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Shiver
- By Maggie Stiefvater
- Genre: Horror
Common Sense Media says
Does for werewolves what Twilight did for vampires.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that although this is a werewolf story, there's more romance than horror. It's a love story between a boy and a girl; the boy just happens to be a werewolf. The passion between the characters grows throughout the story, and they do have sex once in a tastefully written fade-to-black scene. Compared to other paranormal romances like the Twilight saga, this novel stands out in the genre. The writing is fresh and lyrical, and the characters well-developed and credible.
What's the story?
For years, Grace has watched the wolves outside her Mercy Falls, Minnesota home every winter. She is particularly drawn to one with stunning yellow eyes. She is certain that it is the same wolf who saved her from its pack who attacked her when she was a young girl. When Grace meets the wounded and temporarily human Sam, she knows from his yellow eyes that he is her wolf. Immediately drawn to one another, they fall in love during their first encounter. Sam leads two lives. He is human in the spring and summer, but he turns into a wolf when the temperature turns cold. The problem Sam faces is that the longer he remains a wolf, the less time he spends in human form. A time will eventually come when he will not change back and will forever be a wolf. That time is coming soon...
Is it any good?
Elegantly written, Stiefvater's story offers a unique and interesting take on werewolf lore. Grace and Sam, the two protagonists, are mostly defined by their love for each other, but the author avoids brooding melodrama by injecting a fresh and playful sense of humor in their interactions. They have great chemistry. The characters are appealing, intelligent, and well-defined. Their willingness to use their intellects to deal with the challenges they face is refreshing.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about what it is that makes Grace and Sam so drawn to one another. When Sam transforms from human to wolf, will he retain what it is that makes Grace love him?
What is unique about humans that sets us apart from other animals?
What can we learn about ourselves from observing and interacting with animals?
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- Teens & kids
Parent of 10 year old
January 21, 2010
AGE
WATCH OUT PARENTS!!!
As a high school English teacher I was shocked, disappointed and actually horrified at the glamorization and romantization of inappropriate sexual behavior between these teenagers. What are you reviewers thinking about using the word "tastefully"? There is no such thing as tasteful sex between teenagers. Have we all lost our minds these days?
What other families should know:
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Parent of 2, 4, and 16 year old
February 15, 2010
AGE
Wow, why listen to a 50 year old who isn't effected by these books?
I am Hollie. I am 16 and on my mom's account.
Let me tell you, from a true 16 year old, that this book is not that bad.
It didn't make me want to sneek boys into my room without my parents' knowledge and then have sex with them.
This is a romance story and I loved it. I really did.
In my opinion, the parents that are on here saying that there is too much sex and love, need to learn how to raise their kids better, because if they sneek boys into their rooms and have sex with them, it isn't because they read about it in a book. It is because the parent needs to do a better job at talking with their kids.
Just to let you know I have read this book 5 times all the way through, and I loved it! This is coming from a true 16 year old girl. That's who you should listen to. Not the parents on here that think reading about sex in a book will make their kid go get pregnant.
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Kid, 10 years old
April 5, 2011
AGE
My online friend recommended this book and I'm 10 almost 11 do u guys think I'll like this book p.s. I know alot more than most 10 year olds and I am more mature than most. So tell me what y'all think?
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Teen, 14 years old
October 18, 2009
AGE
Perfectly paced romance story! Never read anything like it!
I'd really loved this book because it's not one of those books that's got loads of action and you can't keep up with everything. It's nicely paced but not that there's nothing going on.
A really lovely, kinda sad, romance story.
Not the average, boy meets girl story.
Grace has been watching the wolf in the woods behind her house for years. But then she meets Sam who reminds her of her wolf.
The struggle that they go through is what makes the book brilliant! They don't have much time together either which makes you fall in love with the character fast!
Well worth the read.
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Kid, 12 years old
June 4, 2011
AGE
Scared ,about the DEATH of WOLVES
I think that the book is okay but it does have a few swear words within the book but i think it still has a good imagination in the book but i doesn't make sense if the book is called shiver and there are wolves in it then why does it keep on going back to school and home.
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Teen, 16 years old
December 30, 2010
AGE
Perfect for Teens
I highly recommend this book. Maggie Stiefvater is such an AMAZING writer.
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Teen, 14 years old
November 8, 2009
AGE
Beautiful, enthralling piece of literature.
This book is, hands down, beyond the slightest shred of a doubt, the most breathtaking, beautiful, solemn, heartbreaking piece of literature gold that I have ever beheld in my entire life. More so than Harry Potter, Maximum Ride, Silverwing, Julie of the Wolves, and Warriors put together. It has struck me to the core, more moving than any melody, lyric, or song that I have heard. In its entirety, this book is beyond comprehensive thought. I cannot express in words how I feel about this book.
The writing has a smooth, lyrical flow, but the story in itself is complex. Fans are calling it the "new Twilight", but it is so much more than that. Twilight was literature junk - Shiver is the most beautiful book I have ever had the pleasure of reading.
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Teen, 14 years old
May 5, 2011
AGE
I love this book! My friend Trystian recomended it to me. I think that i have read it a total of 7 times. It is AMAZING!!!!
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Teen, 14 years old
March 23, 2011
AGE
...
i loved this book! Maggie Stiefvater is an amazing writer
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Kid, 10 years old
May 4, 2011
AGE
i was wondering if this book is similar to the book "Beastly" By Alex Flinn cuz if it is i can read it no prob
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | Maggie Stiefvater |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Publisher: | Scholastic Press |
| Publication date: | August 1, 2009 |
| Number of pages: | 400 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 13 - 17 |
| Read aloud: | 14 - 14 |
| Read alone: | 14 - 14 |
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