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Raven King, The (The Raven Cycle, Book 4)
Raven King, The (The Raven Cycle, Book 4)
Raven King, The (The Raven Cycle, Book 4)
Audiobook11 hours

Raven King, The (The Raven Cycle, Book 4)

Written by Maggie Stiefvater

Narrated by Will Patton

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this audiobook

The fourth and final installment in the spellbinding series from the irrepressible, #1 New York Times bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater.

All her life, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love's death. She doesn't believe in true love and never thought this would be a problem, but as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore.

In a starred review for Blue Lily, Lily Blue, Kirkus Reviews declared: "Expect this truly one-of-a-kind series to come to a thundering close."
LanguageEnglish
Release dateApr 26, 2016
ISBN9780545879903
Raven King, The (The Raven Cycle, Book 4)
Author

Maggie Stiefvater

After a tumultuous past as a history major, calligraphy instructor, wedding musician, technical editor, and equestrian artist, Maggie Stiefvater is now a full-time writer and New York Times bestselling author of the Shiver trilogy, The Scorpio Races, and The Raven Boys. Her debut series, the Books of Faerie, is published by Flux. Maggie lives in the middle of nowhere, Virginia, with her charmingly straight-laced husband, two kids, four neurotic dogs, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki. Follow her on Twitter at @mstiefvater, and visit her online at www.maggiestiefvater.com.

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Reviews for Raven King, The (The Raven Cycle, Book 4)

Rating: 4.3791096767123285 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

1,460 ratings73 reviews

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  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Not quite as strong as the previous books -- full of too much useless, meaningless repetition that threw me out of the story far too often -- but oh, what a story. Very satisfying conclusion for these wonderful characters.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I was incredibly excited for the release of The Raven King, the fourth and last book in Maggie Stiefvater’s The Raven Cycle (starts with The Raven Boys). I had so many questions for this book. Basically, I was hyped. While it may have been impossible for any book to live up to that level of excitement, I did find The Raven King to be overall satisfying. Also, I know that I’ll be needing to reread it and the entire series at some point in the not too distant future. Aside from Discworld, this has been my favorite book series. And now it’s finally over.The strength of The Raven Cycle has always lain in its characters. The core cast of the series – Gansey, Adam, Ronan, and Blue – are complex and complicated, both apart and in their relationships to the others. While there are many secondary characters who play a role, it is these four who are the heart of the series. This series is focused on friendship more than anything else, and these characters love for each other (sometimes romantic and sometimes not) is the driving force of the novel.So much happens in The Raven King, to the point where I’ll definitely need to reread it to catch the full significance of everything. I don’t know if the ending quite lived up to my expectations – I would have liked the movement from climax to epilogue to be less sudden, and I still have some questions about what happened at the very end (a reread may help with this). I will say that I thought Adam and Ronan’s plot lines and character arcs were absolutely perfect. Blue’s was all right, if not quite as wonderful. As for Gansey… there’s really not a whole lot I can say without delving into spoilers, is there?I can say without a doubt that The Raven Cycle has been the best YA fantasy series I have ever read. It’s just so incredibly well written and crafted. I’m sad that it’s over, but excited to see what Maggie Stiefvater goes on to create next.Originally posted on The Illustrated Page.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I am going to miss these characters and this magical story. Such a great series, and completely different from other YA fantasy I have read. I loved every minute of my time in Henrietta and Cabeswater.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    2.5 stars
    I feel very weird about this book. I was so excited for it because everyone has been talking about it so much so I basically just read the entire series in order to be able to read this, but I got into it kind of knowing most of what's going to happen at the end, and I feel like that kind of spoiled it for me. Sure the writing was still just as good but there was sooo much I simply did not care about, I basically just skimmed the second half, and I didn't feel very satisfied with the ending. It's kind of misleading because I was expecting this grand moment where they find Glendower and everything gets fixed, but that just didn't happen and it was quite disappointing.
    I feel like many things weren't cleared up because I was 75% and still everything was going wrong and there was kind of no hope of things getting fixed and the ending is actually quite open and I don't like it. The entire series is leading up to this amazing thing that is supposed to happen, but it just does not happen. And that frustrates me. It didn't make me feel many things.
    Overall I feel like the series just went downhill, which is a first for me. I absolutely loved the first two books, I might even say my favourite was the second one, but then in Blue Lily, Lily Blue the story just started going in a direction I wasn't very interested in, then new characters appeared and I just kind of lost interest because I was reading it for the five main characters, and nobody else.
    I also was quite disappointed in how Noah was treated because he seems like such a nice boy but
    he always just kind of faded in the background and I hate it, I hate it so much. There could've been so many things done with his character, for example The Dream Thieves is basically entirely about Ronan and I loved that, why couldn't we have that with Noah?? He deserved so much better.
    I did Ronan, Gansey and Blue in this one, though the relationship between Ronan and Adam could've been developed a lot more.
    All things considered, I would give the entire series 3.5 stars.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This series are amazing! The magic, the love, the evil that threatens all is the perfect recipe for an absolute must read! 100% recommended!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I enjoyed The Raven King for the same reason I liked the previous books. The writing, which is poetic, poignant, and atmospheric. The focus on friendship; the intensity of the relationships, with their believable tensions. The way the story is deeply conscious of class issues, and family issues, and real life limitations. I would recommend this series for all of those reasons.This the final book in this series, addressing things that were raised in the first book. And the endings of final books are tricky things. I often find myself having to step back and ascertain whether there was actually something lacking about the ending, or if I was just expecting too much - or expecting the wrong thing. (I tend to have fewer expectations for earlier books, and I'm less likely to be disappointed if a book doesn't do X when I can hope that X will get addressed in the sequel.) And upon reflection, I often decide that I like the ending more than I originally did.That's certainly the case here, although I still wish that the ending had cost more - or rather, that what the characters achieved had been shown to cost more. But that's just expectations, again. The sight of all the boys in their uniforms immediately provoked an unpleasant emotion in Blue. It was a long-held, multiheaded sensation formed from judgement, experience and envy, and she didn't care for it. It wasn't that she necessarily thought that her negative opinions on raven boys were wrong. It was just that knowing Gansey, Adam, Ronan, and Noah complicated what she did with those opinions. It had been a lot more straightforward when she'd just assumed that she could despise them all from the thin air of the moral high ground.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I. Loved. This. Book.Was it perfect? Hell nah. Sorry Maggie, but I have a hard time with your writing style. And the ending I really hoped wasn't going to do that, in all honestly BUT.You know what? Set those a bit to the side. I have thoroughly enjoyed this world these characters live in. I love the characters themselves. Especially all the main characters, of course, including Maura and the others. Yeah, we had new characters introduced - which I was worried wouldn't work out in the best interest - but overall, it turned out great!I actually liked the romance in this book. All of it. I'm not a huge romance person, so this is huge for me.The plot was just so fun and exciting, what can I really say? I was scooped up right into it and loved it all.It's sad to see that this is the end of what we'll see of this world and it's beloved characters. But I'm happy overall. It'll be a great re-read in the future.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Oh good lordy lou, this book! And this series! So, so, SO. GOOD. A fabulous story with crazy twists and reveals at the end of nearly every chapter it seems, and characters so skillfully drawn that they'll stay with me for a long time, I'm certain. This is one series that is definitely joining my elite list of Things To Re-Read and Often. Must now go read All. The. Steifvater. Things.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I think it's fair to say that no synopsis of the plot is necessary for anyone who's made it thus far, so I won't try to put my thoughts into some semblance of coherence as I'm still reeling from the impact of the final pages of the final book in the Raven Cycle.I can't remember the last time I was anticipating reading a novel with equal amounts of joy and fear, excitement and terror, eager to know what happens and yet not wanting the book to end. From the first page, I had a feeling like a lump of something solid had settled in the pit of my stomach, and I was acutely aware of the clock ticking down for Gansey with each turn of the page.I still can't believe it's over. Did I cry? Yes. Do I want to start immediately from the beginning of the Raven Cycle again? Oh yes.The result of over eighteen months' anticipation is not a wholehearted success: questions are left unanswered, there are a couple of inconsistencies and contradictions with previous books, a couple of plot points didn't feel entirely convincing, and the ending felt somewhat rushed, but the author gets full marks for making me so invested with the characters. I have come to love this band of brothers (and sister) over the course of the four volumes, and I will miss them all terribly, knowing I won't be able to share in how their individual stories continue. Farewell, it has been a privilege spending time with you.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    As always, the narration for this series is perfect. I liked the opposing ideas of making and unmaking that were explored in this book, and there was a satisfying conclusion to the ending that was predicted in the very first book.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    That summary is lacking a lot. This is the finally book to the series and a whole lot of shit happens. As endings go, it was a good ending. All the loose ends I can think of were concluded. There was a happy ending, even if I'm not quite sure exactly the mechanics of how that happened. Some romance even founds it's way through the cracks. I was not expecting that with Ronan and Adam because I don't think I got any hint about it at all before, but it had a nice ring to it there at the end. The magic part of the series was intense in the beginning of this last book and I felt it was almost overwhelming me at times with it's intensity. I think I would recommend reading these books closely together so that the intricacies of the magic don't keep taking you by surprised. It's been an adventure, and now it's over. But I will be keeping an eye on Stiefvater to see what she comes up with next.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Not believing in true love, Blue never thought the warning that she will cause her true love's death would be a problem, but as her life is entangled in the world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Holy crap! All of the feels in this book had me reeling! Full review to come.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The fourth and final book in Stiefvater's "Raven Cycle" series picks up shortly after the third. Obviously, if you haven't read the three previous books, you should, and you shouldn't continue reading this review, as there will be spoilers. Gansey, of course, is still after the elusive Glendower, a buried king whom he believes will change his life. Blue, daughter of a psychic, is not-psychic, but still an amplifier of those who are, and still destined to kill her true love upon their first kiss. The pair--now in love--are joined by their usual gang: Ronan Lynch, dreamer of all things magical; Adam, a survivor, who is tied to the magical forest of Cabeswater in mysterious ways; Noah, who is dead; Maura, Blue's mother; and many more. In fact, we gain several more characters in this final installment, namely far more involvement from fellow Aglionby Academy student, Henry. Together, this group is focusing on the frenzied search to find Gansey's beloved king.

    I'm not really even sure what I can say about this book. This whole series is amazing and crazy. I need to re-read all four books at some point, now that all are released. This novel actually started out a bit slow for me. It was, as weird as it sounds, almost a bit too fantastical, filled with almost too bizarre magic and plot. However, as things continued to unfold, pieces fell into place, and I was consumed by the story and its characters, per usual. Overall, I found this a fitting end to a beloved series. I will insert a caveat that it doesn't tie up loose ends for some of the ancillary characters and some pieces may leave you a bit befuddled. But some of the magic of these books is that everything doesn't make sense to the characters, so I give it a pass when it doesn't all make sense to us as well. I'd recommend the series-- it's an amazing trip to another world, and I certainly have grown to love the characters. I'll miss them!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    How else could it have ended? The final book in the Raven Cycle hit all the right spots. Most questions were well answered and the lives of Blue, Gansey, Adam and Noah were well worth exploring. Stiefvater managed to include many beloved secondary characters while tying up all storylines. What began as another boarding school novel sure led to a fantastic end.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    As the final book in the Raven Cycle, this review will contain spoilers for previous books in the series.Gansey, Adam, Ronan, and Blue have been searching for Glendower for ages and all signs indicate that the time has come to find the Welsh king. But there are complications. The creature that Piper awoke is having a terrifying effect on Cabeswater and by extension all of Henrietta. In addition, Blue's familial circle of psychics are all aware that something terrible is coming for them. In the final steps of the quest the biggest question is whether anyone will survive.My attempt at a summary for this book is honestly a bit rubbish. Suffice it to say that if you've read this far the final book delivers everything you could have wanted. Questions about Glendower are resolved. The relationships developed between the central foursome solidify in gratifying ways. All of the foretold prophecies come into place in (un)expected ways. Essentially a satisyfing conclusion to this series.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This series is quite possibly my favorite book series ever. I can't believe it's over. I loved the this last book - it provided the perfect ending, even though it was not at all what I thought it would be. In a world inundated with young adult fantasy series (many of which I adore), the Raven Cycle stands out as a series that is unpredictable and absolutely original, with characters you love and root for. So happy to have read it, so sad it's over - I'm going to miss Blue and the Raven Boys so much.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Loved the narration as well as this whole series. I really enjoyed it and highly recommend.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    what an amazing conclusion to a fantastic series. so good
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was my fourth time reading this book, first time as an audiobook and somehow I cried more than ever before. Just when I’d thought I’d gotten all I could from these books, the narration and the music drew even more emotion than I knew I had. So magical.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is the best of the four books and yet each was special in its own way.
    But this last one of the series pulls together all the dangling plot threads and manages to create a totally satisfying ending where none had seemed possible before.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    It's hard to bear that the story is over. This is one of those that you wish would last forever.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Listen to this! The stories are great. If you're like me, you may have to get past the idea that the stories are just about rich boys. But! MS writes fantastic, empowering, and surprising characters and stories. Will Patton is a very skilled narrator. It's hard to imagine how he kept track of the subtle yet distinct differences in each character's voice.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I've finally finished this series! It only took two years. But, overall, I really enjoyed this one.

    The writing is beautiful and atmospheric. The characters are interesting and multi-faceted. The magic of the story is lush and complex (albeit hard to understand sometimes). There's so much to love about this series. My only complaint is that it is so dense with whimsy that occasionally it is hard to follow. Don't get me wrong, I had a good time even when I didn't know what was going on. Maggie's writing is almost like a tease. She hints at things and your thirst for answers will only get partially quenched.

    I'm totally happy with where this series left off, which isn't always the case for me with series. I'm looking forward to the Ronan-centered books Maggie is writing. I definitely need more scenes between Adam and Ronan.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The narrator was phenomenal, truly brought the audiobook to a level I’m not sure I’m capable of bringing it to in my head. Is the future truly already written? What if Blue, who is she really? A must read to finish the series
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Depending on where you began the story, it was about Noah Czerny. WHAT A PLOT TWIST. WHAT.
    Now this is how you end a book series. So many emotions, so many ships I didn’t see coming.... and I’m still not sure why Ronan is the one that interests me the most. I usually go for Gansey types and okay, Ronan is a bit problematic at times: he imitating Henry’s accent and the “which half” comment but Henry is not a little angel either... although he grew up on me after the rape comment from the last book and even the child bride repetitive jokes... MOVING ON. Gansey, yes, I always go for the king like character. And Blue ended up being the protagonist I signed up for. Loved now she grounded all those boys so much. Such a clever group with a surprisingly -not forced at all- bond. Robobee stole the show. 4.5
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    So perfectly wrapped up. A wonderful ending to a magical series. Really recommend the audiobooks of this series it’s even more magical.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Wow. This entire series is probably now one of my favorites, I’m so sad to see it end but it was such an amazing journey. It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed a book or series this much
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This series is not one of my favourite but also one of the best narrated audiobook series, in my opinion. I've listened to the whole thing twice now, and probably will again. Super recommended!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    brilliant ending to the the saga !! loved the characters and plot. Will Pattons voice is the best way to read this book