Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Published: September 12, 2014

“‘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.

The Raven Boys has multiple main characters and I’m usually not super into that. But I adored it this time around. The main story revolving around Gansey but I have to say I preferred Ronan. And I think Ronan is going to be a bigger piece of the puzzle within the Raven Cycle.

I wasn’t crazy about Blue but I was happy when she started hanging out with the boys and started coming out of her shell. It made me fall in love with her more. And her family was adorable and reminded me of my crazy family.

I think one of my favorite things about this book is everything running through the Glendower legend. I think it’s a great concept and I loved the way it was tied into everything.

I also adored the dynamic of The Raven Boys. I think them being friends yet family was so heartwarming. Especially with Adam and how Ronan went to go save him from his home life.

I couldn’t help but not be surprised in the douche-y ness of Mr. Welks. It was pretty obvious how he was going to tie into the whole mess but…NOAH!? I literally was screaming when I found out about Noah and I couldn’t stop freaking out so….well played Maggie Stiefvater, well played.

Overall a great book! I love the writing style it was very mysterious, and almost felt like I was in a dream state or something of the sort. I loved it! The mystic feel and I’m so excited to see what happens with all these characters, who they become and how wonderful the writing will be throughout this series.