For the first time ever, Maggie Stiefvater’s The Raven Boys is coming to life. With such a dedicated fanbase and vibrant story, it’s only fitting that it’s brought to us in graphic novel form, adapted by Stephanie Williams and illustrated by Sas Milledge. And trust us, this is a release you don’t want to miss. Packed into this four-book series is found family, magic, and a story that touches everyone who reads it. You have until August 5 to immerse yourself in this world before we get to see it in action. In case you need any convincing, we’re happy to paint a picture of this breathtaking novel.
Book Summary: The Raven Boys
The Raven Boys opens on Blue Sargent, the only non-clairvoyant in a family of psychics. She longs for something that makes her feel special after a life of feeling too ordinary. Preferably, one that keeps her far away from the so-called raven boys: the snobby, rich students of the all-boys private school Aglionby Academy. However, what we can only describe as psychic chance pushes her towards a group of students that make her question all she thought she knew about them.
Blue joins the boys on their hunt to find long lost Welsh king rumored to be buried under their small town, waiting to be woken up. And just like that, she is immersed in a world of magic, love, and adventure. One that might just transform into a world of danger.
Before we get too far, allow us to be completely transparent. Maggie Stiefvater wrote this book in 2012. And we are fully aware that this sounds like your classic “not-like-other-girls” quirky main character. But we beg you to look past this. Even with this description, The Raven Cycle series has gathered a cult following of fans who feel seen for the first time. On our knees, we are asking that you give us a chance and get irreversibly attached to these characters, just like we did. And to convince you, allow us to further introduce you to each of them.
“As a creator, it was rewarding and exciting to come of age in Young Adult, watching the category change publishing in real time; I feel the same way about Graphic Novels now. I wanted the Raven Cycle to be a part of this, but only if the adaptation seethed with the same intentionality and specificity as the prose novels. Despite the magic, The Raven Boys is all about the gesture, and Sas is simply exceptional at the tiny evidences that prove humanity.”
– Maggie Stiefvater
The Characters
This series would be nothing without its lively characters. Set in rural Virginia, we meet our main cast of five. Cool, confident Gansey; dangerous, mysterious Ronan; quiet, reclusive Noah; quirky, sarcastic Blue; and scholarly, diligent Adam. Each is filled with passion for their quest to find a long lost king rumored to be buried under their small town. With their unwavering dedication to the chase, they pull us into the adventure with them. But the truth is, the characters drive this story entirely. We explore their motivations, their secrets, and their fears. Between the most exuberant triumphs, quiet sorrows, and everything in between, we experience it all together.
And our characters get to experience it together. Found family is essential to The Raven Boys, as their fierce loyalty to each other dominated even their harshest arguments. Maggie Stiefvater expertly crafted each character, and only by being so sure of who her characters are is she able to create such strong bonds between them. Each interaction is believable and entirely dependent on individual characterizations. And although this series will certainly give you your next character/relationship to hyperfixate on and blend into your personality for the foreseeable future, she gives no individual more care or attention than the next. Each is complex, genuine, and dynamic.
The Relationships
Behind the exploration of life’s greatest challenges, including class, freedom, and the impossible task of figuring out who you are, is the charm and humor of teenage love in all forms. Their unique interactions pack in inside jokes that both set you apart from the group and make them feel that much more real. Will we ever understand their inside jokes about cowboys? Perhaps not, but that’s exactly what makes them breathe beyond the page.
Every plot is personal to our characters. We can track exactly what gets them to the points they land at in the end of this book. We see what drives them to their breaking point, and what pulls them back out again. Maggie Stiefvater even thought their flaws out deliberately. While a flawed character is necessary, flaws just for the sake of drama almost defeat the purpose. Here, they’re incredibly reasonable. Not that they’re insignificant, but everything that happens to them drives them to the flawed choices they make. It feels less like we’re watching an author come up with a story, and more like we’re watching a story unfold. Like they exist independently, and Maggie is simply the vessel to share them with the world.
Something More
Following our cast through the story is the desire to find purpose. In this first book in the series, they’re all essentially sleepwalking through life. They grow up, figure out who they are, and chase something that will wake them to the wonders of the world. This includes magic, adventure, and the simple thrill of being known by those you love.
Speaking of magic, the storytelling is simply magical. Maggie Stiefvater’s use of language is so unique, we can only trust an artist chosen by her to bring her story to life. Looking at Sas Milledge’s debut graphic novel Mama, along with The Raven Boys pages that have been released so far, it seems to be everything we hoped it would be. So, reading The Raven Boys now will allow for the most magical experience possible. That way you can watch it transform before your very eyes. We promise, through gorgeous, lyrical narration and humorous, relatable characters, you will find something to love in this series.
The Raven Boys graphic novel releases on August 5, 2025, and you can pre-order it here!
And when you do, come talk about it with us on our socials. Please, we need someone to count down the days with. We will be waiting at @thehoneypop on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
