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Linger (Wolves of Mercy Falls Series #2)

Linger (Wolves of Mercy Falls Series #2) - Check out this review at Smash Attack Reads! http://smashattackreads.blogspot.com/2010/12/book-review-linger-by-maggie-stiefvater.htmlMy ThoughtsI really, really loved the first book in this series, Shiver, and to be honest, would have much preferred it as a standalone. I thought the ending of Shiver was poignant and perfect. However, I do enjoy series and definitely wanted to continue the saga to see where it went.I was immediately upset that Grace and Sam’s point-of-view are now joined by Isabel, and a new character, Cole. One of the best parts of Shiver was the intensity you felt from hearing both character’s most intimate thoughts about the other. While those thoughts were still present, it was no longer as intimate because we now had 2 other characters to “listen to.”Granted, I love Isabel. She is fantastically snarky and sarcastic, but it’s all a cover up for the extreme guilt she feels about her brother’s tragic death. The new wolf, save-me-from-my-thoughts-for-I-shall-perish Cole, was ok. I see how broken he is but I wasn’t very attached to him. I did enjoy him challenging Sam about his past and pointing out how alike they really are. There is a very intense scene involving Cole and a doe that made my stomach lurch. I think Cole had to face some personal demons during that scene, and it was definitely emotionally draining to read! I assume we shall see more of his evolution in Forever, which will be interesting to watch. The connection between he and Isabel is interesting, but honestly, did nothing for me. Two broken people pining for one another is not a new concept, and it was a tad ‘emo’ for me. But hey, this is YA…Grace and Sam are still in love and they still made my heart swoon. Sam’s distress over Grace’s well-being was so heart wrenching. Grace and Sam fight opposition over their relationship in Linger. Grace is a do-gooder by nature and has never stepped a toe out of line, so her blatant disregard for the consequences of seeing Sam shows just how important he is to her. Besides, her parents have left her to fend for herself, providing no emotional involvement. Phooey on them. I loved the scene when Grace escapes to Sam while he’s in the shower. She slips into his bedroom, enjoying his army of origami birds, and he enters the room. Such a beautiful scene!Stiefvater’s writing is beautiful, rich and engaging. The ending is highly emotional and a great segue into Forever, which I look forward to reading in 2011!My Favorite QuotesMy life is in that bed. Please let me stay.“You might not want to put your tongue in her mouth; her dad’s looking out the window. Also, you’d better hurry,” he said, looking at Grace, “because in two seconds, I’m going to need you” – now he looked at me “to pick up my clothes and I don’t think you want a parental audience for that.”"You want to talk? Fine. Talk. Tell me something you've never told anybody else.' I thought for a moment. 'Turtles have the second-largest brains of any animal on the planet.' It took Isabel only a second to process this. 'No, they don't.' 'I know that's why I've never told anybody that before.""I folded myself against her body, breathing in the smell of my new life and matching my heartbeat to hers""He'd only been gone two seconds, but the room got brighter when they were together, as if they were two elements that became brilliant in proximity. At Sam's clumsy efforts to carry the vacuum, Grace smiled a new smile that I thought only he ever got, and he shot her a withering look full of the sort of subtext you could only get from a lot of conversations whispered after dark."I was suddenly overwhelmed by what an incredible person this boy was, standing in front of me, and by the fact that he was mine and I was his.""Or even tell me it's because you could not live without The Boy's stunning Boyfruits for another night..." Sam's face was twisted into a weird shape at the mention of his Boyfruits."