Title: The Raven King
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Narrator(s): Will Patton
Series: The Raven Cycle, book #4
Length: 11 hrs 51 mins
Publisher: Scholastic Audio
Publication Date: April 26, 2016
Source: purchased audiobook & signed HC
Purchase: Amazon |
Barnes & Noble |
Audible
The fourth and final installment in the spellbinding series from the irrepressible, #1 New York Times bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater.
All her life, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love's death. She doesn't believe in true love and never thought this would be a problem, but as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore.
In a starred review for Blue Lily, Lily Blue, Kirkus Reviews declared: "Expect this truly one-of-a-kind series to come to a thundering close."
I don’t think there was ever any chance that I was going to be disappointed by this final book, but I am so far away from that on the spectrum that I may have just accidentally looped back around and hit it by mistake, but that’s only because I’m disappointed that it’s over and I have no more Raven Boys to look forward to. I mean, I was seriously afflicted with TEABS when I finished last night, and even my husband commented on it. And he usually doesn't notice anything about my reading except that I'm doing it and that he should steer clear until I'm not. ;0)
I loved the mix of jovial moments with the altogether creepy, that this book wasn't all doom and gloom, even though the author
maintained on numerous occasions that she was going to kill off our beloved Gansey. I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud at my desk yesterday while listening or how many times I was nearly brought to tears...or even how many times I was thoroughly creeped out and ready to hide under my desk. I ran the full gamut of emotions with this book, but that should surprise no one, since every previous book caused the same reaction...at least from me.
Oh, the immaculate pain this book caused me. It's one thing to know you're reading the end of a series...it's a completely different thing to know that you're reading the final book in your
favorite series. That you can never read it again for the first time. That you can't unknow what you're about to know. That you're about to see how all of those complicated threads are about to be woven together to produce the most magical of AHA moments.
Whereas the previous books introduced us to new characters who would be integral to certain aspects of the story,
The Raven King was really focused on Blue and her Raven Boys. Sure, a friendly face becomes more than the bit player we supposed him to be in the last book and many of our previous acquaintances are
there, but this book is the most
Raven Boys book of the bunch. And just so we're clear, there is just as much death in this book as any of the books that came before it...I'm just not telling you
who dies. But since we've lost some characters we've loved and some we've loathed, you should know by now that Maggie is
not afraid to kill off any of our darlings.
She's also not afraid to explore what makes her characters who they are, what drives them. Some are so focused on the
something more aspect, while others just want to
be known. And sometimes I just wanted to hold their hands and help them through this dark time, but I also recognized that they didn't really need that because together, they were stronger than any of them knew. They were each separate characters that could hold their own, but together as a unit, they were a character in their own right, brave and strong and true.
And their complicated relationships have only grown more complicated...but also less so. You can currently find me sailing around the moon, so happy am I with my ships. But that's not to say it didn't take a lot of work for them to get where they're at. I love that this book is all about the honesty, letting go of all the secrets and seeking out the truth, regardless of the outcome. It was a hard road, but at least the previous books paved the way.
I'll probably end up listening to all four books back-to-back very soon - even though I just did a re-listen a few weeks ago - just because I'm not ready to say goodbye yet. These characters earned a spot in my heart from day one, and it won't be easy letting go. I love everything Maggie writes, but these characters and this story - this quest - have become very dear to me. And I couldn't have asked for a more perfect conclusion for Blue and her Raven Boys.
GIF it to me straight:
And for your viewing pleasure, my #feelsplosion from Goodreads:
Previous
The Raven Cycle reviews:
The Raven Boys
The Dream Thieves
Blue Lily, Lily Blue
And all Maggie-related posts here on the blog can be found
here.
About the author:
All of Maggie Stiefvater's life decisions have been based around her inability to be gainfully employed. Talking to yourself, staring into space, and coming to work in your pajamas are frowned upon when you're a waitress, calligraphy instructor, or technical editor (all of which she's tried), but are highly prized traits in novelists and artists. She's made her living as one or the other since she was 22. She now lives an eccentric life in the middle of nowhere, Virginia with her charmingly straight-laced husband, two kids, two neurotic dogs, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki.
Find Maggie:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Blog Tour Review: SORCERY OF THORNS by Margaret Rogerson
Author: Margaret Rogerson
Series: n/a
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: June 4, 2019
Source: ARC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
I absolutely adored An Enchantment of Ravens when I read it last year -- and then re-read it...and then listened to it again -- so I was beside myself with excitement when I was invited to review Margaret Rogerson's sophomore novel as part of the blog tour. Sorcery of Thorns is a magical tumble into a world full of witchcraft and necromancy and libraries with sentient books, and it was every bit as lovely as her debut.
Though this novel is a bit slower in pacing, there's no lack of action to keep the characters on their toes. It's just a little more understated, a little less obvious, and it felt right for the mystery at hand. The pacing also lends itself to a more atmospheric story; it was not difficult at all to imagine myself in the Great Libraries, to smell the musty old books and the scent of sorcery in the air, to fear losing a finger to those same books.
It was easy to connect with the characters, as well. Elisabeth is strong-willed, though a bit naive, but that's due to her sequestered upbringing. She dreams big and her moral compass will not allow her to sit idly by while the Great Libraries are destroyed. Enter Nathaniel, who sees something in Elisabeth, even if his tragic past makes him wish he didn't. He's the guy who projects confidence and self-deprecating humor while he dies a little inside each day. Literally. Which brings us to Silas: the demonic presence I never knew I needed. How can you not love a demon who turns himself into a white cat and allows himself to be called Sir Fluffington in order to assure your well-being?
Speaking of love, the romance is very slow burning but very worth the wait. The relationship is intense, though, and must overcome some serious obstacles along the way, including the characters themselves. But the banter from before remains, and in my book -- sadly, not a grimoire -- that's #relationshipgoals.
I wouldn't say the ending left something to be desired...but, well, it did. As in, a desire for more. The writing was gorgeous. The characters were enigmatic and engaging. And I could read every magical adventure they have, even if it was only teaching the grimoires to tap dance or some such nonsense. This was such an enchanting novel and I can't wait to read more from this author.
Friday, September 30, 2016
{Blog Tour} A Shadow Bright and Burning: Review & Giveaway
Author: Jessica Cluess
Series: Kingdom on Fire, book #1
Publisher: Random House BFYR
Publication Date: September 20, 2016
Source: ARC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
"I am Henrietta Howel. The first female sorcerer. The prophesied one. Or am I?" I love that line from the summary because this book took the chosen one trope and turned it on its head and it was just so clever and unexpected...and fun.
A Shadow Bright and Burning was a very strong start to what is sure to be a very fun and magical series. The MC is headstrong, tenacious, and more than a little impulsive. And the boys -- yes, plural -- are all so droolworthy...I'm going to wait until AT LEAST the next book before I pass judgment on them. :P Super intriguing baddies and I have THEORIES and the wait for book two is going to be painful.
The sheer volume of male companions in this book was a little daunting at first, but as the summary suggests, each has his place and a role to play and you can weed out who's going to be a potential love interest pretty early on and who is not. I'm still pulling for the Mr. Darcy-like character, though he honestly didn't give me as much to work with in this first book as I'd have liked. But that's not to say that Henrietta doesn't see her fair share of romance from other would-be suitors. *wink-wink*
I was captivated by this story from the first chapter, and that has nothing to do with Henrietta's romantic prospects, fun as they might be. No, I'm here for the magic. And, sure, Henrietta might not be the prophesied one, but she still has powers of her own. She finds someone to train her with these powers, and I've got to admit, that guy was the one who intrigued me the most. I love characters that can surprise me while challenging other characters in the story.
I think what I loved best about this book is how it challenges everything you think you know. Not just the Chosen One prophecy, but bad guys are good guys and good guys are bad guys and no one -- I mean, no one -- is who you think they are. I'm so very excited to see where the author takes this story from here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Wednesday, July 6, 2016
{WOW} SHADOWCASTER by Cinda Williams Chima
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
's Pick:
Author: Cinda Williams Chima
Series: Shattered Realms, book #2
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: April 4, 2017
I cannot believe how long it took me to discover the wonder that is Cinda Williams Chima's writing, but I'm elated that I did. I've listened to and loved her Seven Realms series several times already since discovering it, and then I rolled seamlessly into Flamecaster earlier this year and fell for the world even harder. And it seems that rather than focusing on the characters from that book, we get some new ones to love and hope and fear for! YAASSSSSSS!!!!
What are you desperately waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comments or share a link to your own WoW post!
Friday, May 27, 2016
ROCKS FALL, EVERYONE DIES is Really Off the Beaten Path
Author: Lindsay Ribar
Series: stand-alone
Publisher: Kathy Dawson Books
Publication Date: June 7, 2016
Source: ARC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Weird and different and weirdly different. That about sums up this book. It's quirky AF, but perfect for a reader like me who's pretty much read it all and ready for an odd little novel like this. Also, to be fair, I would consider it more magical realism than outright paranormal. And for most readers, it probably will seem suspenseful, but with regards to that "ending you won't see coming"...I totally did. Way, way, way before I was supposed to...and yet it didn't hinder my enjoyment of the story one bit. Probably because it didn't make the story predictable; I simply understood something early on that made everything else make a whole lot more sense.
This book is really off the beaten path. It started off slow but as my theory came to fruition, I couldn't put the book down. The protagonist is from a family of thieves, but what they steal will never be missed. The family justifies their theft of feelings and personality traits by using their gift to protect the town from the cliff that looms above them. And that suits Aspen fine until he meets a townie who makes him question the truth about his family and his cousin's tragic death months earlier.
Aspen is kind of a prick when the story begins, every bit the "smart, arrogant protagonist" he's described as in the summary, and he remains such for the better part of the book. He doesn't know the people making the sacrifices for the greater good, and so he shrugs off any guilt he might feel. He's very talented, too, but he doesn't just use his gift with respect to the cliff. He's but a mere visitor to Three Peaks, but he's been using the gift all his life: on his friends, to get out of trouble, even to sober up after a night of drinking. But never on family.
When using the gift on the love of his life starts to have repercussions, Aspen has to reevaluate his actions. Especially when he realizes that someone he trusted has been using their gift on him...all his life. He goes through a crisis of conscience, worrying about the people he's changed and his own free will and who he might have been, had his own personality not been altered. And I've got to admit, the drastic change in his demeanor endeared him to me.
Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies is a clever and introspective look at free will and sacrifice and family. It's not for everybody and it doesn't wrap up perfectly, but it does end on a hopeful note. If you like shrewdly different stories, this book might be up your alley...or take you down the path less traveled. (Watch out for falling rocks!) Either way, it's an excellent read.
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
{WOW} A CONJURING OF LIGHT by V.E. Schwab
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
's Pick:
Author: V.E. Schwab
Series: Shades of Magic, book #3
Publisher: Tor Books
Publication Date: February 21, 2017
OMG, I think this is my favorite cover of them all. I've loved each one, but this is by far the BEST. And it's just perfect for this final book. I can't even believe I'm saying that...that this series has almost come to a close. Like, what even? How is that possible? These characters are supposed to carry on with their magic and shenanigans till the end of time, providing me with endless entertainment! But at least if it has to end, it's going out with one helluva cover! =D =D =D
What are you desperately waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comments or share a link to your own WoW post!
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
{WOW} WINDWITCH by Susan Dennard
"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.
This week's WoW selection is...
's Pick:
Author: Susan Dennard
Series: The Witchlands, book #2
Publisher: Tor Teen
Publication Date: January 3, 2017
So, I wasn't as taken by Truthwitch as some were, but I still get the appeal. However, I get the appeal of a book that features Merik even more, though. ;0) I feel like I should re-read the first book soon...I'll settle for this excerpt from Windwitch, though. =)
What are you desperately waiting for this Wednesday? Let us know in the comments or share a link to your own WoW post!
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
THE RAVEN CYCLE Comes to a Close - My Spoiler-free Lamentations
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Narrator(s): Will Patton
Series: The Raven Cycle, book #4
Length: 11 hrs 51 mins
Publisher: Scholastic Audio
Publication Date: April 26, 2016
Source: purchased audiobook & signed HC
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
I don’t think there was ever any chance that I was going to be disappointed by this final book, but I am so far away from that on the spectrum that I may have just accidentally looped back around and hit it by mistake, but that’s only because I’m disappointed that it’s over and I have no more Raven Boys to look forward to. I mean, I was seriously afflicted with TEABS when I finished last night, and even my husband commented on it. And he usually doesn't notice anything about my reading except that I'm doing it and that he should steer clear until I'm not. ;0)
I loved the mix of jovial moments with the altogether creepy, that this book wasn't all doom and gloom, even though the author maintained on numerous occasions that she was going to kill off our beloved Gansey. I can't tell you how many times I laughed out loud at my desk yesterday while listening or how many times I was nearly brought to tears...or even how many times I was thoroughly creeped out and ready to hide under my desk. I ran the full gamut of emotions with this book, but that should surprise no one, since every previous book caused the same reaction...at least from me.
Oh, the immaculate pain this book caused me. It's one thing to know you're reading the end of a series...it's a completely different thing to know that you're reading the final book in your favorite series. That you can never read it again for the first time. That you can't unknow what you're about to know. That you're about to see how all of those complicated threads are about to be woven together to produce the most magical of AHA moments.
Whereas the previous books introduced us to new characters who would be integral to certain aspects of the story, The Raven King was really focused on Blue and her Raven Boys. Sure, a friendly face becomes more than the bit player we supposed him to be in the last book and many of our previous acquaintances are there, but this book is the most Raven Boys book of the bunch. And just so we're clear, there is just as much death in this book as any of the books that came before it...I'm just not telling you who dies. But since we've lost some characters we've loved and some we've loathed, you should know by now that Maggie is not afraid to kill off any of our darlings.
She's also not afraid to explore what makes her characters who they are, what drives them. Some are so focused on the something more aspect, while others just want to be known. And sometimes I just wanted to hold their hands and help them through this dark time, but I also recognized that they didn't really need that because together, they were stronger than any of them knew. They were each separate characters that could hold their own, but together as a unit, they were a character in their own right, brave and strong and true.
And their complicated relationships have only grown more complicated...but also less so. You can currently find me sailing around the moon, so happy am I with my ships. But that's not to say it didn't take a lot of work for them to get where they're at. I love that this book is all about the honesty, letting go of all the secrets and seeking out the truth, regardless of the outcome. It was a hard road, but at least the previous books paved the way.
I'll probably end up listening to all four books back-to-back very soon - even though I just did a re-listen a few weeks ago - just because I'm not ready to say goodbye yet. These characters earned a spot in my heart from day one, and it won't be easy letting go. I love everything Maggie writes, but these characters and this story - this quest - have become very dear to me. And I couldn't have asked for a more perfect conclusion for Blue and her Raven Boys.
And for your viewing pleasure, my #feelsplosion from Goodreads:
Previous The Raven Cycle reviews:
The Raven Boys
The Dream Thieves
Blue Lily, Lily Blue
And all Maggie-related posts here on the blog can be found here.
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starryeyedjen
- I work with numbers by day, and I'm a mommy and avid reader by night. I'm a self-proclaimed Spreadsheet Queen, and I'll read anything you put in front of me. I seriously love all the books! And I adore audiobooks, too!
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