Okay, I’d had this book on my shelf for years but never picked it up. While I was reading it, I wasn’t sure if the story was really for me, and even now, at the end of the book, I’m not really invested, but I am invested enough to read the second volume.

Ich habe mein Herz verloren an ein Buch, das ich tief in mir drin FÜHLE. Verloren an eine Atmosphäre, die sich die Mischung aus dem Geruch von einem Herbstwald, dem Gefühl einer heißen Teetasse in den Händen und dem Geräusch von prasselndem Regen an der Fensterscheibe anfühlt. Verloren an Charaktere, die sich so echt, vielschichtig, vertraut und einzigartig anfühlen, als seien sie real und würden neben mir sitzen.Verloren an einen Schreibstil, der den simpelsten Gesten die Aussagekraft einer Naturgewalt verleiht. Doch in erster Linie habe ich mein Herz a die Raven Boys verloren, an jeden einzelnen von ihnen. An Gansey, an Ronan, a Noah, und an Adam. Maggie Stiefvater hat es geschafft, dass ich jeden einzelnen von ihnen - durch ihre Ecken und Kanten, durch die Schatten, die sie verfolgen und die Träume, die sie haben - bereits innerhalb der ersten Kapitel unwiderruflich in mein Herz geschlossen habe. „The Raven Boys“ ist magisch, auf die real wirkende Art. Voller Wunder, die zur Realität werden. Es ist romantisch, aber nicht auf die offensichtliche, sondern auf die unterschwellig-lyrische Art. Gruselig, aber auf die gemütliche Art. Mit Geistern, die doch gar nicht so unheimlich sind, und alten Legenden, die es zu verfolgen gilt. Und dieses Buch…es war nur der Anfang einer vierteiligen Reise. Eine Reise, von der ich mir jetzt schon wünsche, sie würde niemals enden.

This book has: Gorgeously built characters, an interesting, well thought out, twisted plotline that keeps you reading, a great, picturesque writing style, and an amazing atmosphere Unfortunately, it is also a very, very slow-paced story. There's almost no romance in this book that isn't part of a premonition and generally, the story felt hard to read because of its slow writing style. Even so, I would absolutely recommend this book and I'm counting on the other parts getting even better with every mystery that will be unlocked. I'm hooked <3

<blockquote><b><i>"You're looking for a god. Didn't you suspect that there was also a devil?"</i></b></blockquote> This book had a Gemma Doyle trilogy vibe to me, maybe because the magic and paranormal stuff, the villain being someone they knew and 'trusted' or that had a history with other character. I think that's mainly why I liked it. Although everyone keeps going on about the plot twists in this series, there was only one that actually surprised me and I didn't guess right away, which disappointed me a little. Maybe the other books will be more "WOW, WTF JUST HAPPENED?"? Hopefully yes, because I like being taken by surprise. Also, the male MC, Gansey, was not much. I couldn't make sense with his motives for searching Glendower and the ley lines and overall he's a pretty forgettable character. I much prefer Blue, who's a delight to read, and Adam (WHO IS MY BABY AND I WANT TO PROTECT AT ALL COSTS, I could relate and sympathize with him so much!), and even Ronan (I'm curious about his 'mystery' - the whole deal with his brother and his father's death). Even though they are supposed to be the endgame couple, I can't feel much about GanseyxBlue. I don't feel the chemistry and the pull toward them. There's nothing there for me, at least in this book. I didn't feel the giddy feeling I get with couples, whenever they had scenes together or a moment as a pairing. AdamxBlue, on the other hand, made me so happy. They are so cute, and Adam trying to impress her with flowers was just UGH. Ok, so maybe Adam is my favorite character and I love him a lot, BUT BB IS SO PRECIOUS. I don't want to see this couple falling apart and Adam feeling second best and forgettable and loser again. I like the friendship between the boys, it was one of the strongest aspects of the book. Weird as their relationship is, they are always there for each other, always loyal and always willing to do anything to protect each other. The scene with Ronan, Adam and his dad was just so satisfying, because we don't seem Ronan and Adam interacting much or their friendship at all, but this moment made me realize that I want more on this particular relationship. And I just loved how Blue fitted perfectly with these Raven Boys and the she's as much part of their life now as Noah, like she's always been there. The book ended on a mostly happy note, but I would have wanted it to address the consequence of Adam's actions, the consequences of his father and Ronan's fight and what happened with Neeve and what she did. There were a lot of questions unanswered that I hope we get more in the next books: more about the ley lines (there's something there besides Glendower, a darkness and maybe a demon? I'm so curious!), the other characters background (especially Ronan's), the mystery around Blue's father and more on Calla, Maura, Penelope and Orla, because the women of 300, Fox Street are amazing and funny. Overall, I really liked Stievfater's writing and this eerie feel that her book had. 4 stars.

Wow! Wie erhofft war es spitzenmäßig! Ich habe dieses Buch verschlungen. Nur schade, dass man jetzt erst mal warten muss - MEHR MEHR MEHR davon !!! <3