THE RAVEN BOYS BY MAGGIE STIEFVATER: booktalk with XTINEMAY 

I laughed at "I can't kiss you, I'm so young"

Adam actually sacrificed the one thing that mattered to him the most, his freedom.

Jordan Parrish-Teen Wolf Ben Parrish-The 5th Wave Adam Parrish-The Raven Boys What is the obsession with that surname??!?!

When they realized Noah was dead I was like "OH MY GOD THEY'RE RIGHT IN THE SCHOOL THEY ALWAYS REFFER AS GANSEY'S GANG MADE OF THREE PEOPLE. NOT FOUR. THREEEEEE"

When Noah was introduced to Ashley he said. “I’ve been dead for seven years, this is as warm as I get.” I took him literally. I didn’t get the joke.

Absolutely loved this book from page 1 idk why anyone wouldn't lol

Everytime I finish a book I always look for Christine's booktalks! They are the best

Totally did not consider Ronan as a supernatural being. DAMN HOW DID I MISS THAT! I need The Dream Thieves immediately.

The only complaint I had about this book was that it didn't include Noah enough.

Man, I really didn't see the thing with Noah coming! Well played, Maggie! It's great how we learn how to like Ronan as the book goes... and Gansey needs no words

Its just me that think that the Raven Boys look like The Marauders? Like, Gansey is James, Ronan Sirius, Adam is Lupin and NOah Peter.... Think about it

I don't understand the confusing thingy. I am not confused at all, i was hooked immediately from the start.

This review was immensely satisfying because you basically voiced every one of my thoughts. Honestly, I think this was the only book I've ever read that actually made me think and guess. SPOILERS Gansey is such an unusual character! You know he's rich, and he is trying to become a better person but that's not all there is to him, unlike the male protagonists in so many other books! He's kind of like a scholar, and his interest in everything is really attractive. I do think Blansey will become a thing and sincerely hope that Gansey won't actually die. Adam is sweet though, and I do really like him. Ronan is SUPER intriguing. That last line just threw me for a loop, but it does fit in with the next book's title theme: The Dream Thieves. Also, I just love Malory's character! Anyone else?

"This man-child, spoiled little bitch!" Haha, I love that description :)

I love it when I look for a book review and YOU'RE RIGHT IN THE FIRST VIDEO. YES. Your book talks are the best!!!

My favorite is Ronan!!!!!!

My favorite character is Chainsaw....don’t judge me she’s awesome. I know she’s just a bird but I immediately fall in love with animals.

I ship Gansey with blue more then Adam Fight me

(Spoilers!) I thought Adam sacrificed his freedom. Because he has that thing about being free. I don't think he sacrificed his soul or anything, but I guess I won't find out until the next book. About halfway through, I was looking at the summary of The Dreams Thieves and I noticed how Noah wasn't one of the characters mentioned in the summary. So I figured he died, and for a second I joked "What if Noah really has been dead for seven years and that's why his hand is cold." Then when I found out that was really the case I was just like, "WTF? I was kidding." It was just a major plot twist. I'm not sure if Gansey is Blue true love because Adam has the fast forward where he kills Gansey. But that doesn't explain how she saw him on the corpse road. I guess Adam may have seen Blue kiss Gansey then went crazy. I just don't know... And Ronan. I hated him at first but now that isn't the case. He and Adam are possibly my favorite characters. Blue and Gansey are super awesome to though..

You make me doubt how I've pronounced buried all these years 😂😂 I love your reviews and how enthusiastic you are about all the books you review. Youre the reason I got into Sarah j Maas and I'm eternally great-full

Maggie Stiefvater is my life. Her writing style is amazing to me. I am no where near a fan of the type of genre that she writes about but I love every single book that she's ever written. The shiver series is my absolute favorite series in the entire world and I hate werewolf stories. Oh in case anyone is wondering it's pronounced Steve-otter!

I loved this series . I loved how much detail Maggie puts into these stories . I can really visualize the Forrest and all the weird dream creatures . I loved it

I loved this series so much it literally changed my entire life - this is not an understatement. This book woke something up inside of me and i started practicing tarot pretty much as soon as i finished it and pretty much immediately had undeniable results (with complete strangers). This led me to dig deeper and look for more ways to connect to these deeper systems of truth and found one that works for me and produces undeniable results that so far no one has ever said are wrong! And all of this because of a book i fell in love with!! I wake up everyday and still cant believe im out here doing this! So much about adam and ronan resonated with me i couldnt help but fall in love with all of the characters.

Hi Christine. Between binge-watching your videos and reading the raven boys , my week is going pleasantly well. One of my favourite things about this book is how laid-back and languid the pace is. Maybe its because I was reading Six of crows before this and that book kept me on my toes from start to end. Moving on to Dream thieves now ...

I entirely agree with her about how easy it was to fall out of the book in the beginning. Only, it took me half the book to adjust. It seemed like the writing was just so stiff and slow, and drawn out... It just wasn't popping off the pages for me. I almost put it down, but I kept going because of all the good reviews on it. The story still became quite confusing to me, and I feel like the 'climax' just didn't quite do it for me. Maggie Steifvater seems to have a very monotone style of writing, so it's extremely difficult to fall into it. If you don't pay attention, you'll miss a tiny detail. It was the characters that really made the story for me. I never really liked Blue because she was quite monotone as well, but I absolutely loved the boys. Ronan was probably one of my favorite characters, just because of the whole mysterious vibe that he portrayed. Noah's character was extremely well thought out, and his little part in the story is what urged me to continue on. You would think that Gansey would be stereotypical, but he really isn't. He's far more than what meets the eye. Adam... Oh, Adam. I just know Blue will be the one to break his heart. Overall, it wasn't my favorite read, but it was worth reading. I can see why people like it. If you can get through the first half of it, you're set.

This book was extremely hard to get in to but I'm glad I did it! I think what kept me going is that I love Noah & Ronan!

I love your book talks :) I think you've convinced me to finally pick up this book!

I felt the same way as you going into the book, but as soon as the characters and the story are established it all became so amazing. I'm looking forward to the next books, too, and even though there was hardly any romance in this first book you could FEEL the connection between Blue and Gansey. I'm not sure whether or not the visions will come true, since I want Blansey, but I don't want Gansey to die. There are just so many storylines and I'm not sure how they all fit together.

Wow this is just wow Guess I’m a little late to the raven boys

Noah: I'm dead Everyone:haha jokes *Later* finds body Gansey: well shit

I find that her stories are good but her writing is exquisite! It is so descriptive it just drags me in. I don't think I have ever read a book( in a good way) quite like this one before!

Some books I have enjoyed :) Eve - Anna Carey The Breeders - Katie French Dearly, Departed - Lia Habel Frost - Kate Avery Ellison Slumber - Samantha Young EXALTED- Tara Elizabeth

At first I just couldn't get interested in the story at all! Then I cam on RU-vid to see if there was a review on it..sure enough I gave it around 100 pages and could not put it down! I was confused at certain points but I think that is what Maggie Stiefvater wanted you to feel. Who knows?! Oh well, I enjoyed it :)

i know this video's a couple years old but i just wanted to share my theory since i have not read the following books yet. So, i thought that Gansey would die on purpose so that he could have access to the king's spirit. But then he'd come back. Like a bonnie sort of ordeal, speaking to the other side. i don't know...

You just added like 10 more questions to my already huge question pile. But I loved the book. The characters really are SO intriguing. All of them just so deep. Can't wait to read the next book!

You put her style into the best wording...I couldn't find words to describe it X'D I was so confused by her writing style!!

I loved this book and the series so much! Have you read The Dream Thieves and Blue Lily, Lily Blue yet?? Please do Booktalks on them soon!!

I love this whole booktalk and I LOVE this book.

Please tell me I'm not the only one who's on the Blue and Adam (Bladam?) ship.

Ahhhhhh Christine, can you do a blue lily, lily blue review? pretty please?

I just read this book and once again our thoughts are mostly the same.And yes I felt it,the need to know what is going on and what is going to happen next,without clearly understanding what happened at the end though.I can't wait for "Dream Thieves".

hey christine! i also just did a book talk on this book and I LOVED IT SO MUCH

I just read this book and I actually agree with everything you say! :) It really is something new and refreshing in the YA genre. On the cover for book two you see one of the boys (I think Ronan) who has that "glowing heart" just like the raven on book one... I think that might be some kind of hint to what he is.

My brain drops seratonin every time I finish a book and discover you have a book talk about it 😍

I read the book a few months ago, despite being a fan of Maggie Stiefvater's, I felt like this book wasn't as good. But you were bringing up a bunch of details I hadn't noticed, so I think I'll have to retread The Raven Boys soon. Like, very soon. Thanks! :)

This was an amazing review! I loved hearing all your thought, loved the book

I had a bit of a problem starting because I knew you had said it was hard to get into, but when did start it was so awesome :) Love you! ♡

You look so young oh my god

I never finished the shiver trilogy because I felt as if the first one was enough and it just got dragged on without a real reason. Like I was done with that romance. Now I need to try the Raven boys still but the one book that I love a lot is The Scorpio Races by Maggie. The Scorpio Races holds a special place in my heart since it actually got me into the young adult books and fantasy. Also it went with my love of horses. The Scorpio races is one of my favorite books of all time and no matter what it'll always be my favorite. It had got me into reading.

A friend got me the audiobook of The Raven Boys and I heard the whole thing in one day. I did not wish to leave my room I didn't want to be bothered it was just good. I think that where Noah's body was, was not on the lay line as much as near it I mean if it was on the line he would still have a body. So like the magic near the line gave his sprit energy like Blue does to stay on earth. This is just a theory though and I can't wait for book two!!! Great review!

I'm so glad you read this :) it's my fav and I'm glad u liked it

I pronounce Gansey "Gan-see" Glendower "Glen-doe-er" and Ronan "Row-nan".

Did take a while to get into the story, but I'm excited for the next book. I hope gansey doesn't really die

YES OHMYGOD SOMEONE ELSE THAT PRONOUNCES GANSEY THE WAY I DO

You've made me want to pick up the book, thanks for the recommendation Christine! :)

For some odd reason i always picture blue as the main character in daughter of smoke and bone. I have no clue why but that is what i picture her as.

Totally agree in almost everything!

OMG just bought the next book so excited to read!!!!!!!

I LOLed pretty hard when I saw the entire Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy on the shelf behind you. I loved all your theories; but what did you think about Adam's vision in the tree? I'm guessing Adam is going to accidentally betray Gansey, and knowing it, now, is going to be part of what drives Adam and Blue apart. I agree with you about the sacrifice thing--that was so strange! I wanted more of an explanation. I think Adam sacrificed his independence, which he'd fought with Gansey so hard over.

Cinder is actually really good! You wont regret picking it up!

His eye!!! if she spits it would wal right in his eye!!!! Am i crazy for knowing this? i am just sooo obsessed with it i think it's the best book EVER!!!

This book is amazing, i can't believe iv'e only just found out it existed, i think blues dad has something to do with it

great book omg, when i got to page 79 i was grabbed. i think the problem was that the in the beginning she explains why things are the way they are instead of attaching us to the characters. around page 79 i was like there you go, happy i didnt toss it across the room and finished it. it was a tough beginning but worth to learn about the characters, ronan and chainsaw the cutest thing ever, noah so sad, and Bladamsey oh man so curious how that happens.. :)

My mind just made several parallels as I was watching. Blue’s mom kinda reminds me of Clary’s mom - nice and friendly-like but secretive and distant. Also Blue and Gansey - Sydrian anyone? I mean the way they are to each other with the friendliness and understanding. And Ronan reminds me of someone but I can’t figure out who. And what about Blue’s kiss to her one true love? Do you think it might be Gansey and that’s why she saw him when she never sees anyone on the spirit nights or whatever?

i watched the non spoyler part of this book then i went out and read it its so good!

This book confused so much at first but I literally fell in love with all the characters so I forced through it like you did. I LOVE GANSEY. He is so complex ( all the characters are ) but he was my favorite. Adam just kind of irks me, he's whiny sometimes and i think he's a crappy friend towards Gansey. I also love Ronan and Noah, I have a lot of hope for Ronan. And blue reminds me a lot of myself so it was easy to relate to her. Such a great book, the second one is even better!

you really captures my whole emotion....

You should SO read Night School and Night School: Legacy by C.J Daugherty if you haven't already. Like, seriously. Aaaand the third book is coming out in Autumn this year so...yeah. It's worth reading.

Not gonna lie I died when you glanced over you shoulder too look at the shiver trilogy on your book shelf when you said that about Maggie’s other trilogy. 😂

I laughed SO HARD when Ronan said "Gansey's partying with his mother, and Noah's fucking dead." I KNOW ITS SUPPOSED TO BE KIND OF SERIOUS BUT IN THE WEIRDNESS OF NOAH BEING A GHOST I JUST LAUGHED SO HARD

I was exactly the same! I wasn't really understanding the story much and was getting quite bored until like 100 pages in and then I suddenly couldn't put it down.

Did you read The Scorpio Races? It's a stand alone also by Maggie Stiefvater. It's told from two main characters points of view, a boy and a girl, which I usually dislike, but it was very well done. It's a twist on the original legend of kelpies. Anyway, I thought it was the best out of her books so far. She also (if I remember correctly) wrote Lament, which was the first I read of Maggie's books. I'd recommend it. Thanks for your review! :)

It took me a while to get into it too. I dont really know why but for a while it was really hard to read. Then it just sort of hit me and I like totally fell into it.

Love love love this book. I'm with you on all your questions-- what's up with Ronan/chainsaw? What exactly is the deal with Glendower? And yeah, Gansey/Blue is definitely going to be a thing. Also, Stiefvater="Steve-otter" :)

My theory is that Gansey's wish is going to be to sacrifice himself so that Noah can be alive again. because of the whole story with the wasps and how he was able to live when another person died. I really hope I'm wrong though and no spoilers please I really don't want to be spoiled for this series. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!

I loved the book, and the ending confused me, too. However, I do have a problem with the whole "when you kiss your true love, he will die." Everyone has to die, so it is irrelevant. It doesn't say that he will die because of the kiss. What my guess is is that she'll have to 'choose' between Adam and Gansey, and who gets the favour, and she will end up with the person who does not have Glendower take over their body, therefore being immortal. I'm intrigued, but confused.

I loved the nickname butternut

i think you'd really like Cinder by Marissa Meyer!! i think you'd really enjoy it. this review makes me want to read the raven boys, because her other series didn't really do anything for me either :p

If you haven't read Unwind please read is it's an AMAZING book. PLEASE READ UNWIND!!!!!!!

you should read The Hazlewood High trilogy! Forged by Fire, Tears of a Tiger, and Darkness Before Dawn! all by Sharon M. Draper they are all amazing! please read them and do a book talk please?!! its one of my favorite trilogy's!

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater is also really, very good.

One of my favorite series! It's on my top shelf on my bookshelf, a place of high esteem haha

My prediction is that gansey and blue will be a thing and if they find Glendower they will ask for them to be together or more like a favor for like noah to come back or ronan dad to come back to life maybe to find blue’s dad or maybe blue and gansey will get together and somehow gansey would die and the favor is to keep gansey like bring him back to life or like a ghost like noah not sure theres like so many possibilities and theories cant wait to read all the book

I almost thought you were talking about Requiem, by Maggie Stiefvater. Although I know that book isn't going to be out until next year

Just started this! Liking it so far! :)

10:35 I love that moment so much because that’s what I wanted to do to that character and the character actually got someone who did that to him

Blansey does sound very cute

I think it was that Adam sacrificed his freedom, and his ability to depend on himself. Now it's the ley line that's going to get him somewhere in life, not his own ability.

I'm excited to read this :))

Haha, she was in an interview and they talked about that. She also said how her father-in-law has been divorced three times although I don't know how that connected to it.

I LOVE GRACE AND SAM...AND COLE

I loved this book. Any theories about what Ronan may turn out to be? If you found Glendower what favor would you ask for? Also what would you do if you knew that if you were to kiss your one true love he'd die?

Here 7 years later! Haha

I think that Gansey is going to find Glendower and then die and the favor will be to bring him back to life. Kind of like in City of Glass (Cassandra Clare).

Oh yes please please!!!

You should read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green! It's really good and it has a very intricate storyline! I promise it won't disappoint you! By the way, Ronan is my favorite character in this series. And I ship Blansey! ^^

UPDATED BOOKSHELF

My guess is Gansey dies and Blue asks Glendower to revive him like Clary did for Jace in The Mortal Instruments.

I loved the shiver series but i loved cole and isabel they are more interesting then sam and grace. Thank you for makeing this though! Im gonna read raven boys now

i really want to read the book!!! but I have to read the city of heavenly fire first.