Summary and Study Guide
Overview
Shiver () is the first installment in Maggie Stiefvater’s young adult paranormal romance series The Wolves of Mercy Falls. Influential in shaping modern fantasy romance narratives, the bestselling series is set in a universe where werewolves exist and their transformations are controlled by the weather. Shiver tracks the story of Grace Brisbane, who was bitten by werewolves when she was child but never changed, and Sam Roth, a werewolf destined to remain a wolf forever unless a cure is found. Grace and Sam fall deeper in love, knowing that Sam’s time with Grace is limited. Determined to find a cure for Sam, Grace finds herself making an impossible, dangerous decision that will change the course of many lives.
This guide refers to the Scholastic Kindle edition.
Content Warning: The novel and this guide contain discussions of violence and trauma, depictions of parental neglect and abuse, and emotional and physical turmoil that might be intense for younger readers.
Grace Brisbane was 11 years old when she was dragged away from her yard by a wolf pack that lives in the forest adjoining her home in Mercy Falls, Minnesota. The pac
Characters
Wolves in the Winter Woods
A chilling encounter with wolves
Grace recalls a terrifying childhood memory of being attacked by wolves in the snow. Despite the danger, she is captivated by the yellow eyes of one wolf that seems different from the rest. This encounter leaves a lasting impression on her, shaping her fascination with the wolves that inhabit the woods near her home. The wolves, a constant presence in her life, symbolize both fear and a mysterious connection that she cannot fully understand.
Eyes of the Yellow Wolf
A bond formed through the eyes
Sam, the yellow-eyed wolf, watches Grace from the woods, feeling a deep connection to her. He struggles with his dual nature, torn between his human and wolf identities. As a wolf, he is part of a pack that must survive the harsh winter, but his human side longs for warmth and connection. Sam's internal conflict is mirrored in his interactions with Grace, who unknowingly becomes the anchor to his humanity.
Secrets Beneath the Surface
Unraveling the mystery of the wolves
Grace grows up with the wolves as a backdrop to her life, unaware of their true nature. Her fascination with the yellow-eyed wolf deepens, an
Themes
The Power and Limits of Love
Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussions of violence and trauma and depictions of parental neglect and abuse.
The paranormal elements of Maggie Stiefvater’s world serve as analogs for real-life physical, emotional and existential obstacles. For example, Sam’s rapid decline into a permanently lycanthropic state, for instance, serves as an analog for prolonged disease or grief. The author grounds the characters’ experiences of paranormal transformation by connecting them to real-world difficulties such as abusive parents, gun violence, and negligence, allowing her to explore the role of love and friendship in transcending challenges. She anchors Grace and Sam’s relationship in the strength and resilience it gives them to navigate an impossible situation.
The novel asserts that the power of Sam’s love for Grace allows him to briefly overcome the rules that govern his existence. Werewolves in the novel transform with the seasons, reverting to their human form briefly in the summer months. Often, they are unable to change to a human state during the winters. However, thrice in the novel, Sam changes into a hum
Introduction
What is Shiver about? This novel explores the poignant love story between Grace, a girl fascinated by wolves, and Sam, a werewolf. Grace feels a deep connection to a yellow-eyed wolf that saved her years ago. As winter approaches, tensions rise, and Sam struggles to maintain his humanity while staying close to Grace. Their love is tested against the fading warmth of summer.
Book Details
Title: Shiver
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Published: August 1,
Pages:
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal
Synopsis of Shiver
Introduction to Grace and Sam
Grace Brisbane has always been fascinated by the wolves outside her home. For years, she has been drawn to one particular yellow-eyed wolf, her protector. He saved her from a wolf attack when she was a child, leaving an indelible mark on her heart. Sam Roth, in his wolf form, spends his winters with the pack but struggles to remain human during summer. His life becomes a painful contrast between his time in the wilderness and his few months as a boy. As the seasons change, a lingering cold threatens to take away his humanity and life with Grace for good.The Connection Between Grace and Sam
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