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The Raven Boys
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Chapters 9-16
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Samantha
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rated it 4 stars
Sep 04, 2015 07:33PM
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As I mentioned in the Chapter 1-8 discussion, I felt that the first few chapters were not the easiest to get into, and I still stand by that claim, albeit not as heavily as I did before. It seems to me that Stiefvater had a strong way to start and for us to get invested in her characters, but I was not a fan of the execution. It almost felt slow and rushed at the same time. It took me a while to fully understand Ronan’s situation with his sibling, Delcan, for example. Then again, it was not all that bad, since I was invested enough to continue reading. And I am SO glad I kept reading!
Around pages 100-120 is where the story really started to pick up for me, and I became immensely invested in the story. Ronan’s new raven, Adam’s incredibly harsh situation, practically every scene Blue and her mother are in; there was always something that kept me turning the page. By far the highlight of the novel is when Gansey and the others do eventually attend the inevitable reading in Chapter 15. I really enjoy the interactions between the characters. After all of this, the first 100 pages were very much worth it.
I’m also getting very accustomed to Stiefvater’s writing style. Ironically, as an avid reader and writer, I find it hard to really distinguish how to describe an author’s style, with a couple exceptions, including this book. The way Stiefvater builds tone throughout the novel and how she writes certain descriptions are just a pleasure to read.
While I’m now really enjoying this book, I’m still uneasy about a couple things. For instance, some scenes of character interaction have felt sort of plastic and a little forced, namely Ronan and Gansey’s exchange in the middle of Chapter 16. Particularly with Ronan, the dialogue just didn’t feel like to flowed well. Plus, I still dread the chapters with Whelk’s POV. While he has only had two chapters as of this point, both instances have only slowed down the pacing of the book for me. However, I do want to see how it progresses, because they wouldn’t be here without reason.
Then again, there are so many questions I’m eager to see be answered. Who was the mysterious guy from the reading in Chapter 13? Is it because of Gansey’s fate or the gang’s search for ley lines that made the reading in Chapter 16 so peculiar? Why did Calla react so strongly to Ronan specially? Will Adam be okay? How is Whelk going to fit into any of this? It’s things like this that keep me turning page after page.
Overall, I’m very much enjoying The Raven Boys. I’m eager to see what happens next, so, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get back to reading!
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I officially love Blue and her family. I'm still not sure what's so great about the Raven boys themselves. I'm still a little confused with the plot. But after Blue and Gansey officially meet at the reading I have to say that's what hooked me. I need to know what happens at this point!!
Well, I was sold before, and continue to be. I love the depth in Stiefvater’s writting, though I understand how that would be a little much for people who didn't connect with the story right away - it's very intense, like a complete stranger who tells you their life story in a bank line out of the blue...And I love all the mysteries! Yes, so many questions...
Did anyone else think the guy from the reading in chapter 13 was Whelk? Was it just me?
Raquel, It’s honestly hard to determine who the mystery guy at the reading was. However, I don't think it is Whelk all that much, though I might be wrong.
My main reasoning for this is because of what happens Chapter 15 when Maura reacted so strongly towards Gansey, Adam, and Ronan. My guess that it may have to do something with their connection to the ley lines. However, while that doesn't answer why Calla was so affected by Ronan, I still think the raven boys’ connection with the energy from the ley lines has to do with why Maura was so overwhelmed by them.
Whelk, while not as intensely, was probably exposed to just as, if not more, energy than the trio, so by this understanding, Maura would have reacted strongly towards the mystery man as well.
On the other hand, there is still the possibility that it could very well be Whelk and that Maura just reacted strongly to the raven boys because of other reasons, like Gamsey’s fate and Ronan’s strange likeliness. Plus, now that I think about it, there is a lot of strong evidence that supports that it was indeed Whelk.
Whelk has lost a lot in his past, his father was in a major business scandal, he has a tedious job, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to get what he wants back. Plus, both Maura and Persephone, while not being overwhelmed, were still uneasy by this client.
In fact, as I type this out, I, myself, and starting to really believe it truly was Whelk.
The plot thickens.
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As for the boys, I don't understand why everyone is all GANSY GANSY! while I'm over here like ADAM! <3 my cowboy and RONAN <3 my bad boy! who is raising a little raven! and then there is poor noah... is it just me or is he super creepy?! I feel like there is way more to find out about noah, but he is always popping up in random places, and then sometimes not around at all. Also the back story for Ronan and Declan.... sadddddddd.
and i totally forgot about the mysterious man! now, i wanna go and read that passage again!
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MAC! I love reading your in-depth discussion! I look forward to the next chunk of chapters to read your discussion!!
I don't see Ronan as a bad boy....I see him as broken with a lot of anger attached for reasons we have yet to discover with the death of his father. Of course I don't know what he was like before. I think this leave him vulnerable to psychic things, the things he feels.Gansey, I feel like he's a older person in a younger body, he commands that sort of power, like having connections around the world and being so independent. But is anyone getting a 'my girl' vibe with the whole wasp thing?
Adam, I get where he's coming, the whole being stuck between two choices and not wanting either, he want to be able to be on his own with a starting foundation and if he leaves and moves in with Gansey it would be like he has nothing to fall back on, going to school and getting good grades to eventually go to collage is his foundation.
Noah, I think he's actually dead like he joked when we first met him. We never see him at school, he always shows up randomly. I think he's stuck in limbo which is why he's so in tuned with things, knowing where people are. Even Blue described him as faded.
Blue is just Blue right now, I think she will develop more when she interacts with the boys more.
Mod
I think Noah is dead as well. He doesn't seem the type to make a joke like that, and he is a serious character. He also is constantly described as fading and disheveled. He doesn't eat. He doesn't go where other people see him. I like the limbo idea.
I love Adam and Gansey the most. Gansey because he is such an old soul nerd and Adam because he is sweet. I like Ronan too but I need more from him than just hard edges before I really start to love him.
I love all the psychic women as well. The reading scene was so full of big personalities. Can't wait to to see Blue integrate herself into the boys circle because you know she won't be able to stay away.
