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author, book, book reviews, books, characters, fantasy, fiction, Maggie Stiefvater, Mercy Falls, Netgalley, novel, read, reader, review, romance, Sinner, werewolf, werewolves, writer, YA, young adult
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy
Pages: 368
I won another book from Netgalley! (I was also approved for The Iron Trial by Cassandra Clare and Holly Black, but I can’t post a review until next month, 30 days before its release date.)
I haven’t read the trilogy, but you don’t have to, Sinner stands on its own.
Sinner is billed as a fantasy, (and Cole is a werewolf) but Sinner’s really more of a romance. The werewolf part isn’t all that important to the plot and is easily ignorable, so don’t pass on this book just because of the werewolves.
SUMMARY: (By Molly.)
Cole used to be a popular music singer, but after a drug overdose on stage he’s stayed out of the public eye for over a year. He decided to take a job creating an album on a reality TV show so he can go to LA and see Isabel again.
Isabel has just graduated high school. She has a job at a fancy designer’s store and she’s taking classes to get her CNA in nursing, because it will help her get into med school. She’s good at not caring about anyone. The last thing she expected was for Cole to turn up at her work, bringing all her old feelings back.
MY REVIEW:
This was my first book by Maggie Stiefvater. She has a unique voice and has an interesting use of similes. I liked the way she describes things. Perhaps because of the wolves in this book, everything is described in scents. LA was beautifully pictured. It was like the city was a character in the book. She really puts the reader into the scene. (Molly moves the Raven Boys up on her to read list.)
I thought she depicted accurately what it must be like inside the mind of a recovered drug addict. I loved all the little inside jokes the characters had and the nicknames they had for places and things. (Isabel’s House of Dismay and Ruin.)
Cole and Isabel knew each other before Sinner, (In the trilogy I’m guessing.) but it didn’t feel like I missed anything. They had feelings for each other before, but in this book we’re there for the start of their relationship and its growth.
They’re not your typical protagonists, but surprisingly they’re both likable. Even though Isabel can come off as cold and unfeeling and Cole uses people like they’re objects. They both still have someone who shows they can be kind. Cole is nice to his driver Leon for no reason other than the man seems unhappy and Isabel cares about her cousin Sofia and wishes she’d learn to stand up for herself. I liked both Sofia and Leon. Sofia reminded me of myself, except she can cook. (This book sure made me hungry!)
The characters really grew into themselves and it was done so subtly as to be believable. They were still the same people, but stronger.
I’m torn when it comes to epilogues that take place years after the story, but I felt that Sinner needed one and was made all the better for it.
Though Sinner isn’t an action book it’s fast paced and not at all boring. I read it in one day, so that tells you something! I’d recommend Sinner to fans of romance books.
8/10 Stars
My favorite quote:
I only knew that my heart was galloping so fast that my fingers were numb. Logically, I knew it was just from surprise, but I didn’t know if it was like Surprise, here is a cake or Surprise, you’ve had a stroke.
Great review! I haven’t read any of Maggie Stiefvater’s books either, but I’ve heard they are very good. I have read the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, either, but I’m glad you mentioned those didn’t need to be read in order to read this one. I think I may have to check this one out after all!
Thank you! I’ve heard a lot about her books too. Wolves of Mercy Falls and The Raven Boys. Yeah, I was afraid it being a 3.5 in a series I wouldn’t understand it. I think that was smart of her to write it as a standalone. I hope that you enjoy it. 🙂
I didn’t want to read too much of this in case of mild spoilers since I haven’t read Sinner yet, but I recommend reading the original trilogy, The Wolves of Mercy Falls. 🙂 It was really well done and though I haven’t read the trilogy in years, I remember loving it to pieces. Maggie Stiefvater is a wonderful writer with great characters. I’m hoping to jump into her Dream Thieves series soon, too.
I’m always careful about spoilers in my reviews, but I understand looking forward to a book so much that I don’t want to know anything before I read it. 🙂
I really enjoyed Stiefvater’s writing in Sinner and I moved the Raven Boys up on my to read list. I actually own Shiver, but I’m saving it for the read-a-thon next month. Have you read Raven Boys? I hear it’s good.
Thanks for stopping by.
I agree for all their faults I still adored both characters.
Some times the best characters are seriously flawed. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Maggie Stiefvater is one of my favorite authors ever! You should totally read the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy to get the full story and I HIGHLY recommend The Raven Boys.
I’ve been hearing about her for a while now, but somehow I always chose another book. I’m glad Netgalley gave me the chance to read one of her books. I think I’m going to read Shiver for my dusting of the shelf read a thon this month, but the Raven Boys are on my list too. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂