Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Linger
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Pages: 368
Genre: Fantasy

Linger is the second novel in the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. In this book, Grace is becoming more uncomfortable in her own skin. Just a few months ago it was her boyfriend Sam who she helped save by preventing him from returning to his werewolf form. These days though, it’s Grace who feels on the verge of changing into a mythical creature after being bit by a pack of wolves when she was nine. The wolves watch her from the woods behind her house waiting for her to come to them, to change from her human form.

Sam is learning to adapt to his new life as a human. No longer protected by the pack, Sam must bear living in his unfamiliar skin year-round. Working in the bookstore and living secretly in Grace’s bedroom offers Sam a low profile and safe haven. He has a simple life with the love of Grace to keep him going and this is exactly how he would like to keep it. Though he no longer fears for his safety, memories of his former human self begin to resurface leaving him with a haunting reminder of time passed.

Cole, the newest member of the wolf pack is fighting just to stay alive. Shedding his former edgy rocker status to become a young wolf, in his new skin, survival is of the greatest importance. He chose this life, fighting to remain a wolf year-round in order to escape the problems in his human life, but new challenges arise as he confronts his new world.

Isabel with her quick-witted ways and sharp tongue often gives others the impression that she is abrasive and unfriendly. Don’t let the façade of her jaded personality fool you though. Deep within, Isabel’s guilt over the death of her brother is eating at her making her irritable and insensitive to those she encounters. Though she tries to keep her distance from the wolves in general and Cole in particular, there’s is an irresistible likeness between the two and she forms an unmistakable bond with Cole.

Through all four characters’ points of view in Linger, tells the story of struggles between the human and mythical world and the difficulties faced trying to forge friendships and experience everlasting love.