young adult book review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Shiver is a werewolf love story. It's told through the points of view of Grace, who was bitten by the pack of wolves who live in the woods behind her house in Mercy Falls, Minnesota, and Sam, who was also bitten by these wolves and became one of them. No one in town knows the wolves are werewolves that change for the season. In the summer, Sam is a boy! In the winter, he's a wolf. No one in town notices that some people are only around in the summer. Yes, this is a plot hole, but the author attempts to explain this phenomenon through the fact, one year, the wolf will not change back and will be a wolf year round (until they die, and wolves apparently only live about fifteen years). Yes, this situation is rife for teen angst. 

Grace and Sam are in love, and perhaps my biggest problem with this book was the lack of development of their love. Sure, one could argue they had a powerful connection and attraction, but I still think it was underdeveloped. Mostly, I didn't like this book because I didn't like Stiefvater's writing. I average one eye-roll per page. Without an adequate foundation for the romance, it all seemed trite, silly and elementary. Yes, it's young adult fiction, but young adult fiction is often adult fiction with teenage narrators. This book is not. I wanted to stop reading this book, and if it weren't for many trusted opinions raving, I would have. While my opinion is not the minority, it's certainly not the majority. Readers seem to be split. For a few other opinions, check out some of these blogs:
S Krishna's Books
Linus's Blanket
My Friend Amy
One Librarian's Book Reviews

Rating: 2 stars (out of 5 stars) 
Pages: 400
Publication date: August 1, 2009
Source: my local public library

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