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The Raven Crown #1
The Raven Heir
A set of magical triplets, two warring dynasties, and a broken crown waiting for its rightful owner…
Deep within an enchanted forest lies a castle where a set of triplets and their sorceress mother have lived for years — safe from the decades-long war for the Raven Throne that rages in the kingdom beyond. Cordelia, one of the triplets, has the power to become any animal with just a thought, and she yearns to discover more about the world outside her castle.
But one day, the world comes to her, when the eldest of the triplets becomes the newest heir to the throne. Knowing that being named heir means certain death, Cordelia’s mother hid the truth about which child is the eldest when she hid them in the forest. When her family is captured, it’s up to Cordelia to use her powers to keep her siblings hidden and discover the truth about the Raven Heir — before it’s too late.
A thrilling new fantasy full of magic, adventure, and the power of family.
Deep within an enchanted forest lies a castle where a set of triplets and their sorceress mother have lived for years — safe from the decades-long war for the Raven Throne that rages in the kingdom beyond. Cordelia, one of the triplets, has the power to become any animal with just a thought, and she yearns to discover more about the world outside her castle.
But one day, the world comes to her, when the eldest of the triplets becomes the newest heir to the throne. Knowing that being named heir means certain death, Cordelia’s mother hid the truth about which child is the eldest when she hid them in the forest. When her family is captured, it’s up to Cordelia to use her powers to keep her siblings hidden and discover the truth about the Raven Heir — before it’s too late.
A thrilling new fantasy full of magic, adventure, and the power of family.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2021
About the author
Stephanie Burgis
78 books1,131 followersI grew up in America, but now I live in Wales with my husband, fellow writer Patrick Samphire, our two sons, and our sweet (and extremely vocal) tabby cat, Pebbles. I write fantasy rom-coms for adults (most recently Claws and Contrivances and Good Neighbors) and fun MG fantasy adventure novels, too (most recently The Raven Crown duology). My next series will be the adult romantasy trilogy The Queens of Villainy, published by Tor Bramble, starting in 2025 with Wooing the Witch Queen.
To get early sneak peeks at new stories and novels, sign up for my newsletter here: stephanieburgis.com/newsletter.
To join my Dragons' Book Club and get early copies of every ebook that I put out myself (so, all of my novellas, short story ebooks, etc!), check out my Patreon page, where I also published a series of fantasy rom-coms (Good Neighbors) across 2020-2021.
I only rate and review the books that I like, which is why all of my ratings are 4 or 5 stars.
To get early sneak peeks at new stories and novels, sign up for my newsletter here: stephanieburgis.com/newsletter.
To join my Dragons' Book Club and get early copies of every ebook that I put out myself (so, all of my novellas, short story ebooks, etc!), check out my Patreon page, where I also published a series of fantasy rom-coms (Good Neighbors) across 2020-2021.
I only rate and review the books that I like, which is why all of my ratings are 4 or 5 stars.
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September 21, 2021It's finally out today in the UK, hooray! You can order it from Bookshop, Waterstones, Amazon, or more - or read the first chapter on my website if you'd like a sample first!
I can't wait to share these characters with everyone. :)
ETA: And it's out in North America now, too! Hooray! You can get it through your local bookstore or through Bookshop, B&N, or Amazon.
I can't wait to share these characters with everyone. :)
ETA: And it's out in North America now, too! Hooray! You can get it through your local bookstore or through Bookshop, B&N, or Amazon.
June 9, 2021
There's just something so sumptuous about the way Stephanie Burgis writes. You can feel the weave of Cordelia's linen gown. You can taste the bread they're eating, and feel the dirt and twigs under your feet. And the magic is just so rich and glorious. You feel like you're drinking in the magic from a golden goblet! Oh, how I would love to be able to turn into any animal I wanted with just a thought! It's so . . . so . . . well, magical!
But this book isn't just about magic. It's also about family, and what that means. It's about the frustration of being told "I'll tell you when you're older" when "older" might never happen. It has political intrigue, and prophecies, and a broken crown that ties the ruler directly to their dying land.
In short: It's fabulous.
But this book isn't just about magic. It's also about family, and what that means. It's about the frustration of being told "I'll tell you when you're older" when "older" might never happen. It has political intrigue, and prophecies, and a broken crown that ties the ruler directly to their dying land.
In short: It's fabulous.
September 14, 2021
Actual Rating: 3.5
This a wonderful and magical fantasy! I loved the descriptions of the world and magic, I think it was really well done. Our main characters, Cordelia, Giles and Rosalind, were fleshed out nicely and I think their individuals strengths made for a good journey book! I felt like I was right there in the forest with them while Cordelia shape shifted (one of my all time favorite powers) and it almost felt like straight out of a fairytale (there were strong Rapunzel themes at the beginning!).
While I did enjoy this book for the most part, it felt a bit rushed to me in the second half. Even for a middle grade (I usually review YA), things were resolved much to quickly and I feel like it jumped from plot point to plot point. Which was frustrating because I was invested in the outcome of the story. I think if some of the storyline had been left for the second book, it would have worked better.
I received an e-arc of this title from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This a wonderful and magical fantasy! I loved the descriptions of the world and magic, I think it was really well done. Our main characters, Cordelia, Giles and Rosalind, were fleshed out nicely and I think their individuals strengths made for a good journey book! I felt like I was right there in the forest with them while Cordelia shape shifted (one of my all time favorite powers) and it almost felt like straight out of a fairytale (there were strong Rapunzel themes at the beginning!).
While I did enjoy this book for the most part, it felt a bit rushed to me in the second half. Even for a middle grade (I usually review YA), things were resolved much to quickly and I feel like it jumped from plot point to plot point. Which was frustrating because I was invested in the outcome of the story. I think if some of the storyline had been left for the second book, it would have worked better.
I received an e-arc of this title from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2021
I was gifted a proof copy by the publisher. I thought this was a lovely middle grade adventure. I could really picture it as a Disney/Pixar movie - it was so vivid! I loved the way Cordelia transformed into different animals in a way that felt real and natural. If you're a fan of fantasy children's books then you should definitely check this out.
May 4, 2023
Cordelia and her triplet siblings Rosalind and Giles, and their older half-sibling Connall live in hiding with their sorceress mother. They each have magical skills of their own; Cordelia can change into different kinds of animals; Giles has a powerful voice, and Rosalind is strong and fast. All are forbidden to have contact with the outside world, and their mother shuts down questions about it immediately. Cordelia is particularly frustrated with their mother’s many restrictions and rules.
One day a bunch of armed men ride up, wanting the sorceress to surrender the heir to the Raven throne. Cordelia's curiosity about the men results in calamit, with the three siblings running off for safety and their mother and Connall captured. The triplets soon find out that they are nothing more than pawns in the nobility's warring to prop up an ailing raven throne.
After a bad encounter with their scheming grandmother, Cordelia is shocked by truths, and the screaming of the land, which her two siblings can’t hear. The three begin travelling towards the Raven’s Nest, at Cordelia’s angry, frantic urgings to find some answers. Everyone finds out more about their magic, and the secrets their mother has been keeping from them, and the three have to come together to figure out how to rescue the rest of their family, and to heal the land.
THe book is about magic, secrets, but most importantly, about family. And digging deep within oneself to find resolutions to complex problems through sacrifice and love.
One day a bunch of armed men ride up, wanting the sorceress to surrender the heir to the Raven throne. Cordelia's curiosity about the men results in calamit, with the three siblings running off for safety and their mother and Connall captured. The triplets soon find out that they are nothing more than pawns in the nobility's warring to prop up an ailing raven throne.
After a bad encounter with their scheming grandmother, Cordelia is shocked by truths, and the screaming of the land, which her two siblings can’t hear. The three begin travelling towards the Raven’s Nest, at Cordelia’s angry, frantic urgings to find some answers. Everyone finds out more about their magic, and the secrets their mother has been keeping from them, and the three have to come together to figure out how to rescue the rest of their family, and to heal the land.
THe book is about magic, secrets, but most importantly, about family. And digging deep within oneself to find resolutions to complex problems through sacrifice and love.
July 27, 2021
I loved the vibe of this book! Castles, enchanted forests, knights, magic, starflowers and a perilous quest! It was a perfect vibe! And I really loved the message that ran through about how sometimes it's better to work together and trust other people to use their talents, rather than try to do everything yourself. The three triplets all had very distinct characters which I liked and I really enjoyed the shapeshifting element of Cordelia's magic. How amazing to be able to fly like a bird! Stephanie Burgis's writing really brought it all to life for me and I could feel Cordelia's thrill as she was soaring above the forest. Hoping there will be a book two as I'd love to see what the triplets get up to next!
(I was kindly sent a proof copy of this book to read)
(I was kindly sent a proof copy of this book to read)
August 15, 2021
3.5 stars
Review coming in September
Review coming in September
August 13, 2024
[3.5 Stars]
I had a great time reading this and learning about the triplets and their journey. This novel is so much about familial love and confirming its many forms. Seeing the trio go through their adventures was a fun time, and I truly enjoyed seeing the relationships through our main character.
Besides that this is a very punchy adventure story with some heart, I think overall I would have appreciated some more in depth character development between the core group, especially between the three triplets, but I suspect some of that may come in book two. With a fun time and a fun story, I had a blast following along and look forward to picking up the second book.
I had a great time reading this and learning about the triplets and their journey. This novel is so much about familial love and confirming its many forms. Seeing the trio go through their adventures was a fun time, and I truly enjoyed seeing the relationships through our main character.
Besides that this is a very punchy adventure story with some heart, I think overall I would have appreciated some more in depth character development between the core group, especially between the three triplets, but I suspect some of that may come in book two. With a fun time and a fun story, I had a blast following along and look forward to picking up the second book.
November 30, 2021
Siblings+Political Intrigue+Stephanie Burgis=Very Happy Brandy
I adore all of these characters so much. SO MUCH. The sibling relationship is relatable as is the theme of family and what binds it together. I cannot wait to read the next book.
I adore all of these characters so much. SO MUCH. The sibling relationship is relatable as is the theme of family and what binds it together. I cannot wait to read the next book.
August 26, 2021
Really enjoyed this middle grade fantasy!
Author Stephanie Burgis has crafted a magical world of secrets, royalty, and found family.
I love the family dynamics of the triplets and their older brother. Their intense love for each other really shown through, but was kept realistic by their annoyance with each other and little arguments. Cordelia is a fantastic heroine, and her magical powers were so interesting to read about.
I loved the bits of humor as well, especially when the younger brother would make up his ballads and sing them!
An original adventure fantasy for middle grade readers and above, with a thoughtful message of found family and sacrificing for peace.
Author Stephanie Burgis has crafted a magical world of secrets, royalty, and found family.
I love the family dynamics of the triplets and their older brother. Their intense love for each other really shown through, but was kept realistic by their annoyance with each other and little arguments. Cordelia is a fantastic heroine, and her magical powers were so interesting to read about.
I loved the bits of humor as well, especially when the younger brother would make up his ballads and sing them!
An original adventure fantasy for middle grade readers and above, with a thoughtful message of found family and sacrificing for peace.
August 11, 2022
Da mir meine bisherigen Werke von Stephanie Burgis sehr gut gefallen haben, war ich sofort Feuer und Flamme, als ich von ihrem neuen Fantasyroman „Die Rabenprinzessin“ hörte. Das wunderschöne Cover und der äußerst vielversprechend klingende Klappentext sprachen mich direkt an. Ich zögerte daher gar nicht lange und ließ das Buch bei mir einziehen.
Tief verborgen in einem verzauberten Wald liegt eine alte Burg. Hier lebt das Mädchen Cordelia gemeinsam mit ihren beiden Drillingsgeschwistern Rosalind und Gideon, ihrem großen Bruder Connall und ihrer Mutter. Bisher hat sie an diesem versteckten Ort ein sehr behütetes Leben geführt, fernab von dem Krieg, der seit Jahrzehnten im Königreich herrscht. Dies soll sich jedoch schlagartig ändern, als eines Tages Soldaten auftauchen und die Drillinge den Grund für ihr abgeschiedenes Leben erfahren: Einer von ihnen ist der Erbe des Rabenthrons. Seit dem Zerbrechen der Rabenkrone herrscht allerdings Leid und Elend im Land. Während den drei Geschwistern die Flucht gelingt, geraten die Mutter und Connall in Gefangenschaft. Die Drei begeben sich auf eine gefährliche Reise, mit dem Ziel, die zerbrochene Rabenkrone zu finden und ihre Familie zu retten. Ob ihnen das gelingen wird? Werden ihre magischen Kräfte ihnen dabei helfen können?
Als ich mit dem Lesen begann, war ich mir erst noch ziemlich sicher gewesen, dass mich Stephanie Burgis auch dieses Mal vollkommen verzaubern wird. Leider hat meine anfängliche große Begeisterung im Verlauf der Geschichte aber zunehmend nachgelassen, sodass „Die Rabenprinzessin“ nicht das von mir erhoffte Lesehighlight wurde. Ehe ihr jetzt aber denkt, dass ich enttäuscht von dem Buch bin: Nein, bin ich nicht. Es war nicht so gut wie erwartet und kann für mich mit meinen anderen Werken der Autorin nicht mithalten, aber ich hatte dennoch sehr viel Spaß beim Lesen und habe die Geschichte innerhalb kurzer Zeit beendet.
Dann komme ich als nächstes mal zu den Dingen, die mir nicht so gut gefallen haben. Mir persönlich hat es an mehreren Stellen an Informationen und Details gefehlt. Über die politische Hintergrundgeschichte und das Magiesystem erhalten wir leider nur recht wenig Klarheit, sodass es mir bis zum Schluss nicht gelungen ist, mir ein genaues Bild von der Welt zu machen, in der die Erzählung spielt. Ein wenig schade fand ich auch, dass es keine Karte vom Setting gibt, diese hätte ich mir vielleicht ein bisschen dabei geholfen, mich besser zurechtzufinden. Trotz allem mochte diese geheimnisvolle magische Welt, die Stephanie Burgis erschaffen hat, richtig gerne, vor allem die märchenhafte Atmosphäre, die durchweg herrscht, habe ich geliebt.
Auch über die Charaktere hätte ich gerne mehr erfahren wie beispielsweise über die Mutter unserer drei Hauptpersonen oder deren großen Bruder Connall. Da ich persönlich aber davon ausgehe, dass es sich hierbei um einen Reihenauftakt handelt, habe ich große Hoffnung, dass wir einige Figuren in den folgenden Bänden noch besser kennenlernen dürfen.
So, abgesehen von den eben genannten Punkten kann ich mich aber nur positiv zu „Die Rabenprinzessin“ äußern. Der Schreibstil von Stephanie Burgis sagte mir erneut auf Anhieb zu, für mich hat er sich angenehm flüssig und leicht lesen lassen, und unsere Hauptprotagonistin Cordelia, aus deren Sicht alles in der dritten Person geschildert wird, war mir direkt sympathisch. Mit ihr hat die Autorin eine starke Heldin erschaffen, in welcher nicht nur eine außergewöhnliche Magie schlummert, sondern auch eine beeindruckende Tapferkeit und Entschlossenheit. Ich habe Cordelia sehr für ihren Mut und ihre Stärke bewundert und von ihrer Fähigkeit sich in die verschiedensten Tiere verwandeln zu können, war ich ganz fasziniert.
Rosalind und Gideon, Cordelias ebenfalls magisch begabte Drillingsgeschwister, habe ich auch unheimlich liebgewonnen, vor allem Gideon mit seiner bezaubernden Art hat sich sofort in mein Herz geschlichen. Über ihn musste ich des öfteren sehr schmunzeln und auch die gelegentlichen Kabbeleien der Geschwister haben mich teils bestens unterhalten. Großartig fand ich auch, wie der Zusammenhalt und die Beziehung der Drei beschrieben wird. Die Drillinge mögen sich hin und wieder mal uneinig sein (was Geschwistern ja auch etwas völlig Normales ist), sie halten aber stets fest zusammen und sind immer füreinander da. Zu sehen was für eine innige Bindung die Drei haben und wie stark ihr Teamgeist ist, hat mir richtig das Herz erwärmt.
Geschwisterliebe, die Bedeutung von Familie, Mut, Vertrauen, das Hinauswachsen über sich selbst – von all diesen Themen handelt „Die Rabenprinzessin“ unter anderem, wunderbar verpackt in einer ereignisreichen, fantasievollen und warmherzigen Abenteuergeschichte. Mir hat es ausgesprochen gut gefallen wie viele wichtige Werte und Botschaften die Story vermittelt und auch sonst hat mich die Handlung begeistern können. Sie steckt voller Überraschungen, Mysterien, magischer Fantasie und politischer Intrigen und auch die witzigen Szenen und emotionalen Momente kommen nicht zu kurz. Langeweile kommt beim Lesen garantiert nicht auf, mich zumindest haben die Geschehnisse durchweg packen können. Das Buch mag für mich ein paar Schwächen haben, aber insgesamt hat es mir echt viel Freude bereitet, Cordelia, Rosalind und Gideon auf ihrer abenteuerlichen Reise zu begleiten und mich gemeinsam mit ihnen lauter Herausforderungen und Gefahren zu stellen. Sollte es wirklich noch eine Fortsetzung geben, werde ich diese auf jeden Fall lesen.
Fazit: Stephanie Burgis hat mit „Die Rabenprinzessin“ einen tollen Fantasyroman für Leser*innen ab 10 Jahren aufs Papier gebracht, mit welchem sie uns eine zeitlos schöne Geschichte voller Geheimnisse und Magie beschert. Auch wenn mich die britische Autorin leider nicht vollends überzeugen konnte, kann ich das Buch nur empfehlen. Wer gerne in atmosphärische Fantasyabenteuer eintaucht, die spannend, unterhaltsam und herzerwärmend zugleich sind und etwas Märchenhaftes an sich haben, sollte sich „Die Rabenprinzessin“ unbedingt mal genauer ansehen. Von mir gibt es 4 von 5 Sternen.
Tief verborgen in einem verzauberten Wald liegt eine alte Burg. Hier lebt das Mädchen Cordelia gemeinsam mit ihren beiden Drillingsgeschwistern Rosalind und Gideon, ihrem großen Bruder Connall und ihrer Mutter. Bisher hat sie an diesem versteckten Ort ein sehr behütetes Leben geführt, fernab von dem Krieg, der seit Jahrzehnten im Königreich herrscht. Dies soll sich jedoch schlagartig ändern, als eines Tages Soldaten auftauchen und die Drillinge den Grund für ihr abgeschiedenes Leben erfahren: Einer von ihnen ist der Erbe des Rabenthrons. Seit dem Zerbrechen der Rabenkrone herrscht allerdings Leid und Elend im Land. Während den drei Geschwistern die Flucht gelingt, geraten die Mutter und Connall in Gefangenschaft. Die Drei begeben sich auf eine gefährliche Reise, mit dem Ziel, die zerbrochene Rabenkrone zu finden und ihre Familie zu retten. Ob ihnen das gelingen wird? Werden ihre magischen Kräfte ihnen dabei helfen können?
Als ich mit dem Lesen begann, war ich mir erst noch ziemlich sicher gewesen, dass mich Stephanie Burgis auch dieses Mal vollkommen verzaubern wird. Leider hat meine anfängliche große Begeisterung im Verlauf der Geschichte aber zunehmend nachgelassen, sodass „Die Rabenprinzessin“ nicht das von mir erhoffte Lesehighlight wurde. Ehe ihr jetzt aber denkt, dass ich enttäuscht von dem Buch bin: Nein, bin ich nicht. Es war nicht so gut wie erwartet und kann für mich mit meinen anderen Werken der Autorin nicht mithalten, aber ich hatte dennoch sehr viel Spaß beim Lesen und habe die Geschichte innerhalb kurzer Zeit beendet.
Dann komme ich als nächstes mal zu den Dingen, die mir nicht so gut gefallen haben. Mir persönlich hat es an mehreren Stellen an Informationen und Details gefehlt. Über die politische Hintergrundgeschichte und das Magiesystem erhalten wir leider nur recht wenig Klarheit, sodass es mir bis zum Schluss nicht gelungen ist, mir ein genaues Bild von der Welt zu machen, in der die Erzählung spielt. Ein wenig schade fand ich auch, dass es keine Karte vom Setting gibt, diese hätte ich mir vielleicht ein bisschen dabei geholfen, mich besser zurechtzufinden. Trotz allem mochte diese geheimnisvolle magische Welt, die Stephanie Burgis erschaffen hat, richtig gerne, vor allem die märchenhafte Atmosphäre, die durchweg herrscht, habe ich geliebt.
Auch über die Charaktere hätte ich gerne mehr erfahren wie beispielsweise über die Mutter unserer drei Hauptpersonen oder deren großen Bruder Connall. Da ich persönlich aber davon ausgehe, dass es sich hierbei um einen Reihenauftakt handelt, habe ich große Hoffnung, dass wir einige Figuren in den folgenden Bänden noch besser kennenlernen dürfen.
So, abgesehen von den eben genannten Punkten kann ich mich aber nur positiv zu „Die Rabenprinzessin“ äußern. Der Schreibstil von Stephanie Burgis sagte mir erneut auf Anhieb zu, für mich hat er sich angenehm flüssig und leicht lesen lassen, und unsere Hauptprotagonistin Cordelia, aus deren Sicht alles in der dritten Person geschildert wird, war mir direkt sympathisch. Mit ihr hat die Autorin eine starke Heldin erschaffen, in welcher nicht nur eine außergewöhnliche Magie schlummert, sondern auch eine beeindruckende Tapferkeit und Entschlossenheit. Ich habe Cordelia sehr für ihren Mut und ihre Stärke bewundert und von ihrer Fähigkeit sich in die verschiedensten Tiere verwandeln zu können, war ich ganz fasziniert.
Rosalind und Gideon, Cordelias ebenfalls magisch begabte Drillingsgeschwister, habe ich auch unheimlich liebgewonnen, vor allem Gideon mit seiner bezaubernden Art hat sich sofort in mein Herz geschlichen. Über ihn musste ich des öfteren sehr schmunzeln und auch die gelegentlichen Kabbeleien der Geschwister haben mich teils bestens unterhalten. Großartig fand ich auch, wie der Zusammenhalt und die Beziehung der Drei beschrieben wird. Die Drillinge mögen sich hin und wieder mal uneinig sein (was Geschwistern ja auch etwas völlig Normales ist), sie halten aber stets fest zusammen und sind immer füreinander da. Zu sehen was für eine innige Bindung die Drei haben und wie stark ihr Teamgeist ist, hat mir richtig das Herz erwärmt.
Geschwisterliebe, die Bedeutung von Familie, Mut, Vertrauen, das Hinauswachsen über sich selbst – von all diesen Themen handelt „Die Rabenprinzessin“ unter anderem, wunderbar verpackt in einer ereignisreichen, fantasievollen und warmherzigen Abenteuergeschichte. Mir hat es ausgesprochen gut gefallen wie viele wichtige Werte und Botschaften die Story vermittelt und auch sonst hat mich die Handlung begeistern können. Sie steckt voller Überraschungen, Mysterien, magischer Fantasie und politischer Intrigen und auch die witzigen Szenen und emotionalen Momente kommen nicht zu kurz. Langeweile kommt beim Lesen garantiert nicht auf, mich zumindest haben die Geschehnisse durchweg packen können. Das Buch mag für mich ein paar Schwächen haben, aber insgesamt hat es mir echt viel Freude bereitet, Cordelia, Rosalind und Gideon auf ihrer abenteuerlichen Reise zu begleiten und mich gemeinsam mit ihnen lauter Herausforderungen und Gefahren zu stellen. Sollte es wirklich noch eine Fortsetzung geben, werde ich diese auf jeden Fall lesen.
Fazit: Stephanie Burgis hat mit „Die Rabenprinzessin“ einen tollen Fantasyroman für Leser*innen ab 10 Jahren aufs Papier gebracht, mit welchem sie uns eine zeitlos schöne Geschichte voller Geheimnisse und Magie beschert. Auch wenn mich die britische Autorin leider nicht vollends überzeugen konnte, kann ich das Buch nur empfehlen. Wer gerne in atmosphärische Fantasyabenteuer eintaucht, die spannend, unterhaltsam und herzerwärmend zugleich sind und etwas Märchenhaftes an sich haben, sollte sich „Die Rabenprinzessin“ unbedingt mal genauer ansehen. Von mir gibt es 4 von 5 Sternen.
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September 17, 2021The Raven Heir by Stephanie Burgis is a middle grade fantasy about a set of magical triplets, two warring dynasties, and a broken crown waiting for its rightful owner.
The story is narrated from one of the triplets POV. We learn about their relationship, their characters, their magic and the world as it is now and how it was a long time ago through their experiences.
The triplets are so different from one another and have very different powers, but together they make a perfect team and their differences complement each other. I don't want to spoil any part of the story including which powers belong to whom because when I read the book I had no idea about that and it was fun finding out. I enjoyed the sibling relationship full of love and bickering.
I wanted to read this book because of the cover. It is so beautiful and illustrates the story perfectly.
The Raven Heir is a fun read. My favourite parts are the shape-shifting and the conversations through thoughts. I also want to have magic powers and shift into any animal whenever I want.
Two important things the book teaches are what power or the thought of it can do and that blood is not the only thing that makes a family
This is a great read for anyone that likes magic, adventures, family relationships, animals and nature.
I received an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The story is narrated from one of the triplets POV. We learn about their relationship, their characters, their magic and the world as it is now and how it was a long time ago through their experiences.
The triplets are so different from one another and have very different powers, but together they make a perfect team and their differences complement each other. I don't want to spoil any part of the story including which powers belong to whom because when I read the book I had no idea about that and it was fun finding out. I enjoyed the sibling relationship full of love and bickering.
I wanted to read this book because of the cover. It is so beautiful and illustrates the story perfectly.
The Raven Heir is a fun read. My favourite parts are the shape-shifting and the conversations through thoughts. I also want to have magic powers and shift into any animal whenever I want.
Two important things the book teaches are what power or the thought of it can do and that blood is not the only thing that makes a family
This is a great read for anyone that likes magic, adventures, family relationships, animals and nature.
I received an eARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
November 2, 2022
A great fantasy story for kids! I'd recommend it for 10 years and up.
The main character is different than the rest of her family, and has a hard time to control her "wild magic". She always feels a pull to the outdoors, and loves spending time in varies animal shapes and in nature.
I especially loved the family ties in this book, and how it's so much more than just mete blood. It's about love and trust and loyalties.
There is a definite moral to the story, about being true to yourself as well as about humans destroying so much in their path. However it's smoothly integrated in the story, and doesn't feel like a lecture or artificially layered over it.
A strong female lead who doesn't just rely on herself, but also on her triplets and her feel for the wild.
Highly recommended!
The main character is different than the rest of her family, and has a hard time to control her "wild magic". She always feels a pull to the outdoors, and loves spending time in varies animal shapes and in nature.
I especially loved the family ties in this book, and how it's so much more than just mete blood. It's about love and trust and loyalties.
There is a definite moral to the story, about being true to yourself as well as about humans destroying so much in their path. However it's smoothly integrated in the story, and doesn't feel like a lecture or artificially layered over it.
A strong female lead who doesn't just rely on herself, but also on her triplets and her feel for the wild.
Highly recommended!
August 15, 2021
loved it, fun, exciting and with lovely characters and exciting world. it's definitely middle grade and a joy to read for children and lover of middle grade books.
July 31, 2021
Cordelia's magic allows her to turn into any animal she wants, but she still can't get her mother to explain why they are hiding in a castle so deep in the woods. Cordelia is one of triplets who along with their older brother, mother, and her friend Alys are suddenly attacked by the Duke's men, demanding the Raven Heir return to the city and take his/her place on the throne. Cordelia is pretty sure it isn't her, but no one knows which triplet was born first. The three of them escape into the woods, on the run, trying to stay safe in a world they don't fully understand. Fantasy lovers looking for a new world to discover will gobble this up. Recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by Edelweiss
eARC provided by Edelweiss
October 6, 2021
I have really enjoyed Burgis previous works, particularly the Kat Incorrigible series, and am delighted to find a new series to delve into, although this first book reads more like a stand alone title. As usual she has dynamic and engaging characters in a nicely developed world. The background stories are quite different, but this book was nevertheless strongly reminiscent to me of The Shield, The Sword and The Crown trilogy by Hilari Bell. (It has been many years since I read that series so the similarity may be less than I remember.)
September 21, 2022
This was a sweet quick read. It was nice just to have a easy fun read. You follow triplets that find out their lives are not what they seem and there are greater forces playing a bigger game with their lives then they could ever imagine. So after their lives get turned upside down they go of a journey of self discovery and find that they are stronger together. This was a really finding your place in this world with an amazing family with lots of fun magic.
This is great for a pick me up read after getting burn out with high fantasy.
This is great for a pick me up read after getting burn out with high fantasy.
July 21, 2023
This was a cute MG fantasy. I knew exactly what I wanted going into it and it delivered with the type of story I was looking to get. It was a fast read/listen. Cordelia kinda got on my nerves at points with her stubbornness, but that's part of her character. Her triplet brother was definitely my favorite character. This reminded me a lot a lot of Into the Glades by Laura Sebastian -- the two books could be siblings. I won an annotated ARC of book 2 earlier this year, so I am excited to go ahead and dive into it.
December 26, 2021
I really enjoyed this book, it took me a while to get into (because of a reading slump) but once I did I really enjoyed it. I liked the triplets a lot, their personalities came through well and the story moved at a good pace.
4 stars, looking forward to more.
4 stars, looking forward to more.
September 25, 2021
A delightful read, geared towards older kids but perfect for me too.
August 2, 2021
A solid fantasy story that would make a good introduction to the genre for Middle Grade readers.
The story follows Cordelia, together with her siblings: Giles, and Rosalind, as they enter the world beyond the castle in the forest that is all that they know, having been made to flee after their home is besieged.
The plot centres around the fact that the realm needs a new king/queen, and that many of the noble families fight for ascendancy and to have influence over the next heir to the throne.
That's pretty much it.
It's well-written, and it's a fast-paced read, so might be a good introduction to the genre, but for me, an older reader, so admittedly not the target audience, it lacked depth of character or plot, and felt pretty generic. It was nicely written, but I found myself feeling pretty indifferent on finishing it.
There was no real explanation of why Cordelia should feel so strongly about a country she'd been isolated from for her whole life that she would go to the lengths she does at the end. The whole search for the crown, and the varying (and often very convenient) forms of magic are not delved into as much as they could be. But, I think it is the characters that suffer most. I was the most interested in the eldest brother, who had protected, defended, and known about Cordelia all along, but he is only given a few fleeting mentions, and no real back story. Cordelia and her siblings suffer from having single personality traits (or abilities) and that is the only thing about them that is ever really mentioned. Whatever the situation, each sibling tries to tackle it with their ability, no matter how inappropriate it is, and it seems as though it just over-emphasises that each ability is 'their thing': you've got the fighty one, the 'wild' one, and the singing one; they don't really grow or show any depth beyond their single skill.
I know I'm not the target audience, but I came to this fresh from reading another Middle Grade book about magic, a journey, and centering on three siblings, and really loved it, so much that I immediately bought the sequels. This just felt a bit generic, but it wasn't bad, or offensive in any way, just not very memorable, so would make a solid fantasy introduction to a young reader.
The story follows Cordelia, together with her siblings: Giles, and Rosalind, as they enter the world beyond the castle in the forest that is all that they know, having been made to flee after their home is besieged.
The plot centres around the fact that the realm needs a new king/queen, and that many of the noble families fight for ascendancy and to have influence over the next heir to the throne.
That's pretty much it.
It's well-written, and it's a fast-paced read, so might be a good introduction to the genre, but for me, an older reader, so admittedly not the target audience, it lacked depth of character or plot, and felt pretty generic. It was nicely written, but I found myself feeling pretty indifferent on finishing it.
There was no real explanation of why Cordelia should feel so strongly about a country she'd been isolated from for her whole life that she would go to the lengths she does at the end. The whole search for the crown, and the varying (and often very convenient) forms of magic are not delved into as much as they could be. But, I think it is the characters that suffer most. I was the most interested in the eldest brother, who had protected, defended, and known about Cordelia all along, but he is only given a few fleeting mentions, and no real back story. Cordelia and her siblings suffer from having single personality traits (or abilities) and that is the only thing about them that is ever really mentioned. Whatever the situation, each sibling tries to tackle it with their ability, no matter how inappropriate it is, and it seems as though it just over-emphasises that each ability is 'their thing': you've got the fighty one, the 'wild' one, and the singing one; they don't really grow or show any depth beyond their single skill.
I know I'm not the target audience, but I came to this fresh from reading another Middle Grade book about magic, a journey, and centering on three siblings, and really loved it, so much that I immediately bought the sequels. This just felt a bit generic, but it wasn't bad, or offensive in any way, just not very memorable, so would make a solid fantasy introduction to a young reader.
September 13, 2021
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to Bloomsbury for providing an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 stars
The Raven Heir was a fun and fast-paced middle-grade fantasy full of magic, life-altering secrets, and power-hungry royals! Without giving spoilers, I didn't expect the story to look at the human impact upon a damaged and dying land but it gave the story an 'ancient' sort of vibe and I appreciated that aspect of the story! I haven't read anything by this author before but their writing style made this a very easy read that I was able to finish in a span of a few hours. It read a bit on the younger end of MG but I have no doubt it's a story many readers will enjoy whether they're part of the target audience or not!
The story is told through Cordelia's POV. Cordelia is one of the triplets but unlike her siblings, she has always felt a pull to the world outside the 'safe' and hidden bubble their mother created to protect the children. She is also a shape-shifter and I thought it was really cool to learn that she could shift into any animal she wanted! I thought it was unique the way she experienced the world differently with each animal and it was clearly depicted by the author. Part of the triplet alongside Cordelia are Giles and Rosalind, both of whom have inherited different powers of human sorcery. Of the three, I have to say that my favourite was Giles! He has such a bubbly and delightful personality and I thought his power via spoken word was really cool—it was like compulsion by song! The triplets also have an older brother Connall, who is the "good boy" who strictly follows their mother's endless rules, but for good reason, and although we only get small glimpses of him, he was a level-headed presence that brought a comforting vibe to the story, especially compared to the triplets.
There's a strong focus on family relationships in this book and I think Burgis portrayed them very well. There was a lot of squabbling between the triplets as they journeyed to uncover the truth of the land, and while at times it was a little frustrating, it was also entertaining and very relatable—I mean, I could definitely see my siblings and me squabbling in the same way! 😂 Yet despite the rough patches they experienced along the way, and their difficulties in setting differences aside, it ultimately served to strengthen their bond and increase their appreciation for each other. I loved how they stick together, bolster the other when their confidence falls and have each other's backs.
I think I would've liked this book more if the world-building was stronger, which is also why I feel it reads on the younger end of MG (which is not really an issue since I'm not the target audience). There's not much clarity on the political history of the warring families or the magic system, which is a pity because there is a lot of magic and different kinds, too! For example, the triplets are admittedly untrained in their powers but on the course of their journey they are able to easily and quickly master those powers but it's not clear how they did it or how they knew how to do it. Though I enjoyed the fast pace of the read, it also read *too* fast at times as there was more telling than showing. However, this seems to be the first book in a series, so there's potential for these aspects to be further developed in the following books! I hope that we also get to learn more about certain characters, like Connall and I'd love to even get different perspectives from the other siblings, too.
Overall, this was an action-packed and adventure-filled start to a new middle-grade fantasy series that I think many young readers will enjoy!
The Raven Heir was a fun and fast-paced middle-grade fantasy full of magic, life-altering secrets, and power-hungry royals! Without giving spoilers, I didn't expect the story to look at the human impact upon a damaged and dying land but it gave the story an 'ancient' sort of vibe and I appreciated that aspect of the story! I haven't read anything by this author before but their writing style made this a very easy read that I was able to finish in a span of a few hours. It read a bit on the younger end of MG but I have no doubt it's a story many readers will enjoy whether they're part of the target audience or not!
The story is told through Cordelia's POV. Cordelia is one of the triplets but unlike her siblings, she has always felt a pull to the world outside the 'safe' and hidden bubble their mother created to protect the children. She is also a shape-shifter and I thought it was really cool to learn that she could shift into any animal she wanted! I thought it was unique the way she experienced the world differently with each animal and it was clearly depicted by the author. Part of the triplet alongside Cordelia are Giles and Rosalind, both of whom have inherited different powers of human sorcery. Of the three, I have to say that my favourite was Giles! He has such a bubbly and delightful personality and I thought his power via spoken word was really cool—it was like compulsion by song! The triplets also have an older brother Connall, who is the "good boy" who strictly follows their mother's endless rules, but for good reason, and although we only get small glimpses of him, he was a level-headed presence that brought a comforting vibe to the story, especially compared to the triplets.
There's a strong focus on family relationships in this book and I think Burgis portrayed them very well. There was a lot of squabbling between the triplets as they journeyed to uncover the truth of the land, and while at times it was a little frustrating, it was also entertaining and very relatable—I mean, I could definitely see my siblings and me squabbling in the same way! 😂 Yet despite the rough patches they experienced along the way, and their difficulties in setting differences aside, it ultimately served to strengthen their bond and increase their appreciation for each other. I loved how they stick together, bolster the other when their confidence falls and have each other's backs.
I think I would've liked this book more if the world-building was stronger, which is also why I feel it reads on the younger end of MG (which is not really an issue since I'm not the target audience). There's not much clarity on the political history of the warring families or the magic system, which is a pity because there is a lot of magic and different kinds, too! For example, the triplets are admittedly untrained in their powers but on the course of their journey they are able to easily and quickly master those powers but it's not clear how they did it or how they knew how to do it. Though I enjoyed the fast pace of the read, it also read *too* fast at times as there was more telling than showing. However, this seems to be the first book in a series, so there's potential for these aspects to be further developed in the following books! I hope that we also get to learn more about certain characters, like Connall and I'd love to even get different perspectives from the other siblings, too.
Overall, this was an action-packed and adventure-filled start to a new middle-grade fantasy series that I think many young readers will enjoy!
September 2, 2021
4.5 out of 5 stars
The Raven Heir is by far the best middle grade fantasy I’ve read this year!!
Full of adventure, danger, secrets, and unraveling truths- I couldn’t put this book down once the story truly began.
Cordy isn’t like her triplet siblings. Her magic has taken a different path than theirs and she can shift into whatever wild thing her heart desires. But Cordy is tired of all the secrets her mother keeps and the questions she refuses to answer. So when two dukes and their knights show up at their home in the enchanted forest Cordy wants to know why, and who they are, and what they want. But her desire for answers puts her family at risk, and now Cordy must do whatever she can to keep her triplets safe and find out the truth to all the secrets surrounding them.
I absolutely loved Cordy and her siblings! Burgis created such a pure, well rounded, and well developed set of triplets. And while Cordelia is the main character, her triplets are just as much a part of what’s happening as she is.
Burgis also created a phenomenal magic and secret fueled world filled with an enchanted forest, a looming kingdom, and mystical mountains. I loved falling into the world of Corvenne.
The story of Cordy and her triplets starts off slow as Burgis introduces readers to their world, and their magic- but it quickly picks up with action while the triplets try to stay safe in the wild forest. The plot twists were beautiful, and honestly I didn’t see one of them coming, which was brilliant!
The story comes together with such a perfect ending too. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Raven Heir and plan to see what else Burgis has available for me to read. If you love middle grade fantasy- this is a must read for sure!
The Raven Heir is by far the best middle grade fantasy I’ve read this year!!
Full of adventure, danger, secrets, and unraveling truths- I couldn’t put this book down once the story truly began.
Cordy isn’t like her triplet siblings. Her magic has taken a different path than theirs and she can shift into whatever wild thing her heart desires. But Cordy is tired of all the secrets her mother keeps and the questions she refuses to answer. So when two dukes and their knights show up at their home in the enchanted forest Cordy wants to know why, and who they are, and what they want. But her desire for answers puts her family at risk, and now Cordy must do whatever she can to keep her triplets safe and find out the truth to all the secrets surrounding them.
I absolutely loved Cordy and her siblings! Burgis created such a pure, well rounded, and well developed set of triplets. And while Cordelia is the main character, her triplets are just as much a part of what’s happening as she is.
Burgis also created a phenomenal magic and secret fueled world filled with an enchanted forest, a looming kingdom, and mystical mountains. I loved falling into the world of Corvenne.
The story of Cordy and her triplets starts off slow as Burgis introduces readers to their world, and their magic- but it quickly picks up with action while the triplets try to stay safe in the wild forest. The plot twists were beautiful, and honestly I didn’t see one of them coming, which was brilliant!
The story comes together with such a perfect ending too. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Raven Heir and plan to see what else Burgis has available for me to read. If you love middle grade fantasy- this is a must read for sure!
September 19, 2024
THE RAVEN HEIR is the beginning of a new middle grade fantasy series. Cordelia and her triplet brother and sister have been raised in the middle of an enchanted forest protected by their mother. Cordelia, who is able to shift into any sort of animal, chafes at the restrictions that keep her confined to the forest and chafes at the secrets her mother is keeping.
When the castle is discovered and put under siege, Cordelia's mother tells her and her siblings Rosalind and Giles to flee. Running from these new enemies, the twelve-year-olds have to find out why they have been hidden and who wants them and why.
The children learn that one of them is the potential heir to the Raven Throne. However, they don't know which of them. They do learn that many of the dukes want them only to cement their own power in the kingdom. They meet a previously unknown grandmother who has her own uses for the heir and her own political agenda.
Cordelia is determined to find the Raven crown which was broken and hidden when the then current king broke the covenant with the land which led to the current problem of war for the kingdom as the dukes all fight to claim the throne. She and her siblings begin their journey to the site where the crown is hidden and along the way they see what the constant war has done to the kingdom.
This was an exciting start to a new series. I love the emphasis on the importance of family and the ties between siblings.
When the castle is discovered and put under siege, Cordelia's mother tells her and her siblings Rosalind and Giles to flee. Running from these new enemies, the twelve-year-olds have to find out why they have been hidden and who wants them and why.
The children learn that one of them is the potential heir to the Raven Throne. However, they don't know which of them. They do learn that many of the dukes want them only to cement their own power in the kingdom. They meet a previously unknown grandmother who has her own uses for the heir and her own political agenda.
Cordelia is determined to find the Raven crown which was broken and hidden when the then current king broke the covenant with the land which led to the current problem of war for the kingdom as the dukes all fight to claim the throne. She and her siblings begin their journey to the site where the crown is hidden and along the way they see what the constant war has done to the kingdom.
This was an exciting start to a new series. I love the emphasis on the importance of family and the ties between siblings.
December 29, 2021
I received this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
I was keen to pick this up after thoroughly enjoying Stephanie's previous middle grade series, plus the premise sounded really intriguing. I'm so glad I did, it was so fun and magical!
I really liked how we got to see glimpses of the politics of the world, even though the children don't actually know much going in - we learn with them which is a lovely touch. Cordelia is particularly endearing of our three main characters - she is wild and just wants to run free and I really felt empathy for her. Plus I am very jealous of her shape shifting! I loved that Giles' life ambition is basically to be a bard, and that Rosalind wants to be a knight. They are both so wonderful.
There is so much packed into this book, it really captures the longing to grow up and the frustration of adults not telling you things so clearly. It is about family more than it's about magic and royalty too - there's so many little moments that I could mention, but I won't because you should just read it!
I also saw a comment that this would make a wonderful movie, and I honestly couldn't agree more! it has a great story, excellent moral and honestly I can really picture the way some of it would play out. :) Pick it up producers!
4 stars.
I was keen to pick this up after thoroughly enjoying Stephanie's previous middle grade series, plus the premise sounded really intriguing. I'm so glad I did, it was so fun and magical!
I really liked how we got to see glimpses of the politics of the world, even though the children don't actually know much going in - we learn with them which is a lovely touch. Cordelia is particularly endearing of our three main characters - she is wild and just wants to run free and I really felt empathy for her. Plus I am very jealous of her shape shifting! I loved that Giles' life ambition is basically to be a bard, and that Rosalind wants to be a knight. They are both so wonderful.
There is so much packed into this book, it really captures the longing to grow up and the frustration of adults not telling you things so clearly. It is about family more than it's about magic and royalty too - there's so many little moments that I could mention, but I won't because you should just read it!
I also saw a comment that this would make a wonderful movie, and I honestly couldn't agree more! it has a great story, excellent moral and honestly I can really picture the way some of it would play out. :) Pick it up producers!
4 stars.
October 7, 2021
3/5🌟
I took the time to read this one didn’t I?
I think this is a wonderful middle grade fantasy! It was so wholesome and following Cordelia’s journey w her triplet was so so much fun!!!! I absolutely love Cordelia’s powers of shapeshifting. It has such strong Alice in Wonderland and Rapunzel vibes too being in the forest throughout the book. I genuinely love the flashbacks too!
What I didn’t quite like about the book is that it gets realllyyyy draggy up to the point that it made me lost interest here and there. And right to the end it’s so rushed??? It’s like the author almost kinda wanna finish it real fast which is a bummer bc honestly I was really invested w the storyline. Maybe perhaps this book wasn’t meant for an audience like me haha 😂
But!!! I think Stephanie Burgis is an exceptional MG writer! I would honestly recommend this to young readers and also beginner readers because it’s so easy to understand and yet so compelling!
If anyone’s interested in getting this book, it’s available in all good bookstores in Malaysia! I think MPH has it for cheap right now 👀
Thank you #pansing @definitelybooks @definitelybookskids for sending me a copy for an exchange of an honest review.
I took the time to read this one didn’t I?
I think this is a wonderful middle grade fantasy! It was so wholesome and following Cordelia’s journey w her triplet was so so much fun!!!! I absolutely love Cordelia’s powers of shapeshifting. It has such strong Alice in Wonderland and Rapunzel vibes too being in the forest throughout the book. I genuinely love the flashbacks too!
What I didn’t quite like about the book is that it gets realllyyyy draggy up to the point that it made me lost interest here and there. And right to the end it’s so rushed??? It’s like the author almost kinda wanna finish it real fast which is a bummer bc honestly I was really invested w the storyline. Maybe perhaps this book wasn’t meant for an audience like me haha 😂
But!!! I think Stephanie Burgis is an exceptional MG writer! I would honestly recommend this to young readers and also beginner readers because it’s so easy to understand and yet so compelling!
If anyone’s interested in getting this book, it’s available in all good bookstores in Malaysia! I think MPH has it for cheap right now 👀
Thank you #pansing @definitelybooks @definitelybookskids for sending me a copy for an exchange of an honest review.
August 7, 2021
Cordelia can change into any animal she wants, she can be as huge as a bear and as small as a worm. But this still doesn't give her the freedom she longs for. When she gives in to this craving she accidentally sets off a chain of reactions, separating her from half her family. She is fiercely protective and all her instincts are driving her to rescue them but she realises that the whole land is at stake, not just her family and she has to make some difficult decisions.
From the start of the book you are thrown straight into the action and it doesn't let up for a minute. I loved that despite all their magic and the way they were brought up with this huge destiny, they are still normal siblings, bickering over the slightest thing while at the same time trying to protect each other from the bad guys.
The book is full of mystery and secrets, I really couldn't guess what was going to happen. There is a wonderfully fulfilling ending but I am still extremely happy to hear that there is a book 2 on the way.
From the start of the book you are thrown straight into the action and it doesn't let up for a minute. I loved that despite all their magic and the way they were brought up with this huge destiny, they are still normal siblings, bickering over the slightest thing while at the same time trying to protect each other from the bad guys.
The book is full of mystery and secrets, I really couldn't guess what was going to happen. There is a wonderfully fulfilling ending but I am still extremely happy to hear that there is a book 2 on the way.
March 3, 2024
I've loved some of Stephanie Burgis's earlier middle-grade fantasy novels, including The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart, and so I was excited to read this one! I wasn't disappointed. The magic system managed to be both familiar and unique, with Burgis's strong descriptions and very practical day-to-day applications making it feel distinct and creative. I particularly liked Cordelia's ability to transform--the way her abilities were altered and limited by the different shapes she took, and the fluidity of her transformations, were especially intriguing. She and her siblings were all strong characters, and the way they played off one another was delightful; although they easily could've felt like classic 'very different' siblings, their dynamic was so realistic it brought them to life.
4.5 stars, rounded up
4.5 stars, rounded up
August 18, 2021
Well, this was a real adventurous novel with a richly imagined plot. Admittedly, I'm (sadly) not the intended audience, however I really enjoyed it. There was so much to submerge yourself within. Think castles and knights, magic and shape-shifting. A broken crown, an enchanted woodland and lots of family secrets! All inspired by the authors research of the Wars of Roses and the children at their centre.
Any involvement of magic in a book always gets my attention and the magic and bravery of this novels characters is what made this such an exciting read - I particularly enjoyed the shape-shifting element, you could really relish in Cordelia's joy! But magic, although a big part of the story, wasn't the only thing that kept me reading.
There were twists to keep you on your toes, lots of humour and a strong family bond. I loved the lengths that the characters went to, in order to protect each other, as well as the novels underlying message of believing in not only yourself but in others - which I thought was just lovely. It's a story that I'm sure, children and adults alike will fall in love with - I can't wait to see what my nieces make of it!
✨💫
Any involvement of magic in a book always gets my attention and the magic and bravery of this novels characters is what made this such an exciting read - I particularly enjoyed the shape-shifting element, you could really relish in Cordelia's joy! But magic, although a big part of the story, wasn't the only thing that kept me reading.
There were twists to keep you on your toes, lots of humour and a strong family bond. I loved the lengths that the characters went to, in order to protect each other, as well as the novels underlying message of believing in not only yourself but in others - which I thought was just lovely. It's a story that I'm sure, children and adults alike will fall in love with - I can't wait to see what my nieces make of it!
✨💫
June 21, 2022
For the target audience, this is pretty good stuff. Siblings bonds, magic, shape-shifting, betrayals, all that jazz. But the writing is fairly juvenile, none of the elements of the story are really anything I haven't seen by now, and it just doesn't hold up super well as an adult reader. Would probably have loved as a young girl though, and would definitely recommend to younger readers.
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