Saturday 9 April 2016

The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater // Re-Read in Preparation for The Raven King!


Title: The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1)
Author: Maggie Steifvater
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery
Warnings: child abuse, mentions of blood, death
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads | Book Depository
I wanted to re-read this series before the release of the final instalment, The Raven King, and I'm so glad I did. Not only did it refresh my memory of the story, but I was able to fall in love with these beautiful characters all over again.

Blue is the only non-psychic in a family full of psychics. She longs for something more than her not-so-ordinary life, and that's what she gets when she is visited by the ghost of a stranger. There are only two reasons a person with no psychic abilities would see a ghost before the person's death: either he is Blue's true love, or she killed him.



The Raven Boys has mystery, mythology, romance and a dash of the supernatural, but what will forever be it's best quality are the characters. The dynamic between Blue and the raven boys is fascinating and their relationships only strengthen as the story progresses. There's:

  • Gansey, their leader, on the hunt for the missing Welsh King Glendower. He's obsessed with the supernatural and will try to protect his friends no matter what the cost.
  • Adam, a quiet but ambitious boy who wants success on his own terms or not at all. 
  • Ronan, the raven boy who is 'the most raven', reckless and intimidating.
  • And Noah, the shy, loyal member of the group who hides many secrets.
I love the individual personalities of all the characters, and the fact that they are all so flawed. It makes them so real and genuine - it's so easy to fall into the mystery that surrounds them.

The first half of the book is a little slow and I so wish that the plot was a little stronger overall, because the actual concept is fascinating. But don't let that put you off because every book gets better and better!

Every minute detail builds up to something bigger, so if you have the patience and love a bit of mystery and amazing characters, read The Raven Cycle. You won't find another series with quite the same atmosphere and magic that Steifvater has managed to create.

You can read my original review here.

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