The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

One theme in The Raven Boys is that people are not always what they seem. This is represented by Gansey. When we first see Gansey he seems like a typical, stuck-up rich kid. However, later on in the story we realize that Gansey has a troubled past, and although he is wealthy he still has many problems to overcome.  He is a completely different person when he is alone with his friends. This can be supported by the quote, ‘This was the Gansey who had written the journal. The truth of it, the magic of it, possessed her.’ (Stiefvater 271).

Blue is a character that is very different in the end than she is in the beginning of the novel. In the beginning of the novel she is very stuck in her ways. This is supported by the quote on the inside cover, 'She doesn't believe in true love and never thought this would be a problem.' As the book continues on Blue becomes more accepting of the Raven Boys. In the beginning some of her thoughts are, 'Aglionby Academy was the reason Blue had developed her two rules: One, stay away from boys, because they were trouble. And two, stay away from Aglionby boys, because they were bastards.' (Stiefvater 10). After she meets Gansey, Adam, Noah and Ronan however, her perception of the Raven Boys changes. She realizes that they are people like her with all their problems, dreams and ambitions.

 This article is a New York Times review of The Raven Boys.    It reviews the book with heavy praise and explains some of the plot without any teasers. 

The Raven Boys Review