FOREVER by Maggie Stiefvater - Review and **Giveaway!**

Forever is the kind of book you savor.

If you're looking for a book to speed read, this is not it.  But if you're looking to really feel as you read and savor each word on the page, you've found a wonderful writer who can give you that.  

If you've read Maggie Stiefvater's writing before, you know what I am talking about.  Her writing is beautifully descriptive and poetic.  The only complaint I have heard is that some readers feel her writing is too descriptive, "emo" and "prosey" but I think those are precisely the things I like about it.  Maggie's books are like gourmet meals where I want to savor each bite.  I often find myself re-reading passages - not because I don't understand them or have missed something, but because I want to fully feel everything that was written there.  As I got closer to the end, I kept taking more breaks.  One night I was reading in bed very near the end of the book and just couldn't bring myself to finish.  I put the book down - partially because I didn't know if it would end tragically, partially because I wanted to be able to reflect on the book once it was over, and partially just because I didn't want it to end yet.

These books are about a girl who falls in love with a wolf - who is sometimes a boy.  :)  I won't give you a synopsis for this book because it will spoil the story of Shiver and Linger for you if you haven't yet read them, but they are set in a beautiful fictional wood (based on a real one) in Minnesota.

I love the love shared between Grace and Sam.  And I absolutely adore Isabel and Cole who, despite their damaged natures, add comic relief with their clever dialogue.

There is much I admire about Maggie Stiefvater.  She is a brilliant artist - visually and musically, and of course her writing is beautiful, but the thing about these books that really amazes me is how well she is able to capture and keep consistent such varying personality types.  She tells her stories in multiple voices - each starkly different from the others - and makes you deeply care for each one.  I love that Cole is able to poke fun at Sam's "emo" nature and that each character is so unique in their own mental complexities.

I thoroughly enjoyed this conclusion to a beautiful series and look forward to Maggie's next project - I have a copy of Scorpio Races I'm super excited to read!  :)

One word of warning - The book starts out with a cliffhanger - Maggie likes to torture her readers.  :)

And now for a GIVEAWAY!  :)  I have one extra signed copy of FOREVER for you!  Open to all US residents (sorry international friends - I'm paying to ship this myself).  Closes at Midnight PST Friday.

For more on the author and her books, visit MaggieStiefvater.com

My reactions to some of Maggie's other work:

Shiver review

Linger Trailer

Lament & Ballad mini review

Book recommended for older teens / young adults as there is (non-graphic) intimacy involved.