Shiver

I absolutely loved this book. I wasn't looking for a lesson in the book, but there certainly is one. I won't dwell too much as this is an issue of theme, but it certainly does merit mentioning with respect to plot and characterization: the power of love is so overwhelming that it can overcome any obstacle.

With respect to characterization, having two first-person narrators certainly gives us as readers insight into differing perspectives on the same story. We get to know Sam and Grace so well because we can read their thoughts. We hear their conversations. We see their actions. Maggie Stiefvater has created two extremely likable characters who are surprisingly believable in the middle of a fantasy storyline. I love Sam's gentle bravery in his decision to save Grace from the other wolves when she was a child and Grace's determination to do what she knows he would want her to do with respect to the meningitis issue.

Stiefvater uses Sam's and Grace's accounts to create other multidimensional characters as well. Again, believable characters in a fantastic plot. I particularly appreciate the Beck character. It's so important for young adults (and everyone else, for that matter) to come to understand that there just aren't people who are purely good or purely evil. We all have responses and behaviors in given situations. The pattern of responses is what we tend to focus on, but I think Beck and Sam's understanding of him and his ultimate forgiveness of Beck offers incredible insight into both characters. Beck did an awful thing to Sam, but his subsequent treatment of him was not awful. I chose to read Beck as a primarily "good" guy who made a few slip-ups, but an argument could be made that he is more a "bad" guy who attempts to make up for misdeeds through generosity and kindness. I think the understanding of his character depends upon the experiences of the reader, which is a wonderful way to write a character, particularly for a YA audience.

The plot is certainly an appealing one for any of us who have ever been in love (or thought we were). It is certainly a "forbidden love" story and would be a great intro piece to read with students before trying to get them to read Romeo and Juliet. One thing that I do love about this book as opposed to R&J is the happy ending, at least for now. As we left the novel, love had conquered all. It's important for kids to see that it does sometimes happen that way. It doesn't mean that life will be perfect, but it does open the door for hope. It also reminded me of Beauty and the Beast in some ways. Grace's love for Sam, no matter what his physical form was, is certainly a nod to that classic storyline.

Stiefvater did an excellent job of keeping things moving as well. I loved her use of the air temperature noted on each chapter. It created suspense once I understood why it was mentioned at all. And it nudged my curiosity when I was trying to figure out why it was important enough to be noted at the beginning of each chapter. I think the most telling strength of the plot was that the adult in me expected Grace to have to learn to live without Sam, while the buried-but-still-alive romantic desperately hoped that they would find a way to be together. While the romantic enjoyed the way the story ended, the adult wasn't overwhelmed by a too-sweet ending since we don't get the idea that the end came without its own set of issues.