The first thing that needs to be mentioned is that this is one of those series that must be read in order:
The Raven Boys
The Dream Thieves
Blue Lily, Lily Blue
Stiefvater doesn't include a great deal of background information that helps a new reader sink into the story effortlessly. In order to figure out what is going on, it is necessary to have read the previous books. At least now, readers can go through three books without waiting a year between installments. The novels are character driven and each book provides a greater focus on one or two characters, so having the opportunity to read the books without year-long gaps in between will be much more fun.
My favorite is still The Raven Boys, the first in the series that introduces all of the main characters and sets up the basic plot. Blue Sergeant is the daughter of a psychic who, despite her own rules, gets tangled up with the Raven Boys of the Aglionby prep school. The Raven Boys: Richard Gansey III, Adam Parrish, Ronan Lynch, and Noah are involved with locating ley lines and trying to find the "sleeping" Owen Glendower. As the series continues, the difficulties and dangers that arise from their efforts increase and the complex relationships develop.
In The Raven Boys, Blue and Gansey get most of the attention, and Blue's curse is explained. In The Dream Thieves, Ronan and Adam are better developed, and Ronan's role increases. In Blue Lily, Lily Blue, characters mentioned in the previous book appear on the scene, and Blue and the Raven boys move closer to their goal.
Mysteries and magic, complicated friendships, myth and murder, trust and betrayal, psychics and dream thievery all blend together. Damn, I hate waiting for the next book!
NetGalley/Scholastic Press
Mystery/Paranormal/YA. Oct. 21, 2014. Print length: 400 pages.
I've not read this series, but I enjoyed her Shiver trilogy. Glad you enjoyed it. Will have to check out this series.
ReplyDeleteI only read the first one in the Shiver series and her recent stand-alone featuring a couple of Shiver characters.
ReplyDeleteHope you will try The Raven Boys and see if you like it!
I hope you enjoy your new computer and that your old one is fixable.
ReplyDeleteMaggie Stievfvater's is on my list of author's I want to one day try. I may have mentioned before I have a copy of The Raven Boys floating around my house somewhere. This sound like such a fun series.
Maggie Stiefvater is such a great author; I'm crazy excited for Blue Lily, Lily Blue.
ReplyDeleteWendy - I'm getting used to this new computer--even the keyboard is different! Oh, do read The Raven Boys!
ReplyDeleteJenny - Stiefvater is good, isn't she? I think there will be only 4 in the complete Cycle, and I can hardly wait for the next one. Wish it wouldn't take another year, though!