photo home_zpspjo8kmb0.png photo about us_zpsarf3yetn.png photo reviews_zpshqab7na7.png photo book recs_zpsdmrlfetg.png



.

June 28, 2014

Review: Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater - A perfect standalone

Sinner (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3.5)
Title: Sinner
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher:
 Scholastic Canada
Publication date: July 1, 2014
 

Genre(s): Young Adult (Paranormal)
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Pages: 368
Goodreads | Barnes & Noble | Indigo

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?
I loved Sinner so much. Way way more than I thought I would. I read the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy back before I even know what YA meant. So I was pretty fuzzy about the details of that trilogy and worried I would need to read recaps before starting Sinner but I can tell you that you don't even need to read the trilogy to enjoy this book. Sinner is about Cole, the rockstar turned druggie turned wolf we meet in the previous trilogy and love to hate.. but also love to love.. pretty conflicting feelings about him to be honest. However Sinner just made him a permanent love to love for me.
Sinner is set after the trilogy ends, and Cole is now on his way to Isabel, the girl he was tangled with during the trilogy. I think those two have a very.. complex and charged love hate relationship. Cole is always on the brink of losing control, of going back to his rock stardom destructive behavior and Isabel.. Isabel has been through so much crap she's become hardened, pessimistic, and wary of people and life. Putting those two together in a room.. woof.. recipe for an explosive. I love complex characters. I love love Cole's monologues and thoughts and his narration. It always feels one second too fast, his thoughts are always in a whirlwind and keeping up with him is exhilarating. That's the best way I can define my reading experience of this book. Of course it is told from both Cole and Isabel's POVs and I also liked her chapters too. 
You're not really going to read anything negative about this book because I'm pretty much obsessed with it at the moment. Sinner is more focused on the characters and their struggles than the paranormal aspect. It pretty much reads as a contemporary except for the occasional werewolf-ism. Cole is a pretty cocky but charming guy and Isabel tries to push everyone away but she's really sweet. Those two pretty much suit each other and I loved reading about them and their relationship. What's different in Sinner is that those two already knew each other, were together, but left each other. It isn't a happily ever after ending where as soon as they get together everything is perfect. This isn't a beautiful story or romance, it is fractured and can never be perfect, but who wants perfect right? I love Maggie Stiefvater's writing, she writes better and better with each book. I can't wait for Blue Lily, Lily Blue because The Raven Boys is AMAZING and I can't wait to pick up my copy of The Scorpio Races! 

7 comments:

  1. Not a beautiful story with romance? WHAT. Heartbreak. lol. I'm still hoping for a good ending. <3 If there is one, I will read Shiver, Linger & Forever in July :D Have yet to read them; but so excited. <3 I adore Maggie too. Such great books! And YAY. I'm just so glad that you loved Sinner :D That makes me very happy. And more excited to read it, lol :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I wasn't a fan of Shiver at all so I didn't bother continuing with the series but I may give this one a try because since then, I've enjoyed The Scorpio Races and The Raven Boys series. I also like that the romance in this one is far from perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  3. "I can tell you that you don't even need to read the trilogy to enjoy this book" - Thank goodness! I read the first Shiver book years ago and never got around to finishing the trilogy, but I was still so curious about this book! Cole sounds like a great complex character.

    Fabulous review :D

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am so nervous to read this book but I know I'll love it because I always love Maggie's book. Great review! :)

    Annie @ Tar Heel Bibliobabe

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ms. Stiefvater really has a way with words and characters! She is on my must read list.
    tria review

    ReplyDelete
  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Loved it! It was great to revisit this story since it's been so long since the third book. It was amazing to be able to concentrate on Isabel and Cole. Their story was a nice side story in the first three books but it was never really fleshed out because they were sub characters so you understood. This book is ALL about them and it was definitely a treat to see their relationship develop.

    Zia
    San Antonio Asbestos Lawyer

    ReplyDelete