Title: Forever (Wolves of Mercy Falls, Book 3) 
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: July 12, 2011
Hardcover: 400 pages
Where’d I Get It: ARC from the Publisher

Synopsis (From Goodreads): In Maggie Stiefvater’s SHIVER, Grace and Sam found each other. In LINGER, they fought to be together. Now, in FOREVER, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.

My Thoughts: It’s taken me a while to really form my thoughts on this book, and still I can’t really pinpoint exactly what it is that I want to express.  I’ve waited for it since readingLinger last year…and my love of Ms. Stiefvater’s writing combined with the anticipation for the end of the series was enough to make me truly excited.  Unfortunately, though I loved both Shiver and Linger, Forever fell a little flat for me.  The prose, while usually gorgeous from this author, seemed forced.  The plot moved forward at such a quick pace that events appeared rushed and fairly artificial, though not so much that you couldn’t get passed it and at least follow along without too much disbelief.  Sam seems to have gone from a strong individual to a mopey whiner and Grace’s parents make a token appearance in a way that makes it seem like they were thrown in there just to make sure the reader knew they’d not dropped off the face of the earth. Despite all that, I did enjoy the book.  There are parts where the real flow is apparent and the beautiful writing that made me fall in love with the series tugs you in, so I definitely do not regret reading the book.

I will say, though, that the ending left me completely stunned.  I truly don’t even know what to say about it in a review that 1) won’t be too spoilerish and 2) won’t sound like I’m just fussing to fuss.  I didn’t like it one bit and I feel like things were not wrapped up.  The end of a series should not be a semi-cliffhanger.

For fans of the series, obviously you should read this book.  Don’t expect everything to be tied up with a nice little bow, though.

Rating: 3 of 5