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A review by cookiecat55
Greywaren by Maggie Stiefvater
4.0
Edit: 10/26/22
So I finished the book last night and it was not what I expected. The writing was amazing as usual, the characterization is once again the best I've ever seen, the plot was intriguing, but something just fell flat. I don't know if it was the vibes or none of the characters felt enjoyable this time around. I felt like every scene could have been half its length. Not to diminish Maggie's writing style, but Farooq Lane and Henessy playing house was really annoying to read through let alone for long stretches. Ronan being missing most of the book made it even worse. Matthew's absence meant only Declan had enjoyable narrations.
I also finished the book with questions unanswered. (I may have just skimmed the pages they were explained??? but I feel unfulfilled.) First and foremost, how is a sweetmetal created???? Secondly, why was Jordan awake if she was not a visionary. Third, what was so powerful about Ronan? Even if he was specially made by the forest, he didnt seem to dream better than anyone else. Like he can't stop Nathan from making a bomb when he's the ultimate dreamer? I just felt like loose threads were left open on the main storyline of the series.
Regardless of that all, the stakes felt very real. The threat was resolved. I couldn't stop reading. Adam had more time to shine. Blue and Gansey finally showed up. The book was not bad by any means, it just felt like nothing truly interesting happened. I will still give it 4 stars because I enjoyed it. Based on this ending though, I'm probably going to limit my rereads to TRC only.
****************************************
After Mister Impossible: Here I am writing a review on a book I have never read because I have THOUGHTS. Spoilers for Mister Impossible below:
- Tell me why my first thought after the twist at the end was "Jordan and Hennessy were switched at birth" when Henessy was fine and was obviously the dreamer. Is Jordan wearing a sweetmetal? Has she somehow made herself human even though Matthew has not? Is it somehow because Henessy was the one to turn it off? I'M GOING INSANE.
- Okay but poor Matthew this whole book. I too would be having a mental breakdown the whole time. But what are they going to do with him now? They'll probably just find him and bring him home and ignore him most of the book. But imagine the potential of them having Matthew in a wheelchair and bringing him to the art museum on a daily basis so he'll wake up. Having to explain to him he's going to fall asleep if he leaves. Honestly tragedy. I'd pay to see it.
- Did the painting of Jordan become a sweetmetal because her and her mom both painted it? What happened there? If the moral of the story is going to be "true art saves all" I am going to riot. Why were so many people falling asleep? You think the moderators would know if so many of them were dream creatures? I didnt think there were that many dreamers based on the events of TRC. But then again, all these moderators ARE associated with dreamers. Love to see the hypocrisy. Anyways all the other random people like the pilot? Seems like a dangerous profession for a dream. It makes me wonder if these are like children of dreams too? I dont know
- I know the elephant in the room here is Bryde. How is he so powerful if he is just a byproduct of Ronan? What was with that breakdown he had? Also, does this once again prove that Ronan is the all powerful dreamer they hinted at in TRC? I get that was just to Cabeswater but regardless Ronan is the expert dreamer and can do anything. So how is he such a wimp compared to Bryde, who he gave power to?
- I cant believe I like Declan now but Jordan brings out the best in him. They are so cute and domestic together. They were talking about getting married before their first kiss??? Even Matthew mentioned it? Whats been going on between the scenes?
Some other stuff:
- Wasn't Adam supposed to be a main chatacter in this series? What happened to him? Although I do love his dorm room tarot card readings?
- I'm interested in how everyone from 300 fox way is doing without any ley energy or how they have been affected by this whole ordeal. Has adam gone to them for help with ronan? It feels weird without the old characters there.
- This is me being bitter but I hate how everyone forgot Noah so I wish Ronan was like "if we activated the ley line before Noah never woukd have left." I am waiting for a reference that will never come.
I think that's everything but I am PUMPED. Its probably going to take another 2 years but I am ready.
So I finished the book last night and it was not what I expected. The writing was amazing as usual, the characterization is once again the best I've ever seen, the plot was intriguing, but something just fell flat. I don't know if it was the vibes or none of the characters felt enjoyable this time around. I felt like every scene could have been half its length. Not to diminish Maggie's writing style, but Farooq Lane and Henessy playing house was really annoying to read through let alone for long stretches. Ronan being missing most of the book made it even worse. Matthew's absence meant only Declan had enjoyable narrations.
I also finished the book with questions unanswered. (I may have just skimmed the pages they were explained??? but I feel unfulfilled.) First and foremost, how is a sweetmetal created???? Secondly, why was Jordan awake if she was not a visionary. Third, what was so powerful about Ronan? Even if he was specially made by the forest, he didnt seem to dream better than anyone else. Like he can't stop Nathan from making a bomb when he's the ultimate dreamer? I just felt like loose threads were left open on the main storyline of the series.
Regardless of that all, the stakes felt very real. The threat was resolved. I couldn't stop reading. Adam had more time to shine. Blue and Gansey finally showed up. The book was not bad by any means, it just felt like nothing truly interesting happened. I will still give it 4 stars because I enjoyed it. Based on this ending though, I'm probably going to limit my rereads to TRC only.
****************************************
After Mister Impossible: Here I am writing a review on a book I have never read because I have THOUGHTS. Spoilers for Mister Impossible below:
- Tell me why my first thought after the twist at the end was "Jordan and Hennessy were switched at birth" when Henessy was fine and was obviously the dreamer. Is Jordan wearing a sweetmetal? Has she somehow made herself human even though Matthew has not? Is it somehow because Henessy was the one to turn it off? I'M GOING INSANE.
- Okay but poor Matthew this whole book. I too would be having a mental breakdown the whole time. But what are they going to do with him now? They'll probably just find him and bring him home and ignore him most of the book. But imagine the potential of them having Matthew in a wheelchair and bringing him to the art museum on a daily basis so he'll wake up. Having to explain to him he's going to fall asleep if he leaves. Honestly tragedy. I'd pay to see it.
- Did the painting of Jordan become a sweetmetal because her and her mom both painted it? What happened there? If the moral of the story is going to be "true art saves all" I am going to riot. Why were so many people falling asleep? You think the moderators would know if so many of them were dream creatures? I didnt think there were that many dreamers based on the events of TRC. But then again, all these moderators ARE associated with dreamers. Love to see the hypocrisy. Anyways all the other random people like the pilot? Seems like a dangerous profession for a dream. It makes me wonder if these are like children of dreams too? I dont know
- I know the elephant in the room here is Bryde. How is he so powerful if he is just a byproduct of Ronan? What was with that breakdown he had? Also, does this once again prove that Ronan is the all powerful dreamer they hinted at in TRC? I get that was just to Cabeswater but regardless Ronan is the expert dreamer and can do anything. So how is he such a wimp compared to Bryde, who he gave power to?
- I cant believe I like Declan now but Jordan brings out the best in him. They are so cute and domestic together. They were talking about getting married before their first kiss??? Even Matthew mentioned it? Whats been going on between the scenes?
Some other stuff:
- Wasn't Adam supposed to be a main chatacter in this series? What happened to him? Although I do love his dorm room tarot card readings?
- I'm interested in how everyone from 300 fox way is doing without any ley energy or how they have been affected by this whole ordeal. Has adam gone to them for help with ronan? It feels weird without the old characters there.
- This is me being bitter but I hate how everyone forgot Noah so I wish Ronan was like "if we activated the ley line before Noah never woukd have left." I am waiting for a reference that will never come.
I think that's everything but I am PUMPED. Its probably going to take another 2 years but I am ready.