Book Review: Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Steifvater

The Raven Cycle by Maggie Steifvater is, in my humble opinion, one of the most excellently written book series of all time. There is something about the flow of the language that enchants me as a reader. And I think her characterizations are remarkably authentic and moving. When I first read The Raven Boys, I was simply astounded by the high quality of the writing and the way I was pulled so fully and emotionally into this world. To me, it was like some magic had enchanted her pen as she wrote.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue is the 3rd book in what I believe will be a 4 book cycle. It’s so hard to talk about it because I don’t want to spoil people who may be new to the series about what comes in the books before. Because those things that come in the books before are moments that can wow you with shock and awe. So how do I talk about a book so far into a series and not reveal to much information to ruin the reading experience for new readers? Let me say this.

If you are a lover of fantasy and magic and quests; if you are a lover of worlds where magic can run through the veins of a world, creating a fantasy that literally pulses with beauty and adventure; if you are a lover of words written just right; if you are a lover of secrets and dreams; if you are a lover of well written books that truly move readers: This series is for you. I have not been disappointed yet.

Let me also tell you that it has gotten starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus Reviews and Publisher’s Weekly.

In book 1, The Raven Boys, we met Blue Sargent. She has a vision of a boy in a graveyard that suggests that this boy would either be her true love or the boy she would kill. Here she is drawn to The Raven Boys, a group of boys that attend the local private boarding school and have a quest of their own.

In book 2, Dream Thieves, we are pulled further into their story as their quest for magic continues. Dreams become more real, dangers become more dangerous, and more secrets are revealed.

And then we have book 3, Blue Lily, Lily Blue . . .

Publisher’s Description:

“There is danger in dreaming. But there is even more danger in waking up.

Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.

The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost.

Friends can betray.
Mothers can disappear.
Visions can mislead.
Certainties can unravel”

One day, after the series is completed, I think I will want to reread them all one right after the other and discuss them more in detail. To genuinely discuss them. But today is not that day because spoilers.

I will say this, we are left with a cliffhanger and I am literally sitting on the edge of my seat to read what happens next.

Filed under: Blue Lily, Book Reviews, Lily Blue, Maggie Steifvater