This book was an impulse buy based solely on the cover - perhaps that's because I love scary birds.
At first I struggled to get into it, largely due to the shifting POV. The POV wanders through Blue, Gansey, Adam and Welck's minds, and at times I thought it was too much. But once I'd figured out who was whom, Blue and the Raven Boys and I got on just fine.
The
story is simple. Blue lives with her psychic mom and a bunch of 'seeing' aunts.
Since she was little she's been told she will cause the death of her true
love by kissing him. The threat didn't have much menace until she meets Gansey
under some rather strange circumstances. Her Aunt Neeve informs her casually that
Gansey will be dead within the year - either murdered in anger by Blue, or by Blue’s
kiss of love. Their relationship seems doomed, but like all teenagers, they find away to get together. But the romance – such as it is in
this book – is definitely not typical, or obvious.
That was one of my comments
. . . the blurb sells the book as a love story, but the love was definitely
secondary to the story. That didn’t worry me overly, but I do think that
someone looking for a romance could be justifiably ticked off.
The
main plot is that Gansey is searching for an ancient Welsh king. Although
supposedly dead, Gansey and his friends - the Raven Boys - believe he’s merely sleeping on a magical ley line in
Virginia, US. The person who finds and wakes this venerable monarch will be
rewarded with a special favour. All the characters have heir own compelling
reasons for wanting to be the one to break the old boy’s slumbers.
What
did I like about the book?
The
Characters. Maggie Stiefvater knows each of them intimately, like they’re living-breathing people. Through her
writing, she brings them alive for the reader. My favourites are two of Gancey’s
friends, Adam and Noah. Both tortured in their own way, they are really
fascinating people whom I was sorry to say goodbye to. I’m really looking
forward to the sequel to pick up on their stories again.
What
I didn’t like:
There are too many POVs. I can see why Maggie Stiefvater did that, but it still made
it confusing at times.
Would
I recommend it?
You
bet! If you like your magic mixed with mythology, carried off by strong
characters, then this one is for you.
I
give it 4 stars.
