[olmue Posts: 3,560 Status: Offline]

*SPOILERS*

I LOVE LOVE LOVED the fact that Grace did not turn into a wolf and Sam turned back into a human. The concept that the human love interest MUST turn into the monster at the end is the thing that sets my hair on end most about vampire novels. I've always said that if I ever wrote a vampire novel, the vampire would totally turn human at the end. But I don't particularly want to write a vampire novel, so that story thread need for me has been nicely taken care of by Maggie.

[xiaotien Posts: 360 Status: Offline]

maggie, the thought never even crossed my mind
to compare grace to bella. BUT i only read twilight
(which i enjoyed and found very compelling) and i can
see your concern about just throwing it all away.

i also saw that you did touch on it [SPOILER] in convo
between sam and grace (when sam told her it was
nothing she'd want) as well as her envy of olivia in the
end.

i think, if for one second, she wondered or wished
that it were her, i wouldn't think of her any less for it.
it'd be visceral in a way.

now i'm excited that there's another book or two?! =DD

[m_stiefvater]

Yep! It's a trilogy!

[SarahMax]

I'm planning on buying this book tomorrow, which is weird for me because I don't buy books. I'm best friends with my library but they're getting their budget cut (*sniff*) and can't purchase anything new. I've read summaries and reviews for Shiver and am sort of worried that it seems so much like Twilight, but that's another reason I want to read it. I'd like to be able to make an informed judgment. Also, I hear there's some sort of... bathroom scene? Sounds fun. And a sweet love scene. Even if it is fade-to-black, it sounds like a good deal.

; )

[Tabitha Posts: 60 Status: Offline]

I completely agree with Jacqui (SproutQ) that this is NOT another Twilight.  I saw a few reviews on Amazon that said it was, but I just don't understand how people can think that.  The only thing the two books have in common is forbidden love.  

Grace is extremely independent, and Sam is respectful.  He's also not a stalker.  :D  Also Maggie did a MUCH better job of showing love at first sight, and making the reader feel it, too.  I loved this book, and I'm really looking forward to the next one.  

My one complaint was also about the BFF.  Both of them, actually.  I didn't understand Olivia's motivation behind the fight, and I was confused that Rachel kind of disappeared.  Other than that, it was fabulous.

Well done, Maggie!

[SarahMax]

Aright, I just finished Shiver and, oddly enough, one of my favorite parts was when Sam brought Grace coffee after school in chapter 43. It was such a sweet, simple gesture. He didn't even have to be asked. ^.^

[Aimee W. Posts: 382 Status: Offline MADNESS]

I am pretending that I'm not reading this thread so that people can feel free to be critical.

Here's the thing. I make a   critic. I love most of the books I read for many reasons, and there's always a nit-pick or two. I can't be trusted at all, really.

BUT, on the nit-pick, I wondered more than once why they all hadn't gone to Mexico a long time ago. There was that mention about Texas near the end if I remember correctly--which helped me realize it may not have helped anyway, but that was my main beef. Although I notice more missing details when I read nowadays, than before I started writing, and it happens a lot. I got the same sort of thing reading Carrie Ryan's FoHaT in one or two spots. I'm starting to understand that it's actually a (possibly) technique to leave some things unspoken rather than explain the mechanics to death. (I have a very factoid brain)

NOW, onto the good. You broke my heart! Funny thing is, the first time I got a frog in my throat, was on page 381..."I haven't been here since--". I literally wanted to cry thinking a person was in pain over a BOOK STORE. (Is that a spoiler?  )

Of course, on page 390, I did that ridiculous "Ha!" sound I make unconsciously (more of a blurt type noise because I can't contain it; it has passed minor-hiccup or the frog-control-swallow point) when I'm surprised and trying not to cry and something has to fly out of my mouth. Not sure how I didn't see it coming. Oh, I guess I am sure, you just NAILED IT you trickster!

Great job.  

*Edit--this from the girl who NEVER cries, unless she sees a hellishly sappy commercial.

[m_stiefvater]

*Edit--this from the girl who NEVER cries, unless she sees a hellishly sappy commercial.

WHOOHOO TEARS.

And yeah, i do like to be subtle . . . maybe too subtle sometimes. I like a book that you catch more things on the reread and by going slowly, but it's a weird balance to write.

Also BLUSH.

[wandergirl]

I finished Shiver about a week ago.
Adored it.
Loved the moody, frigid setting, the lyrical writing, and the wild-tinged crackling romance.
Also loved Grace's name... since it's the also name of the MC in my debut ;-)

[m_stiefvater]

I finished Shiver about a week ago.
Adored it.
Loved the moody, frigid setting, the lyrical writing, and the wild-tinged crackling romance.
Also loved Grace's name... since it's the also name of the MC in my debut ;-)

*Grin* Thanks. I love the name Grace -- it's very simple, no-frills, but girly.

[amberlough Posts: 88 Status: Offline]

It's been a long while since I read the book, and it's still sticking with me.

I don't remember where, exactly, it was in the book, but there were descriptive passages about the trees/woods/weather that were perfect. Poignant. Lyrical (my fave style). I hope the movie captures the little, crystal-clear details just right. They're necessary. Reminded me of passages in Dr. Zhivago...he would stare at the ice crystals forming on a window pane, then through them out to the flat, snow-covered fields, and remember Lara.

Just makes your heart pinch.

[Rachel Posts: 202 Status: Offline]

I just finished it today and I really liked it! I needed some romance. It's just getting cold here, too, so it was the perfect weather to curl up with this book, haha.

Grace and Sam were lovely. I hope we see more of Isabel in the next book-- and more about Grace's best friends, too.

[m_stiefvater]

It's been a long while since I read the book, and it's still sticking with me.

This is what every author wants to hear!

[amykated]

I found this at my library this week and was so excited not to be on a wait list.  (I love finding and reading books by the blueboarders!) 

MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!

Maggie you can completely discredit my opinion because I am sure that I am the only person who's read your book and felt this way --I was kind of sad that Sam lived, but then I am a firm believer that not every story should have a happy ending.  My chest ached when I thought he was dead, and, I don't know, but I think being able to affect a reader like that is a powerful thing.  I can see how some people would think that parts of the story were Twilight-ish.  Hardly any parental involvement in the story.   Him staying in her room a lot.  The way Grace's physical description is mostly left to the reader.  And also Grace cooks alot, as the MC of Twilight does also.  Those points aside, I think that you've created much more lovable characters. 

My favorite part of the book is when Rachel gets in the bronco with Grace and Sam, because the way she acts in that scene is dead on target with the way I acted and talked during high-school.  I wish I could get half of that hyperness back!

[Aimee W. Posts: 382 Status: Offline MADNESS]

I don't think I could handle a sequel without Sam.

I. Love. Sam.

Someone make me a bumper sticker!

[amykated]

Ahem, possible spoiler again.


I wonder if I've given the wrong impression.  It wasn't that I didn't love Sam.  I did.  I just liked how it was all Romeo and Juliet tragic when she thought he was dead. 

[Aimee W. Posts: 382 Status: Offline MADNESS]

No dear, it wasn't about impression. I'm just babbling my personal stuff.   

[SarahMax]

Did it bother anyone else when Sam wanted to touch Isabel in Grace's kitchen?

[Rachel Posts: 202 Status: Offline]

Did it bother anyone else when Sam wanted to touch Isabel in Grace's kitchen?

I didn't remember that, so I went to check-- if it's the part I think (bottom of page 262), the line refers to wanting to touch Grace. But I can see how it could be read the other way, since Isabel is also mentioned in that paragraph. 

[SarahMax]

Hmm, I was wondering if I may have read it wrong-- hoping, really and I thought about going back to check before I posted here but alas, laziness won out over curiosity. I suppose I'm going to have to go check now anyway.

[SarahMax]

Whew! I thought Sam wanting to caress Isabel's backside seemed really (VERY) out of place. I don't know what I was thinking. Yes I do... I was thinking Sam was a little (word censored), that's what I was thinking. Wow. I can't believe I let myself fall for that. That went against every thing his character stood for. My favorite character too. And all this time I had it in my head... I'm surprised at myself for not going back to check a lot sooner. Sorry Maggie for doubting Sam's morality!

 

[Rachel Posts: 202 Status: Offline]

 It happens, hehe. I just thought I'd check since I had the book handy. But I'm glad Sam has been redeemed for you!  

[SarahMax]

Well, I wasn't about to let that get entirely in the way of my Sam loving. But it was a nagging thought at the back of my mind.

 I'm glad it's gone now. Thanks!

Whew. 

[m_stiefvater]

Did it bother anyone else when Sam wanted to touch Isabel in Grace's kitchen?

OMG! I was cracking up at this!!! I was like: Sam wanted to do WHAT!?

[Tessa Gratton]

OMG! I was cracking up at this!!! I was like: Sam wanted to do WHAT!?

Isabel would have liked it.  :D

[SarahMax]

OMG! I was cracking up at this!!! I was like: Sam wanted to do WHAT!?

That's what I was thinking when I read it! It sort of made me wonder why he really wanted to be with Grace, if you know what I mean. I was disappointed. But I can't for the life of me figure out why I didn't go back and reread! I remember it seeming so out-of-place and so very un-Sam-like. He did, after all, fail the testosterone test. ; )

I guess I was just too anxious to hear the rest of the story to have any sort of sense about me.

Oh, the shame. 

 

[Aimee W. Posts: 382 Status: Offline MADNESS]

*Warning--a lot of blah, blah, blah follows this warning.  

Okay, so I have the tendency to take books I like after reading them, and skim them chapter by chapter, then write a few words on the mechanics. Like one chapter says "meet parents" and the next will be "introduce character C", things like that. It helps me figure out some of the mechanics of plot progression and pacing, I guess.

So anyway...I was quickly jotting my way through Shiver, and I stopped at chapter 34. The first paragraph was perfect.

"Days blurred into a collage of common images: cool walks across the school parking lot, Olivia's empty seat in class, Sam's breath in my ear, pawprints in our front yard's frosted blades of grass."

Bam! Evokes a certain mood and time passage, in vivid detail, for me. It also reminded me of fall in Wisconsin, when I WAS in high school, eons ago.

Like today--it's fall, the AC is off, the ceiling fans are off, the kids are gone, the cat is hiding somewhere curled in a ball to stay warm. It's perfectly silent. All the lights are off and it's gray and drizzly outside. I have the back door open to let that stagnant summer air out of here, and the smell of the season creeps into the house. I'm in my favorite hoodie and fuzzy black slippers. That's why I love words so much--I live that way inside my head as well! And my present, past, and future are yanked out of the nether by the right combination of those words.

Oh, and I still love this book!  

[m_stiefvater]

*Warning--a lot of blah, blah, blah follows this warning.  

Okay, so I have the tendency to take books I like after reading them, and skim them chapter by chapter, then write a few words on the mechanics. Like one chapter says "meet parents" and the next will be "introduce character C", things like that. It helps me figure out some of the mechanics of plot progression and pacing, I guess.

You ought to start a thread on this, Aimee! I do this too, with books that I love, trying to figure out what makes them tick - and it's so weird and awesome to think that Shiver is one of those books for someone!!

[Deb Cushman Posts: 39 Status: Offline]

A book I keep thinking about and telling people to read...what more could you ask from a story?

[Llehn Posts: 45 Status: Offline I'm a cool ninja cat]

Oh Maggie,

I know that you are awesome, but Shiver took your awesomeness to a whole new level!  I just finished the book and I am so totally in love with it (and I don't love books easily)!  Can't wait for Linger and Forever.  Now I gotta get my hands on a copy of Ballad!