Shiver, Burn and Crumble with just a Dab of Change

 

Blurb:

 

Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf -- her wolf -- watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why. Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace . . . until now. For Grace and Sam, love has always been at a distance. But once spoken, it cannot be denied.

 

My Thoughts:

 

*struggles to keep a straight face*

 

Really? This is the book that is on everybody's mind about how great it is!?

 

Not impressed. Let me tell you why before you go and try to beat my face in.

 

I admit it: Some parts I really struggled to keep my composure and other parts that were suppose to be "serious" I busted out laughing. I cannot be the only one who laughed at the "I'm obsessed!" "No I'm obsessed more!" Parts! Come on, raise your hands and be proud!

 

*hears crickets*

 

Never mind then. Even putting the whole overly dramatic parts that were meant to be serious but came out corny aside, there were too many similarities between Shiver and Twilight.

 

I know if one of my students was like sad over the ending of Twilight I would give them Shiver. They are both overly dramatic with somewhat similar level of corny but sweet lines, they both have the whole monster falling in love reluctantly with a human issue, they both have the guy acting like a complete "gentlemen" and the girl trying to push him hard enough to have sex (which I'll talk about later in heated detail) and they both have an ending that was way too predicable.

 

Well, I know what you're about to say: What about The Replacement? It has similarities with Twilight and the whole monster falling in love with a human bit. Well, you know what I say? I say that Brenna Yovanoff did an excellent job of making hers special and unique and the fact that the main character actually SOUNDED like a guy made it a lot better. Additionally, her descriptions were completely different then Stephenie Meyer. Her characters were taken up to a notch that Stephenie Meyer didn't take it to. And there's the whole pretty and ugly thing that is just so different. I don't know how to describe it, but Brenna Yovanoff took the idea of loving a monster as a human and flipped it on its head. And I love her for it.

 

Even though both of the guys in Shiver were musicians, I believed Mackie more then I did Sam. Why? Because here's Sam spouting love sonnets and coming up with rhythms and Mackie is quietly playing his guitar in his room. I just believe Mackie's version is more credible. And I know that Sam could just be a lyricist and people are on the verge of screaming that fact, but I don't know. Something about Sam just doesn't rub right with me.

 

First off, when the author switches point of view to a guy, I didn't find it credible. After reading a guys voice like in The Replacement, I just got spoiled. I was really waiting for Sam's voice to come to me, and it didn't. He sounded really feminine. And I know some of you will argue that guys sound like that, which is fine, but in a book if I can't find that the guy sounds masculine and he's didn't cross genders or anything (I'm assuming), then there's an issue there.

 

Another thing I had a huge problem with is Grace practically tackling Sam into the bed. I just didn't like that. I think Stephenie Meyer did a better job with the sex issue and making it realistic. Not saying there aren't aggressive females out there, but Grace doesn't seem like that type of girl to me until Sam's point of view took over. And if a guy says no then it should mean no. If a guy hesitates, then you talk about it.

 

Can I get an Amen?

 

*chorus shouts an amen*

 

I'm just saying, if a guy like Sam really was uncomfortable with the idea, then a slower approach should have been better. And I know he was losing time, which I didn't really believe anyway because there's a series, but still. I just think that whole situation could have been handled better. Just saying.

 

Ah yes, last thing before I go to work: The ending. I love how she set it up like a Lifetime Original Movie moment, but I think it was dead obvious what was about to happen. I mean, come on. There's a series. Grace and Sam are all "obsessed" with each other, and yeah. I won't give too much away, but I could tell what was going to happen. So transparent.

 

The only reason I kept reading is because of Shelby. Now that is an AMAZING character! Omg, love her. And I know some of y'all are giving me the huh look, but for some reason I like that strong streak in her to do what she wants with her life instead of taking a back seat. I like the fact that she was the conquered but now she is the conqueror. Even though she goes about it the wrong way but I still like her alot. I can't wait to see more of her in the series. I can just tell she's going to be wonderful and an obvious source of conflict.

 

Now you devoted Shiver fans, don't beat me up. I'm just saying I wasn't impressed with Shiver. I was really excited about it. I did like the characters, Beck was a good one as well, I liked the blood descriptions and some parts of the beginning (which I desperately wanted to revise) but overall, it was good. Not great like I was expecting but okay. And I would definitely read the next book, just to see what happens to Shelby.

 

Would I recommend this book: To devout Twilight fans, absolutely. For people who are looking for something different in the werewolf world, probably not. For people who are tired of Twilight rip offs, absolutely not.

 

Now for a side note: I know you guys have noticed the changes to this blog. If you didn't, take a look around for a second and come back.

 

I'll wait.

 

*glances at watch then sighs*

 

Now that you guys have looked around, I'll explain. Not much to really explain, but I'll do it anyway. Um, first off, the whole one column to add stuff to really wasn't working for me. I was running out of room, and I know you guys are probably tired of scrolling down to get to the stuff you want to see, so I split it up into two columns. On the right is the blog stuff. And I changed the labels! So now if you want to look up a certain book review on fantasy, bam! Right over there. So I thought that would be easier. Another thing I added was my WIP on the left.

 

Let me just warn you: Don't get too attached to the pictures. I know I am but I'm trying not to. Why? Because they might be taken by someone else or something, so the pictures are temporary but if you want to volunteer your opinion then feel free. I'm really struggling over the Iwishacana 2 book cover. Apparently it's hard to find ring models. *shrugs* Oh well. I'll just have to look harder.

 

Anyway, if you haven't noticed, I've added the sequels to Angel Diaries and Iwishacana. Why? Basically, just in case some fan wants to know what's going on with the stories and are desperate to read the next one. So that's for the fans of the series. And if you looked, you'll notice that I've added Everblossom, which is a collection of short stories and poetry. So there's something there for everybody, including some romance novels.

 

*tongue in cheek*

 

I haven't touched those since high school, and so obviously revising them and trying to make them not so stereotypical is going to be a challenge I'll have to face later on.

 

Umm, what else? Oh, another thing I added . . . Oh wait, no that's it! All right you guys, tell me what you think about the review and the switcheroo with the blog! I would love to hear your opinions. Seriously. I would also love to know why people are falling in love with Shiver. I'm just not getting it. I'll try the next book and see if I can fall in love with a second sight. Anyway, until next time Toodles!