photo home_zpspjo8kmb0.png photo about us_zpsarf3yetn.png photo reviews_zpshqab7na7.png photo book recs_zpsdmrlfetg.png



.

September 14, 2012

Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater - Juhina

The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle, #1)
Title: The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publication date: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre(s): Young Adult (Paranormal/Supernatural)
Source: Publisher
Format: ARC
Pages: 408
“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 story that is full of fantasy and supernatural occurrences that actually originate from factual, real life beliefs that I actually looked up after finishing the book. However, with this stellar and rich plot, The Raven Boys has a cast of unique, individualistic characters that you can’t help but fall a little bit in love with and also be jealous of their friendship and want to be a part of their posse. Four boys, The Raven Boys, the name given to boys who go to Aglionby, the private school for rich kids, are what the story revolves around, along with Blue, the girl that somehow triggers everything around them. 
I honestly think what landed this book in my top books of 2012 list are the characters, their friendship with each other, and how the four boys, even with their differences and their distinct personalities, mesh so well together and would do anything for each other. Then enters the psychic’s daughter, Blue. She’s destined to either fall in love or kill one of these four boys, and we find which one at the beginning of the novel. Also, prophecies from all psychics have warned her about kissing the love of her life because with that one kiss, death will do them part. Blue quickly becomes a part of their group and I really liked how there are no lies, deceits, and backstabbing happening between them. 
Blue ends up getting close to someone but who is NOT the Raven Boy we were promised in the synopsis and that our hearts, well at least mine, has been dying to get them together. But I must warn you, if you are expecting romance to be the leading theme, or even the secondary theme, then you are mistaken. The first theme is most definitely the boys’ obsession with finding out the ley line (click on the link to find out more about Ley Lines) and finding the buried one. The second is the friendship between them and how normal life still gets in the way of their quest to unraveling the supernatural that this world does indeed have. Maggie’s writing was so enchanting in The Raven Boys; I was holding my breath in so many scenes. I also somehow became as obsessed as the boys were in trying to find the ley lines. Also, Gansey, one of the boys, has totally stolen my heart. He was like the father of all the boys. He busted their butts when they weren’t studying, saved them when they got into fights, and vouched for them when they were going to get kicked out of school or were abused at home. 
If you are not a fan of The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, then I still urge you to read The Raven Boys. This book is not in the least bit similar to the Shiver series. I honestly wouldn’t have guessed for the life of me that the same author wrote both books. I am so glad Maggie has decided to explore her own fascination in ley lines and create such a powerful and memorable novel that had me yearning to get my hands on the second book when the first hasn’t even come out yet!  

19 comments:

  1. OH MY GOD!!! I AM READIN THIS RIGHT NOW...AND TOTALLY LOVING IT!!! :D And I'm not done yet..but I also admire the characters' friendship with each other and their instinct to take care of one another! I can't wait to see how it ends! Hopefully, I can have my review up on Sunday! LOL ;p

    Thank you for the lovely Review! :D

    ~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair 

    ReplyDelete
  2. I wasn't really interested in this book originally, but after reading your review, I'm definitely interested in it now:) It sounds like such a unique and great story :) Amazing review!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm super excited for this! I've heard so many praises about how this is different from the other works by Maggie Stiefvater but still amazing as ever.

    Sangita @ Whisper of Reads.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I honestly think what landed this book in my top books of 2012 list are the characters, their friendship with each other, and how the four boys, even with their differences and their distinct personalities, mesh so well together and would do anything for each other.

    That sentence pretty much sums up my main reason for loving this book! I'm so glad we had similar feelings to this, Juhina! Wonderfully reviewed! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RIGHT? I NEED more books that center about AWESOME friendships

      - Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf

      Delete
  5. Oh, what a wonderful review <3 It was detailed enough to spark my interest, but not so much that I have the feeling I already know everything. Well done, because you definitely made me excited to get a copy as soon as possible.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I still haven't read the Shiver series, and her other duology- but I really need to read something of this authors work, because I keep reading how beautiful her writing is!

    Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've really enjoyed Maggie Stiefvater's books ever since I picked up Shiver. The Scorpio Races was fantastic despite its lack of romance, so I think The Raven Boys will be able to exceed expectations even with romance not being a priority in this book.

    Angie @YA Novelties

    ReplyDelete
  8. This sounds awesome. Epic, in fact. Sadly, I haven't read any of Stiefvater's books (I KNOW). And I'm glad the romance isn't the main aspect. Great review, Juhina!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'll admit that sadly I haven't read any Maggie Stiefvater books before but I am totally dying to read The Raven Boys.

    Great review, Juhina! You pointed out all the things I know I'll love in the book. Eep, can't wait! =D

    Sana @ artsy musings of a bibliophile

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is a book I really can't wait to read. I'm waiting to get my review list down and then it's one of my top book buys. I'm really glad you enjoyed it so much, great review :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. I have heard that the characters are amazing in this book, and now to hear you say it too makes it final. I need to read this book! I have not read any of Maggie's other books and after seeing yours and Anna (literary exploration)'s review, I know I need to read it.

    Thanks for the great review, Juhina. I love reading your thoughts on books :)

    Michelle @ Book Briefs

    ReplyDelete
  12. I've heard lots of good things about this one and am definitely looking forward to reading it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. This book sounds great!! I've been hearing awesome things about it. great review :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh wow happy you loved this one. I have yet to read any of Maggie's books, so I am going to have to give this one a shot. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Now I definitely have to read this! I won a copy and it's sitting on my shelf waiting for me ;) But I'm glad you liked the characters thanks for the review! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've been hearing so much about this book and it sounds really exciting :) Great review! I really enjoyed Shiver, but I haven't had the time to read Linger and Forever. Hopefully I get to those so I can finish the trilogy.

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

    ReplyDelete
  17. I wasn't a fan of the Shiver series and I wasn't planning on even picking up The Raven Boys, but I have been reading so many reviews urging people to give it a shot, because it's nothing like the Shiver series. So it is definitely on my list and I hope to read it soon! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, I love a story that has great characters :0)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow, what a great review. I've read...three books of Maggie's, and just can't get into them. For some reason her writing and my brain just don't jive. But based on the response I've seen, this book is going to be very popular! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much!

    Courtney @ Fuzzy.Coffee.Books

    ReplyDelete