So you probably would like me to talk a bit more about this specific installment instead of just gushing like a fan girl. Blue Lily, Lily Blue moves our characters more firmly into their magical journey, and simultaneously progresses their relationships in a gorgeous, subtle, inevitable way. Everything about this book is emotional, moving, poignant, and yet it never feels overblown. The delicate line Stiefvater walks in her writing is artful. Her plot lines are complex without being convoluted. Her characters are deep without being pretentious, unique without being showy. Seriously, Stiefvater's writing is some of the best I've seen in YA.
Her books have soul. There is something alive about the stories; the worlds and the people who inhabit them are so believable and likeable and magical. What stands out the most to me about this cast of characters is their love for each other. They are - self-acknowledgedly - bound together.
My only problem with the book is the lack of answers at the end. Things wrapped up a bit too quickly, in that they really didn't wrap up. This installment felt less contained then the first two which annoyed me a bit, but it does lay out all the ingredients for a quite amazing final book. Plus, I think the faster pace and increased action may be part of the buildup to the fourth book. Upon reflection, my annoyance may be entirely due to my very, very strong desire to NOT have to wait for the last book.
And when oh when will that fourth book come out? Waiting is torture.
Many moons ago I read a rather negative review of her Shiver that put Stiefvater out of my radar. Now I've been hearing great things about this series, so perhaps it's time to revise my prejudice :P
ReplyDeletegod I love this series so much and I'm so glad I gave it another chance!
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, I didn't feel any lack of closure at the end of this one. Maybe it's because I then went back and reread the series right afterwards, but I felt it ended well. Though I agree re: torture. :D
I agree about Maggie Stiefvater; I think she is just exceptional!
ReplyDeleteI was turned off at the idea of the werewolf thing, so while I downloaded those audios, I never listened. But I loved Scorpio Races and loved the first two books of this series. I've done audio on them, so I have to wait for this one. In fact, I need to check again if the library has gotten it yet.
ReplyDeleteYes! Yes, yes, yes! I too can't wait for the last one. I did the first two on audio, like Sandy did, and they were great. But I couldn't wait for audio on this one. I may try to wait again for the fourth because they really are fantastic.
ReplyDeleteYup to everything you said! I am absolutely in love with this series. Although I must confess...I can never remember if it's Blue Lily, Lily Blue. Or Lily Blue, Blue Lily.
ReplyDeleteREALLY can't wait for the fourth one. I was so excited when this one came out, but of course as soon as I finished it, the wait begins for the fourth one, and that's soooooo far away! The soonest it can POSSIBLY come out is going to be late next year, and I'd be shocked if it came out that early. But I want it so much!
ReplyDeleteLovely review! I may give this series a try.
ReplyDeleteI've downloaded the audio of this from Audible, but haven't found time yet - ack! I so wish that we didn't have to wait for that final book.
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