When I reviewed Shiver, the first book in the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater, I wrote that the book was everything the Twilight series should have been.  Now that I’ve finished Linger – the second entry in the Mercy Falls trilogy – I realize these books don’t just compare to another popular Young Adult series, they set the standard for the best of writing within the entire genre.

Linger continues the story of Sam, a pensive, earnest young man, and Grace, the resourceful, independent girl he loves.  They’ve done everything to be together, and yet Linger finds them having to face more unexpected challenges to their future.

As with Shiver, Sam and Grace, along with friend Isabel and newcomer Cole, are written as complex, complete characters.  Stiefvater gives us a compelling back story on each, and they grow and change and work through hardships the way you expect real people would.  Though the book’s premise rests on the existence of werewolves, Stiefvater handles it with a smart eye for the humanity in the situation, making it seem strangely normal.  And the bond that exists between Sam and Grace is less teen drama and hormones and more sincere emotion.  I found myself aching and breathless at the end of the book.

More Young Adults authors should follow Stiefvater’s lead by offering strong writing (which – incidentally – she accomplishes without any unsavory language or PG-13 scenes), an intelligent, developed plot, and real, mature emotion.  Linger has all of these in spades.