I've not read the whole Raven Cycle yet, but I remember starting the first one. I want to say it was around Thanksgiving or Christmas, but even if it wasn't, it was coldish. The autumn weather helped set the mood of those opening scenes [yeah, Texas winters are more like drab autumns; I love it]. You know. The graveyard. The fog and chill. Sitting around in the dark. Ghosts. And that cozy, almost-too-close writing style of Maggie S.'s. My family had just finished eating together. So they were being loud in the dining and living areas. I really wanted to start this book here and now, but I was tired of being accused of "hiding" in my room all the time. I was also in a whimsical silly mood [autumn weather does that to a person]. So I jumped in a large empty cardboard box that was in a corner and opened The Raven Boys.
I loved the writing from the start. And the characters. And the places. Places really come alive under Maggie S.'s words. I could choose to quote those opening lines to you, but most Maggie S. readers know them more or less. How about the ones I found amusing enough to notes on instead? The Raven Boys has so many good laugh-until-you-can't-breath moments.
"Maura," Calla said, "that was very rude." Then she added, "I liked it."
[gotta love Calla]
This Blue discovered was how Gansey got places-- striding. Walking was for ordinary people.
[so yeah, I might know a handful of people who think striding makes them 'cool']
He was doing something extremely complicated with his r's that made him difficult to understand.
[I can't tell you how much I laughed at this.]
Have you read The Raven Boys? What are some of your favorite lines or moments, funny or otherwise?
