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askirmishofwit's review against another edition
- 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
I stand by what Past Emma said about this book.
Also the audiobook narrator is fantastic for this series so would highly recommend that.
—-
2015 Review:
You know the feeling when you're not quite sure what you read but you find yourself hooked and wanting more all the same? That, in a nutshell, was my experience of reading <i>The Raven Boys</i>. I'd seen this book everywhere on Booktube but what intrigued me most about it was the lack of detail people seemed to be able to give about it in their mini synopses - I now understand why. Saying house of psychics, searching for ley lines, an orange Camaro, Glendower, public school boys, and Latin all seems like an incongruous puzzle that couldn't possibly fit together, but it turns out that, in Maggie Stiefvater's hands, it does.
What impressed me most about this book is that it's the kind of odd and quirky and ridiculous that you honestly just fall into its world and then you're along for the ride, no matter what twist is thrown at you next. The pacing is perfectly controlled (I read this in the space of two days when I definitely had other things to do) and the characters are pleasingly different and distinguishable from each other. It would have been easy for some of the eponymous "raven boys" to blend into one another but, no, each stands on his own merit even if I do find myself wanting to shake some sense into each and every one of them - I'm mostly looking at you, Adam. And of course I like Gansey, even though I'm 99.9% certain that he's designed for everyone to fall for him. What can I say, well-spoken little rich boys who search for ancient Welsh kings in their free time and casually use words like "repugnant", that's "my type", apparently.
I spent a lot of time whilst reading muttering "no, no, don't, please no" and "wait... what?!?" at this book so if that isn't a ringing endorsement of how much <I>The Raven Boys</I> draws you into its world (even despite your better judgement), then I don't know what is.
[4.5/5 stars]
PS- If the blurb puts you off this book because it makes the narrative seem romance heavy, don't believe it, it lies. This is so much more than just a girl called Blue pining after pretty boys she can't kiss, though that is a shame in itself.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Addiction and Classism
abril6's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death
guessgreenleaf's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Physical abuse, Blood, Gaslighting, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Sexism, Gun violence, and Classism
Minor: Suicide attempt
lunep's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Murder, Alcohol, Death, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Classism, Self harm, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Moderate: Toxic friendship
Minor: Vomit
viacrow's review
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Classism, Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, Murder, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Body horror, Emotional abuse, Death, and Physical abuse
kirstenf's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Alcohol, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Kidnapping
melani_e4's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Minor: Death and Violence
dlsmk's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Child abuse, Blood, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, and Suicide attempt
sundayfever's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Classism, Death, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Alcohol, and Gun violence
fionamatilda's review
- 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
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Child abuse
Moderate: Death, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Suicide attempt