Shiver (Wolves of Mercy Falls series #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver (Wolves of Mercy Falls series #1)
written by Maggie Stiefvater          
published by Scholastic, Inc.


Why did I pick this book: This book was recommended to me by my cousin. 



Did I enjoy this book: I did. I was a little unsure at first, especially when I checked the table of contents and saw that there were sixty-seven chapters. However, once I got started, the book flew and I read every free chance I had. It was a good story that didn’t deviate that much from the main plot. The subplots made the story that much better. It held my interest and I want to read the next book in the series, especially considering the cliffhanger at the end!


At first, I thought I was going to get confused with each chapter changing perspective. But it wasn’t confusing at all and it helped move the book along. The temperature designations at each chapter title were unnecessary. That actually distracted me from the story.


The description of the werewolves had me initially thinking of Twilight (i.e. the pack mind, the description of the transformation, etc) but the two types of werewolves are very different. It was a nice twist that the people didn’t change until the weather became cold. And that they didn’t change back until the spring. Also, these wolves only had so many changes before they stayed a wolf for good.


Of course, you have to wonder about true love happening at seventeen between a human girl with slight werewolf senses and a werewolf boy who is on the verge of his last change from human to wolf and remaining a wolf for the rest of his life. You just don’t see true love like that every day. You also don’t see – at least I don’t – a seventeen year old daughter who is more the parent than her own parents. If that does occur often in “real life”, that makes me sad.


Would I recommend it: Yes, especially if you are a paranormal young adult genre fan.


Will I read it again: Probably. Maybe not next year, but probably the year after.


About the book – MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS: Grace was dragged off by a pack of wolves when she was a little girl. Somehow, she survived this vicious attack. She survived because one of the wolves saved her life. Now, at seventeen, Grace is fascinated by the woods and the sounds of the wolves at night. She is fearless and is constantly looking for her wolf – the one with the yellow eyes that she knows saved her so many years before.


Sam has been watching and visiting Grace ever since that cold day when he stopped his pack from killing her. He stays on the edge of the woods in the dark watching her while Grace is in her kitchen, in her bedroom, outside on the swing of her childhood. 


Sam has been a werewolf since he was bitten as a young child. His parents didn’t take to this change very well and are now in prison because of their subsequent actions toward Sam’s second identity. Every spring when the weather turns warmer, Sam becomes human again. He has a job at The Crooked Shelf, a local bookstore, during the summer months. He lives with his father-figure, Beck – another werewolf that took Sam under his wing and raised Sam when his parents were not there.


Sam and Grace meet each other after Sam is injured. Their relationship develops fast and their love is true. The oncoming winter is the one threat that may keep these two apart. 


If you have read it, let me know what you think!!!