Opal (The Raven Cycle, #4.5)

Opal by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novella is so authentic and undeniable. I almost didn't reread it, and now I could kick myself for considering skipping it. I think it's by far my favorite book in The Raven Cycle, and it's not even part of the original quartet, just a post novella. But it's just so creative and has so much voice. The raw honesty just bleeds form the pages, and I feel like I could read it a thousand times and never get enough of or learn enough about Opal.

I also love the almost voyeuristic moments of spying on Adam and Ronan in their private moments. She has none of the emotions and all of the heart that you could ever want in a fantasy character. I'm both delighted that Ronan dreamed her up in this fashion, as much as I am occasionally disheartened by it and all that she lacks that she wants. She's so inherently different and misunderstood, while she tries to understand the realities of the animal world and how those don't compare to the dream world.

I love this one.

Pages: 38


PREVIOUS REVIEW:
I just happened across this newly released novella, which is from a favorite series (The Raven Boys), and I purchased it and devoured it. I am so obsessed with this world, and these characters, that revisiting them in any fashion was so enjoyable, but this novella has an especially unique perspective, since it's written from Opal's POV.

Opal is . . . yeah, sorry. I can't explain who or what she is, because I don't want to inflict a spoiler on anyone new to the series. But this is delicious. If Stiefvater wanted to write about these characters, sitting around in this setting, and just staring at each other, I would absolutely read that. And let's face it, she has such a way with saying so much with so little that I'd probably be mesmerized.

Anyway, word on the street is that there may be an upcoming new series about Ronan, and if so, I can't wait to get my grabby hands on that.