Review: The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

Title: The Dream Thieves

Author: Maggie Stiefvater

Publisher: Scholastic

Release Date: 17^th September 2013

Source: Bought

Rating: 5 out of 5

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

The Dream Thieves is a book that will make you believe in magic because if nothing else the characters and the story are defiantly magical. It’s so hard to describe how much I adore this book. It’s the perfect sequel that contains kissing, magic, dead kings and dreams. What more could you ask for? I am always greedy when it comes to this series because I can never have enough. I always want more stories about the Raven Boys and Blue.  The Dream Thieves is a compelling sequel made up of many moments that are heartbreaking, touching and stunning.

The Dream Thieves unravels many more secrets hidden in Henrietta. Maggie Stiefvater balances the plot masterfully with character development.  The ley lines and Glendower are still a major part of the story, however, it is the characters that standout in this book. Gansey, Adam, Noah, Ronan and Blue are still looking for the sleeping king Glendower. The quest unearths hidden secrets, sheds light on the past and attracts a certain element of danger.  The main focus of The Dream Thieves is Ronan Lynch. We get to learn a lot more about Ronan and his family. In The Raven Boys we only got to scratch the surface of who Ronan was. In this book we get to see a different side of him. We finally find out who Ronan is, what haunts him and the secrets he carries. Ronan is such a fascinating character who struggles with his demons day in and day out.

Stiefvater introduces new characters into this story.  Kavinsky and the Grey Man never distract from the story being told, but enhance it. They were each given their own arcs and added another layer into the story.  Kavinsky was a great foil to Ronan. Adam’s sacrifice is also explored. Adam is a very different character than he was in The Raven Boys.  His sacrifice has a profound effect on him and affects his relationships with Gansey and Blue. His situation causes a lot of conflict for him and Gansey. Gansey has to deal with holding everything together but despite his best efforts things don’t seem to be going his way. Blue also has a strong presence in this book. Her relationship with each of the Raven Boys is distinctive. There was a certain couple that I was beyond happy to read about but at the same time their story was heartbreaking.  Calla, Persephone and Maura play a larger role in helping Blue and boys in their quest. They play an important role in looking out for these teens.

Maggie Stiefvater’s writing is beautiful. Its just flows off the pages and captures your attention.  There are so many complex layers built into the story. It’s the small details that bring the story to life. Things like the business of 300 Fox way, Gansey’s mint leaves, Noah appearances and disappearances and Ronan’s drag racing make this story magical. It makes me want to go on a quest for a lost king. The heart of this book is the characters. These characters are well defined. They each have their own unique personality.  Their relationships are complex and constantly evolving. Each character has a unique relationship with each other. No friendship is the same, but is filled with love and loyalty. Ronan, Blue, Gansey, Adam and Noah are all intertwined and watching them discover the secrets of Henrietta is gripping.

The Dream Thieves is a one of the best books I have read this year. Its heart lies in its wonderfully characters and their friendships. I can’t wait for the next book. I wonder which book gods I need to bribe in order to get the next book. I guarantee that once you read this book you will keep coming back for more.