The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Raven King

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

  Publisher: Scholastic

Date of Publication: 26th April 2016 (intl)

Source: Purchased by reviewer

Summary:

Nothing living is safe. Nothing dead is to be trusted.

For years, Gansey has been on a quest to find a lost king. One by one, he’s drawn others into this quest: Ronan, who steals from dreams; Adam, whose life is no longer his own; Noah, whose life is no longer a lie; and Blue, who loves Gansey…and is certain she is destined to kill him.

Now the endgame has begun. Dreams and nightmares are converging. Love and loss are inseparable. And the quest refuses to be pinned to a path.

Review: 

 I was so excited about this book that I bought it twice. I pre-ordered a copy that would arrive with a signed book plate (it hasn't arrived yet - things from the UK can arrive in 5 days or take 3 months), and I bought a Kindle copy that I could read immediately so as not to be spoiled. I don't regret buying the book twice. I have loved this series from the beginning and I will happily keep a pristine signed copy on my shelf while having an electronic copy to refer back to.

From the very first page, the writing in this book is exquisite. It at once makes me want to write, and makes me terrified to write, because I could never construct such a thing of beauty and wonder.

It's very hard to review this book properly without spoilers, and it's too early in the books life to be throwing spoilers around, so I will have to talk in general terms and keep it brief. I was very happy with some aspects of the plot. Others I felt were a little under developed. A few were disappointing. The use of language is wonderful. The character development is wonderful. These characters have come such a long way and it has been a privilege to take that journey with them.

Right up until the last couple of chapters, this book was everything and more. I found myself sighing at the beauty of words and sentences and they way they wove together. The ending felt a little rushed and some elements were confusing. Despite this, I'm still giving it 5 hearts because the book as a whole was such a wonderful experience. I will need to go back and read the four books together, and see if that affects my opinion of the conclusion, which just left me a little flat, but for now, this is the briefest possible version of my thoughts.