Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Series: Raven Cycle #1
Published: September 25th 2012
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Categories: Fantasy, Paranormal
 

There’s something haunting—mesmerizing with this book even though I didn’t fully comprehend what I’ve just read. Based on the blurb alone I was expecting a romance story with teeny touch of paranormal or fantasy, or whatever genre the book was marketed for. I was crashed and burned plenty of times that I almost lost hope, that it is another misleading summary and I will end up disappointed once again. But it was neither. The summary was indeed misleading with lines like this: “but Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain…” or the “There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.” I can’t help but be doubtful, another unsubstantial romance story masquerading as a fantasy book? Nope, it was far cry of a romance story and if you asked my honest opinion about it, there so little romance going on. I was taken aback. I was surprised.

The Raven Boys was so different from what I read before. There’s something vague about it. Something that confuses you and yet you see yourself still turning page after page wanting for more. It was really intriguing that it eliminates my rational—critical thinking. I think the part of my brain that processes my analytical thinking just shut off. All it wanted was the mystery and the captivating, breathtaking words the popped up every now and then. The writing was easy and yet complicated. It was really hard to explain. This is my first of Ms. Stiefvater’s works. I have no reference, nothing to compare it with. And once again I was surprised. The good one.

I wasn’t completely passionate with the characters. But I don’t find them typical but they weren’t interesting enough to leave a huge impression. But they were different. Different in a way I couldn’t predict how they’ll act next. I liked that every single word they said, every action they took was different in what I have in my mind. That’s the beauty I see in them.

I liked that the blurb although explicitly said that Gansey and Blue are mysteriously drawn to each other, which in a way established who ends up with who. The romance could twist up a bit. There’s another guy that I was also kinda attracted to. The love triangle angle started to play in my mind. It is possible and I liked the idea. But if it’s not, it’s ok too which is a rare thing for me since I’m one of the few who love this crazy romantic geometric figure. Adam has really has this huge presence that was hard to ignore. He played an important part. And I like him as he is but can’t deny that I’m also pinning his as a love interest.

Now let’s get to the vague part. The story was sort of hard to digest. Not because it was difficult but it was different and I don’t know exactly how should I approach this. It was part fantasy, part mystery, and kinda suspenseful too. There were some intriguing moments that was unconsciously reeling me in. And I was delighted and at the same time confused. I wasn’t contended after reading this but there’s something about it that I was aching for more. I was in a trance and obviously it was hard for me to write my thoughts plainly so excuse my sort of imprecise explanation as to why I liked this book. Yes, you’ve read it right I liked this book despite the confusion I felt.