An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson Series: standalone
Published by Margaret K. McElderry Books on September 26th 2017
Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Fae
Pages: 300
Format: Kindle Edition, Audiobook
Source: Publisher, Library
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Rating:
I received this book for free from Publisher, Library in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A skilled painter must stand up to the ancient power of the faerie courts—even as she falls in love with a faerie prince—in this gorgeous debut novel.
Isobel is a prodigy portrait artist with a dangerous set of clients: the sinister fair folk, immortal creatures who cannot bake bread, weave cloth, or put a pen to paper without crumbling to dust. They crave human Craft with a terrible thirst, and Isobel’s paintings are highly prized. But when she receives her first royal patron—Rook, the autumn prince—she makes a terrible mistake. She paints mortal sorrow in his eyes—a weakness that could cost him his life.
Furious and devastated, Rook spirits her away to the autumnlands to stand trial for her crime. Waylaid by the Wild Hunt’s ghostly hounds, the tainted influence of the Alder King, and hideous monsters risen from barrow mounds, Isobel and Rook depend on one another for survival. Their alliance blossoms into trust, then love—and that love violates the fair folks’ ruthless laws. Now both of their lives are forfeit, unless Isobel can use her skill as an artist to fight the fairy courts. Because secretly, her Craft represents a threat the fair folk have never faced in all the millennia of their unchanging lives: for the first time, her portraits have the power to make them feel.
A few points about An Enchantment of Raven
- The writing was gorgeous. The world was beautiful, Margaret Rogerson really has her way with words and she weaves together a stunning, vivid, dynamic world that really makes your imagination come alive.
- Thought, the world and the writing are beautiful, where the book really hurt was the characters and the weak plot line. The story follows a 17 year old girl named Isobel, a human with painting as her Craft. They live in the world where summer does not seem to go away. The Fair ones hunger for human craft, and Isobel’s paintings are highly coveted. When Isobel gets her first prince - Rook of the Autumn lands - she paints sorrow in his eyes and puts Rook in danger. For Isobel did not know that showing emotion is dangerous and can get him killed.
- Isobel is 17 years old, Rook is hundreds, if not thousands of years old. There is a bit of instalove between Isobel and Rook. I did not get the romance between the two and was quite frankly a bit confused about it. If Fair Folk are not meant to feel, how does Rook fall in love not once but twice? Also, if Rook is as old as he is and in love with a 17 year old, felt a bit off Isobel had moments of maturity but she also had bouts of juvenile tendencies as well. They have this heated kiss scene at which she comments afterwards that sex really turns people into imbeciles. Which I guess just reminds you that she is a 17 year old girl who just got grabbed by a Fair Folk that is hundreds of years old. I couldn’t get past that, mainly because he was so much more mature and experienced as her that the duo was making my head hurt.
- There were a few other parts that confused me. The Hemlock plot line just felt kind of underdeveloped. At one point it is said Rook is losing his magic, I did not understand if he was going to recover and get it back and the whole conflict just felt a bit confused and one I found I really did not care for. The Ardan King is somehow poisoning the lands, but I did not understand how or why.
- Isobel is a special snowflake, only she can save Fair Folk lands with her craft.
- Overall, the writing was magic, stunning in it. But it faltered in characters, romance and a plot line that just didn’t completely work.
The premise of this story sounds awesome. But the points you brought up definitely makes it seems like it’s lacking. Sounds like it should be a series, with all those unanswered questions. Great review.
Too bad this was a bit confusing because otherwise it sounds like it was beautifully done.
Of course being 17 in the olden fantasy days would have meant something else. That is why in a way I get annoyed when fantasy books makes them to be well kids, being a teen is a modern concept
oh no special snowflake! Ugh
Yup I agree that in fantasy, where some characters live so long, is hard to make romance sound realistic. Glad you enjoy it though since the writing and world-building were so good!
Oh dear, this does sound like a very cool premise, but the flaws you mentioned would absolutely be annoying!
Your thoughts are so very similar to mine on this one. The writing truly was beautiful but a lot of the story was underdeveloped. Still a good read overall but lacking in ways too. Glad I’m not the only one who felt that way!
I actually loved the characters and the plot line lol. I think the book would have benefited from being longer. I loved the world so much I wish there was more of it! I definitely think the book could have been longer or a series! I know a lot of people felt the same way as you though!