I don't even bother to read a synopsis of her books any longer. If I see Maggie Stiefvater on the cover, I know I am going to be blown away. Every book she writes is original, mysterious, fast-paced, and gripping. I go in knowing nothing, and I come out the other side breathless and wanting more. One of these days it will take me longer than two days to read one of her books, but that would mean tearing the book out of my hands to get some sleep.
The Raven Boys is a different creation from what we have come to expect in Maggie's books, but no less magnificent. There was a part of me that missed the poetic writing of Maggie Stiefvater - her words are like music in Shiver - but The Raven Boys showed that Maggie can write in different styles, and still be brilliant.
In The Raven Boys, we meet Blue Sargent, the daughter in a family of clairvoyants. Blue is unable to see what her mother and aunts see, but her presence has the distinct ability to intensify the powers of those around her. Unfortunately for Blue, her family has seen her future - the first boy Blue loves, and kisses, will die.
On the night of St. Marks Eve, Blue's Aunt Neeve brings her to where the soon-to-be dead whose spirits walk the night. Blue is not a seer, but on this night, she sees someone...
"There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark's Eve," Neeve said. "Either you're his true love . . . or you killed him."
Anglionby Academy is a local prep school filled with what Blue calls Raven Boys, due to the emblem on their school sweaters. Blue meets a tight group of these privileged boys from the school: Gansey, Adam, Ronan, and Noah. She already has a connection to one of them, but they are on a quest that goes beyond cars, school, and vacation homes. They are in search of the ley line, which is a supernatural path which leads to a tomb, and its royal occupant. Blue and the boys team up and their decisions become a matter of life and death.
I had to laugh. There was one character in the book that, at first, seemed like a throw-away part. But, I even said out loud to Maggie (even though she was several states away, yet could hear me loud and clear), "Who is this guy? He seems unimportant now, but you don't create characters without purpose. What is it about this one? Who is he??" Maggie, I apologize for my moment of doubt, you came through with a thunderous boom.
Maggie Stiefvater does not disappoint with The Raven Boys. If you're already a fan, you know what I mean, you're with me on this. If you have never read her books, they are fantastic, all of them.
Maggie Stiefvater is one of those superb writers whose books draw us adults over to the YA shelf. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Scholastic Authors performing a scene from The Raven Boys!
Synopsis: (From publisher)
Blue Sargent, the daughter of the town psychic in Henrietta, Virginia, has been told for as long as she can remember that if she ever kisses her true love, he will die. But she is too practical to believe in things like true love. Her policy is to stay away from the rich boys at the prestigious Aglionby Academy. The boys there — known as Raven Boys — can only mean trouble.
Book Extras:
Official Site
Sample the First Chapter
Goodreads
Scholastic Page
About the Book:
About the Author:
Maggie Stiefvater is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races. She is also the author of Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception and Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie. She lives in Virginia with her family. You can visit her online at www.maggiestiefvater.com and on Twitter @mstiefvater.
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