Linger by Maggie Stiefvater, Review + Giveaway!

It seems a long time ago now that I first read Shiver--the first book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. But looking back I started it on the plane ride to BEA and finished it there in the conference center, fingers gripping the cover tightly, while sitting on the floor in one of the many autograph lines. And now it's May again and BEA is right around the corner and I emerge from my recent and nasty reading slump stupor to find a copy of Linger sitting in my mailbox like a glove thrown down in the dirt. "I will be the one to pull you out," it whispers to me slyly. "Just open me up and take a sip. I promise--one sip is all it will take." And I look at it with fear and longing written all over my face. "You promise?" I ask  intently. "Because it's been a long walk in the cold and I'm not sure I can take another disappointment." "Just open me up," it says, confidence written all over its cover. And so I do. And everything else falls away.

Sam and Grace are trying to take up the reins of their lives again after the cataclysmic events of the previous winter. Sam is human. Despite the lingering cold as spring grows ever closer, he will not be changing into a wolf. Whatever it was that caused it has been seemingly eradicated and suddenly he has an entire lifetime stretching out ahead of him. And Grace is all set to share that life with him, to make plans, to pick colleges, to get away from her disapproving parents as soon as possible. But their cautious attempts to move forward are curtailed when a new wolf arrives in town--the fruits of Beck's final act as pack protector. It's immediately  clear that something is very off about Cole, but Sam can't quite put his finger on what. And he doesn't have much time to dedicate to figuring out his new charge (of sorts) as Grace is fighting her own battle with a nameless threat and it feels like she's drifting farther and farther away with every day. Meanwhile, Isabel is thrashing around the way only Isabel can. Unable to come to terms with her brother's death and certain as certain that Sam and Grace are unwittingly headed for disaster, Isabel finds herself playing the voice of reason. And as she seems to literally run across Cole at every turn, these interactions push her closer and closer to finding out his secret and the real explanation behind Grace's strained smiles and uneasy silences.

I was somewhat concerned about reading Linger. It was definitely not the writing that concerned me, because I adore Maggie Stiefvater's elegant prose. And it was not the characters, because any time spent with Sam and Grace (and Isabel) is time well spent. But I loved how Shiver ended. It was perfect. And I wondered where exactly things could go from there, you know? What direction their story could take that wouldn't feel forced. With so many series lately, it feels like they're being kept alive on life support. And I was worried about the fragile beauty of where things ended and having that peace ruined. But I should have known better. I should have had more faith. From here on out there will be no doubt. There will be no fear. Because Linger is that most rare and wonderful of books--an absolutely gorgeous, riveting sequel. It made good on all its promises. I was sucked out of the slump I was in within the handful of seconds it took me to read the first page. There are so many things to love about this book. But I have to mention, first and foremost, the writing. It washes over you in waves of lyrical longing and puts other, lesser storytelling to shame. A favorite passage early on (from my uncorrected ARC):

•Sam•

Later, I thought of the things I could have added to the list of resolutions, things I'd wanted back before I realized what being a wolf meant for my future. Things like Write a novel and Find a band and Get a degree in obscure poetry in translation and Travel the world. It felt indulgent and fanciful to be considering those things now after reminding myself for so long that they were impossible.

I tried to imagine myself filling out a college application. Writing a synopsis. Tacking a sign saying DRUMMERS WANTED on the corkboard opposite Beck's post office box. The words danced in my head, dazzling in their sudden nearness. I wanted to add them to my index card of resolutions, but I just . . . couldn't.

That night, while Grace showered, I got out the card and looked at it again. And I wrote:

Believe in my cure. 

I actually felt lighter the further I read, despite the gravity and sense of impending doom that pervades the text. But it is so unbelievably refreshing to be buoyed up by the astonishing turns of phrase rather than bogged down by lackluster wordsmithing. I would read Maggie Stiefvater's cereal box copy. But happily, I shall never be forced to do so as her characters and plot lines are both sympathetic and nuanced. The woman positively excels at young male protagonists. Like James in Ballad, Sam is so very endearing, if in a much less angsty and overt way. His breathtaking blend of maturity and vulnerability tugs at my heartstrings and the strength of his relationship with Grace is true and unswerving. I'm also delighted to report that the supporting characters Isabel and Cole are no less outstanding. In fact, I may have been most captivated by Cole's sections, as the narrative is split between the four of them. His depth of damage mixed with the faintest glimmer of hope enriched the whole for me and I loved watching the four so distinct threads weave together by the inevitable climax. I was consumed by Linger, loved it even more than its predecessor, and am positively thrumming with excitement for Forever--the final installment in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy.
Linger is due out July 20th.

Reading order: Shiver, Linger


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And now for the giveaway! I found myself the lucky recipient of an extra ARC of Linger and I'm delighted to offer it up today to one commenter. To enter simply leave a comment telling me the last book you read that lingered with you long past the moment you closed the final page. The giveaway will be open for a week and will close at midnight on Wednesday, May 12th. I'll announce the winner the following day. This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada addresses only and please be sure to leave me a way to contact you.


Linkage
Abyss Review
Cari's Book Blog Review
The Compulsive Reader Review
Eve's Fan Garden Review
Jen Robinson's Book Page Review
Presenting Lenore Review
The Tales Compendium Review