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peterparker's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I like the world building in this book and like that the given rules are never broken. There are three main characters in this book and throughout reading it you really fall in love with all of them. The main girl character Lara goes through a lot in this book and I love to see her journey through this world.
Lara as a young child is told by a mysterious women that she is worthy of the raven but has no idea what that means. From then on throughout her life whenever something bad is going to happen a raven is there. Her father wants to go to war with their enemy aka the Skin. Her best friends Nicola, Alessandro and all the men in their land are then forced to go to a war they do not wish to fight in.
While I love the world building the one thing I would like to be a little better is the pacing. It doesn’t flow at times and others it feels rushed through to get to the next point in the story. I never had a good sense of time of when things would take place and only knew because the age of the characters would change. There is another thing I had minor issues with but do not wish to get into spoilers.
Otherwise I really liked the fantasy elements to this story and thought it had pretty good world building. The romance elements to this book also do not disappoint. My favorite character was Nicola because he was very straightforward and didn’t lie or omit the truth to Lara.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and War
Moderate: Rape
honeyandsmut's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
3/5 spice
Great world building, an intense love story, and a badass female warrior who survives numerous obstacles and trauma.
Tropes:
Childhood friends to lovers
Polyamory/why choose
Found family
Touch her and die
Forced proximity
Slow burn
Multiple POV
This was an dark epic fantasy romance that takes you on a journey. It's important to check the trigger and content warnings because the FMC, Lara, goes through a lot of trauma throughout the book.
The story immediately draws you in and you get a clear idea of who these characters are. Lara, Alessandro, and Nicola all care very deeply about each other and try their hardest to be each other's protectors. Unfortunately Lara grows up in an abusive household and can't always be protected. When war comes to their home Lara gets the chance to finally become the warrior she always dreamed of being.
Lara's relationship with Alessandro and Nicola grow under their forced proximity in the war camp. You really see the character development with all of them at this point. But then... it's only half way into the book and SO MUCH has happened already you start wondering what awaits you in the end.
It's a lot to take in but the story doesn't feel dragged out. The ending broke my heart but also got me excited for the second book.
If you love epic fantasy that's slow burn with the romance/spice but also great characters and plot... then you'll love this book.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder, Sexual harassment, and War
Moderate: Xenophobia
authorylzamora's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Body horror, Self harm, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
you can find a comprehensive list of many more trigger warnings on my website, but also positive representation :)bittersweetcritiques's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you so much for the arc!
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
laraslitreads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Worthy of the Raven exceeded all of my expectations. There are so many elements of this book that I love but I think the characters are my favorite part.
With our main character Lara we have a character who has been through tremendous trauma (like seriously so much trauma) but over the course of the book we see her strength, both physical and emotional. She is constantly doing whatever she has to do to not only take care of her community but protect herself. She’s a definite warrior and that’s something I love to see.
Then we have the brothers. While both are these incredible warriors and hold positions in the army, it’s clear that Lara is a soft spot for both. Nicola is more soft and sensitive, constantly reminding Lara how important she is to him. Alessandro on the other hand? Yeah he’s going to absolutely end anybody who hurts her and we love that.
While there is romance in this book (and the romance is HOT), I think the character growth in Lara is the most important part of the story. Like I mentioned she is a truly traumatized person but over the course of the book we see her grow from someone who is afraid into this incredibly strong person. She spars with the best warriors, fights against the enemy, and stands up for herself and her loved ones every chance she gets. I loved that and really just loved everything about this book.
Now I do have to warn you that this is a DARK dark fantasy. A lot of the events within this book could be triggering to some readers and I HIGHLY suggest you go to the authors website to read through those warnings. The author also lists all of the positive representation in her book which is something I really like to see.
Thank you so much to Yesi for providing me an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder