Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Shiver
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Release Date: August 1st, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Inc
Pages: 390
Format: Hardcover
Acquired: Library
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

Grace and Sam share a kinship so close they could be lovers or siblings. But they also share a problem. When the temperature slips towards freezing, Sam reverts to his wolf identity and must retreat into the woods to protect his pack. He worries that eventually his human side will fade away and he will be left howling alone at the lonely moon. A stirring supernatural teen romance.

I do not know why it took me so long to review this book. When I first picked it up I had no idea that I would fall in love with Grace and Sam so fast, and I had no idea that Maggie Stiefvater would write such a beautifully crafted story that brings to life characters that I can put down on my mental list of Awesome Characters.

To be honest, when I first started this book and discovered that it was about werewolves, I actually rolled my eyes. I was at the point in my reading life in which these supernatural beings were just being overused all over the place and nobody was doing anything new or different. And then...BAM! Stiefvater just took me by surprise, because her werewolves were different. They only changed in the winter time and during the summer time they are human. And a major plot twist is revealed at the climax at the book that left me speechless.

As for the characters of Grace and Sam, I just felt like they were so perfect for each other. It was like it was meant to be. Grace starts out the novel, showing off Stiefvater's beautifully crafted novel in words that can only be described as poetic. And then the novel switches to Sam's story, which is similarly as beautiful, but this time a haunting tune is found.

I felt like the other characters in the novel always kept surprising me, especially with her friend Olivia, because I never could imagine that would happen.

I wish this book had been longer, but I'm glad that Stiefvater made this into a trilogy. The story never went too fast but kept a good pace. And since I feel like this must be mentioned, the cover is awesome! If I ever get published as an author, I would love for the cover artist of this book to be the cover artist for my book. I like the UK version a lot better, I won't lie, but this cover is still awesome.

The Wolves of Mercy Falls has become one of my favorite trilogies that, if I had the time, I would honestly just read over and over again.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Title: Catching Fire
Author: Suzanne Collins
Release Date: September 1st, 2009
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Pages: 391
Format: Hardcover
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Others in the Series: The Hunger Games
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

I may be seriously late for this, but I just want the world to know that I have been Team Peeta since the first book and I remain it until the end. So, i just want to get that out there. There's no getting around it, Gale is not my favorite, he would not understand, and Peeta is just awesome.

Now that we got that out of the way, let's get to the main point. I'm not going to lie that I didn't expect the Capitol to do what they did, but since this is a trilogy it makes sense that they would do something sneaky and make life difficult for Katniss, if I were them, I would do it too.

The entire plot had me on the edge of my seat, especially because I could not believe that they were going back into the arena, and that just freaked me out. The new characters that were brought in was almost refreshing to see some new faces, but I was a little confused on what was going on. I liked how Suzanne expanded her imagination to make a new, more complex arena.

I honestly had no idea what the Capital had planned, but the ending certainly left me confused. I kept thinking to myself what the heck is going on here.

I don't know what else to say, because this is really just awesome book. I was not happy with the way it ended completely, but it keeps the reader's something to look forward to in the last book.

Awesome book with the return of an awesome heroine

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Title: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
Release Date: September 14th, 2008
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Pages: 374
Format: Hardcover
Acquired: Bought
Interest: Series
Age Group: Young Adult
Rating: 5 Stars

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister's place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that will weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

I loved, loved, loved this book. The action and adventure and the romance, it had everything that you can imagine. I'm surprised with myself for not reviewing this earlier.

I honestly felt something for the character of Katniss because in  away she embodies everything that is both strong and weak about a woman. Her strength came when she took her younger sister's place in the arena and having to face against the Capital, but her weakness lies in where she can't see what her strength's are and has an even harder time seeing what is right in front of her some days.

I love the imagery that Suzanne gives off. When they were in the arena I was always on edge, because the suspense that gets built gives me chills whenever I think about the fact that these are children that are dying - not just anyone, but kids. The message is pretty clear, and I since reading this I have yet to watch another episode of Survivor because for me, I feel like these could be kids trying to survive.

Katniss is a very uptight character and that's understandable because of what she's been through, but it also helps her. I'm actually glad that it is Peeta that is in the arena with her, because they are completely opposite with each other, but they know how to survive. And later on in the novels, I feel, because clear about how much he is willing to go through.

This original story that Suzanne brought to life hits close to home in a lot of areas. Suzanne brings out both the worst and the best of all her characters, and the introduction to them as memorable is accomplished well.

I don't know about you guys, but I love the trailer and I cannot wait for the movie. 5 out of 5 stars for being amazing, with characters, imagery, language, and just bringing this world to life in a series of twists and turns at each corner.