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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
SHORT REVIEW
The way this book is written feels "southern", meaning that there are sayings and folksy story telling techniques and motifs galore. Epithets describing the characters are used so heavily though that I feel that I ended up missing out on getting the character development I would have liked. The author used the epithets to describe the character's personality more that their actions. I also disliked the frequent POV changes which weren't done badly. A limited POV would have been better for the story over all in my opinion. We could have learned about the raven boys through Blues's POV. I did enjoy it. The first chapter really had gotten my hopes up in the kind of story I'd experience.
LONG REVIEW **SPOILERS**
I'm going to continue to read about the mystery behind Chainsaw and Ronan's dreams. Hoping the will-they-wont-they romance has better build up in the rest of the cycle. I was expecting that to be the main plot from the first chapter. All that potential was wasted to hit some story beats. It got annoying how often the author told me they'd be "iN lOvE" eventually through magical destiny hand waving fashion instead of genuine interactions (there was some, but not many). Obviously, due to the whole "your first love will die" prophecy no kissing until the plot requires it, but it could still have plenty of fluff. Blue's family was such a joy to read and I feel like I got to know them the most out of all the characters. There is still more to learn about them. Also this book has some of the best descriptions of magic I've read in a contemporary novel. The way Maggie Stiefvater built on new age spirituality and superstition is my aesthetic. Will definitely read the whole series this year. Everything in me hopes the character descriptions get better or are dropped now that the characters are introduced because the short hand got on my nerves so much. Gansey "is weird about money", is said so often yet actually shown rarely. I'd prefer to learn this characteristic through moments. And Ronen's hot headed personality was also told a bit too often. The evidence is there, but not really shown on enough for me to actually believe this big part of his character. Going into book two I just see a kid depressed about his father's death and does a lot better when he's around an outlet and away from his brother who reminds him of his father and his insecurities. And Noah is just there. Like a ghost. What is his personality. Shy? I couldn't actually say more. It that was the point, I would prefer to have characters project onto him to attempt to flesh him out so the reveal would be more meaningful. Oh and in case you didn't realize from reading this book, Adam is poor. Impoverished. couldn't rub 2 nickles together. Couldn’t buy a flea off a dog. Couldn't jump over a nickel to save a dime. Would have to fart to have a cent. If Maggie Stiefvater or any fanfiction authors want to use those quotes to tell us about Adam's financial situation instead of using contest, please feel free to use the quick phrases I have supplied above.
The way this book is written feels "southern", meaning that there are sayings and folksy story telling techniques and motifs galore. Epithets describing the characters are used so heavily though that I feel that I ended up missing out on getting the character development I would have liked. The author used the epithets to describe the character's personality more that their actions. I also disliked the frequent POV changes which weren't done badly. A limited POV would have been better for the story over all in my opinion. We could have learned about the raven boys through Blues's POV. I did enjoy it. The first chapter really had gotten my hopes up in the kind of story I'd experience.
LONG REVIEW **SPOILERS**
I'm going to continue to read about the mystery behind Chainsaw and Ronan's dreams. Hoping the will-they-wont-they romance has better build up in the rest of the cycle. I was expecting that to be the main plot from the first chapter. All that potential was wasted to hit some story beats. It got annoying how often the author told me they'd be "iN lOvE" eventually through magical destiny hand waving fashion instead of genuine interactions (there was some, but not many). Obviously, due to the whole "your first love will die" prophecy no kissing until the plot requires it, but it could still have plenty of fluff. Blue's family was such a joy to read and I feel like I got to know them the most out of all the characters. There is still more to learn about them. Also this book has some of the best descriptions of magic I've read in a contemporary novel. The way Maggie Stiefvater built on new age spirituality and superstition is my aesthetic. Will definitely read the whole series this year. Everything in me hopes the character descriptions get better or are dropped now that the characters are introduced because the short hand got on my nerves so much. Gansey "is weird about money", is said so often yet actually shown rarely. I'd prefer to learn this characteristic through moments. And Ronen's hot headed personality was also told a bit too often. The evidence is there, but not really shown on enough for me to actually believe this big part of his character. Going into book two I just see a kid depressed about his father's death and does a lot better when he's around an outlet and away from his brother who reminds him of his father and his insecurities. And Noah is just there. Like a ghost. What is his personality. Shy? I couldn't actually say more. It that was the point, I would prefer to have characters project onto him to attempt to flesh him out so the reveal would be more meaningful. Oh and in case you didn't realize from reading this book, Adam is poor. Impoverished. couldn't rub 2 nickles together. Couldn’t buy a flea off a dog. Couldn't jump over a nickel to save a dime. Would have to fart to have a cent. If Maggie Stiefvater or any fanfiction authors want to use those quotes to tell us about Adam's financial situation instead of using contest, please feel free to use the quick phrases I have supplied above.
adventurous
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
A very intresting and original story. I ended up listening to it as a audio book and I have to say it's on of the best naratoed stories I ever had the pleasure to read. Friendship, spirits, fortune tellers and much more.
I didn’t even have to wait to think and rate this, LITERALLY I DONT EVEN KNOW WHY BUT ITS ONCE AGAIN AN EASY AS HELL 5 STAR TO GIVE. I have truly been blessed this year with books that are amazing
***
I have composed some thoughts.
First off, wow. I was blown away, not even by the fact that the book was soooo eventful, but by the fact that I fell in love with the characters and their quirks so fast. Of course you love some more than others but, I went into this having little to no expectation even though almost everyone else loves it... That was the best decision of my life.
I have no clue what to expect and what came at me up brilliant. The plot of this book isn’t as in your face as some.. what does this even class as? Who knows. But not as in your face as a lot of books within this genre range can be.. which I enjoyed. I loved the writing and the characters were written so beautifully and used so resourcefully it was amazing.
Let’s not forget I did, listen to this and complete it successfully making it my first ever, audio book. The narrator was great, his voice was expressive, not dull like the 5+ other audio books for different books were so that I couldn’t continue.
If you haven’t read this and are living under a rock like I have been apparently, feel no fear and step on in to the world of The Raven Boys.
***
I have composed some thoughts.
First off, wow. I was blown away, not even by the fact that the book was soooo eventful, but by the fact that I fell in love with the characters and their quirks so fast. Of course you love some more than others but, I went into this having little to no expectation even though almost everyone else loves it... That was the best decision of my life.
I have no clue what to expect and what came at me up brilliant. The plot of this book isn’t as in your face as some.. what does this even class as? Who knows. But not as in your face as a lot of books within this genre range can be.. which I enjoyed. I loved the writing and the characters were written so beautifully and used so resourcefully it was amazing.
Let’s not forget I did, listen to this and complete it successfully making it my first ever, audio book. The narrator was great, his voice was expressive, not dull like the 5+ other audio books for different books were so that I couldn’t continue.
If you haven’t read this and are living under a rock like I have been apparently, feel no fear and step on in to the world of The Raven Boys.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*2.5 OKAY um I did like it but I felt like it was a typical 'first book in a series' where things have to be explained and such, and I mean I enjoyed the explanations but there were just so many of them that they kind of just dragged on
anyway it was still good and I'm glad I read it but I wasn't in a rush to read the rest of the series tbh yet that last line got me a lil curious
also I really liked the characters, (though blue was my least favorite) I thought they were really well developed (except Noah but that's got a reason) and unique
anyway it was still good and I'm glad I read it but I wasn't in a rush to read the rest of the series tbh yet that last line got me a lil curious
also I really liked the characters, (though blue was my least favorite) I thought they were really well developed (except Noah but that's got a reason) and unique
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes