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trintrin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
I think this is genuinely the most fun I've had reading a sequel series. Sequel series are always in that weird grey area of scratching the same itch that only your favourite characters from the main series could, but also either risk going overboard with additional world-building, new characters, and plot devices, or risk going stale with same old characters, and same old world. This book hits a sweet, sweet spot.
I was kinda indecisive seeing this is gonna be about Ronan (and by extension, Adam, who would obviously be a major part of his life) because Ronan Lynch is my absolute favourite character and I do not want to tarnish the perfect image I have of him in my head. I didn't know what other adventures little old Henrietta offered, seeing that the quest for Glendower is over, I didn't know what the focus is going to be in Ronan and Adam's relationship, seeing as he would've gone to college. But, boy, oh, boy, did the Lynch brothers deliver.
I was kinda indecisive seeing this is gonna be about Ronan (and by extension, Adam, who would obviously be a major part of his life) because Ronan Lynch is my absolute favourite character and I do not want to tarnish the perfect image I have of him in my head. I didn't know what other adventures little old Henrietta offered, seeing that the quest for Glendower is over, I didn't know what the focus is going to be in Ronan and Adam's relationship, seeing as he would've gone to college. But, boy, oh, boy, did the Lynch brothers deliver.
The Characters
Sure, this book doesn't have the ride-or-die friendships like the Gangsey, but it does have interesting characters. Absolutely head over heels in love with Jordan and Hennessy, I would sacrifice myself to the ley-line to protect these girls. DECLAN LYNCH!! I knew he would pull through, always had faith in him. Someone needs to give this boy a hug, some warm cocoa, and peace. Also, fuck Niall Lynch. I used to think he wasn't that bad, just a very absent father, but good lord. A very interesting side to Matthew which I didn't even consider was possible. Hopefully we get to see more of that. Still kinda lukewarm on Farooq-Lane. Interesting character, certainly, just not sure how much I like her. Parsifal, too soon, my boy, too soon . Bryde, the ever-mysterious Bryde. Excited to get to know him better. Lilliana too, I have high hopes for her.
The Plot
The plot is darker than TRC, which is expected considering four teenagers going on a hunt for a dead Welsh King is going to be more on the friendshipy-adventurous side, while organisations that hunt down dreamers and dreams would be significantly darker and grittier. The world is much bigger than a small, rural town in Virginia, whaddayaknow. Especially when you throw the Lynches into the equation, as it's both about their messed up family history and narrated by them. The introduction of new characters was perfect, the pacing was perfect, the development of both the plot and the characters was perfect, the unexpected Mór Ó Corra plot-twist which I totally should've seen coming was perfect, Stiefvater's beautiful writing in all her glory was perfect, all in all, perfect. :D
Should you read this if you loved The Raven Cycle?
I would say it depends on which part of TRC you loved. TRC had a good plot, but the phenomenal characters were what carried the series. Whereas, this series has incredible characters, but the amazing plot is the focus. Fair warning though, there's little to nothing of Gansey, Blue and Noah, and only crumbs of Adam, if that's what you're looking for. If Ronan, Chainsaw, Orphan-Girl, Matthew, Declan, and the Lynch family history mystery with some cool new characters sounds like your thing, definitely give it a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Violence, Death, Body horror, Suicide, and Gore
Moderate: Self harm, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Chronic illness
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, and Vomit
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, Gun violence, and Violence
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
toopunkrockforshul's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a reread and wow I love this book it was so good. Super excited to read the next two right afterwards. Just absolutely love the writing and complexity of the characters, as well as Will Patton as the narrator in the audiobook is just fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Body horror, Mental illness, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Gore
triley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Blood, Vomit, Violence, Drug use, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Murder, Suicide, and Gun violence
imds's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Abandonment, Death of parent, Vomit, Violence, Terminal illness, Gun violence, Murder, and Grief
jenarae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Body horror, Child death, Gun violence, Grief, and Suicide
Moderate: Alcohol, Blood, Car accident, Drug abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content and Physical abuse
seanamcphie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicide, Chronic illness, Grief, Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood, Mental illness, Murder, Body horror, Vomit, Cursing, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Classism, Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, Sexual content, and Self harm
meg_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
I love these characters so deeply it is painful. And I definitely loved this book, primarily because of the characters. The way that Maggie Stiefvater fleshes out each character in such a detailed way and weaves together each of their individual stories together is my favorite thing about the books she writes, and in particular, any book within this raven cycle realm. I loved getting to know Declan more throughout this book, and absolutely grew to love Jordan very quickly as well. The only reason this one isn't getting five stars from me is that the plot didn't really pull me in this time. I was already very invested in these characters (mainly Ronan and Adam) and kept reading to see more of them, and then slowly became more invested as more of the individual characters were developed. The plot itself was very much so a background element of the book for me. Aside from that, I am an absolute sucker for Maggie Stiefvater's writing and almost every romantic element she writes has my heart squeezing in my chest it is so good. I will forever be obsessed with Ronan and Adam and every scene with them together was literal perfection. Very much so looking forward to book 2.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Grief
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