// book review + discussion: the raven boys by maggie stiefvater

(c) Book Pensieve

Title: The Raven Boys

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Format: Hardcover, 416 pages

Good Reads // Amazon // Book Depository

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: 

I was little nervous on reading this book because of all the hype around this book. I've read a lot of book reviews and I know a lot of people who said that they didn't like the book at all. But I'm so happy I read it! I'm glad to announce that this book has made it to my favourites. The writing and the story was amazing that I honestly couldn't put the book down. I have high praises for this one. 

This is the first book I've read by Maggie Stiefvater and I am super impressed. I was already on the hook when I first read the synopsis.  I mean, who wouldn't want to read the book after reading that super long but very interesting synopsis? There was a lyrical quality to it and it just flows. There were times when I was reading this book and I would just say "wtf" out loud. I was so hooked with the plot, it made me keep on reading and reading. I had to know more, it was addicting. The mystery was enticing and it was nice figuring things out whilst we journey with the characters. 

Though to me, first half of the book was a bit confusing. I felt like there were too many characters that have completely different personalities. There were too much to names that I ended up researching about them to remember who's who. But in the long run, I did get used to it.

I really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters in this book. I loved how this was a four person perspective. We get bits of Gansey, Blue, Adam and Whelk's thoughts which I really liked. Am I allowed to have any favourites? But oh well, my favourite is Adam (omg, I first typed in Gansey. my fingers have betrayed me) But where do I begin with Adam. For me, he's the one who stood out the most amongst the Raven Boys. He's completely himself and wasn't like Gansey or Ronan. He worked hard to get where he is now, he's not rich like Gansey or Ronan. I admire him for his need to be ‘his own property' and for just wanting not to owe anything to anyone. 

I cannot wait to start reading The Dream Thieves. *squeals* Let me know in the comments below if you too have read The Raven Cycle series and is a fan of it. Do you have any favourites? Which was your favourite scene in the book?