Shiver (Shiver, Book 1)

By: Maggie Stiefvater

Narrated by: David Ledoux, Jenna Lamia

Every summer Sam spends a few precious months being human, until the cold causes him to shift to a wolf once again. Discover what happens when he meets Grace in this chilling romance.©2009 Maggie Stiefvater (P)2009 Scholastic

Too Much Hype

I had decided to get this audiobook after reading and see so many other bloggers talk about it. And I have been looking for a new series to get into. Honestly, I don't think I have ever read a werewolf book before. (Except Twilight and that series) I am a vampire reader mostly.
This book did not live up to the hype for me. I have problems with the overall story mostly. As a non teen I'd keep saying to myself.."Really? If you were older you wouldn't think that?" to all of Grace's thoughts toward Sam. I understand young love. I have been there, done that, and had fun with it but this is not just some guy she met at the mall. This is a werewolf and she knows it. Really? I have a hard time getting my reality around that. (YES! I know it is a werewolf story and it's not real. Just play along please. :) ) I was not thrilled at how easy they fell for each other and the sleeping together either. I know I am showing my age.
Something about teenage girls giving up their friends, and their families for a guy seems so 1900's to me. Women don't do that anymore. Do we? When she finds out that her BFF is missing and might have been bitten she does nothing about it until she gets a phone call from her asking for help. This is your BFF Grace! You guys are suppose to be like sisters and when some guy comes along you kick her to the curb. Remember BALANCE!
It was not all bad. I loved the authors use of smell and making it important to the characters. She did a great job of not forgetting the characters traits and used them very well to develop them fully.
As the the narrators of this audiobook, the young lady reading Grace, Jenna Lamia she did an outstanding job. EXCELLENT! I loved her teenage voice and the pace at which she changed her reading for the different characters. The gentleman reading Sam, was non other that David LeDoux from Water For Elephants audiobook. And I have to say that yet again I have the same thoughts on his work. He reads the characters really well but his reading of a female voice needs work. The audiobook would have benefited greatly by having them read the right voice for the right character. (ie Sam read his chapter and when Grace speaks let Jenna read that line in her voice.)

one of my most favorite story when I was in school

being a guy most look down on us liking love story but true love pure love I've always just love the feeling you get when hearing the simple details of one showing there emotion. soft touch of her hand on my back. uhh one day hope to find love like this great story love all 3 books must read.

Refreshing point of view.

Shiver is a young adult novel about two teenagers - Sam and Grace - who fall in love. The problem is, one (or both?) happens to be a werewolf.

Perhaps the most refreshing part of this novel is that it departs from the typical YA first person point of view. Instead, it switches back and forth between the points of view of both protagonists. This allows for deeper character development that is sometimes lost in first person point of view narrative, where you only connect intimately with one character. I am a fan.

The narration is also well done. Jenna Lamia portrays a teenage girl brilliantly, as usual. David LeDoux sounds a bit too mature to be teenage Sam, but he has a voice charged with raw emotion so all is forgiven.

At the end of the listen, you "get to know" Maggie Stiefvater through a few scripted vignettes read by the author herself. She talks about her writing process and the sequel to Shiver. If you are interested in writing you will enjoy this; however, since it is scripted it feels a bit unnatural and rehearsed.

Overall, this is a good listening experience. If you enjoy YA fiction, you will enjoy this novel. If you aspire to write YA fiction, you should listen to this novel for its departure from first person point of view.

SPECIAL NOTE: Get ready for a lot of kissing / nuzzling scenes. It starts to get tedious. Ironically, one thing Maggie Stiefvater reveals at the end of the listen is that she has always hated writing kissing scenes. I guess she got over it!

LOved this book

This book made me laugh and cry. I love the end and listen to it with no breaks. BUY THIS BOOK. Its the new twilight

Meh

I was expecting more from the author of The Raven Cycle, which is one of my absolutely favorite book series. Shiver's "werewolf" premise is interesting, but the romance which the story centers on feels exceedingly trite and overdone. While not really bad, I don't think Shiver succeeds in bringing anything new to the genre. I also was really not a fan of the narrator for Sam, his emphasis felt strange and unnatural.

loved it

I'm crying a beautiful play upon my emotions. so well written. In love and happy to continue reading.

Enjoyable listen. Is sequel written yet?!

I enjoyed this book emmensly. As a COVID-19 diversion, this was quite enjoyable. Great imagery for one who loves dogs like I do. Pretending they are wolves as a kid, I related to the author's imagination. Looking forward to sequel.

Strange and lovely

Perhaps the most curious take on YA werewolves I've read yet. This was surreal.

Exceeded Expectations

I was surprised to find that I really enjoyed this series. I thought the characters were well thought out and easy to relate to. Unlike many series, the books really got better and better so I would suggest reading all three books. After I read this one I decided to keep reading even though I wasnt totally in love with the book, and I am really glad I did!
I also love how the author composes and performs all the music in the audio book, I even downloaded them ;) The narrators did a good job too. I liked the different speakers for the separate characters narrating .

Great story! but poor male voice actor

I love this whole series! I have already read the series years ago but decided to buy the audio book recently. I still really enjoyed the storyline but struggled with the male voice actor... for multiple reasons. First, the female voice actor sounds age appropriate, however the male sounds like he is in his 40s (which feels a little creepy), and his "female" voice is unbearably awful! I almost stopped listening just because of him.