From Lipsyy : I started doing ‘lazy Saturday reviews’ as a way of getting reviews done in just 30 mins, and they proved to be quite popular. They are quick and snappy, and concentrate less on the plot (or content) and writing and more on my overall feelings about said book. They generally end up being a bit of a rant. My fave!
Title: Blue Lily, Lily Blue (Book 3 in The Raven Cycle)
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Release year: 2014
Format: Paperback
Pages: 389
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a half!
The third installment in the all-new series from the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Maggie Stiefvater!
Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs. The trick with found things, though, is how easily they can be lost.
Blue Lily, Lily Blue,
I did not know what to think of you.
Would you redeem the series for me?
Or be the final blow that would make me flee?
Okay, now you know I’m terrible at poetry (please Drew, don’t laugh!). My wonderful idea to review the third book in the series with a long and meaningful poem stops here. Not that Blue Lily, Lily Blue did not inspire me, but my creativity is very limited.
Opening this book felt like saying hello to hold friends after the summer. Everyone’s the same but all is a bit different.
The beautiful and magical writing draw me in instantly, as it had done before, and kept me hooked throughout, despite a few dull and confusing parts. The plot did not entirely convince me. I was bored at times and would have preferred a more balanced pace. I tend to get distracted when so many chapters are uneventful. The different threads, all tied to the now familiar search for the sleeping king, were at times unpredictable but not enough happened for me to feel the thrill of the adventure until the last chapters.
The true force of this series is and will remain its characters. 300 Fox Way feels like home and the boys are a delight to meet again. Interestingly enough, I actually appreciate Ronan a lot when the story isn’t all about him! But Gansey remains my favorite. I know, I’m not being very original… Seeing Ronan, Adam, Noah and Gansey’s relations grow and evolve is heart-warming, even if my poor Noah was once again a little too absent for my taste! I love that the author leaves enough room for their development and puts a lot of efforts into keeping them real.
Blue being Blue, something I really like. It is fantastic to see just how she has blended into the group and how different her relation with each of the guys is. The family bound is also strong, not only among the inhabitants of the house but also with the Aglionby students. Maura’s disappearance is strongly felt by everyone and gives more depth to what they are doing and what they are looking for.
I couldn’t have cared less about Greenmantle. I thought his character and his position at the school could have brought more to the story if used more efficiently. I was quite disappointed with him after what we had been hinted in the previous book. I was expecting more. Even his wife had a better purpose.
It was fun to be transported to Henrietta again, but I am still waiting for the excitement of the first book to make its comeback.
Blue Lily, Lily Blue,
A disappointment you weren’t,
although a little spice would have helped you,
A 3.5-star rating to you I grant!
(Nope, still no good!)
LOVE the closing posm! 😁
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Haha, thanks 🙂 It’s terrible!
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It’s fun!
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“Everyone’s the same but all is a bit different.” YES! this is exactly how this book felt & even more so in the last installment. I read these books before I had started my blog but I gave my thoughts on GR, I actually rated The Raven King higher than it deserved. This series has one of my fave casts in YA & I miss 300 Fox Way. With such a great cast of supporting cast as well in the ladies of 300, this series like you said is all about the characters. can’t wait to read your thought on The Raven King. Great review, even the poem lol 🙂
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Haha, thank you. You wouldn’t believe the efforts it took to come up with such a.. well, can I call this a poem? xD
I noticed that this series acts like a comfort read to me, I love reading about those friendships and cute buttons, so I can forgive of disappearance of the thrill of the first book.
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Haha! I can imagine since I also lack skills in the poetry department 🤣🤣🤣 this series is most def all about the characters & because they are all so wonderful, I don’t mind either. Keep that in mind for the last one lol. My fave would have to be hands down Ronan & the ladies of 300 Fox Way 💕
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Oh no, too bad you didn’t feel the thrill like in the first book while reading this, my Sweechie! I do hope you’ll love the last book more. I agree with you, the characters are the strong suit of this whole series, they are just so…alive. I love them all! ❤
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Even if the awesomeness wasn’t entirely there, boy did I love hanging with them all again 😀 It is so refreshing and fantastic to read about friendships ❤
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Well your poetry skills are definitely much better than mine 🙂
I have seen this series around though yet to read it.I hope the next book will be as good as the first one.Great review!
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Haha, I can’t believe how long it took me to come up with such a short and silly sort of poem!
I am so attached to the characters that I keep going, and the writing is great, but I have high hopes the last book will truly blow my mind 🙂
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Hahaha I liked the poems, you’re way better than me, don’t worry 😛
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My reaction to this one was the same as yours. I also preferred Ronan in this one n thought the pacing was off. I was upset though that they didn’t find Glendower n thought maybe it was time for them to do so instead of thinking they did but didn’t again.
Greenmantle was a major disappointment. We often heard how dangerous he is n when he appeared, we realize he’s a stupid punk. I have thoughts on how his wife later develops but I won’t share them since, I assume, you’re not at book 4 yet.
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Yes, I was expecting more progress on Glendower and I was not convinced by the “discovery” they made. Exactly, we were told to fear Greenmantle but in the end, he was just a man paying lots of people for his dirty work and protection. There was no depth in his character and he was not a credible threat. I’ll be reading the last installment in February 🙂
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Exactly! No depth to him at all. Well, I’ll look out for your thoughts on the 4th book. Then I can mention other stuff without worrying about spoiling you.
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Another series I have considered reading… hmm… maybe some day, meybe never! 😀
Love your poems, very… unique! 😉
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The first book is magical ❤ A bit slow for some, but how so good! But the series reminds me why I don't like series! The first book is like the premium chocolate you taste at the shop, full of promises and so tasty, and the next books can never match this, like when you eat the box of chocolates once you're home and you can't find the perfect one you had.
I'm surprised I dared posting the "poem" haha, so bad!
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Ah, you explained the ‘problem’ with series so well! I totally agree… it’s hard to find a series that just keeps on delivering… and sometimes you’re left thinking, if I would have quit reading the series x nr of books ago I wouldn’t have missed out on anything… how odd!
Ah, be brave girl and always share your poems with us 🙂 They’re actually quite entertaining! 😉 and fit nicely with the review, so- well done! 🙂
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Yes, and I should not better than add more and more series to my TBR, haha!
I’ll try to be brave, I promise 😀 Thank you 😘💕
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Haha loved the poem bits! Great review; I really should continue this series some time soon… I agree the character definitely stand out in The Raven Cycle (or at least in the first book 😉 )
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haha, thanks, I’m still ashamed at my poor attempt at creativity! I keep coming back to the series because of the characters. The writing is beautiful but with the plot lacking, it wouldn’t be enough to keep me interested without the fantastic cast.
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Don’t be! That’s what creativity is for in the first place. 😉 I agree the writing and characters are definitely the strongest features of this series… I know I will continue it at some point, just to see what the characters are up to next. The fact that it is no longer and ongoing series is definitely encouraging as well.
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As you say, the strength of this series are the core character (and the rest of the ladies at Fox Way, who I love). In general I was a little sorry that Stiefvater didn’t do more with her characters, but the books are still enjoyable. Like you say, like hanging out with a group of friends 🙂
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I wish the plot would move differently, it feels as if there’s not enough happening for everyone to grow more, but it’s still a nice ride with friends 🙂
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I actually enjoyed your opening poem quite well. Honest and to the point 😉 So I have not picked up this series, and while I am curious, I hesitate. I do not see much to convince me that it maintains the same level of satisfaction throughout. Maybe one day.. when my TBR decides to shrink.
Fun and creative approach ❤ I look forward to more similar reviews!
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I was so shy about those poems the reviews stayed a week in drafts before I dared publish it, hahaha! The series definitely lacks in consistency but the writing and characters make it worth reading anyway 🙂 Especially the first book! I’d advise you to keep it for a time you need a nice friendship boost 🙂 there’s no need to rush to read it! ❤ Thank you! 😘
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Thanks Donna 😘 I will sit on it for now.
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I love your poetry additions, I couldn’t pull this off if I wanted to. I’m sorry to hear it wasn’t as good as the previous ones but I hope the next one will be the perfect round-up.
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Poetry is hard as hell to write! I really tried to do more but had to throw the towel because my brain was frazzled! I’m disappointed at the lack of consistency of the series but I love the characters too much to stop reading 🙂
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hahaha I love those opening and closing poems!!! Wonderful!!! And I get what you mean about Greenmantle- his wife did seem more interesting. Hope you like the conclusion. And yes- I agree the lovely thing about this series is feeling like you’re greeting old friends whenever you pick one up!
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Thank you 😀 I was a bit shy about those poems so I’m happy you liked them! I am so nervous about the last book. I want more from the story but I’m afraid to say goodbye!
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You’re welcome! no problem- they were great! ahh yes I understand- hope you like how it ends!
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I loved the poems at the start and end of your review Donna, is this the start of a new feature for your reviews? Will there be poems in all of them from now on?
Either way I’m sorry to see Blue Lily, Lily Blue was a little bit a disappointment for you. I’m glad you love the characters though and I agree the strong point of this series is the characters and their relationship with one another. I think in a way it’s almost like that’s supposed to add to the plot, which is slow at times I agree, and just add something to the story you know?
Hopefully the fourth book will bring back the excitement of the first for you. Do you plan to start The Raven King soon-ish?
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Thank you so much 🙂 I don’t have the skills to do this for every review, though! I thought it fitted the book as there were bits of poems in it. It might reappear if a book inspires me more.
I totally agree, their relationships are tied to the plot and envelop it.
I have hopes the last book will bring me back to the start and the love I have for the first installment. I’ll be reading The Raven King in February to make sure the events are still fresh enough to enjoy the end of the series.
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That’s all right, and that’s a shame but maybe you can save your poems for the special reviews in that case. I kind of expect to see them in your review for The Raven King though! 😀
I really do hope you enjoy The Raven King Donna. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for your review in February! 🙂
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Gansey is actually my least favourite raven boy 😅 but oh well. In my opinion Noah was treated very unfairly in the series and deserved better, much better. Are you going to read the Raven King anytime soon?
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Haha, this way we would never fight for them xD I’ll be reading The Raven King in February, I want to keep everything fresh in my memory so I won’t wait too long.
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Okay, that’s a good plan! It took me forever to get through Blue Lily, Lily Blue but I flew through the Raven King in comparison. It’s a really good finale, even though it is definitely not perfect.
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Hahahah great review! Glad to hear you enjoyed it even if it didn’t have as many surprises and thrill as you would have wished. I’ve never read the series, but I always hear people raving about it. Hopefully the next one (I think it’s also the last one? Not sure…) will blow your mind away. 😉
– Lashaan
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I know, everyone seems to be loving it. I understand the feeling but only the first book was amazing for me. I can’t wait to discover the end of the series 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
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Great review, Donna! I’ve finished this series now and would actually agree with most of what you said – the plot was veryyyy slow, and if you’re not 100% into the writing you’d get bored quite easily. For my part I LOVED the writing, though, and could read it forever. 😛
But yes, the true force of this series is the characters. Everyone is just so well-developed and they feel so real, it’s amazing. Do you reckon you’ll be reading the sequel soon? ❤
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It was indeed quite slow! The writing is captivating and combined with the characters, it managed to keep me reading. I’m still hoping for a great “WOW” ending 🙂 I’ll be reading the last book either by the end of February or in early March!
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I love your poems 😂💯
Sorry you didn’t enjoy this one! I did love it and rated it 5 stars, but it was probably my least favourite of the series. It felt like nothing really happened until the last third of the book. I totally agree with you about the characters though! They’re definitely a huge part of why I love this series so much. I’ll definitely be interested in seeing what you thin about The Raven King! Great review, Donna!
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Thank you 😘 I wish I could have come up with better ones 🙂
Yeah, the action was a bit late to the party, but overall it was a nice read, I only wish I could feel the same excitement as with the first book. Thanks so much 🙂 I’ll be reading the last installment in February or March!
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