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nevermoregothic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Body horror and Vomit
trintrin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
5.0
I think this is genuinely the most fun I've had reading a sequel series. Sequel series are always in that weird grey area of scratching the same itch that only your favourite characters from the main series could, but also either risk going overboard with additional world-building, new characters, and plot devices, or risk going stale with same old characters, and same old world. This book hits a sweet, sweet spot.
I was kinda indecisive seeing this is gonna be about Ronan (and by extension, Adam, who would obviously be a major part of his life) because Ronan Lynch is my absolute favourite character and I do not want to tarnish the perfect image I have of him in my head. I didn't know what other adventures little old Henrietta offered, seeing that the quest for Glendower is over, I didn't know what the focus is going to be in Ronan and Adam's relationship, seeing as he would've gone to college. But, boy, oh, boy, did the Lynch brothers deliver.
I was kinda indecisive seeing this is gonna be about Ronan (and by extension, Adam, who would obviously be a major part of his life) because Ronan Lynch is my absolute favourite character and I do not want to tarnish the perfect image I have of him in my head. I didn't know what other adventures little old Henrietta offered, seeing that the quest for Glendower is over, I didn't know what the focus is going to be in Ronan and Adam's relationship, seeing as he would've gone to college. But, boy, oh, boy, did the Lynch brothers deliver.
The Characters
Sure, this book doesn't have the ride-or-die friendships like the Gangsey, but it does have interesting characters. Absolutely head over heels in love with Jordan and Hennessy, I would sacrifice myself to the ley-line to protect these girls. DECLAN LYNCH!! I knew he would pull through, always had faith in him. Someone needs to give this boy a hug, some warm cocoa, and peace. Also, fuck Niall Lynch. I used to think he wasn't that bad, just a very absent father, but good lord. A very interesting side to Matthew which I didn't even consider was possible. Hopefully we get to see more of that. Still kinda lukewarm on Farooq-Lane. Interesting character, certainly, just not sure how much I like her. Parsifal, too soon, my boy, too soon . Bryde, the ever-mysterious Bryde. Excited to get to know him better. Lilliana too, I have high hopes for her.
The Plot
The plot is darker than TRC, which is expected considering four teenagers going on a hunt for a dead Welsh King is going to be more on the friendshipy-adventurous side, while organisations that hunt down dreamers and dreams would be significantly darker and grittier. The world is much bigger than a small, rural town in Virginia, whaddayaknow. Especially when you throw the Lynches into the equation, as it's both about their messed up family history and narrated by them. The introduction of new characters was perfect, the pacing was perfect, the development of both the plot and the characters was perfect, the unexpected Mór Ó Corra plot-twist which I totally should've seen coming was perfect, Stiefvater's beautiful writing in all her glory was perfect, all in all, perfect. :D
Should you read this if you loved The Raven Cycle?
I would say it depends on which part of TRC you loved. TRC had a good plot, but the phenomenal characters were what carried the series. Whereas, this series has incredible characters, but the amazing plot is the focus. Fair warning though, there's little to nothing of Gansey, Blue and Noah, and only crumbs of Adam, if that's what you're looking for. If Ronan, Chainsaw, Orphan-Girl, Matthew, Declan, and the Lynch family history mystery with some cool new characters sounds like your thing, definitely give it a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, and Vomit
booksandstardust's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Gun violence, Suicide, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Stalking
katieanne4's review against another edition
i frickin loved the raven cycle and i held off on starting this follow up trilogy because i thought it could not live up and it would suffer by comparison if i read them back to back. well, i took a break and it still suffered by comparison. i might have liked it more if it was totally new characters, but as it was, i was just sad about the people who were mostly or entirely left out.
that isn't to say i didn't like it-- i liked it. it did the same magic on me, to some extent, as the raven king, in that i was reading it thinking "this is nuts and makes no sense but it also makes emotional sense and i am going with it" and it's just very imaginative and evocative.
mega cliffhanger. i guess i am ok with it?
that isn't to say i didn't like it-- i liked it. it did the same magic on me, to some extent, as the raven king, in that i was reading it thinking "this is nuts and makes no sense but it also makes emotional sense and i am going with it" and it's just very imaginative and evocative.
mega cliffhanger. i guess i am ok with it?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Suicide
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
alenert's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
toopunkrockforshul's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a reread and wow I love this book it was so good. Super excited to read the next two right afterwards. Just absolutely love the writing and complexity of the characters, as well as Will Patton as the narrator in the audiobook is just fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
kpbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
triley's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Gun violence, Suicide, and Murder
natundertrees's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-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
4.0
I’ve been putting off reading this trilogy for SO long and I don’t even know why. This book was wonderful and had so many parts I enjoyed. The Lynch brothers, the brothers Lynch…. truly, my heart can’t take it. With the exception of Carmen and the Moderators’ storyline (which I found I didn’t care for, even if it was the driving force of the plot), I loved every single character in this novel dearly.
And can we talk about tamquam alter idem? Because I’m dead. I’ve died. Pynch means more to me than words can convey.
I’m SO excited to continue with this series and, knowing Maggie, have my heart ripped out. I also am itching to reread The Raven Cycle for the millionth time after reading this book.
And can we talk about tamquam alter idem? Because I’m dead. I’ve died. Pynch means more to me than words can convey.
I’m SO excited to continue with this series and, knowing Maggie, have my heart ripped out. I also am itching to reread The Raven Cycle for the millionth time after reading this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicide, and Suicide attempt