Linger

Publisher's Summary

in Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past...and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves...and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love - the light and the dark, the warm and the cold - in a way you will never forget.

Listen to the previous book, Shiver.

©2010 Maggie Stiefvater (P)2010 Scholastic

Respectable Second Entry

The first book was interesting, although the characters were a little predictable. This second in the series is also acceptable. It's not fabulous, but a fairly satisfying listen. The introduction of two other narrators helps keep the story fresh.

11 of 12 people found this review helpful

Fantastic sequel!

After listening to Shiver in a matter of days, I was thrilled when I had Linger ahead of me to listen to. The storyline was fanastic and had some really wonderful scenes. I especially liked the transformation of Cole. I'm looking forward to the final chapter, Forever, due out in July. Thank you Maggie for such fun reads. :)

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

"Just a fictional story"

I thought is was a really good love story....I believe when reading a book you have to have an open mind about it and not compare it to any other book. I say just a fictional story cause some people complain and say that is not how a teenager acts or thinks, but once again its fictional and we all dont think the same. although im no longer a teenager, but a mother of 3 kids reading takes me away from the everyday life of stress and that is what this book has done and i love it.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

great follow-up

Loved "Shiver", and this is a great follow-up. Not just a teenage novel, enjoyable by all ages. A nice story-line with a fresh spin on werewolves, not overdone. Again a little moody like the first one, but not so much you can't enjoy it. There are four narraters for the main characters whom the perspective switches to and I enjoyed the voice changes to go with it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Ahhhhh young love!!!

If you could sum up Linger in three words, what would they be?

Tender teenage angst....

What did you like best about this story?

I liked how Sam and Grace refuse to give up on each other...even though everything was falling apart...

Which scene was your favorite?

I am going to say when Cole meets Isabel for the first time...even thought this book s a whole is very enjoyable...

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Oh yes...tears near the end...and there were some cute funny parts...

Any additional comments?

Again I wasn't sure if I was going to like this 2nd story in the beginning...I don't like it when the switch narrators on me...and switching the narrator for Sam could have ruined this one for me...but I gave it a chance and ended up loving this book I think a little more than the first one...this story is a little more raw in my opinion and I will be starting #3 right away! If you enjoyed the first one...you will love this one too...2 thumbs up!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Not as good as Shiver!

I bet you are wondering why I went ahead and listened to the second book in the series after I didn't give Shiver a great review. Basically, I bought the whole series at one time so I kinda feel like I have to. So needless to say there will be one more review for Forever next.
If you have not read the first book, from here on is a spoiler. I don't know how to talk about the second book in a series without a spoiler or two.
**WARNING SPOILER ALERT**
The relationship between Grace and Sam doesn't really take on any new depth. I mean they sleep together in the first book at her parents house. There was no mention of anything deeper or greater happening between the two until Grace runs away. Of course she ends up at his house. But the one thing that BUGGED me beyond belief was...*arghh* If your girlfriend the love of your life is ill, sick, pale, feverish, not herself why in the heck does it take you over 60% of the book to say something. She was coughing up blood for goodness sake. And Sam just ignores it. He has wolf senses and knows she smells..odd. But nope! He just goes on writing poems, songs, making paper cranes and working at the bookstore. REALLY!!! Don't worry there is more. There is a new character in this book. Cole! He is a Kurt Korbain self deprecating drugy rock star. Did I mention Sam ignores him too? How can you ignore a new person living in your house? And a messy person at that.
Sam, Grace's boyfriend seems like he has his head in the clouds and is not a strong male character at all. He never makes any decision at all in the book and that is toooo pointless for me to handle. As in the first book Olivia, Grace's BFF is also in this one and for a BFF Grace never talks or thinks about her until it's to late. AARRGHH!!! Why even mention her then?
I think I might have liked the book better if I would have read it myself. Their whispery, low tones became annoying toward the end of the book. As in the first book Jenna (narrator) shines and has the perfect voice.
One more book to go. Fingers crossed!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

An Amazing 2nd Book Of A Great Series!

Any additional comments?

Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #2) is proof that the second book in a series can be better than the first. A fact I never would have believed after finishing Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1). When I read Maggie Stiefvater's writing, I'm amazed at the way she describes the tiniest things...instantly conjuring up images making the unbelievable story suddenly believable.

I love the way she allows the readers to fall in love progressively with the characters. Even when two people are instantly bonded (Sam and Grace), she takes us through everyday situations giving us - unknown/unseen bystanders - the chance to watch them fall in love. She understands how the characters' interactions during those innocent moments are more powerful at proving 'forever love' than dozens of passionate encounters. Because of this, readers will dream of someone who folds paper birds for them, commemorating every special occasion.

The introduction of Cole's and Isabel's turmoil and chemistry were the perfect way to add a whole new - and phenomenal - dimension to the storyline. In fact, the two of them are such strong characters they easily could have been carved out and given their own series.

I'm always envious of writers who are talented enough to embed poetry and songs perfectly within their stories. Doing so adds another fantastic aspect to an already special (and poetic) tale. Between Sam and Cole, I expect this style to continue throughout the series, and I can honestly say it's one of the reasons I've become a fan.

The The Wolves of Mercy Falls is a series that I would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a great paranormal romance series.

T. R. Graves, Author
Warriors of the Cross (The Warrior Series, #1)
Guardians of the Cross (The Warrior Series, #2)
Enemies of the Cross (The Warrior Series, #3)

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Inklings Read Reviews: Linger

Linger, the second installment of the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, was simply amazing! All of the voice actors were cast so well that I can’t imagine actually reading it. I wouldn’t want to read this… Listening to their narration brought so much dimension to an already great story. Believe me… this audiobook is worth every penny. The thing I really loved about Linger was that not only do you get Sam and Grace’s point-of-views but also Isabelle and Cole’s. They each have their own little side stories that really add to the mix.

Speaking of Cole, at first I didn’t like his character. I found him to be selfish and annoying. But I must say that he really grew on me. If you are looking for some amazing, to-die-for male lead characters then you MUST read this. Sam was great as usual, but what I really enjoyed was the opportunity to learn more about Cole and explore his dark past.

Things really blow up in this book and get very intense. I was on edge for much of the time… Not only was there the desperation and love between Sam and Grace, but there was also murder, secrets revealed, parental issues, and more. There was so much tension that lets just say I didn’t want to get out of my car to go to work…

I cannot express how great the voice-acting is in this audiobook…. All of the narrators were cast to perfection. I honestly cannot imagine a better team. Even if you are not interested in this series, this audiobook exemplifies excellent voice-acting. I cannot wait to see what else comes from this narration team in the future! Linger is an unstoppable force with its top of the line narration and beautiful love story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Something old, Something new...

This book was up and down for me. I found the beginning slow, particularly because Shiver could have ended right where it did. I found myself thinking that this was angst just for the sake of angst and the characters have already been through this. The rest of the book picked up and held a great pace, but again, at the end, I thought they ended up right where Shiver started pretty much. Granted, it's a twist, but it's sort of the same story.
The reason I gave it three stars is because after the beginning it did hold my interest and I'm curious to see what happens in "Forever", but the story had a lot of repetitiveness to "Shiver".

Narration: I noticed right away that "Cole's" voice was narrated by the same person who narrates "Adam" in "Where she went"...and they both play rock stars. Funny.

Sam and Grace were definitely the best voices, followed by Cole and then Isabelle. It was very clear when Sam and Grace were narrating each other's parts. But, when Cole or Isabelle tried to narrate someone else's part, it was hard to distinguish voices. In particular, though, I found Grace's narration of Isabelle to be the most different from Isabelle's actual voice. Grace's interpretation sounded like a valley girl (which is what I pictured) and Isabelle's actual voice sounded like someone from Munchkinland in the Wizard of Oz.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Good read!

You must read Shiver first or you will be slightly lost. I love books with multiple narrators. Sam's was way better than the older guy voice in Shiver. The end was unexpected but I really enjoyed it.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Super Sequel

What a wonderful sequel! It continues the story of Sam and Grace, but also introduces new characters and expands upon supporting characters from the first book in the trilogy, Shiver.

The writing seems a little darker in this book, so I wouldn't recommend it for younger listeners, but it does reflect the general theme of Linger, growing up and maturing.

I can't believe that a book which concerns werewolves and a rock star seems so real and immediate, but not far fetched! This can only be due to the quality of the writing, but also the quality of the narration, which is again faultless.

I cannot wait for the final book in the trilogy - Forever - due later this year - if it continues with the same quality it will be superb.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Amazing

The creation off a book where your so engaged in it can't be mistaken , brilliant a must listen audio