The saga of the wolves of Mercy Falls comes to an end with Maggie Stiefvater’s Forever (Scholastic 2011).  I savored every moment of this book, from the matching red cover and red font to the alternating points of view.  Sam, Grace, Isabel, and Cole give shifting points of view that continuously advance the story all the way to the end.

Sam is trapped helplessly in his human body while Grace is relentlessly torn between human and wolf forms.  Sam can tell no one what really happened when Grace disappeared, and he must face the accusations of Grace’s parents and the local police.  Is his love enough to save them both?

If it’s not, Cole is pouring his desperate energy into finding answers–any answers that will bring Sam and Grace back together before it’s too late and they have to say goodbye forever.  Isabel can’t stay away, but pushes Cole away at every opportunity.  Behind it all, their desperation grows as Tom Culpepper makes plans to take out the entire pack.  He won’t rest until the wolves are dead.

Just like Shiver and Linger, Forever is a love story written with haunting beauty.  I’m sad to see it end, but looking forward to Maggie Stiefvater’s next project.