The+Raven+Boys

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater 2013 SLJ gr 8+; Recommended by Keene

[|Link] to this title in NHU PAC

Comments:

Picked up this title randomly before it was recommended for the list because I'd always had this author recommended to read. Wow! Just, Wow! This is one of my new favorite books. Stiefvater has built a believable odd world and an equally odd cast of characters - each who is fully formed with specific goals. Her writing is exquisite. Some of the events might be a bit tough for our target audience (brutal murder of a student), and I have yet to find a review that rates it below grade 8, which can be a problem for our school media librarians. Yvette/Merrimack

OK - I am in total disagreement with Yvette..........sorrysorrysorry. The story moved extremely slowly, with very little action taking place until 2/3 through the book. The main characters did not glean any sympathy from me and seemed relatively stock: poor-little-rich-kid, private school wanna-be, mystical goth-girl, etc. I could not keep track of all the "aunts" at Blue's residence, and did not find the characters of Neeve or Whelk to be compelling antagonists in the least. I also wonder at the audience - definitely NOT for the run-of-the-mill middle schooler. Dee/CMS

I love most of Stiefvater's work. Her writing is almost lyrical. This is the only one that I've listened to on audio. I loved the audio. It was performed by a male actor and I was concerned that this would be a problem with such a large cast of females, but it wasn't. The big plus for me is that I think this story appeals to both boys and girls. She spends a lot of time developing the relationships and dynamics between the boys and I feel it adds so much depth to the characters. There is currently a waiting list for the 3rd book in this series, so I know that kids are still captivated by the story. Sylvie/Nesmith

@Dee, it wouldn't be "Isinglass" if you and I didn't disagree on something! ;) Other thoughts on this title? It's still early in the season and this can hang out on the list for a while so others can read it and chime in. Yvette/Merrimack