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The Raven Cycle (SERIES READ 2025)
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Chapter 1 - 8 So far just getting to know the characters, the environment, how everyone is related to each other and what this is about. It kind of still is a bit confusing, but it’s just the beginning. I kind of get Arthur retelling vibes from this one, but no idea if this is the case.
This will be a re-read for me but probably been over a decade since I initially read it. Think I got as far as book 3 in the series and just never picked up book 4. I'm excited to dive back into this world.
@Brianna yey excited to read this with you. Do you still remember? I forget so quickly. So far I‘m around chapter 12 or 13… And I still don’t really get about what is the main plot yet. But I‘m definitely like the characters. Something about ley lines and a sleeping king… Still Arthur saga vibes…
I remember a good amount of this first book because I read that one a few times previously and maybe a smidge of the second. I don't remember anything of the third. lol I just got to the end of chapter 12 to catch up through today (I'll probably read ahead since I'm finally getting my reading mojo back) and things are definitely still coming together. It's been a lot of character introductions. There are definitely Arthur vibes - I think King Arthur started off in Welsh lore maybe and they've talked about some other Welsh kings so definitely could be getting some inspiration there.
@Brianna wow that’s great. I forget what I read probably after 3 months. I‘ll catch up and go through your thoughts as soon as possible.
I remembered far less than I thought. lol I'll keep eyes on this thread for your thoughts as well! I'm excited to actually talk this through with someone.
@Brianna Sorry for answering late… I put this one aside. So far it didn’t really catch me entirely and I see myself reading other books instead. up to chapter 26
@Brianna Cabeswater definitely was weird. Here’s my fifty cents on it: Blue saw Gansey dying, Adam saw himself killing Gansey - maybe jealousy-, Ronan saw it all together and Gansey saw Glendower because he died and Glendower somehow is a part of him… Maybe because Glendower saved him from death once (do I remember that correctly?).
And somehow I feel Noah died a long time ago and he’s just a ghost. That’s why he’s so cold all the time and he can hear the trees talking.
And maybe that Mustang belongs to Whelk ir his friend who died. Maybe Noah was Whelks friend and got sick because he saw the car. But I think now my ideas are maybe becoming too crazy 😜
Overall I gave to say; the author really did an excellent job writing the characters. They come across really authentic.
Chapter 27- EndAlright it’s somehow a 3.5 up to 4 stars. Overall it’s a good book. I especially like the depths of the characters and how authentic they came across. Amazing how the group sticks together and supports each other. Some parts of the storyline aren’t yet really clear form me and left me with some questions. What did exactly happen to Whelk? I didn’t get his death. And what were these white animals? And what exactly did Adam di to trigger all of this. Maybe we’ll find it out in the next book.
Sarah-Vanessa wrote: "Chapter 27- EndAlright it’s somehow a 3.5 up to 4 stars. Overall it’s a good book. I especially like the depths of the characters and how authentic they came across. Amazing how the group sticks t..."
It was enjoyable but definitely still a lot of unknown parts to the story. I am also not entirely clear what Adam did but it doesn't seem super good? I am also surprised at Neeve being a bad guy? I also really enjoy this friend group - they accepted Blue without question and her them. I hope they stick together through the rest of the series.
@Brianna Yes, it definitely seems like whatever Adam did was bad. I was thinking Neeve was hiding something and doing something bad behind the others back. But honestly I still really know what she did. But I‘m sure she’ll show up again in another one of the books.Yes, the group dynamics - also with Blue - is aww.
Thankfully we will be able to pick up the sequel in June (here shortly) and see what's next!
Chapter 1-3It’s nice to be back with this wholesome group of friends. Their dynamic is exceptional. And finally we get to know more about Ronans skill. I was wondering for the whole book one, what it is.
But already new mysteries and questions arise. Who’s that Grey Man and who sent him for what?
I will be picking this one up a bit later in the month (probably) but I am excited to get back to this group of friends and see what progress we make on the mystery!
Chapter 4 - 9I wonder who’s that professor who hired the Grey Man? Could it be the same professor helping Gansey? And who else is in Henrietta trying to get hands on Ronan…
Kavinsky definitely seems fishy as hell. This guy will cause trouble and I didn’t like the way he treated Blue…
Adam and Blue, well…. They just don’t seem right, we all know it. She’s just with him, because she can’t be with Gansey. And the way he treated her in chapter 8.
Chapter 10 - 17I‘m still way behind schedule, but can we please talk about how the grey man went into a seance and just told them straight ahead that he is a serial killer, that was hilarious 😆
Next thing on the agenda: catching up on this one…Chapter 17 - 21
That was a weird dream Ronan had.
Ronan thinks about a deal Adam made. Did I miss something? I can’t remember any deal….
So Ronan took his mom from a dream into real live and now she’s in a never ending sleep. I definitely did not expect that.
Finally picked this up! I may or may not have bitten off more than I can chew (read) this month so nowhere near as on track as I would have hoped.through end of chapter 8: Okay this Gray Man is creepy and Adam is going crazy. I appreciate that Blue keeps calling the guys out with how they are talking to her. I also am suspicious of Kavinisky. He gives off icky vibes a bit. I like that we are getting more about Ronan. He is super fascinating and I want to know what his second secret is.
Chapter 22 - 31Orla is hilarious! That scene on the boat was so funny.
Kavinsky is bad news, I really think they should stay away from him.
Maura and the Grey Man on the other hand are hilarious.
@Brianna Nice to discuss it together and no worries I am behind schedule as well for the same reason.
I agree with everything you said. I‘m honestly not really a fan of Adam. Ronan is the one which I find hardest to read as a character so it’s definitely nice to have him in the center of attention.
through end of chapter 16: I appreciate the Gray Man's honesty - he has told a few people now that he's a hit man but it doesn't seem like anyone is taking him seriously. I wonder where the forest went! Doesn't bode well that it's gone and now Declan knows an area they go - will he start investigating things?
@Brianna I definitely had a good laugh when the Grey Man directly told them he’s a hired killer. Not sure though who believed him and who didn’t. I feel like Blues people took it seriously. I know it’s morally wrong, but I like the guy.Chapter 32 - 36
So Ronan and Matthew are banned to enter their house, but I don’t see anyone controlling them. Who would even execute their fathers will and dishonor them? Declan?
Something about Adam is really off, I wonder what it is…Seems like he can feel the Ley Lines now and he brought a ghost with him.
Chapter 37 - 41Ronan is excellent in doing stupid things. Why did he do that to Gansey‘s car, knowing how much that car meant to his best friend.
What are the odds that there are two Greywarens in Henrietta at the same time…
It starts to feel like not knowing what is real and what is a dream, respectively something created from a dream.
through end of chapter 24: I know I have read this before. I read the third book as well. Does any of this seem familiar or reminding me of ANY events to come? NOPE. lol I genuinely feel like I am reading it for the first time which is nice.No wonder Ronan is as off putting/intolerant as he is - he's been having nightmares like THAT?! Hard pass.
I'm curious why they found a Camero tire (?) with the super ancient coins - Cabeswater and more weird time things?
The two guys that the Grey Man handled at Gansey's place - they mentions Greywaren being a box - could it be the language box Ronan pulled out of the dream?
I ended up being able to knock this out today - got super intrigued in everything going on. I'm thankfully we are doing the full series as a group read because maybe this will finally be the year I finish it!through the end: (view spoiler)
I will probably pick Blue Lily, Lily Blue up the week of the readathon. I have some time off that week that I fully plan on using to do all the reading!
@Brianna I don`t really have a reading plan yet for the group reads. But I will try to join whenever it`s possible.I just managed to finally finish book 2.
And I definitely enjoyed it, even a bit more than the first one. Maybe because I was already familiar with the characters and some of them really grow on me. And it was really nice as well as helpful to read Ronans story. It helps to understand him better.
I'm happy the Grey Man ist going to stick around and that Cabeswater is back. I just wonder where Moira went and if it has anything to do with the disappearance of Neigh or what was her name again? And are going to see Whelk again? So definitely happy to pick up the third book this month.
through the end of chapter 5: Even only a few chapters in and there is a different feeling to this book than the prior. I am worried about Mallory for some reason - a lot of the "educational" type figured have not been good guys so hopefully he is an exception! lol
through the end of chapter 13: I am super nervous about Greenmantle. I am not a fan that Orla and Blue are fighting. Persephone feels a bit different. Who is this Jesse character? He'll be relevant for some reason since Blue is remembering him from somewhere. I like that the Grey Man is helping the women learn some self-defense. I am curious about Greenmantle's wife. She'll be a surprise at some point.
through end of chapter 21: I think this has been the more intriguing installment for me. I don't feel complete lost in this like I did the others (even though technically the first three are all re-reads lol). I like that Adam and Ronan are starting to get along. I am shocked about Matthew and really hope Ronan figures something out. Greenmantle continues to be pretty amusing as does the Grey Man.
through the end of chapter 34: Things are getting interesting and also a bit messy. It's hard to keep track of who is doing what and why and to whom. I'm still very weary of Piper and think she's going to do something that completely throws everything off track. I also worry for Jesse Dittley since he's on the corpse road list (why is he always yelling?).
through end of chapter 42: Okay what is happening with Persephone? That doesn't bode well but also feels like there could be a big reveal about some other crazy happenings. The mirror twist is interesting and I'm curious to see how that plays out. I am also curious what happened with the trial - guessing it worked in his favor?
Up to chapter 25We are on a road trip at the moment, so Wifi wasn’t available. And I wasn’t able to update here.
I had this one as an audiobook and started it yesterday. I‘m somewhere around chapter 25.
So here are my thoughts:
@Brianna I agree with you on Mallory. He seems fishy, can’t name exactly why, but I don’t think he’s good news. Same for Greenmantle, he isn’t good news. And the Grey Man going there to threaten him, wasn’t the smartest move. Now Greenmantle knows he cares about someone and thus made Blue‘s mom the target…
It overall seems like the atmosphere in the Fox mansion is off since Neigh‘s disappearance and Moira gone missing.
I am honestly still a bit lost, what is reality and what is imagination, or in other words, Cabbeswaters and or Ronans doing. When did Kavinsky die? Yes, I remember they had this big blow out at the end of book two, but I didn’t notice he died. And what happened to Matthew? He’s dead? I thought he was fine at the end if book two? 🤔 I obviously missed everything here 😂😂.
I feel a romance between Adam and Ronan. Which is cute. But honestly I feel the way the author approaches romances isn’t really my thing. They seem to nit be elaborated really well. All of a sudden it’s Adam and Ronan. And then somewhere it’s like mentioned everyone in this group loves each other. So I sort of don’t get it or I think it could been elaborated a little better, as there’s sort of no build up.
Up to Chapter 34Piper seems fishy too and really unpredictable…. @Brianna I agree it’s starting to get slightly confusing with so many people involved. But also very interesting. I also wonder if Gwendillian was talking about Mallory when she was mentioning a man with a dog or Greenmantle? Which would mean one of them met her before the Raven Boys.
Up to the EndFinished this one today. And I agree with you @Brianna this one was more interesting than the first two ones. There’s still some things I don’t really understand, but this installment already answered some of the questions. We found Moira and Artemus and Neigh is back. I felt sad that Persephonne died. Didn’t expect Greenmantle to give up that quickly and Piper to take over. So far I‘m looking forward for book number 4.
@Sarah-Vanessa: I agree about Greenmantle - super random that he just decided to pop out of there like he wasn't the one to initiate all the bad guy drama in town. I am curious to know where Neeve has been this whole time and how she just randomly popped up at the right time?
I'll be picking up The Raven King tonight more than likely. I'm excited to get to this installment as it will be the first of the series that isn't a re-read (although I had very little memory of books 2 or 3 lol). I am bummed since it'll mean the series is over!
through end of chapter 16: I am a bit slumpy so that may be part of it but I am struggling with this one. The series has gotten weirder and weirder but also more characters are being introduced. I'm still curious to know what will happen but I have a feeling I will need to read some recaps to really understand it all. If I recall the author wrote recaps for a website so if there's a recap to be trusted - probably those. lol
@Brianna I‘m almost done… somewhere around chapter 60. I have to honestly say, all of the 4 books are somewhat weird. The story itself is weird. The author used to jump between characters, situations and the plot is kind of chaotic. As a reader you sometimes don’t know where exactly you are in the timeline of the story. But over all it’s definitely a different storyline and I don’t think anything similar has been written.
The Procrastinators Book Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Raven King (other topics)Blue Lily, Lily Blue (other topics)
This thread is open for discussion beginning May 5th! Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed (mark as a spoiler) in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days of the month can be used to catch up if needed! Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads.
The Raven Boys
Week of 05/05
May 05: Chapters 1-2
May 06: Chapters 3-4
May 07: Chapters 5-6
May 08: Chapters 7-8
May 09: Chapters 9-10
May 10: Chapters 11-12
May 11: Chapters 13-14
Week of 05/12
May 12: Chapters 15-16
May 13: Chapters 17-18
May 14: Chapters 19-20
May 15: Chapters 21-22
May 16: Chapters 23-24
May 17: Chapters 25-26
May 18: Chapters 27-28
Week of 05/19
May 19: Chapters 29-30
May 20: Chapters 31-32
May 21: Chapters 33-34
May 22: Chapters 35-36
May 23: Chapters 37-38
May 24: Chapters 39-40
May 25: Chapters 41-42
Week of 05/26
May 26: Chapters 43-44
May 27: Chapters 45-46
May 28: Chapters 47-48 (end)
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The Dream Thieves
Week of 06/01
June 01: Chapters 1-3
Week of 06/02
June 02: Chapters 4-6
June 03: Chapters 7-9
June 04: Chapters 10-12
June 05: Chapters 13-15
June 06: Chapters 16-18
June 07: Chapters 19-21
June 08: Chapters 22-24
Week of 06/09
June 09: Chapters 25-27
June 10: Chapters 28-30
June 11: Chapters 31-33
June 12: Chapters 34-36
June 13: Chapters 37-39
June 14: Chapters 40-42
June 15: Chapters 43-45
Week of 06/16
June 16: Chapters 46-48
June 17: Chapters 49-51
June 18: Chapters 52-54
June 19: Chapters 55-57
June 20: Chapters 58-60
June 21: Chapters 61-end
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Blue Lily, Lily Blue
Week of 07/01
July 01: Prologue + Chapters 1-2
July 02: Chapters 3-5
July 03: Chapters 6-8
July 04: Chapters 9-11
July 05: Chapters 12-14
July 06: Chapters 15-17
Week of 07/07
July 07: Chapters 18-20
July 08: Chapters 21-23
July 09: Chapters 24-26
July 10: Chapters 27-29
July 11: Chapters 30-32
July 12: Chapters 33-35
July 13: Chapters 36-38
Week of 07/14
July 14: Chapters 39-41
July 15: Chapters 42-44
July 16: Chapters 45-47
July 17: Chapters 48-end
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The Raven King
Week of 08/01
August 01: Chapters 1-3
August 02: Chapters 4-6
August 03: Chapters 7-9
Week of 08/03
August 04: Chapters 10-12
August 05: Chapters 13-15
August 06: Chapters 16-18
August 07: Chapters 19-21
August 08: Chapters 22-24
August 09: Chapters 25-27
August 10: Chapters 28-30
Week of 08/11
August 11: Chapters 31-33
August 12: Chapters 34-36
August 13: Chapters 37-39
August 14: Chapters 40-42
August 15: Chapters 43-45
August 16: Chapters 46-48
August 17: Chapters 49-51
Week of 08/18
August 18: Chapters 52-54
August 19: Chapters 55-57
August 20: Chapters 58-60
August 21: Chapters 61-63
August 22: Chapters 64-end
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You can read the group book at any time during the month and at your own pace. This is the pace the group will be using, but if you read ahead or will be giving spoilers, please mark them (click the "some html is ok button"). If you have any questions a mod or another member can help you.