From the Bookshelf of The Procrastinators Book Club…

The Raven King (The Raven Cycle, #4)

Maggie Stiefvater

Start date: August 1, 2025

Finish date: August 31, 2025

Discussion: Group Read Discussions

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Group Read Discussions

* The Raven Cycle (SERIES READ 2025)
By mina , Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator · 42 posts · 49 views

last updated Aug 17, 2025 12:42PM

The God of the Woods (September 2025) Group Read Discussion
By Sophie , Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator · 7 posts · 20 views

last updated Sep 08, 2025 04:10AM

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What Members Thought

Jun 20, 2016 Cindy ✩☽♔ rated it really liked it

Shelves: otps-feels, kick-ass-heroines

"A king acts so that others will act. Nothing comes from nothing comes from nothing. But something makes something...I did something so that others would do something."

Some books are strangers than others, some books are more interesting, more questioning than others. This is one of those books. It is an oddity in that in many ways it shouldn't work. There are too many factors, a heck of a lot of characters and connections that you can't even imagine. But against all odds it just works. It wo "A king acts so that others will act. Nothing comes from nothing comes from nothing. But something makes something...I did something so that others would do something."

Some books are strangers than others, some books are more interesting, more questioning than others. This is one of those books. It is an oddity in that in many ways it shouldn't work. There are too many factors, a heck of a lot of characters and connections that you can't even imagine. But against all odds it just works. It works really well.

In this book, we see our heroes journey come to life altering conclusion. Though the rest of their lives have just begun. It was a satisfying ending to a quirky, romantic, magical adventure.

Every new character helped add an element to the story, and I once again experienced a case of I didn't know I wanted it until I got it.

The relationships, the character development were complex and well-done. Such marvelous fun!

Since I have already talked about Gansey and Blue plenty in my other reviews, let me instead address my new favorite threesome - Gansey, Blue and Henry. Gansey and Henry's relationships grows a lot in this book for mere acquaintances/classmates to partners to friends. I absolutely adore Henry. I love his self-awareness, his honest, frank character. He is simply just such a fabulous addition to the gang. In him, Gansey finds someone who is more like himself than he has ever known. And their friendship just makes such perfect sense. Henry's camaraderie with Blue is such a fun as well, because like most Aglionby boys upon his introduction, he is almost immediately on the receiving end of Blue's dislike. Though he is another case of boy who breaks the mold Blue assumingly places him in. But, like with Gansey, Henry is able to connect with her. Which again, has a lot to do with how he is, his honesty and frankness. By the end of the book, the three of them traveling together makes such perfect sense. Because like always, they travel in pursuit of the world, of life, of something more .

Ronan and Adam
It is honestly has been such crazy ride with these two. From seemingly hateful friends, to true partners, to something more. I do not think either of these two are my favorite characters really, and together they make such a volatile pair but god dammit I love them somehow. I blame the universe and it's tendency to lean toward disorder. These two are utter disorder and I love it.

What does tear me up is that the Gray Man had to leave Maura and Blue. I loved the little family unit they were building. What annoys is that Artemus continues to live on cowardly in a tree. It is sad that Noah is truly gone, though I am happy he is finally able to move on.

While I liked the additional characters and the further development of heroes, I did find the ending somewhat anti-climatic. Because, well, we knew it was coming. It was Gansey. It was always going to be Gansey. (view spoiler) So it really did not feel like anything was as stake, because what happened is quite close to what I think we all imagined would happen. And thus, the book did not end in a show or fireworks but rather I simple ride off into the sunset.

All-in-all a good book, a solid series and an amazing cast of characters that demand to be loved. ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Aug 28, 2019 Laura ☾ rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

5 likes · Like · see review

Aug 23, 2015 Lianna rated it it was amazing

i might have more to say later but for now? i will miss these books so much i cannot believe it's over. richard gansey means the world (and more) to me and i will forever miss him. ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Apr 25, 2016 katrina rated it liked it

Shelves: 21st-century-lit, mental-health-and-neurodivergence, read-in-2016, working-class-narratives, abuse-survivor-narratives, found-families, books-with-lgbt-characters, addiction-and-substance-abuse, ya-fantasy, paranormal-and-urban-fantasy

Okay what the fuck do I do with my life now???

(review/reaction to come)

edit: 11/5/16
Maggie's latest comments 'addressing' the racism in the books (by denying any and all racism) pissed me off enough to downgrade this. truthfully this was always a 3 star book but I gave an extra star for Adam Parrish's amazing character arc. Now consider it a 2 star book with an extra star for Adam Parrish's amazing character arc lol. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

Aug 08, 2017 Meera rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy

This was the weakest out of all of the books. It's also a book I've been trying to read for ages but would get stuck. I finally went over the hump and am glad for it. Lot of things in this didn't make sense and kept jumping around a bit. It still had that magical quality I liked in the other books though and liked the ending. ...more

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