ShiverBy Maggie Stiefvater
Scholastic, 2009. 392 pages. Young Adult
Grace’s backyard opens into the woods and for years she has been fascinated with the wolves that roam there, especially one particular yellow-eyed wolf who saved her from a wolf attack when she was young. The gray wolf seems to watch her as much as she watches him until he disappears each summer.
Sam is that yellow-eyed wolf. He and his wolf pack can transform into humans when it gets hot enough, but they only have so many changes before they permanently become wolves.
One chilly September afternoon, Sam, in wolf form is shot by a group of hunters looking for the wolves that attacked a high school boy. Grace discovers him bloody and in human form on her back doorstep. She soon discovers who and what he is, but as winter draws near her time with human Sam will be short unless they can find a cure to keep Sam from transitioning into a wolf forever.
This is an interesting twist on the werewolf tale. Something we have seen happening with vampires for quite some time. What makes this novel stand out for me are the characters. They are interesting and refreshingly use their brains to deal with problems and most importantly Grace isn’t whiny and annoying.
AJ
2 comments:
Elegantly written, especially when considering much of the current available titles in the supernatural romance category, this book has lyrical prose and is truly a standout work. Nicely done and and a very enthralling read.
This is one of my favorite books of the year. When you read dozens of young adult paranormal novels where the hero is not what he seems they all blend together in mediocrity. Shiver, however, races ahead of the pack, with its tightly knit yet beautifully written prose. The editors did their work here! I haven't cared about characters this much since The Hunger Games. The author is particularly adept at evoking a melancholy mood. The ending is hopeful yet bittersweet. Readers will look forward to more.
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