Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

ISBN: 9780545123266
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc
Published: August 2009
400 pgs



When Grace was a child, she was attacked by a pack of wolves but she was saved and protected by one yellow-eyed wolf. Though she was bitten, she was fortunate to live but from that day onwards, she is obsessed with the wolves and is always on the look out for her yellow-eyed wolf.

Several years later, Grace, who is now seventeen, is still feeling sentimental towards that particular wolf which she call her own. Her two best friends, Rachel and Olivia think she is insane, but she just could not help herself. When a boy from school was killed by the wolves, everyone living in Mercy Falls is terrified and a hunting party for the wolves begins. Worried that her wolf might be killed, Grace tries to stop the hunt, and later found an injured naked boy at her doorstep. She knew he is her wolf because of his eyes, and this begins their romantic relationship.

During her care for Sam (that is his name), she knew a lot of things about him, including about his shapeshifting experience and how warmer temperature would make him stay human and vice versa. She also get to know more about a few members of the pack and why Sam respect and admire Beck (one of the senior pack who took him under his wings) so much.

Though their relationship is sweet and romantic, they knew it would be a short-lived one because Sam would not remain human for long (it seems there is a limited span) and he would shapeshift into wolf form if there is a drop in the temperature. And this made them appreciate every moment they spend together; and given her parents' hectic schedules and the freedom they gave her, it makes everything easy having Sam to stay with her without much scrutiny.

It is towards the middle of the story that the plot thickens, whereby Jack (the 'dead' boy who was killed by the wolves) returns and he wants to find a cure for this. Adding thrills to the plot is the disappearance of her best friend Olivia and also, finding ways for Sam and Jack to be a human again (by the way, have you ever wonder why Grace did not change despite the bite?), thus that is a clue they have to find out.

Written in alternative first person narrative between Grace and Sam, Shiver is an engaging love story between a girl and a werewolf boy, and the friends surrounding them. Maggie Stiefvater's prose is simple yet lyrical and beautifully written.

She waited to change, and I waited to change, and we both wanted what we couldn't have. (Pg 343)

The above passage simply tells the longing Grace and Sam felt for each other, and it just made me ache for them. The author has also done a great job in creating the wintry atmosphere, and the pace for suspense is right without overtaking the romance. Overall, Shiver is an enjoyable read and one that offers a fresh perspective on the werewolves clan which is so different from the others. I think this might also appeal to the fans of the Twilight Saga since the quality of the romance is somewhat similiar. And oh, did I mention that there will be a sequel (Linger) and it is to be released Fall 2010? I cannot wait. I hope the cover design will be as pretty as Shiver.


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