“THE RAVEN BOYS,” by Maggie Stiefvater, Scholastic Press, Sept. 18, 2012, hardcover, $18.99 (young adult)
Clairvoyants. Diviners. Psychics.
The majority of the world sees people who believe in seeing beyond this life as a bunch of hooey. Not Blue Sargent. Though she’s not one herself, she’s lived with clairvoyants her whole life. Her mom is one, and Blue herself seems to amplify their powers.
Still, Blue is more than a little surprised to see on of the soon-to-be dead walk past her on St. Mark’s Eve. She’s gone to the churchyard every year with her mother, but she’s never actually seen anything. This year, not only does she see someone, he speaks directly to her. His name is Gansey, and they are inexplicably linked.
Gansey is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. There’s nothing good about the Aglionby boys — the Raven Boys, and Blue always tries to give them a wide berth.
That changes when Gansey appears at her home, asking for help on a quest he’s undertaken with three devoted friends. Though her house of clairvoyants send the boys packing, Blue feels drawn to them and soon becomes an integral part of their mission.
Author Maggie Stiefvater is known for her mix of magic and mystery filled with tension and adventure. “The Raven Boys” is no different. Though if you’re looking for a novel as strong as “Scorpio Races,” you’ll be a little disappointed.
There are a lot of things going on in “The Raven Boys” and not all of the elements are tied together in a way one would expect from Maggie. It’s also a slower-paced novel with bursts of information that come as a surprise — not because of their content but because they’re suddenly there.
“The Raven Boys” is part of a series, and feels like it’s part of a series. Unfortunately that telegraphs into a slipshod ending that feels out of tune with what came before. It leaves the reader with ambivalent feelings for what’s to come.
“The Raven Boys” is not without merit. Where Maggie excels is in her character development. Blue and the Raven Boys are well crafted. These are characters you care about, you want to keep learning about, growing with and experience the bumps and bruises of life with.
It’s because of Maggie’s characters you should read “The Raven Boys.” The way they work together, and sometimes against each other, to uncover the mysteries hidden within the surrounding area is great. It will be interesting to see how the series develops.
*Maggie will read from and sign “The Raven Boys” at The King’s English 1511 S. 1500 East, in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m.
