Sunday, November 10, 2013

The Raven Boys [Book Review]

Stats:
#1 in The Raven Cycle series
Hardcover, 409 pages
Published September 18th 2012 by Scholastic Press
ISBN: 0545424925Find on Goodreads




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.



My Thoughts:
I couldn't wait to get my hands on The Raven Boys and I was lucky enough to win a SIGNED COPY. And then it sat on my shelf for forever. When I saw The Dream Thieves on NetGalley, I figured the best way to finally read the book sitting on my shelf was to request the sequel and have a deadline to read it. I had read the synopsis at one point, but it had been forever, so I went in a little blind.

What I really enjoyed about this book was the multifaceted characters. The POV is hard to catch onto (for me at least) at first, but once I did, I didn't really noticed it as much. You experience the story from many different POVs and I think that really helped to tie in all the loose ends. I adore Blue's family. It's like the Addams family at 300 Fox Way and what more could you ask for in a story than a kooky bunch of relatives under one roof? Blue was a very solid, noncliched YA girl. She stood up for herself and was a loyal friend to the boys. She was there when they needed her. I had no issue taking to her at all. She was so likeable.

Gansey was easy for me to like as well. His interest in the Welsh king and ley lines was phenomenally done. I loved when they went to Cabeswater. Just loved it. It was mysterious and spooky.

Overall, great plot, great cast of characters, amazing secondary characters!


Linking up at Saturday Situation


4 comments:

Emily @ Falling For Ya said...

I also really enjoyed this book and just loved Gansey-his obsession and passion for the ley lines made me passionate about them as well. I loved The Dream Thieves even more though and I hope you do too!

Ashley said...

I read the 2md book from NetGalley and had a hard time with the plot since I didnt read this book. After a few chapters it all added up and I really enjoyed the story!

Romi. said...

I hadn't taken much notice of this series, and aren't totally sure yet whether or not I'll read it, but I really enjoyed reading your review, and am glad you enjoyed it so much- hopefully the second is just as good! I actually think I would be virtually unable to request the second book in a series for review, if I hadn't read the first yet (even if I had it), no matter whether I loved the author or not- what if I didn't like the book?
I'm pleased this worked out well!

Sarah E said...

I've read other Stiefvater books which is why I risked requesting the second :) I don't think I would have if it wasn't a series I was looking forward to reading by a familiar author.