The Raven King: Book IV of The Raven Cycle

Reviewed by: Brooke Faulkner - McArthur Public Library, Biddeford, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 11, 2016

Review

Stiefvater's stellar Raven Cycle series involving a group of contemporary teens on a quest to wake Welsh King Owen Glendower, who was legendarily magically laid to sleep hundreds of years in the past, concludes in this fourth and final volume. As in previous installments, an appealing blend of magic and realism weaves throughout the stories of its incredibly appealing characters as they are beset upon by a demon that overtakes Cabeswater, the supernatural forest that exists on the powerful ley line that runs through their small town of Henrietta, Virginia. This triggers a confluence of events that ultimately lead to a climax which has been foretold since the first novel, and though this foreshadowing does little to lessen its impact, its resolution may leave some readers craving more details.

The writing of both primary and secondary characters is typically spot on - their banter is funny and authentic and their relationships to one another are varied, complex and endlessly fascinating.

This wrap-up of an unusual, smart, stand-out series is not to be missed, though readers will need to have read the previous three novels before taking this one in.

Overall Book Score: very good