The Laughing Listener
Reread November 2018
Format: Paperback & Audiobook
Narrator: Will Patton *Applauds*
Length: 11 hours & 8 minutes

New Rating: 5 Stars

Man, I must have been salty the first time I reviewed this. What the hell was wrong with me?? This book IS FREAKING AMAZINGGGGG!!! I want to go back a slap myself. I almost started editing my old review, but that feels like lying somehow. Anyway, this book is a masterpiece and it was even better the second time around!


Me at my old self.

I absolutely love the way Maggie writes, especially in this series. It’s so atmospheric and sets a strong tone that really makes you feel the words and emotions. And reading this the second time was a completely new experience. There is SO MUCH STUFF that you don’t notice the first time. Little things that don’t seem important in the first read, but are actually vital to the series as a whole. And now that I know everything, some scenes took on a whole new meaning.

Like when Ronan drops Adam off, but then comes back to punch Adam’s dad in the face?!?! OMG I DIED.

All I can say is, don’t listen to the old me. READ. THIS. FREAKING. BOOK. RIGHT. NOW. And then read it again when you’re done with series because it only gets better.

#1 ↦ The Raven Boys ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#2 ↦ [b:The Dream Thieves|17347389|The Dream Thieves (The Raven Cycle, #2)|Maggie Stiefvater|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1477103777l/17347389._SY75_.jpg|21598446] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#3 ↦ [b:Blue Lily, Lily Blue|17378508|Blue Lily, Lily Blue (The Raven Cycle, #3)|Maggie Stiefvater|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1477103826l/17378508._SY75_.jpg|24170141] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✧
#4 ↦ [b:The Raven King|17378527|The Raven King (The Raven Cycle, #4)|Maggie Stiefvater|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1477103790l/17378527._SY75_.jpg|24170172] ↦ ✦✦✦✦✦
#4.5 ↦ [b:Opal|38464776|Opal (The Raven Cycle, #4.5)|Maggie Stiefvater|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518414947l/38464776._SY75_.jpg|60091444] ↦ ???

._____________________________.

Rating: Solid 3.5 stars

After I finished the snooze-fest of the Twilight-wannabe Shiver, I had every intention of ignoring this book's existence. Thanks to a few different factors like boredom, it's availability at the library, and my curiosity, I begrudgingly started listening to the audio book.

THE UGLY

To be honest, I expected it to be yet another paranormal romance born from the Twilight revolution and in some ways it was. If this book had just been about Blue and Gansey, I don't think I could have stomached the whole thing. Yet another high school loner who's made to feel special by a boy while battling something paranormal-ish. I hope you can feel me rolling my eyes through the text. Plus, I hate that I already sort-of know where this story is going. After being a nerd for this long, I've learned that whenever a character knows their future in a fantasy it never comes true the way they think it will. I haven't read the rest of the series, but I can already feel the big reveal looming in the fourth book.

THE GOOD

What really sets this book a part, is the group of characters and their whole dynamic. I didn't stay for Blue, or Gansey, or their promised romance in the coming novels. No, I stayed because I really freaking love Ronan, Adam, and Noah

(RIP Noah!! I almost fell over when they revealed he had been dead the whole time. GAH!)

. I really like the quest they're on too, because it's so different. The combination gave me faint echos of The Goonies or Stand By Me that was really great to watch unfold. Part of me doesn't even want to continue on with the series because I'm worried about these Raven boys I've grown to love. I can't help myself though, I just have to know what happens with this damn King they're looking for.

Also, big shout out to Will Patton for doing such an excellent job as narrator! At first I didn't even realize who was talking and then mid-chapter I was like, "is this freaking Will Patton?!" Why yes, yes it is. He has a great speaking voice, and his slight southern accent somehow makes the story feel like it's in Virginia. Patton brings a whole new layer of depth into the story and I'm super glad I listened to the audio book instead of reading a hard copy.

FINAL WORD

It's official, I stand corrected and shall never let the boring-ness of Shiver paint my judgement again. This was a really fun listen and I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a little mystery in their young-adult books.