Name: Savindi Jinasena's review of The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Item: The Raven Boys
Rating: 5
Author: Savindi Jinasena

Maggie Stiefvater

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!

The Raven Boys

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.

When Gansey was polite, it made him powerful. When Adam was polite, he was giving power away. 

April days in Henrietta were quite often fair, tender things, coaxing sleeping trees to bud and love-mad ladybirds to beat against windowpanes. But not tonight. 

i v e t t e 

Adam felt the familiar pang. Not jealousy, just wanting. One day, he’d have enough money to have a place like this. A place that looked on the outside like Adam looked on the inside.

“Fate,” Blue replied, glowering at her mother, “is a very weighty word to throw around before breakfast.”

The key, Gansey found, was that you had to believe that they existed; you had to realize they were part of something bigger. Some secrets only gave themselves up to those who’d proven themselves worthy. 

The way Gansey saw it was this: If you had a special knack for finding things, it meant you owed the world to look.

“Ask me if I found something,” Gansey said. Sighing, Ronan twitched the recorder toward Gansey. “Did you find anything?” Ronan didn’t sound very interested, but that was part of the Ronan Lynch brand. It was impossible to tell how deep his disinterest truly was.

kiana

Being Adam Parrish was a complicated thing, a wonder of muscles and organs, synapses and nerves. He was a miracle of moving parts, a study in survival.

Adam had once told Gansey, "Rags to riches isn't a story anyone wants to hear until after it's done.”

They were always walking away from him. But he never seemed able to walk away from them.

Ljudi viču kada nemaju dovoljno reči da bi šaputali.

Iz godine u godine Blu stoji pored svoje vidovite majke koja posmatra povorku onih što će uskoro biti mrtvi.

Blu nikada ranije nije mogla da ih vidi – sve do ove godine, kad se iz mraka pojavio duh mladića koji joj se obratio.

Bio je to Genzi, bogati učenik Aglionbija, lokalne privatne škole. Blu se iz principa drži podalje od momaka iz Aglionbija.

Poznati kao Mladi gavranovi, oni mogu samo da donesu nevolju.

Ipak, Blu oseća da je Genzi privlači, na način koji ne uspeva da u potpunosti objasni. Genzi traga za nečim, a u njegovu potragu uključena su još tri mlada gavrana: Adam, stipendista koji prezire privilegovani svet kojim je okružen, Ronan, žestok momak s rasponom osećanja od besa do očaja, i Noa, ćutljivi posmatrač koji mnogo šta primeti, ali malo toga kaže.

Otkad pamti, Blu je slušala kako će jednog dana izazvati smrt onoga kome je suđeno da bude njena prava ljubav. Blu ne veruje u pravu ljubav, i nikada nije mislila da će joj to proročanstvo predstavljati problem. Međutim, kako njen život počinje da se prepliće s čudnim i zlokobnim svetom Mladih gavranova, više nije toliko uverena u to.



Mladi gavranovi

High Fidelity

Jednom kad je Artur saznao da je gral stvaran,kako je mogao da ga ne traži?

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)

Gansey always thought that, after dark, it felt like anything could happen. 

This slumbering figure was dizzyingy important to Gansey in a way that he couldn't begin to understand or shape. It was something more, something bigger, something that mattered. Something without a price tag. Something earned. 

Natalie Sypeck 

Bea 

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.

Moira

Savindi Jinasena

 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. leaving me wanting to unravel the layers hiding beneath his tough exterior.

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.

Tali ⋆.˚🦋༘⋆

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.

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 III
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. leaving me wanting to 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.

kari <33

for years i delayed starting this series because i JUST KNOW it will be my favorite. i was right. i just finished the first of the four books and im already nostalgic about it

rain

for years i delayed starting this series because i JUST KNOW it will be my favorite. i was right. i just finished the first of the four books and im already nostalgic about it

alexa, play Crave by paramore

i need this entire series injected in my veins i think 

marie

Cici Pearson

see i LOVEEEEEDDD the vibe of this book! so ambient and perfectly autumnal & the welsh folklore(?) aspects of it was literally made for me. the banter was great, so witty and i found myself really liking all of the characters (except whelk yk). but for some reason.. i didnt find myself picking this book up. i think thats more of a me problem considering ive been in a reading slump but thats what stops it from being a 5 ⭐️ for me :/ also,,, considering it was YA,, the couple of,,? suggestive scenes? idk i didnt love that and it took me out of the story but ohwell

It has come upon me that the two times I’ve read this novel both have been times of emotional hardship. And in both moments I’ve cried for these characters' sake. 

I don’t think I’ve ever read something that’s helped me feel so seen— even if I am older than I was when I started. 

these characters are so human, they are so universal you can’t help but see yourself through them. Their hands reach out the pages and brush your shoulder for comfort. 

I think narration is a big part of that. Through the third person, Stiefvater focuses on each character closely and ties the story together delivering an honest and beautiful path into their heart, emotions, and how they see the world and each other. 

I think the constant theme that tore my heart to pieces begins along the lines of “I am more than.” 

The feeling of being unable to prove something and the ambition to overcome it as someone who is so young but has experienced the world enough to age rapidly is inexplicable.

It has come upon me that the two times I’ve read this novel both have been times of emotional hardship. And in both moments I’ve cried for these characters' sake. 

I don’t think I’ve ever read something that’s helped me feel so seen— even if I am older than I was when I started. 

these characters are so human, they are so universal you can’t help but see yourself through them. Their hands reach out the pages and brush your shoulder for comfort. 

I think narration is a big part of that. Through the third person, Stiefvater focuses on each character closely and ties the story together delivering an honest and beautiful path into their heart, emotions, and how they see the world and each other. 

I think the constant theme that tore my heart to pieces begins along the lines of “I am more than.” 

I am more than my wealth. 

I am more than my status. 

I am more than my grief. 

I am more than death. 

The feeling of being unable to prove something and the ambition to overcome it as someone who is so young but has experienced the world enough to age rapidly is inexplicable.

And the boys portray that perfectly. 

ang 

4.5 ⭐️
i've never felt like that for any book probably.

the beginning was quite slow if i have to be honest but that doesn't mean that it was boring. i was amazed by the world that maggie stiefvater has created, so similar to ours but still so different. 

probably the thing that i loved the most about the book was how the chapters were written, at the end of any of them there were something that just made me keep going reading. i wanted to get through this book as fast as i could because i wanted to see blue adam gansey ronan and noah as a friend group and when it happened my soul was blessed. 

my love for these characters grew up in me so fast and i loved them since the first time i've read their name. i love the raven boys and i love blue !!

I loved this book. Everything, from the writing style and the plot to the characters captivated me the first time in so long. This book became definitely one of my favourites. Will be definitely reading the whole series.

yousr abu sboulah

why should i go out and make friends when i can wait for someone to imply that i’m a prostitute while getting my number for a friend and then join their hunt for a dead welsh king???????

Shannon C

ploral

4.25

I'm only alive so I can find out what “I took Chainsaw out of my dreams.” means

This book is everything!! I loved it so much!!
And that ending …OMG!! Soo good!! These characters have a special place in my heart! I love them! This book made me smile and laugh a lot! It was so fun to read ugh!!:)

fun read bit slow at the start. I love the character dynamics.

isabelle

Anjorin Molayo 

yes, i love it! i have found my new personality!!! 

Adam Parrish being the best character >>>>>>

Developing her mother's clairvoyant powers for seeing visions of people who are about to die, Blue is drawn into the life of rich private school boy, Gansey, who has involved three of his classmates in a quest that Blue believes will end with her inv

envie,

Chloé

Monicap

Very good book. This isn't five stars, though, because I've been trying really hard not to hand out five stars indiscriminately.
So, this is very,very differing from Lament and Shiver, if anyone read those. I don't know if it's similar to The Scorpio Races, cuz I haven't read that yet (but I will!)
So, this is book is about a girl named Blue, who is not-a-psychic. And Gansey, who is not-dead. And Ronan, who is not-quite-sane. and Adam, who is not-rich. and Noah, who is (view spoiler)[not-alive (hide spoiler)].
It's all very interesting.
we really got into ley lines and some previously untouched mythology. And when i say 'untouched mythology' I mean I've never read or heard of a book with this particular mythology in it.
yep, pretty awesome.

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…..

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

mar 

Everything makes so much more sense now! It was way better reading this the second time around!

Cover Gushing Worthiness: The cover of The Raven Boys is one of my favourite covers of 2012. The Raven on the cover gives off an ominous feel which makes you want to pick up the book. I don’t think there could be a better cover for this book.

Review: I think I first heard about The Raven Boys when I watched Elena's Book Haul Video and then I saw Keertana's  Review for it, so I decided to give it a go. This was my first Stiefvater book and I can say that it won’t be my last.

In all honestly I hadn’t heard of Maggie Stiefvater until I heard about The Raven Boys. I have to say that I was so thrilled to learn about her being influenced by The Dark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper. I read The Dark is Rising Sequence when I was in Grade 8 and enjoyed it so much, so I’m really glad Maggie Stiefvater decided to use Welsh mythology in this series.

Honestly the plot and pacing of The Raven Boys reminded me of those of heart monitor screens you find in hospitals. In the beginning of the book it felt like nothing happened, then everything spiked and then again nothing. However I didn’t find this to be too annoying or frustrating because I felt Stiefvater was trying to establish the characters and their quest. In a way I suppose you can say that the quest kind of took a backseat in this book a bit, but nevertheless it was still there. I loved learning about all the magic in this book. It was interesting to learn about the lay lines, Gansey’s travels around the world in search of Glendower. I also enjoyed the sub plots in this book because it gave the story more depth. The atmosphere in The Raven Boys was a mixture of: mystery, darkness, lightheartedness and intrigue and as you read the book you felt like you were witness standing like a shadow behind Gansey, Adam, Ronan, Noah and Blue as they searched for Glendower. I think Stiefvater is a wonderful writer; her prose are beautiful and the way she makes you fall in love with her characters is wonderful. However I did have a problem with the ending of this book. It left me confused and I wasn’t sure what the last few lines in the book meant since there were no previous references specifically to it. Even though I went back to read the last few sentences I couldn't figure out what was meant. I hope it’ll all be explained in the sequel.

I can say that the Raven boys themselves drove this story forward. I liked how all of them were trying to deal with their own demons, maybe not necessarily demons, but issues that were close to their hearts. I felt pity for Gansey who felt he needed to prove to the world he was more than his wealth;I felt sympathy for Adam because of his personal circumstances which his friends, love him they may could never understand the situation completely; Even though Ronan probably didn't want any pity or sympathy I still felt for him because he seemed to have lost his way in the world and couldn't figure out how to come back; as for Noah I felt sad for him, but he was one of those characters you could trust to defuse a hostile situation with his presence.

What I loved most about the Raven boys was their friendship. It kind of reminded me of the friendship between Harry, Ron and Hermione. I liked how their friendships weren’t perfect; there were fights, misunderstandings, jealousy, care and concern for each other. However I think my favourite friendship was between Adam and Gansey. I liked the complexity and tension of it. You could see that neither of them truly understood each other, but tried really hard to do so. I’m looking forward to seeing how their friendship develops, if it’ll develop in the sequel.

Blue too was a great character. First off how awesome is that her name is Blue? I think it’s a really unique name and it suits her when you look at her household, which is another aspect that is awesome in its own way. I was a big fan of the budding romance between Adam and Blue; it was so sweet and sincere. But I know Maggie Stiefvater is going to break my heart (she already kind of did),so I won’t keep my hopes up for this to continue.

The secondary characters also made a compelling case for their awesomeness. I loved Blue’s household, especially Calla because she was so fiery. Persephone and Orla too were humourous characters. I don’t quite know how to feel about Blue’s mother Maura yet or her aunt Neeve, but I’m sure they’ll make a stronger appearance in the sequel.

Overall The Raven Boys was an awesome read. I liked how this was a character driven story despite the plot being important too. I loved the characters and how three-dimensional they were. I liked the Henrietta setting and I can’t wait to read more about the place and of Aglionby and it’s students. My only complaint is that the ending wasn't explained very well. I didn’t think it was a cliffhanger, but I just felt the explanation could have been better. I've been reading nothing but great things about Stiefvater’s The Scorpio Races and I’ll possibly check it out next year.

My Rating: 4.5/5

Would I recommend it? Yes

Savindi Jinasena &
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

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Savindi Jinasena &The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

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Savindi Jinasena &
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater