From Z to A: The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

Dear Aly,

It has been pretty well established that I love Maggie Stiefvater. She creates lush storylines and amazing characters, and with each new book I read of hers I fall a little bit more in love. For having picked up The Raven Cycle series on a whim, I sure am deep in.

I had the opportunity to preorder The Raven King from Fountain Bookstore and got my hands on a doodled copy with the special bookplate Maggie created for the book. Maggie’s art is beautiful and it was definitely worth the wait. I was also grateful that the shipping and receiving process went off without a hitch (if you remember, there was a certain incident with some trucks with the preorders having tipped over in a snowstorm… the horror!).

Again not spoiling anything since this is the last book in the series, The Raven King picks up where Blue Lily, Lily Blue left off. The gang is all there: Gansey, Blue, Ronan, Adam, Noah. Gansey’s search for the dead Welsh king Glendower continues, as it always does, and he’s closer than he’s ever been, and yet somehow kinda far too. There’s something stirring in a magical forest, something certain people want to get their hands on, and as per usual, there’s some pretty shady people hanging around creating chaos.

With The Raven King we see the rise in importance of Henry Cheng. He had a minor part in Blue Lilybut he really becomes an intrinsic part of the story in this last installment. I really loved getting to know him and seeing how he interacted with the rest of the characters and I felt he was a cool addition to the team.

I am very happy with this ending Maggie has written. Of course I’m sad that it’s officially Over but I feel complete. It’s a really amazing series and I think Maggie gave the characters the ending they deserved.

(Oh and the thing you think happens…. it may or may not have happened. Wink wink)

Happy reading,

Zoe

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From Z to A: Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

Dear Aly,

After all of the drama of trying to acquire Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater, I’ve finally finished it and am ready to review!! My beautiful copy was doodled in by Maggie and came with a signed bookplate that depicts some of the characters from the book! I ordered mine from Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia; they have signed copies of all Maggie’s books!

Blue Lily, Lily Blue is a continuation of the Raven Cycle story. I won’t spoil the story for anyone, since it is the third book, but it does continue Gansey’s search for the Welsh king, Glendower, who is supposedly buried somewhere in Henrietta, Virginia (where the story takes place). After The Dream Thieves focused on Ronan’s story and struggles, Blue Lily, Lily Blue refocuses on Gansey’s search. Of course Ronan is still a big part of the story, but the narration is less about him. Blue is still as strong-willed as ever, Adam is still troubled, and Noah is still dead.

I absolutely loved Blue Lily, Lily Blue. Maggie’s writing still is incredible! There’s such vivid language and such character complexity, that it’s a magical experience reading one of her books. In this installment of her story, things are beginning to come together and there’s a lot of foreshadowing. I understood some of it and some of it I know is going to be explained in the next book. Ronan is still probably my favorite character, and the little bit we get of him is so wonderful, and even though he probably thinks he’s not changing, he totally is.

If you loved the first two books in the Raven Cycle series, you need Blue Lily, Lily Blue in your life!!! I was skeptical about the title; it seemed a little long-winded and complicated, but of course, it actually fits right in with the story and the themes Maggie brings up. I can’t wait for the next book but I’m so sad it’s ending!!

Happy holiday reading,

Zoe

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From Z to A: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Dear Aly,

With each book of hers that I read, I fall more and more in love with Maggie Stiefvater’s writing.

The Scorpio Races is no exception. It’s about these water horses, the capaill uisce, and the island of Thisby that hosts a race each November. The plot follows two teens, Sean Kendrick and Kate “Puck” Connolly. Sean lost his father to the races but loves it all the same. Puck lost her parents to the capaill uisce but is searching for a way to not lose the house she and her brothers live in. Their stories intertwine when Puck decides to enter the races, the only woman ever to do so. She and Sean form a friendship, him training on his beloved capall uisce, Corr and her on her regular horse, Dove.

I am absolutely in awe of this book. Stiefvater’s descriptions are lush and visual. She shows us an island whose inhabitants are superstitious and stuck in old ways. She shows us two people desperate to keep things they cannot possibly hope to contain. Her portrayal of the island of Thisby transported me there; I could smell the salt in the air, feel the cold at my back, hear the screaming capaill uisce emerging from the surf. Her characters are unique creatures; Sean is complex, quiet, and enormously misunderstood. Puck is insanely stubborn, dedicated, and caring. Together they create an incredible story about want and need.

It is no wonder that The Scorpio Races is a Michael L. Printz honor book, it is unlike anything I’ve ever read. Stiefvater has quickly made herself the queen of urban fantasy, with the Wolves of Mercy Falls series, the Raven Cycle series, and The Scorpio Races under her belt.

If I could give this book 1000/5 stars, I would. I highly recommend it to everyone.

Happy reading,

Zoe