This is the story of a boy who used to be a wolf and a girl who was becoming one. Just a few months ago, it was Sam who was the mythical creature. His was the disease we couldn't cure. His was the good-bye that meant the most. He had the body that was a mystery, too strange and wonderful and terrifying to comprehend. But now it is spring. With the heat, the remaining wolves will soon be falling out of their wolf pelts and back into their human bodies. Sam stays Sam, and Cole stays Cole, and it's only me who's not firmly in my own skin.
Title: Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Fall, #2)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Format: ARC, 362 pages
Genre: young adult
Source: review copy
Published: July 13, 2010
Buy the book: The Book Depository | Kindle
My Thoughts
I’ve been waiting to read Linger ever since I finished reading the last line of Shiver. That was a year ago. This whole time I’ve been wondering what’s going to happen and how is it going to happen. And because it’s been a year since I’ve read Shiver, I really wished I had the time to re-read it before starting Linger. I had forgotten about some of the secondary characters and I was unsure about some details so I did the next best thing - I went on Goodreads and read all the reviews that contained spoilers ;)
Surprisingly, the characters I was most looking forward to read about were not Sam and Grace but Isabel and Cole. Those two characters took center stage for me. I like Isabel a lot better in this book than I did in Shiver. She has definitely grown on me by showing a bit more compassion. She’s ridden with guilt by her brother’s death. But I love that she hasn’t lost that brusque demeanor of hers. I also liked Cole. He’s a new character that was briefly introduced in Shiver. He knows what he wants and knows what he signed up for, though it doesn’t entirely go to plan. Sam and Grace became the focal point for me towards the end.
There are 4 POVs in this book. It may seem overwhelming or intimidating to follow but it wasn’t, for the most part. The only problem I had with the alternating POVs was the frequency in change between them. At times, I found myself turning the page back to see whose POV I was reading, which did leave me a bit confused but was easily rectified.
I’m a big fan of the book covers in this trilogy. The Linger cover compliments the storyline perfectly and it’s a great companion cover to that of Shiver’s. The title ties in perfectly with the essence of the story. I like the simplicity of the title being only one word but don’t let that fool you; it packs great meaning with what’s about to unfold before your very eyes.
It was a bit slow in the beginning but in true Maggie fashion, she did not disappoint. I knew the ending would pack a good punch and Linger did just that. Have patience going in; you’ll be handsomely rewarded. The ending left me wondering how things are going to pan out. Though, I’m not sure how I feel about Sam’s decision…
I cannot wait for the last installment in this series, Forever, to come out!
The Book Vixen’s Rating
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Loved your take, LOVED this book Maggie is oneo f those AWESOME writers that, I think I would read anything she wrote - even if it's about boogers LOL :) Wonderful review.
ReplyDeleteI still have to read Shiver and Linger! I have them both, but haven't read them yet. I'm packing Shiver for my vacation next week :)
ReplyDeleteI re-read Shiver before Linger and I think it helped me like Linger a lot better. And I loved Sam's decision, I felt like it stayed true to what he values the most...and it was a huge DREAMS SHATTERED moment. (DREAMS SHATTERED is what we shout at my house when something huge and bad like that happens).
ReplyDeleteLMAO@ Jenns comment.
ReplyDeleteReally nice review! I didn't connect with Shiver as much as I thought I would and I think it was the multiple POV's, I'm always partial to first person. But then I read JR Ward's BDB and got used to multiple POV's, so I think I should give this series another try:)
ReplyDeleteI still haven't even read Shiver yet! Although it is sitting on my bookshelf so I do have every intention of reading it sometime soon! Great review :)
ReplyDeletewww.chrissiescorner.co.uk
KElli and her "Dreams Shattered"...lol... I am reading it now and I refuse to read too many reviews because I don't want it spoiled but I loved yours... just enough to let me know I am in for a nice cliff hanger :( Why Maggie, why?? Do you think we can smooz he into an ARC Tour copy?... Then I think I can make it :)
ReplyDelete@Natalie - I'm like you; I can't read reviews on books I'm going to read (for review) until I have typed out my review. I appreciate you reading my review while you are in fact reading the book! I wanted to avoid spoilers at all costs, especially for people who may have not yet read Shiver.
ReplyDeleteI think we may need to bribe Maggie for an advanced copy of Forever. I'm not against begging and bribery ;)