Sinner

By: Maggie Stiefvater

Narrated by: Dan Bittner, Emma Galvin

Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

Sinner follows Cole St. Clair, a pivotal character from the number-one New York Times best-selling Shiver Trilogy. Everybody thinks they know Cole's story. Stardom. Addiction. Downfall. Disappearance. But only a few people know Cole's darkest secret - his ability to shift into a wolf. One of these people is Isabel. At one point, they may have even loved each other. But that feels like a lifetime ago. Now Cole is back. Back in the spotlight. Back in the danger zone. Back in Isabel's life. Can this sinner be saved?

©2014 Maggie Stiefvater (P)2014 Scholastic Inc.

Sinfully Good

Sinner is a book about two supporting characters from Maggie Stiefvater’s Wolves of Mercy Falls series, Cole and Isabel. I will always have a soft spot for this series because of Shiver, one of the first paranormal books I truly loved. But, I never really warmed to Cole and Isabel per se; I was usually waiting for the story to go back to the lead couple Sam and Grace. I’ll have to say though that Sinner shows that Cole and Isabel are quite interesting in their own right! Sinner feels like a totally different story that’s less rooted in werewolf lore and more reality-based. With a new LA locale and a little distance from Forever, Sinner forges its own path.

In Sinner, Cole St. Clair leaves Minnesota for LA to record a new album, while a reality TV crew tags along to document the process. But the Real Reason Cole’s in LA is to be reunited with girl-that-got-away Isabel Culpepper. Isabel is in LA with her family, working in a boutique and going to school. Isabel and Cole are their own worst enemies in terms of getting back together – both are very headstrong and stubborn and masters at hiding their emotions. And just maybe a reality TV setting is not the best backdrop for their reunion.

Cole is trying to put the pieces of his life back together, mending fences, trying to live the straight edge life, and rebuilding his band. His band NARKOTIKA was once larger than life and the reality show gig will help reintroduce him to fans. But the producer of the show has less than noble intentions and would like nothing more than for Cole to trip up live in front of the cameras. How does Isabel fit in with this plan?

Isabel thought she put Cole behind her- but when he marches into her store back from the dead all the old feelings she’s buried come back. Isabel is dealing with some family drama in the House of Ruin and processing her parents’ seemingly inevitable divorce. Adding a werewolf in LA to the equation is all she needs. Didn’t she leave the wolves behind her? She’s not sure what kind of surprise his arrival will bring.

It’s an entertaining ride watching Cole and Isabel get reacquainted and figure out what they want in life. I’m glad Maggie Stiefvater thought to give these two their own story. It’s been ages since I’ve read the Shiver books, but this book is so completely different it doesn’t matter.

Dan Bittner and Emma Galvin narrate the audiobook, reprising their Forever performances. Both narrators give a lot of personality to these larger than life characters. Emma Galvin plays tough very well, and Dan Bittner is a good choice for the gregarious Cole. There are some cool side characters in Sinner; from Cole’s driver friend Leon, to Baby the reality TV producer, to Isabel’s cousin Sofia, and the narrators bring these characters to life as well. Cole also has to participate in some radio interviews to promote himself and the audiobook production gives it an authentic feel. At the end of the audiobook there’s a Maggie Stiefvater bonus track featuring her Sinner book playlist song Taking On The Sun.

This is a different sort of book for Maggie Stiefvater and I like it! It’s more contemporary in feel than paranormal, and more mature as well. You can still recognize Stiefvater’s lovely prose though and it is good to be back with these characters. Fans of the Wolves of Mercy Falls should check out this book, even if some of the details of the trilogy are kind of fuzzy.

Don't waste your money

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I enjoyed the other books in this series but this one was just terrible. The two main characters were very unlikable and bratty and a bit psychotic. I don't recommend this at all.

What aspect of Dan Bittner and Emma Galvin ’s performance would you have changed?

Nothing they were the only good part

LOVED IT!

Would you consider the audio edition of Sinner to be better than the print version?

I only listened...but I bet it is!

What other book might you compare Sinner to and why?

This is a stand alone, but it does have the same vibe as the Shiver series....Cole is a great character....

What does Dan Bittner and Emma Galvin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love Dan, he is an excellent Narrator...I don't care for Emma....I wouldn't openly seek her work to listen to...but I wouldn't not listen to a book she narrates....I listened to her narrate the Divergent series also..she is not a bad narrator....just not my fave...she's kind of flat, in my opinion...

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

hate this question...moving on...

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book from Cole's POV....he is a mess of a guy who really has changed and just wants to be loved....he loves his music, and the freedom it gives him to be himself...but it means nothing to him really if he cant have Isabelle..and Isabelle is just as messed up...but together they complete each other....I would really like another book to wrap this up....but we shall see...

aside note

I like Maggie's side note stories of some beloved characters from her stories. shiver or raven boys. they side notes are always fun

Enjoy the rollercoaster.

This was a fantastically written book that delved into the relationship between Isabelle and Cole that I so desperately craved from the Shiver series but was so full of content that it could have been a perfect standalone without the listener having any knowledge of the three prior books. I wouldn't sleep, trying to finish chapters and fantasizing about the next twist in the book. Maggie is an amazing writer, and you will be thrilled to the core over the voice actors portraying Cole and Isabelle in Sinner. Absolutely fantastic.

Standalone, but better after the series

I love these two crazy love-struck idiots. :) I do want to say that while you don't NEED to have read the entire series to read this, and it won't spoil the main plot of the series..... I think that Sinner is better appreciated with the experiences that you get from the entire story. Cole and Isabel are different people than they were before they met in Minnesota, and I don't think it needs any more explaining than to say that the events of the main trilogy shaped the way that they think & act now... which makes it easier to love and appreciate them.

What's the Way..answer its lost in this book

I am impressed i finished this book. I did want to see what happened but it was really tedious. The readers are both great. The story is of two twisted people and addiction not wherewolves.

Favorite of all but loved 3 previous

I love the narration, as I did in previous books. Loved the story! I bought it all, hook, line, and sinker. One of my very favorite audio books. Narration is soooo good!!

Nice

Never get tired of a shiver related book, i would love more on Cole and Isabel.

I would definitely recommend this!!!!

If you liked the original series and the love hints of Isabel and Cole St. Claire I highly suggest this.
But even if you haven’t read them and start with this one first or even only read this one it’s worth it. Maggie S. Is an amazing writer everything I’ve read of hers I have loved without a question. If you love fantasy and magic I would check this and her other books out!!! Plus the voice who reads for Cole is amazing I love his voice and how he reads it!

must read

if you have read the rest of series you
have to read this book

amazing

best book from the series by far, feel good, hilarious and dark as always 100% perfect

All the books this is the soft one

If you liked the first 3 books this one is not as good but it’s not about Sam and grace, it’s about Isabel and Cole, still very good

Everything she writes is magical

Would you listen to Sinner again? Why?

These stories are timeless and the characters are so fascinating that there's no excuse not to listen over and over

What other book might you compare Sinner to, and why?

Its not like the Wolves of Mercy Falls really. The prose isnt so angsty and the environment is completely different even though the characters fit nicely into both scenarios.

Have you listened to any of Dan Bittner and Emma Galvin ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

I love Emma Galvin. She did the Divergent books and thats where I first heard her. She has a likeable, animated voice.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

I have no idea

Such a pretty story.

Take away the teeny bit of supernatural and this is still a compelling, character driven story. It gives both Isabel and Cole a depth that there wasn't time to get into in the Shiver series (which, incidentally, it isn't necessary to have read to enjoy Sinner). The romance between Cole and Isabel is central which makes for a gorgeous read on its own, but there are also great plot points unrelated to that. It's such a pretty story, and the voice actors are good enough that you can get lost in it without being distracted by thoughts like, "That's what Isabel sounds like? Really."