Nicole Lynn
Written on May 11, 2016
This is the second 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!
Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing
for Blue and Gansey will be the same. Ronan is falling more and
more deeply into his dreams ... and his dreams are intruding more
and more into waking life. Gansey is needed at home, and is struggling
to stay in Aglionby. And Adam? He's made some new friends.
Friends that are looking for some of the same pieces of the puzzle
that Gansey, Blue, and Ronan are after. Great power is at stake,
and someone must be willing to wield it.
- ISBN10 1467648914
- ISBN13 9781467648912
- Publish Date 17 September 2013 (first published 1 September 2013)
- Publish Status Active
- Imprint Scholastic
- Format Audiobook
- Language English
Reviews
Nessa Luna
Written on May 5, 2016
Beware: This review might contain spoilers for the previous book, proceed with caution!
In March, I read The Raven Boys the first book in The Raven Cycle, after a friend of mine lend me her books. I really enjoyed this first book, and so I picked up the next one the month after. The Dream Thieves picks up after the first book ended - after Adam made a sacrifice to activate the ley line, after Ronan confessed he pulled Chainsaw from his dreams. In this second book, we focus more on Ronan and his abilities, and I personally really liked that.
As with the previous book, this book was told from multiple perspectives, and while I got used to reading about Blue, Ronan, Gansey and Adam, I was also rather annoyed that we had another perspective in this book. We had Whelk in the first book, and here we got The Gray Man. I immediately disliked him, and to be honest it didn't improve that much over the course of this book even if he ended up coming to the good side eventually, I still just didn't like him at all
The search for Glendower was put on hold in this book, which I didn't really mind at all, because I still didn't care that much about the Welsh king to be honest (apart from him being Welsh). I just loved that this book focused on the Greywaren more, even though that was also rather predictable. I knew what it was before it was found out in the book, so those reveals weren't really that exciting for me.
What made me so super sad was the lack of Noah in this book. He was honestly one of my favourite characters in the previous book, and because of all that shit happening with the ley line he was gone more often than not, and that just made me incredibly sad. There was one scene in particular that was soooooo cute even though it was also rather creepy I guess the part where Blue and Noah were sort of kissing, I mean it was just really cute and I'd like ten Noah's please.
Like with the previous book, there were some parts that my brain just skipped over, not because they were that boring, but for no reason at all I guess, there was so much going on in this book that I just forgot the parts that weren't really part of the Ronan-pulling-stuff-from-his-dreams storyline. I mean I still don't really know what went on with Adam throughout this book, so I guess I'll just have to read a recap for that. The fact that I was in a massive reading slump probably didn't help either. (Which is part of why this review is so weird I guess, apologies).
Oh well, I still really enjoyed The Dream Thieves and I really will pick up the next book in the series asap (because that cliffhanger, dayummmmmmmmmmm). Again, I recommend this series to fans of paranormal books and especially fans of ancient Welsh kings, ha ha ha!
My opinion on this book in one gif:
Linda
Written on May 2, 2016
The Dream Thieves is a darkly beautiful story, with intricate, full-grown characters who continue to grow and evolve throughout the various plot-lines.
As always, when reading a Stiefvater novel, I was immediately transported to another world, with vivid characters, a dark but promising story, a mystery and plot-lines that slowly but surely got weaved together to make a whole picture. I couldn't even say what's my favorite part of her writing - I love that the characters are so well developed, and that they keep evolving and changing as the story and the plot is moved forward. The Dream Thieves is both character driven and plot-driven, both are important, and play together to show the complexity of all that is going on.
Another thing I really love in this series is that most of the characters have parents. Not ever-present, but still guidance from adults, and they have been loved, so they have that confidence that comes from feeling cherished - all except Adam have this certainty and it makes them more real in my eyes. The Dream Thieves delved deeper into the mystery of Henrietta, and that of Ronan Lynch. It was amazing how things unfolded, and as a reader, I learned what the characters learned, and while some aspects could have been guessed, I definitely didn't guess anything much in advance, it was as if Blue and her friends took me by the hand and brought me with them on their adventures.
Written in third person perspective, past tense, and with an omniscient narrator, we follow all of the important characters on parts of their quest - on others, we get what is being shared with the other characters, and that way, the readers perspective is switching as well - sometimes, I knew more than one character, but less than another, and this made me even more eager to continue reading to get to the center of it all. If you haven't started reading this series yet, I can only ask you: Why not?!? Pick it up! Let yourself be transported and slightly transformed by the epic story-telling and multi-faceted universe Stiefvater has created for our pleasure.
"And you, Ronan," Niall said. He always said Ronan differently from other words. As if he had meant to say another word entirely - something like knife or poison or revenge - and then swapped it out for Ronan's name at the last moment.
Gansey added, "I would've thought you had more muscles. Don't feminists have big muscles?" Decidedly not in love with him. "Smiling when you say that doesn't make it funny," Blue said.
The Gray Man clucked in disapproval. A locked door wouldn't have kept him out, of course, but it was the thought that counted. Actually, the Gray Man wasn't certain he believed that. It was the deed that counted.
Angie
Written on Apr 23, 2016
I received an ARC through NetGalley.
Well, that was a disappointment. After finally starting this series and being delighted by the unique premise, I was super excited to read this sequel. Unfortunately, The Dream Thieves is an extreme case of Middle Book Syndrome (is this even a trilogy?). While The Raven Boys was also slow, it did an amazing job of establishing this adventure that Blue and her Raven Boys would be setting out on. The Dream Thieves was just slow. The plot goes absolutely nowhere. It was a really long detour, and I just don't get it. Or maybe the novelty of the first book simply wore off?
The Dream Thieves, like I said, is very slow and it seems to focus primarily on character development. This will probably work for a lot of readers, but I felt myself wanting to get on with the story. It was nice to get to know the boys better, but I wish something had been happening plot-wise while this occurred. There's also a lot of scenes of each character alone, or in pairs rather than as a whole group like in the first book. At times it was interesting to see the different relationship dynamics, but much more often, I was bored. I was also incredibly annoyed with Adam and found myself dreading seeing his name pop up. He lets his pride get in the way and takes offense to everything! I wanted to learn more about the effects of the sacrifice he made, but mostly we just get pity parties.
We're also introduced to a new character in The Dream Thieves: The Gray Man. He's a hit man, dressed all in gray. He's been hired to find something that allows the user to take objects from dreams. Of course, he and his employer aren't sure exactly what he's looking for, but we know that something is Ronan. During his journey to locate this object of great power, The Gray Man also grows close to Blue's mother. I honestly couldn't care less about this plot thread. It seriously bogged down the entire book. I definitely could have done without some mysterious man trying to kidnap a magical teenage boy. It doesn't add anything to the overall story, and by the end, it felt very disconnected.
The one thing that I absolutely loved about The Dream Thieves was Ronan's chapters (minus The Gray Man). Those parts are almost 5 star worthy. I say almost, because they also don't move the plot forward much at all, and things get too weird and out of place at the end. They're super interesting though! Ronan's ability to take objects out of his dreams is really developed. There's so much more to it than just him falling asleep then waking up with whatever he was holding. It isn't until he meets up with someone else with this ability that Ronan learns the extent of what he can do. I was completely engrossed in these chapters and wanted more!
The Dream Thieves was a huge disappointment for me. It had a ton of potential, but went no where. I was eager to see Blue and the Raven Boys continue their adventure of waking a hidden king, but that's barely ever mentioned. Instead we follow the characters doing their own things, unrelated to the search for Glendower. There's many unnecessary additions to the plot that made it feel long and dragged out, making it hard for me to get through. If it wasn't for the author's imaginative take on dreaming and her development of Ronan, I would have been completely bored and frustrated with this book. I'm hoping the next one reclaims the awesomeness of the first.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
wyvernfriend
Written on Feb 3, 2016
Interesting and now I really want to know what happens next.
nightingalereads
Written on Sep 21, 2015
Mackenzie
Written on Mar 15, 2015
Then I started reading and at the beginning I was so giddy and the words were so beautiful and all the boys were so adorable and Blue was so sassy and…..
I just wasn’t that interested I say as I hide in fear
Tom Hiddleston is here to placate those who disagree – because he makes everything better.
There! I said it, OKAY?! I, the author of this post, did not love The Dream Thieves. #NoShame.
Why not? How could I not like it that much when I just went on about how the boys were still so adorably loyal (#friendshipgoals) and Blue was amazing and sassy and the writing was heaven sent? My biggest problem was……
The plot
Well, it’s really more of a love/hate relationship.
Though I knew the plot would place a heavier focus on Ronan, I feel as if the original plot (you know, the whole point of this story?) was completely left out. Not even pushed to the wayside, but like wayyyyy out in left field. Or behind the bleachers. Point is, part of the appeal from the first book, questing (!!), was nonexistent.
But, but, but….the plot focuses on Ronan and his dreaminess traveling which I thought I would’ve loved. And I did, actually. It was intriguing and creepy and magical. But the reason this plot line wasn’t wholly redeemable was because of…….
Kavinsky
This guy was just friggin weird. And his interactions with Ronan were just friggin weird. And the whole thing was just friggin weird. He was a total creeper and just whacked out.
I think this was a big factor for me: the first book was magical and whimsical, but this book crossed the line to just. plain. weird.
The final blow?
It’s a spoiler. I think. But I don’t want to ruin anything so, SPOILER TAGS! Grant it, you do find out towards the beginning (I think?) but just in case (been a bit since I read it). Read at your own risk.
Her mom dates a hit man. Cause, ya know, THAT’S TOTALLY NORMAL! Oh, you’re a hit man? That totally seems legit and like a great job and in no way ILLEGAL. Wanna grab some dinner?
Okay, I think she “supposedly” does it to get information (or I think that is how it’s supposed to come across), but I don’t feel like that’s how it came across. Grant it, he’s redeemable. But still. Blue has more sense than her own mother. Who is the adult here again?
Okay, final one. Adam kinda got on my nerves too (though details are fuzzy). Too friggin stubborn and determined and damaged and I love him but want him to understand they are just trying to help and it’s ok to have help!
So, yes. I was disappointed. Despite my problems, believe it or not, I didn’t hate it. But I found myself easily putting it down which I did not do with its predecessor. But the writing is still breathtaking and Gansey is still adorable (as are all the boys – except Adam who I wanted to hug and punch simultaneously) and Blue is still awesomely adorable too. But, this series is still redeemable. The 3rd book goes back to it’s awesome roots! Too bad the 4th one is so far away and I totally thought this was a trilogy.
Original review can be found on my blog Oh, For the Love of Books!
Joséphine
Written on Mar 4, 2015
Initial thoughts: *blinks slowly and then again and again and again* I have no words right now. Except, things will henceforth only get crazier and crazier and crazier. I know; that's a lot of "and"s and repetitions. My vocabulary has clearly been stunted. I'm sure dreams weren't the only things these people could steal from. They stole my words.
Sam@WLABB
Written on Feb 7, 2015
girlinthepages
Written on Jul 20, 2014
I think a large part of my problem with falling in love with this installment is that it focuses much more on Ronan Lynch, probably my least favorite of the Raven Boys. While more exploration of his story and his family history is intriguing, it was also hard for me to read because he’s such an impulsive and hot-headed character, traits I don’t personally identify with. This book was a really big shift from the first one, which focused heavily on Blue and Gansey, and this book brought a lot of other peripheral characters into the forefront, often in a really abrupt manner (Kavinsky, who was so obnoxious to read, The Grey Man, who was intriguing yet disturbing, etc). I got tired of reading about Kavinsky’s and Ronan’s odd love/hate relationship, and I tired of him making disappointing choices.
Yet I think that was one of the points of this book- it exposed the ugly underbelly of a lot of the characters. As much as I dislike Ronan, I started to understand his struggles more while I grew to feel more and more discomfited with Adam’s character as he battles both the elements of Cabeswater and his father inside of him. Yet through Adam, more and more of Gansey’s superficiality (even if he himself abhors it) is exposed, and the reader starts to see how beautiful and ugly each boy is, which is an impressive, and brave, tactic used by Stiefvater.
One of the things I love about this series is Stiefvater’s attention to detail, the little elements that are so creative and quirky, such as the dorm rooms of Aglionby not having numbers, but rather having names of virtues they wish their students to emulate. I also love how she continues to keep her characters in awe of the magic that surrounds them and that they dabble in, and they never seem jaded or unsurprised by the paranormal happenings, which makes the happenings in the book feel that much more realistic, since the characters reactions and relationships to them are so human (even by Blue’s family, filled with clairvoyants).
Favorite Quotes:
“…Blue thrilled again and again with the knowledge that magic was real, magic was real, magic was real.” (12)
“Sometimes Ronan though that Adam was so used to the right way being painful that he doubted any path that didn’t come with agony.” (71)
“…Ronan gve in to the brief privilege of hating himself, as he always did in church, There was something satisfying about acknowledging this hatred, something relieving about this little present he allowed himself each Sunday.” (91)
Isn’t Stiefvater’s dialogue just amazing? It’s so quirky and profound and introspective at the same time.
Overall: The Dream Thieves focuses on different primary characters than the Raven Boys and lacks some of it’s whimsy charm in favor of a darker, deeper side of magic, which endeared me less to this book. However, Stiefvater’s writing is still fantastic, she provides great character development within this installment, and the thrum of the ley lines and the mythical power in Henrietta is louder than ever, leaving me just as dedicated to this series and anticipating the next installment.
This review was originally posted at Girl in the Pages