Mini-Review: THE DREAM THIEVES by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Dream Thieves
Author: Maggie Stiefvater (@mstiefvater)
Published: September 17th, 2013
Series: The Raven Cycle #2
Genre: YA Fantasy
POV: 3rd, multiple
Pages: 439
Publisher: Scholastic
Format: eARC / Hardcover
Source: Netgalley / Purchased
Rating: Loved

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same.

Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life.

Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after...

I can easily sum up my thoughts on The Dream Thieves in one tweet:

I finally finished THE DREAM THIEVES, and I can't decide if I should praise or curse @mstiefvater. And now I really wish I had BL,LB...
— Lea J. (@YABookQueen) September 16, 2014

To say a little more, while keeping this spoiler-free, The Dream Thieves is evocative, surprising, and incredibly emotional (for the characters, and for the reader). The best part of this story is Ronan, a character I never fully understood in The Raven Boys, and perhaps still do not fully understand now. But, with this novel, Stiefvater reveals sides to Ronan that I never would have imagined. Mysteries and secrets are explained and revealed, while more questions surface as the search for Glendower continues. But now, it's not only Blue, Gansey, Ronan, Noah, and Adam who are looking, but a mysterious hit man arrives in search for something very important to Cabeswater. 

Highlights: Stiefvater focuses this novel on Ronan, but still switches to other character points-of-view. Despite the constant bouncing around, it never becomes confusing, and it always feels like the right move. Stiefvater even manages to make me care for characters who I shouldn't sympathize for. Luckily, she also gave me a character to hate¹, and continued to develop the characters I already adored from the last novel. But, it is the surprises, the reveals, the oh-my-gosh-what-is-going-to-happen-next moments that makes this story shine. 

Lowlights: THAT ENDING². Darn you, cliffhanger. I almost yelled at the book. OKAY, I might have yelled at the book. *sighs* 

Rating: The Royal Library, Top Shelf: Loved, 5 out of 5. It took me a year to read simply because I was enjoying it so much and didn't want it to end. This is a magnificent sequel. The Dream Thieves moves slowly, easing you into the still water before pulling you deep into a rushing river of emotions, surprises, and so much more. 

1 Kavinsky, you are a terrible person.
2 WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME, STIEFVATER?! I'm trying to resist the urge to read BL,LB right away, because I know it will make me desperately want the last still-needs-to-be-published novel. 

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NEW BOOKS:

(A + B) JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte
(B)  BLESS ME, ULTIMA by Rudolfo Anaya
(D)  ROSE UNDER FIRE by Elizabeth Wein (!!!)
(B)  THE MYSTERIOUS HOWLING by Maryrose Wood
(B)  THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater (my review)
(C)  ENGINES OF THE BROKEN WORLD by Jason Vanhee

KEY:
(A) Purchased paperback.
(B) Free audiobook from Sync. 
(C) Requested review copy from publicist.
(D) Requested from Netgalley.

YA Book Queen's 
Weekly Recommendation

The feature is inspired by Pop Culture Junkie's This Week In Books, The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, and Mailbox Monday. The Queen's Library is a way for me to feature books that I add to my bookshelves and a place to post my weekly recommendations. This is not a new meme, but merely an adjusted feature that is better suited to my blog and needs.

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Purchased for Kindle
SABRIEL by Garth Nix
UNRAVELING by Elizabeth Norris
UNPREDICTABLE by Eileen Cook
ETIQUETTE & ESPIONAGE by Gail Carriger
WHAT I DIDN'T SAY by Keary Taylor (FREE!)
THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater (My Review)

What books did you get this week? 

The feature is inspired by Pop Culture Junkie's This Week In Books, The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, and Mailbox Monday. The Queen's Library is a way for me to feature books that I add to my bookshelves and a place to post my weekly recommendations. This is not a new meme, but merely an adjusted feature that is better suited to my blog and needs.

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GRAVE MERCY by Robin LaFevers (Purchased for Kindle)
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green (gifted)
THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater (gifted, my review)
NOTES FROM GHOST TOWN by Kate Ellison (ARC, accepted review pitch)

Thanks to Casey from Media Masters Publicity for the review book, my parents for the two hardcovers, and Racquel for convincing me to give GRAVE MERCY a chance!

What did you get this week? 

The feature is inspired by Pop Culture Junkie's This Week In Books, The Story Siren's In My Mailbox, and Mailbox Monday. The Queen's Library is a way for me to feature books that I add to my bookshelves and a place to post my weekly recommendations. This is not a new meme, but merely an adjusted feature that is better suited to my blog and needs.

COVERS: Star-Swept Seas, Dream Thieves, and Tandem

I'm pretty much obsessed with book covers (especially reveals!), and these past couple weeks haven't disappointed with the reveals of so many new covers. Check out some below:

         ACROSS A STAR-SWEPT SEA                            THE DREAM THIEVES                      

Like the first cover, and love the Stiefvater cover!! 

INFINITYGLASS                                                 TANDEM

That red pops! And I adore the cover for TANDEM! So simple yet intriguing. 

INHERITANCE                                                        ICONS

 

INHERITANCE looks okay (nice, but not eye-catching). ICONS is fascinating. 

          SNAKEROOT                                       THE DISENCHANTMENTS

 

I hate SNAKEROOT's cover. I adore the new one for LaCour's novel - it fits the story perfectly!

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE 

(Image from USA TODAY)

I have mixed thoughts (it looks great, but am I the only one who thinks Hagrid's head looks unnaturally small for his body? He just doesn't quite look right...I love all the details, though). I'm curious if the font will actually be white, or if they're using some sort of foil....

What new covers have you spotted? 

Mini-Review: THE RAVEN BOYS by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: THE RAVEN BOYS
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Published: September 18th, 2012
Series: Raven Cycle #1
Genre: YA Fantasy/Paranormal
Publisher: Scholastic Press
POV: Alternating 3rd person
Pages: 408
Format: ARC PDF
Source: Netgalley / Publisher

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

THE RAVEN BOYS is utterly unlike Maggie Stiefvater's previous works, which makes this story all the more intriguing. Fortunately, though the story and the POV are both very different than usual Stiefvater works, Stiefvater's writing remains evocative. Stiefvater's writing features words strung together in lovely, vivid ways that I've come to expect and enjoy. The characters, especially the leads, shine brightly with their vivid personalities - they demand your attention, and I was more than happy to give it. Yet, as much as I adored these characters, the story didn't quite turn out to be what I expected. Though it wasn't bad, it certainly didn't give me what the summary promised it would. Regardless, THE RAVEN BOYS is electric, mesmerizing, and somewhat strange (but in a good way). 

Highlights: Certain plot twists are almost unpredictable – especially one mind-blowing moment regarding one of the supporting characters. Speaking of characters, I could praise and adore them all day. They all feel different from one another, and I can't wait to read more about them in future installments. The settings are perfectly described. 

Lowlights: Slow going, like all Stiefvater stories. I feel like not enough was answered by the end, and the story cuts off in a very confusing moment. I expected a different story from reading the summary, so I was surprised when the whole Blue + Gansey romance ended up not being important (or even really present) in this book.

Top Ten Books On My Fall TBR List

TTT is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish!

TOPIC: Top Ten Books On Your Fall TBR List

1.   Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes - High fantasy novels are my weakness. I have high hopes for this one. 

2.   The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater - It's written Maggie Stiefvater, so it belongs on my TBR list.

3.   The Shadow Society by Marie Rutkoski - This book has a fascinating premise, so I'm excited to start it! 

4.   Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor - I'm very eager for this one to release! Laini Taylor has such lovely writing. 

5.  Ten by Gretchen McNeil - Ten teens, three days, one killer, on an island - I'm sold. 

6.   The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin - The ending to Unbecoming about killed me. I am pretty much counting the days until this novel releases. 

7.   The Lies That Bind by Lisa and Laura Roecker - The first novel was filled with mystery, fun, humor, and so much more amazingness. I hope this sequel won't disappoint!

8.   The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson - If there's one thing I learned for The Girl of Fire and Thorns, it's that Rae Carson knows how to write a surprising story. I just hope she doesn't kill off another character I like though...

9.   The Torn Wing by Kiki Hamilton - Can't go wrong with a story set in London, 1872. With faeries. 

10.   The Diviners by Libba Bray - Libba Bray novels are usually (1) amusing, (2) awesome and (3) unique. Hopefully this one will be all three! 

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For Review

Uncontrollable by SR Johannes (e-arc)
The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa (Netgalley)
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (Netgalley)
Josie Griffin is Not a Vampire by Heather Swain (arc)

Free for Kindle
Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey

Purchased for Kindle
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah MacLean

From Corrine Jackson
Autographed swag/bookmarks for If I Lie and Touched

Not going to lie, I freaked out when Scholastic accepted my request for The Raven Boys on Netgalley. I wasn't expecting to get accepted, so it was a nice surprise....Thanks to SR Johannes (and Kate), Netgalley, Harlequin Teen, Scholastic, Penguin, and Corrine!

What books did you get this week?

Credit / Inspiration

Top Ten Tuesday (8)

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books I'd Save if My House Was About to be Abducted by (Mean) Aliens (Who Want My House/Bookshelf)

1.  The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling - I can count this as one book, right? Right??? And if not, then I'll begrudgingly choose book 4. 
2.  Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver - Love, love, love this book. Plus, it's autographed by Lauren and personalized to me. So, naturally, I wouldn't leave this baby behind. 
3.  Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor - Why? Because it's freaking awesome. That's why.
4.  Molly Fyde and the Parsona Rescue by Hugh Howey - Action, adventure, aliens, and it's autographed. How could I not save it?

5.  The Host by Stephenie Meyer - I may mock Twilight, but The Host is actually a pretty good and fascinating story. I'm hoping SM will write another Host book!
6.  A Million Suns by Beth Revis - Autographed and personalized, plus it's amazing. And it's set on a SPACESHIP, which is beyond cool. 
7.  The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen - It's a comfort read, and I could also never leave Wes behind to be abducted by aliens. He's just too swoonworthy. *swoons*
8.  The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - Too awesome of a book to let it be abducted by aliens. 

9.  The Mediator series by Meg Cabot - Tough heroine + hot Spanish guy + ghosts. It's a winning combination. I adore these books!
10.  My Kindle - Yes, that's probably cheating, but whatever. At least it's small and easy to transport! 
So, what books would you save?

Waiting on Wednesday (67)

WOW is hosted by Breaking the Spine



The Raven Boys Maggie Stiefvater September 18th, 2012

Filled with mystery, romance, and the supernatural, The Raven Boys introduces readers to Richard “Dick” Campbell Gansey, III and Blue Sargent. Gansey has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on the hunt to find Glendower, a vanished Welsh king. Legend has it that the first person to find him will be granted a wish—either by seeing him open his eyes, or by cutting out his heart.

Blue Sargent, the daughter of the town psychic in Henrietta, Virginia, has been told for as long as she can remember that if she ever kisses her true love, he will die. But she is too practical to believe in things like true love. Her policy is to stay away from the rich boys at the prestigious Aglionby Academy. The boys there—known as Raven Boys—can only mean trouble. When Gansey and his Raven Boy friends come into her life, Blue realizes how true this is. She never thought her fortune would be a problem. But she was wrong.

A new Maggie Stiefvater book/series! It sounds so intriguing, too.
This one is definitely going to be on my wishlist!
What are you waiting on?

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

The Scorpio Races
Maggie StiefvaterReleased: October 18th, 2011Pages: 409 (hardcover)Publisher: Scholastic PressSource: Bought

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die. 
At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them. 
Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

"I am so, so alive."¹
From the beginning, Stiefvater draws you in with the calm and impressive voice of Sean Kendrick. He's won the Scorpio Races four times, and as far as the people of Thisby are concerned, he's a sure winner this year. But when our second narrator – the fiery and determined Kate "Puck" Connolly – enters the races as a last chance to save her unraveling life, the always uncertain races become even more chaotic than usual. 
The capaill uisce are not anything like horses you've seen before, and neither is Stiefvater's latest novel. Water horses from the sea, the capaill uisce are bloodthirsty and willing to attack anyone who comes close enough. Stiefvater brings these deadly water horses to life (as well as Puck's normal and oh so lovely horse, Dove), along with the island of Thisby, the characters of Puck and Sean, and even the side characters. The Scorpio Races may move slowly, but every moment is magic. 
Highlights: Everything is so alive in The Scorpio Races - the island, the characters, the races, the writing. After adjusting to the pacing, I became utterly enraptured by it all. The characters are layered, and the romance is slow and sincere. The fear, action, and excitement are almost tangible, it's so well written.  
Lowlights: Very slow pacing to begin with. I adjusted to it by 97 pages in, and promptly became absorbed in the story. 
Note: Don't expect the actual races to take place until the very end (I thought they were going to be earlier, so naturally, I was surprised). 
Rating: 

1 (Pg. 1) I just like this quote. Kind of sums up the overall feeling of the book nicely, too. 

 

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