In the event you’re on the lookout for a brand new fantasy story to get into, Maggie Stiefvater’s The Raven Cycle would be the one for you. With friendship on the forefront, this collection has been capturing readers’ hearts since 2012 and I’m positive it’ll get yours, too.
Following the tales of Blue, Gansey, Adam, Ronan, and Noah, The Raven Cycle is principally set within the fictional city of Henrietta, Virginia. By the writer’s attractive prose, we’re launched to a world brimming with magic already acquainted to some, and ready to be explored by others. This will not be the most well-liked collection on BookTok, or one of many fantasy giants like Lord of the Rings, however when you step foot into its universe, I can assure that you just gained’t wish to get out.
As you put together to embark on Gansey’s quest to discover a sleeping Welsh king, although, you must know the place to begin. By now, you could have already heard that Stiefvater has two collection set on this very universe — The Raven Cycle and The Dreamer Trilogy — making for a complete of seven novels. As a rule, that generates some confusion amongst new readers, who don’t know which collection to dive into first. Don’t fear, although. As somebody who has learn them each, I’m right here for you.
In what order ought to I learn The Raven Cycle?
Photos through Scholastic Press
The Raven Cycle includes 4 books, a novella, and some quick tales. Whereas the quick tales happen earlier than the primary collection, although, they shouldn’t be learn first as they comprise spoilers and nods to occasions within the books. In addition to, it doesn’t make a lot sense for a reader to dive into the quick tales with out realizing any of the characters or understanding the collection’ setting. (It’d be like beginning a brand new TV present in the midst of season 2.) Thus, the easiest way to take pleasure in Maggie Stiefvater’s work is by following the story so as of launch, like so:
The Raven Boys (2012)
The Dream Thieves (2013)
Blue Lily, Lily Blue (2014)
300 Fox Means Vacation Piece (2014, quick story)
A Minor Raven Boys Vacation Drabble (2015, quick story)
The Raven King (2016)
A Very Declan Christmas (2018, quick story)
Opal, a Raven Cycle story (2018, novella)
The Dreamer Trilogy
Photos through Scholastic Press
Though The Dreamer Trilogy shouldn’t be technically thought-about a part of The Raven Cycle, it’s a companion collection to it, specializing in one in all its foremost characters, Ronan Lynch. You don’t essentially must learn these books to get closure on The Raven Cycle, however you’ll be lacking out on related character-building and world-building in case you don’t. This trilogy tremendously expands on the lore that earlier books may solely scratch the floor of, thus, it ought to solely be learn after The Raven Cycle, within the following order:
Name Down the Hawk (2019)
Mister Unattainable (2021)
Greywaren (2022)
With Greywaren, Stiefvater lastly closed the door on the world of The Raven Cycle, and the probabilities of opening it once more are few to none. However who is aware of? The writer could change her thoughts someday sooner or later, and if she does, I’ll readily dive again in. For now, although, let’s look ahead to the Raven Cyclegraphic novel adaptation, which is about to launch in 2025.
