The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater Series: The Raven Cycle #1
Published by Scholastic Press on 18 September 2012
Genres: Paranormal, Suspense, Young Adult
Pages: 416
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Purchase
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“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 is a fantastic mystical tale of Blue and three boys from the Aglionby academy in Henrietta. The quest for the ley-line and its opening had me at the edge of my seat, and kept me wondering why it has taken me so long to read this book!
My The Raven Boys review:
Dark and mysterious, The Raven Boys grabbed me from the first line, and kept me entertained for the whole story! Blue is a great main character, and I loved that she was so sensible, even if she also managed to show that she does have a wild streak, too. The Aglionby boys were so different, but somehow they still had a unity to them, and I really loved that. The story itself took me to the town of Henrietta, where the energy is different. Everybody in Blue’s family have psychic abilities, apart from Blue, but she’s like a mega-phone, making their abilities stronger when she’s nearby.
Most of my fellow bloggers have already read The Raven Boys, and I understand why! The world-building is well done, slowly but surely, I got to know that there are several ley-lines in Henrietta, even if nobody knows exactly why. The characters are well done, and fleshed out for the readers’ enjoyment. Even the minor characters who lived with Blue had distinguishing features, and that is one of the things I look for in a good story. Blue, as well as Gansey, Ronan, Adam and Noah all had their character development, which made the complex story truly amazing.
If you enjoy magic, mystery, a story in which the romance is not the main focus, and great characters, I’m sure you have either already read and loved The Raven Boys, or that you will love it once you find the time to delve in.
Some of my favorite The Raven Boys quotes:
Maura had decided sometime before Blue’s birth that it was barbaric to order children about, and so Blue had grown up surrounded by imperative question marks.
Aglionby Academy was the number one reason Blue had developed her two rules: One, stay away from boys, because boys were trouble. And two, stay away from Aglionby boys, because they were bastards.
Blue never grew tired of feeling particularly needed, but sometimes she wished needed felt less like a synonym for useful.
Gansey had once told Adam that he was afraid most people didn’t know how to handle Ronan. What he meant by this was that he was worried that one day someone would fall on Ronan and cut themselves.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
I’m among the bloggers who’ve yet to read this one. Sounds like one of those reads that pulls you in slowly but surely. I loved the first Wolves of Mercy Falls book of hers. I’m adding this one to the list. Great review. I hope you have a wonderful week, Lexxie!
Yup, definitely pulled me in good, Robyn 🙂 And you know how her writing is – beautiful!!
This book sounds great, and I´d love to read it! Vi nyter deilige vårdager, selv om vi fortsatt har litt sur nordavind, og i dag skal jeg prøve meg på en joggetur. Ønsker deg en herlig mandag, klem fra Anette 🙂
Skikkelig bra bok, Anette. Deilig med vår! Her regner det veldig mye, pluss at snøen oppe i Alpene smelter, så mange elver oversvømmer, og broer er stengt.
Ha en flott uke 🙂
“Imperative question marks”, lol ! I suffered from the same M. Stiefvater syndrome than with C. Hoover : too many people loved her, I saw her everywhere, read about her everywhere, I couldn’t stand that any more, I would NOT read her ! But you can resist so many good reviews before giving up – which means I’m giving up, I’ll read that series 🙂
I’m glad you’re giving up, Iza! Her writing is beautiful, and I really enjoy her stories and characters, too.
I actually read this one a few months ago and I was super impressed with the Norse mythology, the ley lines and the raven boys! I wouldn’t mind re-reading before I picked up the next one actually. So glad to hear you enjoyed it Lexxie!
Yeah, it was really well done, with great characters and as you said, the mythology was well done, too. Thanks for stopping by Jeann.
I wish I’d put this one on my Reading Assignment list! 🙂 I have it on my shelf, of course, because I love Stiefvater’s writing. It seems as though she’s done it again with The Raven Boys – created an incredible story wrapped around rich characters done with lyrical prose, yeah? I’ll get to it sooner than later.
So I’m reading Silver Shadows…I’m past that point now but Lex, I was wanting to hurl something into Adrian’s head!! What was he thinking being so selfish? I mean, I get the spirit thing, but…And what is going on with the voice in his head? I know I’ll get answers. Hopefully I’ll finish it today. 🙂
**BIG HUGS**
Yes, Stiefvater’s writing is beautiful! I’m sure you’ll love this one, Brandee!
oh, gah! I know exactly what part you’re talking about in Silver Shadows, Brandee! It definitely gets better, though! *BIG HUGS*
So happy you loved this! A few people were complaining about the pace and how it’s slow. It gets better!
I enjoyed the pace and everything, Braine! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
YAY! Oh I am SO thrilled that you enjoyed this Lexxie^^ Better late than never 😀 The action isn’t always high speed in this one but the deliciously atmospheric setting, incredibly vivid characters and swoon-worthy quotes and prose MORE than make up for it! This is one of my all-time favorite series, I hope you love the next installments even more!! Wonderful review ♥
True, better late than never. And I had such a great time with Blue and those Raven Boys, Micheline. I am looking forward to continuing with the series.
I didn’t read your entire review, because sometimes I get a bit more than I bargained for when the review is for a book on my To Be Read list. However, your first two paragraphs were enough. I have this book in queue and will move it up a few spots. Definitely looking forward to reading it.
You are going to love it, Xyra! I know it! Have a great week.
Firstly, I am a sucker for world-building; especially, when it is done with a flawless progression. I have seriously heard and read so many positive reviews and just things in general about this series. I can’t believe I haven’t read it yet! I will soon! I’m hoping to set the summer exclusively for myself, no ARC’s, no commitments, etc. ha ha!
Great review Lexxie <3
Claudia @ My Soul Called Life
You should definitely try this series, Claudia, it’s really well done! I hope you’ll have all the time you want and need at your disposal this summer 🙂
So many have read this series and I haven’t yet. I confess that I’m quite curious because everyone seems please with it. I have tried a faes series by her and it was quite nice and now I know what I need to do lol. great review!
I just love how Stiefvater makes her characters come to life in my head, Melliane! Thanks for stopping by.