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Cover Inspection:
This cover is one of those that are simple
beautiful at the same time.

SUMMARY (book description based on GoodReads):
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.

BOOK REPORT CARD:

Cover	3.0
Plot	3.5
Writing	3.5
Characters	3.5
Ending	3.5
Overall Rating	3.5 Superior! (93% to 96%) * highest rating possible is 4.0

LOCATION/SETTING:

Mercy Falls, Minnesota. Modern day.

MAIN CHARACTERS:

This first installment of the Wolves of Mercy Falls presents the alternating points of views of Sam and Grace. Sam is a shifter as he has been infected when he was only seven years old. For this reason, he is susceptible to any change in temperature - colder temperature means he'll turn into a wolf, and warmer temperature means he'll shift into his human form. Sam loves books and poetry. He also plays the guitar. He is a sensitive soul, and a gentleman through and through. Grace, on the other hand, was also bitten by the wolves, however she did not shift into a wolf. It's a mystery why this is so. Grace is the complete opposite of Sam. She is pragmatic.

WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT:

For some inexplicable reason, Grace has always felt some connection to the woods behind her house. She spends countless number of hours watching the wolves, and has made contact with the one with yellow eyes. As temperature becomes warmer, Sam turns into his human form, and was given the opportunity to get to know Grace. The two fall in love eventually. Now, the temperature is dropping, and Sam is feeling the urge to turn into his wolf form. The clock is ticking, and this may be the only summer Sam and Grace spend together.

LOVE:

The writing. I absolutely love how Maggie Stiefvater writes. It's like reading a poem. I also love Sam and Grace's relationship. It feels authentic and pure to me. They fight. They worry. They play. They talk. They're like best friends and lovers. In full contract to most YA coupling, theirs is not a raging romance. What they have is an butterfly wings kind of love, sweet and gentle. Calm. Serene.

NO LOVE:

The beginning of the book was a little slow. I also did not like the alternating POVs. I am not a fan of those. It can get confusing at times.

FAVORITE CHARACTER:

I have to say Sam. He's very talented and smart. He has a strong sense of right and wrong, and has a kind heart. He is not possessive, and lets Grace be herself and does not try to change her for what he wants her to be. He loves unconditionally. Despite all these strengths, Sam's humility shines through.

FAVORITE LINE:

“You look like a puppy. Like I'm jingling my keys and you're jumping by the door waiting for your walk"
"Woof.”

MUSINGS:

Carpe Diem. That's what I got from this book. At one point in the book, I put myself in Sam's shoes - what if the one I love would only have one summer with me? *Tears* Shiver made me cry. Sam and Grace's love felt so pure to me, and it hurts that they might not have a perfect ending. Bittersweet. The book is a perfect combination is sadness and beauty. This book is a keeper, one that I would read again and again.

DOODLES: