The raven scholar by Antonia Hodgson

Although initially daunted by the prospect of reading 643 pages, once I started reading, I was drawn into this engrossing, exciting fantasy that cleverly combines a Raven narrator, a lonely scholar, court intrigue, a murder, a thrilling competition and a slow burning romance. Having read  a mystery written by Antonia Hodgson, The devil in the Marshalsea, I knew that the writing and plot would be outstanding and I was not disappointed.

It is hard to decide on one aspect of the novel that I most enjoyed; the themes are all so well developed and interesting. The world building was wonderful. The kingdom of Orrun with its king, Bersun the Brusque and the machinations of the court surrounding his successor are brilliantly depicted. Having sacred animals, Raven, Fox, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey and Hound and the Dragon proxy as the inspiration for the contenders for the trials to become leader, is a unique way for the reader to learn about them as they reveal the traits that the sacred animal has given them. The trials involved thinking and problem solving as well as fighting and I held my breath as each contestant fought to win. And of course the characters are wonderful. Neema Kraa the Raven Scholar is lonely, ambitious and very clever. Thrust into the trials as an unwilling contestant she must use all her ingenuity and intelligence to stay alive, at the same time as she has been tasked by King Bersun to find the killer of one of the contestants, a young woman who had once made her life a misery. Fighting for the throne is Cain, once Neema’s best friend but now allied to the Monkey clan, and Neema is unsure whether she can trust him. As she begins to unravel the mystery that surrounds the murder, she uncovers secrets hidden for years that bring her into great danger.

Hodson cleverly breathes new life into tropes that are familiar to fantasy readers – a lonely young woman, slow burning romance, fierce competition, unexpected twists – and leaves the reader longing for more. This is outstanding fantasy. Readers of Fourth wing by Rebecca Yarros are likely to enjoy The Raven Scholar. It is highly recommended.

Themes: Fantasy, Court intrigue, Trials, Romance, Murder.

Pat Pledger