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chelseazhao's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Suicide attempt
kathryn1003's review against another edition
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Suicide attempt
dilani's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
I had trouble comprehending this story at the beginning. BUT, the more I read, the more enthralled I felt. Everything from the magic, the paranormal and the friendship dynamics kept me reading. As someone who hasn’t been into YA for a long time, this may become a new favorite series of mine…🐦⬛
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Violence, and Child abuse
_taylorisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Child abuse
thecandiegirl's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder, Vomit, Death, Cursing, Violence, Child abuse, and Blood
rookeatsbooks's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Alcohol, Death, Classism, and Murder
Minor: Suicide attempt, Gun violence, and Self harm
thebibutterfly's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I loved everything about this book until the big cliff-hanger at the end. The tension was beautifully written, loved the prose, and the dimension of each character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
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
c8ln18's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow, going into this book I had pretty much no idea what it was. I simply heard found-family with a slowburn romance and I was like 🤷♀️. This book was so much better than I had anticipated, considering I don’t hear that many people talking about it.
Summary: This book is about Blue whose from a family of psychics, but holds no powers of her own, except making others stronger. She meets a group of boys from a local private school, called “Raven Boys” and joins them on a strange quest to find a Welsh King in the middle of the Virginia woods. Hijinks ensue.
My thoughts: The beginning was very, very slow for me. I was incredibly confused at first, and had tentatively put the book down. I randomly picked it back up 3 weeks later, just to test the waters; and ironically I was about 15 pages away from the good part starting. I was hooked so quick after that and read 80% in one night. I absolutely loved the relationship that boys had, it was so heartwarming. Adam’s story breaks my heart, and coming from not a rich background I completely understand his gripes with money. Unfortunately, I had sort of spoiled (accidentally) some of the twists and i’m kind of mad at myself now, because I wish I had an authentic reaction to it. But nonetheless it was still quite good.
I’m still warming up to Ronan, but I think the next book is about him so we’ll see how it goes. Also I thought it was funny that Blue pretty much only worked at her job one night in the entire book when it was plot relevant- and was free to galavant off with the boys every other day💀 I also notice that for me, the main plot of the book actually is less what I’m invested in compared to the relationships with the characters. Like yeah you can wander around the woods for a dead Welsh king but I want the banter!!
Just borrowed the next book from the library so we shall see.
Summary: This book is about Blue whose from a family of psychics, but holds no powers of her own, except making others stronger. She meets a group of boys from a local private school, called “Raven Boys” and joins them on a strange quest to find a Welsh King in the middle of the Virginia woods. Hijinks ensue.
My thoughts: The beginning was very, very slow for me. I was incredibly confused at first, and had tentatively put the book down. I randomly picked it back up 3 weeks later, just to test the waters; and ironically I was about 15 pages away from the good part starting. I was hooked so quick after that and read 80% in one night. I absolutely loved the relationship that boys had, it was so heartwarming. Adam’s story breaks my heart, and coming from not a rich background I completely understand his gripes with money. Unfortunately, I had sort of spoiled (accidentally) some of the twists and i’m kind of mad at myself now, because I wish I had an authentic reaction to it. But nonetheless it was still quite good.
I’m still warming up to Ronan, but I think the next book is about him so we’ll see how it goes. Also I thought it was funny that Blue pretty much only worked at her job one night in the entire book when it was plot relevant- and was free to galavant off with the boys every other day💀 I also notice that for me, the main plot of the book actually is less what I’m invested in compared to the relationships with the characters. Like yeah you can wander around the woods for a dead Welsh king but I want the banter!!
Just borrowed the next book from the library so we shall see.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Murder
ladythana'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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death
Moderate: Murder, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Child death
Minor: Suicide attempt and Classism