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greytome's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Has very diverse set of characters (age-/personality-/background-wise), all of them are so real you think of them as people and not as fictional characters. They all constantly evolve and though the plot is as much fantasy as it gets, they still also have a lot of conversations I'll never be able to get out of my head again.
Writing style couldn't be more poetic, funny and poignant.
Also, this genre, where the main characters are basically just a bunch of teenagers who are beyond their age on the inside and still teenagers and this untangible group of something bigger than just friends, somehow facing the world and scary magic stuff together is just too underrated.
Writing style couldn't be more poetic, funny and poignant.
Also, this genre, where the main characters are basically just a bunch of teenagers who are beyond their age on the inside and still teenagers and this untangible group of something bigger than just friends, somehow facing the world and scary magic stuff together is just too underrated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Violence
jojo_fiction_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
4.5 stars
“‘Is that all?’ she whispered.
Gansey closed his eyes. ‘That's all there is.’”
Blue Sargent comes from a family of psychics, but her own abilities are limited to amplifying the powers of others. On the feast of St. Mark, while helping her aunt speak to the spirits of those who are to die within the next 12 months, she sees a spirit for the first time. The spirit of a boy named Gansey. The problem is, when a non-seer sees a spirit, it means one of two things: they are either their true love, or they are the ones who kill them.
Gansey is a student at the elite private school Aglionby. Despite the prestigious lifestyles of those around him, Gansey is only interested in one thing: finding the lost tomb of the Welsh King Glendower. He and his friends, Adam, Ronan and Noah, take their search to the local psychic’s home. There, these mysterious boys and their quest draw Blue in, and their fates become tangled together in a web full of mysteries and magic.
————————————
This wasn't my first time reading this book. I had tried when I was younger when it was just getting popular, but I guess I was just too young to fully absorb what was happening. However, I am so glad I decided to give it another shot.
This book was really good! However, it was a bit slow plot wise at the start. Stiefvater takes her time making sure we are properly introduced to the characters, and their dynamics with each other, before really moving us along to focus more on the plot. Now, I personally love character based stories, so I didn't mind the slow start to the action. But if you are someone who likes a little more focus on plot/action as opposed to the characters, this might not be your cup of tea, or it just might be harder for you to get into.
In terms of the style, Stiefvater has such a wonderful way with words that really draws you in. I love books that make me feel enveloped by a feeling of magic and mystery and The Raven Boys makes even the more mundane aspects of the town feel like it is covered in magic.
I also enjoy it when fantasy books have a magic system that is off putting and doesn't make logical sense all the time. It's not all sunshine and rainbows. In this case it's ghosts and spirits, stepping out of linear time, and trees that speak Latin to you.
Stiefvater gives us characters that we can't help but love. They all have good intentions, and care deeply about each other, but are dealing with different levels of pain or toxic environments that cause them to make decisions that often clash with each other. The friendships are really what sell this story. The playful dynamics that start with the 4 boys are increased when Blue joins the mix. All of these characters are closed off in one way or another, and I can't wait to see how they slowly open up to each other and further flesh out these already amazing characters. My only critique of the characters is that of Blue’s characterization. I'm not quite sure how I feel about her, but the way she is portrayed can sometimes come across as “not like other girls”. Which could just be due to the trends that were around when this book was released, but I'm still hoping she will become more developed as the series goes on.
My only critique of the book’s writing itself would be the difference in pacing from the beginning and the end, as I mentioned before. By putting such a focus on the characters in the beginning, when the plot starts to pick up it is a noticeable change that might be jarring to readers.
All in all, I can't wait to read the next book, especially since we get to see more of Ronan’s character (who I have a feeling will become my favourite character).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Murder, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Death, and Gun violence
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
rafacolog's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Blood
readwithsarah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wasn't sure what to expect going into this series and it wasn't quite what I thought, but I enjoyed it! The plot is interesting and I like Blue's character. The vibes are a lot darker than I initially thought, but I was intrigued and engaged throughout.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Minor: Suicide attempt and Death
takarakei's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A good start to a series. I knew going in that this is a “vibes” book which helped, and it’s a relatively fast read. Even so there’s a couple chapters I was confused by being included that seem to be extraneous. Overall a lot of short chapters which I like.
This gave me definite call backs to The Whispering Dark which I feel like is a lesser known ya fantasy stand-alone that if you liked this you would probably love.
I look forward to continuing the series as I hear it gets better with each book.
This gave me definite call backs to The Whispering Dark which I feel like is a lesser known ya fantasy stand-alone that if you liked this you would probably love.
I look forward to continuing the series as I hear it gets better with each book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Classism, Murder, and Gun violence
Minor: Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Misogyny, and Suicide attempt
kitfkat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Murder
crustysourdough's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Murder and Death
jombienerd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence
Moderate: Murder
askirmishofwit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
2023 Review:
I stand by what Past Emma said about this book.
Also the audiobook narrator is fantastic for this series so would highly recommend that.
—-
2015 Review:
You know the feeling when you're not quite sure what you read but you find yourself hooked and wanting more all the same? That, in a nutshell, was my experience of reading <i>The Raven Boys</i>. I'd seen this book everywhere on Booktube but what intrigued me most about it was the lack of detail people seemed to be able to give about it in their mini synopses - I now understand why. Saying house of psychics, searching for ley lines, an orange Camaro, Glendower, public school boys, and Latin all seems like an incongruous puzzle that couldn't possibly fit together, but it turns out that, in Maggie Stiefvater's hands, it does.
What impressed me most about this book is that it's the kind of odd and quirky and ridiculous that you honestly just fall into its world and then you're along for the ride, no matter what twist is thrown at you next. The pacing is perfectly controlled (I read this in the space of two days when I definitely had other things to do) and the characters are pleasingly different and distinguishable from each other. It would have been easy for some of the eponymous "raven boys" to blend into one another but, no, each stands on his own merit even if I do find myself wanting to shake some sense into each and every one of them - I'm mostly looking at you, Adam. And of course I like Gansey, even though I'm 99.9% certain that he's designed for everyone to fall for him. What can I say, well-spoken little rich boys who search for ancient Welsh kings in their free time and casually use words like "repugnant", that's "my type", apparently.
I spent a lot of time whilst reading muttering "no, no, don't, please no" and "wait... what?!?" at this book so if that isn't a ringing endorsement of how much <I>The Raven Boys</I> draws you into its world (even despite your better judgement), then I don't know what is.
[4.5/5 stars]
PS- If the blurb puts you off this book because it makes the narrative seem romance heavy, don't believe it, it lies. This is so much more than just a girl called Blue pining after pretty boys she can't kiss, though that is a shame in itself.
I stand by what Past Emma said about this book.
Also the audiobook narrator is fantastic for this series so would highly recommend that.
—-
2015 Review:
You know the feeling when you're not quite sure what you read but you find yourself hooked and wanting more all the same? That, in a nutshell, was my experience of reading <i>The Raven Boys</i>. I'd seen this book everywhere on Booktube but what intrigued me most about it was the lack of detail people seemed to be able to give about it in their mini synopses - I now understand why. Saying house of psychics, searching for ley lines, an orange Camaro, Glendower, public school boys, and Latin all seems like an incongruous puzzle that couldn't possibly fit together, but it turns out that, in Maggie Stiefvater's hands, it does.
What impressed me most about this book is that it's the kind of odd and quirky and ridiculous that you honestly just fall into its world and then you're along for the ride, no matter what twist is thrown at you next. The pacing is perfectly controlled (I read this in the space of two days when I definitely had other things to do) and the characters are pleasingly different and distinguishable from each other. It would have been easy for some of the eponymous "raven boys" to blend into one another but, no, each stands on his own merit even if I do find myself wanting to shake some sense into each and every one of them - I'm mostly looking at you, Adam. And of course I like Gansey, even though I'm 99.9% certain that he's designed for everyone to fall for him. What can I say, well-spoken little rich boys who search for ancient Welsh kings in their free time and casually use words like "repugnant", that's "my type", apparently.
I spent a lot of time whilst reading muttering "no, no, don't, please no" and "wait... what?!?" at this book so if that isn't a ringing endorsement of how much <I>The Raven Boys</I> draws you into its world (even despite your better judgement), then I don't know what is.
[4.5/5 stars]
PS- If the blurb puts you off this book because it makes the narrative seem romance heavy, don't believe it, it lies. This is so much more than just a girl called Blue pining after pretty boys she can't kiss, though that is a shame in itself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Addiction and Classism
ziggy13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Murder, Violence, and Classism