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A review by paulawind
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
The menace I would be if I read this book in middle school when it first came out. My parents already had to indulge my PJ Greek Mythology and HG archery obsessions, if I added ley lines into that with a sprinkle of Latin bc of this book, they would lose it. I know that I would have loved it back then though but I’m glad I found my way to it eventually bc now it will be a healthier temporary hyperfixation whilst I inhale the rest of the series. I’m also glad bc I would deffo make being like Gansey my entire personality and I’ve already ended up being a mum friend so it could only get worse.
Characters oh how much I love every single one of them. And how much they love each other. Peak quality found family trope, 11/10. Healthy friendship between boys? Look at that, it can be done without toxic masculinity and fighting over a girl. But more importantly - every character here deserves a hug. Those boys have so much trauma that their issues have their own issues, my little boys you deserve the world.
The plot is also great, but I admit that I was itching for the MCs to meet each other earlier on in the book but bc it’s a series I understand why the author was taking their time with it. This is mostly me being petty bc every time the 5 of them interact my heart grows 4984 times in size.
Needless to say, I’m on my way to the library for the next instalment
Characters oh how much I love every single one of them. And how much they love each other. Peak quality found family trope, 11/10. Healthy friendship between boys? Look at that, it can be done without toxic masculinity and fighting over a girl. But more importantly - every character here deserves a hug. Those boys have so much trauma that their issues have their own issues, my little boys you deserve the world.
The plot is also great, but I admit that I was itching for the MCs to meet each other earlier on in the book but bc it’s a series I understand why the author was taking their time with it. This is mostly me being petty bc every time the 5 of them interact my heart grows 4984 times in size.
Needless to say, I’m on my way to the library for the next instalment
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Violence, Death, Child abuse, and Physical abuse