Title: The Raven Boys

I need to rave. 

And squeal.

And fangirl, while jumping up and down and waving my hands and doing a little happy dance.

I'm a little late to 'The Raven Boys' party, except actually, I'm not because I first discovered this book last year, but I'm only now getting around to actually writing about it.

I love this book. More than words can describe. More than is probably appropriate. I've already read it twice and I will probably read it again while I wait rather impatiently for the sequel, 'The Dream Thieves', to be released. 

Maggie Stiefvater is nothing short of a genius. Really, truly and honestly. 

'The Raven Boys' is technically a Young Adult book, based around four teens and a dead guy. Take a nosy at the blurb:

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”

It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.

His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore.

I kind of loved it from the get go, but if it all sounds a bit wishy washy for you, seriously, get past that because the actual book is so much more.

It's not some sappy love story. In fact, there isn't so much as a single kiss in the first book. Not that I have anything against romance. I love a bit of romance in my reading and I look forward to where this series is going on that subject. 

'The Raven Boys' focuses a lot around the ley lines and Gansey's need to find Glendower. Which is all kinds of awesome and interesting. 

What I love most about the book is Maggie's writing style. Literally, I'm in love. I found a new favourite author the second I started reading. I can't pinpoint what it is that has me so obsessed. And I am obsessed. 

Also, I absolutely, one hundred per cent, strive to be able to write as awesomely as she.

The world Maggie has created is strikingly believable. The characters are fantastic and I love each and every one. Except for Barrington Whelk, but I do love his name so that probably counts? And besides, he is the villain, so I think it's probably for the best that I don't love him. Although I did enjoy his interactions. 

I'm not sure I can pick out a favourite, (this is a lie. Gansey is definitely my favourite), as all of the characters are so well developed and each have their own unique quality to bring to the table.  And let me assure you, this is a rarity for me. I always have an issue with at least one character. I'm very picky. 

This leads me to another reason this book is so awesome. I had no issues with it, period. As an editor, I find it really hard to read a book and not pick out flaws. Be it sentence structure, typos, story arc, character development, I sometimes find it hard to just sit back and enjoy a book without picking out problems. But with 'The Raven Boys', I liked everything about it from start to finish and I am going mad with anticipation for the next book.

I think that's reason enough for all of you to go and buy it. Right now. If you don't read it, I judge you.