Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Book Review: The Raven Boys


Title - The Raven Boys
Author - Maggie Stiefvater
Series - The Raven Cycle #1
Published - September 18th 2012
Publisher - Scholastic Press
Format - Kindle

Synopsis
“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”


It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.


But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.


Review
Blue is the daughter of a psychic but her only power is energy she amplifies her mother’s ability. Once a year Blue travels with her mother to the churchyard to make a list of all the people who will die in the future but unlike her mother she never sees any of them. Until this one time when she sees a young man who only tells her his name is Gansey. Blue knows from his sweater that he’s a Raven boy and she always avoids them until she encounters them at work on night.

While Blue finds unlikely friendship with the Raven boys as well as a mystery to solve that will change her life forever. Gansey, Adam, Ronan and Noah each have their own secret and when Blue joins the search she will slowly uncover what’s going on. In Adam she sees more than just a friend but Blue knows that if she kisses him he could die if he’s her true love. As they get closer to unlocking the corpse road secrets will come out, lives will be changed and friendships will be tested. I don’t want to give away to much.

I loved Blue she’s unique not your typical weak minded girl which I love. It’s refreshing to have a character that doesn’t care what others think wears what she wants and isn’t weak minded. I wasn’t sure about the guys right away as much as I wanted to dislike Ronan he grew on me into my favorite, the bad guy who’s not all bad. I also liked Adam he’s trying to fit into a world he doesn’t belong in. If not for Gasnsey none of this would have happened he’s the glue that holds everyone together. Noah has his own unique story that plays an important part in the story.

It’s been a long time since I read the synopsis for The Raven Boys so the novel was a surprise the whole way through. I admit it was a little slow getting started but I think part of that is I had to start and put down due to real life. However once the house quieted down I was able to read it was hard for me to stop because the story is so intriguing. The characters are easy to connect with while I did connect on a level with each one the author gives us multiple points of view which I love so we can get to know them all. The concept for the Raven boys and Blue is unique and exciting it’s one that keeps the read on the edge of the seat dying to know what’s going to happen next. The book is beautifully written it’s a captivating story that captures the heart as well as the imagination. While we do have a ending it’s clearly one of those books you just can’t stop with the first. The Raven Boys is action packed, loaded with mystery, and toss in a little romance it’s a perfect mix of awesomeness.  I’ve had this one on my shelf forever and I can’t believe I waited so long it was an amazing story and I can’t wait to read the next on in the series and read more of my favorite girl and her Raven boys. Loved it!!!!

4 comments:

  1. Great review. I don't know why I never added this to my list but based off of your review, I should add it immediately. This sounds like a great read and I like that the characters were so easy for you to connect with. I've been having difficulty with that lately. So I may need to borrow this book from my library as a pick-me-up.
    Kristin @ Book Sniffers Anonymous

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    1. I think it's the weather. I've been in a funk with reading all winter. I did very much enjoy the book and even picked up the next two in the series.

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  2. Glad you were able to finish it. Added bonus that you really liked it. :)

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  3. I'm working my way to reading this. Soon I hope. Great review :)

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