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The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1-3
Shiver Trilogy Boxset
The amazing, haunting Shiver trilogy is complete!
shiver
Sam's not just a normal boy - he has a secret. During the summer he walks and talks as a human, but when the cold comes, he runs with his pack as a wolf. Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house - but never dreamed that she would fall in love with one of them. Now that they've found each other, the clock ticks down on what could be Grace and Sam's only summer together.
linger
Can Grace and Sam last? Each will have to fight to stay together - whether it means a reckoning with his werewolf past for Sam, or for Grace, facing a future that is less and less certain. Enter Cole, a new wolf who is wrestling with his own demons, embracing the life of a wolf while denying the ties of being human. For Grace, Sam, and Cole, life is harrowing and euphoric, enticing and alarming. As their world falls apart, love is what lingers. But can it be enough?
shiver
Sam's not just a normal boy - he has a secret. During the summer he walks and talks as a human, but when the cold comes, he runs with his pack as a wolf. Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house - but never dreamed that she would fall in love with one of them. Now that they've found each other, the clock ticks down on what could be Grace and Sam's only summer together.
linger
Can Grace and Sam last? Each will have to fight to stay together - whether it means a reckoning with his werewolf past for Sam, or for Grace, facing a future that is less and less certain. Enter Cole, a new wolf who is wrestling with his own demons, embracing the life of a wolf while denying the ties of being human. For Grace, Sam, and Cole, life is harrowing and euphoric, enticing and alarming. As their world falls apart, love is what lingers. But can it be enough?
1150 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2010
177 people are currently reading
6,688 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Stiefvater
73books171kfollowersNew York Times bestselling author of The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Cycle, and The Scorpio Races. Artist. Driver of things with wheels. Avid reader.
Maggie Stiefvater plays several musical instruments (most infamously, the bagpipes) and makes art in several media (most generally, colored pencils).
She lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband, their two children, many dogs, a bunch of fainting goats, and a mating pair of growly tuner cars.
Maggie Stiefvater plays several musical instruments (most infamously, the bagpipes) and makes art in several media (most generally, colored pencils).
She lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband, their two children, many dogs, a bunch of fainting goats, and a mating pair of growly tuner cars.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
September 12, 2012
I read this series when it first came out and recently reread it. Something about Maggie Stiefvater just draws me in. Her writing is lyrical, just short of poetic, although there is no lack of (quoted) poetry. I love the pictures she paints with her simple, show-don't-tell style. Somehow I enjoyed these books even more the second time around. Having the big picture under my belt, I picked up on subtleties in the story that weren't evident the first time. Her characters (the sensible pragmatist, the sensitive emo/creative guy, the beautiful and haughty friend, the flawed father figure (his not hers), and the self-destructive, ego-maniac) each have a heart of gold, however deeply hidden. They are the kind of characters I miss when the story ends. The angst and tension and pacing are spot-on. (And how can I help loving Sam's love of books and words?! I want to visit that bookstore!) Several of Maggie's books involve musicians, and as a musician herself, she can write about music in the most believable way ~ the kind of writing that makes me read a few lines out loud to my husband as he is picking his guitar. My only problem with the story (like many YA books) is the moral choices made by the main characters that I would rather associate with adult books and hate to see marketed to teens. However, as an adult, this is one of my favorites.
Shelved as 'not-for-me'
May 1, 201443% into the sample, and I'm BORED.
Eight chapters. Switching POVs. Short sentences abound. Boring Characters bore. Boring world isn't explained. Boring story is boring.
If you're interested: $3.99 for the trilogy on Kindle. It's a good deal for 3 books. I'll pass.
Eight chapters. Switching POVs. Short sentences abound. Boring Characters bore. Boring world isn't explained. Boring story is boring.
If you're interested: $3.99 for the trilogy on Kindle. It's a good deal for 3 books. I'll pass.
May 26, 2024
Sam is human all summer but turns into a wolf when winter comes. Grace was once bitten by a wolf but saved by a mysterious boy. Grace never turned, but we don’t know why. We know Sam has been watching over her, and Grace feels connected to his wolf. A sweet, wolfy romance that spans three books and is a delight to read. The story is told from multiple POVs, and I like seeing the different viewpoints. Book one was my favorite, and three was my least favorite, but overall a great series.
July 3, 2013
I really, really like the way Stiefvater writes. For some reason I read Shiver a few years ago, then didn't follow through on the rest of the series. But I just finished the whole trilogy on audiobook, and it really is very good.
Stiefvater does certain things very differently from other YA authors. I am absolutely fascinated by the way she wrote Grace's parents, a couple who usually treat their daughter like a roommate. They are frustrating and familiar (not my parents, but other parents) and quite different from the two sorts of parents you typically see in these books: passive or absent/dead. Her parents are still there, they're just cheerfully negligent and really haven't thought of how that affected their daughter. Good, interesting characterizations.
I also like that this is a small story, not a world-changing revolution. It's all contained within a small town in Minnesota, and it's incredibly important for the people in the town, but not beyond. Well done.
Lastly? Stiefvater writes love scenes that are genuinely YA appropriate, but not in a neutered way. Some YA authors deal with age-appropriateness by cutting away when things start to get too sexy, or they write the scene but it's very obvious they're carefully censoring the scene. Stiefvater manages to bridge the gap by not writing so much about sex, but more about sensation and emotion.
In too many books, a character is suffused with lust after catching a glimpse of "washboard abs" or the skin between a shirt and jeans or a low-cut top. But Sam and Grace are set off by very different things (and not in that cheesy "I imagined her in a wedding dress, and was overcome with lust" trope that authors sometimes wedge into male teen characters). For instance, at one point Grace kind of fists the material at the front of Sam's t-shirt. It's not a sexy move, she's not trying to be sultry, she's just cuddling with him, but it mentally sends him to a very hormonal place. When they talk about sensations, there's a lot of stuff like pressure of a hand on a back, or gathered hems, or scent. I guess what I'm saying here is that she pretty perfectly captures that incredibly heady teenage love sensation, when something as small as a hand at the nape of your neck sets you on fire. It manages to remain objectively tasteful while genuinely providing emotion.
The one drawback of the audiobook, for me, was that when we got to four narrators, the accents and cadences got all messed up. Grace is performed by the same narrator throughout three books, but the other cast changed - Sam in every version, I think. So Isobel is performed by Grace as a Californian Valley Girl, but then Isobel herself sounds kind of... goth? Ulrich loses his prominently featured german accent completely, across all four narrators. I really enjoyed the performances, that was just... strange.
And then, personal preference: I cannot stand singing in audiobooks. I can't. I hate characters who write songs in their heads and then warble, I literally start going "LALALALA!" to drown it out. No, this is not rational nor sensible, but it's a knee-jerk reaction and if you have anything like the same quirk, be aware that there is singing in this book. And they DO sing, not speak-sing like in other audiobooks. I'm weird, I know.
Stiefvater does certain things very differently from other YA authors. I am absolutely fascinated by the way she wrote Grace's parents, a couple who usually treat their daughter like a roommate. They are frustrating and familiar (not my parents, but other parents) and quite different from the two sorts of parents you typically see in these books: passive or absent/dead. Her parents are still there, they're just cheerfully negligent and really haven't thought of how that affected their daughter. Good, interesting characterizations.
I also like that this is a small story, not a world-changing revolution. It's all contained within a small town in Minnesota, and it's incredibly important for the people in the town, but not beyond. Well done.
Lastly? Stiefvater writes love scenes that are genuinely YA appropriate, but not in a neutered way. Some YA authors deal with age-appropriateness by cutting away when things start to get too sexy, or they write the scene but it's very obvious they're carefully censoring the scene. Stiefvater manages to bridge the gap by not writing so much about sex, but more about sensation and emotion.
In too many books, a character is suffused with lust after catching a glimpse of "washboard abs" or the skin between a shirt and jeans or a low-cut top. But Sam and Grace are set off by very different things (and not in that cheesy "I imagined her in a wedding dress, and was overcome with lust" trope that authors sometimes wedge into male teen characters). For instance, at one point Grace kind of fists the material at the front of Sam's t-shirt. It's not a sexy move, she's not trying to be sultry, she's just cuddling with him, but it mentally sends him to a very hormonal place. When they talk about sensations, there's a lot of stuff like pressure of a hand on a back, or gathered hems, or scent. I guess what I'm saying here is that she pretty perfectly captures that incredibly heady teenage love sensation, when something as small as a hand at the nape of your neck sets you on fire. It manages to remain objectively tasteful while genuinely providing emotion.
The one drawback of the audiobook, for me, was that when we got to four narrators, the accents and cadences got all messed up. Grace is performed by the same narrator throughout three books, but the other cast changed - Sam in every version, I think. So Isobel is performed by Grace as a Californian Valley Girl, but then Isobel herself sounds kind of... goth? Ulrich loses his prominently featured german accent completely, across all four narrators. I really enjoyed the performances, that was just... strange.
And then, personal preference: I cannot stand singing in audiobooks. I can't. I hate characters who write songs in their heads and then warble, I literally start going "LALALALA!" to drown it out. No, this is not rational nor sensible, but it's a knee-jerk reaction and if you have anything like the same quirk, be aware that there is singing in this book. And they DO sing, not speak-sing like in other audiobooks. I'm weird, I know.
August 31, 2012
The series focuses on Grace and Sam. Grace is a high school student in love with her wolf boy Sam. Since the werewolf/shifter genre has grown tired, Maggie decided to throw some ice on this one, literally. When winter hits Sam shifts back into fluffy. Grace and Sam grow closer and closer and closer and closer (ha -had to do it) while dreading the approaching cold. A few other characters are thrown in the mix and stick around throughout the series. Some annoyed me while others made me feel sad (I guess that’s good writing, huh? Evoking emotion from reader). Also, Grace has an interesting relationship with her folks which I assumed would be nothing more than fluff for a young adult book. But props to Maggie for putting a little focus there. Although I thought book one and two were cute, I was disappointed with book three. Grace and Sam are suppose to have an epic love story. Like Bella and Edward, right? So I thought they deserved a more specific ending similiar to Peter’s Jackson’s final Lord of the Rings film. When I left the theater I was pleased with a very thorough and all questions kinda answered ending. Hey, maybe it works for others but I kinda like to read a bit more after the climax. I enjoy feeling the intensity of drama build up but hate a sucky let down. I definitely think the series is appropriate for 8th graders and up. Language okay. Death yes. But don’t we all live in some kind of gangsta world?
September 1, 2011
Please see the individual Books for a review.
this is just how i purchased my books.
Sorry But I'm Not swapping this one!!
Click on the links below to find the review for each book.
Review:
Review:
Review:
this is just how i purchased my books.
Sorry But I'm Not swapping this one!!
Click on the links below to find the review for each book.
Review:
Review:
Review:
December 20, 2018
Good series! Interesting, clean, and easy to read. I liked The Raven Cycle series better, but I enjoyed this one well enough. It’s was a tad predictable at times but cute and a good read for anyone looking for a PG paranormal type book.
February 6, 2021
No encontré el tercer libro en goodreads, pero aquí va la reseña de "Siempre". Este es el tercer y ultimo libro de la trilogía "Lobos de Mercy Falls", donde básicamente encontramos a Sam siendo humano, Grace es una loba, Cole busca la cura y el padre de Isabel quiere matar a todos los lobos. Fin.
El libro se hace largo, a pesar de que es ligero de leer, se hace sumamente tedioso por las descripciones que hace la autora. Va a pasar algo, pero se pone a narrar algo totalmente diferente, uno solo quiere que llegue la acción y siempre se da vueltas donde mismo.
A pesar de lo anterior, las ultimas 50 paginas son oro puro, 350 paginas son lentas de leer, pero ya llegados a la acción, te tiene con el corazón en vilo y hace que te caigan un par de lágrimas. Aprendes a querer a personajes como Cole e Isabel, que en el primer y segundo libro eran un poco molestos, pero se transformaron en unos personajes secundarios estupendos.
Finalmente decir que considerando que es el ultimo libro de la trilogía, tiene un buen final, no el que yo quería, pero es decente, igual seria mucho mejor si no hubiese sido un final abierto.
El libro se hace largo, a pesar de que es ligero de leer, se hace sumamente tedioso por las descripciones que hace la autora. Va a pasar algo, pero se pone a narrar algo totalmente diferente, uno solo quiere que llegue la acción y siempre se da vueltas donde mismo.
A pesar de lo anterior, las ultimas 50 paginas son oro puro, 350 paginas son lentas de leer, pero ya llegados a la acción, te tiene con el corazón en vilo y hace que te caigan un par de lágrimas. Aprendes a querer a personajes como Cole e Isabel, que en el primer y segundo libro eran un poco molestos, pero se transformaron en unos personajes secundarios estupendos.
Finalmente decir que considerando que es el ultimo libro de la trilogía, tiene un buen final, no el que yo quería, pero es decente, igual seria mucho mejor si no hubiese sido un final abierto.
June 14, 2016
GGRRRRR!!!! Are you serious, Maggie Stiefvater!? Now, in book 2, you're giving us an inane theory that could never be plausible if you paid any attention to your own story! WARNING: the following contains what may be considered SPOILERS...
So Cole says (paraphrasing of course) - Sam, you know that wolf that was found dead...it and Grace haven't shifted in what, a decade or more...
Wait...what? Noooo...it's been SIX years since Grace was dragged into the woods and bitten.
Cole - So you know how you were saying that after a werewolf stops shifting back to human they die after a certain number of years...so long story short, I don't think they are dying of natural causes, I think they are dying because they're not shifting. I think something went wrong the first time Grace was bitten. And to save her from dying, she needs to be bitten again to restart the trigger to shift.
Wait...what? Grace was bitten AGAIN just a few months ago by Shelby.
At this point Isabel states the obvious, that means Sam is going to die early also since he no longer shifts...and Cole is like, yeah in 10 to 13 years. In both book one and two Sam says the life expectancy is 15 years...so Cole saying 'a decade or more' and '10 to 13 years' feels like the author trying to distract from the fact that it's been only SIX years since Grace was bitten...the FIRST time, cause oopsy we forgot she's already been bitten a SECOND time, too. Also, gripe 1. that I had with the first book...the author is trying to backpedal on in this book (refer to my ebook review of Shiver). In this book Sam says, "But it takes weeks or months to shift after you get bitten." Other than Grace--who hasn't shifted at all--has there been any werewolf presented to us in book 1 or 2 that's taken months to shift? NO. There also is still no explanation as to why Sam was losing his ability to shift back to human much sooner than other werewolves.
I'm about to start the third book...everyone tread lightly cause it's a hardback and it might get thrown. It just really irks me for an author not to follow their own details!
Maggie Stiefvater, I enjoyed The Scorpio Races and have yet to read The Raven Boys series. Please, oh please, let them not be like this one...
UPDATE 8/24/14: Finished the third book. No throwing against the wall, but I will wait a couple of days before reading the fourth book =/.
So Cole says (paraphrasing of course) - Sam, you know that wolf that was found dead...it and Grace haven't shifted in what, a decade or more...
Wait...what? Noooo...it's been SIX years since Grace was dragged into the woods and bitten.
Cole - So you know how you were saying that after a werewolf stops shifting back to human they die after a certain number of years...so long story short, I don't think they are dying of natural causes, I think they are dying because they're not shifting. I think something went wrong the first time Grace was bitten. And to save her from dying, she needs to be bitten again to restart the trigger to shift.
Wait...what? Grace was bitten AGAIN just a few months ago by Shelby.
At this point Isabel states the obvious, that means Sam is going to die early also since he no longer shifts...and Cole is like, yeah in 10 to 13 years. In both book one and two Sam says the life expectancy is 15 years...so Cole saying 'a decade or more' and '10 to 13 years' feels like the author trying to distract from the fact that it's been only SIX years since Grace was bitten...the FIRST time, cause oopsy we forgot she's already been bitten a SECOND time, too. Also, gripe 1. that I had with the first book...the author is trying to backpedal on in this book (refer to my ebook review of Shiver). In this book Sam says, "But it takes weeks or months to shift after you get bitten." Other than Grace--who hasn't shifted at all--has there been any werewolf presented to us in book 1 or 2 that's taken months to shift? NO. There also is still no explanation as to why Sam was losing his ability to shift back to human much sooner than other werewolves.
I'm about to start the third book...everyone tread lightly cause it's a hardback and it might get thrown. It just really irks me for an author not to follow their own details!
Maggie Stiefvater, I enjoyed The Scorpio Races and have yet to read The Raven Boys series. Please, oh please, let them not be like this one...
UPDATE 8/24/14: Finished the third book. No throwing against the wall, but I will wait a couple of days before reading the fourth book =/.
October 20, 2012
I love this series.
SHIVER got me all hooked up with the love between Sam and Grace. He was a wolf, she was not. But she knew he was. And he knew something about her that wasn't right. In this first installment, they meet again, they fell in love, and Grace is strugling with Sam soon to be changing in to a wolf. He tell his story about how it happened and what his parents did to him. I read Shiver in two days, only because I had to work and I would've look weird(crazy) reading while attending customers.
Moving on to LINGER. Sam was still a wolf, and Grace still loves him, but an unexpected attack had made their live complicated. Now we got oourselve more wolfs, a guy name Cole, who was one of my favorite charachters, and Isabel, who couldn't be any more bitchy. These two like eachother as much as they hate eachother, and I'm loving it. I wish I had more of these two. In this one, a cure has been found for the wolf-ishness, or whatever, that would allow to stop changing into the wolf form. Grace wants Sam to be human, and Sam wants to be with Grace, so he went through the process and boom, he went back to be human. Ah!!! but now we have factor-x, Grace is changing,experiencing things Sam knew too well, and it would be a matter of time before it happens; the change. Sam knows its going to happen soon, and he has nothing to stop it.
And then we have FOREVER. Grace is now a wolf!!! And... Sam is not... Now everything has change, Grace is the one out there having all the fun, and Sam is waiting paitiently for her to come back, looking for ways to change her back to human or for him to go back being a wolf. Isabel and Cole are still hating eachother, they kiss,they flirt, he calls and leaves messages, she ignores him and they go back to hate eachother. And I wanted more of them.. I know.. I love how real their relationship is, instead of those "I love you, you love me, and everything is pink" Now the town had enough of the wolfs attack and had decided to eliminate each one of them. Between Sam, Grace, Isabel, Cole, and the other wolfs they had to plan something that would save them from what is comming. And what about the cure for Sam. Would he go back to be a wolf? Does Grace keeeps being one? Would Isabel and Cole stop figthing?
I love this series, and I thank Maggie Stiefvater for creating this amazing story. Now I have to go and buy all her books.
SHIVER got me all hooked up with the love between Sam and Grace. He was a wolf, she was not. But she knew he was. And he knew something about her that wasn't right. In this first installment, they meet again, they fell in love, and Grace is strugling with Sam soon to be changing in to a wolf. He tell his story about how it happened and what his parents did to him. I read Shiver in two days, only because I had to work and I would've look weird(crazy) reading while attending customers.
Moving on to LINGER. Sam was still a wolf, and Grace still loves him, but an unexpected attack had made their live complicated. Now we got oourselve more wolfs, a guy name Cole, who was one of my favorite charachters, and Isabel, who couldn't be any more bitchy. These two like eachother as much as they hate eachother, and I'm loving it. I wish I had more of these two. In this one, a cure has been found for the wolf-ishness, or whatever, that would allow to stop changing into the wolf form. Grace wants Sam to be human, and Sam wants to be with Grace, so he went through the process and boom, he went back to be human. Ah!!! but now we have factor-x, Grace is changing,experiencing things Sam knew too well, and it would be a matter of time before it happens; the change. Sam knows its going to happen soon, and he has nothing to stop it.
And then we have FOREVER. Grace is now a wolf!!! And... Sam is not... Now everything has change, Grace is the one out there having all the fun, and Sam is waiting paitiently for her to come back, looking for ways to change her back to human or for him to go back being a wolf. Isabel and Cole are still hating eachother, they kiss,they flirt, he calls and leaves messages, she ignores him and they go back to hate eachother. And I wanted more of them.. I know.. I love how real their relationship is, instead of those "I love you, you love me, and everything is pink" Now the town had enough of the wolfs attack and had decided to eliminate each one of them. Between Sam, Grace, Isabel, Cole, and the other wolfs they had to plan something that would save them from what is comming. And what about the cure for Sam. Would he go back to be a wolf? Does Grace keeeps being one? Would Isabel and Cole stop figthing?
I love this series, and I thank Maggie Stiefvater for creating this amazing story. Now I have to go and buy all her books.
January 18, 2014
I enjoyed this trilogy. I know what you’re thinking. It sounds “Twilight-ish,� but in my opinion, it has a lot more depth to it. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed the Twilight series. The books were a nice mindless read. The characters in the Mercy Falls books though have much more depth and seem much more “real�, in my opinion. One thing I appreciated about these books is that they were each finished on their own. Yes, I wanted to read the next book, but the first two books didn’t end on huge cliffhangers that left me having to immediately pick up the next book to continue the story. Each book was complete on its own. I liked that.
The first book went back and forth between two narrators, Sam & Grace. The second two added additional voices, which I at first was leery of, but it also worked. I liked looking into the mind of each of the characters. The writing was compelling and enjoyable. The author is great at imagery and paints wonderfully vivid pictures with her words.
Would I recommend this to my BFF? Definitely. Loved these books. Sad they’re over.
Would I recommend this to my daughter? Nope. There are several instances where strong language is used, and a lot of teen rebellion / troubled youth situations. Also premarital sex � not written in detail, but implied.
The first book went back and forth between two narrators, Sam & Grace. The second two added additional voices, which I at first was leery of, but it also worked. I liked looking into the mind of each of the characters. The writing was compelling and enjoyable. The author is great at imagery and paints wonderfully vivid pictures with her words.
Would I recommend this to my BFF? Definitely. Loved these books. Sad they’re over.
Would I recommend this to my daughter? Nope. There are several instances where strong language is used, and a lot of teen rebellion / troubled youth situations. Also premarital sex � not written in detail, but implied.
December 6, 2016
I devoured all three of these books. I'm not sure why. It was a little too teen for my typical reading tastes but read all three books in the trilogy back to back. I guess each book inspires you to read the next. I can't say I didn't enjoy it.
The author really made me care about what happened to the characters, even when she introduced ones that I didn't like, she gave them redeeming qualities which kept me guessing, because I never knew what they were going to do or how they were going to get themselves or another character out of a difficult situation, especially when most of the problems that they faced were life-threatening.
The author really made me care about what happened to the characters, even when she introduced ones that I didn't like, she gave them redeeming qualities which kept me guessing, because I never knew what they were going to do or how they were going to get themselves or another character out of a difficult situation, especially when most of the problems that they faced were life-threatening.
September 24, 2011
This box looks so good in my shelf. <3 :D
June 12, 2021
I loved the whole Triology. It was like a retelling of Twilight without so much drama and the vampire of course. A cute friends-to-lovers story which I really enjoyed.
September 6, 2011
I am reviewing this series all together because they flow perfectly from one to another and I read them over a period of two days. I love, love, love this series so I am going to talk about them a lot and I will probably give things away, so I am putting a spoiler alert on most of my review. For those of you who have never read the series and don't like spoilers, I will share a few of the adjectives that I will probably use in my review. Beautiful. Lyrical. Unique. Abstract. Bittersweet. Tragic. Joyful. Perfect. Pure. Amazing. Heartbreaking. Breathtaking. Lovely, absolutely lovely. I may use some of these adjectives multiple times to get my point across. I cannot recommend this series highly enough.
SPOILER ALERT!
Shiver is such a perfect title for the first book in this series. It sends shivers down your spine and all over every inch of skin as you read. The first thing I noticed when I opened Shiver was that the text was a lovely shade of blue that matched the cover. I thought that this would bother me, but within two chapters I realized that I liked it. It was another thing that made this book unique.
The second thing I noticed was the beautiful writing style. I could drown in those wonderful, lyrical words. It is written in the alternating points of view of Grace Brisbane and Sam Roth. Both are distinctly different individuals with their own unique style. I loved them both, but Sam in particular. His side of the story is so heartbreaking, his words so abstract and beautiful. When I read about his past and what his parents had done to him, I wanted to cry. I don't think I have ever become so invested in a character so quickly before, but Sam's vulnerability and simple dreams captured me immediately.
Grace is a more subtle character, so it is harder to pinpoint the moment when she slipped under my guard. By the time I noticed, she and Sam where two parts of one whole instead of separate entities. The idea of one without the other is just wrong. Sam is the leader, but Grace is the one who gives him strength and keeps him gently rooted in reality when he threatens to fade away.
In Linger, their fragile happiness is slipping away. Sam is now Sam for good, but Grace is the one trying to remain herself. They all know that something is wrong, but they feel that if they say nothing then it won't be real. Until it is too late. And their world breaks.
In addition to the Grace and Sam, Linger is also told by Isabel Culpeper and Cole St. Clair. Isabel is feeling terribly guilty and angry over the death of her brother, and Cole is a rock star on self destruct who voluntarily became a werewolf. Isabel hides behind anger and rebellion, while Cole is quite honest about his self-hatred and his desire to lose himself forever. Their relationship develops slowly and with a great deal of reluctance on Isabel's part while Cole fears that he will destroy her like he did with his other friends. They are constantly fighting, but somehow they fit perfectly.
Linger ends on a tragic, bloody, frightening note. Now Sam is the one waiting and watching while Grace runs in the woods, unaware of who she is or who she has left behind. I am so glad that I waited until I had Forever to read this, I would have hated to wait.
The beginning of Forever is so bittersweet it hurt. When Grace first became human and Sam went rushing to find her, it was so sad when he arrived only to find the clothes she left behind when she forgot herself once again. Without Grace and threatened with losing her forever, Sam has to finally face his worst fears: his past and his future.
Cole finally finds a purpose in trying to save Grace. He moves from self-destruction to self-experimentation in an attempt to find a cure to the disease that makes them shift from man to beast. I liked him a lot more in Forever than I did in Linger. He sees what Sam and Grace have and he knows that he doesn't want to see something so right disappear.
The danger rises and Isabel becomes a spy when her father plans to organize a wolf hunt. They need to get the wolves out, but the wolves will only follow one of their own. With Cole's science, Sam's leadership, Grace's support, Isabel's position and the help of a sympathetic police officer, can they save themselves and their lupine family?
Now that I have gone through the specifics of each novel, I can address the general themes of the series. I shall start with the hardest: parents. Parents play a very important role in the series. Sam's mother and father held down him in a bathtub and cut his wrists when they couldn't deal with his disease. Grace's parents neglect her for most of her life only to try to step in and change her when they don't like what they see. Isabel's mother is out of it for most of the time and her father is determined to kill Isabel's best friends to give himself purpose after the death of his son. Cole has ruined his life to prove that he isn't his father. And then there is Beck, who made Sam into the person he is but also made so many mistakes.
While Sam's parents are awful, they aren't really in the story. All you see are the scars they left behind. Likewise, you never meet Cole's father, you just hear about how his expectations pushed Cole away. I can almost understand Isabel's parents; they lost their son and fell apart. This does not excuse their actions, but I can understand them. The parents who are most important in the series are Grace's. They seem like the most ordinary of the lot until you look closer. They do what they think good parents should do, but it is only on the surface. Because they have ignored her for years, she is more of an adult than she is a teen. They only pay any attention when there is trouble and then they treat her like the protected child she should have been rather than the woman she is. Their inability to listen and understand cost Grace and Sam precious days.
Beck, the closest thing to a real father that Sam has ever known, is a very complicated and fascinating character. He infected Sam and then regretted it so much when he saw what pain he had caused. He loved Sam like a son and did everything he could to atone for what he had done. When Sam begins to learn his secrets in Linger, it damages their relationship almost irreparably and hurts Sam all over again. And yet, there may be just enough time for forgiveness.
The heroes of this series are all broken, each in their different ways. But who says that broken can't be beautiful? They turn the most horrifying pasts into a future that is oh so bright. It is amazing to watch. When reading this series, I was so scared that it was going to end in tragedy but I didn't want to see it all boxed up into a picture perfect smile. I need not have feared; the ending was perfect. It was a mixture of pure joy and hope and sorrow that had me laughing and crying at the same time. It was four in the morning when I finished it. I had meant to go to sleep sooner but I just couldn't stop. For the rest of the day, I found myself smiling at odd moments, like when Hotel California played on the radio and I was reminded of Cole's twenty voicemail messages. This is a series that stays with you.
I loved this series with its breathtaking changes from tears to joy and back again, with its beautifully broken characters, with its prose that feels more like poetry and everything in between. I fully intend to read these books over and over again and I think you should, too. :)
SPOILER ALERT!
Shiver is such a perfect title for the first book in this series. It sends shivers down your spine and all over every inch of skin as you read. The first thing I noticed when I opened Shiver was that the text was a lovely shade of blue that matched the cover. I thought that this would bother me, but within two chapters I realized that I liked it. It was another thing that made this book unique.
The second thing I noticed was the beautiful writing style. I could drown in those wonderful, lyrical words. It is written in the alternating points of view of Grace Brisbane and Sam Roth. Both are distinctly different individuals with their own unique style. I loved them both, but Sam in particular. His side of the story is so heartbreaking, his words so abstract and beautiful. When I read about his past and what his parents had done to him, I wanted to cry. I don't think I have ever become so invested in a character so quickly before, but Sam's vulnerability and simple dreams captured me immediately.
Grace is a more subtle character, so it is harder to pinpoint the moment when she slipped under my guard. By the time I noticed, she and Sam where two parts of one whole instead of separate entities. The idea of one without the other is just wrong. Sam is the leader, but Grace is the one who gives him strength and keeps him gently rooted in reality when he threatens to fade away.
In Linger, their fragile happiness is slipping away. Sam is now Sam for good, but Grace is the one trying to remain herself. They all know that something is wrong, but they feel that if they say nothing then it won't be real. Until it is too late. And their world breaks.
In addition to the Grace and Sam, Linger is also told by Isabel Culpeper and Cole St. Clair. Isabel is feeling terribly guilty and angry over the death of her brother, and Cole is a rock star on self destruct who voluntarily became a werewolf. Isabel hides behind anger and rebellion, while Cole is quite honest about his self-hatred and his desire to lose himself forever. Their relationship develops slowly and with a great deal of reluctance on Isabel's part while Cole fears that he will destroy her like he did with his other friends. They are constantly fighting, but somehow they fit perfectly.
Linger ends on a tragic, bloody, frightening note. Now Sam is the one waiting and watching while Grace runs in the woods, unaware of who she is or who she has left behind. I am so glad that I waited until I had Forever to read this, I would have hated to wait.
The beginning of Forever is so bittersweet it hurt. When Grace first became human and Sam went rushing to find her, it was so sad when he arrived only to find the clothes she left behind when she forgot herself once again. Without Grace and threatened with losing her forever, Sam has to finally face his worst fears: his past and his future.
Cole finally finds a purpose in trying to save Grace. He moves from self-destruction to self-experimentation in an attempt to find a cure to the disease that makes them shift from man to beast. I liked him a lot more in Forever than I did in Linger. He sees what Sam and Grace have and he knows that he doesn't want to see something so right disappear.
The danger rises and Isabel becomes a spy when her father plans to organize a wolf hunt. They need to get the wolves out, but the wolves will only follow one of their own. With Cole's science, Sam's leadership, Grace's support, Isabel's position and the help of a sympathetic police officer, can they save themselves and their lupine family?
Now that I have gone through the specifics of each novel, I can address the general themes of the series. I shall start with the hardest: parents. Parents play a very important role in the series. Sam's mother and father held down him in a bathtub and cut his wrists when they couldn't deal with his disease. Grace's parents neglect her for most of her life only to try to step in and change her when they don't like what they see. Isabel's mother is out of it for most of the time and her father is determined to kill Isabel's best friends to give himself purpose after the death of his son. Cole has ruined his life to prove that he isn't his father. And then there is Beck, who made Sam into the person he is but also made so many mistakes.
While Sam's parents are awful, they aren't really in the story. All you see are the scars they left behind. Likewise, you never meet Cole's father, you just hear about how his expectations pushed Cole away. I can almost understand Isabel's parents; they lost their son and fell apart. This does not excuse their actions, but I can understand them. The parents who are most important in the series are Grace's. They seem like the most ordinary of the lot until you look closer. They do what they think good parents should do, but it is only on the surface. Because they have ignored her for years, she is more of an adult than she is a teen. They only pay any attention when there is trouble and then they treat her like the protected child she should have been rather than the woman she is. Their inability to listen and understand cost Grace and Sam precious days.
Beck, the closest thing to a real father that Sam has ever known, is a very complicated and fascinating character. He infected Sam and then regretted it so much when he saw what pain he had caused. He loved Sam like a son and did everything he could to atone for what he had done. When Sam begins to learn his secrets in Linger, it damages their relationship almost irreparably and hurts Sam all over again. And yet, there may be just enough time for forgiveness.
The heroes of this series are all broken, each in their different ways. But who says that broken can't be beautiful? They turn the most horrifying pasts into a future that is oh so bright. It is amazing to watch. When reading this series, I was so scared that it was going to end in tragedy but I didn't want to see it all boxed up into a picture perfect smile. I need not have feared; the ending was perfect. It was a mixture of pure joy and hope and sorrow that had me laughing and crying at the same time. It was four in the morning when I finished it. I had meant to go to sleep sooner but I just couldn't stop. For the rest of the day, I found myself smiling at odd moments, like when Hotel California played on the radio and I was reminded of Cole's twenty voicemail messages. This is a series that stays with you.
I loved this series with its breathtaking changes from tears to joy and back again, with its beautifully broken characters, with its prose that feels more like poetry and everything in between. I fully intend to read these books over and over again and I think you should, too. :)
May 7, 2023
The Shiver Trilogy Boxset by Maggie Stiefvater is a captivating and beautifully written young adult paranormal romance series that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. The trilogy tells the story of Grace and Sam, two teens who fall in love despite Sam being a werewolf who can only remain human during the summer months.
The first book, "Shiver," sets the stage for their romance as Grace discovers the truth about Sam's secret, and they begin to navigate the challenges of their unusual relationship. Stiefvater's writing style is immersive and poetic, capturing the wonder and magic of first love as well as the haunting beauty of the natural world.
In the second book, "Linger," the stakes are raised as new characters and conflicts are introduced. The addition of Cole, a troubled new werewolf, brings a new layer of complexity to the story, and the tension between him, Grace, and Sam creates a compelling love triangle that keeps readers guessing until the end.
The final book, "Forever," brings the series to a satisfying and emotional conclusion as Grace and Sam must confront their greatest challenge yet. Stiefvater's prose is hauntingly beautiful as she weaves together themes of love, loss, and the transformative power of nature.
Overall, the Shiver Trilogy Boxset is a must-read for fans of young adult paranormal romance. Stiefvater's lyrical writing and vivid characters will transport you to a world of werewolves, romance, and the enduring power of love.
The first book, "Shiver," sets the stage for their romance as Grace discovers the truth about Sam's secret, and they begin to navigate the challenges of their unusual relationship. Stiefvater's writing style is immersive and poetic, capturing the wonder and magic of first love as well as the haunting beauty of the natural world.
In the second book, "Linger," the stakes are raised as new characters and conflicts are introduced. The addition of Cole, a troubled new werewolf, brings a new layer of complexity to the story, and the tension between him, Grace, and Sam creates a compelling love triangle that keeps readers guessing until the end.
The final book, "Forever," brings the series to a satisfying and emotional conclusion as Grace and Sam must confront their greatest challenge yet. Stiefvater's prose is hauntingly beautiful as she weaves together themes of love, loss, and the transformative power of nature.
Overall, the Shiver Trilogy Boxset is a must-read for fans of young adult paranormal romance. Stiefvater's lyrical writing and vivid characters will transport you to a world of werewolves, romance, and the enduring power of love.
December 25, 2019
I started reading the first book Shiver in 2010. It was really hard to finish because I was reading it in bed one night and my step mom told my dad I was reading instead of sleeping and he came down and whipped me with a belt.
The second book Linger I read in 3 days this year. It was slightly better than the first book. I honestly think this is the best one out of the series. I was actually surprised to find out that there was a third book.
Forever was a bit sad, but predictable and could of ended better. I honestly think the Author was rushing with this one.
I think reading this series was a waste of time, but I was curious to know what was going to happen. I honestly do not like series books and if I read a series, it better be worth my time. In this case, this one was not. Sorry, Maggie.
The second book Linger I read in 3 days this year. It was slightly better than the first book. I honestly think this is the best one out of the series. I was actually surprised to find out that there was a third book.
Forever was a bit sad, but predictable and could of ended better. I honestly think the Author was rushing with this one.
I think reading this series was a waste of time, but I was curious to know what was going to happen. I honestly do not like series books and if I read a series, it better be worth my time. In this case, this one was not. Sorry, Maggie.
May 11, 2020
Boek 1: 3 sterren. Kwam langzaam op gang, veelal saai of niet interessant. Naar het einde werd het beter en leuker.
Boek 2: 4 sterren. Meer interessante personages. Ouders van Grace reageren wel opeens heel anders op Sam en Grace. Dit boek was spannender en de perspectieven vanuit meerdere personen was echt een goede bijdrage. Proloog had niet gehoeven, dit maakte het einde minder goed. Van de trilogie vind ik dit het sterkste boek.
Boek 3: 3,5 sterren. Boek ging door op waar boek 2 stopt. Zelfde personages en perspectieven, maar veel beloofde conclusies uit boek 1 en 2 blijven uit. Dat is jammer. De spanning blijft er wel in en door de inmenging van allerlei personages en gebeurtenissen blijft het wel interessant. Cole is een van mijn favorieten. Fijn dat de relatie tussen Cole en Isabel niet overhaast werd of afgeraffeld. Het einde was oké, ik had er alleen meer van verwacht.
Boek 2: 4 sterren. Meer interessante personages. Ouders van Grace reageren wel opeens heel anders op Sam en Grace. Dit boek was spannender en de perspectieven vanuit meerdere personen was echt een goede bijdrage. Proloog had niet gehoeven, dit maakte het einde minder goed. Van de trilogie vind ik dit het sterkste boek.
Boek 3: 3,5 sterren. Boek ging door op waar boek 2 stopt. Zelfde personages en perspectieven, maar veel beloofde conclusies uit boek 1 en 2 blijven uit. Dat is jammer. De spanning blijft er wel in en door de inmenging van allerlei personages en gebeurtenissen blijft het wel interessant. Cole is een van mijn favorieten. Fijn dat de relatie tussen Cole en Isabel niet overhaast werd of afgeraffeld. Het einde was oké, ik had er alleen meer van verwacht.
November 13, 2016
I really loved this series, and even though i was 16 when I first read it, I would consider a re-read. I remember falling in love with Grace and Sam's love, and enjoyed the concept of this version of werewolves rather than those in Twilight, which was what was popular at the time and a series I could never get into. Just remembering how much I hated putting down these books makes me think about how long its been since I've been than enthralled in a series. Would recommend to anyone in search of a wintery YA supernatural(ish) romance novel.
May 2, 2020
I was enthralled with this trilogy while listening to it. The voices were perfect for the characters I thought. I was disappointed that they changed who a few of the main characters were between book one and book two, but that was just with the audio. The story was amazing and I loved listening to it from the start. I listened to all three within a month while going to and from work. I wish there was more to the story so I could continue reading more about the characters.
April 26, 2019
Habe die Reihe verschlungen! Maggie Stiefvater hat so einen tollen Schreibstil und die Geschichte rund um die lebensfrohe Grace, dem ruhigem Sam, der eingebildeten Isabel und dem lässigem Cole ist so toll. Das ganze spielt in Mercy Falls wo die Wolfsstory perfekt hinpasst. Man kann sich gut reinlesen und die Atmosphäre mit dem Buch ist perfekt!
November 12, 2019
I find myself once again incredibly disappointed by books everyone says are amazing.
I think Maggie is just not the author for me.
I loved the idea but the execution wasn't great and again I was confused by what was happening at times.
It's like being drunk doing lots of crazy things and then waking up the next morning trying to remember what the hell you did the night before.
I think Maggie is just not the author for me.
I loved the idea but the execution wasn't great and again I was confused by what was happening at times.
It's like being drunk doing lots of crazy things and then waking up the next morning trying to remember what the hell you did the night before.
January 26, 2022
Brilliant. Love the characters, the story lines. It’s all about teenager “first love� but of course, nothing is as simple as that. The array of characters mean there are some you just love, and others you loathe - but do get to understand in a way. There are moral dilemmas to ponder as well, which gives one food for thought.
Definitely a trilogy worth reading.
Definitely a trilogy worth reading.
December 4, 2022
Ich hab die Bücher mit 16 glaub ich gelesen und damals war ich hin und weg das weiß ich heute sogar noch. Die liebe zwischen Sam und Grace spürt man jede Minute die die zwei zusammen verbringen. Ob sie mich heute mit 23 noch so überzeugen würden weiß ich nicht. Fakt ist, ich habe sie als TB und HC. Und die Hörbücher auf CD noch dazu und manchmal höre ich sie noch zum schlafen ❤️
January 7, 2021
Very young, and the main male character I'd dare call too emo lol. But it's still a very cute story and very unique, while interesting on werewolves. However there is one character who really saves this series, and it comes out after the first books and is really perfected in the last book Sinner.
July 9, 2021
It was not that good and I was just bored reading the series I started to lose interest after read the first 2 books I began to dread reading the last book. Don’t read this series it’s not worth it i was bored most the time when I was reading it. I don’t recommend this series
October 1, 2021
Loved the characters and the character development throughout the series. Normally I don't like when an author changes the point of view of the series, but I like how the last book had a different characters point of view.
November 26, 2023
Great series, I loved the lore. The characters are real and messy. It's tragic, lovely, funny and so human (even when the characters aren't). Great YA series I'd recommend to anyone. Maggie could turn anything to Gold I'm sure
January 3, 2018
I really enjoyed these books! I’m a sucker for a good paranormal story and this one was incredibly unique with its storyline and the myths and truths of the characteristics of the werewolves and their stories throughout the series. It’s an easy, quick read as well so it’s definitely a book I would pick up again for some light reading.
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