Raven Boys
Book one of the Raven Cycle Series
Book Facts
Published by: Scholastic Press
Copyright date: 2012
ISBN number:0545424933
Genre: Sci-Fiction
Awards: None.
~*Review*~
Personal Review
Like, seriously, about four-ish times.
What made it confusing:
While the story is told mostly in third person, there are three main characters, Blue, Gansey, and Adam. One would think this would be fine, except for the fact that there's a good twenty pages or so before the first two main characters even meet each other, not including the Corpse Road "incident". Instead of character development or actually explaining what the terms are, it's kinda just assumed the reader will get it. As said previously, I understood well because I study the subject {because what else to do with my free time besides look up these things?}. Another confusing thing, depending on your take of pace, the story was calm one second, and action the next. For instance, it's a normal afternoon, the characters are doing normal, everyday things, and then just like that, they're going for a ride on a helicopter. It's a bit chaotic, but still a good story nonetheless.
What I loved about this story:
The characters were incredibly well thought out, and easy to relate to. Maggie Stiefvater pays so much attention to the smallest details, you feel like you're there in the story with the characters. For instance, the tiniest details such as the names of the types of color-changing fish, the specific types of vintage cars in Gansey's father's garage, things so subtle one would only notice if they were attending the scene, and it helps to create a great sense of background and flow for the reader.
Professional Reviews
~*Further Explorations*~
Modern Activities and Interests In Relation To Raven Boys
- Learn to read Tarot ~*~This is an incredibly accurate site, my friend and I learned in only a few weeks.
- Spiritual Energy~*~This site, while slightly religious, explains the whole concept pretty well.
- Protection and Amplification Crystals for Readings ~*~Again, these two sites, {This one, as well as Teach me Tarot} are highly reliable. When performing readings, Tarot cards are used, some psychics also use specific crystals, to ward off and erase negative energy. Some use a few, such as clear quartz, to channel spiritual energy, and regain focus, a lot like the effect Blue has on people. You can learn about them here.
And here is where I transition into the strange world of Blue's family. Don't worry, I promise I'm not crazy.
- Spiritual Cleansing~*~It's incredibly important to cleanse your spiritual energy every once in a while, some people even do this process daily!
- Nazca Lines~*~The Nazca Lines are huge engravings made by the Nazca people, thousands of years ago. Nat. Geo published this article in their magazine. Gansey mentions them in the book, as well.
- Wiccan Spells and Grimoire~*~These are exactly what they sound like, and Grimoire is a witch's book of spells. Being one of the many types of magic, dark magic also has several sub-types. This is the likes of which Neeve would probably practice, as the mirrors facing each other could easily have been explained away.
- Note: The entry above is more focused on Neeve than on Blue. It tells about the black magic spellcasters such as herself.
~*Partner Titles*~
Stories Related To Raven Boys
Chime {Franny Billingsley}
I like the contrast between the two, and the fact that while the characters both can see the spirits, they take different approaches to dealing with them. The time periods probably have a lot to do with this fact.
The Clockwork Three {Matthew Kirby}
The Raven King {Raven Cycle, book IV, Maggie Stiefvater}
The question: Will Gansey die?
The only way to find out is to read. You can pre-order it online from Fountain Bookstore, even buy copies autographed by Maggie.
Works Cited
Cited Using Easybib.com
- "Maggie Stiefvater Books." Fountain Bookstore. Fountain Books, n.d. Web.
- "Raven Boys Cover." Picture. N.p., n.d. Web.
- "The Raven Boys - Book Review." The Raven Boys Book Review. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2015.
- "Course Menu." Truly Teach Me Tarot. N.p., 17 May 2012. Web. 18 Dec. 2015.
- "Spiritual Energy Is As Real As Any Other Energy But More Important." The Aetherius Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2015.
- "Learn the Meanings of Healing Gemstones." Healing Stones Meanings, Discover the Gemstone Healing Power. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2015.
- "Spiritual Cleansing." Energy Muse. N.p., n.d. Web.
- "Nasca." Lines. Nat Geo, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2015.
- "Book of Shadows - Grimoire." Wiccan Spells. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2015.
- "The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle, #1)." Goodreads. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2015.
- "THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater | Kirkus Reviews." Kirkus Reviews. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2015.
- "Chime Cover." Chime Cover. N.p., n.d. Web.
- Kirby, Matthew J. "Clockwork 3 Cover." Clockwork Three Cover. Indie Bound, n.d. Web.