"There are only two reasons a nonseer would see a spirit on St. Mark's Eve," Neeve said. "Either you're his true love... or you killed him."
It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive. Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them – not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her. His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can't entirely explain. He has it all - family money, good looks, devoted friends – but he's looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore.
From Maggie Stiefvater, the best-selling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we've never been before.
- ASIN B009CLMMZY
- Publish Date 18 September 2012 (first published 1 September 2012)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Scholastic Audio
- Edition Audible
- Format Audiobook
- Duration 11 hours and 8 minutes
- Language English
Reviews
Kait ✨
dandyserendipity
moraa
It was okay.
The beginning dragged on for quite a bit and it felt like forever before they finally started to get to the good stuff but the plot was good, more than I expected (which I resented at the time because I hate genre surprises) but I did like it in the end.
The one thing that bothered me was characterisation. It improved towards the end of the book but somehow I feel I need more. This would be unforgivable if this was a stand-alone but seeing as it's a series, I'm willing to look the other way, provided there is sufficient character development in coming books.
ccbookwitch
why did I wait so long to read this book? This is the main thought that went through my head while reading THE RAVEN BOYS, though I do know the answer to this question. I hated SHIVER so I avoided Maggie Steifvater at all costs for years before finally warming up to the idea that this was a very me-sounding book.
the only way this could be a more “me” book was if it was gay. Seriously, if THE RAVEN BOYS had Blue as queer, that is the only way it could be a more Mel book. It’s witchy and has TAROT and is obviously going to have a hate-to-love romance and just omg. So many magical things.
I can see all the characters really clearly except Noah. AND THEN. If you’ve read the book you’ll know what I’m talking about. But Maggie Stiefvater is such a good writer that she made Noah’s character development fit with the story and just…I can’t. She’s too good.
I will never be able to write as well as Maggie Steifvater. Maybe I shouldn’t try anymore. I’ve never had this experience, but throughout the whole book I just kept thinking that I will never be able to write as well as Maggie Steifvater, so maybe I should just give it up. It was weird, because obviously that’s a little sad, but on the other hand, I was so thrilled to have found such an excellently written book.
I haven’t had a new favorite book in so long. I really haven’t had a new all-time favorite book in a LONG time. Probably since AN EMBER IN THE ASHES? And that was…2015ish? But DAMN, I LOVE this book so freaking much.
What if the rest of the books aren’t as good? I’m not usually a series person, but obviously THE RAVEN BOYS needed to be a series, but what if the rest of the books don’t live up in writing quality to the first book? How can Maggie Steifvater possibly keep up such strong writing momentum for THREE MORE BOOKS??? Is she that good? I hope so.
thepunktheory
After the first few chapters, I was a little wary of this book. Pretty much the first thing we find out is the prediction about Blue and kissing.
I hoped that the book wouldn't spiral into some sort of annoying YA love story that I loathe so much. Thank God this novel took a different turn!
I certainly hadn't expected the quest that soon came up or how much it would fascinate me. I'm such a sucker for smart guys, so of course, I fell for this story. I adore their motivation, their ambition, their eagerness, their hope, their belief in themselves.
The Raven Boys has such a different and unique vibe, it doesn't compare with any of the other YA books I've read so far.
The characters don't reek of stereotypes, in contrast, I really really want to be friends with them and join their quest!
I'm getting so excited because I honestly don't know what to expect or what will happen in the next three books. It's nice to have a series that isn't 200% predictable! Although there are magic and weird stuff going on, The Raven Boys still have quite real and authentic, because the characters have this real air around them.
liz089
I have had this one for yearssss in my bookcase and I never picked it up, but now I FINALLY did !!
HA !!!
So it was actually pretty interesting, more then I expected it to be ?
I liked the boys.. a lot haha, they are all such complex characters that I want to know more about. Blue, I liked a little less ? I don't know.. I did not dislike her, but sje also did not really stand out much ? I hope she will get more interesting later on in the series. We will see !
Now I hope to continue with the next books a lot sooner then it took me to pick up the first one... ^^ but, we will see.
Laurie
lauriesbookshelf
Amber (The Literary Phoenix)
Ready?
I love this book so much. I really lost myself in it. It was just so... amazing and enveloping and the characters were wonderful and if I had Gansey's resources, you better believe I'd be tracking down dead Welsh kings, too.
I know I'm supposed to be more professional, being a book blogger and all, but really, I'm just going to sit in this cozy corner and hug this book. Thanks.