Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

I had very high hopes for this novel. It was supposed to rock my world, as it has others. And… It didn’t. Not to say this isn’t a good novel, it is. However, I felt emotionally detached from the characters while reading.

The alternating viewpoints between Grace and Sam gave the story another dimension, but it kept me from fully understanding either character. And although the alternating chapters were nicely paced, it deterred me from relaxing fully into the story, which I believe was my problem.

That being said, I still think I’ll pick up a copy of the Linger audiobook. Initially, I was surprised that the novel even had a sequel since it tied the majority of the plot together so nicely. After reading a post on Maggie Stiefvater’s blog, I have to admit that I’m intrigued by the Cole narrator that, and I quote, “sounds like sex on a stick.”

Shiver is a book that’s easy to admire. The writing is very well done, and its story is pleasant. It just didn’t contain the elusive spark for me that so many others have experienced while reading it.