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FORMAT: 8 CDs, Unabridged NARRATORS: Jenna Lamia & David Ledoux
In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.
"If Shiver left fans wanting more, Linger will have them begging." -Romantic Times
* "Beautiful and moving...The mythology surrounding the wolf pack is clever and so well written that it seems perfectly normal for the creatures to exist in today's world. A must-have that will give Bella and Edward a run for their money." - SLJ, starred review
* "Stiefvater leaves the faeries of Lament and Ballad for a lyrical tale of alienated werewolves and first love....her take on werewolves is interesting and original while her characters are refreshingly willing to use their brains to deal with the challenges they face." - PW, starred review
"All readers will be able to enjoy Stiefvater’s fast-paced storytelling and dedication to the old-fashioned art of creating a believable and enduring romance. Shiver is beautifully written, even poetic at times, and a perfect indulgence for readers of all ages." - BookPage
theReader278
Posted Thu Jun 23 00:00:00 EDT 2011
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I loved reading this wonderful book! It is a story that keeps you entertained for hours.
28 out of 29 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.When I finished Shiver in 2009, I immediately ordered a copy and had it sent to my sister. When she finished it, she texted me and said, "I just finished Shiver. Now I must die." That's how Maggie Stiefvater's books work: they're so good that you're left destroyed until you can somehow manage to push the words to the back of your head until you can find the time to process what you just read.
Shiver was my absolute favorite book of 2009 so when I got the chance to read an advanced copy of Linger, I screamed. I got the package and screamed! (As a side note, I have now shot myself in the foot since I will now need to wait even longer for Forever, the third and final book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy.
Linger continues where Shiver left off: Grace and Sam have finally found each other and everyone is happy and content...yeah right! Grace's parents are not happy and want to keep Grace from Sam, Sam is struggling with his past as a wolf and the friends and family he won't see again, Isabel is still dealing with the loss of her brother to the wolves, and we as the reader have to deal with Cole, an exciting and complex character.
Sometimes the 2nd of a three book series can read as just a continuation of the story with no real excitement or story arc of its own. That is NOT the case with Linger. Stiefvater brilliantly introduces new characters, voices, and plots that add to the depth of everyone we fell in love with in Shiver.
My anticipation for Shiver's sequel was like Grace's longing for Spring and Linger read like a warm day on a hammock: I loved every minute of it.
27 out of 29 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Linger easily withholds the same overall tone, intensity and beauty that shone brightly in Shiver, engulfing the reader instantly. The strong characters developed in Shiver return just as vividly, their personalities pulling through and progressing more in response to new characters and situations. Maggie's characteristic, notable, highly fluid and gorgeous writing continues to lull the readers, weaving emotional, connection and intimacy throughout. She slips in stunning oxymoronic descriptions, creating an overall beautiful picture no matter the moment, setting, or emotions.
Grace, while well developed already, continues to hold her same individuality. The chapters in her POV give perfect insight, understanding easily not only her feelings for and need towards Sam but her overall view of the world. Even at her less than shining moments, Grace is a very striking character. Her strong beliefs and views, attitudes and opinions continue to forge her through the events in Linger.
Sam is impossibly more complex after the events of Shiver, learning to live and move past everything that's happened. His heart is still mending, his loyalties both bound and splitting, and his core character coming through strongly even when the POV is not his own. He is as lovable and affectionate as in Shiver, understanding both the world and Grace in surprising ways. His maturity continues to grow and be showcased, as does the depth to which he loves Grace.
Cole is a new character to the world, and one as complex and well developed as the star lovers. Sarcastic and flippant, he tests Grave and Sam and adds a certain spark to the overall tone. The reader gets an intimate look into his mind, his personality coming out at a steady pace and with the same lyrical descriptions that defines Maggie's inherent, brilliant writing. He is a strongly contrast character to many already seen and his interactions, specifically with Isabelle, are fantastic to read.
Isabelle is also back, her responses and motivations continuing to surprise the readers. She is a very give and take character, a spitfire in some areas and a follower in others. With sections now in her perspective, the reader will get an even better look at her life and views, as well as form the same intense connection with her they already feel with Sam and Grace.
The plot is surprising, playing on events hinted at and brought up in Shiver but extending them, while also adding in new ones. The full meaning of what it means to be one of these wolves, the way their lives play out, and the ultimate future of it is both beautiful and heartbreaking. The caveats, nuances and unknowns about it are also brought very much to light. There is never a dull moment, a drifting pace, or a needless scene. Everything is in there for a reason, woven together masterfully even when the reader doesn't realize it. The events pull together for a shocking, blow out ending that is magnanimously jarring.
Linger is a step above Shiver, building on an already valiant world. The overall thought, effort and detail that has gone into the entire world is showcased, as is Maggie's story telling abilities and inherent writing style. The ending is a cliff hanger, tying up some events but leaving distracting, mind-grabbing ones open for the next book.
16 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Jan 10 00:00:00 EST 2010
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I read the first book in the series, Shiver, and it was insanely great! I instantly feel in love with the main characters (Sam and Grace) and i hope that the new characters in Linger, are just as lovable. This book is not a copy of Twilight, which I frequently hear. It is original and over all a really good book to read!
11 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.If you have not read Shiver..first of all, shame on you (lol) and second of all, this might spoil that book for you. I promise not to give spoilers for Linger here because Maggie might come after me. We all know how she feels about reading the last page first so giving you spoilers might provoke her lol.
At the end of Shiver we were left with the warm and fuzzies. Sam is human again! Yay! Grace and Sam can be together and take care of the wolves and just keep looking for a way to cure the others in between all of their happy times. But this is a series so Maggie Stiefvater decided to crush our dreams by disrupting Sam and Grace's perfect little future.it is so worth it though!
I was able to get my hands on a copy of Linger early this week and I just finished last night and holy crap it was good! Linger made by laugh, cry and even yell at the book at one point. No joke I was sitting next to my roommate on the couch and I suddenly screamed "NOOOOO!" That damn Tom Culpeper! My roommate defiantly thinks I have lost my mind but oh well.
As for Linger, the story picks up pretty much were we left off in Shiver. Sam is human and it is late winter/early spring in Mercy Falls. The new wolves will be falling out of their coats and into their human skins soon. The new wolves may be shifting already due to their unstable nature. This is where Cole comes in. Shiver was told from Sam and Grace's point of views but Linger adds Isabel and Cole to the mix. I love getting into Cole's head. He is all dark and twisty and oh did I mention Hot yet? I love Sam but Cole is giving him a run for his money. I mean he is simply swoon worthy. I think that a big part of Linger is focused on everyone trying to figure out where they fit. Grace feels not quite right in her skin, Sam is having trouble accepting that he actually has a future now, Isabel is raked with guilt over Jack's death, and Cole is trying to escape his past by losing his humanity to the wolf inside him.
A testament to Maggie's awesomeness: Linger starts to dive into what causes the change from human to wolf and vice versa. There may be more to it then temperature. While I was reading the book and Cole was musing about this issue I found myself nodding and thinking "Good point Cole, why did I never think of that?" I feel like I want to research how to cure the wolves. Like I can find the answer to the fictional enigma that Maggie has presented. I know I am crazy but it is that good and I feel so invested in the story now. Keep in mind that this is a three book series so the ending will literally make you scream in agony, "Why, oh why must I wait a whole year for Forever to come out!?" I thought waiting for Linger was bad but waiting for Forever is going to be almost unbearable! As I mentioned in my previous post Linger will be released officially on the 13th so you must pick it up you will not be disappointed!
http://bringmeanotherbook.blogspot.com/
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.AHHHHHH! theres like a party going on inside my head i cant wast to read this book i absolutely loved Shiver and i absolutely loved every single character. im such a little nerdy book worm i always get so excited for new books yay!!!
7 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Sep 02 00:00:00 EDT 2010
I remember recommending 'Shiver' to people and saying "It's a great story but I felt that it was written by someone in high school". Though people might not agree with me I had just come from reading three Harry Potter books and the Twilight series and it just felt on a different level than those. But this book stepped it up a whole other notch and was definitely written so much better than the first. I was not reading and thinking about how different the writing style was I was actually just engrossed in the story which is what I want in a book I read. Though you know where the end of the book is going in the beginning you still wonder what is going to happen and how everything connects to that ending. I loved the addition of having the perspective from Isabel and Cole. I definitely can't wait for the third book!
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I have been excitedly waiting for this book for almost a year. I was mildly disappointed in the story. It never got off the ground. I kept waiting for something to happen but it just never did like in Shiver. I do like the addition of Cole, I have started leaning towards him and Isabel. I hope Forever gets back to the magic that Shiver brought.
5 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Personally I think Shiver was enough. The love story between Grace and Sam did not require a sequel. A new character was introduced in book 2 that I despised. The story was well written but I the end was predictable. I will read the third book only because I want to know how she will resolve the twist.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Wed Sep 22 00:00:00 EDT 2010
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I dont like slow books. and this was quite slow. I loved Shiver though!
4 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Aug 05 00:00:00 EDT 2010
Though it is easy to fall in love with the characters and truly care about what happens to them, both shiver and linger often take too long to get to any real point or climax. Multiple times I found myself ready to just give up on the novel altogether becuase the plot was just unbearably slow. Even during the last fifty or so pages of the book, when the story should be riviting and entertaining, I struggled to keep reading. So if you're looking for a quick, compelling read, I would look elswhere.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sun Jul 18 00:00:00 EDT 2010
I was very disappointed with Linger. In the prologue, they actually tell you what happens at the end of the book. So you read the book, full of sorrow and anger at way it's supposed to end, and hope that it will end better than is predicted.
It doesn't. It gets worse.
On top of that, nothing happens the entire book! The biggest thing that happens is that we are introduced to a new wolf, Cole. Wow, that's it. The whole story was just dragged out, trying to prolong the inevitable. Also, Grace and Sam didn't seem as close as in the first book. And finally, I HATE HATE HATE Grace's parents!!! They are AWFUL! Truly, truly, AWFUL!!!!
So, to avoid the frustration of reading this book, I recommend waiting for the third book to come out, then read this book, so that when you get angry at Linger's ending, you won't have to wait (like I have to!!) to find out what happens. It'll hard, yes, but trust me, it'll be worth it!
3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Sat May 08 00:00:00 EDT 2010
Original review here: http://bclement412.blogspot.com/2010/05/review-linger-by-maggie-stiefvater.html
Linger was like reading butter. The writing was silky smooth, fatty, and addicting. A guilty pleasure. But eating too much butter at once gives you a stomach ache, so I read this in pieces at a time, because the writing was so thick and beautiful that I would have become obese with jealousy and awe if I read it in one sitting.
Linger is told in the four alternating viewpoints of Sam, Grace, Isabel, and Cole. I did have a few issues with this, as Sam, Grace, and Isabel's voices so closely mirrored each other I had to keep flipping back to the beginning of the chapter to remind myself who was speaking. Cole's voice, however, was distinct and by far the most interesting and complex character. He opted to become a wolf in an attempt to forget about the complications, pain, and regret in his human life. This created an unbelievable tension between Sam and Cole, a tension that makes your stomach twist with apprehension.
The beginning of the book did linger for me a bit (no pun intended), as it took the time to set the stage for the events to come in the latter pages. I admit, I probably would have put it down if 1. The writing hadn't been so magnificent. 2. I hadn't been so compelled to figure out Cole and 3. The mystery of Grace's illness wasn't so gut-wrenching. You may be in for a surprise for this one, because I definitely was. I also have to admit this: If I had put the book down after the first 30 pages, I would have made a huge mistake. This book is worth reading again and again and again.
And you should be prepared to possibly shed a tear at the end.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Feb 18 00:00:00 EST 2010
I read Shiver and i feel in love with it!!!!!! Sam is soooooo cool and the end of the book kind of left people hanging so I was hopin that there would be a sequel!!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Mon Jan 18 00:00:00 EST 2010
As soon as I started Shiver, I was insanely addicted to it.... I read during breakfast, lunch, dinner, and as soon as I got time. The story is so emotional and just plain lovable. I personally think this Shiver is soooooooooooo much better than the Twilight saga! I cant wait till Linger comes out!!!!!!!!!!
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Shiver left you wondering what happens next now that Grace and Sam can be together. Linger leaves you wanting more paper crane memories (and a red coffee pot, which I got for Christmas, kind of ironic hehe). Grace and Sam's love story draws you into the book and Cole and Isabel draw you deeper in and make the whole future of the pack that much more unstable. This is a great book 2 of the series and I'm looking forward to book 3!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GoodBookGirly
Posted Mon Aug 06 00:00:00 EDT 2012
WOW WOW WOW. NOOOOOOO
This book was truly disappointing. Well, at least the end was. It seems like Sam and Grace never get a hapy moment.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.livvvz13
Posted Fri Jan 21 00:00:00 EST 2011
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When i first read Shiver, it literally sent shivers up my spine. Amazing story line, plot, dialogue...everything. I had just got off my twilight series high and shiver was a good replacement. After i read shiver, I definitely wanted to read Linger. Well, I thought I was going to get the same high I got from Shiver...but i didn't. It was very slow and almost depressing. I didn't get that same love feeling between Grace and Sam as I did in Shiver. It was like they weren't even in love. Although i finished the book, I felt like i just got stabbed. It was kind of painful to read. i REALLY hope that Forever will be better :(.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Nov 18 00:00:00 EST 2010
I was taking a nine hour car ride and decided I would read Shiver now this car ride was from Naples to south Carolina so it was long I finished the book in that car ride I was bugging my parents to go to a book store to get this book finally they had had enough irritation so they drove to the book store. I so love this book I can not wait for Forever thats coming out I really love it!
Your book friend,
Sophia
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book lacked what the first had-really, applicable distress. What is the realism that after all these years of being just fine, NOW when she and Sam are finally together, she starts shifting?
No. Just...no.
Maggie, I love you and will always be a faithful fan of shiver. But linger leaves much to be desired.
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
FORMAT: 8 CDs, Unabridged NARRATORS: Jenna Lamia & David Ledoux
In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a...