Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

185 reviews

krows_ink's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It’s been so long since I’ve felt consumed by a YA series (positive)!

I’ve been putting off this series for… well, years. I can’t say I’m disappointed in the slightest. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The paranormal components were done spectacularly, feeling harmonized with the everyday reality of Henrietta. I can’t wait to read the other books. My only main complaint is how the last chapter wrapped things up.

I wish that we had more between what the hell Adam did and the last chapter. Some kind of explanation and a reason as to how they’re all still friends. Because honestly I would want to rid myself of him SO FAST. Like I know he was hurting and he had some shit going on but… nah. I’d cut him off.

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aroma_of_books's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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readbyjaimes's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious 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

4.0

Really fun

I had a really good reading experience with this book. I tend to really enjoy books with strong imagery and this fed the monster that yearns for spooky small towns lol. I loved the cast fo characters too. I saw on review saying that they didn't like bLue because she felt too 'not like other girls', but I didn't experience that at all. I actually really enjoyed her and all her quirks I thought she was really fun to read about. And I feel like I don't have to mention it but I LOVED all of the raven boys. One thing was that I found the pacing a little funky. Like why did it take until page 160 for Blue and the boys to all hang out, I feel like that took way too long. But that's honestly a small critique and I still really enjoyed this book and am excited to continue on with the series!

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kteliza28's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Starting this book I was immediately invested in the story but also utterly confused by the writing style. It reads very descriptive and cinematic with a ton of detail over slight movements. While I loved this about the book, it also made it really hard to grasp some important info early on and I found myself re-reading pages very confused. As I got used to the characters and places, it got a lot easier to read. I really liked the flow of the story and the themes. At times I was totally absorbed but other times, it felt like some of the activities were pointless and I stopped caring about the ultimate mission of the group. I felt maybe too many people were involved. I realize this is part of a series so I’m not surprised that there is so much left unopened and unexplained. I’m not sure I’m invested enough to read more of the series but I also want to know what happens next.

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kathryn1003's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Lovely book, one of my all time favorites. Just reread for the third time- it's a funny but heavy hearted mystery with a big side of romantic angst. Sometimes it's sad, sometimes it's hilarious, but mostly it's thrilling from start to finish!

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anaheeta's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Ok so this was a reread [march 2024]. I first read this book in July 2016.

This will always be my favorite. My favorite EVERY thing. Series, fantasy, characters, settings, writing style. Maggie Stiefvater you brilliant brilliant woman, you have written me (yes, me specifically!) the perfect characters to love.

This is the perfect mix of whimsical and twisted magic, ghosts and ley lines, murderous professors, emotional things happening (you will cry multiple times by the time you finish the series).

It reads like a magical realism set in West Virginia, but it’s much more than any one sentence can describe. The first book is an introduction into the characters and their beautiful found family. There’s incredible amounts of references and foreshadowing implemented throughout the books. The pacing is a bit slow, but this is the only time I didn’t mind that, it matches everything perfectly. There are so many beautiful descriptions, heartbreaking lines, funny comments, and heartbreaking character backstories that will make you fall in love with the series. The series has such a huge emotional and mental hold on me, that it can wreck me for days or weeks, so read if you are a fan of pain like I am.

(I shall soon create a great playlist for this book)

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thecandiegirl's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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rookeatsbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-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? Yes

4.5

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jojo_fiction_'s review against another edition

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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).

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ladythana's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

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