The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Cycle bk 4. Scholastic Press, 2016. ISBN 9780545424981
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. The fabulous Raven Cycle comes to a very satisfying conclusion in The Raven King. Gansey's quest to find Glendower, the ancient Welsh king is overshadowed by the fear that he will die, and probably from a kiss that Blue Sargent gives him. The other Raven boys, Ronan, Adam and Noah have all been drawn into his quest, and each has to find a path through the magical dreams, tall forests of Cabeswater, predictions from the women in 300 Fox Way and an assortment of villains out to grasp the magic power that comes along the ley line.
Stiefvater manages to juggle numerous plot lines and many characters in this novel with her masterful writing. Chapters begin with the phrase ("Depending on where you began the story, it was about . . . ") and this gives a different perspective to where the story is going and more information about the key players. The introduction of Henry, as a new and trusted friend who plays an important part in defining what happens to Gansey is handled brilliantly as is the strange and frightening power of the demon who is trying to unmake them all.
This is not an easy read, but it is a fascinating one that is very difficult to put down. Fans of the fantasy genre will love it and I wish I had the time to start at the beginning again and read through all four books in this complex, imaginative and unpredictable series.
Pat Pledger