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Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Welcome to Henrietta,
a small town in Virginia where Blue Sargent lives with her extended
family of psychics. Blue’s not psychic herself and spends her time doing
part-time jobs and avoiding the rich boys who attend the private Aglionby
school.Oh, and also she lives with a prophecy that her first love will die after she kisses him. Her life changes one night when her and a mother have a vision of a
Aglionby boy who’s time is running out. Soon Blue meets that boy, Gansey, in the
flesh. Blue gets to know Gansey and his
fellow “Raven Boys”: Adam, Ronan, and Noah and finds all of them have their
secrets. Drawn deeper into Gansey’s
orbit, Blue will find herself on a quest
more magical that even she could have imagined, and more dangerous as well.
Review: Maggie Stiefvater's novel is a refreshingly original magical tale with a well-developed setting and a large cast of intriguing, multi-faceted characters. From Blue and the members of her sprawling psychic family to each individual "Raven boy" all have fully-fleshed out personalities and backstories. As interesting as Gansey's crew are, my personal favorite characters are Blue's mother Maura and her two partners in clairvoyance: Calla and Persephone. They add a nice touch of humor to the adventures.
The plot may move at a slightly slower pace than some may be used to, but there are plenty of mysteries to be investigated once Blue finds her place with the Aglionby boys and the quest begins in earnest. The subject of the search undertaken by Gansey's crew is one that I personally have never read about before, adding to the book's appeal. Furthermore the mystical aspects of the novel are grounded by mundane problems: issues of class are touched on, adding to the story's depth. The book ends with satisfying plot resolution but with leaving the overarching quest open-ended. There are plenty of mysteries for the sequel.
As far as romance goes, there are complications even without the prophecy of Blue's doomed love. I'll be cryptic and say it's very interesting and things played out in what I felt was a realistic way, with the possibility the things may be different in the future.
4.5 Camaros
The plot may move at a slightly slower pace than some may be used to, but there are plenty of mysteries to be investigated once Blue finds her place with the Aglionby boys and the quest begins in earnest. The subject of the search undertaken by Gansey's crew is one that I personally have never read about before, adding to the book's appeal. Furthermore the mystical aspects of the novel are grounded by mundane problems: issues of class are touched on, adding to the story's depth. The book ends with satisfying plot resolution but with leaving the overarching quest open-ended. There are plenty of mysteries for the sequel.
As far as romance goes, there are complications even without the prophecy of Blue's doomed love. I'll be cryptic and say it's very interesting and things played out in what I felt was a realistic way, with the possibility the things may be different in the future.
4.5 Camaros
The Dream Thieves
Ronan's the focus of this second book in the series, as he gains more understanding of his dream powers and finds answers regarding his father's murder. Meanwhile Gansey, with Blue, Noah, Adam, and Ronan, continues his search for Glendower, with the stakes rising as they find they are not the only ones in pursuit of the magic. Adam must deal with the consequences of the choice he made at Cabeswater, affecting his relationship with Blue. All of them must work together to protect their friend and the town of Henrietta itself.
Review: In this novel Ronan takes center stage as he explores his dream powers and finds some answers regarding his father's murder. Adam also has some choices to make as he is dealing with some side effects from Cabeswater. Gansey and Blue are not as prominently featured as in the first novel but Blue makes an important decision of her own and Gansey is still the heart of the group. Noah acts as support for his friends and has a sweet moment with Blue. Some new antagonists make themselves known, including a Aglionby classmate with a particular interest in Ronan.
One of my favorite aspect's of Stiefvater's writing, particularly in this novel, is her capacity for subtlety. Many details in this novel are not stated outright but are still conveyed effectively and the story is the richer for it. The plot is as fresh as in the first novel and allows the characters to shine. My impression was that the pace of this novel is more consistent than the first, as all character introductions have already been made. As previously stated, this is Ronan's book and it goes a long way towards fleshing out the moody and aggressive teen from the first novel, showing a person who is tormented but cares deeply for his loved ones. The plots of this novel are wrapped up but for one dangling plot thread.
4.8 Camaros
Recommended for: People who like a selection of great characters, quests, and interesting love stories.
One of my favorite aspect's of Stiefvater's writing, particularly in this novel, is her capacity for subtlety. Many details in this novel are not stated outright but are still conveyed effectively and the story is the richer for it. The plot is as fresh as in the first novel and allows the characters to shine. My impression was that the pace of this novel is more consistent than the first, as all character introductions have already been made. As previously stated, this is Ronan's book and it goes a long way towards fleshing out the moody and aggressive teen from the first novel, showing a person who is tormented but cares deeply for his loved ones. The plots of this novel are wrapped up but for one dangling plot thread.
4.8 Camaros
Recommended for: People who like a selection of great characters, quests, and interesting love stories.
1 comments:
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Anonymous said...
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I'm glad you liked these. I bought the first book, but haven't read it yet, of course! It's a reminder to me to put it closer to the top of the reading list.
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October 10, 2013 at 3:41 PM
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Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Double Feature Review: The Raven Boys and The Dream Thieves By Maggie Stiefvater
Welcome to Henrietta,
a small town in Virginia where Blue Sargent lives with her extended
family of psychics. Blue’s not psychic herself and spends her time doing
part-time jobs and avoiding the rich boys who attend the private Aglionby
school.Oh, and also she lives with a prophecy that her first love will die after she kisses him. Her life changes one night when her and a mother have a vision of a
Aglionby boy who’s time is running out. Soon Blue meets that boy, Gansey, in the
flesh. Blue gets to know Gansey and his
fellow “Raven Boys”: Adam, Ronan, and Noah and finds all of them have their
secrets. Drawn deeper into Gansey’s
orbit, Blue will find herself on a quest
more magical that even she could have imagined, and more dangerous as well.
Review: Maggie Stiefvater's novel is a refreshingly original magical tale with a well-developed setting and a large cast of intriguing, multi-faceted characters. From Blue and the members of her sprawling psychic family to each individual "Raven boy" all have fully-fleshed out personalities and backstories. As interesting as Gansey's crew are, my personal favorite characters are Blue's mother Maura and her two partners in clairvoyance: Calla and Persephone. They add a nice touch of humor to the adventures.
The plot may move at a slightly slower pace than some may be used to, but there are plenty of mysteries to be investigated once Blue finds her place with the Aglionby boys and the quest begins in earnest. The subject of the search undertaken by Gansey's crew is one that I personally have never read about before, adding to the book's appeal. Furthermore the mystical aspects of the novel are grounded by mundane problems: issues of class are touched on, adding to the story's depth. The book ends with satisfying plot resolution but with leaving the overarching quest open-ended. There are plenty of mysteries for the sequel.
As far as romance goes, there are complications even without the prophecy of Blue's doomed love. I'll be cryptic and say it's very interesting and things played out in what I felt was a realistic way, with the possibility the things may be different in the future.
4.5 Camaros
The plot may move at a slightly slower pace than some may be used to, but there are plenty of mysteries to be investigated once Blue finds her place with the Aglionby boys and the quest begins in earnest. The subject of the search undertaken by Gansey's crew is one that I personally have never read about before, adding to the book's appeal. Furthermore the mystical aspects of the novel are grounded by mundane problems: issues of class are touched on, adding to the story's depth. The book ends with satisfying plot resolution but with leaving the overarching quest open-ended. There are plenty of mysteries for the sequel.
As far as romance goes, there are complications even without the prophecy of Blue's doomed love. I'll be cryptic and say it's very interesting and things played out in what I felt was a realistic way, with the possibility the things may be different in the future.
4.5 Camaros
The Dream Thieves
Ronan's the focus of this second book in the series, as he gains more understanding of his dream powers and finds answers regarding his father's murder. Meanwhile Gansey, with Blue, Noah, Adam, and Ronan, continues his search for Glendower, with the stakes rising as they find they are not the only ones in pursuit of the magic. Adam must deal with the consequences of the choice he made at Cabeswater, affecting his relationship with Blue. All of them must work together to protect their friend and the town of Henrietta itself.
Review: In this novel Ronan takes center stage as he explores his dream powers and finds some answers regarding his father's murder. Adam also has some choices to make as he is dealing with some side effects from Cabeswater. Gansey and Blue are not as prominently featured as in the first novel but Blue makes an important decision of her own and Gansey is still the heart of the group. Noah acts as support for his friends and has a sweet moment with Blue. Some new antagonists make themselves known, including a Aglionby classmate with a particular interest in Ronan.
One of my favorite aspect's of Stiefvater's writing, particularly in this novel, is her capacity for subtlety. Many details in this novel are not stated outright but are still conveyed effectively and the story is the richer for it. The plot is as fresh as in the first novel and allows the characters to shine. My impression was that the pace of this novel is more consistent than the first, as all character introductions have already been made. As previously stated, this is Ronan's book and it goes a long way towards fleshing out the moody and aggressive teen from the first novel, showing a person who is tormented but cares deeply for his loved ones. The plots of this novel are wrapped up but for one dangling plot thread.
4.8 Camaros
Recommended for: People who like a selection of great characters, quests, and interesting love stories.
One of my favorite aspect's of Stiefvater's writing, particularly in this novel, is her capacity for subtlety. Many details in this novel are not stated outright but are still conveyed effectively and the story is the richer for it. The plot is as fresh as in the first novel and allows the characters to shine. My impression was that the pace of this novel is more consistent than the first, as all character introductions have already been made. As previously stated, this is Ronan's book and it goes a long way towards fleshing out the moody and aggressive teen from the first novel, showing a person who is tormented but cares deeply for his loved ones. The plots of this novel are wrapped up but for one dangling plot thread.
4.8 Camaros
Recommended for: People who like a selection of great characters, quests, and interesting love stories.
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I'm glad you liked these. I bought the first book, but haven't read it yet, of course! It's a reminder to me to put it closer to the top of the reading list.
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