Stiefvater’s second book in the Mercy Falls series does not disappoint. The reader is gently guided through the events that happened in book one and brought up to speed as to what Grace and Sam are doing now that they have found not only each other but what they also believe is the cure that will keep them together forever. It is also the opportunity for readers to finally meet the new wolves that we only got a glimpse of in the first book, Cole and Victor.
Cole and Victor were best friends who had everything and were on top of the world until their hectic drug induced lives were no longer enough to keep them satisfied. When Cole met Beck and heard of the alternate life he could live and forget the life he was currently leaving it was not hard for him to say yes to the strange and physically painful lifestyle choice. Convinced that it would solve both their problems, Cole talked Victor into becoming a wolf. Now that they were both wolves and it was beginning to warm, they both questioned their decision. It was not until Cole met Isabel that he began to feel human again, which was exactly what he did not want. Slowly with the help of Isabel, Sam and Grace he tried to become a better man and in the end was the key to saving Grace.
Just like the first novel the second novel is a sad romance where love ones will be lost in the struggle to understand and protect the wolves of Mercy Falls. But it is not just a tale of loss, it is also one of new friends and unexpected friends.
Grace and Sam fought for each other in the first book only to have parents and shifting come between them in the end and the cure they once thought would end it all is just a temporary fix that proves they are no closer to knowing the truth about their conditions.
Like the first book the youthful love Grace and Sam have for one another borders on obsession, but both when put in the position where they only have themselves to depend on, find that while empty, they can survive (at least temporarily without the other). It is with the help of new friends like Isabel and Cole Sam and Grace continue to hold onto each other.
Warning this book has an unexpected and somewhat sad ending for fans of the love affair between Grace and Sam. But not all hope should be lost as the dawn of new knowledge into the werewolf condition leads Sam, Grace and Cole closer to a real cure.
Readers who enjoy romances that are not sickly sappy and the Twilight series (Team Jacob) will enjoy this book.
Novel Moments:
"A scientist has a frog and he says, 'Jump frog.' The frog jumps ten feet. Then the scientist writes down frog jumps ten feet. Then the scientist chops off one of the frog's legs and says 'Jump frog' and the frog jumps five feet. Then he chops off another leg, and says 'Jump' and the frog jumps two feet. The scientist writes down cut off two legs and the frog jumps two feet. Then he cuts off all the frog's legs and says 'Jump' and the frog just lies there. The scientist writes down the conclusions of the test: cutting off all the frog's legs makes the subject go deaf." - Cole to Isabel Linger
Book Citation: Stiefvater, Maggie. Linger
. Scholastic Press. Nook edition.Want to know what the rating in this post means? Check out the Ratings Key.
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