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.

- - -

First of all, I would like to point out that a good chunk of that summary is absolutely useless in regards to a plot summary. However, I’m aware from trying to tell people to read this series, that they are extremely difficult to summarize without giving away plot points. As such, I will give whoever wrote this kudos for the lovely prose. And whomever designed the cover also gets kudos for it. It’s stunning, just like the other two in the series.

I really liked this book, for a lot of reasons. I finished it in one sitting, much like I did with “The Raven Boys” and “The Dream Thieves” If you have not read these two novels, stop reading this review immediately and navigate your way to your library or bookstore and get these books. They’re amazing and will make this one make so much more sense.

Stiefvater’s prose is realistic and melodic without being unrealistic. Her pacing is perfect throughout the novel, always keeping me on the edge of my figurative seat. Her characters each have their own voice, their own word patterns, and it’s awesome. I love that she called characters out as “Richard Gansey the Third”-ing others. It was beautiful.

I love Stiefvater’s characters more than anything else. Jessie Dietley is a very interesting addition, and very reminiscent of folks in my hometown. Piper and Greenmantle are so human, I can’t help but like each of them. Greenmantle corrects Ronan’s Latin grammar, and they got married being fully aware that they’re both narcissistic to the nth degree? All right! Gansey recognizing his privilege is because of who his parents are? Fantastic. And Malory was pretty fab. I think they should keep him.

I think the things I loved most about this book were, in order, the character development for Ronan, the dynamic at 300 Fox Way, and characters learning to use their powers.

I adored the snark and the sheer number of ‘fucks’ in the novel. Maggie Stiefvater gave us exactly 20 fucks throughout the book, which might be enough for me to get through the rest of this semester, when I will likely do very little recreational reading. Thanks, Maggie!

The only thing that I really didn’t like about this book was the anxiety-inducing ending and a spoiler that I can’t share with you. Read the book and come talk to me!