Note from Audra: I’ve asked three female high school juniors to help me with our book of the week segment. I personally enjoy the young adult/teen genre and I see myself in these young book worms. Plus, it is my pleasure to give these talented girls a chance to hone their writing skills and get a little work experience for their college resumes simply by sharing with us what they love to read! I have veto power if necessary but have given the girls the liberty to choose their books. So, without further adieu, I introduce you to our first Jr. Book of the Week contributor, Macon Chiles. I’ve known Macon since she was at Vanderlyn with Burger Boy. Macon is a Dunwoody High School Junior and member of the DHS Yearbook Staff. I read her book choice, The Raven Boys, this past weekend and give it two thumbs up! If you’d like to win my once read copy, please leave a comment on this review and I’ll randomly choose a winner on 10/20.
When I first picked up The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, I was admittedly a bit skeptical. I’d gotten nothing but amazing reviews from a lot of friends, but the blurb on the back’s laser focus on the romance aspect of the book threw me off, since I’d been hoping to find a young adult book that didn’t fit the stereotype of overdramatized teen romance. The first sentence didn’t inspire much confidence either, but it only took a few more words before everyone had to beg me (and sometimes bribe me) to get me to put the thing down. I tore through The Raven Boys before the weekend was finished, and spent two eager days awaiting for the sequel and three-quel to arrive in the mail.
Despite my original assumption, The Raven Boys consists of a whole lot more than romance. As I was quick to learn, Blue Sargent and her Raven Boys alone were far more entertaining than any love affair I assumed I’d be reading about. Refreshingly fierce and saucy, and the only girl in her family without psychic powers, Blue is a character for the ages, and I adore her. Her counterparts, the Raven Boys, hold a similar place in my heart. Gansey and his desperation to find the sleeping king Glendower, Adam and his intense need to make his own way, Ronan and his sharp tongue, Noah and his shocking secrets: I don’t know how I got on without being able to read about them before I picked up the book. Their quest to find Glendower had me hooked; it’s many twists and turns made it near impossible to put down.
There was, of course, romance, just as the blurb had promised me. However, it was well worth it’s antagonizingly addictive slow burn, and it came perfectly balanced with extremely well-written character development and a well-paced plot that kept me entertained well past the end of the book itself.
Packed with complex and intriguing-but-still-somehow-relatable characters that made my heart sing (and hurt- a lot), a plot that revolved around Steifvater’s fresh brand of mythology, and a pet raven named Chainsaw, it practically begs to be devoured in a single sitting. The Raven Boys is certainly one for the ages.
I would love to read this book! Thanks for giving students an opportunity to review books on the Aha connection!!! Macon did an excellent job!!!
I am an AHA subscriber and would love to win The Raven Boys. I’m always looking for a new book to read!
Great synopsis!!! I’m ready to read this so hoping I can get a copy.
Macon, I loved you review of this book. I wish I could be a teen again and get inspired from someone like you. Keep going girl!
I love reading the same books as my teenager so that we can discuss. Both of us love to read. This book sounds really good and I love books that have sequels!!! We can’t wait to order the next book!
I am hooked – Macon has sold me on getting this book. Great review – it tells me why I want to read this book. I am a fan of well written teen fiction and this sounds like it is the real deal. I can’t wait to meet the Raven Boys!
I am an Aha subscriber and would love to have a great read to share with my niece by receiving The Raven Boys!
Super impressed with Macon’s review! Quite a wordsmith and should do well on her essay writing 😉
Macon the reviewer has a clear grasp of the components of a novel.
Bravo on you passion and articulate writing…I like the word “wordsmith’ someone about used. Perfect.
Macon did an amazing job on her review. I now want to read this book simply because of her enthusiasm about the book. Nice Job Macon. Thanks for helping out our rising stars Audra!
I must have this book. I’ve never been very interested in mythology or fantasy books like , dare I say it, Harry Potter (sacrilege… I know) but Macon has me painfully curious. Fingers crossed I win so I don’t have to hit some poor unsuspecting teenager over the head and steal their book.
My daughter is a huge mythology fan and thanks to Macons review, it sounds like we would both enjoy reading this book after all the Percy Jackson books we’ve read!
Thanks for the great book idea. Always looking for great books for my teenagers. Awesome review Macon and makes me want to read it. I am sure if I don’t win the book, we can borrow your copy right? 😉
What a great review! I’d like to read it now and bet my daughter would like it too.
Wow! Great review Macon. What a delight to read a short piece of your work. Your writing is going to take you far. So proud of you.
A very well written review! Based on Macon’s review, I’m going to suggest this book to my daughter. Thank you!
Always love the opportunity to read a good book!
I need a good book to share with my boys. I love it when we all read the same book.
Wow, what a review! I’ve been an incessant reader as of recent, and have found myself at a loss of what to read next. Thanks to Macon, “The Raven Boys” is now on my next-to-read list. The AHA Connection undoubtedly recognizes local talent, and Macon Chiles is certainly worthy of reviewing additional literature for our community on an ongoing basis. Kudos to all!
This review has me thoroughly intrigued with this book. Macon’s passion for literature and her discernment in sussing out important qualities that make a for a good read are revealed in her review making it quite trustworthy. Good books need honest and thorough reviews which Macon provides. Great work!
I would love to read this book! Thanks for giving students an opportunity to review books on the Aha connection!!! Macon did an excellent job!!!
I am an AHA subscriber and would love to win The Raven Boys. I’m always looking for a new book to read!
Great synopsis!!! I’m ready to read this so hoping I can get a copy.
Macon, I loved you review of this book. I wish I could be a teen again and get inspired from someone like you. Keep going girl!
I love reading the same books as my teenager so that we can discuss. Both of us love to read. This book sounds really good and I love books that have sequels!!! We can’t wait to order the next book!
I am hooked – Macon has sold me on getting this book. Great review – it tells me why I want to read this book. I am a fan of well written teen fiction and this sounds like it is the real deal. I can’t wait to meet the Raven Boys!
I am an Aha subscriber and would love to have a great read to share with my niece by receiving The Raven Boys!
Super impressed with Macon’s review! Quite a wordsmith and should do well on her essay writing 😉
Macon the reviewer has a clear grasp of the components of a novel.
Bravo on you passion and articulate writing…I like the word “wordsmith’ someone about used. Perfect.
Macon did an amazing job on her review. I now want to read this book simply because of her enthusiasm about the book. Nice Job Macon. Thanks for helping out our rising stars Audra!
I must have this book. I’ve never been very interested in mythology or fantasy books like , dare I say it, Harry Potter (sacrilege… I know) but Macon has me painfully curious. Fingers crossed I win so I don’t have to hit some poor unsuspecting teenager over the head and steal their book.
My daughter is a huge mythology fan and thanks to Macons review, it sounds like we would both enjoy reading this book after all the Percy Jackson books we’ve read!
Thanks for the great book idea. Always looking for great books for my teenagers. Awesome review Macon and makes me want to read it. I am sure if I don’t win the book, we can borrow your copy right? 😉
What a great review! I’d like to read it now and bet my daughter would like it too.
Wow! Great review Macon. What a delight to read a short piece of your work. Your writing is going to take you far. So proud of you.
A very well written review! Based on Macon’s review, I’m going to suggest this book to my daughter. Thank you!
Always love the opportunity to read a good book!
I need a good book to share with my boys. I love it when we all read the same book.
Wow, what a review! I’ve been an incessant reader as of recent, and have found myself at a loss of what to read next. Thanks to Macon, “The Raven Boys” is now on my next-to-read list. The AHA Connection undoubtedly recognizes local talent, and Macon Chiles is certainly worthy of reviewing additional literature for our community on an ongoing basis. Kudos to all!
This review has me thoroughly intrigued with this book. Macon’s passion for literature and her discernment in sussing out important qualities that make a for a good read are revealed in her review making it quite trustworthy. Good books need honest and thorough reviews which Macon provides. Great work!