Review of Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

Status: read elibrary audiobook.
Rating: 3.5/5
Blue Lily, Lily Blue is the third book in the Raven Boys Quartet by Maggie Stiefvater. Since its birth, I have been a massive fan of the series. The books are very focused on a group of unlikely friends who cross paths at the eve of Blue's 16th year. She and her raven boys are looking for a sleeping king hidden on the ley line. In this book, the group encounters other sleepers on the line and get ever

closer to the discovery Gansey's king and the day of Gansey's predicted death. Full of twists, gorgeous writing and stolen moments when Blue and Gansey fall in love, this novel made me long for magic.

The book was enjoyable however I came away disappointed by a few things. Foremost, Ronan's storyline which was dominant in Dream Thieves practically disappeared from Blue Lily. You do grow attached to Stiefvater's characters so its sad when they stop appearing in the books. For instance Ronan's friend, brothers and Gansey's family make no appearance in this book. The male antagonist, though extremely prominent throughout Blue Lily, is taken out of the picture by the end of the novel. Maggie's character development though wonderful and unique seems almost unsustainable.

No one can fault the writing style however. There were many passages so delicious to read (or hear in the audiobook) particularly when describing characters or the magic. If you want a books you can truly savour I would recommend this series.


Favourite quotes:

Blue was perfectly aware that it was possible to have a friendship that wasn't all encompassing, that wasn't blinding, deafening, maddening, quickening. It was just that now she'd had this kind, she didn't want the other.

She stood on the ledge of his smile and looked over the edge.

They were not creating a mess. They were just slowly illuminating the shape of it.

Let me know what you thought about the book and any theories as to the last one. If this sounds interesting click the book title for its Goodreads page or if you'd like to read my review of Dream Thieves click here. Ciao!

Reviewing The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

Maggie Stiefvater has done it again folks. She just gave us her best book yet for us to wallow and weep about. Following The Raven Boys -the first of this quartet- Stiefvater's storytelling capabilities in The Dream Thieves have have escalated to magnificence.

For those unfamiliar with the story, it is set in Henrietta a town situated on energy or ley lines. These abnormal energy currents enhance general power but also psychic abilities. The series begins when previously failed psychic Blue sees a vision of a boy's death, Gansey's. Richard Gansey the third is no ordinary Raven Boy of the Aglionby Academy. He has made it his business to find a sleeping king in exchange for one wish, a king he believes has been using the ley-lines to live hundreds of years. The ley-lines are the thing that keeps Noah visible. The ley-lines are what brings Blue to the Raven boys. The ley-lines are connected to Adam now. The ley-lines are the cause of magic and the timeless forest and perhaps Ronan's curious ability to somehow steal things from his dreams. And of course, Ronan isn't the most dangerous person looking for magic in Henrietta.

There aren't enough words to express my deep love for this book. The idea is completely original and creative. Every twist and turn is surprising and wonderful. The Raven Boys and Blue are so well-developed.
 We hadn't seen this much of Ronan before and the narration captured his essence so perfectly. In terms of writing, this book exceeded my expectations. It was fantastical and humourous. Formal yet warm.

This book was raw emotion at times and adrenalin at others. There was the luxury of Raven Boys filled with the darkness of magic and things money can't buy. The two best parts of the book was Ronan's character development and the writing. I closed my eyes and I could see their world. I highly recommend this series as a suspense-filled and fantasy young adult series.


Favourite quote:
“While I'm gone," Gansey said, pausing, "dream me the world. Something new for every night.”