JudgeABook Revisited: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Earlier this year, I talked about the cover of Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver in one of my JudgeABook posts. Basically, I really like the cover and the whole production of these books. (the blue text inside is also a nice touch). But, despite having owned it for a year or two, I had never read it. Well, I used my last trip to Canberra (long road trip for work) as an opportunity to listen to the audio book.So now, I come back and see if the book lived up to it's cover...

I need to be honest from the outset. I know I would have like this book A LOT more if I had just read it for myself. It was the most annoying audio book I've ever listened to. Talking about just the audio part of it for a minute, I think I preferred the one where the narrator didn't pause for breath in the right spots and it kept changing sound quality over this one.

Firstly, it was almost painfully American. I'm talking about the accents. So clearly American listeners wouldn't have the same reaction as I did, but I'm entitled to it. Secondly, the chapters alternate between the main girl character and the main boy character, each being narrated by someone of that gender. In theory, this was a good idea. In reality, getting used to different voiced for the same characters (as each character speaks in both types of narrated chapters) was annoying. Particularly because the male reader doing female voices sounded exactly like a man in drag from a show I watch. Thirdly, both narrators kept putting the most bizarre inflections into the words that seemed like they were very confused or a little slow. All in all, it was the most grating audio book I've ever listened to.

But that aside, what did I think of the book beneath the speakers? It was ok. If you like paranormal romance, then chances are you'll like this one too. I've seen blogs where people list these books as their "all time favourites". I didn't dislike it, and even though I know I would have liked it a lot more if I'd read it myself, I'm not entirely convinced I would have afforded it the time of sitting and reading. Reading time is precious, and I have too much gold sitting round my house un-read to worry too much about everything that comes around. I was drawn to these by their jackets (and their market penetration), but while they're perfect for their market, they're not at all what gets me excited. I'm not paranormal romance's biggest fan.

Where does this leave this revisited post? I congratulate the design team for a brilliant job on books that I know many will love, but I didn't, but didn't had. I'm just right down the middle with them.

2.5 Silver Stars

Find it on Goodreads

8/40

JudgeABook: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

This is my 2nd JudgeABook post! I'm enjoying them. Feel free to join in the game any time you like! Read about it HERE

Shiver by Maggie Stefvater

My first reaction to this jacket was that it caught my eye and made me think 'ooo look at that!' I'm partial to tree designs and the simple, layered graphic nature of this one is very striking. I quite like that the leaves are reminiscent of hearts too, and the drop of blood is a nice touch. This is another one that I acquired because I liked the look of it, but it has been sitting on my shelf for a long time, unread.

My interpretation of the cover:

It was hard to tell if the trees held the frost with their branches, or if the frost had the forest firmly in its grasp. No matter how tight the grip of either, the wolf slipped between their fingers, stalking his prey. The last remnants of summer dropped one at a time from the branches, falling with her memories of the love she had left behind. This was her future, she must submit to it. With the realisation that she would never leave the forest again, she shivered, and set her jaw against the years ahead. 

Cover rating:

3.5 Gold Stars

Find it on Goodreads

Other JudgeABook posts.