Brad About Books: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

THE RAVEN BOYS
Published: September 18, 2012
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Format: ARC
Page Count: 416 pages
Source: Publisher
Series: The Raven Cycle, #1

“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.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of theShiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

First, I want to thank Scholastic Press for sending me an ARC of THE RAVEN BOYS! Thanks guys! 

THE RAVEN BOYS is a fresh and compelling read that had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Maggie Stiefvater has such a vivid imagination and wonderful prose!

I will say that I was confused for the first sixty pages of this book. But once I figured out what was going on, I fell in love with this book hard. I've never read a novel like this -- and I don't think I ever will! -- and Maggie Stiefvater managed to capture my attention from just the prologue. And with her lyrical writing style, it was easy to fall into this world with these fantastic characters.

I want touch on the subject of Stiefvater's writing style. When I read this book, I felt like I was reading poetry -- and not the boring kind. The kind that makes you consider things you've never considered. The kind that makes you lose yourself into the world. The kind of writing that makes you forget everything else while you're reading the book. It's absolutely brilliant what Maggie did with this book and how she made me invest in this story and these characters.

Speaking of these characters . . . oh gosh, how I loved them so much! Blue was such an interesting character to read about! She's fierce, a bit odd, and knows what she wants from life. I really enjoyed how she wasn't a damsel in distress, but how she also wasn't that annoying kind of independent. And The Raven Boys; gah! Maggie made them such awesome characters to read about.

Gansey was just a unique character; plain and simple. The whole storyline involving him was fascinating, and then the whole tie-in with ravens made it even more original. Then we go to Adam, who is just a nice and calm character. But don't get on his bad side, because he will drop you to the ground. I felt sorry for Adam during moments in THE RAVEN BOYS; I just felt like his family didn't support him any. And there's this one scene in THE RAVEN BOYS that features Adam that is nail-biting. Read the book and you'll know exactly what I mean!

Enter Ronan, the fierce, strong and tough guy from the prestigious private school. He doesn't take crap from anybody -- and I do mean anybody -- and was another stunning character by Stiefvater. He always had something going on with him, which made him very likeable and interesting. And finally, we come to Noah, who is probably the most gentle out of the Raven Boys. He doesn't say much and doesn't really get involved. But he's got some secrets that he's been keeping from people, including himself. Right before page 300, something BIG is revealed, and my jaw literally fell open.

And can I just express how much I'm dying for the sequel? Maggie Stiefvater left this book in such a way that made me want to scream to the top of my lungs in desperation for book two. Seriously, 2013 needs to come sooner! 

Overall, THE RAVEN BOYS is a must read. Don't be alarmed by the confusing beginning, IT GETS SO GOOD. Maggie Stiefvater, you are simply brilliant! 

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