A review by val_theburrowofstories
The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

It is just so sad when you finally read a book series you were excited about (for years!) and it ends up being a disappointment. The thing with this is that I’m no longer the public intended for this, maybe if I would’ve read this at 16 when I added it to my TBR it would’ve been great, but I’m 22 now and look, I do read YA still but this was just not it for me, I don’t think this is for me anymore, I found this just okay 🫠 

The Raven King was a 2 ⭐for me, it had so much potential and it didn’t delivered for me. 

I guess it was entertaining enough for me to not DNF this. 

But when I’m mad that a book disappoints I just can’t stop talking so here it is with spoilers and no filters (all just out of my chest, so if you love this book better not read this): 
  • I was so done with this book that I listened to the audiobook at 2x speed, I just wanted it over.
  • What was the point of Artemus? They were talking about him on 2 books, Maura freaking left her family to find him, and when they finally do he’s useless. I’m actually mad Persephone died for that and we never even see Maura caring that much about loosing her.
  • Gwenllian was also useless.
  • What do you mean Noah was there in the house, I don’t get what happened to him in the end.
  • So many things I didn’t get, like- Ronan dreamt of a little girl??? And yeah yeah Ronan you’re soooo powerful you can dream a lot of stuff, yeah yeah 🙄
  • I didn’t get the whole thing with Piper, Neeve and the demon, and it didn’t mean anything because Piper dies anyways killed by her father? And what happened to her husband whose name I can’t even remember?
  • 4 books looking for Glendowell and he was just bones and dust 😭 what a waste.
  • I don’t think I ever bought the whole “Blue and Gansey love each other and they’re going to be forever” thing. I hate that I didn’t care about any of these characters in the end. I didn’t see the romance or connection or things in common.
  • Oh my God I just remembered, Ronan kissing Adam? Please 😭 look, I love my lgbt romance, but that was just ridiculous, the author was this close to make them a forever couple too when there was no chemistry or romance at all for 3 and a half books and then suddenly a kiss is supposed to make them fall in love? At least I guess Ronan finally kissed his crush and Adam won’t be annoying wanting a kiss anymore.
  • This Henry guy suddenly being part of the group felt wrong.
  • Gansey is about to die and neither of his friends at least hugs him? What a “found family” and I just had to LAUGH with the “I’m ready to die, kiss me” LMAOOOO I could not take this seriously. I don’t even get how they bring him back, with the power of love I guess!
  • Reminder that you don’t need or have to forgive your abusive parents just so you keep being a good child!!!

Happiest moment reading this book was when it was finally over lmao 😭
 
Ronan has this dream power, and yet (TO ME) he wasn't that interesting in this series to make him a whole freaking trilogy of his own- that’s 3 books out of my TBR.