The Raven Boys (Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

Book Summery (Via Goodreads): It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

Book Trailer:


Book Review:
Wow. Oh. Wow. I am breathless. I had my first taste of Maggie's writing when I read The Scorpio Races. While I plan to read her Wolves of Mercy Falls, I have yet to be successful of putting said plan into motion. I digress...The Scorpio Races were phenomenal. So when I heard Maggie was planing to release The Raven Boys, I knew I had to read it immediately! By page one, I was enchanted. By the end of the first chapter, I knew I would have a difficult time setting this book down. I gulped down this story as fast my scheduled allowed. Maggie has a wonderful ability to create complex story lines with flawed characters who are easy to related to. I just adored Blue's character. I crave to learn more about her and her family. I also am dying to learn more about the Raven boys. This was an excellent first book. I can not wait for the rest of the series! By the way, how awesome is the trailer? Maggie made it herself!

Favorite Quote:
“She wasn't interested in telling other people's futures. She was interested in going out and finding her own.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this cover!  The colors are rich and the raven has multiple meanings in the story!

Rating:

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Book Summery (via Goodreads): It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Book Trailer:


Book Review:
This was my first introduction to Maggie Stiefvater. Wow! What an amazing introduction. I have been hesitant to pick this up because I am not a fan of horse and I am not a fan of races. This seemed like a combination of both, and therefore just not my cup of tea. I could not have been more wrong!!! What I found was a story of passion, family, drive, and heart. As I stated in my previous review, I love a story told through alternating voices. Puck and Sean's voices were endearing, they were able to really draw the reader into the story. I loved the world-building and the capall uisge. I could have stayed in this world for a very long time. If you're curious about the back story, I highly recommend checking out Stiefvater's post (here) where she talks about her inspiration for writing the story. I am now a huge fan of Stiefvater, and plan to read her Wolves of Mercy Falls series in the very near future! :)

Favorite Quote:

“There are moments that you'll remember for the rest of your life and there are moments that you think you'll remember for the rest of your life, and its not often they turn out to be the same moment.” 

Cover Art Commentary:
I love this cover!  So simple, yet affective. The blood red backdrop. The bold gold lettering. The black horse with the girl riding. It works so well together, and has rich meaning to the story.

Rating: