Shiver: Twilight Minus Edward

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Started: December 27, 2010
Finished: January 4, 2011
Format: Audio book checked out from the MISD
Digital Library
Goal: 1 of 25

I stumbled upon Shiver completely by chance, and I am so glad that I did. I checked it out from our digital library to make my drive to Houston to visit Em and Trace a little less mind-numbing. The thought of four hours ALONE in the car made me giddy, but there's only so much of the GLEE CDs this girl can tolerate. Shiver made my drive to Houston and back flash by in a blink.

I'm a Twilight fan like most 30-something women, but I'm reluctant to read all of the other vampire series out there because I don't want to be THAT 30-something woman. Plus, I'm just not into paranormal romance. Really--I'm not. But Shiver grabbed hold of me from the first sentence and did not let go. It's the story of Grace, who falls in love with Sam, who just happens to be a werewolf. Sound familiar? Because I'm Team Jacob and find Edward a bit too pale and "perfect," I liked the idea of this being Bella and Jacob's story if Edward never entered Forks. But Shiver has a different feel than Twilight, and the writing is much stronger--bordering on poetic. In fact, it is beautiful, haunting writing. I kept thinking to myself: This is the book I want to write (minus the werewolves). Time for honesty: there were moments that I liked Sam and Grace better than Bella and Jacob/Edward. There--I said it. I predict Sam's character will make many a teenage girl swoon, and the kissing scene between Grace and Sam is gorgeous. I love the alternating points of view between Grace and Sam, and Maggie Stiefvater creates believable teenager characters, which is important in YA books.

This is the disadvantage to audio books because I would love to include some quotes, but I can't because I don't have a copy of the book. However, I loved listening to this as an audio book, and I think the poetic nature of the language was reinforced because I was listening to it spoken aloud.

The first in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, I will read Linger next, and Forever, the third book in the series, will not come out until this summer. I've already recommended this book to several people, and I am looking forward to getting lost in Linger.


Comments

  1. Okay I'm convinced--buying Shiver tonight. Love you Aim!
    Em

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  2. Thanks, Em! You'll love it. I can't wait to hear what you think. Love you, too!

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  3. Yea!!!Blog looks great. I have about 20% (Kindle talk) left in The Giver. So good but also disturbing. I noticed that there are two other books in the trilogy....are they also worth the read?

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  4. Carley, I have only read The Giver, so I'm not sure about the rest of the series. Actually, I'd forgotten that it was a trilogy! Did you finish Unbroken? What did you think?

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  5. Yes i finished it wow! I almost want to go buy it in hardback to own it because it is that good! I am reading Water for Elephants right now and then might have to do Room next...Loving the blog!

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  6. Carley, Water for Elephants is one of my FAVORITES. I read it this summer, and it is beautiful--one of the best endings in a book that I've read in a long time. Let me know what you think about it when you are finished. I can't wait for the movie! I think it comes out in April or May. Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon = brilliant casting!! You also need to add Matched to your list. I'm reading it right now and really enjoying it. If you like The Giver/Hunger Games, then I think you'll like Matched. Thanks for commenting! :)

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  7. I read it and loved it...also recommended it to one of my sophomores who loved it as well :)

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