Book Review: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

SUMMARY:

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.


OPINION: 5 STARS

Linger easily withholds the same overall tone, intensity and beauty that shone brightly in Shiver, engulfing the reader instantly. The strong characters developed in Shiver return just as vividly, their personalities pulling through and progressing more in response to new characters and situations. Maggie’s characteristic, notable, highly fluid and gorgeous writing continues to lull the readers, weaving emotional, connection and intimacy throughout. She slips in stunning oxymoronic descriptions, creating an overall beautiful picture no matter the moment, setting, or emotions.

Grace, while well developed already, continues to hold her same individuality. The chapters in her POV give perfect insight, understanding easily not only her feelings for and need towards Sam but her overall view of the world. Even at her less than shining moments, Grace is a very striking character. Her strong beliefs and views, attitudes and opinions continue to forge her through the events in Linger.

Sam is impossibly more complex after the events of Shiver, learning to live and move past everything that’s happened. His heart is still mending, his loyalties both bound and splitting, and his core character coming through strongly even when the POV is not his own. He is as lovable and affectionate as in Shiver, understanding both the world and Grace in surprising ways. His maturity continues to grow and be showcased, as does the depth to which he loves Grace.

Cole is a new character to the world, and one as complex and well developed as the star lovers. Sarcastic and flippant, he tests Grave and Sam and adds a certain spark to the overall tone. The reader gets an intimate look into his mind, his personality coming out at a steady pace and with the same lyrical descriptions that defines Maggie’s inherent, brilliant writing. He is a strongly contrast character to many already seen and his interactions, specifically with Isabelle, are fantastic to read.

Isabelle is also back, her responses and motivations continuing to surprise the readers. She is a very give and take character, a spitfire in some areas and a follower in others. With sections now in her perspective, the reader will get an even better look at her life and views, as well as form the same intense connection with her they already feel with Sam and Grace.

The plot is surprising, playing on events hinted at and brought up in Shiver but extending them, while also adding in new ones. The full meaning of what it means to be one of these wolves, the way their lives play out, and the ultimate future of it is both beautiful and heartbreaking. The caveats, nuances and unknowns about it are also brought very much to light. There is never a dull moment, a drifting pace, or a needless scene. Everything is in there for a reason, woven together masterfully even when the reader doesn’t realize it. The events pull together for a shocking, blow out ending that is magnanimously jarring.

Linger is a step above Shiver, building on an already valiant world. The overall thought, effort and detail that has gone into the entire world is showcased, as is Maggie’s story telling abilities and inherent writing style. The ending is a cliff hanger, tying up some events but leaving distracting, mind-grabbing ones open for the next book.

Details:
Source: ARC received from publisher for review free of charge
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Press (July 20, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0545123283

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