Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Ever since she was attacked by wolves when she was eleven, Grace Brisbane has watched them every winter in the woods. There's one yellow-eyed wolf in particular, the one who saved her, that she can't stop herself from looking for.

Sam lives a fractured life, human in the warm months, but wolf once the weather cools...and he's been watching Grace as well. They've never spoken...until now.

Maggie Stiefvater has written an absolutely beautiful, completely riveting novel. Shiver is told in alternating viewpoints, between Grace and Sam, which is a very neat touch and very appropriate for the story. Stiefvater does a convincing job writing in a male point of view, and readers will enjoy getting into Sam's head. The flow of the novel is perfect; it is completely seamless despite the many transitions between Grace and Sam’s perspective, and the back-and-forth between the "real world" and one in which werewolves exist.

Another remarkable aspect of Stiefvater's writing is how beautiful and intense her romantic connections are. Grace and Sam's chemistry is passionate, but chaste. It's deep and sweet without being cliché, very tasteful and completely absorbing.

And finally, if the supernatural, suspenseful elements or the electrifying romance don't capture your imagination, Stiefvater's lyrical prose and magical descriptions will. She has taken something as mundane as a small town heading into winter and made it a mystical, delightful place to read about. Her keen insights and unique writing style will have readers lingering over the pages, savoring each and every word. Maggie Stiefvater has surpassed my expectations in Shiver, making me a fan for life.

Cover Comments: This cover is absolutely gorgeous. I love the different blue tones and the pattern, and how there is a wolf lurking in the bottom right corner (something I didn't notice until I saw the book in person). If there were ever a font that can actually embody the word it makes up, the title's would be it. I actually shivered when I saw it. And I love the little pop of red--perfect! Another neat touch that you don't really notice unless in natural light--inside, the ink is all a dark blue. So cool! I love everything about this book!