The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1) in Appomattox Regional Library System

Oct 30, 2012 Rebecca Rakes rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, favorites

This is the start of a four book series so there are a lot of questions left at the end of this book. Even with that said, worth the read. As always with a Maggie Stiefvater book you have no idea where it will go. Which is what is so amazing about it. It's not your cookie cutter book that you know on page one what the end will be, even tho this book starts out with a glimps of the ending.
first read oct 30 -nov 12 2012

I just reread the book to prepare for the Dream Thieves and I have to say ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 06, 2016 Zaira rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, young-adult

Blue Sargent has always been told that she would kill her true love with a kiss. Her family of psychics have seen Blue's cemented future. Over her sixteen years of life, she had accepted this destiny and hadn’t found it to be a huge problem. She didn’t believe in true love. She was responsible, sensible. She stayed away from boys, particularly boys who went to the nearby boarding school, Aglionby Academy. Called Raven Boys, the young men of Aglionby were often rich, reckless and relentless in al Blue Sargent has always been told that she would kill her true love with a kiss. Her family of psychics have seen Blue's cemented future. Over her sixteen years of life, she had accepted this destiny and hadn’t found it to be a huge problem. She didn’t believe in true love. She was responsible, sensible. She stayed away from boys, particularly boys who went to the nearby boarding school, Aglionby Academy. Called Raven Boys, the young men of Aglionby were often rich, reckless and relentless in all their ambitions.
Richard Campbell Gansey III has always been told he would do great things. His father is a politician. He drives a Camaro. He attends Aglionby. Most of all, he has the makings of a hero. He has dedicated his free time to finding the grave of Glendower, a welsh king whose legend has captivated and haunted Gansey from a young age. Gansey believes it is his destiny to wake the legendary king. Blue stumbles upon Gansey at her local pizza place, along with his friends, Ronan, Adam and Noah. Blue knows she should stay away, but she is drawn Gansey and his quest. Their fates intertwine as they discover something much bigger than themselves lurking in the hills near Aglionby.
This novel is beautifully written. Its strengths lie in its imagery and characters. Maggie Stiefvater is really great at creating creepy, small towns that contain more secrets than they let on. Her other series, Shiver The Wolves of Mercy Falls, is similar in this respect. What stands out to me about The Raven Boys are the characters. The book has an ensemble cast of Blue and each of the Raven Boys. They all have personal histories that have somehow led them to their town of Henrietta, Virginia. While the plot’s supernatural aspects are a little confusing, the overall premise is fascinating. It raises questions of free will and destiny and challenges our preconceptions on fate. Overall, I loved this novel.
I would recommend this novel to people who like to be unnerved by stories. The book is fairly dark and disturbing. Additionally, this novel is full of teen angst, so if you don’t like moody teenagers, then this novel is not for you. This is a story for those who like intense emotions, supernatural powers, and foreboding cliffhangers. You’ve been warned.
...more

Like · see review

Jun 01, 2013 Donna Siebold rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: the-hub-2013

This book has all of the elements that should make it a really good read. But, I did not find it to be one. I can't even articulate what was wrong with the book - it was more a sense that it just wasn't right or just wasn't enough. It has angst, ghosts, psychics, Celtic legends, and murder mysteries. Sadly, none of these are especially compelling. I will no doubt still read at least the next volume in this series, just to see if I was being non-receptive with this book - but at this point I am s ...more

Like · see review

Mar 30, 2016 Rebecca Rakes rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was my third reading of The Raven Boys and I think I enjoy it more each time. There is just something magical in the way Maggie writes.
The first couple go arounds I found Gansey to be the least interesting character. This time I saw more of him. Maybe I was reading too fast or to busy being enchanted by the others to really appreciate him. I do now. I am glad I read this book again and again. The small details, the hints. All of it. So beautifully done.

Like · see review