Review + Giveaway: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
June 21, 2010 
41 Comments
Shiver
by Maggie Stiefvater
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Scholastic
Available: June 1, 2010
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Book received from: Big Honcho Media
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.
Reviewer: Fiction Vixen
When Grace was very young she was viciously attacked by a pack of wolves. But instead of becoming terrified of them, Grace has been fascinated by the wolves in the forest near her home. Every winter she watches one yellow eyed wolf in particular, not really understanding her attraction or connection to him. All she knows is he returns each year and somehow it comforts her.
Sam is an 18 year old boy who has a secret. In the warm summer months he is an average teenager, but when the cold harsh winter temperatures hit, he makes a miraculous transformation into a wolf. He lives among a pack of wolves who, like him, also change. It is crucial to their survival that their secret is kept from normal humans but since he stopped the attack on Grace when she was a child, he has been waiting for her. He watches her from afar, both in wolf and human form, falling in love with her more as each year passes.
Shiver is told from two alternating points of view. I’m not always a fan of this style usually finding it distracting, however I did enjoy reading from both Grace and Sam’s point of view. The insight from both characters greatly enhanced the story for me.
With all the buzz about this book I was very excited to finally have a chance to read Shiver. I had high expectations going in and I think that might have contributed to my disappointment with the first half of the book. This story is a very slow build and I don’t usually have much patience for that but I stuck with it mostly because I was curious about why so many of my fellow readers were so excited about this book. It wasn’t until about 170 pages in until this story really grabbed my attention and made me want to really dig in. I am very glad continued to read though, after about halfway through I did not want to put this book down.
One of the interesting things about this story is the slightly different take on werewolves. Instead of the werewolves’ form being based on the cycle of the moon, the wolves are instead forced to change during the very cold temperatures of winter. Since some of the wolves seem to resent the change I spent a great deal of time wondering why they didn’t just move to Arizona where the temperatures are warmer. The reason why was explained, but not until late into the story.
Grace and Sam’s romantic relationship develops slowly. You don’t get the typical overly possessive male werewolf who is obsessed with dominating and claiming his mate. Sam is said to the be the best of the pack, and presumably in line as the future alpha however as a human he is none of the things you’d expect from an alpha male in paranormal romance. Sam and Grace experience a romance years in the making and even when they meet face to face they still take things slowly making for a very sweet romantic build. Even in very close quarters Sam is a gentleman and the relationship progresses appropriately with a refreshing innocence for this age group. Although Grace is only 17 and lives with her parents, she manages to stow a boy away in her room night after night without her parents knowledge. I found this far fetched and I was disappointed that Grace’s parents were portrayed as oblivious morons who have no idea their daughter has a boy practically living in their home without their knowledge.
The cast of supporting characters are quite entertaining, particularly Isabel and Jack. Jack is a school mate of Grace who was attacked by wolves and presumed dead. Isabel is his sarcastic sister who wants to get to the bottom of his disappearance. The two of them provide some great comic relief as well as add an interesting twist to the story.
Obviously I can’t give away the ending but I will say I was not expecting it to end the way it did and Grace and Sam’s story stayed with me for some time after I closed the book. Overall I enjoyed Shiver with it’s slightly different take on werewolves and refreshing, innocent romance. I am looking forward to reading the next book, Linger.
Favorite Quote:
I struggled to find something to say that wouldn’t sound like the greeting of an interspecies stalker. “Good morning,” I managed.
Purchase a copy of Shiver
Other books in the series:
Linger (July 20, 2010)
Other reviews on GoodReads
Visit Maggie Stiefvater at:
Website | Blog |Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads
****GIVEAWAY*****
If you have not yet read Shiver here is your chance! Thanks to Big Honcho Media I have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader. Leave a comment here telling me why you’d like to read Shiver. Since the prize is being mailed directly from Big Honcho Media, contest is open to US and Canada only. Contest ends July 5, 2010.
Coming: July 20, 2010
Linger
This is the story of a boy who used to be a wolf and a girl who was becoming one.
Just a few months ago, it was Sam who was the mythical creature. His was the disease we couldn’t cure. His was the good-bye that meant the most. He had the body that was a mystery, too strange and wonderful and terrifying to comprehend.
But now it is spring. With the heat, the remaining wolves will soon be falling out of their wolf pelts and back into their human bodies. Sam stays Sam, and Cole stays Cole, and it’s only me who’s not firmly in my own skin.
FVBR Review coming soon!
Preorder a copy of Linger
Post Author Info:
I've heard really good things about Shiver-it's one of those books I keep checking out from the library and returning it unread. Great review-it makes me really want to read it this time.
I'm glad you liked it. It was a slow build, but I thought it was a slow build in a good way. I can't wait for Linger!
Shiver was one of the first YA books I read when I started blogging – love it.
I enjoyed your review. The more I hear about Shiver, the more interested I am in reading it – it sounds like a wonderful story.
I've seen this reviewed in a couple of places, and your review is the best yet! Sounds like an interesting read.
Meredith
meredithfl at gmail dot com
Loved your review! The different take on werewolves sounds interesting. I don't know if I could bring up the patience for a slow build up like that either (probably not).
Not entering, being Europian
I keep hearing lots of great things about this book. It has been on my wish list for a while now.
melvautour(at)hotmail(dot)com
I've seen this book everywhere, and heard great things! I have to check this book out!
natashajennex(at)gmail(dot)com
I have had my eye on this one for awhile. Sounds like a great werewolf story. Thanks for the chance.
dorcontest at gmail dot com
I would love to read it as I have not had the chance yet and have read so many fantastic reviews. The Linger trailer was awesome.
robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
I haven't read this yet but would love to. I love books about werewolves and shifters of all sort
I REALLY want to read this book! Sucks that you didn't enjoy it that much. When/if I get the chance to read it (hopefully soon!) I hope I like it
lcintocable[a]gmail[d]com
Sounds good, count me in!
I would like to read this book because i love wolves and werewolves.and after i would give it two my teen age niece to read after me.
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
I love all things werewolf and I love it when an author does something a bit different with the myth, so I'm very interested in reading this, just haven't gotten around to it yet.
I would love to read this. I am so into the werewolf thing right now!
Sorry you didn't like it so much. It was such an emotional read (for me anyway), and I knew what was coming but I didn't want it to happen…loved it!
Patti–I did enjoy the book. It was a very slow in the beginning (first half), but otherwise I liked the book.
I think this looks interesting, the duel points of view and such. I'd like to give it a try.
lovemybabysquid at yahoo dot com
I'm always a sucker for a werewolf story. Your reviews always make me want to read that book! My TBR list grows by leaps and bounds thanks to this website. lol.
I have this book in my tbr. I would have the same problems with the parents too..I mean come on!
I have read a lot of mixed reviews for this book. I'm really curious as to how I'd like it:D
sylvia_uy4(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'd love to read Shiver. I've heard a lot of good things about it.
mom1248(at)att(dot)net
i keep hearing so much about this book that my curiosity is piqued…
k_sunshine1977 at yahoo dot com
I have been dying to read Shiver! Even been "stalking" the events around the blogosphere trying to get my hands on a copy! Please enter me!
Have a great day every one!
Kate (aka YzhaBella's BookShelf)
mleger0546(@)rogers(.)com
I have heard too many awesome things about this book. I'd like to read it and see if it really deserves all the praise.
aikalice at yahoo dot com
Werewolves are my favourite! I would be so happy if I can win a copy of this book!
aikychien at yahoo dot com
Aggh I really really want to read Shiver!! Ever since I was little, I've been fascinated with werewolves. I used to pretend my pet dog was a werewolf, and I'd run away from him screaming, attracting shifty glances from my parents. Shiver looks really good!!
Hmm…why do I want to read this one…well for starters as you've probably heard, it's suppose to be VERY good. Book 2 is already getting rave reviews prior to release. This would also be the first book starring werewolves that I will have read (apart from Twilight, but there the vamps take center stage…TEAM EDWARD!). So…those are MY reasons and I'm sticking to them.
Thanks for the contest! Happy reading!
grgenius(at)gmail(dot)com
i would love to win this book!!! i love werewolf books and i've been hearing great things about shiver and i'm dying to read it.
mariannguyen16(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I love shape-shifter books. They're definitely my favorite in the paranormal genre. That's only part of the reason I'd love to have a copy of Shiver. My youngest daughter has been encouraging me to read more YA novels. Shiver seems like a great place to start. I've heard great things about it.
I love romances of any sort, but I'm quite fond of any supernatural twist and also like a slow build up, so this looks like I book I would really enjoy.
I have been waiting to read this book for a while. It sound so similar to Twilight. Please enter me in contest. Thank you.
I'd love to win this books. I just love ya books! Thanks for the giveaway!!!
This book sounds really interesting. Count me in the giveaway.
juliecookies(at)gmail.com
I haven't read about wolves since the werewolves in the Twilight series. I'd love to read this book.
knittoday(at)hotmail(dot)com
I'd like to read Shiver because every review I've read has had nothing but good things to say about it. Plus, it just sounds neat!
Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great review! I'm usually more into vamps but have read great reviews about this book.
amyt865
I read and heard so many great things about Shiver and would love to read it. Please include me in your giveaway.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net
I've had my eye on this book. It sounds really really good!