Opal by Maggie Stiefvater | Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2.5)"Sometimes bad ideas were so bad they looped right around until they became good ideas."
Let me be honest: I love Maggie Stiefvater's writing and it pains me to give something by her such a low rating. I adore Stiefvater's work, her prose, the characters, etc. The Raven Cycle is one of the most magical YA series I have ever read and the relationship between Ronan and Adam is one of my all-time favourites. When I saw that Opal was, well, a thing, and read the brief premise of the 38 page story, I pounced on it.
I want to make something very, very clear. I didn't hate Opal. Not in the least. I just found myself thinking, in the course of it, "Was this necessary?" Yes and no. As a fan, I always wanted to here more of these characters and Opal is someone, a dream creation come to life, who is just so intriguing. A lot of us wanted to hear more of her, get inside her head a little, see her interactions with Ronan and Adam. While Opal did give us a glimpse into this relationship, it just felt... awkward?
All the Crooked Saints by Maggie Stiefvater | Rating: ★★★☆☆She had still been learning how to live with the hard truth that the most interesting parts of her thoughts usually got left behind when she tried to put them into words.
A quick recap to those who don't know me: this review may, perhaps, appear unfavorable. This is not directed towards Maggie Stiefvater in any way--I adore her writing and almost every book she has penned in her career thus far. Not everything is going to be my cup of tea. All the Crooked Saints, firstly, was not my cup of tea. Now, I wouldn't go so far as to say that I hated the novel because I didn't. It has her suggestion writing; detailed, haunting, full of that hypnotic prose that makes her stories so brilliant. But at its core, there was so much about it that simply did not strike a cord within me quite like other releases have in the past.
I had a similar problem with the conclusion to The Raven Cycle, which is one of my favourite YA series. What brought me down about All the Crooked Saints (aside from its obvious flaws and previously mentioned critiques from other bloggers, re: problematic) was that despite all its stellar prose and fascinating characters and unique worldbuilding, there was just a lot that didn't feel... there. This isn't to say that the story itself was empty. It was merely lackluster to me in all the points that really and truly mattered.
“It was just that there was something newly powerful about this assembled family in the car. They were all growing up and into each other like trees striving together for the sun.”
There's this weird and twisty sensation at the pit of my stomach when I consider how underwhelming this book was and the fact that I am giving it lower than a four star rating. I should have known that such a fantastic series would end on a fizzle rather than a bang. When I started The Raven Cycle, I never expected to like it--yet I loved it. In one swift movement, Maggie Stiefvater took up a new place in my heart with her whimsical word, each fantastic character and the elegant/unique tone her prose takes as stories unfold. The Raven King has many of her signature qualities but seems to trip over itself all too often and leave you feeling as though something is missing.
Now, this isn't to say that the novel itself wasn't good. In my opinion it was solid enough but not quite enough to balance the weight of the first three books. I felt disappointed and as if an old friend had invited me over only to rush me out the door after a half hour tea. The Raven King had its moments of greatness and surely was fast and entertaining. As per usual, Stiefvater has a smart and magical way with words. So what made the balance break? I... can't actually put my finger on it.
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater | Rating: ★★★★★
...she didn't realize about Blue and her boys was that they were all in love with one another. She was no less obsessed with them than they were with her, or one another, analyzing every conversation and gesture, drawing out every joke into a longer and longer running gag, spending each moment either with one another or thinking about when next they would be with one another. Blue was perfectly aware that it was possible to have a friendship that wasn't all-encompassing, that wasn't blinding, deafening, maddening, quickening. It was just that now that she'd had this kind, she didn't want the other.
At last, here we are. I've blown through this series in less than a week and this morning I finished Blue Lily, Lily Blue (the third installment in the phenomenal The Raven Cycle series) and I have to say that it is perhaps the best book yet. Here’s why: after the massive cliffhanger and the events to the previous book, everything only grows more challenging and thrilling from this point on.
Within the first few chapters of BLLB, which picks up where TDT left off, we are beginning to see something growing stronger and more spin tingling than before in the plot. It’s almost as if it’s reaching its climax, but the promise of more to come is still there.
Maggie continues to bring us into such a fantastically dark and magical world that it’s just… breathtaking. She’s made a lifelong fan out of me and I can’t help but to admire her mind, her writing (which is almost poetic and refreshingly vivid and sarcastic) and everything she’s done so far with everyone’s favorite Raven Boys.
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater | Rating: ★★★★★"Want and need were words that got eaten smaller and smaller: Freedom, autonomy, a perennial bank balance, a stainless-steel condo in a dustless city, a silky black car, to make out with Blue, eight hours of sleep, a cell phone, a bed, to kiss Blue just once, a blister-less heel, bacon for breakfast, to hold Blue's hand, one hour of sleep, toilet paper, deodorant, a soda, a minute to close his eyes.
What do you want, Adam?
To feel awake when my eyes are open."
I’ve got to admit, I’m on a serious roll when it comes to my binge reading sessions of the three already released books in The Raven Cycle. As of now, in the second book, things just keep getting better and more engaging and remains to be one of the most intriguing novels I’ve picked up this year.
It's got everything: questions, answers, magic, mysterious, thrills, romance and more. Most importantly, everything is so well developed that not only does it fit together--it can carry its own weight. What makes this book isn't just the mystery, the magic, the darkness -- it's the fact that everything about it is so thoughtful and the characters are stunning.
Maggie once again blows me away with her incredibly fascinating descriptions, her plot twists and developments.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater | Rating: ★★★★★"She wasn't interested in telling other people's futures. She was interested in going out and finding her own."
After months and months of procrastination and hearing nothing but good things about the series from friends, I finally found myself reading the first installment of The Raven Cycle: The Raven Boys. Those who frequent the book community have all heard the hype for this series and can’t help but to be intrigued by it.
I’d purchased the already published books in the series back in April as an Easter treat for myself but I hadn’t found the time to start them – I was almost holding off until the final book was in print, for binge reading purposes, but because it is slated for a release in 2016 I’d decided to finally get off my ass and check it out.
And honestly? I’m sure glad I did. It was enjoyable from start to finish and one can quickly see why it’s as well received as it is. This is my first book experience with the phenomenally talented Maggie Stiefvater and I’m glad it was. She has a way with words, truly, and it just blew me away.
The Raven Boys is the perfect opening novel for any series and authors everyone should take notice. It’s dark, vivid, mysterious, magical and, yes, a little bit frightening.
