Blue is also cursed, or at least has been told since she was a child that if she kisses her true love he will die. No other details, vague and awful all at once. Knowing this has put Blue in a difficult position, fearing meeting a boy she likes, guarding her heart against love. In this book, it becomes hard because she begins to have feelings for one of the Aglionby boys she befriends. Aglionby is the school for rich boy in Blue's otherwise poor town. Being poor herself, she avoids these privileged boys, who flaunt their wealth, conquer who and what they want, and care little for the small town of Henrietta around them. It is merely a stop on their way to greater things, whereas it is Blue's home, her sanctuary. Which is why it surprises Blue that she easily befriends four Aglionby boys, finding them to be different from their contemporaries. Gansey, the leader of the group, is on a mission to find a sleeping Welsh King, Glendower. An event in his past has placed him on this path, pushed him to find deeper meaning in his otherwise charmed life. He is dense when it comes to wealth, money, the power he holds, and his ability to condescend and belittle. He is likable in his disheveled, yet completely put together manner. If that makes much sense, he just seems so contradictory at times, but somehow it works for him. Adam, a poor Henrietta boy, has worked himself to the bone to go to Aglionby. He wants to be more than his trailer park upbringing and terrible home life. He has managed to be pulled in to Gansey's orbit and is fully immersed in the quest for Glendower. Full of pride, Adam is one of the most sympathetic characters; however, at times, I just wanted to yell at him "get over it". He is the one who gravitates towards Blue and sways her in to their group of friends. He is desperate to be his own person, on his own terms, no matter the cost. Ronan is sharp edged, dark, a weapon. After his father's death, prior to the beginning of the book, he transitioned from young man to "other". He was friends with Gansey before this tragedy, with Gansey mentioning how different Ronan has become, lamenting the loss of his friend and the acquisition of this shadow version. I love Ronan, no bullshit, all truth. Angry, hostile, but sticks up for his friends. Finally, there is Noah. A smudgy, indistinct, introvert. His story is the most interesting, but you do not really learn anything about him until more than halfway through the book. And then, wow what a story. There were some issues, mostly just repetitive descriptions of characters or places, but nothing too distracting or annoying. Honestly, I have not had a series affect me like this in a long while. To the point where I feel an uncomfortable itch, unsatisfied until I can read the next book. No desire to read anything else until I can finish this tale (hence running to the library to borrow The Dream Thieves immediately). Stiefvater just has a way with spinning words into images, making everything appear so clearly in your mind. You get caught up in the ethereal nature of Cabeswater, in the lives of these fractured boys, in the fortitude of Blue. Each character is perfectly formed, beautifully crafted and integral to the story. It was hard to choose a favourite member of the gang, as each one of them had strengths, weaknesses, and quirks to love. I found the premise so fresh, the Welsh king, the Latin speaking trees, the writing almost poetic. The narrative transitioning from dreamlike to nightmare in mere moments. Highly recommend, this is likely a series I will be buying, darn you Bookstagram!
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