A review by mariebrunelm
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Raven Boys was one of my favourite books of 2020 (or was it 2019?) and I'm very happy to report that it's still a favourite, and it's still just as hard to describe, so I'd like to end the review here but that wouldn't be very helpful. So instead I'll tell you that this uses themes like found family, dark academia, death, prophecy, Welsh legends and stronger-than-death friendship in the modern setting of an American small town. It is very binary in that you have on the one hand Blue and her family / coven of psychics, all women, to whom she acts as a sound box by making energies louder, and on the one hand this tight-knit group of four lost boys at an elite school. Watching the two universes clash, appraise each other and treat each other with respect even when they don't share the same values is a joy. Seeing the four raven boys mess things up and have each other's back is heartwarming. Witnessing them make a space for Blue in their group is enchanting. It *is* a dark story when you look at the themes and at these characters who clearly need therapy, but there's a lot of light coming from their relationships and the support they find in and give to each other.
PS : while there is no on-page queer rep apart from a very discreet, very in-passing mention, there is a queer vibe going on that I can't quite put my finger on. Things may be more clear in the following volumes. The one thing that's sure is that everyone is very white. 
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