Linger: Maggie Stiefvater

Book: Linger (sequel to Shiver)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Pages: 368
Age Range: 13 and up 

Linger is the much-anticipated sequel to Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver. Due out in July, Linger continues Stiefvater's mesmerizing tale of the wolves of Mercy Falls, MN. Linger is the love story of "a boy who used to be a wolf and a girl who was becoming one" (Page 1). Linger picks up a few months after the end of Shiver, as spring approaches. For the first winter in many years, Sam has NOT turned into a wolf. He is safely human, and spending as much time as he can with his girlfriend Grace. Grace, however, is exhibiting some disturbing symptoms of her own. Meanwhile, a new member of the wolfpack, Cole, is causing worry for Sam and temptation for Sam and Grace's friend Isabel. Linger is told through the alternating first-person viewpoints of these four teens.

I sometimes have trouble with keeping the narrators straight in multiple viewpoint stories, so I was a bit worried about this one initially. But I must say that Maggie Stiefvater pulls it off, even shifting viewpoints mid-chapter in some cases. I think that the multiple narrators work well for Linger because the four characters are so complex and so different from one another. The multiple viewpoints work particularly well in letting the reader see each character's different attributes (e.g. we hear what Sam thinks, but we also see him as Cole, Isabel, and Grace see him, which gives a full picture).

I must admit to a particular fondness for Isabel. She's rich and spoiled and not particularly nice to other people, but I like her wry humor. For example:

""Touche," Isabel said, taking my drink as if it has always been hers. She slouched elegantly on her stool. I hunched like a vulture on mine." (Chapter 1, Sam)

"But finally I had to make my way home. Delightfully, both of my parents' cars were in the driveway. I was beside myself with joy. I sat in my SUV in the driveway, opened the Shakespeare I was supposed to be reading, and turned up my music loud enough that I could see the bass vibrating in the rearview mirror." (Chapter 9, Isabel)

In addition to flawless characterization, Stiefvater gives Linger a strong sense of place. The reader can practically smell the woods behind Grace's house, and practically see Sam and Grace's home, and the bookstore where Sam works. She writes the kind of prose that makes you want to stop and reread passages, lyrical and descriptive, without being overly flowery. Like this:

"Outside, the last bit of sun glazed the corners of the parked cars with blinding amber and filled the puddles in the street with liquid gold. Inside, the store was already out of the reach of the dying day, dim and empty and half-asleep. (Chapter 13, Sam)

Stiefvater is also very good at conveying the feeling of being in love. Not lust or longing so much in Linger (though there's some of that, too), but the feeling that comes after the love is solidly in place, yet still ever-important. For example:

"But instead of answering, Sam stood and went to the kitchen. I swiveled to watch him put on the teakettle. He brought down two mugs from the cabinet over the stove; for some reason, the familiarity of this easy movement filled me with affection. I fought the urge to go stand behind him and wrap my arms around his chest." (Chapter 4, Grace)

"And then Sam there, hauling an industrial vacuum cleaner into the room. He'd only been gone two seconds, but the room got brighter when they were together, as if they were two elements that became brilliant in proximity. At Sam's clumsy efforts to carry the vacuum, Grace smiled a smile that I thought only he ever got, and he shot her a withering look full of the sort of subtext you could only get from a lot of conversations whispered after dark." (Chapter 38, Cole)

So, we have beautiful writing, an intriguing premise, and multi-dimensional characters. I did find the pace of Linger to be a bit slow at times. It's perhaps hard to keep up momentum when the story continually shifts from character to character. And of course, the title of the book suggests that this is more a book that one should savor than a book to be gobbled up in one sitting. It's a book to linger over. It takes time to convey four complex personalities, and their interactions, in addition to the plot. 

All I know is that, lingering aside, I will be eagerly awaiting Forever, the conclusion to the Mercy Falls trilogy, when it's available next summer. Highly recommended - a must-read title for fans of Shiver, and for anyone who enjoys paranormal romance (but do read Shiver first).   

Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: July 20, 2010
Source of Book: Advance review copy from the publisher. Quotes are from the ARC, and may differ from the final book.
Other Blog Reviews: The Tales Compendium, Eve's Fan Garden

© 2010 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved. All Amazon links in this post are affiliate links, and may result in my receiving a small commission on purchases (with no additional cost to you).

Comments

[Becky Levine]

Today, I'm seriously jealous of you as a reviewer--can't wait to read this book. I loved Shiver & just finished Lament--what a writer!

[Angie]

Awesome review, Jen. I'm happy to know about the pacing and the savoring. :) My ARC is sitting on my desk making eyes at me and I've got to finish a couple of others before diving in, but I'm really looking forward to it.

And I love Isabel, too. Those snarky girls--they always win my heart.

[Michelle M]

Wonderful review Jen. I've been wondering how Maggie will pull together this next installment and it seems like it'll be a winner. Thanks!

[Parajunkee]

Oh I am very jealous. I'm a big fan of Shiver and can not wait for the release of Linger. I love Steifvater's lyrical voice, it is very unique and surprised me when I first read Shiver. I wasn't really big into YA fic, even when I was a YA. Now I find I'm enjoying YA fic more than the adult variety. You had a fab review and it only makes me want to read more. I might have to linger over reading it though, so there is that much time between Linger and Forever. :)

[Holly]

Ahh! This is excellent news. Thanks for the great review! I'm totally excited for this.

[Michelle]

Don'tcha want to give this one away?? A little book charity?? I'm glad to see you enjoyed it and I'll keep it on my to-read!

[melissa @ 1lbr]

That's a fantastic review! Not only does it whet our appetites for the sequel, but it reminds us why we loved the first. Can't wait for more of that gorgeous writing!

[Heidi R. Kling]

Gorgeous review.
I can't wait to read this book. Love what you said about the title and the pace of how the story should unfold.

[June Morgan]

As others, I anticipate the release of LINGER. I read SHIVER and was awed by Maggie's style. Since reading SHIVER, I have pre-ordered Linger and purchased LAMENT. It is sitting on my stack of TBR.

[Emily (Super Reader Girl)]

After reading Maggie's tweet that she wants to "make out" with this review (LOL) I had to check you out! :) I tried not to read too much of it since I haven't yet read Shiver, but I want to and what I read of your review for Linger gave me the chills - as all super good reviews do! Wonderful review!

[Mrs. V]

I was so excited to see your review! I had not heard about Forever - something even more to look forward to. I always love multiple perspectives, and I am intrigued by the idea of switching perspectives mid chapter. Sounds like it will be great.

[Stephanie]

I thoroughly enjoyed Shiver, and I am eagerly awaiting Linger. :-) It's refreshing to see a YA romance that explores what comes AFTER that first rush of hormone-laced passion. Beautiful review!

[Michelle]

I'm skimming this review because I don't want to see anything that will give anything away but from the bits I did see it looks like I'm going to love this one just as much as the first! Glad you enjoyed :)

[Angelica]

I echo the sentiment of being envious of you as a reviewer. I appreciate that you revealed an aspect of linger I find personally exciting for me: Isabel's perspective! I think there is a perfect balance in this review of exposing just enough excerpts without giving away major plot points. Thanks!

[Sheila]

Thank you! Thank you! After reading this review, I went out and bought Shiver and loved it. You are right about her prose being so beautiful and her writing about emotions so perfectly. Can't wait to read Linger next :)
~Sheila

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks so much for taking time to comment, Sheila. I'm so glad that you enjoyed Shiver. I'm sure that you'll like Linger, too. It will be here before you know it!

[Sarah]

O.k this is like the best review i have ever read because it makes me look forward to the book . omg i can not wait aghhhh

[Jen Robinson]

Thanks so much, Sarah. That's the compliment every reviewer loves to hear. That's what I'm here for - to bring books to people's attention, and make them want to read them. Thanks for brightening my day.

Linger is out now, though, so hopefully you won't have to wait too long to get your hands on it.

[Tanisha]

Loved this book-it's a real heartstopper!!

[Tanisha]

Great review!! Loved the book!