Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
im just. not into werewolves enough for this.
First impressions: If there's one thing Maggie Stiefvater can do, it's write a good intro. I liked the tone of the prologue, setting us up for a not-so-happy ending. When the actual story begins, we pick up soon after the first book left off, and I thought things got going right away.
Lasting impressions: Even though I could see where the story was going, I really didn't want it to happen. This book suffered from "middle book syndrome," where there's enough of a story arc to get us through, but no real conclusion. Instead, we're left to decide whether we care enough to find out the end of the saga in the third book.
Negative impressions: Though I liked the introduction of the new character, Cole, I found the four narrators to be a bit much. I often found myself uncertain who was "speaking" and would read several paragraphs before realizing I was in Cole's head and not Sam's. Everything in these books reads exactly the same way, in exactly the same voice, which does not lend itself to two narrators, let alone four.
Overall impressions: In some ways, I actually liked this book better than Shiver. Grace was less annoying, but perhaps only because with four narrators I spent less time in her head. Sam became much less interesting in this book, but Cole was exciting and fresh, and his dark attitude brought something different.
The story changes a bit in this one, with the wolves less able to control their shifting, which leads to Sam, Grace, Cole and Isabel trying to figure out what's going on. When the book ends, they still haven't found a solution, and instead the ante is upped even farther, setting up the need to solve the problem in the last book, out this summer. I have to admit that curiosity is convincing me to give Forever a try, though the fact that I find these books only mildly interesting may change my mind. Stiefvater is great at thinking up interesting plots, there's just something missing in the execution.
Lasting impressions: Even though I could see where the story was going, I really didn't want it to happen. This book suffered from "middle book syndrome," where there's enough of a story arc to get us through, but no real conclusion. Instead, we're left to decide whether we care enough to find out the end of the saga in the third book.
Negative impressions: Though I liked the introduction of the new character, Cole, I found the four narrators to be a bit much. I often found myself uncertain who was "speaking" and would read several paragraphs before realizing I was in Cole's head and not Sam's. Everything in these books reads exactly the same way, in exactly the same voice, which does not lend itself to two narrators, let alone four.
Overall impressions: In some ways, I actually liked this book better than Shiver. Grace was less annoying, but perhaps only because with four narrators I spent less time in her head. Sam became much less interesting in this book, but Cole was exciting and fresh, and his dark attitude brought something different.
The story changes a bit in this one, with the wolves less able to control their shifting, which leads to Sam, Grace, Cole and Isabel trying to figure out what's going on. When the book ends, they still haven't found a solution, and instead the ante is upped even farther, setting up the need to solve the problem in the last book, out this summer. I have to admit that curiosity is convincing me to give Forever a try, though the fact that I find these books only mildly interesting may change my mind. Stiefvater is great at thinking up interesting plots, there's just something missing in the execution.
An amazing read! Just as good as the first one! Off to read Forever now!
Not great literature by any means but a decent romantic novel for teens. Probably best to read this series in order.
Much was improved in the second installment with the addition of a darker character (Cole) and the expansion of a damaged and selfish character (Isabel). Cole is the resident bad boy who has done just about everything self destructive under the sun. While Isabel finally gets the page time she deserves and is able to express where her cold shrewdness stems from. They're the more interesting two in the entire series so far.
My problem with this one is all the damn pining going on between Grace and Sam. Grace more-so than Sam (stereotypical girl thing?). Her anger at her parents is understandable and even justifiable but all her obnoxious yearning and pining to be with her boyfriend when she's momentarily separated from him made reading through certain passages a chore. Perhaps the author did it on purpose. It's true that during adolescence everything seems to be the end of the world and when you fall in (puppy)love you fall hard. That part I get. But either way, it made Grace hard to like during certain points of the book.
All the pining aside, I'm happier with this one than with Shiver and I'm interested to see how she will conclude it all in Forever.
My problem with this one is all the damn pining going on between Grace and Sam. Grace more-so than Sam (stereotypical girl thing?). Her anger at her parents is understandable and even justifiable but all her obnoxious yearning and pining to be with her boyfriend when she's momentarily separated from him made reading through certain passages a chore. Perhaps the author did it on purpose. It's true that during adolescence everything seems to be the end of the world and when you fall in (puppy)love you fall hard. That part I get. But either way, it made Grace hard to like during certain points of the book.
All the pining aside, I'm happier with this one than with Shiver and I'm interested to see how she will conclude it all in Forever.
This book was just as good as the first! It was cool how we also finally got to read through Isabel's POV too. We also met Cole. :) I'll have a review up soon!
Updated February 13, 2013
Linger was a truly amazing story. I thought that the first book was absolutely amazing, though I think that this one was even better. I loved all of the new perspectives, such as Cole and Isabel. It was really interesting to see into Isabel's head because of how she was portrayed in book one. She's actually not all that despicable! She's actually really helpful and she's a great friend to Grace.
I was really worried for Grace in Linger. You know that something is up with her from the first page of the prologue. She's starting to act much different. I just wish that she didn't keep it all to herself until it was too late! I just can't help but feel bad for Sam, you know? He's always so sweet and he never really keeps anything to himself. He always tells Grace!
Sam was just as amazing as usual. He was living his life not having to worry about suddenly turning or anything. Sam is trying to find a cure for the wolves though, since his cure might not stay forever. He's also enjoying his new job as being in charge of the wolves when they change back into humans. He gets to do the job that Beck once did. Sam feels bad for all the humans who have to change, since he knows exactly what they are going through.
Cole St. Clair is probably one of my new favorite characters of all time. There's just something about him. He used to be in a band, though he was a party animal. Cole is one of the new werewolves that Beck had changed before he became a wolf permanently. I think that he and Isabel would be really good together.
Maggie's writing style is also amazing as ever. I love how she incorporates music into her writing style, since Sam is a musician. I'm definitely kind of sad to get started on Forever, since it's the last book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. At the same time, I need to know what happens, NOW! Especially with that cliffhanger of an ending!
Updated February 13, 2013
Linger was a truly amazing story. I thought that the first book was absolutely amazing, though I think that this one was even better. I loved all of the new perspectives, such as Cole and Isabel. It was really interesting to see into Isabel's head because of how she was portrayed in book one. She's actually not all that despicable! She's actually really helpful and she's a great friend to Grace.
I was really worried for Grace in Linger. You know that something is up with her from the first page of the prologue. She's starting to act much different. I just wish that she didn't keep it all to herself until it was too late! I just can't help but feel bad for Sam, you know? He's always so sweet and he never really keeps anything to himself. He always tells Grace!
Sam was just as amazing as usual. He was living his life not having to worry about suddenly turning or anything. Sam is trying to find a cure for the wolves though, since his cure might not stay forever. He's also enjoying his new job as being in charge of the wolves when they change back into humans. He gets to do the job that Beck once did. Sam feels bad for all the humans who have to change, since he knows exactly what they are going through.
Cole St. Clair is probably one of my new favorite characters of all time. There's just something about him. He used to be in a band, though he was a party animal. Cole is one of the new werewolves that Beck had changed before he became a wolf permanently. I think that he and Isabel would be really good together.
Maggie's writing style is also amazing as ever. I love how she incorporates music into her writing style, since Sam is a musician. I'm definitely kind of sad to get started on Forever, since it's the last book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. At the same time, I need to know what happens, NOW! Especially with that cliffhanger of an ending!
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Honestly liked this one more than book one. It was so angsty and full of teen rage. The singing in this should be criminal but honestly it’s on par for the era it was written. Leave it to Maggie Stiefvater to have such a dramatic ending, I can’t wait to pick up book three.