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A review by 120read
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a very fun read with a lot to like about it. It was such a good introduction to the series, which I’ve heard only gets better from here.
The world building is solid, and the descriptions are enchanting and haunting, throwing you right into the middle of every scene. Everything is always so so vivid. The way in which Gansey, Blue and the others are affected by magic and folklore so deeply makes Henrietta feel real and alive.
The characters themselves are wonderfully flawed, feeling lived in and robust without telling us every facet of their being. The main group are fascinating - their dynamics are interesting, their conflicts visceral, and their love for each other strong. However, I had a huge soft spot for Persephone, as well as the other psychics in the house.
My only qualms with this story, are that in places the writing wasn’t for me (mid-chapter POV switches… no thank you), and that it was so incredibly a product of its time. Character trauma is conveyed unflinchingly, piled on in the way only someone in tue early 2010s can (she’s just like me fr). The one thing I am hoping improves in the next book, is the near fetishisation of poverty. Adam is poor, the other boys are rich - it’s a facet of every conversation they have. Classism is at the centre of this story, but not, currently, in a way that feels as though it has anything more to say than ‘these two worlds are very different and they don’t get each other’.
I did thoroughly enjoy the read, and am looking forward to getting my hands on The Dream Thieves as soon as possible!
The world building is solid, and the descriptions are enchanting and haunting, throwing you right into the middle of every scene. Everything is always so so vivid. The way in which Gansey, Blue and the others are affected by magic and folklore so deeply makes Henrietta feel real and alive.
The characters themselves are wonderfully flawed, feeling lived in and robust without telling us every facet of their being. The main group are fascinating - their dynamics are interesting, their conflicts visceral, and their love for each other strong. However, I had a huge soft spot for Persephone, as well as the other psychics in the house.
My only qualms with this story, are that in places the writing wasn’t for me (mid-chapter POV switches… no thank you), and that it was so incredibly a product of its time. Character trauma is conveyed unflinchingly, piled on in the way only someone in tue early 2010s can (she’s just like me fr). The one thing I am hoping improves in the next book, is the near fetishisation of poverty. Adam is poor, the other boys are rich - it’s a facet of every conversation they have. Classism is at the centre of this story, but not, currently, in a way that feels as though it has anything more to say than ‘these two worlds are very different and they don’t get each other’.
I did thoroughly enjoy the read, and am looking forward to getting my hands on The Dream Thieves as soon as possible!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Classism