Sinner by Maggie Stiefvater

Maggie Stiefvater is impressive in the many roles she plays.  She is, of course, a YA author whose novels include The Scorpio Races, The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Cycle, Lament, and most recently:  Sinner, which is described as a stand-alone companion book to the Shiver Trilogy.  

What might be lesser known is that Stiefvater is a wife and mother, a talented artist, and a musician, in addition to her role as author.  I love her music, and if you go to the link about her art, scroll down to "The Cat with a Pearl Earring."




So...Sinner.  Because I only read the first novel in The Shiver Trilogy, and that was several years ago, the stories of Cole St. Clair and Isabel Culpepper were not familiar to me. 

 Nevertheless, the novel does function as a stand-alone, and as I read I became involved with the rock star playboy with addiction problems and the aloof Isabel, who loves, but doesn't trust him.  Cole comes to California after some time in rehab with the intention of making a fresh start with Isabel.  Only problem--he has agreed to be part of a reality tv show in which the stars of the previous shows have all lost it.  Will he succumb to the temptations of alcohol and drugs and women?  Will Isabel be able to trust him enough to support him?

On finishing The Shiver Trilogy, Stiefvater said she would never return to Mercy Falls, but then, on a visit to L.A., she decided that a werewolf in that city would interesting.  Satisfied with the stories of the main characters in the first novels, she decided to turn to Cole and Isabel, and she said she had a blast doing it. 

My favorite remains The Raven Cycle, and the latest in that series is Blue Lily, Lily Blue, which is due out in October.  I'm eagerly awaiting this one.

Awards:  The Scorpio Races was named Michael L. Printz Honor Book by the American Library Association and The Raven Boys was selected by Publishers Weekly as a Best Book of the Year.  

NetGalley/Scholastic

YA/Paranormal.  July 1, 2014.  Print length:  368 pages.