Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Food to eat while reading: Bittersweet Blueberry-Lime Tiramisu (come back tomorrow for the Tasty Tuesday recipe).

“We are not permitted to linger, even with what is most intimate.” –Ranier Maria Rilke

The second book in the paranormal series(after Shiver), Linger continues the bittersweet, emotional story of Grace and Sam. “This is the story of a boy who used to be a wolf and a girl who was becoming one” ( Linger, prologue).

Read the synopsis here.

Book Trailer:


What I liked:

Once again, Stiefvater (pronounced “steve-otter”) carves intensely real fantasy characters into sharp relief against a backdrop of teen issues that any reader can relate to. Each person in the novel is unique, from the brooding, musically talented Sam, to the edgy, and mouthy Isabel. Introduced as a new character to the story is Cole, a famous teen singer who wants nothing more than to escape the life he’s ruined for himself.

The sexual tension between the characters is palpable and, in some cases, unexpected.

I love the emotions that are evoked throughout the book. There’s nothing I love more than forbidden love and there’s plenty of that going on.

Stiefvater writes with a certain poetic cadence; not only the prose is poetic, but the story circles around on itself in a way that is satisfying.

The plot weaves and twists in and out so that you will wonder what is going to happen next.

My favorite scene in the book is between Isabel and Sam near the end. No spoilers here. I will just say that I totally agree with Isabel’s assessment of Sam’s lack of action. Go Isabel!

The point of view is taken almost equally by the four lead characters, Grace, Sam, Isabel and Cole. Though you might at first think the POV shifts would be distracting, I think you will find that the technique offers a unique perspective into the emotion worlds of each character.

What I would have changed:

The romance in this second book was much edgier than in Shiver. I have a hard time with the fact that Grace and Sam were sleeping together, and in her parent’s home under their noses. Yes, this is a personal bias, but I think YA authors have a fine line to walk when they deal with issues of sex, drugs and parental involvement. Not all YA books are about happy joy-joy subjects, but IMHO, they should set a good example for teens that are looking for role models. Grace has little respect for parental and societal rules and that is a bit of a problem for me.

I continued to dislike Grace’s parents. They don’t feel developed as characters and perhaps that is because when I see them through her eyes, we get the sense that she doesn’t see them as real people in her life. My dislike of the parent’s is not a flaw in the book so much as it evokes anger at their neglect. I won’t even go into it with Sam’s parents…

The verdict:

Once again, the Wolves of Mercy Falls series delivers a heart-wrenching journey that is both delicious and bittersweet.

I gave this book 4/5 stars.

Purchase: Linger

Genre: YA, paranormal

Publisher: July 13th 2010 by Scholastic Press

Where I got the book:  ARC from Scholastic Press*

*The only compensation I received for this review was an ARC of the book.