All Things Halloween Review - The Raven King

The Raven King (The Raven Cycle, # 4)

By: Maggie Stiefvater

Published: April 26th 2016 by Scholastic Press

439 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Supernatural

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The fourth and final installment in the spellbinding series from the irrepressible, #1 New York Times bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater.

All her life, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love's death. She doesn't believe in true love and never thought this would be a problem, but as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore.

In a starred review for Blue Lily, Lily Blue, Kirkus Reviews declared: "Expect this truly one-of-a-kind series to come to a thundering close."

The Raven Cycle has not been my favorite series by Maggie Stiefvater. And honestly, I've been on a bit of a roller coaster with the series. I said in my review of The Raven Boys that it was probably my least favorite book by Maggie Stiefvater out of the (now) 11 that I've read, and that might remain true, but The Raven King comes really close to competing for that. I took issue at the time with the apparent prophecy that Gansey was Blue's true love, yet in The Raven Boys Blue and Adam were more of a thing. As the series progressed, I actually came to enjoy the transition from Adam and Blue to Gansey and Blue. I also felt that Maggie's writing wasn't what I'd come to expect from her in style. The Raven Boys felt slow and dry to me when compared to the richness and poetry that I've come to expect from her books.

Maggie returns to her poetic roots with book 2, but I said in my review of The Dream Thieves that the writing felt "klunky" in an "'I'm really having to think about what's being said' kind of way." The Dream Thieves was all about Ronan. I mean the other characters were there and involved, but Ronan took center stage, and I loved it--him. It took me about 50% to feel connected to the story and characters, but overall I enjoyed it much more than The Raven Boys.

Even though the first couple of books were the same way, I kept thinking that as the series progressed this would change, but by the time I got to Blue Lily, Lily Blue I realized that the adventure and plot would outshine the characters in this series all the way through. The relationships between the characters did progress, but overall I felt like the plot didn't move along much.

And now here we are at The Raven King. I told Husband that Maggie Stiefvater's writing is probably brilliant in this book and it was definitely poetry, but it wasn't a type of brilliance or poetry that is easy to love. Instead it feels like the type of poetry that you go "I'm really not at all sure what you're talking about, but I'm sure it's genius." And that's kind of how I felt throughout this book and really throughout the entire series. The writing style made me feel like I was missing things at times, and I can't tell you how often I wondered "what is even happening right now?" And the length of time between each book only added to that because I forgot so many details each time. So perhaps a more direct writing style would have made this an easier and more enjoyable series for me. However, like I said, I'm sure it was genius.

While I loved how Gansey and Blue have transitioned from where they started in The Raven Boys to now, I did not (AT ALL) like what Maggie Stiefvater did with Ronan and Adam. I'd have to go back and re-read the series to see if I missed clues leading up to this, but I felt completely caught off guard here, and I didn't like it one bit. But here's the problem...I don't think I enjoyed the series enough to want to re-read it--even though I'd probably appreciate the brilliance and writing style more if I did. I did like the individual personal growth between these characters and I was rooting for each individually to live up to everything they could be.

I feel like there's probably so much more I need to say about this book specifically, but I feel like either I can't get my thoughts in order or anything I would say would be a spoiler. So instead I'll share a few quotes that I enjoyed:

-...the Ganseys did not demand favors. Often they didn't even ask. They did unto others and silently hoped others would rise to do it unto them.

-"You can't compare one person's coping capacity to another,"...

-...the difference between a nice house and a nice prison is really small.

-There was a lot of happiness tucked in the corner of that smile...

-He was a book, and he was holding his final pages, and he wanted to get to the end to find out how it went, and he didn't want it to be over.

The Raven King was a decent end to a decent series. I can't say that I loved this book or this series even though I did find myself attached to some of the characters. I do think that the series is probably genius and Maggie's writing requires thought to appreciate it's beauty. At the same time, the writing style slowed me down and kept me from enjoying the story as much as I wanted to. The Raven King gets 3 Stars. Have you read The Raven King? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

Can't Wait for All the Crooked Saints

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

All the Crooked Saints

By: Maggie Stiefvater

Expected Publication: October 10th 2017 by Scholastic Press

320 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--From bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater, a gripping tale of darkness, miracles, and family!

Saints. Miracles. Family. Romance. Death. Redemption.

The book takes place in the 1960s in Bicho Raro, Colorado and follows the lives of three members of the Soria family—each of whom is searching for their own miracle. There’s Beatriz, who appears to lack feelings but wants to study her mind; Daniel, the “Saint” of Bicho Raro, a miracle worker for everyone but himself; and Joaquin (a.k.a. Diablo Diablo), who runs a pirate radio station at night.

"The Soria family are saints as well, and the miracle they perform for pilgrims to Bicho Raro is as strange as most miracles are: They can make the darkness inside you visible. Once the pilgrims see their inner darkness face to face, it’s up to them to perform another miracle on themselves: banishing the darkness for good. It can be a tricky business to vanquish your inner demons, even once you know what they are, but the Sorias are forbidden to help with this part. They’ve all been told that if a Soria interferes with the second miracle, it will bring out their own darkness, and a saint’s darkness, so the story goes, is a most potent and dangerous thing." - Maggie Stiefvater, EW interview.

Maggie Stiefvater is one of those authors that I've just got to check out what she's written. That's not to say that I'll always read every book by her, but I at least want to know more. This one sounds interesting and different. What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Waiting on The Raven King

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

The Raven King (The Raven Cycle, # 4)

By: Maggie Stiefvater

Expected Publication: April 26th 2016 by Scholastic Press

400 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Magic, Supernatural

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The fourth and final installment in the spellbinding series from the irrepressible, #1 New York Times bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater.

All her life, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love's death. She doesn't believe in true love and never thought this would be a problem, but as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore.

In a starred review for Blue Lily, Lily Blue, Kirkus Reviews declared: "Expect this truly one-of-a-kind series to come to a thundering close."

What are you waiting on this week? Let me know!

Top Ten Auto-Buy Authors

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten Auto-Buy Authors.

Ok so I don't COMPLETELY have auto buy authors where the description of the book doesn't matter. Even though there are authors that I've loved every single book I've read that they've written, I still know my reading preferences well enough to know that some subjects are just not enjoyable for me. And so barring any crazy jumps into these territories, here's a list of authors that come closest to being considered "auto-buy" authors for me.

1. Colleen Hoover
2. Richelle Mead
3. Maggie Stiefvater
4. Katie McGarry
5. Jamie McGuire
6. KA Tucker
7. Francis Chan
8. Stormie Omartian

There are a few other authors that I contemplated adding to the list, but I thought these were really the closest to a true auto-buy author list. What about you guys? Who are your auto-buy authors? Let me know!

Top Ten Authors I've Read the Most

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten Authors I've Read the Most.

I expected this ask to be rather daunting, but it really wasn’t. Figuring out which authors I’ve read the most was pretty easy. Here they are…

1. Richelle Mead – (16) Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound, Last Sacrifice, Bloodlines, The Golden Lily, The Indigo Spell, The Fiery Heart, Silver Shadows, The Ruby Circle, Storm Born, Succubus Blues, Gameboard of the Gods, The Immortal Crown
2. Jessica Sorensen – (16) The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden, The Redemption of Callie and Kayden, The Destiny of Violet & Luke, The Probability of Violet & Luke, The Secret of Ella and Micha, The Forever of Ella and Micha, The Temptation of Lila and Ethan, The Ever After of Ella and Micha, Lila & Ethan: Forever and Always, Breaking Nova, Saving Quinton, Nova & Quinton: No Regrets, Wreck Me, Ruin Me, Tristan: Finding Hope, Delilah: The Making of Red
3. Abbi Glines – (16) Fallen Too Far, Never Too Far, Forever Too Far, Existence, The Vincent Boys, The Vincent Brothers, Twisted Perfection, Breathe, Because of Low, While It Lasts, Just For Now, Sometimes It Lasts, Misbehaving, Bad for You, Hold On Tight, Until the End
4. Colleen Hoover – (12) Slammed, Point of Retreat, This Girl, Hopeless, Losing Hope, Finding Cinderella, Maybe Someday, Maybe Not, Ugly Love, Confess, Never Never, Never Never Pt 2
5. Janet Evanovich – (10) One for the Money, Plum Lovin’, Finger Lickin’ Fifteen, Sizzling Sixteen, Smokin’ Seventeen, Explosive Eighteen, Notorious Nineteen, Takedown Twenty, Top Secret Twenty One
6. Maggie Stiefvater – (10) Lament, Ballad, Shiver, Linger, Forever, Sinner, The Scorpio Races, The Raven Boys, The Dream Thieves, Blue Lily, Lily Blue
7. Amanda Hocking – (9) Switched, Torn, Ascend, My Blood Approves, Fate, Flutter, Wisdom, Hollowland, Hollowmen
8. Cassandra Clare – (9) City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls, City of Heavenly Fire, Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess
9. Katie McGarry – (9) Pushing the Limits, Crossing the Line, Dare You To, Crash Into You, Take Me On, Breaking the Rules, Chasing Impossible, Nowhere But Here, Red at Night
10. KA Tucker – (8) Ten Tiny Breaths, One Tiny Lie, Four Seconds to Lose, Five Ways to Fall, In Her Wake, Burying Water, Becoming Rain, Chasing River

I’m pretty sure Lois Duncan and Lurlene McDaniel have to fit into this category too, but as these are both authors I read in my early teens and I wasn’t keeping up with my books read on Goodreads way back when, I can’t really remember which books I’ve read by them and which I haven’t. I KNOW Lurlene McDaniel surpasses 10 books read though. The ones I can remember reading for sure by her are: Six Months to Live, I Want to Live, So Much to Live For, No Time to Cry, To Live Again, Angels Watching Over Me, Lifted Up by Angels, Until Angels Close My Eyes, Till Death Do Us Part, For Better, For Worse. I know I read a few of the One Last Wish series and a few others. I just can’t remember which.

What about you guys? Which authors have you read the most? Let me know!

Blue Lily, Lily Blue - Review

Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle, # 3)

By: Maggie Stiefvater

Published: October 28th 2014 by Scholastic Press

416 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The third installment in the mesmerizing series from the irrepressible, #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater.

There is danger in dreaming. But there is even more danger in waking up.

Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.

The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost.

Friends can betray.
Mothers can disappear.
Visions can mislead.
Certainties can unravel.

The Raven Cycle series is very different from The Wolves of Mercy Falls. If you go into this series expecting the same Maggie Stiefvater from The Wolves of Mercy Falls then I think you’re going to be disappointed. It’s not that The Raven Cycle isn’t as good. It’s just different. I said in my review of The Dream Thieves that her writing is still lyrical and poetic, but in a way that you have to think about more than the previous series. On top of that, any romance in this series takes a back seat to the adventure that these characters are on.

As a matter of fact, let me just take a minute to say that I actually like how slowly the relationship has been building and how things are still in a very early stage. Blue’s been told that she’ll kill her true love if she kisses him, and that’s kept things on a very PG level for her on all relationship fronts. Yet, we know that Gansey’s on the list from The Raven Boys which means he’ll be dead before the year is over. Blue started off the series having a short relationship with Adam, but in the second book, things started transitioning from Adam to Gansey. And I’m much more excited about that. But because Blue and Adam had a short “thing,” Blue and Gansey have been keeping whatever is building between them on the DL. All of this is really just background stuff. Like I said, the adventure takes more of a center stage—at least so far. I’m hoping the next book (and last?) will really amp up the relationship.

Speaking of the adventure, we know that Gansey and his crew have been searching for Glendower for a long time. And well, they’re really close. Adam’s all connected to Cabeswater now. He made a deal at the end of The Dream Thieves to be the eyes, ears, and hands for Cabeswater. He’s been working with Persephone to restore the ley lines that have been disconnected in some places. Maura, Blue’s mom, has gone missing. She’s searching the undergrown caves. Truthfully, I kind of forgot what she was searching for. Whoops! This is definitely one of those series that I have a hard time remember everything that happened from book to book. I mean there is an entire year in between each release. Mr. Gray (The Gray Man) lied to his employer about the object he was hunting which turns out to be a person and not an object at all (Ronan), but his employer doesn’t believe him. So that amps up the risk for the entire group. Oh and we finally find out what Blue is. We know that she’s not a psychic like every other woman in her family, but we know that she amplifies power as well. I really liked the explanation for what she is.

A lot happens, but yet I also felt like the story wasn’t moved along all that much at the same time from where things ended with The Dream Thieves. I can see why some Maggie Stiefvater fans don’t connect to this series as much as her other books. While I’ve enjoyed the series, I have found that each book in this series has taken me longer to read than I would like. And I think because the relationship progresses so slowly and takes a backseat to the rest of the events, some readers might not be connecting.

My favorite quotes:

-“Maybe I dreamt you,” [Ronan] said. “Thanks for the straight teeth, then,” Adam replied.

-Casually, out of view of Ronan, making sure Adam was still sleeping, Gansey dangeled his hand between the driver’s seat and the door. Palm up, fingers stretched back to Blue. This was not allowed. …

-The only casualty was his pulse.

-Ronan was always saying that he never lied, but he wore a liar’s face.

-The phone went quiet. It was never enough, but it was something.

-What a lie unknowable was. The only person who didn’t know Adam was himself.

-He who does a thing by the agency of another does it himself.

-But it felt real to her heart, even if her head knew better.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue gets 4 Stars from me. I can’t wait to see how everything finishes. I believe the next book is the last planned in the series. I feel like there’s still a lot that has to happen in that book. Have you read Blue Lily, Lily Blue? What did you think? Let me know!

Top Ten Winter 2014 TBR List

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten Winter 2014 To Be Read List.

1. Forbidden (Forbidden, # 1) by Kimberly Griffiths Little
2. Even in Paradise by Chelsey Philpot
3. The Iron Trial (Magisterium, # 1) by Holly Black & Cassandra Clare
4. Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle, # 3) by Maggie Stiefvater
5. This Shattered World (Starbound, # 2) by Aime Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
6. The Retribution of Mara Dyer (Mara Dyer, # 3) by Michelle Hodkin
7. Breaking the Rules (Pushing the Limits, # 1.5) by Katie McGarry
8. Forever Summer (Summer, # 4) by C.J. Duggan
9. Deception (Defiance, # 2) by C.J. Redwin
10. The Body Electric by Beth Revis

Most of these are books that I really NEED to read. What's on your winter to-be-read list? Let me know!

Waiting on Blue Lily, Lily Blue

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle, # 3)

By: Maggie Stiefvater

Expected Publication: October 28th 2014 by Scholastic Press

416 pages

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--The third installment in the mesmerizing series from the irrepressible, #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater.

There is danger in dreaming. But there is even more danger in waking up.

Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.

The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost.

Friends can betray.
Mothers can disappear.
Visions can mislead.
Certainties can unravel.

Looking forward to continuing this series guys. What are you waiting on this week? Let me know!

Top Ten Authors I Own the Most

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten Authors I Own the Most.

Dude did anyone else have problems trying to come up with a title that didn't end with a preposition? Sheesh!

1. Richelle Mead– 15 Books: Vampire Academy, Frostbite, Shadow Kiss, Blood Promise, Spirit Bound, Last Sacrifice; Bloodlines, The Golden Lily, The Indigo Spell, The Fiery Heart, Silver Shadows (preordered not read yet); Succubus Blues; Storm Born; Gameboard of the Gods, and The Immortal Crown.

2. Jessica Sorensen–15 Books: The Secret of Ella and Micha, The Forever of Ella and Micha, The Temptation of Lila and Ethan, The Ever After of Ella and Micha, Lila and Ethan: Always and Forever; The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden, The Redemption of Callie and Kayden, The Destiny of Violet and Luke, The Probability of Violet and Luke; Breaking Nova, Saving Quinton, Delilah: The Making of Red, Nova and Quinton: No Regrets, Tristan: Finding Hope; and The Fallen Star



3. Cassandra Clare– 9 Books: City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass, City of Fallen Angels, City of Lost Souls, City of Heavenly Fire; Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, and Clockwork Princess



4. PC & Kristin Cast– 9 Books: Marked, Betrayed, Chosen, Untamed, Hunted, Tempted, Burned, Awakened, Destined



5. Stormie Omartian– 9 Books: The Power of a Praying Wife, The Power of a Praying Woman, The Power of a Praying Church, The Power of Prayer to Change Your Marriage, The Power of a Praying Kid, The Power of a Praying Parent, The Power of a Praying Husband, and The Power of a Praying Teen; Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On



6. Maggie Stiefvater – 9 Books: Shiver, Linger, Forever, Sinner; The Scorpio Races; Lament, Ballad; The Raven Boys, and The Dream Thieves

7. Colleen Hoover– 8 Books: Slammed, Point of Retreat, This Girl; Hopeless, Losing Hope, Finding Cinderella; Maybe Someday; and Ugly Love (preordered but not read)

8. JK Rowling– 7 Books: Harry Potter & The Socerer’s Stone, Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter & The Order of the Pheonix, Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows

9. Jane Austen– 7 Books: Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Northanger Abbey, Emma, Mansfield Park, Sense and Sensibility, and Love and Friendship

10. Stephenie Meyer– 6 Books: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, Breaking Dawn; and The Host

This list isn't including duplicate copies. (I own the following series on audiobook also: Vampire Academy, The Wolves of Mercy Falls, Harry Potter, and Twilight.) This one was actually quite difficult just from hunting down all the books I own and such to see which authors I own the most. What about you? Which authors do you own the most? Let me know!