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A review by a_reader_obsessed
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
5.0
Still 5 Stars!
*Reread - 2/19/23*
Still evocative descriptive writing that only Stiefvater can bring and Will Patton can narrate.
5 Stars
*Reread 04/08/16*
I loved this. It's not very often I say this about books, let alone a tame, teen fantasy, but I did.
So what would you do if you were told you'd kill your true love with a kiss? Blue has heard this her whole life and has mostly dismissed it, until one day she's shown something that draws her to the lives of 4 boys she'd never otherwise associate with. Now, such a prophecy weighs quite heavily and sets off a chain of events, discoveries, and revelations that she can't ignore.
There is something more here than just typical teen dramatics. Each character has their own yearnings and issues. The ringleader Gansey, is on a mission he won't be deterred from, to awaken a long dead, legendary king. The boon? A favor granted to whoever accomplishes the task. He's desperate to achieve this to try to define and validate his existence, and Blue's appearance in his life brings him that much closer. With Gansey is his ever loyal posse, flanked by soulful, hurting Adam, desperate to rise above his humble origins; Ronan with his own painful past and deep, dark secrets he holds close to the vest - and Noah whose quiet, contemplative demeanor is a steadying presence for all. Throw in steely and sensible Blue as she holds her own and becomes a part of this tight knit group of boys and quickly, irrevocably entwines her fate with theirs.
Again, I loved this. The tiniest observations, the smallest nuances, the subtle interactions interspersed with evocative descriptions, are slowly revealed against the backdrop of the fantastical and the magical. Teen angst never felt so palpable as they all try to find their way through tough decisions, teetering on the brink of real heartache and life changes. Fate seems inevitable despite the chance to subvert it... will they be able to do so or is everything set in stone? I guess, we'll just have to wait and see!
*Audio edition very highly recommended*
*Reread - 2/19/23*
Still evocative descriptive writing that only Stiefvater can bring and Will Patton can narrate.
5 Stars
*Reread 04/08/16*
I loved this. It's not very often I say this about books, let alone a tame, teen fantasy, but I did.
So what would you do if you were told you'd kill your true love with a kiss? Blue has heard this her whole life and has mostly dismissed it, until one day she's shown something that draws her to the lives of 4 boys she'd never otherwise associate with. Now, such a prophecy weighs quite heavily and sets off a chain of events, discoveries, and revelations that she can't ignore.
There is something more here than just typical teen dramatics. Each character has their own yearnings and issues. The ringleader Gansey, is on a mission he won't be deterred from, to awaken a long dead, legendary king. The boon? A favor granted to whoever accomplishes the task. He's desperate to achieve this to try to define and validate his existence, and Blue's appearance in his life brings him that much closer. With Gansey is his ever loyal posse, flanked by soulful, hurting Adam, desperate to rise above his humble origins; Ronan with his own painful past and deep, dark secrets he holds close to the vest - and Noah whose quiet, contemplative demeanor is a steadying presence for all. Throw in steely and sensible Blue as she holds her own and becomes a part of this tight knit group of boys and quickly, irrevocably entwines her fate with theirs.
Again, I loved this. The tiniest observations, the smallest nuances, the subtle interactions interspersed with evocative descriptions, are slowly revealed against the backdrop of the fantastical and the magical. Teen angst never felt so palpable as they all try to find their way through tough decisions, teetering on the brink of real heartache and life changes. Fate seems inevitable despite the chance to subvert it... will they be able to do so or is everything set in stone? I guess, we'll just have to wait and see!
*Audio edition very highly recommended*