Who Would Like This Book:
If you're looking for a poetic, emotional twist on werewolf lore, this book delivers with atmospheric writing and a haunting romance. Shiver stands out for its unique take - here, werewolves shift with the temperature rather than the moon. The dual points of view between Sam and Grace add depth, making you feel their longing and urgency as seasons change. Fans of star-crossed lovers, those who like a mix of melancholy and hope, and anyone who enjoyed Twilight (but prefers the wolf side!) will find a lot to adore here. Also perfect for readers who love a bittersweet vibe and character-driven stories.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you roll your eyes at insta-love, obsessive relationships, or swoony, slow-burn YA romances, you might find this one frustrating. Some readers didn’t buy into Sam and Grace falling so hard, so fast - especially since Grace is in love with her wolf before knowing he's human. The pacing can drag with a lot of gazing, yearning, and poetic musings, and many are irked by the passive or conveniently absent parents. Those craving action-packed plotting, strong mythological logic, or major twists may lose patience before the end.
About:
Grace, a girl with a deep connection to the wolves in the woods behind her house, meets Sam, a boy who transforms into a werewolf during cold weather. As they navigate the complexities of Sam's transformations and their growing love, they also find themselves caught in a web of mysteries and dangers involving other werewolves in their town. The book beautifully portrays their intense romance, the challenges they face, and the unique werewolf system created by the author, all set against a backdrop of suspense and action.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of violence, animal attacks, and the implication of possible parental neglect.
Has Romance?
The romance between Grace and Sam is central to the plot and highly developed.
From The Publisher:
For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf - her wolf - is a haunting presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human...until the cold makes him shift back again. Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It's her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears and the temperature drops, Sam must fight to stay human - or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.
Ratings (132)
Incredible (15) | |
Loved It (42) | |
Liked It (31) | |
It Was OK (21) | |
Did Not Like (15) | |
Hated It (8) |
Reader Stats (255):
Read It (146) | |
Want To Read (76) | |
Did Not Finish (7) | |
Not Interested (26) |
7 comment(s)
I couldn't finish it. I tried so hard to get into it but in the end I couldn't do it.
3½★ / 5.0
I listened to the audiobook and something about the guy who read Sam's character kinda rubbed me the wrong way. Enough to where I almost stopped listening and thought I'd have to search for the book at the library to read instead. But, he grew on me or maybe I was just able to tolerate it enough to finish. Anyway ...
The story reminded me of "Twilight", albeit a werewolf version. Definitely a young adult novel, but a nice love story. Grace was dragged off by wolves when she was eleven years old. One wolf, one with yellow eyes, saves her. For the next six years she watches "her" wolf in her backyard each winter and notices he's not around during the warmer months. A school boy gets mauled by wolves, goes missing from the morgue and the town wants to hunt them. She can't let that happen, she can't lose her wolf.
Sam has been watching Grace too. He's watched her as wolf and boy.
I did like the alternating view points and the temperature readings with each chapter, they set the tone for each.
All-in-all it was a sweet YA romance.
It's a shame that this book came out after Twilight, because it's going to draw inevitable comparisons. Bookish teen girl falls in love with intense supernatural being who spends time watching her and saving her butt. Blah blah blah. I can already see teenybopper girls furiously typing "Where's Edward?" "What?!? No Edward?" "She likes a werewolf...ew, gross!"
I actually think this book was written before Twilight, so certainly no copycat. It is certainly more powerfully written. I liked the author's lyrical writing style and how she jumped back and forth between the two characters.
I'm also very interested in what comes next in the sequel. The ending was a little abrupt. All the better to pave the way to book 2!
3.5 stars
Fun little paranormal romance YA. Quick & enjoyable read. A lot better than Twilight.
I bought this purely for the cover and briefly debated continue reading just to be able to buy the sequels which both have equally beautiful covers. If only the story inside was somewhat decent. The characters fail to have any depth and the plot line just seems ridiculous. I understand it's paranormal but an author should be able to make you feel like you're part of the world - even if it is a ridiculous idea when you say it out loud. This book failed to immerse me and just left me with a bitter taste.
It was a little crazy...
What can you read after
Shiver?
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