SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater: Plots & Subplots, Twisting & Weaving
Hey, everybody, watch out! There is a contest at the end of this post! And it is a contest for a scary book. And I, Grover, am here to warn you and to tell you not to keep reading. Do not scroll down to the end of this post!
(Okay, I couldn’t resist, with much love and many thanks to Jon Stone, the author of one of my other, all-time favorite books!)
Moving on now.
I just read Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver.
Yes, I know it’s been out since last August and that it’s sequel, Linger, is coming out this July. I know it’s been talked up all over the web and by booksellers and librarians and kidlit readers. Hey, I can’t keep up with everything!
I do get there, eventually, however, and I am here to say that Shiver is worth every bit of that talk. It blew me away, for several reasons, not least of which is the wonderful love story based on two absolute non-wimps—active characters that take on the world and actually do something about it.
I’m not going to talk about character, though, today. I’m going to talk about plot. Complicated plot. With lots of important subplots. All woven together into one beautifully connected, intense story.
Watch my juggling act as–without dropping one spoiler–I tell you what Stiefvater does.
- Writes a love story filled with clear and seriously problematic obstacles and what-will-happen-ifs
- Complicates that love story with a soupçon of family and personal background, just enough to add believable (and still non-wimpy) vulnerability to the participants
- Inserts a paranormal element that complicates that love story even more
- Creates secondary characters with strong subplots that tie strongly and with individuality into that paranormal element
- Brings each subplot and each secondary character back into story with exquisite timing, just when the reader needs to be reminded about them and at the exact moment/place to amp up the tension
- Does all of this seamlessly, with the magic wand of writing that makes it look, to the reader’s eye, easy and effortless
And did I mention that NOBODY IS WIMPY?! Think Romeo and Juliet with not one swoon, not one set of hands clasped woefully to a bosom, not one despairing glance. Sam and Grace never stop fighting for themselves, for each other, for their friends. I love these guys.
I love them so much that, even seven months after publication, I must put a copy of this book into somebody’s hands. Somebody who (while inhabiting the same faraway planet as me) has not yet read it, or someone who picked it up at the library or borrowed it from a friend and now wants their own, always-available-for-a-reread copy.
The contest is open! Leave a comment to this post, between now and next Tuesday (March 30th). Son and I will draw the winner’s name, and I’ll announce it here on Wednesday the 31st. Make sure and come back to check if you’ve won! Then everybody will be happy.
beckylevine.com 
38 Comments
Me mememememe- I’ve heard great things about Shiver.
Luv from outside the known universe~
julie
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You are in..and welcome back to this planetary space!
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I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who hasn’t read it yet 🙂 It is on my list though, so thanks!
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And I thought I might be the only one! Good luck. 🙂
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Ooh, ooh! Pick me pick me! Pick me? Please?
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Well, you KNOW Grover wants to!
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I loved Shiver! I thought the dual POV was done very well, and I can’t wait for Linger!
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I agree, PJ–the dual POV totally worked. I’m entering you in the contest…NOW! 🙂
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I am also a late bloomer. I’ve heard about it on agent blogs and various other places, but haven’t gotten a copy yet.
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Well, hang on, Tricia, maybe you’ll win it here. 🙂
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want want want want want.
that book sounds amazing!
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Entered entered entered entered! Okay, really, just one time, but still… 🙂
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I’d never thought about this before, but you’re right — no one in SHIVER is wimpy! Yet another reason to love this book. I could read it again and again (if I hadn’t just given my copy to my sister-in-law-in-training). Great review! Jeni
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sister-in-law-in-training…love that! Well, this way you might not have to ask her for it back. 🙂
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This book has been on my “to buy” list. Now after reading your review, I want to read it even more. It sounds great!
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Nancy, it’s one of those books that is just a sheer pleasure to read (even with the tension!), and that–as a writer–seriously impresses me with the level of craft. I think you’ll like it!
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Please enter me! 🙂 I haven’t read it yet, and I really want to–especially after your recommendation!
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You are entered! Good luck.
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And I thought I was doing really well by reading Incarceron. Add me to the number who are late to the Shiver party – thanks for running the contest! Great review.
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SO much good reading to do–thankfully! Glad you liked the review. 🙂
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I haven’t read it yet, but have heard fabulous things about it. Your post just adds to the list!
Would you add my name to hat, please? Pretty please with sugar on top?
hugs,
Donna
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Your name is in the hat. Sprinkling sugar in now. 🙂
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Wow! Your blog just gets better! It was only two days ago a friend recommended this book to me, with similar high praise! One way or another I intend to add it to my reading pile. Thanks for the recommendation!
Nat xxx
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Well, maybe I can add it to your reading pile–we’ll see!
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I have read this already but I borrowed a copy so since I completely agree with you and think the book is great, I would love to have my own copy. xx
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And you are entered in the contest–good luck!
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Am I the only person who hasn’t heard of this book? Considering your recommendation though, I think I’ll be keeping an eye out for it!
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Christie, if you don’t read a lot of YA, it might not have been on your radar. Maybe it’ll get you started! 🙂
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Don’t enter me — I’ve already read it, loaned it and bought copies to give away as well! I just wanted to say how much I loved this book for all the reasons you mentioned and more. It is simply just brilliant writing. I’m glad we’re of the same mind 🙂
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Okay, I won’t enter you–unless you think of someone else who really needs the book that you could give it to! Have you read her other series?It’s on my list now.
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Oh! I keep passing by this book and thinking I should buy it… Totally enter me!
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Entered! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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What a great way to promote this contest! I haven’t read Shiver yet, but I’d like to, so sign me up.
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You’re signed up. It’s just a beautifully written book, Shevi-I think you’ll like it.
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Been wanting to read this–now’s my chance. Thanks!
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Oh,good, now I’m really glad I reposted–good luck!
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I haven’t read it yet either, but I did walk past the author (and met her briefly) on the sidewalk of Philadelphia (during NCTE) last November.
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That’s always fun. 🙂 Maybe you’ll get a chance to read it now!
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