Book Review: Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: Sinner (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3.5)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic
Publishing Date: July 1st 2014
Length: 357 pages
Keywords: YA, romance, paranormal, werewolves, music, Los Angeles
Source: Bought

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?

Summary by Goodreads

The thing about SINNER is that you can't start this book expecting perfect characters who engage in uncomplicated conversations and who get in situations that unmistakably lead to a happy ending.
   There's so much about this novel that isn't conventional that you just have to bow to Maggie Stiefvater for being the writer that she is. Mostly she just lets her characters live their complicated and strange lives. Sometimes though, in exactly the right moments and in between cookie breaks, Maggie decides to nudge them in the right direction. The direction towards every reader's heart that is.
   Also, Maggie Stiefvater writes atmosphere and scenery like few others. If she needed it for her story she'd just rip the hot concrete out of L.A. and put it into her novel to function as a racing track for Cole and his favourite Mustang. This novel practically smells like L.A.

SINNER didn't at all feel like the previous three books in the SHIVER trilogy. Set in L.A., it is hot and there are no woods. This is city life with its masses of anonymous people searching for fame and fortune. SINNER works as a standalone. Nevertheless, I'd recommend reading SHIVER, LINGER and FOREVER first. Cole and Isabel share a past that is quite important for their story. Or at least their story feels way more substantial and meaningful if you know about what happened before.
   Fans of the THE WOLVES OF MERCY FALLS series will be happy to hear what Grace and Sam have been up to.

SINNER wasn't as much about the wolves as the SHIVER trilogy, and more about Cole's new life in L.A. and Isabel trying to find her place in life, too.

   A big part of the story is dedicated to the show buisness, how Cole is producing a new album or making up lyrics in his head. And for that he's required to play his part in a reality TV show. The Cole St. Clair show is on. I wasn't opposed to the idea of a reality TV show being backdrop for our story, and seeing how Maggie made it a part of Cole's story, it worked for me. It was all about fully embracing the L.A. lifestyle. The acquaintances and friends Cole makes, bring another edge of non-conformity to the story. Refreshing and laugh-out-loud funny dialogues are guaranteed!

Cole and Isabel are both messy, slightly broken characters with enormously fragmented pasts. In their imperfection they find happiness and they somehow fit together even with their sharp edges.

  They both have quick tempers and are hurt easily, so there will be many bumps in the road to their happy ending. It wasn't as dark in Cole's head as before though and I was positively surprised at how much he wanted his relationship with Isabel to work. 

   With exactly the right amount of shirtless Cole and passionate kisses in non-camera-equipped shower stalls, Maggie Stiefvater brings back my favourite couple from her SHIVER trilogy and gives them a second chance at finding a way to each other.

5/5 ***** SINNER - If you loved Cole St. Clair in THE WOLVES OF MERCY FALLS series you are probably going to propose to him after you've read SINNER!

After years of longing, hoping and wishing, Maggie Stiefvater presented her loyal readers with the ending for Cole and Isabel's story they have literally been waiting for since FOREVER. You can look forward to a few weeks in Los Angeles with your favourite rock star and dive into the glamorous world of music and reality TV. Cole and Isabel's reckless, messy and passionate love story invites readers to devour SINNER in record reading time.

"I can't change the way I'm made. I'm a performer, a singer, a werewolf, a sinner.

Just because I'm singing it for a crowd doesn't make it untrue.

If we make it through this alive, I'm going to tell you the truth of why. And this time you had better believe me.

I came back for you, Isabel." ― p. 2

SINNER you might enjoy the THE WOLVES OF MERCY FALLS series and find out more about Cole and Isabel's lives before they meet again in Los Angeles.

* Have you started Maggie Stiefvater's THE RAVEN BOYS yet?

* Click here for an excerpt of SINNER.

* You can watch the SINNER book trailer here.

* Want to meet Maggie? Check out her event schedule.

* For more information about Maggie and her books visit www.maggiestiefvater.com.