Book Review: Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #1) by Maggie Stiefvater
I picked up Shiver after hearing it was a worthwhile alternative to Twilight, which had left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. Maggie Stiefvater’s take on werewolves piqued my curiosity, especially after a friend insisted I’d find it refreshing. While I can appreciate what Stiefvater was trying to achieve, my reading experience was somewhat less than thrilling.
At its heart, Shiver explores themes of love, identity, and the haunting nature of desire, all wrapped in a supernatural package. The story follows Grace and Sam—a girl infatuated with wolves and a boy who transforms into one. As intriguing as the premise is, I found myself grappling with several elements that detracted from the experience. For one, the pacing often wandered aimlessly alongside the characters’ rather monotonous inner dialogues, full of heavy, almost overwhelming description. The prose had moments of beauty but often felt bogged down by what I can only describe as "purple" writing. While I acknowledge that Stiefvater’s lyrical style has its fans, I often felt it hindered the narrative momentum.
The characters, particularly Sam and Grace, were another sticking point for me. The dual points of view should have created distinct voices, yet I sometimes struggled to remember whose thoughts were being conveyed. Sam’s internal monologue, with its concerns about weight and oddly retro vocabulary, often felt more suited to a teenage girl than a teenage boy. Phrases such as “puffy blue jacket” and “synonym for the word intercourse” pulled me out of the narrative, making his character feel less genuine.
Grace, on the other hand, came off as unsympathetic, especially with her lack of empathy towards other characters, notably Jack and her friends. I found her fixation on Sam overshadowed meaningful relationships and personal growth, ultimately making her less relatable. The absence of complexity in both protagonists led to a romance that felt forced and devoid of authentic connection. Their love lacked the necessary build-up, often reading more like an infatuation than a deep bond.
Despite my overall disappointment, I did find some moments worth noting. The atmospheric setting of Mercy Falls adds a haunting backdrop, enriching the story’s mood. And while the song lyrics interspersed throughout the narrative didn’t resonate with me, Stiefvater’s passion for music shines through, adding a unique flair.
While Shiver may attract fans of supernatural romance, it’s not without its flaws. Readers who appreciate lyrical prose and are drawn to tales of young love may still find something to enjoy here. For me, however, the experience fell flat, overshadowed by characters and plots that didn’t quite come together.
Ultimately, Shiver left me curious to see if Stiefvater could evolve as a storyteller in subsequent books. Each reading journey holds its lessons, and perhaps in revisiting this book, I can find more nuance than my initial impression allowed. If you’re inclined to dive into Shiver, I’d love to hear your thoughts—maybe you’ll find the magic that eluded me!
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