Review: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

I really enjoyed Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver once I got into it last year, and over the creep factor involved. I was really looking forward to reading Linger, so when this lovely ARC showed up for me, I was beyond thrilled. It did not disappoint at all, in fact, I loved it.

Shiver didn't actually feel like a story that needed to be continued. In many ways, it felt like it was self-contained, but there were some story threads that were left unanswered, and Stiefvater picks those up in Linger. Spoilers for Shiver are inevitable, so if you haven't read it, please read no further.

Grace and Sam tried a risky experiment on Sam to help him stay a human forever, and it worked. Now Sam has to try to trust his new life...it's not going anywhere he won't turn back into a wolf. Meanwhile, a new wolf shows up in town and he's got a bit of attitude and seems to pose a threat to the pack as it is. Sam is left taking care of the pack and dealing with a new set of issues among them, and Grace is getting sick and still longing to turn into a wolf.

I know that synopsis sounds a little crazy, but I was completely and utterly engrossed in this book. I love Sam, absolutely love him, and so I was eager to see how he was going to deal with his new life. He and Grace faced some conflict, including some parental intervention showing up at the last minute, and of course Sam has to deal with feelings of leaving behind the pack.

It might seem like a bit of an eye-roller when you think you know what's going to happen, but actually I felt the central dilemma was unexpected and made sense. And it certainly sets up the need for the third book.

I love these books, what can I say? Stiefvater's writing is beautiful and lyrical, her romance is convincing, and her wolves unique and interesting. I can't wait for the next one!

Rating: 4.5/5
Source of Book: ARC provided by publisher
Publisher: Scholastic Press