*Due to the potential for spoilers, I recommend that you skip my thoughts on this book if you have not read Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1) by Maggie Stiefvater.*
Linger by Maggie Stiefvater Publisher: Scholastic Press Publish Date: July 13, 2010 360 Pages My Source: Library |
the longing. Once Sam and Grace have found each other, they know they must fight to stay together. For Sam, this means a reckoning with his werewolf past. For Grace, it means facing a future that is less and less certain.
the loss. Into their world comes a new wolf named Cole, whose past is full of hurt and danger. He is wrestling with his own demons, embracing the life of the wolf while denying the ties of being human.
the linger. For Grace, Sam, and Cole, life is a constant struggle between two forces – wolf and human – with love baring its two sides as well. It is harrowing and euphoric, freeing and entrapping, enticing and alarming. As their world falls apart, love is what lingers. But will it be enough? -(summary from the book jacket)
- The Cover. Once again, the cover art is dazzling. The theme of green worked well for me after the coldness of the blue cover in Shiver. Because the cold is not as much of a struggle for the characters this time around, the green does not incite as much of a reaction as the blue did (At times, I actually felt cold when I was reading Shiver. Very cool marketing and design.) Still, the green is beautiful as is the tiny splash of red in the title.
- The Inside. Once again, the print inside of the book matches the color scheme on the cover. This is so pleasing to the eye of the reader!
- The New Guy. There is a new wolf in Mercy Falls, everyone, and his name is Cole. He used to be the frontman for a pretty popular band before he was turned…before he decided that he didn’t want that life anymore. Now, with Beck’s help, he is a wolf and is trying to adjust to a life that is not really working out like he thought it would…Cole’s character is complex (just like I love them) and goes through some wonderful development throughout the course of the book. While he still has some work to do on himself, I really fell hard for him, and found that I was actually most excited about his character more than the others. Great addition to the cast.
- The Switch. In Shiver, the point-of-view alternated between Sam and Grace. Seamlessly. Stiefvater did a fantastic job of making sure the reader knew exactly who was doing the speaking and thinking and narrating. I never felt confused…With Linger, she does a fantastic job as well. There are four POV’s in this book, but they are still seamless. I never felt confused…Because all four of the main characters in this book have different viewpoints, it is important to hear from them all. Brilliant writing.
- The Music. Music plays such a MAJOR part of this book in more than one way. Of course, we know from Shiver that Sam constantly writes. He is a bit of a poet, and we love his character in part for that reason. But Cole is a musician too. It is interesting that these two very different guys can have this one universal, amazing thing in common.
- The Books. I always love bookish things written into plotlines. I loved that Sam was a big fan of reading in Shiver. I loved that he worked in a bookstore. I still love that.
- The End…WHOA. I’m not sure that this qualifies as a cliffhanger ending or not, but it certainly was the most exciting part of the book in terms of my heart rate. I’m not sure what my emotions are after finishing Linger. I’m not sure if I am sad or happy…I’m honestly not sure. I just need some closure.
I also love Maggie's writing. I have read the Wolves of Mercy Falls Trilogy and aslo Lament and Ballad. All excellent reads.
Great review…Cole was my favorite character of the series.
Kristin @ Better Read Than Dead
Isn't Stiefvater's writing the best! My friend and I want to petition her to write an adult novel. Also, I love the cole/isabel relationship…I think I enjoyed watching it through the series more than Grace and Sam. Can't wait till you read Forever, it was by far my favorite of the series.
I loved Shiver and Linger, I think Maggie has a distinct voice in the YA market…
Have you read Lament and Ballad yet? Those are really good as well.