You know I’m a fan of Maggie Stiefvater.
I howl this fact from the rooftops and I even wrote a post about all the reasons why I do (and you should) read every Maggie Stiefvater book ever and love them all with the passion and fire that I do.
So I. freaked. out when I got a review-copy of Sinner from Scholastic Australia (ohhh my gosh, thank you Scholastic, thankyouthankyou) and I promptly dropped everything and read it. In one day. And I just…how do I review it? How do I even function?
There some books that remind you why you’re absolutely obsessed with stories. This is one of them.
The end.
Ha! You didn’t really think that’s all I was going to say, right?
No, I have a list. I have a glorious list of reasons why this book is the best thing since some genius wrote on leaves and glued them together and called them a book. I’m kidding. I know that’s not how books were invented. Aliens, actually. I will share my list because I am nice.
I will also fill the post with pictures because I like this book and I now have Instagram and I don’t have children or cats, so I take pictures of my books.
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?
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Why You Should Drop Everything (like I did) and Read Sinner
1. It’s written by Maggie Stiefvater.
This is pretty much the only reason I wanted to read it. No! I’m lying! (Sorry, it happens sometimes.) I wanted to read it more because it was about Cole and Isabel.
Let me explain!
Maggie Stiefvater wrote this trilogy called The Wolves of Mercy Falls which includes Shiver, Linger, and Forever. (Who’s slightly cliche titles we’ll forgive because we’re magnanimous like that.) They start off narrated by Grace, who is obsessed with wolves (which are actually werewolves because it’s a bit weird to fall in love with an animal…so we fall in love with half-animals-half-humans). Gradually more squalling people/animals enter the picture. Sam is Grace’s One True Love. He’s a wolf. Then enters Cole: also a wolf. And Isabel: not a wolf, but as frosty as machete in Antarctica.
Sam and Grace are art and muse. Cole and Isabel are knife and fire.
I happen to love them a lot, maybe not more than Sam/Grace, but it’s so equal my capacity for intense adoration is exhausting me. When I heard there’d be a standalone about Cole and Isabel in the What Happened After Shiverlingerforever Ended — I knew I would love it.
2. It has this dedication:
That, of course, is me. Because I have read and loved and raved about all her books. It’s nice to have a book dedicated to me.
3. It is about music.
Don’t underestimate how freakishly hard it is to write a musical book. Musical movies are fine. You have ears. Musical books must sing you the music using mere words. How hard is that? Sinner, of course, pulls it off with flying colours and crackling chords. I adore music and I love that I could hear and feel it while reading the book.
(The author has a playlist for it here, if you’re nosey like I am.)
4. The writing IS THE BEST.
It’s huge on the visuals, smells and feels details. 5-senses! Who’d have thought they could change a book from “cool” to “freakishly awesome”? I absolutely love how closely I could experience the book. The description isn’t flooding over page after page. It uses punchy words. Then it’s done.
The McMansion was sterile enough to actually remove pieces of my identity every time I returned to it, insidiously replacing them with wall-to-wall white carpet and blond hardwood floors.
or
I felt a not entirely great sensation in my stomach, like someone was opening an umbrella inside it.
A few words and — BOOM — the clearest picture is in your mind.
5. It’s funny. (Did I mention I like funny?)
The banter between Cole and Isabel is the best because they are really mean people who act like they hate each other and couldn’t care less — when really they care so so much and they can’t bear the thought of losing each other. Look at me! I’m drippy.
At one point they eat breakfast in the shower…with a small table and everything. Because: they’re strange like that, and also they’re hiding from cameras.
With a noisy sigh, I stepped into the shower and sat. Cole sat down opposite. The table held a bowl with a few donuts in it — these were the waxy chocolate sort, not the sort to lure girls into an apartment. A mug held two eggs and a single kiwi fruit. In the middle was an empty glass; Cole reached out and placed it one inch closer to me than him.
“This is fancy,” I said. “Would you like to explain the dishes?”
Cole cracked his knuckles and pointed to the food in turn. “Here we have the glazed miniature chocolate bathroom cakes with a paraffin topping. These here are a duo of free-range eggs that are probably hard-boiled, or at least were wet for a long time. This here beside them is a furry, green egg.”
That’s them normally. Unless they’re fighting, which is about 70% of the book. And it’s not yelling fighting, it’s icy stabbing glares of love/hate.
6. It’s dual narrated.
Usually I hate this. Right now? I love this. They’re so similar yet so different. Wait! Let me explain! Isabel is cold and Cole owns the world.
Imagine Kuzco narrating along with…say…The Black Widow.
7. There is a brief Sam and Grace cameo.
It’s note enough, mind you. I was hoping they’d at least squeeze a scene in together. But at least they talk on the phone to each of them.
Sam told Cole not to bite people.
Cole realised the idea hadn’t occurred to him so he put it on his to-do list.
8. It’s about werewolves too (obviously.)
I might just have an affinity for all things supernatural and paranormal. Plus, if I had to pick between vampires and werewolves — werewolves all the way. Maggie Stiefvater writes them really uniquely too. And I adore the fact that it’s almost completely an average contemporary…but then — GROWL — werewolves.
9. There’s food.
I like food! I like it when it enters books! Although, truthfully, no one seems to eat much food because they’re all angsty with their wolfish and teenage emotions. But there is a secondary character, Sofia, who is really shy and a fabulous cook. I really liked her. Plus, Cole and Isabel go out for pie, which was a delicious experience (for me reading the pie descriptions). Who doesn’t like pie?! I like pie.
10. I just love this book, okay?
I loved it a lot. I couldn’t put it down. It made me want to write a million things and read a million things and just appreciate the greatest art that is books.
Oh, if you want to see my boring normalised review on Goodreads, feel free. I mention a few things I wasn’t 100% fond of, but who cares? It’s got 5-stars from me. It’s on my best-of-the-year list. I took more photos of it then I’ve taken of my own face this whole year.
are you going to read Sinner? not really optional: go read it. and if you haven’t…TALK TO ME ANYWAY. what’s the last book you read that completely devoured you? and inspired you? and made you want to write (or do) Great Things?
Loving this blog at the moment!! I really need to check this book out, so many people have recommended it! Best two things in books: Food, and chemistry between the protagonists!
AW WELL THANK YOU. It always make me ridiculously happy to know my blog is mildly entertaining. But I agree! Food + chemistry between characters = the best book ever.
I LOVE THIS REVIEW. and i'm *hopefully* getting sent this from scholastic too so SQUEEEE. But, i have a problem, I've not read the raven Boys etc, this is my first MS book, WILL I KNOW WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?
Ohhh, YES, I believe it stands alone okay on it's own. It's not part of Raven Boys, it's part of the Shiver/Linger/Forever trilogy. But I'm pretty sure you can read it without. It kind of expands on Cole and Isabel's history. I HOPE YOU GET IT SOON AND IT IS AWESOME.
Should I read the Shiver series? I have yet to read anything by this author, and I've heard mixed things about her books.Rachel @A Perfection Called Books
I'm pretty sure you'll still enjoy it without having read the Shiver series. I think you'd enjoy it MORE having read the Shiver series, but still. 😉 I'm a huge fan of all her books as is probably hard to tell right? 😉 XD
Okay yep you've sold me. I'm going to read the Shiver, Linger, Forever books before I read Sinner 🙂 because they sound awesome. And you like them (you have great taste in books). Also, I'm thinking I may have to get Instagram soon. Because I have cats AND books so, you know, perfect Instagram material right there. So glad your copy came 🙂 🙂
OH I HAVE EPIC TASTE IN BOOKS. *calms down slightly* But seriously, get an Instagram. Cats + books = instagram, honestly, it truly does. Eeee, I'm so glad I got it too. XD
I was waiting for the flailing! 😉 I'm not reading it until I retry the The Wolves of Mercy Falls series (obviously) buuuut, you have to love when main characters have little cameo's (even if it's only over the phone) in spin-offs/companion, just gives you a homey feel (if that makes sense). Last one that left a major impression on me (and inspired me to write what I'm still working on) was Heart-Shaped Bruise by Tanya Byrne and I've read 200+ others since then and I can still remember everything from it.
*flails like a psycho muppet* I think you could read it without reading Shiver/Linger/Forever…I just think reading them will give you more you know? It does feel homey when the other character's make a cameo! IT'S JUST AWESOME, for some reason. I'm totally looking up Heart-Shaped Bruise now.
Gosh, this looks so gorgeous on your pictures. I don't like the cover at all, but these pics *stares* DUUUUDE. I disliked Isabel and Cole both at first since I wanted more of my art and muse, but nope. *shakes head* NOOOPE. They became my favorite thing ad I'm so going to devour this. M.U.S.I.C!!! That is all. I love Maggie's writing. It's just pure freakin' magic. Ha! The banter between them is so adorbs and lol! I love them together so hard. Food? OK. So going to read this hahaha. Oh, it looks so gorgeous naked too. OH WELL. I love that you loved this lovely love story. Yeah. Love. Funny thing.
I'm actually with you! Originally I didn't like the cover…. I liked the US one, with the claw marks and the gold and white. Buuut, I've kind of been converted and now I DO kind of love this cover. XD I know, right?!! Cole and Isabel fast become like top of the book. Isabel was awful at first and Cole was a real stinker. BUT THEN THEIR AWESOMENESS EXPLODED ALL OVER THE PLACE.
I love love LOVE Sinner. Maggie Stiefvater is my favourite writer EVER. I love Isabel so much ♥ The phone call with Sam.. I CAN'T EVEN.And the book dedicated to ME.
SHE IS THE BEST WRITER EVER. That phone call??!! OH THE BEST. And Sam's like "Don't bite people." And Cole is like "Oh didn't think of that. I'm going to do it now."XD
Ah, now I'm going to HAVE to read the trilogy AND Sinner!! It sounds completely amazing…especially if it's inspiring you to write! Last time I read a book that made me want to do Great Things (which include writing of course) was when I read Vote for Larry by Janet Tashjian…it may not have been your typical awesomesauce book but it was really inspiring – which is always something to go on, right?
YES. YES YOU ARE. It is absolutely amazing and I'm just still on a sort of I-just-read-an-amazing-book high. I loooove inspiring books, and you're right! They don't necessary have to be the "most awesome thing ever", its just they get those creative juices flowing and BOOM. No stopping you.
Music? Ooo, yay! I haven't read the series. I have an essay. A fabulous essay I have to complete. And trig summer homework. My summer's ruined!!!! *says bye-bye to summer*I'm behind schedule again. Last awesomous book? um… I don't know. I think it was Gilded that got the glorious 5 stars. Did it? I'm at a public computer – moi can't access moi spreadsheet. Dx
Aw, sorry your summer is kind of swamped. That would suck. SUMMER IS FOR HOLIDAYS NOT SCHOOL WORK. But hey, yay for Gilded! I was pretty pumped because last week I gave Sinner and Dangerous Girls both 5-stars. Talk about brain-overload of awesomeness.
Your post has interested me. I'm thinking I'll have to read those books now. But the Rai-Kirah trilogy, by Carol Berg, were the last books I really loved. I BREATHED those books for a week.
Ohhh, I want to check out the Ria-Kirah trilogy now because seriously, I KNOW how that feels! These books kind of just engulf you, right?!!
I WILL READ THIS SERIES ONE DAY. ONE DAY I WILL I PROMISE. But look at you, you lucky duck, getting Sinner so soon!!!
YOU WILL. YOU MUST. I WILL KIND OF BREATH DOWN YOUR NECK UNTIL YOU DO.
I… need to read this book. Actually, I need to read this whole series! …but it may be a while before I get around to doing so because I foolishly checked out 30+ books at the library and now I'm racing to finish as many as possible in the eight weeks I have before they must go back. xD
You do! You do! Although it is pretty different from her other books. It's more character than plot orientated, but still I loooved it. It's just her writing that completely grabs me. HA. 30 books?! You're insane. 😉
I will admit: I never actually planned on reading this one. I know, I know. But it's been ages since I've read the SHIVER trilogy, and I just didn't think that I would be able to get into this. But you've convinced me. Ideally I would love to re-read the SHIVER trilogy because in all honesty I don't much remember what happens … but I really don't think I'll have the time. But now I definitely plan on reading this one. 🙂
Ah, I'm good. I'm very very good. XD I actually borrowed Shiver from the library again and I hope I can steal a minute to reread it because I just FEEL like revisiting Sam and Grace too. I loved them.
I have Sinner on order at Dymocks…it comes out on Sunday…SO EXCITED!!!The only issue…Silver Shadows comes out two days later…I'm gonna have such a book-hangover from Sinner, but I need Silver Shadows (I still have a bit of a book-hangover from Fiery Heart, and I read that months ago).I'm also super excited for Blue Lily, Lily Blue. I loved Raven Boys even more than I loved Shiver, and that's saying something.
OMG YES YES BE SO EXCITED YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. I haven't started the series with Silver Shadows but the hype is literally everywhere. It makes me curious. Hehe.
I love the Raven Boys series so far, and Scorpio Races was excellent. I haven't read Shiver or any others of that trilogy (I've heard from several sources that it's mushy and disgusting, but if you say otherwise I'll give it a try), nor have I read Lament (which Miriam Joy claims is the best thing since Poe, or at least that it jump-started her writing enthusiasm). Should I read them all? I think I know your answer already.
Hheh, okay, to be honest, I think the dialogue is the BEST part of Shiver. I think they might be too "fluffy" for you? Lament/Ballad are BRILLIANT, but Ballad more so (which is the 2nd). Lament is also fairly mushy. XD
Okay. I'll keep it in mind for when I finish reading these two bricks of epic fantasy I have.
"Cole and Isabel are knife and fire." Yes, this exactly! I love it. I love the love/hate thing they've always had and how it manifested itself in this novel. I've never read a Maggie Stiefvater novel I didn't like.
They're love/hate is the best I've ever seen it written. You have to do it perfectly to pull it off to supreme awesome, right?! Maggie Stiefvater ALWAYS does it.
You have no idea how bad I want this book. I loved this series so much and Cole and Isabel were my favourites and I am just so glad that Maggie wrote this book! I'm glad you enjoyed it too, I know, know I'm going to love it. Thanks for sharing this review, your reviews are always so awesome 🙂
Don't worry, I DO I DO KNOW HOW BADLY YOU NEED IT. That's how I felt when I knew it was coming out. I just neeeeeded it more than anything in the world. IT DOES NOT DISAPPOINT I PROMISE YOU.
Ha! Number 1 is a pretty legit reason. and if it has food, count me in. lolI can't drop everything to pick it up.. but I will start it super soon. Promise. 🙂 I've been super slacky with reading the last couple weeks cause I've been working on a trailer, but it's done now, so back on the horse I go! 🙂 I"m so glad you loved it.. I was nervous, cause it's kind of a spin off , but i'm not nervous anymore. 🙂
I've never read anything from Maggie…. *hides*Sorry, okay? I just haven't…but the lot of you love her, and I know I'll get to her books soon, and I would probably be gushing like you, and be one of the readers that are always there… ~ Dre @ Sporadic Reads
I haven't read the series 🙁 But I love that it sounds like it's worth reading (and fangirling) over. Who needs a normalised review when they get to read this beauty? Haha great review, Cait.
This series is awesome. It's not as good as Raven Boys, probably, but I still love it to absolute pieces.
Just like you, I'm a HUGE fan of Maggie Stiefvater! I LOVE her writing, the characters, EVERYTHING! I've been dying to get my hands on this one, I peed my pants when I heard she was releasing a new book! Awesome post!Lisa
SHE IS BRILLIANT, IS SHE NOT?? I'm sooo freakishly excited for Lily Blue Blue Lily now. XD
Hehe, #1 is my most favourite reason, basically. CALL ME BIASED: but I love everything she writes. Also = food makes it an insta-awesome book. There is just something about pie, really, that calls to me and demands I pay attention.
WHAT. Dre, you must fix this! You must! You must! (And I forgive you, hehe. I haven't read a LOT of books that everyone raves over.)
YES I'm definitely going to read Sinner now! You know how to convince a girl. 😉 I was going to read this next next but I think I might just read this next. Gosh I'm just getting more excited as I type this comment! Music, dual perspectives and FOOD?! Like this just all sounds so extremely perfect! Absolutely amazing review Cait!
OKAY! You've convinced me! I am getting this and then I am finally going to read the first 3 books, especially since I have owned them all for ages. I hope I end up loving them all as much as you do. It's about time I finally read some of Maggie's books, especially after how much you rave about her books. I'm really excited for this series now!!! EEEEEEP =D
Wow Cait, it sounds like you have a lot of love for this book which is awesome! I got this in the mail as well and I'm really looking forward to reading it, because I loved Wolves of Mercy Falls too and Cole and Isabel were such an interesting couple. Even more interesting than Sam and Grace. I love this new list format you've written up!
I seriously enjoyed this one as well. I am actually glad that there wasn't really any Sam and Grace.
What ever happened to Sam and Graces story line?
Do you know happened to Sam and Graces story line?
Not sure what you mean! Sam and Grace’s original trilogy is the 3 Mercy Falls books. Then they head off to college while Cole/Isabel feature here.