Book Review: Blue Lily, Lily Blue
Blue Lily, Lily Blue
By: Maggie Stiefvater
By: Maggie Stiefvater
Published by: Scholastic Press
Release date: October 1, 2014
Genre: YA paranormal
391 pages
Buy it at Amazon, IndieBound, Book Depository, or Barnes & Noble
Source: purchased by reviewer
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Maggie Stiefvater recently stated that she reads reviews, and takes into account the reader feedback she finds there. I don't think Maggie would lie about such things, and choose to believe that I might just get lucky enough for her to read my review- so I'm going to draft this one as if I'm speaking directly to her.
Maggie, after three volumes in this series, you have some serious 'splainin' to do in the conclusion next year. I have more questions with each additional book, and few are getting answered as the story progresses. I may have to go find a fansite where it would be safe to post a bunch of my burning questions to discuss possible explanations with other fans. Whether I do or not, I am certain that I will be re-reading the series before volume 4 is released, so I don't miss anything due to the time-delay of waiting for each additional book.
I'm impressed with the unusually large number of characters in this YA series, and that they are all wonderfully distinct and seemingly purposeful voices. Ronan and Adam could easily have run together, as could Maura/Calla/Persephone- but they don't. I must confess that there are a few that I'm still unclear about their purpose- see the above paragraph about unanswered questions- but I trust that it will all come together. I'm mainly concerned here with Mr. Grey and his rat of a former employer, and Gansey's visitor from across the pond. As for the character who returned near the end of this one- I knew that person would return, but not like that! Nicely done!
There is a scene near the end - the one with the major discovery- that spawns a ton of questions. Lots of details fall through the sieve, I suspect in search of good pacing. For me, the result was that I went back to re-read it twice, looking for explanations. Maybe it was silly of me, not just accepting that Cabeswater/Glendower are capable of some weird stuff that just isn't going to be logical. I just had a hard time letting go of it, when I've read this far thinking that answers will be found in the next chapter.
Thank you for bringing this book back to the original setting. I didn't particularly enjoy the scenes away from Aglionby and the surrounding territory in the last book; that was a little disorienting. I'm sure you had good reasons for letting us see Gansey and Adam interact away from school, but I missed the group being together. I'm glad to have them back- though I am terribly worried about Noah, and hope that things will turn out okay for him.
Maggie Stiefvater recently stated that she reads reviews, and takes into account the reader feedback she finds there. I don't think Maggie would lie about such things, and choose to believe that I might just get lucky enough for her to read my review- so I'm going to draft this one as if I'm speaking directly to her.
Maggie, after three volumes in this series, you have some serious 'splainin' to do in the conclusion next year. I have more questions with each additional book, and few are getting answered as the story progresses. I may have to go find a fansite where it would be safe to post a bunch of my burning questions to discuss possible explanations with other fans. Whether I do or not, I am certain that I will be re-reading the series before volume 4 is released, so I don't miss anything due to the time-delay of waiting for each additional book.
I'm impressed with the unusually large number of characters in this YA series, and that they are all wonderfully distinct and seemingly purposeful voices. Ronan and Adam could easily have run together, as could Maura/Calla/Persephone- but they don't. I must confess that there are a few that I'm still unclear about their purpose- see the above paragraph about unanswered questions- but I trust that it will all come together. I'm mainly concerned here with Mr. Grey and his rat of a former employer, and Gansey's visitor from across the pond. As for the character who returned near the end of this one- I knew that person would return, but not like that! Nicely done!
There is a scene near the end - the one with the major discovery- that spawns a ton of questions. Lots of details fall through the sieve, I suspect in search of good pacing. For me, the result was that I went back to re-read it twice, looking for explanations. Maybe it was silly of me, not just accepting that Cabeswater/Glendower are capable of some weird stuff that just isn't going to be logical. I just had a hard time letting go of it, when I've read this far thinking that answers will be found in the next chapter.
Thank you for bringing this book back to the original setting. I didn't particularly enjoy the scenes away from Aglionby and the surrounding territory in the last book; that was a little disorienting. I'm sure you had good reasons for letting us see Gansey and Adam interact away from school, but I missed the group being together. I'm glad to have them back- though I am terribly worried about Noah, and hope that things will turn out okay for him.
I LOVED that Adam was able to finally accept his friends’
kindness as pure friendship rather than charity. Finally. I LOVED that Gansey and Ronan showed up for him when he is most in need. I LOVED that Blue paid part of a fee on one of their adventures together, and he was able to let her. Though it seems that this is primarily Blue's book, these developments with Adam were my favorite part.
Maggie, thanks so much for being such a magnificent storyteller. Thanks for spinning weird adventure tales where the good guy still gets rewarded and the bad guys get their just desserts. Thanks for doing your own thing rather than trying to carve out your share of the current trends. Thanks for continuing to interact with fans online. Keep those books coming- many of us have already determined that we'll be with you to the end.
Summary:
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.
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.
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I just finished this book myself. I LOVED it. What a great ending. Can't wait for the next book, are you sure its the last one? Anyways, I agree with your review, lots of burning questions. I hope Maggie reads this!
ReplyDeleteI hope she does, too! Yes, the series has always been planned for four books.
DeleteLove how each character is vivid and alive and how they grow as people and how it all comes together with the plot!
ReplyDeleteLovely review :)