiction. Stay tuned for the sequel to Shiver, Linger, and the third book in this series, Forever.