Warning! This is the sequel to The Raven Boys. You can read the review of that book HERE. No spoilers for The Dream Thieves, but I can't promise that there won't be The Raven Boys spoilers ahead.
These books have so many things to love! There's the dynamic cast of characters: Gansey, the rich eccentric kid; Blue, the only non-psychic in a family of psychics; Adam, the hardscrabble poor kid; and Ronan, quiet Ronan; and Noah the ghost. (Yes! Maggie Stiefvater gives so much live to a ghost; he's definitely a "real" character.) There's the setting: the South. Oh, how I love books set in the South! And at a boarding school! Last but not least, the supernatural plot: the cohort is questing after Glendower, an ancient Welsh king who lays at rest somewhere upon the ley line (magic vein) that runs through town.
While the first book focused much more on Gansey and Blue, this sequel focuses much of it's attention on Ronan. Ronan has a secret (this isn't a spoiler; it's talked about on the book jacket): he can bring actual factual physical objects out of his dreams. It starts very small; while Gansey is away visiting his family, he dreams himself up a set of keys to Gansey's Camaro for a joyride. But soon he is dreaming (literally) much bigger. The passages when we readers get to journey into Ronan's dream world are spectacular. The imagery is very vivid and the danger feels very real. There's also still a little romance. It's definitely not the focal point of the plot, but there's that unique tension between Blue and Adam. You'll remember that all her life, all her family members have had premonitions that Blue will doom her true love to death with the first sweet kiss. And you can imagine the kind of tension that would bring into a relationship! I wouldn't call it a love triangle; not by a long shot; but there is a little ambiguity as to who her true love is.
I also find the group's quest to be quite unique: a long-deceased Welsh king. And whoever finds his resting place first will be able to harness the power of the ley line to grant a wish, so to speak. I only truly enjoy books that contain magic if the magic is logical. And let me reassure you: the magic in Henrietta, GA is logical. The group is always figuring out new parameters to the line as they seek to follow it to Glendower. I won't give anything away by revealing what they learn about the line in this book, but you'll remember that in The Raven Boys they learned that the ley line is what allows Noah to hang about.
I'll wrap up with a note on the narration, as I listened to this on CD during my commute. The reader is Will Patton, who is an incredibly talented actor and voiceover reader. He is, however, also about 60 years old. I spent the first part of the book a bit distracted by deja vu. He sounded so familiar! I finally remembered one evening to look up what other books he's narrated, and saw that he did Doctor Sleep by Stephen King. I listened to that earlier this year, and he did a bang-up job with it. However, all the characters in that book are definitely adults. And some of them are evil. Patton uses the same voice and cadence for The Dream Thieves, and it doesn't quite fit. Nearly all of the characters are teens, and I don't think the story itself is quite as dark as Patton made it feel. So it might not make any sense, but I would say the reader is excellent, but not excellent for this particular book.
Overall, a unique plot with 3D characters. I would recommend the print book over the audiobook, but the important part is that I'd recommend it.
I've not read the first book, but it's on my wish list. Hopefully, I can get it soon. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to give Maggie Stiefvater's books another try. This book sounds good :)
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