Reviews

Osudný polibek by Maggie Stiefvater

colleenmarie_'s review against another edition

3.0

It took me half of the book to get into it, but once I did I tore through it. I didn't really understand or appreciate the character Whelk, it felt unnecessary, though I liked the connection with Noah. Not my favorite book ever, though I do look forward to reading the next.

karen3713's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

e_lace's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious 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

4.0

I will always have a special place in my heart for the Raven Boys. There's just something about the like Ethel Cain-core Hana Yori Dango character study that's both incredibly nostalgic and  really fun to read. I think if you like fast cars, urban exploring in abandoned schoolhouse buildings, and rich people that seem to be so against their will, you will like this book

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse

Moderate: Blood and Death of parent

Minor: Ableism

A large part of this book that I maybe don't love is that, in typical fashion of like a 2000s/2010s ensemble YA novel, one of the character's defining traits is that he's poor and we know this because

no one will stop bringing it up despite the fact that it's also pointed out that Blue technically isn't rich either and he lives in a trailer park with abusive or otherwise absent parents

There is a more graphic abuse seen towards the end of the book

where Adam's father smacks him so hard that he cracks his head on a railing and partially loses his hearing

. It's just a little bit of violence but I think that could be upsetting for some.

periburton's review against another edition

3.0

After finishing the entire series I feel like my review makes the most sense on the first book’s page (as an opinion/warning for others just starting the series). Overall I found this series to be a big disappointment. Most of the main characters relied too heavily on a single trait as an entire personality (Ronan is aggressive, Noah is shy, Adam is stubborn/independent, and Gansey is the “glue” that keeps all the characters together). On top of finding the characters’ personalities one dimensional, the plot wasn’t compelling to me (it moved at a snail’s pace for 4 books) and the final book’s resolution was unsatisfactory (most things were barely resolved). Additionally, both the romance and fantasy elements fell flat throughout the series for me. With all this being said I still think the series is okay. The characters' friendships with each other really save it. In general the series (to me) is overhyped and people who are reading it based on recommendations shouldn’t expect too much (a trap which I fell into).

rooxolotl's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

majafalkehag's review against another edition

5.0

i really can’t believe it took me this long to read this book. it was absolutely amazing and i think i found one of my new favorite books of all time

rosemarygiles's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Finally, a YA read that feels as though the author isn't dumbing down a story for a younger audience. I think that this is a great example of how an author can have some darker themes, plot points, and more complex story lines without being heavy handed with the writing or explanations. I really loved this book. I love the diverse nature of the character personalities, and feel like they could all have been real people. I think that Stiefvater found the right balance between keeping the story relevant to the immediate plot, and taking the time to develop the characters in their personal lives. Another big plus for me is that although the characters were teenagers, I didn't feel like they were over powered, or doing anything that a teenager couldn't feasibly do. 

I also think that the story itself was really unique. It's a different approach to fantasy, mixing elements of the supernatural and magic in a contemporary setting.

It's just so intriguing to see the way that a Welsh king is brought into Virginia, making up the basis of the storyline. These are two seemingly disconnected things that the author somehow manages to connect so well.

AND the plot twists actually caught me off guard! Definitely recommend this book. It's a fun and easy read, which still feels like there's enough stakes.

_hen_'s review against another edition

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? It's complicated

4.75

shagunmayani's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is a 5 stars because it got me out of a reading slump. Of course now the problem is that I want to read EVERYTHING. Always I liked the plot and the characters, I am continuing the series to see what happens to them but I am especially hopefully of the upcoming romance. I especially also liked Blue's family and the psychic feminist vibes they had (tbh I would read a book just about them). 

rue's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

 i don't know what past me was thinking, not liking this book - i think i was just determined not to like it because it was popular. now me, though, has much better taste and can actually appreciate this book. it's legitimately quite good! 4/5 stars because it did start a little slow, but once it got going, it really picked up. the characters were actually quite endearing and the plot was solid. i'm actually going to read the next book in the series now.