Today, we continue our countdown to Linger with our first of two staff reviews. A quick reminder: today is the last day to enter our contest for an ARC of Linger. The deadline is midnight (PST) tonight.
Would it be ridiculously silly of me to say that Linger by Maggie Stiefvater is one of those books that will “linger” with you long after reading the last page? Because whether it sounds cliche or silly or cheesy, it’s true.
It’s one of those books that captivates you on page one with the beauty of Stiefvater’s writing (the same beautiful writing that won me over in Shiver, Lament and Ballad). Yet you keep reading because you don’t want to let the characters go. Whether you agree or disagree with their actions (and you’ll no doubt have strong feelings, either way) — you can’t help but follow them along their chosen path.
If you don’t know, Linger is the highly-anticipated sequel to Shiver, and marks the second book in Stiefvater’s Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy.
When we last left Sam and Grace, they had seemingly found a happily ever after. Shiver ended on a happy note. From page one of Linger, we realize things are not so happily-ever-after as we had hoped.
Despite the initial warning, in Linger, we watch the romance between Sam and Grace continue — and it’s refreshing to see a couple in YA lit so comfortable with each other. Sam and Grace exist in a happy routine, and it’s lovely to watch them interact without doubting their love for one another. At the same time, outside forces threaten to tear them apart — and these forces come in both the mundane (Grace’s parents) and the supernatural (Sam’s wolfy past). For the sake of avoiding any spoilers, I won’t go into further details — but it’s safe to say, that no matter how much Sam & Grace hope to avoid their problems, in the end, ultimately, they cannot and that is where the true angst of their relationship comes from.
If Sam and Grace are the solid couple of Linger, then Isabel and Cole are their foil. Whereas Grace and Sam are happy and comfortable in their relationship, Isabel and Cole are hot-and-cold, confused and still trying to figure out what they want out of life (and each other). It’s a tempestuous relationship, yet is one of the most intriguing in the entire novel. The scenes between Isabel and Cole provide a nice contrast to the bubble Sam and Grace are trying to maintain.
Linger is one of those novels that appears to move slowly, when all of a sudden it hits you that the momentum has been sleepily building all along. In the end, Sam, Grace, Isabel and Cole are united — despite their differences — by a single problem. And while they’ve found a temporary solution by the conclusion of Linger, it’s clear that nothing is really solved. And that’s what will have you anxiously awaiting the arrival of Forever, the final installment in Stiefvater’s trilogy. And one that, sadly, is not due out until next year.
Linger is due out in stores July 20th. Check out Maggie’s book trailer below:
Novel Novice 
Excellent review Cynthia! It made for nice reading without spoilers, well done 🙂
Um … my name is Sara. But thanks! 😉
I can’t wait to read it! And, I love this trailer. Thanks for the tease.
Great review! I also loved reading about Cole/Isabelle and Sam/Grace, alternating throughout the book. They were great contrasts, and compliments, to each other. Cole is definitely my new favorite character in the series… I can’t wait to find out what happens in “Forever!” 🙂
– Alyssa of Redhead Heroines
Book Review of “Linger” by Maggie Stiefvater