I first fell in love with Maggie Stiefvater’s writing after reading her debut novel Lament. And when I heard she was writing a “werewolf” novel, I could hardly contain my excitement. Initially you think this is a story about werewolves, but I think the werewolf label is insufficient. This may be a story about werewolves, but it’s mostly about love. The strength that love possesses and the boundaries we’re willing to overcome to keep it.

Shiver is told with alternating perspectives between Grace and Sam. I love when a novel is written this way. Being able to see a relationship evolve from both sides is priceless. Steifvater has this unsurpassable knack of creating this perfect balance of relation and chemistry between her characters and it couldn’t be more apparent in this novel. Surprisingly this chemistry isn’t limited to just Grace and Sam it’s even evident between Grace and her wolf. You can’t help but experience it with them, longing, loss, passion, ahhh, it’s incredible.

Shiver is so beautifully written. So much gorgeous imagery with Steifvater’s lyrical prose, it’s just a truly fulfilling novel. Steifvater also has this amazing talent of creating fantasy worlds that are completely believable.

Unique and alluring plot, extraordinary characters, exemplary written. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.