by Maggie Stiefvater

This is a YA story but very well written so I didn't feel like I was reading children's literature, as is often my problem with YA.

Grace has a fascination with the wolves around her rural home, but when she is dragged off her swing and attacked by the pack, she makes a connection with one of them that saves her life. From then on, her wolf comes to visit her every winter, though he also watches her in summer, but in human form.

This was a sweet romance story with a paranormal twist. It is written in alternating points of view so we see both Grace and Sam's thoughts about the developing bond between them and the effects when a local boy is bitten and becomes one of the shapeshifter pack.

Despite the high school age concerns which is something I don't usually care to read about, I enjoyed this one al the way through, though I thought the ending was a little too abrupt and left the last events unexplained. Some loose ends are expected though as it's a series.

YA Romance readers who like a little paranormal should enjoy this one.

Shiver is the first book in the Unbreakable Bonds series, and I have just found myself a whole new series that I would like. No, actually, scrap that. I don't want this series, I NEED it!!!

 
This story is about Lucas and Andrei, self-made millionaire and bodyguard. This book is serious and yet also amusing. They both make a comment about how corny their relationship is, a film was even made about it. This made me chuckle out loud, even as I was concerned about what was going to happen next. I love Lucas - his strength, his friendships, and how he isn't prepared to let others do things for him that he isn't prepared to do himself. He is also an arrogant, high-handed jerk at times, but will admit to when he's wrong. As for Andrei, he is a sweetie. Okay, so that may be the wrong word to describe an underground fighter/bodyguard, but he is. These two have a rocky relationship with a HFN ending, but their relationship is very strong and I can't wait to see where it goes.

The mystery side was enough to keep me guessing (although I'm happy to report my instincts were correct lol). There was plenty of action, as well as action between the sheets. Although the main focus of this book was Lucas, you also get a good glimpse of the others and potential partners for them. As for Rowe, I both want to and don't want to read his, because I think my heart might get broken before I get a HEA!

Excellently written, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, I adored this book. The dialogue flowed and felt completely natural whilst reading. I was intrigued and enthralled, and thoroughly loved every word. Absolutely recommended by me.  

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa

Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Shiver
Maggie Steifvater

Hard Copy

Public Library

So I took a few days to write this review just to think about the book.

Characters:
This book was weird. While reading it, I really cared about Sam and Grace. I wanted them to be happy. Thinking back on it, I find that I just don't care as much. That's odd for me. Normally, once I latch onto a character, I love them for life. I can't even really say what I liked about them while reading it. Neither one seemed all that special. I mean, sure, Sam is a werewolf, but who isn't in YA these days? It's different that they only change when it's cold. And I did feel bad for him and his messed up childhood with what his parents did to him. But that's it. Now. But while reading Shiver, I thought he was just awesome. I'm not going to act like I wasn't relieved when he was human at the end though.

Plot:
This started pretty slowly for me. Some people enjoy that easy going start. I'm not one of those people. Overall, the action in this book was lacking. The end was decent however. I never would have guessed that by getting them sick, they could be cured. Well, not for Jack, but... Whatever. He was a jerk anyway. Aside from the romance, there didn't seem to be much of anything. Which for a romance is fine, but I expected more. I don't even know why. All I have ever heard about this book is that it is a good romance. I just think werewolves, so there must be something more to it. Not really.

Setting:
Meh. Nothing special. Could have been my hometown. Which is fine.

Writing:
This is why Shiver is getting four stars from me. Because despite everything complaint I just had, the writing drew me in. I wanted to read me. Some parts were downright lyrical, folks. If you want romance and pretty writing, this is the book for you. If you need some action to go along with it, pass this one up.

Pale faces…

Blank eyes…

A face devoid of any emotion because the one I took the journey with no longer lived and walked beside me with the darkest secret a soul could house.

That was what hell looked like. I knew because I’d been there before, only to emerge from it more broken than I’d been going in, and alone. I couldn’t forget that. The first and only other time it had happened, I had emerged from the most corrupt part of my being—alone.

Gaaaaaahhhh.  I fucking love this book!!!

Oh God, this is crazy… And even though I held the power to stop what was happening, there was no way I was uttering my safe word. I wanted to see how far he’d go, and he was trusting that I could handle it. I wouldn’t let him down, and what was more, I…wanted it. The pain. The pleasure I knew would eventually come. Use me…