Book Review: Sinner (Wolves of Mercy Falls #3.5) by Maggie Stiefvater

Sinner
Wolves of Mercy Falls #3.5

Sinner

Wolves of Mercy Falls #3.5

Maggie Stiefvater

Published: July 1, 2014

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Age Demographic: YA Paranormal Fantasy

Pages: 368

A standalone companion book to the internationally bestselling Shiver Trilogy. 

Sinner follows Cole St. Clair, a pivotal character from the #1 New York Times bestselling Shiver Trilogy. Everybody thinks they know Cole's story. Stardom. Addiction. Downfall. Disappearance. But only a few people know Cole's darkest secret -- his ability to shift into a wolf. One of these people is Isabel. At one point, they may have even loved each other. But that feels like a lifetime ago. Now Cole is back. Back in the spotlight. Back in the danger zone. Back in Isabel's life. Can this sinner be saved?

To PreOrder Sinner (Wolves of Mercy Falls  #3.5) 

by Maggie Stiefvater please visit: Amazon & B&N

(Note: I received an ARC of this book via ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review.)

The Wolves of Mercy Falls is one of my favorite paranormal romance series. It's beautifully written, gorgeously compelling, and just full of amazing characters that you can't help but love. So, I was extremely excited when I discovered that Maggie Stiefvater was going to write another book featuring characters from that particular series. Sinner is a gorgeous stand alone companion novel to this awesome series, that is beautifully poetic, and full of raw emotional turmoil that will grip readers hearts in the palm of its hand and squeeze them until they burst. Cole St. Claire and Isabel will leave you absolutely breathless and gasping for more.

Right off the bat, Maggie Stiefvater, pulls readers in with the opening line "I'm a werewolf in L.A." and keeps them captivated with the thrilling tale she has spun so beautifully and imaginatively. It's probably the best line in the entire novel, if you want to know the truth. It helps to set the tone right away and showcase Cole St. Claire in a way that defines his character throughout the full length of the story being told. It's a dangerous, terrifying, illustrious love affair that's full of pain, despair, heartache, and amazing emotion that will hook you from the beginning and keep you turning the pages until the last one has been read. It gives you a different perspective on two characters lives in such a way that you can't help but become entangled in their epic affair.

This isn't Mercy Falls anymore, this is L.A. to borrow a lyric from Sheryl Crow, and what you get is something different, mysterious, dark, tantalizing, and alluring. Cole and Isabel are incredibly raw, edgy, broken, and full of strong differing opinions that sometimes it causes havoc in their tumultuous relationship. They are so intensely emotional that it's hard not to fall in love with the idea of the two of them together. As rough as Isabel is, her tough exterior somehow manages to cloak how much pain and hurt she possesses beneath the rough and tumble facade she displays to the world. Cole has made and continues to make so many mistakes in his life, his emotional issues run much deeper than they were ever explored in the Wolves of Mercy Falls and it's heartbreaking to watch his struggles throughout Sinner. Yet, it's one of the most beautiful aspects of the book, how he tries his best to navigate the complicated waters of his relationship with Isabel, reconcile with his past, and rise above everything else. 

As much as Cole is touted the "sinner" in this novel, I was very happy to see that this story didn't exactly fall prey to the "savior complex" troph that I usually see in books of this nature. It was more the route of Isabel and Cole helping one another to save themselves, rather than to save the other one. Or, at least, that's the way that I read it. They both seem to have this uncanny ability to make the other one better, even though their relationship was definitely messy and heartbreakingly complicated at times. Aside from Cole and Isabel, there are some other wonderful characters that Stiefvater introduced that will fill in those few spaces of your heart, characters like Leon, Jeremy, and Sofia. Out of them all, I think that Leon, is the one who really managed to steal my heart. There was just something so magical and right about him, I just couldn't help but love everything that he brought to the story. 

Sinner is so much more than just another paranormal fantasy book about werewolves, it's a story that's incredibly real and raw in more ways than one. It's a story that isn't afraid to highlight the dangers of addiction, the highs and lows of fame, complicated relationships that are full of so much pain and anguish, and heartbreak. It's a story that's teaming with so many realistic real-world issues that you can't help but forget that you're reading a story about werewolves, because it feels as if these things could actually happen. They did happen, they happened to Cole and Isabel and getting to read their story was definitely one of the highlights of my summer, so far. If you're a fan of young adult paranormal fantasy and you enjoy reading books that induce many feels, then this would definitely be the novel for you to pick up. Even though Sinner is a stand alone companion novel to the Wolves of Mercy Falls I would recommend that you read that series first, before you read this book just so that you can understand the back story for Cole and Isabel.

Maggie Stiefvater

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New York Times bestselling author of The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Cycle, and The Scorpio Races. Artist. Driver of things with wheels. Avid reader.

All of Maggie Stiefvater's life decisions have been based around her inability to be gainfully employed. Talking to yourself, staring into space, and coming to work in your pajamas are frowned upon when you're a waitress, calligraphy instructor, or technical editor (all of which she's tried), but are highly prized traits in novelists and artists. 

She's made her living as one or the other since she was 22. She now lives an eccentric life in the middle of nowhere, Virginia with her charmingly straight-laced husband, two kids, two neurotic dogs, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki.

Book Review for The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Published: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Age Demographic: YA Paranormal
Pages: 416

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

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“ There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

Maggie Stiefvater creates a stunning new spellbinding world that captures spirit, intrigue, and beautifully crafted world building with, The Raven Boys. She weaves together, once again, a beautiful illusive tapestry of myths, legend, and psychic abilities that will eagerly draw reader's in and keep them deeply entrenched in the rich details the story has to offer. It is a wonderfully written and magnificently developed mystical ride, sure to enrapture reader's leaving them breathless and filled with anticipation. Gorgeously intense and realistically believable, The Raven Boys depicts a truly suspenseful tale sure to entertain. It is a tale that will tug at reader's heartstrings, with rich intensely vibrant and wonderful character's that come to life and leap off the pages.

Blue is the strong and sensible type of girl that reader's will be able to relate to, the most. She's likable in many ways, with a few realistic flaws of her own which makes it easier to connect with her more on a realistic level. She's done pretty well at dealing with growing up in a house that isn't anything less than unusual. Her mother and Calla, Maura, and Persephone are brillinatly colorful, bringing so much life to the pages in their own eccentric ways and personality flare. They add a lot of whimsical unusual fun to the story, enriching it in so many other details, aspects, and facets. Reader's will definitely find themselves enjoying these colorful kooky character's as they get to know them one by one.

The friendship between each one of the Raven Boys, is one of the best aspects of this wonderfully written and enjoyable novel. Each of them possesses their own painful backstory, that Maggie Stiefvater manages to gradually reveal over time. It's heartbreaking and beautiful, but it's such an amazingly touching story. These group of boys are incredibly complex and complicated to figure out at first, but once reader's get to know them along the way they will surely fall in love with each of them. Together, they each bring so much depth and layers to the story. I personally enjoyed how well compatible they were with one another, it made the story much more interesting and enjoyable.

Maggie Steifvater has managed to pen such a beautifully illustrated, deeply rich and intense, emotional story that is just as eloquent and almost lyrical at times. She never fails to set the stage or the mood, with whatever she is writing. Fans of her previous novels, will not be disappointed with The Raven Boys. It is an amazing start to what is soon to be another brilliant series on her behalf. She has truly outdone herself, by writing one of the most character driven novels full of dark beguiling beauty and intrigue.

The Raven Boys is a book that reader's will definitely not want to miss out on!

To Purchase Maggie Stiefvater's Books Visit Amazon.Com

MAGGIE STIEFVATER 

Website || Twitter || Facebook || Goodreads 

All of Maggie Stiefvater's life decisions have been based around her inability to be gainfully employed. Talking to yourself, staring into space, and coming to work in your pajamas are frowned upon when you're a waitress, calligraphy instructor, or technical editor (all of which she's tried), but are highly prized traits in novelists and artists. She's made her living as one or the other since she was 22. She now lives an eccentric life in the middle of nowhere, Virginia with her charmingly straight-laced husband, two kids, two neurotic dogs, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki.

Well, what are you waiting for?! Check out this amazing book NOW!!!

{This ARC was provided by ATW ARC Tours, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was or wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such. Instead, you should compare and check it against a finished copy once it is released.}

Book Review: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Scoprio Races
by Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: October 18, 2011
Pages: 416
Age Demographic: Young Adult
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It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

❝My Thoughts❞

The Scorpio Races is a thrilling and captivating journey of adventure and unexpected moments. There are incredible challenges and odds to overcome and extreme pulsating tension that will pull readers into the story keeping them glued to the edges of their seat. Maggie Stiefvater pens a beautifully written tale of magical and realistic atmosphere with stunning visual imagery that tugs and pulls at readers emotionally. The world of The Scorpio Races is wonderfully breath taking and full of mystical creatures such as the Capaill Uisce, that possess a deep connection to the water. The imagery is quite stunning and amazingly creative, while being original and unique. This is a book that is very different and definitely appealing in a refreshing light, in what it has to offer readers.

The Scorpio Races definitely holds mystery and intrigue well enough to keep readers captivated, putting them right into the adventure through brilliant imagery and wonderful character development. They are wonderfully unique, multi-faceted individuals that are fascinating and likeable. Maggie Stiefvater writes them in such a way that readers will be able to sympathize with them. Puck is an incredibly determined, slightly vulnerable, and scared young heroine. She's fueled with so much grit and fire, that she has nothing else to lose except possessing the amazing tenacity to survive going with two brothers out on their own. Her super fiesty attitude matched with her undeniable strength makes her an inccredly strong and relatable character that readers will easily be able to connect with an a realstic basis. Sean, is an orphan who has been working at the local stable as ahorse trainer for quite some time. He seems to have this magical pull or connection that he shares with the horses, especially the Capaill-Cor.

It was enderaing to see how both Puck and Sean have such a special bond with their horses. It was also charming to see how well the supporting characters stood out and had a voice of their own that was just as important to the story, as well. I personally found Puck's younger brother Finn, to be such a refreshing and delightful character to get to know. It was sweet to witness just how much he cares for his sister and the bond that they share with one another. It seemed to add a whole other element to the story. The Scorpio Races delivers some wonderful complex characters with intriguing personalities of their own. It's filled with terror, adventure, sadness, joy, and the importance of relationships.

The island of Thisby is absolutely gorgeous and breath taking, readers can only imagine how amazing it would be to actually see it come to life before their eyes. From start to finish, The Scorpio Races is brilliantly excuted, well thought out, and completely imaginative. Both Puck and Sean are beautifully written heart wrenching noble characters that readers will fall in love with. It is definitely a must read and I would recommend it to anyone who has enjoyed Maggive Stiefvater's prior novels. This, by far, is quite possibly her best written one.

Want to purchase a copy of the Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else you want. I hope you enjoyed reading my review of Scorpio Races. I definitely suggest you pick up a copy for yourself or even for someone else, if you think they'll like it.

ABOUT MAGGIE STIEFVATER

Website || Twitter || Facebook || Goodreads

All of Maggie Stiefvater's life decisions have been based around her inability to be gainfully employed. Talking to yourself, staring into space, and coming to work in your pajamas are frowned upon when you're a waitress, calligraphy instructor, or technical editor (all of which she's tried), but are highly prized traits in novelists and artists. She's made her living as one or the other since she was 22. She now lives an eccentric life in the middle of nowhere, Virginia with her charmingly straight-laced husband, two kids, two neurotic dogs, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki.

Author information taken from her Goodreads.

{ This ARC was provided by Scholastic, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided. No money exchanged hands, I review books for fun because I love to read. I am not interested in monetary gain. Any piece of this ARC that was/wasn't quoted, is not part of the finished product and should not be perceived as such.}