Praise for THE DREAM THIEVES:
* "Richly written and filled with figurative language
this story of secrets and dreams, of brothers and of all-too-real magic is an absolute marvel of imagination and an irresistible invitation to wonder." --BOOKLIST, starred review
* "Mind-blowingly spectacular
Stiefvater's careful exploration of class and wealth and their limitations and opportunities astounds with its sensitivity and sophistication. The pace is electric, the prose marvelously sure-footed and strong, but it's the complicated characters
that meld magic and reality into an engrossing, believable whole." -- KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred review
* "A paranormal thriller
this installment [is] more tense and foreboding than its predecessorand every bit as gripping." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review
* "A complex web of magical intrigue and heartstopping action." -- THE BULLETIN, starred review
* "Readers who want a moody chill and appreciate an atmospheric turn of phrase will want to spread more time in Henrietta." -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred review
Praise for THE RAVEN BOYS:
"Stiefvater is a master storyteller." -- USA TODAY
"A dizzying paranormal romance tinged with murder and Welsh mythology." -- LOS ANGELES TIMES
* "Simultaneously complex and simple, compulsively readable, marvelously wrought." -- KIRKUS REVIEWS, starred review
* "A tour de force . . . such a memorable read." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, starred review
* "One unexpected and wonderful surprise after another . . . a marvel of imagination." -- BOOKLIST, starred review
"The Raven Boys is an incredibly rich and unique tale, a supernatural thriller of a different flavor. . . . Fans have been salivating for Stiefvater's next release and THE RAVEN BOYS delivers." -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL, starred review
"Equal parts thriller and mystery, with a measured dash of romance sprinkled on top . . .
Maggie has woven such a unique, intriguing narrative that I struggled for comparisons." -- MTV.com
A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year
THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS 2012 Blue Ribbons list
Book two of Stiefvater’s Raven Cycle shifts from character-driven voyage of discovery to more of a paranormal thriller, ratcheting up the violence as the plot grows more complex. After the transformative events at Cabeswater in The Raven Boys, the context in which Gansey, Blue, Adam, Ronan, and Noah operate is further altered by the arrival of the Gray Man, a self-described hit man who replaces Barrington Whelk in providing occasional adult narrative perspective. The Gray Man brings with him the machinations of larger, previously unknown forces as he takes orders from a voice on the phone to hunt the Greywaren, the identity of which is revealed early on. But this book largely belongs to the loose cannon that is Ronan, as he works to better understand his supernatural abilities and their connection to his family. While Stiefvater’s offbeat, acutely observed characters continue to grow, they have shifted from developing a group interaction to reacting against one another, making this installment more tense and foreboding than its predecessor—and every bit as gripping. Ages 14–up. Agent: Laura Rennert, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (Sept.)
Will Patton’s narration enriches this contemporary fantasy, helping to provide verisimilitude to the setting of Henrietta, Virginia, a town steeped in magic and mystery. His drawl adds authenticity as he hints at the social divide between the prep school boys and those less fortunate. And his softened tones add to the suspense as the crew of boys and their female companion, Blue, continue their search for the mythic sleeping king of Wales. Particularly noteworthy is Patton’s portrayal of Ronan, a dark character who dreams objects into reality and explores his murky past. In addition, the menace in Patton’s voice makes the Gray Man all the more intimidating. As Stiefvater’s series continues to develop, Patton enhances both its characters and plot. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine
The second installment of Stiefvater's Raven Cycle is as mind-blowingly spectacular as the first. Now that the ley line near Henrietta, Va., has been woken, strange currents race through the town. There's too much electricity--or none at all. The four Raven Boys--Gansey, Adam, long-dead Noah and Ronan--continue to search for the grave of the Welsh king Glendower, but now Ronan is starting to pull objects out of his dreams. Small ones, like the keys to Gansey's Camaro, and larger, lethal nightmare creatures. But his greatest nightmare can't be grasped--how do you hold onto home? Not-quite-psychic Blue Sargent realizes that Gansey might really be her true love--and if she kisses him, he'll die--and meanwhile, her wholly psychic mother is dating the hit man come to steal Ronan. Stiefvater's careful exploration of class and wealth and their limitations and opportunities astounds with its sensitivity and sophistication. The pace is electric, the prose marvelously sure-footed and strong, but it's the complicated characters--particularly Ronan, violent, drunk, tender and tough--that meld magic and reality into an engrossing, believable whole. Remember this: Ronan never lies. How long until Book 3? (Fantasy. 12 & up)