It took me quite awhile to continue with this series and now that I have read this book I am really wondering why. Well, I know why. I get distracted by other books I want to read and end up having series that I have only read half of. There is definitely a reason why I decided to set the goal of finishing at least 12 series. I decided to read this, because a friend was reading this series and was loving it. Reading a book with someone is always a lot of fun, so I decided to start reading once she got to this one. At the moment I am writing this review, I have started The Raven King. So, this will be one of the first series I actually finish this year. I just want to make sure to write this before I start confusing the last two books.
Cover
This cover is beautiful. It’s simple, but so detailed at the same time! I love all of these elements and colors together. I think it’s my favorite out of all of the covers in this series.
Plot
Blue Lily, Lily Blue is the third book in The Raven Cycle. To be honest, it has been quite awhile since I read the second book, so it took me a bit to remember everything that had happened. Like I already said, I don’t know why it took me so long to read this. I loved the first two books and this one definitely didn’t disappoint. The Raven Cycle is very unique. I haven’t read anything like it and that is very positive. Blue is finally happy with her friends, but the events in her life aren’t easy. Her mother is gone and she really wants to find her. She’s not really sure where she is. On top of that, the boy she loves is someone she can’t kiss. They also can’t let everyone know they’re in love, because she doesn’t want to hurt any feelings. This book was a fast paced read in search of Blue’s mother, answers about the search of Glendower. During this time, they also have a lot to figure out about themselves. Adam is connected to Cabeswater, but is still trying to figure out his position in this group of friends. Ronan still has to come to terms with everything his father did and what he can do. Gansey is still obsessed with finding Glendower and is willing to take risks. Noah is out of control sometimes and they’re not actually sure why. I loved the new characters that were seen in this book. We finally meet Mallory, Gansey’s friend from England. He is an interesting character and I think Gansey really needed him in this book. While Jessie Dentley was really weird, I loved his role in this book. I think he was a character Blue needed as well. We also met the weird couple, Piper and Greenmantle. They are good villains and Piper is rather quirky, haha. On top of everything else there were a few plottwists near the end. This book had quite a few surprises. We are getting pretty close to Glendower, but I am really curious to see what they have to sacrifice to get there. I know this may sound a bit vague, but it’s kind of hard to write this review without spoiling too much. Maggie Stiefvater’s writing is like nothing else I have ever read. She sucks you into the book completely and can describe things in a way not many authors are able to.
“Blue was perfectly aware that it was possible to have a friendship that wasn’t all-encompassing, that wasn’t blinding, deafening, maddening, quickening. It was just that now that she’d had this kind, she didn’t want the other.”
Characters
Blue is a very interesting character and I love her. She is strong, brave and will do anything for her friends and family. Blue grew up in a family with a lot of psychic abilities and that is something she lacks, well kind of. This year is hard for her. She needs to decide what she wants to do in life and her guidance counselor keeps telling her she should think of other plans. Between that and her missing mother she’s not having a good start of the schoolyear. Even though all of this is happening to her, she is able to continue her search of Glendower. Blue deals with a lot in this book and I think it’s quite amazing that she kept on going.
Gansey… What can I say about Gansey? He seems like he has it all together, but he still has a lot of searching to do. Gansey doesn’t want the spotlight like his parents and his mission is to find Glendower. He will find that no matter what. He’s very protective of the people he loves and will do anything to keep them safe. Gansey knows he shouldn’t be alive and that haunts him at times. He seems very strong, but deep down he’s more vunerable than people realize. We have only seen a little bit of Gansey.
Ronan is a character that was totally different than I expected. In the first book I didn’t really care for him and that changed a lot after reading the second and third book. Another character that seems strong and maybe even arrogant, but has a very sweet side. He went through a lot with his family and is still struggling to understand certain decisions and events. The fact he can dream things that he does is something he is still trying to get grips on. Ronan may not seem like the caring type, but is so much more than we realize.
Adam is my favorite character I think. Since reading the first book all I want to do is hug him and tell him everything will be okay. Finally escaping his horrific family, Adam has quite a lot to learn about himself. Adam doesn’t have money and feels like he needs to prove himself that much more because of that. Whenever Gansey or others offer to help him out, he doesn’t want to accept it, because he doesn’t want to be seen as weak. What I loved in this book, is that Adam finally realizes that they do it because they love him and care about him. They don’t help him, because he is weak, but because they want to see him be the best he can be.
Noah is still a character that is a bit of a mystery to me. He doesn’t appear in this book as much as the first two, but I still feel bad for him. After all, he’s not alive anymore. There is something going on with him though and it’s hard to say what.
Blue’s family is quirky, but so loving and I think it’s a home you would never feel lonely in.
“There was something unfamiliar about him. Something ferocious about his eyes, some sort of bite in his faint smile. Something altogether hectic and unsettled. She stood on the ledge of his smile and looked over the edge.”
I already started The Raven King and I am loving it so far! I want to know how it ends, but I don’t want it to end at the same time. Have any of you read The Raven Cycle? What did you think?
Nice review. I can’t wait to read Blue Lily, Lily Blue, I recently finished The Dream Thieves and I absolutely love this series so far! ❤
It gets better with each book! I am about halfway through The Raven King and loving it!
I’ve been recommended this book a lot do you ???
I really enjoy them! I would definitely recommend them. I know Isabelle loved them all as well.
Fantastic Review and I will have to add this to my TBR because of your awesome review!❤📚
That is the best compliment someone could give me 💖. Thank you! Let me know what you think when you get to reading them!
Awww!!!😍 I was just speaking the truth! I love your blog! I will definitely let you know!😘📚👏👌🎊💙
That is so sweet <3 And I am looking forward to hearing what you think!