I suddenly find myself wishing this book wasn't so popular so I could more easily get my hands on a copy (since there's a waiting list for all of our library copies that are currently checked out). I listened to the excellent audiobook production, but now I want to page back through the actual book to reread and review some sections; partly to re-experience details that I didn't hold onto well enough during my listening and partly to help me decide if I want to give this four or five stars. As it is, I'll call it a four-and-a-half rounded up. --- I don't remember what summary description I read about the book before I started reading it or just what that blurb said, but I remember I had two responses: 1) I didn't find it particularly remarkable and wasn't all that intrigued by the book's plot description; and 2) that didn't really matter to me since I'd felt the same way about The Scorpio Races yet had thoroughly enjoyed that title, along with the fact that readers I trust were recommending this one. So I decided to give it a chance and jumped in with both feet, finding myself quickly swept away. --- I was a little worried when, right up front, I learned there was a paranormal element and, it seemed, a strongly foreshadowed romance--worried it might just be another of the formulaic paranormal romances that are so common these days--but I decided to trust Stiefvater. My trust was well placed. No hacked or cliched formulas resulted; at least, not as obvious constraints on the excellent plot and character development. And it was the characters that really drew me in and won me over, for there is a large cast of complex, well-developed, interesting protagonists, and the story doesn't hinge on a single person or romantic interest. I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with each one of them. --- I also enjoyed the obviously researched paranormal angle, psychics and ley lines and spirits and Welsh legends. It had the heft and weight of history behind it. --- My biggest hesitation was that the climax and resolution didn't feel quite natural for the characters and plot, but a bit manipulated to work as simply a step in an ongoing series--it wasn't that things are left unresolved, but what is resolved and how it happens in an attempt to walk the tightrope between finishing this story and leaving things open for the next. --- Still, I'll definitely be reading that next one when it appears.

Aahhh! I love this book! The characters, the magic, the beautifully created sentences and the well evoked, imaginative images. I admired the micro-stuff like word choice and was submerged in the macro-stuff like plot and character. Definitely my favorite book so far this year.

Awesome book! I really enjoyed the characters in the books and Maggie's style of wrtiting. The plot was extremely interesting and kept me hooked. The one thing I did not like was that the ending was a bit confusing, but I'm hoping that things will become clearer in the next book. Great book!

At first was kinda bored in thinking that it was another soulmate finds soulmate book, but was totally blown by the end of the first page. Cannot believe the plots, twists and turns that it has, was a bit confused by the magic and the signs but extremely well written!!

Originally gave this book 3 stars, and then I found out it is a series- in that case, the book makes SO MUCH more sense. Anyway, I thought the plot was alright, but what I loved was the strong characters- each was unique, powerful, and REAL. I think that Blue and the Boys are what really drove the story forward, not the plot centered around the search. The characters, and how they developed, are what made Raven Boys great.

Move over werewolves and fairies, the Raven Boys have arrived. Amazing novel by a master storyteller. Can't wait for book two!

I started reading this at my desk last week (perk of being a librarian!) and fell so in love that I ended up giving both library copies away, and put a copy on hold at the public library. It was worth the delay. Strong characters, couple of twists and turns, a growing love triangle, fantasy elements. Love it. Steifvater's writing is beautiful. She has a way with words that has made her one of my favorite authors. My only quibble-and you know there is always a quibble: For most of the book, any cursing is only mentioned -"he let out a string of compound curse words..." making me think I could take this to a middle school crowd. By the end, we're seeing F-bombs and other cursing. Personally, I have no issue, but as a librarian, I would hesitate to offer this up to anyone younger than high school. So, for the 14+ crowd, it's a win, and one of the best books I've read in 2012.

I read this in three days. It would have been one but sadly school got in the way. I love that i found a new series but angry that it just started so the sequel isnot out yet.....sigh

Blue, daughter of the town psychic, has grown up hearing that if she ever kisses her true love, he will die. So she has resolved to stay away from boys and, especially, to stay away from Raven boys – students at the exclusive Aglionby Academy. The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvater, is the story of how Blue comes to break her own resolution and is drawn into the lives and adventures of some of those Raven boys she swore to avoid. Full review here: http://www.librarypoint.org/raven_boys_stiefvater

I loved this book! I would read it all over again if I could! :)