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!

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!