Review: DRIVE by Stephanie Fournet
I have loved everything I’ve read from Stephanie Fournet, and DRIVE did not disa[...]
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic
Release Date: September 18, 2012
Format: Advance Reader Copy
Source: Publisher
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Paranormal
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound
“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”
It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.
Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.
His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.
From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before. (Goodreads)
I’ve been having a hard time putting words to my thoughts of The Raven Boys. I’ll do my best to review the book, and not just write a love letter to Maggie Stiefvater’s writing. The Raven Boys is so different from her other books, yet very Maggie. The writing is beautiful, but it’s not written in the lyrical prose like I was expecting, and the story is written in third-person from four perspectives. I’m a huge – HUGE – fan of Maggie’s writing. I love her lyrical prose, her descriptions, and most of all, her fantastic characters, which usually tell the story in the first-person. So I have to admit these differences concerned me in the beginning, but I decided to trust Maggie’s writing, sit back, and enjoy the ride… and I did!
I never rush through Maggie’s books; they’re my save for a rainy day, curl up with a blanket and savor books. So I took my time with The Raven Boys. Though it didn’t immediately grip me, I was intrigued by the story, which is dark and magical, and slowly builds as you learn about the characters, their intentions, and the magic. As usual, I was amazed by how Maggie observed and perfectly described the settings and presented her characters.
The characters are deeply layered and complex. I instantly liked Blue and her family of clairvoyants. I loved Gansey, and getting to know the different sides of him. I loved the friendship between Gansey and Adam, Ronan, and Noah… and how he brings these drastically different people together. By the end of the book, I too had become fascinated by ley lines, and wanted to meet up with them all at Nino’s (their local pizza joint) to discuss them, Henrietta and the quest for Glendower, siblings, life, whatever.
I’m so excited for this new series! The last line of The Raven Boys has me dying for the next book. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the gang! Check out the trailer, created by Maggie herself, below and be sure to add this to your TBR list for fall.
Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
[…] be on this list if I hadn’t read them already: Time Between Us by Tamara Ireland Stone, The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, and Ten by Gretchen McNiel. So you should add them to your TBR list if […]
I’m so happy that you enjoyed The Raven Boys! This was actually my WoW for this week and I don’t know what to expect because I’ve never read a book by Maggie Stiefvater! 🙂
Thanks for your review~!
Amber Elise @ Du Livre
Amber Elise recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday [#23]
Hmmm, Maggie writing in third person, I think I might like that. And the story sounds great so I’ll definitely pick this one up!
Heather McCorkle recently posted..Contest Winners & Sale News
Twitter: thebookbuff
says:
This book sounds so good! I love a good paranormal book with a different storyline from all the other cookie cutter crap out there 🙂 Thanks for the heads up on this awesome book. I love the cover too!
-Kate the Book Buff
Recent Post: Good Golly Miss Molly! Review: When It Happens to You by Molly Ringwald
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
This is definitely new and fresh paranormal (at least it is to me)! I’m headed over to read your review for When it Happens to You, I’m dying to read it!
Jen recently posted..The Sunday Post (17): Book Haul & Blog News
I’m looking forward to reading this one!
Meg @ A Bookish Affair recently posted..Review: Flying Lessons by H. Lovelyn Bettison
I’m really curious about this book. I wasn’t a fan of the Shiver series, but I LOVED Scorpio Races, so I’m not sure which way I’ll feel about this one. I hope I love it though 🙂 Based on your review, it sounds pretty good.
Book Light Graveyard
Karen @ Book Light Graveyard recently posted..Review: A Midsummer Tights Dream
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
I LOVED The Scorpio Races too, more than the Shiver series. I didn’t love this one as much as TSR, but it’s definitely a great story, and I’m really excited that there’s 3 more books coming in this series! You definitely should read it, I hope you love it too!
Jen recently posted..The Sunday Post (17): Book Haul & Blog News
Twitter: kimbacaffeinate
says:
eep, this is so on my wishlist..I love your review of this and so glad you enjoyed it!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted..The City’s Son by Tom Pollock ~Release Day Review
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
Thanks! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it, so I hope you read it soon!
Jen recently posted..The Sunday Post (17): Book Haul & Blog News
I need to read this. Like yesterday.
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Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
Yup! Hurry up. 😉
Jen recently posted..The Sunday Post (17): Book Haul & Blog News
I wasn’t the biggest fan of Shiver but I did love The Scorpio Races. I’m hoping The Raven Boys will provide a similar experience.
Isn’t it great when you find those authors you absolutely love? There’s a few that I always preorder their books but then find myself waiting to read them because I want to “save” them.
Christa @ Hooked on Books recently posted..Doctor Who Watch a Thon Season 3×12 "The Last of the Time Lords"
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
I think you’ll enjoy this more than Shiver! This was definitely one I wanted to save, and then not rush through.
Jen recently posted..The Sunday Post (17): Book Haul & Blog News
Twitter: fakesteph
says:
I loved this one so much… OMG RONAN… I need more Ronan. And you’re right… Maggie’s books are good for savoring. I am dying for the rest of this series.
fakesteph recently posted..The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Twitter: bookandlatte
says:
I know, right!? I think there will be a lot more Ronan in the next book based on the last line…. Can’t wait!