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Friday, May 27, 2016

The Cephalopod Coffeehouse -


Welcome to another edition of the Cephalopod Coffeehouse. The idea is simple: on the last Friday of each month, post about the best book you've finished over the past month while visiting other bloggers doing the same.  In this way, we'll all have the opportunity to share our thoughts and our books with other enthusiastic readers. Please join us:

http://armchairsquid.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-cephalopod-coffeehouse-may-2016.html


Since we last spoke, I have read three books:

American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater

Today I'm going to tell you about my favorite, which was The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater.

This is the second book in The Raven Cycle, which continues to follow Blue (the only non-psychic in her family), who has thrown in with rich boys Gansey and Ronan, and their friends Noah and Adam (the boys all students at the prestigious Aglionby Academy) in an effort to try to find the legendary sleeping Welsh King, Owan Glendower.who will supposedly reward whoever finds him. In this second book, finding Glendower takes a backseat to a great many other things, not least among them the disappearance of the mystical forest of Cabeswater, a hit man, and Ronan's ability to bring things back from his dreams and into the real world. Booklist says it best:

"...this story of secrets and dreams, of brothers, and of all-too-real magic is an absolute marvel of imagination and an irresistible invitation to wonder."

The reason this book was my favorite is because in addition to a kick ass plot, The Dream Thieves has characters to love. And while I liked the characters in American Gods and Uprooted, I didn't love them like I do Blue, Gansey, and Ronan. And let me just say right now, Ronan can be pretty unlikeable at times. But I still love him and all the rest and that's why this book is my fave.




33 comments:

  1. Unlikable doesn't always mean unlovable. I like the brotherhood theme.

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  2. I LOVE this book, and Blue and Gansey and Ronan—even though he is incredibly unlikeable at times. You're so right about that. Excellent selection!

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  3. A sleeping king will "reward" the one who finds him? That doesn't sound good...

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    1. Yeah, I've considered that, but I don't think Ronan and Gansey have.

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  4. American Gods is one of my favourite books. Dream Thieves sounds fun, I'll have to put the first one on my reading list:)

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    1. I liked American Gods, I just wish I liked the main character more.

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  5. I've probably read a dozen books this month, but I haven't read any of the ones you mentioned. That you care about the characters in "The Dream Thieves" so much tells me the book must be very well-written. Thanks for the recommendation.

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    1. It truly is one of those rare magical books - but read the first one first.

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  6. I also read American Gods this month. And I did love it. And thanks to your A-Z reminders I have been rereading Terry Pratchett. Which I also loved. And yesterday romped through a children's book by David Walliams 'Awful Auntie'.

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  7. I love this series. I just finished the fourth and final book in this series, The Raven King. I wanted to cry simply because it was over. I hate it when a favorite series comes to an end.

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  8. I adore a kick-ass plot and lovable characters! But Stiefvater's pace is usually too slow for me, plus her overdone prose and her characters' interminable inner thoughts are just like YA ... because it is YA! LOL! Glad you enjoyed it. :)

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    1. I like her writing style, especially for this particular series. I'm sure it's not for everyone tho!

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  9. Sounds like fun - love all of those Welsh names.

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    1. Yes! I love interesting names.

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    2. Just looked up the author. She's a bit of a character, too - multi-talented.

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  10. My interest in piqued. Going to look these up! Thanks for sharing.
    V:)

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  11. I'll look that book up :) The only book I've managed to read in the past few months is Me Before You...I should read more :P

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    1. I haven't been reading as much as I should either *sigh*

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  12. The only one of these three I've read is American Gods, which is only one of two Gaimans I've read so far. I enjoyed that one.

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    1. I liked it, too, just didn't love it. I still like The Graveyard Book the best.

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  13. I've only read the first book in the series, the one above is on my list. But man, those covers. UGH. They're wonderful.

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  14. i love how you engaged with these characters - and the names are awesome, too! thank for the review! hope all is well with you!

    Tara Tyler Talks

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    1. It's a great series. I definitely recommend it.

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  15. For some reason, I sort of stopped reading. Nor have I been writing fiction lately. ~sigh~ But I have the pleasure of getting to read a yet-to-be released fantasy by David Bridger called "Storywalker"! Spent hours reading just this morning. Be well!

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    1. I haven't been a good reader lately myself.

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    2. I hope you can find time soon. :) As for me, I have an update. Author Tina Holland is a friend who attended a convention yesterday and gave me a huge bag of goodies that included many books. She's a sweetheart. I feel compelled to dig in and expect to have a wonderful time. Best wishes!

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