The Raven Cycle (TRC) is a four-book series written by Maggie Stiefvater that began in 2012 and ended in 2016. With a captivating story, dynamic characters, and some of the best young adult (YA) writing I’ve read, TRC is the perfect candidate for getting its own television series. The series follows high schoolers Blue, Gansey, Adam, Ronan, and Noah and an assorted group of psychics, villains, students, and supernatural creatures as they adventure, explore, and — in a few cases — fall in love.
Preferably, the show would have three seasons: two books per season, plus an additional season for the up-and-coming spinoff trilogy. I’m worried the books could be adapted into a series of films, like The Hunger Games, Percy Jackson, or Divergent. Unlike those franchises, TRC can’t fall back on a marketable fantasy concept and trim the character development to make something simplified and consumable. A TV show based on the series has a higher chance of success and would be better executed. I’ve listed the top 9 reasons the series should be adapted for television. If you haven’t read The Raven Cycle, think of this as a list of reasons why you should read the series!
1. The magic of TRC is different from other fantasy YA series
What’s refreshing about The Raven Cycle is that the world is very similar to our own, and its magic is slowly revealed rather than piled on in exposition. There are criminal networks dealing with magical artifacts, ley lines, and psychics, sure, but this world coexists with the non-magical. You can be invested in TRC’s magic without having to untangle every allegory for society or memorize the names of spells and creatures.
2. The series already has a substantial fanbase
Producing beautiful art, writing amazing fiction, and sharing witty observations about characters, fans of TRC make the series worth the read. The TRC tag on Tumblr is a goldmine for fan-made content, though beware of spoilers! Most of the images in this article are fan-made photosets, videos, or art made by the ever-growing group of people who love the story and Stiefvater’s inventive writing style.
3. Gay/bixexual representation [SPOILERS]
Two main characters are explicitly not straight. Additionally, their sexuality and eventual romance is slowly revealed to the reader as the characters come to terms with it themselves. The show could pay more attention to the hints and subtext and build a solid foundation for its final season, which would be based on the spinoff book series about Ronan Lynch, who is gay. Also, Maggie Stiefvater said (on Valentine’s Day!) that the trilogy won’t focus on drama in Ronan and Adam’s relationship, which is incredibly heartening.
4. TRC takes place in the South
Very few TV shows depict life in the South. The characters in TRC live in Virginia, Maggie Stiefvater’s home state, and are from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds, both a source of conflict and a chance for dialogue. TRC’s late-night drives and romps in the forest are the perfect opportunities for gorgeous cinematography that draws the viewer into the setting rather than simply establish location.
5. A chance to appeal to more than just teens
No offense to The CW, but I hope they don’t pick up the series. Amazon, AMC, Netflix, HBO, or a similar channel that has attempted to branch out and not become overly unified in content would be best. TRC shouldn’t be lumped in with shows of a similar demographic or it would take on some of the other shows’ qualities. There are plenty of adult characters and complex themes that shouldn’t be reduced to weekly teen melodrama. If a network with an older audience picks up the show, it would be more likely to include the adults’ storylines that may otherwise be deemed nonessential.
6. Guaranteed hot cast
The main characters, the psychics of 300 Fox Way, and even the villains all are written as attractive in unique ways. In the end, it’s all down to the network, budget, casting director, and the vision of the creative team. Ideally, actual Southern actors/actresses with accents could be cast when possible and when the race of a character is ambiguous or able to change, a person of color could be cast. Fans have headcanoned (as in, wanted to be true or interpreted) Blue as Asian American and Ronan as mixed-race Irish American. In the books, the Raven Boys go to an elite, predominantly white boarding school, so a change in race would have to textually factor into the network of privilege that each character grapples with.
7. Multiple perspectives
Each book is layered with the perspectives of many different characters, even within chapters. Because of this, readers don’t get annoyed by one character’s bad choices or have to guess what characters think and feel about certain situations. When I read the series, becoming attached to the characters was inevitable because Stiefvater gives each character their own blend of wit and depth, combined with a bit of emotional backstory and unique insight.
8. The book series isn’t over
Particularly because there will be more official content, the fanbase will continue to grow and evolve, making a TV series increasingly likely. For more updates, follow Maggie Stiefvater on Twitter. If she’s involved in an adaptation of TRC, she could provide background information to depict parts of the world that aren’t in the books, help with screenwriting, or help with set design.
9. TRC would be more artful than similar series
One of the reasons to faithfully adapt a book series in general is that it’s all leading up to something. A Series of Unfortunate Events, Pride and Prejudice (1995), and Outlander are a few examples of TV series that generally stick to the books and developed their own captivating style. Other shows (*cough* The 100 *cough*) just try to do something different every season and come up with new twists and plot lines as their show gets renewed. This way, a line of dialogue or prop in season one could return in season 3 for greater impact and cohesion.
As a show, The Raven Cycle could mix the intertwining of multiple characters of Sense8 with the world building through design of Stranger Things and the intimate, present cinematography of Shameless. It could pave the way for more book adaptations and TV shows for young adults that challenge convention. Before the Golden Age of Television ends, this masterful series needs a shot on the silver screen.
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