Book Two of the Raven CycleBy Maggie Stiefvater
Available now from Scholastic Press
Review copy
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I've been debating how to approach this review for awhile. I want to gush about it, but I fear that everything I want to gush about would spoil the small, wonderful surprises of THE DREAM THIEVES.
The characterization in this series continues to be almost perfect. If there's a flaw, it's that previously barely mentioned characters are super important. Blue's growing affection for Gansey is so well done, as is her growing to desire to kiss and be kissed despite her knowledge of the consequences. Her family of psychic women becomes more important, including a strange romance for her mother. Adam, who now has some power of his own, is growing ever more resentful of Gansey's money and privilege. Noah keeps disappearing, a worrying development. But THE DREAM THIEVES is really Ronan's story.
Ronan is a tough guy to like, but I tend to like him because the story openly admits that fact. In THE DREAM THIEVES, he faces his antagonist/foil, the drugged up and wild Kavinsky. Ronan has secrets, and Kavinsky thinks he knows what those secrets are, but he's often ever so slightly wrong. Meanwhile, there's also more focus on Ronan and Gansey's relationship, the two of them siblings by choice. It's terrific.
The plot of THE DREAM THIEVES meanders, and very little of it seems to have anything to do with the hunt for Glendower. At the same time, everything feels like it has to do with Glendower. Maggie Stiefvater is excellent at creating a portentous atmosphere and making every other thing that happens seem like it could be symbolic of things to come. I can't wait to see how this series plays out.
Okay, I did it. I think I made it through this review without any spoilers. Now go read the book so that we can spoil it up in the comments!
"Siblings by choice."
ReplyDeleteOh my yes. I loved Ronan & Gansey in this book. So much.
Seriously, that scene where Gansey is all loose and they go to confront Kavinsky together? So AWESOME.
DeleteThis book is AMAZING. I'm so worried about all of them, including Noah. Don't go, Noah! :( I like your "siblings by choice" wording, too--it's so true. Now we just have to wait a whole year for the next one. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden
Oh man, that scene with Blue and Noah? I was like, "You stupid teenagers and your dumb decisions, this is the best dumb decision possible!" ^___^
DeleteAnd, ugh. There is just such a feeling of DOOM, and things have already gone so very wrong for Noah, and things could go so much worse and of course Maggie would be that cruel . . .
I don't know how I'm gonna wait a year.
Not reading the comments because I haven't read these. I know I need too though. lol That's great you loved both so much.
ReplyDeleteUnderstandable! I hope you do read them - they are AMAZEBALLS.
DeleteSomehow this isn't at our library yet, and my love thinks we should wait until we have our next Audible credit at the beginning of next month to buy the audio version. I don't know if I can wait that long!
ReplyDeleteI suppose it's only two weeks until next month . . . but maybe you should buy an ecopy to hold you over! Use code Sept50 for half off from Kobo!
DeleteI loved this one SO hard. Harder, if that's possible, than Raven Boys. Can't wait to see what's next for Blue & Crew....
ReplyDeleteI think this one took a touch longer to gel for me, but in the end I might've liked it more. I REFUSE TO CHOOSE.
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