Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

34 reviews

kirstenf's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy

obviousthings's review against another edition

adventurous funny reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

I really liked it, but I felt like it didn't quite come together at the end.

What exactly are the consequences of Adam's sacrifice, and the ley line being woken? His whole character arc was leading up to that, and during that scene I thought for sure he was going to be possessed by the spirit of Cabeswater or something, but it felt like... nothing happened? Neeve disappearing also felt odd and anticlimactic. I don't expect everything to be explained in the first book of a series, but it felt like that whole scene in the forest ultimately didn't affect anything much.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

ifoundcallie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Blood, Murder, and Classism

Moderate: Child death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Alcoholism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Ritual sacrifice, they dig up a grave to move someone’s bones, someone is trampled to death

taryn_g's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Murder

Minor: Cursing

friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This is a very good book. Especially considering that i was written 10 years ago. It was exactly my level of creepy. Not scary. I cannot tolerate scary. The characters are great, it is so very engaging, good dialogues, supernatural, witchy, dark academia, perfect for a busy fall read for people who do not want to be scared but do not want to feel left out either. Would recommand. I do not think that the ending is very strong. (But I guess it’s okay considering that it is a first in a series.)

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Murder, and Classism

Moderate: Cursing, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Alcoholism, Body horror, Self harm, Vomit, Car accident, and Alcohol

jennylarue's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

If I had to teach a writing class on how to write the perfect character, I would just give them this book. Spectacular and Will Patton’s narration of the audiobook was the best medium to digest this story :) 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Abandonment

piperclover's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

It took me at least a 3rd of the book to really get into it and be emotionally invested but once I did I listened to the rest of the book in just a couple hours. I will say though that if Noah was not a part of this series I don't think I would care, I think I would have DNF'd very early on.  While I liked the rest of the characters for the most part, I adore Noah so I think he saved the book for me. 

Blue is meh to me. She's fine. I don't think she's a particularly good mc but she's also not a terrible one. She's just kinda there with almost no personality beyond making eccentric clothes and decorations. She's the most interesting in the beginning of hanging out with the boys bc she is very vocal about not bending to their whims but after they actually become friends, she's just there.  Every other character is more interesting, I think. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Kidnapping and Murder

Minor: Drug use

The kidnapping is not of a minor

indigo2367's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

The beginning is confusing, especially when all the boys are first introduced. There were too many names all at once and it took a while to figure out how they all fit in, but once I did, it was worth it. Very well written, and I love how distinct and interesting the characters are. A dark plot with a lighthearted tone and mysterious setting—I’ve already started a pinterest board. Definitely worth reading.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Death, Self harm, Violence, Kidnapping, and Grief

imds's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Classism

durrareadsstuff's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I can't believe I didn't read this sooner. This was such a good book I don't even know where to start. I'd say the last time I felt this way about a book was while reading six of crows, and although I can't possibly compare the two of them (soc is better sorry) the raven boys is definitely up there. 

This is also my first time reading Maggie Stiefvater and OH MY GOD THE WRITING💫💥💢💫💥💢💫💫🔥🔥🔥
I love how the lines range from beautiful quotes like 

She recognized the strange happiness that came from loving something without knowing why you did, that strange happiness that was sometimes so big that it felt like sadness. It was the way she felt when she looked at the stars.

Gansey had a sense of incredible rightness, then, with everyone assembled by the Pig. Like Blue, not the ley line, was the missing piece that he’d been needing all these years, like the search for Glendower wasn’t truly underway until she was part of it. She was right like Ronan had been right, like Adam had been right, like Noah had been right.

And whatever this is

“Yes,” she said. “I guess I make things that need energy stronger. I’m like a walking battery.”
“You’re the table everyone wants at Starbucks,” Gansey mused as he began to walk again.
Blue blinked. “What?”
Over his shoulder, Gansey said, “Next to the wall plug.” 

“Don’t psychoanalyze me,” her mother said.
“I already have. And I say again, ‘ah.’”

LIKE HOW IS IT SO GOOD??!!?? *slams my head against the wall*

Honestly I didn't think I'd like any of the characters going in, but now I'm attached to each and every one of them. It's amazing how she managed to turn such characters into raw, vulnerable, complex people that you can't help but love. I love how there's barely any romance in here, which is also weird because I usually like that stuff. But surprisingly I don't really mind. I also didn't get why they were friends in the first place, but now—I wish I had that kind of bond with someone. 

My favourite thing, I have to say though, is probably Noah. I mean, I know he's not one of the "main characters" but he's just so cute. And the dynamic between him and Blue???? I JUST CAN'T 😭💓😭😭

Again, the writing in here is absolutely stunning. I mean, the humour, the atmosphere, the VIBES WERE IMMACULATE LET ME TELL YOU. I felt like everything was so magical and wondrous. And the povs were so wonderfully personal and raw. Oh my god I just love it so much. Possibly will be the only think occuping my headspace for weeks to come and hey, I'm not mad about it. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Suicide attempt

Minor: Kidnapping, Murder, and Classism