The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater | Audiobook Review

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

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.

From Maggie Stiefvater, the bestselling and acclaimed author of the Shiver trilogy and The Scorpio Races, comes a spellbinding new series where the inevitability of death and the nature of love lead us to a place we’ve never been before.

Why Did I Listen To This Book?

Maggie Stiefvater wormed her way into my heart as one of my favorite writers with The Scorpio Races. I obtained The Raven Boys via the Audiobooks Sync summer promotion where they give away two free audiobooks each week over the summer. Like most free things, it essentially sat on my computer until one day I was like, I need a profound audiobook that is not going to be too heavy. So, randomly I was like yo, THE RAVEN BOYS, I have heard this is a good one and people that I legitimately trust were into it. AND the audiobook version has such high ratings. I cannot resist audiobooks with high ratings.

What’s The Story Here?

There’s two stories that intertwine, kind of, or rather two perspectives but expanded. First, there’s Blue. She’s not a psychic per se, but she can enhance the psychic abilities of everyone around her. So, okay the story begins and Blue is hanging out in graveyard with her psychic mom waiting for the dead. Blue does not see the dead. UNTIL THIS YEAR when she sees the spirit of a boy named Gansey. Only, Gansey isn’t dead. He is flesh and blood and attends school at Aglionby and is one of the Raven Boys and lives in a warehouse. Also, there’s this prophecy that surrounds Blue stating that the first boy she kisses, her true love, will die when she kisses him. What even. So, anyways, Blue connects with the second perspective of the story, that’s the Raven Boys: Gansey, Adam, Ronan, and Noah and together they look for these ley lines that Gansey is obsessed with. Ley lines are magical lines, I guess. And Gansey is laser focused on waking up Glendower, a long dead Welsh king who apparently is buried along the ley lines. There’s also a murder mystery, privilege discussion and SO much more. If you’re looking for a well plotted story, pick up The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater.

How Is The Writing?

YOU GUYS, The Raven Boys is a Stiefvater book so the writing is aces. Stiefvater brings her A-game every single time and this book is no exception. I found myself sucked into the Virginia landscape. I was easily able to imagine the warehouse where the boys lived. I could picture Adam’s work at the trailer factory. I could see Blue and her family. I found myself imagining the ley lines. Do not get me started on the mythology. I loved learning about all the power the ley lines could bring. I loved reading about a certain character with a huge secret. And the ending, my heart. AND there’s kind of a romance. And oh my goodness. See, the writing in this book makes me weird and incoherent. That’s what one of my favorite authors does to me. So, what you need to know is that it is good and beautiful writing, I would characterize her writing as atmospheric and I mean that in the very best way possible.

Who Is My Favorite Raven Boy?

Without a doubt, my favorite is Ronan! He’s just so tortured, ugh, I cannot even with those feels you guys. AND AND AND he takes care of a baby raven that he named Chainsaw. Be still my heart. Also, he makes a lot of jackass comments and I have a soft spot for prickly people.

How Is The Narration?

The Raven Boys was my first time listening to a book narrated by Will Patton. It definitely will not be my last. In fact, after finishing this book, I went to look up The Dream Thieves on Audible because I really liked the audiobook experience of The Raven Boys. Patton nails the southern accent and charm quite well. His female voices are not creepy or weird. This was an audio that made chores and busywork fly on by. Also, there’s barely any swearing, so it’s not embarrassing to listen to at work. It’s 11 hours and 8 minutes long and worth all the time listening. If you have not read this book yet, I would recommend going for the audiobook version.

Sum It Up With A GIF:

Yes, this GIF for the friendships among the Raven Boys.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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