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The Raven Boys
(The Raven Cycle #1)
by
“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.”
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 fro ...more
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 fro ...more
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Hardcover, 409 pages
Published
September 18th 2012
by Scholastic Press
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She wasn't interested in telling other people's futures. She was interested in going out and finding her own.
Ok. Good. I thought I was the only one ...more
Quirky loner girl meets privileged rich boy(s). Forbidden love and angst ensue.

I seem to have this habit. For the past couple of years, I've mostly been deliberately avoiding paranormal YA from authors I don't already love. The genre is a hard sell for me, filled with tropes that lead to low ratings and irritated reviews. But really, what tends to happen is this: the first book comes out and I avoid it, look the other way as other bloggers get excited and fangirl over the upcoming sequel.
Then t ...more

I seem to have this habit. For the past couple of years, I've mostly been deliberately avoiding paranormal YA from authors I don't already love. The genre is a hard sell for me, filled with tropes that lead to low ratings and irritated reviews. But really, what tends to happen is this: the first book comes out and I avoid it, look the other way as other bloggers get excited and fangirl over the upcoming sequel.
Then t ...more
4.5/5
Reread in 2017:
I loved it so much more the second time! Every character was unique and fleshed out and I fell in love with them all! Well, most of them. Can't wait to pick up The Dream Thieves!
Book 34/100 of 2015:
I really enjoyed this! I came into this book not knowing anything about the plot, just that there were some weirdly named kids and something about ravens. It was a little difficult to get into as I had no idea where the plot would go and it was just overall pretty slow. However, ha ...more
Reread in 2017:
I loved it so much more the second time! Every character was unique and fleshed out and I fell in love with them all! Well, most of them. Can't wait to pick up The Dream Thieves!
Book 34/100 of 2015:
I really enjoyed this! I came into this book not knowing anything about the plot, just that there were some weirdly named kids and something about ravens. It was a little difficult to get into as I had no idea where the plot would go and it was just overall pretty slow. However, ha ...more
i'm so glad i re-read this before carrying on with the series! there were so many things that i had forgotten. SO MANY IMPORTANT THINGS. plus it was fun to re-read, because of all the foreshadowing. SO MCUH FORESHADOWING I TELL YA. i'm reading the series as apart of the missmareadalong & there is still time to join in if you want to read the raven cycle this month!! more info here: https://youtu.be/43yx_rDnNIc plus there are lots of GIVEAWAAAAYS happening! more info for that here: https://youtu.
...more
UPDATE: $2.99 Kindle US 9/14/19
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List


I absolutely loved this book! But, here's the thing, I didn't know what was going on through half of the book and I'm still a little up in the air with what all they were doing. I just know that I FREAKING LOVED IT AND CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE!

YEAH.... I'M A LITTLE CRAZY! LOL

Okay so there are these four rich boys that go to the rich school, Aglionby. They are the main characters. We have Gansey, Adam, Ronan and Noah, they are calle ...more
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List


I absolutely loved this book! But, here's the thing, I didn't know what was going on through half of the book and I'm still a little up in the air with what all they were doing. I just know that I FREAKING LOVED IT AND CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE!

YEAH.... I'M A LITTLE CRAZY! LOL

Okay so there are these four rich boys that go to the rich school, Aglionby. They are the main characters. We have Gansey, Adam, Ronan and Noah, they are calle ...more
I've never read something quite like this. I loved how Blue talks with her mom, how Gansey is protective towards the boys, how Noah pats Blue's hair, how Ronan takes care of Chainsaw, how Adam talks to Blue. This book is the definition of found-family trope.
...more
THIS BOOK IS MIRACULOUS.
There are psychics and ghosts and very human characters and boys in private-school uniforms and ravens and magical places and sentient trees. There’s magic and a badass girl and my new favorite boy and Latin and a refurbished warehouse that makes for a very scholar-cute apartment and Welsh mythology and a pizza restaurant.
https://emmareadstoomuch.wordpress.co...
In short, sososososo many things I am always thrilled to see. Every time a ghost or a psychic or a well-describ ...more
There are psychics and ghosts and very human characters and boys in private-school uniforms and ravens and magical places and sentient trees. There’s magic and a badass girl and my new favorite boy and Latin and a refurbished warehouse that makes for a very scholar-cute apartment and Welsh mythology and a pizza restaurant.
https://emmareadstoomuch.wordpress.co...
In short, sososososo many things I am always thrilled to see. Every time a ghost or a psychic or a well-describ ...more
Update 2020:
With my local library closed down, I’m stuck with the books on my bookshelf so I opted to reread my favorites. And it just hit me that I reread this book on April 24th aka the date that set off the gangsey! Coincidence? I think not.
There’s nothing quite like returning to the first book in a series to discover the neatly laid path of easter eggs that will come to resurface in the books to follow in the series.
The scene that hit me most was with the hollowed-out vision tree where Blue ...more
With my local library closed down, I’m stuck with the books on my bookshelf so I opted to reread my favorites. And it just hit me that I reread this book on April 24th aka the date that set off the gangsey! Coincidence? I think not.
There’s nothing quite like returning to the first book in a series to discover the neatly laid path of easter eggs that will come to resurface in the books to follow in the series.
The scene that hit me most was with the hollowed-out vision tree where Blue ...more
“You're looking for a god. Didn't you suspect that there was also a devil?”
Instant new favorite!!

Psychics. Ghosts. Spirits. Sleeping kings. Legends. Enchanted forests. And a cursed romance. Maggie Stiefvater is an artist, ladies and gentlemen!

“Blue Sargent had forgotten how many times she'd been told that she would kill her true love.”
I was spellbound by this hauntingly beautiful paranormal tale since that very first sentence. Maggie Stiefvater narrates the story of how B ...more
Jan 18, 2016
C.G. Drews
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
magical-fantasy,
audio-books,
young-adult,
reread,
5-star,
read-2016,
read-2019,
read-2018,
paranormal,
read-2017
READ #5: August 2019:
Rereading in preparation for Call Down the Hawk and also because I am trc trash and am living my good life sobbing over my best friends who don't exist while being homesick for a magical forest i've never been to. Adam really got my heart in this reread...just, he his made of soft corners and faded hopes and I love him so much. He is so very brave.
READ #4: May 2018:
It has come to my attention that I am still in love with all my Raven Boys. Still. I would like to put ...more
Rereading in preparation for Call Down the Hawk and also because I am trc trash and am living my good life sobbing over my best friends who don't exist while being homesick for a magical forest i've never been to. Adam really got my heart in this reread...just, he his made of soft corners and faded hopes and I love him so much. He is so very brave.
READ #4: May 2018:
It has come to my attention that I am still in love with all my Raven Boys. Still. I would like to put ...more
This is favourite series of all time. I can't even write a review about it, I would just end up copying the entire novel down verbatim and saying, "This is my favourite part. And this part. And that part. And that quote and these characters and all of it and everything forever and always."
...more
“Watch for the devil. When there’s a god, there’s always a legion of devils.”
When I first read The Raven Boys a year ago, I never thought I would fall in love with it, and then all over again and again and again. I didn't expect it to turn out this way.
I expected a cheesy romantic up-and-down relationship between Blue and Gansey. Ghosts and foretellings, sure, but definitely not this good. In fact, I expected an average teen fantasy novel, but Maggie Stiefvater did better than that. Much better. ...more
When I first read The Raven Boys a year ago, I never thought I would fall in love with it, and then all over again and again and again. I didn't expect it to turn out this way.
I expected a cheesy romantic up-and-down relationship between Blue and Gansey. Ghosts and foretellings, sure, but definitely not this good. In fact, I expected an average teen fantasy novel, but Maggie Stiefvater did better than that. Much better. ...more
Yesterday I walked into my library's Young Adult section which is inside its own special Young Adult room. There were all these kids hanging out playing video games when this bearded 31 year old man walked into the room. He was a man on a mission, a mission to quickly identify the YA Series section, track down the YA SER RAV label on the spine of The Raven Boys, and get the heck outta that room before anyone knew I (I mean he) was there.
Mission accomplished.
Then I walked around the library loo ...more
Mission accomplished.
Then I walked around the library loo ...more
Bumping this up to 4 stars. I appreciated this story much more upon rereading it! I think when I first read this book, I had trouble comprehending the story and differentiating between the characters since so much was being introduced at once. Now it’s been easier for me to familiarize myself with the story, and I’ve come to appreciate the atmospheric way Stiefvater approaches the narrative and the depth in her characters. I still don’t feel emotionally attached to the story or the characters as
...more
Oct 18, 2017
Virginia Ronan ♥ Herondale ♥
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
favorites,
fantasy-series
”He felt raw: the chronicle of his fiercest desire stripped from him by force.”
After finishing “The Raven Boys” I have about a thousand of questions, the most pressing one however is the following:
Why did I wait so long to read this freaking awesome book???
I mean seriously!!?? What’s wrong with me!?
How could I survive without knowing about “The Raven Cycle”?!
I loved this book! It was so magical and mysterious and all the characters were so unique and well developed! What I loved the most ...more
After finishing “The Raven Boys” I have about a thousand of questions, the most pressing one however is the following:
Why did I wait so long to read this freaking awesome book???
I mean seriously!!?? What’s wrong with me!?
How could I survive without knowing about “The Raven Cycle”?!
I loved this book! It was so magical and mysterious and all the characters were so unique and well developed! What I loved the most ...more
Feb 19, 2012
Wendy Darling
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
pn-ghosts,
september,
read-2012,
fantasy,
2012-publication,
young-adult,
scholastic,
supportive,
pn-witches
On a cold night every spring, sixteen-year-old Blue and her psychic mother wait in a churchyard for the dead to arrive. Her mother is usually the one who sees the spirits of people who will die within the next twelve months, but this year, Blue herself is startled by the sad, desperate sight of a boy named Gansey falling to his knees before her.
"There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark's Eve, Blue. Either you're his true love...or you killed him."
With those chilli ...more
"There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark's Eve, Blue. Either you're his true love...or you killed him."
With those chilli ...more
Easily the best book I've read all year.
I've never read a book before where I love every single character equally.
Blue: she is everything i aspire to be and i just want to be bffs with her
Gansey: yes plz
Ronan: he's so scary and angry but you just know he secretly loves to watch cute cat videos
Adam: he must be wrapped in a warm blanket and protected at all costs
Noah: my precious cinnamon bun ...more
I've never read a book before where I love every single character equally.
Blue: she is everything i aspire to be and i just want to be bffs with her
Gansey: yes plz
Ronan: he's so scary and angry but you just know he secretly loves to watch cute cat videos
Adam: he must be wrapped in a warm blanket and protected at all costs
Noah: my precious cinnamon bun ...more
4 Stars!
What an enjoyable read this was.
Blue, a teenage girl lives in a house full of psychic aunts and her mother. Ever since Blue was little, she was told that her true love will die if she kisses him. (That's one way to scare a little child...shit)
Blue goes to church with her Aunt Neeve on St. Mark's Eve, which is when the spirits of those who will die in the next twelve months come through. (Nice....)
Blue has no psychic ability, but she sees the spirit of a boy named Gansey. Aunt Neeve tells ...more
What an enjoyable read this was.
Blue, a teenage girl lives in a house full of psychic aunts and her mother. Ever since Blue was little, she was told that her true love will die if she kisses him. (That's one way to scare a little child...shit)
Blue goes to church with her Aunt Neeve on St. Mark's Eve, which is when the spirits of those who will die in the next twelve months come through. (Nice....)
Blue has no psychic ability, but she sees the spirit of a boy named Gansey. Aunt Neeve tells ...more
"What happened was they drove to Harry’s and... Gansey ordered flavors of gelato until the table wouldn’t hold any more bowls and Ronan convinced the staff to turn the overhead speakers up and Blue laughed for the first time at something Gansey said and they were loud and triumphant and kings of Henrietta, because they’d found the ley line and because it was starting, it was starting.”





(Artwork by Static)
There was so much more to this book.
What it was: a group of kids searching for a dead we ...more





(Artwork by Static)
There was so much more to this book.
What it was: a group of kids searching for a dead we ...more
Do I need to even explain myself? No? Well, I will anyway.
This book has it all:
The best characters.
Maggie (I feel like we're on a first name basis) doesn't neglect developing any of the characters. Whether they show up for one scene or are a main character, they are real, fleshed-out people. I have a hard time believing Blue and the Raven Boys aren't walking around somewhere in Virginia right now on their search.
Perfect writing.
It's almost frightening how accurately the writing fits the mood of ...more
This book has it all:
The best characters.
Maggie (I feel like we're on a first name basis) doesn't neglect developing any of the characters. Whether they show up for one scene or are a main character, they are real, fleshed-out people. I have a hard time believing Blue and the Raven Boys aren't walking around somewhere in Virginia right now on their search.
Perfect writing.
It's almost frightening how accurately the writing fits the mood of ...more
Sep 29, 2013
Steph Sinclair
marked it as on-hold
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Steph by:
Paul, Ameriie, Wendy Darling and a bunch of other people.
I'm finally submitting to peer pressure.
...more
Jun 07, 2017
Petrik
rated it
liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Petrik by:
Mary ~Ravager of Tomes~
Raven Boys turns out to be more interesting that I thought it would be.
I was reluctant to start this series, not only that most of the hyped YA series always disappointed me, this one also seems like a book written specifically for girls. Don’t kill me, here’s the fact and statistic. If I go to the front page of Raven Boys, out of my friend list (right now around 600), 200 of them has read and rated it. Out of those 200, only 13 of them consists of male. Yes, 13 out of 200, AND this is only beca ...more
I was reluctant to start this series, not only that most of the hyped YA series always disappointed me, this one also seems like a book written specifically for girls. Don’t kill me, here’s the fact and statistic. If I go to the front page of Raven Boys, out of my friend list (right now around 600), 200 of them has read and rated it. Out of those 200, only 13 of them consists of male. Yes, 13 out of 200, AND this is only beca ...more
weeeell, that sure was spooky. and went in a completely different direction than what i was expecting. but i will allow it because it was highly entertaining!
and although, unfortunately, im not as obsessed with this as much of the GR community seems to be, i can understand why there is so much love for this book and characters. but the highlight for me is definitely the welsh folklore. yay for representation!! the mythology definitely kept me intrigued and i cant wait to see where the rest of t ...more
and although, unfortunately, im not as obsessed with this as much of the GR community seems to be, i can understand why there is so much love for this book and characters. but the highlight for me is definitely the welsh folklore. yay for representation!! the mythology definitely kept me intrigued and i cant wait to see where the rest of t ...more
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As I get older, I find myself being tougher and tougher on YA. I'm not sure if it's because I find it more difficult to relate to the characters, or if the characters are just becoming more bland. In either case, I'm a jaded dame who's hard to please...and who's also a glutton for punishment. It's a dangerous combination.
THE RAVEN BOYS wasn't a book I set out to read. I'd heard of Maggie Stiefvater before, but her work didn't sound like ...more
Reread this for a reading log... didn't remember it as much as I thought!
...more
Jun 21, 2017
destiny ♡⚔♡ [howling libraries]
rated it
it was amazing
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes a good YA fantasy with magic, adventure, and friendship
#1 The Raven Boys ★★★★★
#2 The Dream Thieves ★★★★★
#3 Blue Lily, Lily Blue ★★★★★
#4 The Raven King ★★★★★
#4.5 Opal ★★★★★
“She wasn't interested in telling other people's futures. She was interested in going out and finding her own.”
All Blue's life, she's been surrounded by psychics: her mother, her aunt, her mother's live-in best friends. Blue can't predict anything, though - she's just an energy amplifier for everyone (and everything) around here. Her future has been set in stone for years. She will ...more
Apr 27, 2021
Bhavya
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Someone looking for a confusing book with good characters.
Recommended to Bhavya by:
Nash (all too unwell)
"If I were a tree, I would have no reason to love a human."
~Rating- 1.5 stars~
(Content/ Trigger Warnings)
-No mention of these in the review-
Where do we start?

Have you ever read a book that left you dumbfounded? It made your heart thump in all the right ways, it filled you with emotions, it made you scared for the characters and you were left screaming 'What is going to happen next?'

Unfortunately, The Raven Boys was not that kind of book.
“You're looking for a...more
Review with my funny face? http://youtu.be/mZyzt0qw7tg
I enjoyed the hell out of this book. At one point, and I shit you not, I literally yelled "FUN!". Don't worry I was in my bedroom so no side eye whatsoever.
I was simply enthralled.
I've seen people said so and so is an 'atmospheric book' and I have never truly understood what they meant before. Until i picked this up. The Raven Boys was the definition of ambien and mystery . And I was simply lost to hours of intensely joyful read.
I got so i ...more
I enjoyed the hell out of this book. At one point, and I shit you not, I literally yelled "FUN!". Don't worry I was in my bedroom so no side eye whatsoever.
I was simply enthralled.
I've seen people said so and so is an 'atmospheric book' and I have never truly understood what they meant before. Until i picked this up. The Raven Boys was the definition of ambien and mystery . And I was simply lost to hours of intensely joyful read.
I got so i ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Midnight Readers: Elena and Stuti - The Raven Boys | 15 | 40 | Apr 16, 2022 02:59PM | |
| Challenge Corner: The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater --> Restarting February 21st, 2022 | 29 | 24 | Mar 27, 2022 06:15PM | |
| Forgotten YA Gems: The Raven Boys: General Discussion | 6 | 12 | Mar 22, 2022 09:14AM | |
Challenge Corner:
January 2022 First in a Series BOTM - The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater
|
9 | 16 | Feb 05, 2022 07:23AM | |
| The Vision Tree | 10 | 130 | Jan 02, 2022 10:35AM | |
| Book Talks!!: december group buddy ✨raven boys✨ | 2 | 10 | Dec 03, 2021 11:01PM | |
| YA Buddy Readers'...: The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater - Restarting November 2nd 2021 | 814 | 814 | Nov 02, 2021 08:52AM |
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New York Times bestselling author of The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Cycle, and The Scorpio Races. Artist. Driver of things with wheels. Avid reader.
Maggie Stiefvater plays several musical instruments (most infamously, the bagpipes) and makes art in several media (most generally, colored pencils).
She lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband, their two children, many dogs, a bunch ...more
Maggie Stiefvater plays several musical instruments (most infamously, the bagpipes) and makes art in several media (most generally, colored pencils).
She lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband, their two children, many dogs, a bunch ...more
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“My words are unerring tools of
destruction, and I’ve come unequipped with the ability to disarm them.”
—
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destruction, and I’ve come unequipped with the ability to disarm them.”
“She wasn't interested in telling other people's futures. She was interested in going out and finding her own.”
—
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