Title: The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle #2)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Genre: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, YA
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Format: E-book
Acquired: Amazon Purchase
Pages: 453
Date Finished: February 21, 2015
Goodreads Description
Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Ronan, Gansey, Blue, and Adam will be the same. Ronan, for one, is falling more and more deeply into his dreams, and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Meanwhile, some very sinister people are looking for some of the same pieces of the Cabeswater puzzle that Gansey is after….
My Review
I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as the first, but it was pretty darn close. This story just continues to go deeper and get richer as Maggie Stiefvater takes us along. I’d have to say this is pretty much Ronan’s book. It really delves into his story and the dream magic he can wield, but there were several other things going on as well.
- There is the introduction of a new character, The Gray Man. I’m not sure what I think about him. He seems to be a pretty descent fellow to be a hit man, but the jury is still out.
- Adam and Gansey are having some major bromance issues. I like the authenticity of the relationships in these books. These guys have issues with themselves and with each other. It is not all “love you forever” like so many YA novels. There is conflict and they stress each other out.
- Gansey and Blue are trying to get their crap together. They can’t decide what the heck they are doing.
- Adam is struggling to figure out what the ley lines are doing to him.
- Noah is just trying to stay visible.
So, as you can see, the author has seriously jammed a lot of stuff into 453 pages.
In my review of The Raven Boys I drew some parallels to Arthurian Legend. The comparisons continue here. Ronan is a pretty freaking awesome stand in for Merlin! So, if Ronan is a wizard, then Kavinsky is a wizard as well. I won’t give away any details here because I hate spoilers, but let’s just say there is an awesome wizards’ duel at the end of this book! I haven’t figured out Noah’s parallel yet, but I’ll keep you posted.
Wrap-Up
If you liked the first one, you’ll like the second. Stiefvater doesn’t lose any steam.
Bibliophage 
Sounds great!!