Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater [Joint Review!]

5 out of 5 Robots!

  

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
Series: The Raven Cycle #3
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release: October 21, 2014
Hardcover:  391 Pages
Publisher:Scholastic Press
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Julia and Shannon

Book 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.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Julia and Shannon's Thoughts:

1. Soooo...whaddya think?

Julia: Blue Lily, Lily Blue is just as fun as its predecessors. I didn't want the story to end and all of the characters seem to be growing. I love it!

Shannon: This series will make me a Stiefvater fan for life and this book was no exception.  It maybe wasn't as flashy as the previous two books, but it laid some solid groundwork (and opened some interesting theories) for the final book.  I've always thought that the sum would be greater than its parts and that Stiefvater is playing the long game, meaning that the series as its whole will be better than any one book.  Stiefvater has a clear vision and is not giving anything away.

2. Let's talk ships.

Julia: So Adam and Ronan are legit growing on each other but they still have great dialogue.... but my favorite relationship (for now) is Gansey and Blue. They're slowly coming out of their shell and their relationship is changing and it is sweet and subtle and I can't get enough.

Shannon: Here is the power of Stiefvater's writing.  She can give us the littlest things and make it seems like the biggest thing.  A look, a touch, a thought.  I love Gansey and Blue.  No wait, I am tortured by Gansey and Blue.  But Adam and Ronan crept up on me in this book.  Whether they are just friends or something more, I am totally on board (and secretly hoping for more). 

3. What was your favorite part? 

Julia: My favorite part is always the witty dialogue. But my favorite part is also a sad part and I can't tell you what it is. Even though I didn't want this to happen, I didn't expect it at all and it made me sad, soooo ya know.

Shannon: The writing.  Just...the way Stiefvater writes.  I'm not usually one to fan over writing, but there is something to precise, yet lyrical in the way she writes. 

4.  Was there anything you didn't like?

Julia: I didn't like how prominent Piper and Greenmantle are in the story. I actually really enjoyed learning more about Greenmantle and his relationship with Piper IS interesting... but I would have rather heard from the gray man. or Maura. Or any of my other favorite main characters.

Shannon: You know...I kind of agree with Julia.  I wasn't that interested in Piper and Greenmantle too, but I can see why they got their parts of the story.  I wanted to hear more from Maura as well. 

 

5. What do you think about this series overall?  How does this book fit in with the previous books?

Julia: The Raven Cycle series is absolutely mesmerizing and magical. It is a roller coaster ride and Blue Lily Lily Blue fits right in with the previous two. I feel like each story grows with the characters and Maggie Stiefvater has this way with words! Ahhh! I'm a fan.

Shannon: This series is just...gah!  I don't really have words to describe it.  I love how layered it is.  Every books peels back another layer and I never really know where Stiefvater is going with it.  The writing is superb.  The characters are fresh and real.  This books fits in right along with the other two.  It may not have as much action as the previous two, but I definitely think it is the calm before the storm.

6. What would you rate this book?  How would you rate this book compared to the previous two? Julia: Five out of five stars! I enjoyed this book more than the previous two. If that's possible. It's hard not to, because Adam is such a better character in Blue Lily Lily Blue. 
Shannon: I give it 5 out of 5 too.  I would put this on par with the others, although I think The Dream Thieves was still my favorite (that ending!).  But as Julia points out, Adam was a thousand times better in this book!

Other Books in the Series in the Order of Reading:
1. The Raven Boys
2. The Dream Thieves
3. Lily Blue, Blue Lily
4. Untitled (expected publication in Fall 2015)