Mike’s Reviews > Forever > Status Update

Admittedly, I do like the parts with Grace's parents, more than I did in Linger. But other than that, there's very little that works here. I didn't think Stiefvater could write a more cheap and contrived climax than the one in Linger, but here we are. The central conflict has a laughably easy solution, and it's only a threat because of a completely unexplained shocking swerve.

This is not Stiefvater's worst book. But this is her worst book that feels like a Steifvater book. Like, Lament was bad, but not in a way any other Stiefvater book has been bad. This has the same problems that Stiefvater's books usually have, just worse.

Man, everything about this book is so contrived. The problem could easily be solved by just telling Isabel's parents what's going on. Sam's lack of knowledge about Beck's past was not at all set up, and adds nothing to Sam's arc. It's like I can feel this book actively resist existence.

It just occurred to me - why have they never told anyone about the wolves? Like, at least Stiefvater gives a (contrived) explanation of why they don't tell now. But this is a huge worldbuilding flaw - their lives would've been so much easier if they had just let everybody know that they transform into wolves every winter.

This is not going to be a very plot-heavy book is it? This is a lot like Shiver, without the atmosphere or the compelling romance.

Dear lord, is this book going to be about how saving the environment is good because it protects the magical creatures that did nothing wrong? Seriously? I'm not sure if I'll be able to read this if that's what it's about.