Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - The Raven King

This book was very good at the start. Kinda predictable but idc. I did not understand anything that happened at the last quarter of the book. It was very confusing and too fast to understand, a little forced...I think that I really like the ending. Simple, hopeful, free)

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bi_n_large's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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

4.0

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_teoeo's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

I finished this book crying. Over the last 2 months trc were my comfort books and I'm so sad that I've finished them now. The books are really extraordinary, the hype and high rating more than deserved!! They are beautifully written and the characters, I just love them. Also Ronan as a gay character without it being a stereotype when the books are from 2012 - 2016??? Wowowo. I have to admit that some plotlines abruptly ended without a satisfying explanation

e.g. piper?? how is it that glendower is dead?? what about gansey, what is it that cabbeswater had to make "different" about him so he can live again??

and that's the reason I'm rating it 4,5 instead of 5 stars. All in all it was really gut wrenching and heart warming and I'm so glad that I've finally read them! They really have a special place in my heart from now on!

Update: I recently discovered Maggie Stiefvaters past racist and problematic comments and also learned about the racist joke(s) in this book, e.g.:

“Principles? Henry Cheng’s principles are all about getting larger font in the school newsletter,” Ronan said. He did a vaguely offensive version of Henry’s voice: “Serif? Sans serif? More bold, less italics.”

Blue saw Adam both smirk and turn his face away in a hurry so that Gansey wouldn’t see, but it was too late.

“Et tu, Brute?” Gansey asked Adam. “Disappointing.”

“I didn’t say anything,” Adam replied.

Adam made puerile jokes at Henry’s expense (He’s half Chinese? “Which half?”) and sniggered clannishly; Blue called them on it (“Jealous, much?”): Gansey told them to put aside their preconceptions and think about him.

Because of my point of view as a white reader I didn't saw them when I first read the books, but I want to acknowledge them now and encourage you to inform yourself about these issues, even if trc is one of your favorites.

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happilyeveralli's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense

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

AN EPIC FINALE! It's no secret that I've fallen in love with THE RAVEN CYCLE. THE RAVEN KING was a sometimes iffy finale to what I can say is my current favorite series of all time.

I loved that Henry has become a part of the group and that Noah was finally able to pass on after being tormented throughout the past two books and in general a tumultuous ghostly experience. I'm happy that Henry, Gansey, and Blue are hanging out. Happy that Adam is off to college. Happy that Ronan is free of Aglionby and is dreaming peacefully at his home which he loves. I hope Gansey and Blue work out, as well as Ronan and Adam. I hope Henry, Blue, and Gansey go to Venezuela. I wish nothing but happiness for them, as well as the women of Fox Way.

These characters have become so near and dear to me in the past few months. I don't think I'll forget the feeling of reading these books for the first time whilst listening to the most perfect playlists. Discussing them with other people who are lovers of the series. Even though I have criticisms about the representation in this series and the way it unfolded, in the end, Maggie Stiefvater created a series that captured me and pulled me out of a reading slump. THE RAVEN CYCLE I will never forget you.

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