The Raven Boys

by Maggie Stiefvater
Published: Scholastic, 2012
Pages: 409

Blue Sargent may come from a clairvoyant family but she does not have the gift herself.  She does, however, have the ability to enhance others' gifts just by standing in the same room.  She cannot see spirits nor can she feel them, that is until one speaks directly to her. Blue discovers that the spirit is a rich student, from the local private school, named Gansey.  She has made it a point to stay away from these boys because they always spelled trouble.  However, her life begins to cross paths with Gansey and his gang of Raven Boys in unpredictable ways.  Blue finds herself becoming more and more involved in their strange and sometimes sinister world, unsure if she will be able to escape.

This book was surprisingly wonderful.  I really had no expectations going into this novel, so it was a lovely surprise.  The characters were well developed and relatable.  I particularly liked Blue and Gansey, but thought as if Adam and Ronan were guys I could have known in high school. I liked that Gansey is incredibly nice even if there are times when he is unintentionally condescending.

The mythology is fascinating and relatively uncommon and even though I felt confused for quite a bit of the story, it compelled me to keep reading.  The paranormal aspect of the story was intriguing, especially Blue's abilities compared to her family's abilities.  It's interesting that the powers complement each other and Blue's power is very helpful in unlikely moments.

Maggie Stiefvater has worked magic into this story and I cannot wait to find out what happens next. Needless to say, I will definitely be checking out the rest of this series even if I have to wait for it.

Stars: 5/5

Praise:

"One unexpected and wonderful surprise after another...a marvel of imagination."
     --Booklist, starred review

"Simultaneously complex and simple, compulsively readable, marvelously wrought."
     --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Haunting...a tour de force of characterization."
     --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Incredibly rich and unique...a supernatural thriller of a different flavor."
     --School Library Journal, starred review