Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Dream Thieves

I absolutely adored the Raven Boys, so I couldn’t wait for this next installment. And while I did enjoy it, especially bc I love Ronan, I think it lacked a bit of the same magic. That being said, I think the third will be more up my alley

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brotherhamster's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective 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

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joonjxne's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0

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melodyseestrees's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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isabel_is_reading's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This book, the second in The Raven Cycle series, left me with mixed feelings. While I appreciate the unique blend of magical realism and mystery that Maggie Stiefvater weaves, this installment suffers significantly from pacing issues and a lack of coherent plot, two elements I believe are essential to a compelling story. Especially a fantasy. I used to read a lot of fantasy, actually, if you look at my overall reading statistics fantasy would be the most read, but recently I had a switch. This book was read during my fantasy-loving days, back when I was young. And unlike other fantasy books, I barely remember this series. I see that as a mark on the story, since a good story, and impactful story will still be something I think about. Although some character development does happen, the sluggish narrative and scattered plot lines detract from what could have been a captivating continuation.
Pacing and plot
Narrative pacing is crucial to storytelling, and this book stumbles hard here. For the first two-thirds, the story moves at a crawl, filled with scenes that add little to the overarching plot. This slow start builds toward a climax, but unfortunately, the action doesn’t pick up until the last fifty pages. At that point, it feels almost too little too late. With so much time dedicated to repetitive scenes of street racing and dream thieving, it’s frustrating to reach the end and feel like so little has actually happened. However, unlike other repetitive and slow books I didn’t see any reason to it. It’s just a flaw, not a stylistic choice. The plot, or lack thereof, compounds the pacing issues. Rather than unfolding a cohesive storyline, this book feels like it’s merely a bridge to set up future events. While some groundwork is laid for what’s to come, this installment fails to establish itself as a compelling story in its own right. A book can’t rely solely on buildup—it needs purpose and direction. I shouldn’t have to read 2 more books to appreciate and love this one. I like reading series, but installments of a series should still stand on there own. That’s why I get annoyed when others say “don’t judge this book!!! You’ll e understand the genius one e you get to the 6th book!” No. Just No. I should be able to enjoy reading one book without having to commit to the entire series.
Character Impressions

One of the few redeeming aspects of this series is the characters, but even they are unevenly handled here.

Blue

Blue was a standout character in The Raven Boys—strong, self-assured, and layered. Here, however, she takes a backseat. This book centers heavily on Ronan, leaving Blue in the background, and I missed her presence. She had such potential as a protagonist, and I wish to see more of her. I know other characters need time ro shine, however, it shouldn’t mean that other characters get shoved to the side.
Adam
I liked Adam in the first book, however I always felt like Adams characterization was over exaggerated to the point of being unrealistic and was a caricature. His determination to be independent overshadowed any real growth. I know he’s supposed to be flawed, but it doesn’t comes off as unlikable. (Trust me I like flawed characters). I just wish he was a bigger focus and the author worked harder to make him more human?
Gansey
He’s rich, entitled, and often oblivious to how he comes across, but there’s an underlying charm to him. His obsession with finding Glendower could have made for an intense subplot here, but oddly, it’s sidelined. Instead, Gansey is preoccupied with his mother’s political activities, which feels like a distraction from his main motivation. He feels inconsistent and unfocused as a character.
Noah

Noah’s character could have benefited from more development, especially since the big reveal about his being dead is out in the open. Yet he continues to drift through the background, his presence nearly forgotten. The opportunity to explore his unique situation is barely touched on, leaving him feeling like an accessory to the group rather than a fully realized character. So, yeah, I don’t care about him, even though he’s literally dead. Which should be interesting.
Ronan

Ronan, the focus of this book, has one of the most intriguing abilities: he can pull things out of his dreams. But despite the potential for an action-packed storyline, the narrative falls flat. The bulk of Ronan’s plot revolves around street racing and honing his dream-thieving skills—activities that quickly grow repetitive. While his inner struggles and reckless decisions offer some depth, the lack of meaningful progression makes his storyline feel thin. His deep affection for Gansey hints at complex layers, but even that subplot is barely explored, limiting its impact.
Kavinsky

Kavinsky is a character who at first seems like a tired trope: the rebellious, self-destructive bad boy. His entrance felt predictable, and I struggled to see him as anything but a cardboard cutout for much of the story. Yet as the book progresses, we get glimpses of his motivations, revealing a troubled, repressed individual hiding behind bravado. His character, however, could have been handled with more nuance.
The Grey Man

The arrival of the Grey Man, a hitman on a mission to find the Greywarren, introduces an intriguing character, but his interactions with the main cast feel unrealistic. The characters’ willingness to accept him, despite his deadly profession, stretches credibility. Not only does this make the main characters seem oblivious to danger, but the insta-love subplot involving him is equally out of place. I don’t get it, at all.

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