Book Review: The Raven King by Maggie Steifvater

**** This review is spoiler free! If you've read The Raven King or not you can enjoy my flails. Heck you can even enjoy it if you haven't read The Raven Boys. But seriously, what are you waiting for? These books are amazing! ****

Title: The Raven King Series: The Raven Cycle #4 Written by: Maggie Steifvater Published: April 26, 2016 by Scholastic (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Nothing living is safe. Nothing dead is to be trusted.  For years, Gansey has been on a quest to find a lost king. One by one, he’s drawn others into this quest: Ronan, who steals from dreams; Adam, whose life is no longer his own; Noah, whose life is no longer a lie; and Blue, who loves Gansey…and is certain she is destined to kill him.  Now the endgame has begun. Dreams and nightmares are converging. Love and loss are inseparable. And the quest refuses to be pinned to a path.

So I have been able to sleep on my feels for this book and while I am still frequently overwhelmed by the threat of tears and flailing I think I might be coherent enough to review it a little. First things first, this was a fantastic ending to a wonderful series. The Raven Cycle has slowly and methodically worked its way into my heart and it will live there forever. I am sad to see it end but I am so satisfied with the way it did. And interestingly, the more I sit with my thoughts the happier I am with this conclusion and usually it's the other way around.

The best part about this series has always been the characters. Maggie does such a brilliant job of introducing you to a crazy amount of people who you can't help but love and root for. And because this book alternates perspectives in such rabid succession, you get inside the head of so many of them. Protagonists, antagonists, minor secondary characters, main characters. You see this book from every side and it makes things really interesting. Because of that you can feel the character's pain, their hope, and their love. They are all so different and similar at the same time. They are all searching for "something more" as Maggie puts it and I wanted that for them. It's rare for me to feel this connected to characters but Maggie's writing and characterizations makes it so easy. I love Blue and The Raven Boys so much that at this point I don't think I could be more invested in their success.

And then there are the relationships. This book, this series, has so many amazing relationships. The connecting thread in this series is the friendships between the characters and the support they give one another. Whether it's the friendships, the familial relationships, or the romantic ones, the way the characters relate to one another is so amazing. I laughed along with them as they made fun of each other (Ronan and Blue in this book might be my new favorite BroTP), I cried along with them when bad things happened, and I swooned and flailed along with them when their crushes became more. Seriously, sometimes I'll remember certain phrases and chapters regarding ships and I will just get suddenly excited. But the relationships here are so brilliant and perfect I couldn't help it.

But the other thing that is so great about this book is that it is an amazing coming-of-age story disguised as magical realism. Sure, yes, there is a ton of magic in this book and it was great seeing that come more and more into play as the series developed. And yes, it was that magic which helped lead to our ultimate conclusion but it was more than that. I was talking to someone about this book and I how I loved that it wasn't just another one of those books where magic saved everything. Magic played a part but it was the characters that saved everything. The book didn't really feel over, the series didn't really feel over when each of the main characters had that "aha moment." The one where they took matters into their own hands and got their "something more." And when I look back on where they were in book one, I love what these characters have become by book 4. And while I was surprised by some of the ways the book ended for certain characters, it feels right. It's a really great coming-of-age story and I didn't realize that until now.

I should have expected surprises with this series. That's how the plot development has been the whole time. And The Raven King was in fact full of surprises and amazing reveals that caught me totally off guard. There were a few big things that I wasn't expecting at all despite the obvious hints along the way. But that's how The Raven Cycle has been for me, subtle clues coming together in a big way to shock me like few series can. I prefer when series have individual plot lines while at the same time having one overarching one that takes up all the books. That's what The Raven Cycle is like. There was a storyline that was independent to this book but there was also the larger one for the sseries. This of course being the conclusion, the stakes were even higher and the reveals had more impact. And some endings did feel a little anti-climactic but it was still satisfying end when it was all said and done.

On the whole, The Raven King was a brilliant conclusion to an absolute favorite series. I'm sad to see it end but it was a brilliant ride. Now if you don't mind I'll just go be overwhelmed with feels somewhere else now. I think I have moved on from my book hangover now that it's been a few days but oh boy it was pretty intense for a minute there. But who can blame me? This book is so good!

I give The Raven King by Maggie Steifvater 9.5 out of 10 stars

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: BUY! Is that even a question? Of course you should buy this book. If you have read the first three books and didn't get a copy already I'm not sure we can be friends anymore. The Raven King is the perfect ending to an amazing series. If you have not read this series yet, start it now. It's brilliant.

Have you read The Raven King? What did you think? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

On Rereads: The Raven Cycle by Maggie Steifvater

On Rereads is a monthly feature on My Thoughts Lit where I talk about the books I reread during the month. It's an opportunity to share some new thoughts on a book I read before and usually to prepare for a new release and sequel. For the foreseeable future I plan to do rereads every month so I want to share my thoughts on these books the second time around.

All the amazing series conclussion are coming out this spring, amiright? So to prepare I am reareading the books in their series. In particular this month's rereads which are The Raven Cycle books. I can't believe The Raven King is coming out tomorrow! *hyperventilates* I have been waiting a year and a half for this book. I' mean, I've had it preordered for a year. I'm so excited and nervous. So I listened to the first three on audiobook to prepare. So here is my thoughts on these rereads....

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Steifvater

The Raven Boys -  (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
The Dream Thieves -  (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible / My Review)
Blue Lily, Lily Blue -  (Amazon / Goodreads / Audible / My Review)

I cannot put into words how good this series is. I love it on paper and I love it in audio. It's one of those series that defies genre characterization. Is it contemporary? Sure, maybe. Is it fantasy? Probably. But what subgenre? Supernatural? Maybe. But dubtful. Magical Realism? Most likely. But either way, it a beautifully written and atmospheric read with great character-driven moments, a insanely well-plotted story and  so much magic.  I love the way that the magic is coming in more and more as the series develops and I can't wait to find out what Maggie has in store for us in the final book. It's a series too that fits so well as an audiobook. The atmosphere of the series works great in the audio format and it makes for such an immersive listen

In particular, I love the characters in this series. I just love them so much. It is a series that is full of complicated and likable characters. The main cast of characters is probably five, well there are four people with perspectives. Actually, there are a lot of people with perspectives. Anyway, I digress. It's a large group of people in this book and they're all fantastic. My favorite is probably Ronan. He will never not make me laugh. Then Adam, who is adorably melancholy. (The Pynch feels were super strong in my reread). But I also love Blue and her fiestiness, and Gansey and his determination and kindness. The narrator of the audiobook does a great job with establishing each character. I love Adam's southern drawl that he ineffectively tries to stiffle. I love that you can hear the sneer in Ronan's speak and feel the sass in Blue's. I felt like the characters were coming to life.

But my favorite thing about this series is how well-plotted it is. Maggie does what I like so much with series where each book is self-contained with it's own antagonist and resolution but it builds up the larger story at the same time. But it is by no means boring, there are tons of surprises. I mean I remember the first time I read The Raven Boys and the twists just destroyed me. I did not see them coming. And here even though I did know they were coming, they didn't affect me any less. For one thing, I was kicking myself for not figuring some of them out way earlier. The clues are right there for us. Maggie does a great job of establishing those hints throughout the book. So when I was reading it this time I was picking up on those things. But also, I forgot so many specifics about the plot. I definitely needed a refresher so this was good.

And before I wrap this up, I have to rave about the audiobook for a second. I listen to my fair share of audiobooks and this one was really fantastic. It definitely became a new favorite, So much of my enjoyment of an audiobook comes down to the narrator. Which is often a personal preference. But I was a huge fan of Will Patton's narration. I think he did a great job of characterizations with the different accents and tones for the characters. Plus I think he also did a great job in establishing the world and tapping into that atmospheric nature of the writing. I'm expecting my copy of The Raven King to be a little delayed but I'm no longer mad because I loved the audio so much I plan to listen to it.

Have you read the The Raven Cycle? Are you dying for The Raven King? Did you reread in preparation for their series conclusions? Have you done any rereads lately? What books? Do you like doing rereads or not? Tell me why.  Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Waiting on Wednesday: The Raven King by Maggie Steifvater

A weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine

*** This is a sequel so beware of spoilers if you haven't read The Raven Cycle. And if you haven't read it you should probably get on that. It's amazing! Here's my review of The Raven Boys. ****

Title: The Raven King Series: The Raven Cycle #4 Author: Maggie Steifvater Published: March 29, 2016 by Scholastic (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: The fourth and final installment in the spellbinding series from the irrepressible, #1 New York Times bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater. All her life, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love's death. She doesn't believe in true love and never thought this would be a problem, but as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore. In a starred review for Blue Lily, Lily Blue, Kirkus Reviews declared: "Expect this truly one-of-a-kind series to come to a thundering close.

Why I'm Waiting 

I feel like I have been waiting so long for this book. I've had it preordered for ages and Amazon has sent me like 10 different emails telling me when this book is being released and when they are mailing it. I'm not sure who knows less about when it is coming out, me or Amazon.

But this series is so fantastic so I don't even care. I just want to read it and find out how it will all end. I'm super nervous about it though because you know, Blue's true love is supposed to die when she kisses them and like shipping feels and stuff. But I also have theories about twists and and resolutions and plot points. Mostly I just need to go back to Henrietta and check in with The Raven Boys and Maggie's beautiful writing.

I know a few blogger friends are waiting for this one as well and are anxiously excited about how it will all end. I'm definitely in that camp because I can't wait for The Raven King but I know it will wreck me!

What about you? What are you waiting for this Wednesday? Are you waiting on The Raven King along with me? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

ARC Review: Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Steifvater

Title: Blue Lily, Lily Blue Series: The Raven Cycle #3 Author: Maggie Steifvater Published: October 21, 2014 by Scholastic (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: There is danger in dreaming. But there is even more danger in waking up. Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs. The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost. Friends can betray. Mothers can disappear. Visions can mislead. Certainties can unravel

*** I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest view in return. This fact has not changed my opinion ***

I feel like a broken record with this series. I just keep parroting the same thing over and over again. But seriously with every passing book The Raven Cycle series keeps getting better and better. The characters are well-rounded and likable, the plot is intricate and mysterious, and the writing is beautiful and engaging.

First the characters. I have such feels for every one of them! I've said it before and I'll say it again, these characters are so real I can't help but love them. The more time we spend with them the more that they grow on me. The more that I learn about them, the more I like them. What I love about these characters that Maggie has created is that they are not perfect. They have strengths and weaknesses which makes them the kind of complex and well-rounded characters that are always more interesting to read about. It's hard to pinpoint who is the main character here. Gansey is determined and intelligent but single-minded and kind of selfish. Ronan who is tough with this hard exterior has a heart of gold and a dark sense of humor that I love. Adam is independent and hard-working but also stubborn and headstrong (side note I'm loving his development with the magical elements of the story). And Blue who is sassy and tough but puts up this wall so that others can't connect. That's sort of a theme with these characters. While they make up this great group and are amazing friends, they feel like no one understands them and won't really let others get close to them. It makes for some interesting ships (ugh, these ships are so amazing and so frustrating).

As the title may lead you to believe however, I'd say this is Blue's book. She is the focal point for the main plot thread of this book. She is the one who has to resolve the conflict for us to reach the exciting climax we have become accustomed to in this series. But that doesn't mean that Gansey, Adam, and Ronan don't get a ton of screen time too. The more time I spend with this series the more I realize that it is a coming-of-age story disguised as a supernatural adventure (I mean Maggie did use the word bildungsroman in the last book). Each of these characters have to come to some sort of enlightened development and learn who they are. In this book it was Blue who got that opportunity (plus Adam a little bit but who's keeping track). And along the way there were mysteries that were established and resolved, and tons of big reveals that led to more than one shocking surprise that left me confused and entertained.

That's one of the things that I love about this series, the plot is so intricate and expertly executed. I said it in my review of The Dream Thieves and it is less evident here but it is still true. With each book there is the larger plot that takes up the basis for the series and a specific plot to that book with a clear conflict and a clear climax. But until that climax, things are very complicated and confusing. I will say, in Blue Lily, Lily Blue, I was less annoyed by the constantly changing perspectives. It's something that I generally don't love but it seemed to work in this one. Perhaps because each smaller plotline seemed to lead to the same place. As the series winds down the steps are leading to the main conclusion of the series that began in The Raven Boys and as the focus narrows things start making more sense. I'm excited for that conclusion, especially after the way this book ended.  

But I'm also not ready for it all to end! I've really enjoyed the time I have spend in the world of The Raven Cycle and Henrietta, Virginia. It is the perfect combination of Supernatural and Low Fantasy. There is definitely magic at work here, and the magic is growing with each passing book. The focus of this magic is also shifting from the general magic within the world to the individual character's magic (and that's all I will say about that). Plus Maggie does a great job of immersing us in this world of magic and intrigue. Her writing is gorgeous and lyrical. It gives the reader this sense of pleasant unease that perfectly compliments the world of magic and mystery. And this time it was easy to just fall into the world and read chunks of the book at a time. Maybe that's because it had more action and adventure, or maybe it's because I'm more used to the style. Either way it was a great continuation to this series.

I give Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater a 9.5 out of 10

Buy, Borrow, or Bypass: Buy! I have fallen hard for this series and Blue Lily, Lily Blue is just the latest in a fantastic Supernatural Fantasy with complex and likable characters, an intricate plot full of adventure, and with beautiful writing that helps you fall head first into this world. Run to your bookstore and pick up a copy if you haven't yet!

If you have read Blue Lily, Lily Blue what did you think? Are you as hooked on this series as I am? Leave me a comment with you thoughts. Thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Dream Thieves Series: The Raven Cycle #2 Author: Maggie Stiefvater Published: October 2013 by Scholastic (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis:  Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...

*** This is the second book in a serious and this review may inadvertently contain spoilers for The Raven Boys. Read that first if you haven't! Here's my review to encourage you!***

I was blown away by how much I enjoyed reading The Raven Boys. I mean, I know everyone raves about it but I try to be cautiously skeptical and optimistic at the same time. But The Raven Boys was full of mystery, brilliant characters, and an interesting plot. So after a few weeks I was excited to continue with the story of Blue and the Raven Boys.

I wanted to just dive right back into this world and devour the book whole but Maggie's writing doesn't allow a person to do that. It sounds like a bad thing but really it's not. Maggie's writing is lyrical and poetic. This is not a fast-paced book, it causes you to slow down and take in every word. Her writing is the kind where you feel the power of the words. And while reading The Dream Thieves I was struck with my conflicting desires to fall into the book head first, and my desire to make it last. The latter definitely won out.

But Maggie's writing also brilliantly sets a mood that is atmospheric and interesting. The Dream Thieves didn't really feel as complicated as The Raven Boys but it was still full of mystery and adventure. This one definitely had more of what I would call magic to it. In The Raven Boys we got to explore some of the inherit magic and mystery in the town of Henrietta as well as it's connection to the psychics who are a part of the story. In The Dream Thieves we got all that and more. We were hit with a huge reveal at the end of The Raven Boys, and this book spend the bulk of it's time exploring that magic.

Speaking of that storyline, I was again struck by the plotting in this book. With a lot of series, they tend to just advance the larger plot and forget about the individual plot of each book. Maggie, however, doesn't do that. The Dream Thieves has it's own very specific storyline that has a clear resolution. But it also continues the story that began in The Raven Boys. We get to explore the consequences of the decision made at the end of the last book as we move forward with the grand scheme of things. And yes, the search for Glendower and Blue's curse takes a backseat, it is never forgotten.

As a personal preference however, I rarely enjoy when a book changes perspectives so much. In The Dream Thieves, like The Raven Boys we got to see the book from all different sides. And while it is good to vary the voice and to get inside the head of the characters who are all so complex and interesting, for me that makes things muddled and confusing. I would sometimes forget who was narrating a portion and when we would return to a character I would forget what had happened to them in previous sections. The changing perspectives were made a little easier by the fact that the characters are all so complex and enjoyable however.

Seriously, these characters are fantastic. The relationships that were build in The Raven Boys (and by relationships I mean between the characters and me) were only developed and solidified in The Dream Thieves. Blue and each of the boys: Gansey, Adam, Ronan, and Noah are such different and interesting characters. They made me laugh as well as cry. They each have strengths and weaknesses, they are smart and stupid. And they also all have flaws, none of them are perfect or cliche. They are well-rounded and likable. One of their greatest strengths is their friendship. This is a series about a strong group of friends coming together to achieve their goals. But I was so glad that we got to spend more time learning more about Ronan in this book. He may be my favorite. He's a mystery wrapped in an enigma and I love that he's a tough guy with a heart if gold. The Dream Thieves is without a doubt Ronan's book.

This series is getting better and more enthralling with each passing book. The plot thickens and gets more engaging, the characters get more exciting, and as we explore more of the world it becomes more intriguing and mysterious. When I finished I immediately picked up Blue Lily, Lily Blue. I'm not prepared to let it go!

I give The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater 9 out of 10

Buy/Borrow/Bypass: Buy! This series is a definite buy! Get prepared to fall into the world of mystery and friendship with gorgeous writing and complex and likable characters.

Have you read The Dream Thieves? What did you think? Am I prepared for the feels in Blue Lily, Lily Blue? Leave me a comment with your thoughts. As always thanks for stopping by and HAPPY READING!

Book Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater

Title: The Raven Boys Series: The Raven Cycle #1 Author: Maggie Stiefvater Published: 2013 by Scholastic Add the book: (Amazon / Goodreads) Synopsis: Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue never sees them--until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks to her. His name is Gansey, 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 is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul whose emotions range from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher 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 doesn't believe in true love, and never thought this would be a problem. But as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore.

You know those authors that you see on social media or may meet at events where you think, that person is fantastic and I love their personality so I bet I would love their books! For me that person was Maggie Steifvater. I have never read any of her books but I attended an event here in Pittsburgh because almost no one ever comes here and I found her delightful. So at the event I picked up copies of the first two books in the Raven Cycle series with plans to read them in October in anticipation of Blue Lily, Lily Blue coming out.

I thought I was the last person in the blogosphere to read them but then I was glad to find some fellow bloggers who hadn't read the books (Marly at Flyleaf Review, Danielle at Love at First Page, and Fry at Romancing the Laser Pistol) and we decided to do a readalong. Thanks ladies, I'm so glad I got to share the reading of this book with you because it blew my mind and I definitely needed someone to chat with while reading! The the characters and world Maggie created, the mood and atmosphere of the book, and the plot were all brilliant and engaging.

What first struck me about this book was the characters. Upon first inspection you may think that this is a book about Blue and her interaction with the titular Raven Boys but it is not. It is a book about Blue and the Raven Boys. It's hard to say who I would call the main character in this book. Throughout most of the book I would say one or two possibilities but when it finished, that opinion changed as well. Each character really got even attention both in terms of the plot and in terms of my heart! I very quickly liked Blue, she is quirky and independent. She thinks for herself and is easy to root for. But then I met The Raven Boys. Gansey who is determined and kind. He is sort of the ringleader of his group of friends that he cares so much for that he would do anything for them. Adam who is hard-working, sweet, and independent, wanting to do everything on his terms. Noah who is quiet and supportive. And Ronan who is aggressive and tough but with a great sense of humor and is surprisingly generous and helpful when it comes to the people (and birds) he cares about. Together the Raven Boys make up this amazing group of friends that Blue quickly and easily blend in with. They are all a group of misfits who shouldn't really be friends but they are. Their interactions and relationships are so realistic, it reminded me so much of my group of friends. They were also all well-rounded characters with interesting back-stories and secrets that this book only barely toughed on.

And these interesting and secretive characters were perfectly placed in the world of mystery and mythology that Maggie created. Seriously guys, the synopsis is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this world. As we find out at the very beginning, Blue's mother is a psychic who has predicted that if she kisses her true love her will die, but that isn't all that she predicts throughout the story. We are immersed in the world of the psychics. We attend a few readings and other rituals, and even get to see Blue's mother and some of the other characters predict the future. The supernatural elements of the book, like psychics and ghosts among other things, are perfectly combined with elements and history to create a complex and compelling world for this series. Even the town of Henrietta, Virginia, where all this takes place, has just as many secrets as the characters. Throughout the book we get to explore more about what has happened there in the past and why it is the perfect place for psychics. We get to explore a lot of the town with the Raven Boys who are searching for its secrets. And let me tell you, there are some crazy and mysterious things happening in Henrietta!

And these mysterious happenings led to an engaging and compelling plot despite some pacing issues. It took me a little while to get into it, but once I got to about the halfway point, I couldn't put the book down. I was expecting the book to be a bit of the cliche supernatural romance but this was much more of a mysterious thriller than anything else. I usually pride myself on being able to predict the twists in these kinds of books but many of what happened in this book caught me completely off guard and left me desperately wanting to keep reading. But on the whole this was a typical exposition kind of book that set everything up for the series to continue. It didn't quite have a specific and individual plot despite reaching a resolution in the story. But that isn't necessarily a bad thing. It definitely did its job of getting me engaged for this series.

But perhaps the best thing about this book was the mood and atmosphere created by Maggie's writing. With the secretive characters, a creative world that effortlessly combined supernatural elements, and a mysterious and compelling plot, it all worked together to create an ominous and interesting book, Being that this is my first Stiefvater novel, I loved the way that her writing walks that line between poetic and creepy but is full of humor and lighthearted moments to balance it all out. But the mood was far from lighthearted. it gives you as a reader a sense of unease. It was all ominous and mysterious, the perfect book for my pseudo-Halloween theme.

I give The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater a 9 out of 10

It is a fantastic start to a series that I'm really excited to keep reading. From the characters, to the world, to the mysterious plot I am so engaged to keep exploring Blue and the Raven Boys and to see where the story leads me. Plus the way that this book ended made me really want to read The Dream Theives!