Dickens & Rumi
Cover of LINGER

book

LINGER

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Maggie Stiefvater

Is LINGER appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

The teenage werewolves of "Shiver" face a new test of love and loyalty.

Ages 13+Book 2 · The Shiver TrilogySource checked

Why this age? The novel combines sustained supernatural peril, illness and death-related themes, family distress, emotionally intense romance, kissing, and some mature relationship situations. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Where to get it

Find in a libraryBuy on Bookshop.orgBuy on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate and Bookshop.org affiliate, Dickens & Rumi may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceAges 13+
Strongest cautionsRomance 4/5 · Death of a character 3/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Creativity & curiosity 4/5
Series positionBook 2 · The Shiver Trilogy
Recommendation3.5/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: romance.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

The novel combines sustained supernatural peril, illness and death-related themes, family distress, emotionally intense romance, kissing, and some mature relationship situations. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Courage & resilience; strongest caution: romance.

Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 13+Main watch-out: Romance 4/5
Recommendation 3.5/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
16Scored categories
16Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Oct 31, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth16 scored categories16 evidence notes
Show Wikipedia summary

Open to load a short Wikipedia summary.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age13+

Strongest cautions

  • Romance4/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Good role models3/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 3 · ForeverStrongest cautions: Romance 5/5 · Death of a character 3/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · SHIVERAges 13+
    Romance5/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Graphic injury2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Violence2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Strong language1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · LINGERAges 13+
    Romance4/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Graphic injury1/5LGBTQIA characters1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same
  3. Book 3 · Forever
    Romance5/5Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5Sexual content & nudity2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5
    About the same

Keep going

What should you do next?

One review should lead naturally to the next useful choice.

Lower cautionsTry something gentlerThe last presentOpen review →Similar fitCompare another titleEONACompare →Keep browsingSearch for another bookUse age, interests, vibe, or content preferences.Search →

Similar, with lighter cautions

Want something gentler?

These reviewed titles have overlapping age guidance and a lower total caution score than LINGER. Open each review for the details.

BOOKThe last presentWendy Mass · 2013Ages 10+13 points lighter on published cautionsBOOKA Prisoner in FairylandAlgernon Blackwood · 1913Ages 10+13 points lighter on published cautionsSKANDAR AND THE PHANTOM RIDERA.F. SteadmanAges 10+7 points lighter on published cautionsSKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEFA.F. SteadmanAges 10+6 points lighter on published cautions

What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

The threat of death is a central plot element, with some passing of secondary characters implied or occurring.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Brief, non-gratuitous descriptions of injuries sustained by wolves.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Contains very mild occasional expletives consistent with YA fiction.

LGBTQIA characters1/5
Why this rating?

Minor representation within the supporting cast.

Romance4/5
Why this rating?

The central plot is an intense teen romance involving love, separation, longing, kissing, and relationship conflict.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

Threatening werewolves, pursuit, dangerous transformations, illness, and fear of losing loved ones create sustained tension.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Contains teen-appropriate romantic longing, kissing, and mild suggestive themes.

Alcohol or drugs2/5
Why this rating?

Infrequent, non-glamorized references to alcohol use among minor characters.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Includes some moderate physical altercations and life-threatening situations involving wolf packs and hunters.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters repeatedly face danger, illness, loss, family pressure, and difficult choices with persistence and bravery.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Highly imaginative take on werewolf mythology and lyrical prose style.

Diverse representation2/5
Why this rating?

Characters are portrayed with individual agency, though the core focus is narrow in scope.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Incidental focus on botany and biology, used mainly for atmosphere and world-building.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Care, loyalty, protection, and empathy are recurring values, although characters sometimes respond poorly under stress.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

The story emphasizes loyalty, communication, responsibility, resilience, consent, and accepting others despite fear or difference.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Protagonists show resilience and dedication, though they face complex and often flawed choices.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did relationships or romance affect the characters’ choices?
  3. Which choice in LINGER would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in LINGER, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

Community signal

Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

Add your perspective

Sign in from the homepage to rate this title.

If you liked this

Try something nearby

Related by age fit, format, and catalogue context.

You’re hereLINGER
EONAAlison GoodmanAges 14+EONAlison GoodmanAges 13+LIGHTLARK SAGAAlex AsterAges 14+CEMETERY BOYSAiden ThomasAges 14+

These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

Something wrong with this guide? Report age, caution, series, cover, or title issues.