The Raven Boys

“My words are unerring tools of destruction, and I’ve come unequipped with the ability to disarm them.”

4 STARS

This is my first book by Maggie Stiefvater that I've read, so I think I have a pretty open mind on how everything worked in this book. I thought that it was a little hard to get into because the writing was quite verbose, i.e. it went on about one small detail for such a long time sometimes I forgot what the actual point was, but once I got used to the style, the plot whizzed by me and the pages flew. This book begins with our 'main' character of the multiple perspectives used in this book in a cold cemetery waiting for the dead to arrive on St. Mark's Eve. Blue's family is one full of psychics, all well versed in lore and their powers, except for Blue. She is essentially an amplifier for all magic around her; think the Energizer bunny but with short hair and an even shorter temper. Being this battery source for other psychics means that she can't see any of the dead--until now. This one night she sees a boy fall to his knees in front of her, and this can only happen for one of two reasons: she will kill him, or he is her true love. The story goes on from there, Blue falling into a group of friends that go to the local prep school, Aglionby, in search of a mythical king who will grant wishes while something dark is creeping in the shadows. CHARACTERS I thought that most of the characters were very well thought out in this book. I liked Blue, though she annoyed me at times, though this is to be expected with any YA book now, but it was bearable and most of the time I really liked her and the thoughts the reader gets from her. I enjoyed the scenes with her family, all quirky and weird but somehow fitting perfectly into the story. I mildly despised Maura, Blue's mother, because she seemed to care so little for her daughter, but her motherly qualities sort of came through in the end. On to the boys. Adam is a puppy and no one can tell me otherwise. He is the 'charity case' of this book, living off campus and on scholarship to Aglionby. He was sweet, treated everyone well, and made my heart hurt for his situation with his father and the torturous decisions he was going through in feeling "owned" by Gansey. I liked reading in his perspective and loved the internal struggles that the author wove into his thoughts. Rowan creeps me out, especially with Chainsaw. I mean, yes, I know that's the point, but it still gives me goosebumps. I do love the tattoo that seems to change with his moods, how it curls around him and makes me wonder if it's some sort of map. Though he is violent, I liked how to the point he was. Noah...I can't talk much about Noah without crying, just know he's pretty great. GANSEY. OKAY GANSEY INFURIATED ME SOMETIMES. But other times, he was sweet, and I know what we're all thinking will happen with him and Blue, but I kinda don't want that. Maybe he's just too rich kid for me, but I didn't like that he would toss aside his friends and their feelings in his quest for the tomb. But he's nice to look at in my mind, and yes, as the story went on, I did feel that he grew and had nice character development and okay FINE I KIND OF LIKE HIM BUT IT TAKES TIME. PLOT Okay, like I said, it was kind of hard to get into this book, but once I did, it flew by me. I sometimes got a little caught up in the switching perspectives, but overall the plot was well thought out and had a very Dead Poet's Society and it was just really awesome. I know, not very technical and detailed, but it was really good and I don't want to spoil everything for you. I did feel the length of this book in some places, but it wasn't bad and the drag was over very quickly, especially once you learn that the trees speak Latin. You'll understand if you read the book, I promise. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series. It's probably the best YA Paranormal I've read in quite a while, and I really recommend it to readers who like this genre, but have had a falling out with it recently like I have. Now go read it!

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