Maggie Stiefvater

Though she is from a family of clairvoyants, Blue Sargent's only gift seems to be that she makes other people's talents stronger. When she meets Gansey, one of the boys from the expensive Aglionby Academy, she discovers that he has talents of his own--and that together their talents are a dangerous mix. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as "raven boys", they can only mean trouble. 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

This is the first book in a brand new series from bestselling author, Maggie Stiefvater. Fans of SHIVER (9781407115009), LINGER (9781407121086) and FOREVER (9781407121116) will love this new quartet! Blue has spent the majority of her sixteen years being told that if she kisses her true love, he will die. When Blue meets Gansey's spirit on the corpse road she knows there is only one reason why - either he is her true love or she has killed him. Determined to find out the truth, Blue becomes involved with the Raven Boys, four boys from the local private school (lead by Gansey) who are on a quest to discover Glendower - a lost ancient Welsh King who is buried somewhere along the Virginia ley line. Whoever finds him will be granted a supernatural favour. Never before has Blue felt such magic around her. But is Gansey her true love? She can't imagine a time she would feel like that, and she is adamant not to be the reason for his death. Where will fate lead them? Look out for the next book, THE DREAM THIEVES, out 18th September 2013!

Atli 💗🧚🏽‍♀️

“It doesn’t matter how you say it. It’s what you wanted, in the end. All your things in one place, all under your roof. Everything you own right where you can see …”

Gansey was just a guy with a lot of stuff and a hole inside him that chewed away more of his heart every year. They were always walking away from him. But he never seemed able to walk away from them.

“This is the way I talk. I’m sorry your father never taught you the meaning of repugnant. He was too busy smashing your head against the wall of your trailer while you apologized for being alive.”

His mother stood on the porch, watching him and the cop, her eyes narrowed. Adam knew what she was thinking, because they’d had the conversation so many times before: Don’t say anything, Adam. Tell him you fell down. It really was a little your fault, wasn’t it? We’ll deal with it as a family.

“My face,” Noah said softly, and he turned his head away, pressing his ruined cheek into his shoulder. “I can’t remember when I stopped being alive.”

“You look like a super villain with your familiar,” Adam said.

 This last bit was because he collected strange old things and looked in holes in walls and had a journal of things that had happened on the fourteenth of April every year since history began.

“You’re looking for a god. Didn’t you suspect that there was also a devil?”

Gansey’s thumb worried over his bottom lip. He asked Adam, “What’s going on?”

Adam replied, “We’re being haunted.”

“Shit, man,” Ronan said, finally. A little desperate. “All those nights you gave me grief about keeping you awake, and you don’t even need to sleep.”

Blue heard Gansey’s breath catch in naked shock. The face on the driver’s license was Noah’s.

“Oh,” Gansey replied, sounding deflated. “Well, okay.”

“Oh,” he repeated, about fourteen shades brighter. “Shall I pick you up,

epojwif lmaooo this shouldn't be funny but omg

He said, “I’ve always liked the name Jane.”

Blue’s eyes widened. “Ja — what? Oh! No, no. You can’t just go around naming people other things because you don’t like their real name.”

“I want you to know,” Adam whispered furiously, “I would never do that. It wasn’t real. I’d never do that to him.”

His fingers were tight on her arm, and she felt him shaking. Blue blinked at Adam, wiping her cheeks dry. It took her a moment to realize that he must have seen something entirely different than she had.

She recognized the strange happiness that came from loving something without knowing why you did, that strange happiness that was sometimes so big that it felt like sadness.

The air itself was scented with green and growing and water. The light was golden through the leaves. Everything was alive, alive.

BAHAHAHA adam not to much on ronan 😭😭

“I’m	going to need everyone to be straight	with	each other from now on. No more games. This isn’t	just for Blue, either. All of us.” 

Ronan said, “I’m always	straight.” 

Adam replied,	“Oh, man, that’s the biggest	lie you've ever told.

That was	what	had	been	nagging	him	all	this	time.	He	knew	he	recognized her	voice.	He	knew	that	Henrietta	accent,	he	knew	that	cadence. It	was	Blue’s	voice	on	the	recorder.

is this foreshadowing?? hmm idk but i like benji

She’s a single mother with three daughters, but it’s this seventeen-year-old boy who worries her more than anything. A boy who cares too little about the future and frets too much about the past: nothing could depress a mother more.

BAHAHAHA i loveee kira with my entire soul

“But who’s going to take care of the kids?”

“I thought maybe you could take care of them. You have got bigger breasts than me, after all.”

i don't like being told what to do, so personally i'd be seeing them on three consecutive business days.

Maura caught Blue’s expression. She said, “I’ve never told you to do anything before, Blue. But I’m telling you now. Stay away from them.”

Blue liked how polite he was. It seemed different than Gansey’s politeness. When Gansey was polite, it made him powerful. When Adam was polite, he was giving power away.

girl you can't be saying stuff like that about my baby Adam...

And that meant that the journal belonged to him.

So many things survived here without really living. He said, “It means I never get to be my own person. If I let you cover for me, then I’m yours. I’m his now, and then I’ll be yours.”

Naomi

I read this for the first time when I was like 10 and had no capacity for writing that didn’t explicitly
spell out exactly what was going on and reread it at age 19 because Kalena made a Marauders comparison…..I get it now…..

 by Maggie Stiefvater is a spellbinding novel that fascinated me with its gripping plot and ensemble of characters. It kept me wanting to read the rest of the series. This book not only surpassed my expectations (which were none since I went in there with absolutely no idea of what the book was about), but also left me eagerly anticipating the rest of the series.

One of the most captivating aspects of "The Raven Boys" is the rich and diverse ensemble of characters. Each one is carefully crafted with their own distinct personalities and quirks that make them come alive on the pages. Even the secondary characters serve a purpose, and don't just feel like ornaments in the book.

 was the one who stood out to me. She's absolutely one of the most remarkable characters I've encountered in all my reading. Her enigmatic presence—her actions, her being and tone—and depth added a layer of intrigue and mystery to the story, leaving me craving to discover more about her. 

With his unwavering sweetness and determination, Adam instantly won my heart. His genuineness and resilience in the face of adversity made him incredibly endearing. I wish him nothing but the best, and his father nothing less than 

Gansey was a fascinating character. His intelligence and unyielding pursuit of knowledge, and finding Cabeswater and Glendower made this both his biggest strengths 

 weaknesses. His character was brilliantly portrayed, showcasing both his brilliance and his vulnerabilities.

Ronan is a rough-around-the-edges character, brought a refreshing contrast to the group. His edgy demeanor and complex nature added depth to the dynamics among the friends, particularly when juxtaposed with Noah and Adam. I found his character to be described as 'almost but not quite', because I don't really have much of an opinion of him. I don't think I have much to work with since he was given less spotlight than even the aunts. Hopefully he'll be featured more in the other books, so I could unravel the layers hiding beneath his tough exterior.

                                                     Blue Sargent 

Blue was a protagonist that defied my expectations and left me in awe of her beautifully written portrayal. As someone accustomed to disliking protagonists, I was pleasantly surprised that I loved her character from the first to last page. She was a truly unforgettable protagonist who commanded attention on every page.

Beyond its captivating characters, the plot of "The Raven Boys" is a brilliant tapestry of mystery, friendship, and the supernatural. Maggie Stiefvater expertly weaves a multilayered storyline that kept me riveted, eager to uncover the next twist or turn. The pacing is impeccable, building suspense and intrigue at every step. Stiefvater's masterful storytelling creates a narrative that's not only impossible to put down but also leaves readers yearning for more.

What's truly remarkable about Stiefvader's writing is her ability to allow each character's voice to be unique within a large ensemble cast. Each personality shines through. Stiefvater's skillful writing evokes a spectrum of emotions, and creates a rich and unforgettable reading experience.

In conclusion, "The Raven Boys" is a remarkable novel that combines an exceptional cast of characters with an enthralling plot. It's a book that will transport you to a world of mystery and wonder, leaving you utterly captivated until the very last page. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a mesmerizing blend of unforgettable characters and a gripping storyline.

Rating: ★★★★★

"The Raven Boys" by Maggie Stiefvater is a spellbinding novel that fascinated me with its gripping plot and ensemble of characters. It kept me wanting to read the rest of the series. This book not only surpassed my expectations (which were none since I went in there with absolutely no idea of what the book was about), but also left me eagerly anticipating the rest of the series.

                                          Character Analysis 

One of the most captivating aspects of "The Raven Boys" is the rich and diverse ensemble of characters. Each one is carefully crafted with their own distinct personalities and quirks that make them come alive on the pages. Even the secondary characters serve a purpose, and don't just feel like ornaments in the book.

                            (My Favourite Character) Persephone 

Among them, Persephone was the one who stood out to me. She's absolutely one of the most remarkable characters I've encountered in all my reading. Her enigmatic presence—her actions, her being and tone—and depth added a layer of intrigue and mystery to the story, leaving me craving to discover more about her. 

                                             Adam Parrish 

With his unwavering sweetness and determination, Adam instantly won my heart. His genuineness and resilience in the face of adversity made him incredibly endearing. I wish him nothing but the best, and his father nothing less than HELL.

                              Richard "Dick" Campbell Gansey II

Gansey was a fascinating character. His intelligence and unyielding pursuit of knowledge, and finding Cabeswater and Glendower made this both his biggest strengths and weaknesses. His character was brilliantly portrayed, showcasing both his brilliance and his vulnerabilities.

                                              Ronan Lynch 

Ronan is a rough-around-the-edges character, brought a refreshing contrast to the group. His edgy demeanor and complex nature added depth to the dynamics among the friends, particularly when juxtaposed with Noah and Adam. I found his character to be described as 'almost but not quite', because I don't really have much of an opinion of him. I don't think I have much to work with since he was given less spotlight than even the aunts. Hopefully he'll be featured more in the other books, so I could unravel the layers hiding beneath his tough exterior.

                                                     Blue Sargent 

Blue was a protagonist that defied my expectations and left me in awe of her beautifully written portrayal. As someone accustomed to disliking protagonists, I was pleasantly surprised that I loved her character from the first to last page. She was a truly unforgettable protagonist who commanded attention on every page.

                                                Plot Analysis 

Beyond its captivating characters, the plot of "The Raven Boys" is a brilliant tapestry of mystery, friendship, and the supernatural. Maggie Stiefvater expertly weaves a multilayered storyline that kept me riveted, eager to uncover the next twist or turn. The pacing is impeccable, building suspense and intrigue at every step. Stiefvater's masterful storytelling creates a narrative that's not only impossible to put down but also leaves readers yearning for more.

                                                Writing Style 

What's truly remarkable about Stiefvader's writing is her ability to allow each character's voice to be unique within a large ensemble cast. Each personality shines through. Stiefvater's skillful writing evokes a spectrum of emotions, and creates a rich and unforgettable reading experience.

                                                Conclusion 

In conclusion, "The Raven Boys" is a remarkable novel that combines an exceptional cast of characters with an enthralling plot. It's a book that will transport you to a world of mystery and wonder, leaving you utterly captivated until the very last page. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking a mesmerizing blend of unforgettable characters and a gripping storyline.

Maria

this isn’t by any means a perfect book but it’s so dear to my heart, i just fall a little more in love with it every time i reread it

Christine

Alexandre Casal Vázquez

The Raven Boys : La profecía del cuervo

(3.75/5) no puedo creer que me haya tardado tanto en comenzar esta saga cuando hace tiempo que la tenía en la mira para leerla, pero lo cierto es que disfruté muchísimo de este libro y fue la lectura perfecta para despejarme y disfrutar de una trama (al menos en apariencia) sencilla, y unos personajes que se roban tu corazón desde la primera página.

me gusta mucho la manera en la que Maggie Stiefvater va hilando la trama, presentándonos de a poco nuevos elementos que van haciendo a esta fantasía mucho más intrincada de lo que parece. me fascinó el uso que le dio al esoterismo, al tarot y a las energías para desarrollar la magia de su mundo, y como todo esto tiene importancia tanto para el destino que se le ha dado a Blue, la protagonista, así como para la búsqueda en la que se ve embarcada luego de conocer a los raven boys. sí debo admitir que el comienzo del libro es bastante lento e introductorio, y de que a menos que los personajes te atrapen puede tornarse tedioso, y aunque así lo sentí en ciertas partes, pronto la trama comenzó a tomar ritmo y me vi completamente enredada en los misterios e incógnitas que se nos presentan.

sin embargo, el elemento que más brilla en este libro por sobre todas las cosas es sin duda sus personajes. a pesar de que la mayoría son el típico estereotipo que se manejaba en la época en que este libro fue publicado, la manera que tiene la autora para desarrollar las interacciones y relaciones entre cada uno de ellos es fascinante. te hace preocuparte por estos personajes casi desde el momento en que los conocés, y las relaciones entre cada uno de ellos son tan distintas y particulares que podés determinar quién es quien casi simplemente por la manera en que reaccionan al resto. son personajes muy humanos, que a pesar de todo se preocupan el uno por el otro y son increíblemente leales incluso cuando las cosas no son fáciles entre ellos. quedé fascinada, más que nada, por la amistad entre Ronan y Gansey, y entre Adam y Gansey (por accidentada y difícil que sea) y no puedo esperar a ver más de todos ellos en los proximos libros, leer cómo tanto ellos como su amistad crece, y cómo la dinámica en el grupo cambia para aceptar a Blue de manera orgánica.

en definitiva, disfruté mucho de esta lectura y no puedo esperar a descubrir qué nuevas cosas tiene Maggie preparadas en sus próximos libros (sobre todo con ESA frase con la que acaba esta novela, me dejó completamente en blanco).

martina

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.

The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, Book 1)

akynn 

3.5 Stars

I may have liked this book better if there was less romance but I guess that's relevant to the plot.

britt

omfg i loved this shit. the first time i tried to read this book, i was in middle school and wasn’t feeling it, so i abandoned it. as i read it again now, i cannot comprehend how i ever thought this book wasn’t my vibe. this was the shit. 

i was surprised by how well it did exploring and incorporating classism. i will def be reading the rest of the series and be eating all of it up.

graelihn

I totally get it now guys lol. This book was awesome! I had so many revelation moments and I loved how everything came together in the end while also opens up for the next adventure. Also wtf Ronan lol

it took me a while to get into the book but wowww wow wow so far i’m loving the plot it’s really interesting and unique but also pretty creepy? some parts did confuse me it must be said but i think the author did a good job with the descriptions which helped me piece things together. i think the descriptions of the settings especially were really well done. adam literally just living with $5 and a dream. if anything happens to gansey i’m killing someone (Adam (jk)) 😅 can’t wait to see how the story unfolds and especially cannot wait to know more about ronan 😘 i hope there’s more of persephone and calla in the next books i love them! also blue’s a sweetheart love her but i know she’s gonna fall in love with gansey really soon😭

Though she is from a family of clairvoyants, Blue Sargent's only gift seems to be that she makes other people's talents stronger, and when she meets Gansey, one of the Raven Boys from the expensive Aglionby Academy, she discovers that he has talents of his own--and that together their talents are a dangerous mix.

chloe rae

*This might be more of a 4.5 but I’m still unsure. 

WHOA. That was a blast. A MARVELOUS BLAST. I haven’t read a Maggie Stiefvater book in ages and I forgot just how stunning they are! Her writing style is so lyrical and quietly poetic that it just draws you in. This books setting is so unique and inviting and she captures that magical tone so well. I just adored this. I positively LOVED the characters. I’m not sure I liked the third person POV but I also understand why she did it. And regardless of that, all the characters were so unique and I just felt like I understood them. I also REALLY want to be their friends. They’re so loyal to each other and smart and courageous and I just loved them. I loved this story. Can’t wait to start on the next!

This is the only fantasy series in which I genuinely like and care about every single character in the main friend group. Stiefvater fleshes out her characters and their motives so incredibly well that it honestly feels like she ripped them straight out of a dream, Greywaren-style. Every time I re-read this series, I’m just as immersed in the worldbuilding as I was the first time I read it. Everything about it just feels so inexplicably REAL. I can’t put into words the way I feel when I read this book - whatever I write would only be doing TRB a disservice.

kiana

Mel 

3.5 stars 

This is going to be a hard one to review. I liked it somewhat but it took a while to get into (more than halfway). Blue and The Raven Boys are very intriguing characters but I’m not particularly attached to any of them yet. I enjoyed Maura, Persephone and Calla’s characters and seeing how their psychic powers worked differently. The Glendower/Ley Lines storyline was a bit confusing to me aka I didn’t really get it. I don’t know if it’s because I wasn’t paying attention properly or I was feeling kind of slumpy when I was reading this. However, I’m definitely intrigued by it (and I’m probably going to google it).Also, for some reason, this book reminded me of The Diviner’s. I’m not entirely sure why.I’m definitely reading the next book.

catalina

lo único que puedo pensar es: adam, adam, adam, adam y adam parrish.

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.

The Raven King

Annika Arguemore

Messier than I expected it to be. 

Most of the time I was struggling to find out what was really happening, like what really was the sacrifice Gwenllian made for her father's war? And how was it connected to Gansey's sacrifice? Why wasn't Gwenllian and Artemus in the same state where they found The Raven King? Was it because of the destruction brought about by the demon? What did Cabeswater make for that resurrection? Most of what she said was vague. And most of the questions don't even have answers. More importantly, her purple prose got more in the way of the reader actually comprehending the situation.

I also didn't like her writing style in this one. Repeating everything got really annoying (i.e. he/she wasn't wrong, the story started with...). It's like she just said "fuck it" and just published it. Did the editor even approve of this?

One thing I know for sure is that this wasn't the ending I deserved for sticking around for a long ass time and actually devoting time into reading this series.

It's either somewhere along a 4.8 to a 5 but either way, I still loved it! 

I loved the environment it created. I liked the style of writing but not so much since it wasn't that easy on the eyes. I loved the complexity of the story. I love the way the author, how the author handled many ideas, how she was able to juggle these ideas and give equal attention to each of them, how its vitality shone through in spite of how many those ideas were. 

It just sucked that it was a cliffhanger, though. That's the only thing that bothered me. And that some parts were nebulous. Perhaps it was just me reading this while I was sleepy. But anyway, as I said, it wasn't very easy on the eyes.

Syahla Aurel

ARE YOU LISTENING GLENDOWER? I AM COMING TO FIND YOU!

Well for a first book from a series this was a pretty good one and after reading it I feel convinced to follow the series further. I still have questions about Gansey's character though, I feel like it was so focused on Adam, but maybe I will discover it more in the next book.

4.75 stars*

i wish i read this sooner when i was in my YA fantasy phase

garnet

These characters are all so dear to me in a way I can't fully explain - I understand and love their idiosyncrasies, conflicts, terrible fashion sensee, bad moods etc. Everything and everyone is so well developed, and I truly feel like I am a part of this world. I can't wait to read more of the series.

eikaia

Personaggi? Bellissimi. Tutti. Trama? Bellissima e originale. Dialoghi realistici e naturali, scrittura davvero scorrevole!

Gwyn Dill

This book was a rollercoaster of confusion, but in a good way. 

The Raven Boys is about all things supernatural, including things such as ley lines and sleeping Welsh kings, something which I've not read many things about before. 

The setting in a private school was interesting, I liked how each of the characters seemed alike at first, but are so very different. 

Overall I liked this book, but the part where Blue can't kiss her true love is a bit overdone I think. We've already got so much going on, why is this even a thing? I don't know.

The ending was also really confusing to me, it just... ended?? I don't know yet whether I will read the following books in the series, it is what it is :)

Laura

This book was a rollercoaster of confusion, but in a good way. 

The Raven Boys is about all things supernatural, including things such as ley lines and sleeping Welsh kings, something which I've not read many things about before. 

The setting in a private school was interesting, I liked how each of the characters seemed alike at first, but are so very different. 

Overall I liked this book, but the part where Blue can't kiss her true love is a bit overdone I think. We've already got so much going on, why is this even a thing? I don't know.

The ending was also really confusing to me, it just... ended?? I don't know yet whether I will read the following books in the series, it is what it is :)

Macy Johnson

Mind-blowing and amazing. 5 stars. 

Had some language, but it was well worth it.

Definitely a quality read.

The Raven Boys

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