A review by gillianhagenus
The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater

adventurous emotional hopeful informative mysterious 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? No

4.25

Thoroughly enjoyable. Stiefvater is simply not capabIe of writing a novel that isn't. I'm glad that the story had a fantastic element to it in the sweetwater because the only (truly the only) thing that I can say against this book is that I think the pressure for historical detail/research dampened Stiefvater's usual magical prose. Were it not for the infection of a sentient water running through the walls of the hotel, there mightn't have been quite enough to fully immerse me in this story. Though I enjoyed June's character, the rest fell flatter than what I've come to expect from this author, not carrying that trademark quirkiness I love in the later Raven Boys novels and spinoffs and All the Crooked Saints. So really, the lost star is only because of how much I respect this author's talent that she's doomed to being compared to...herself. This book is marvellous! This book is unique! This book will make you want to be constantly shadowed by three dachshunds and wear wide leg trousers with Mary Janes and  EMBODY June Hudson, hero of high achieving yet deeply feeling women everywhere.