“The Ravening,” by Daniel Church

I thought this was a good book but there’s somethings that prevented me from really liking it a lot. I didn’t love the characters too much; I just didn’t feel like they were written in a way that I felt emotionally attached to them. The story plot also kind of dragged on longer than I wanted, it could’ve been cut down a bit. The F/F relationship at the beginning was beyond toxic and felt so flat, even though the FMC kept saying in her head how much she loved and wanted to be with her again when she was about to cut and run. I liked the spooky concept of the book and forced pregnancy being a horror topic is fitting. 3 out of 5 stars.

-F/F, Bisexual
-Pregnancy

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

Creepy and intruiging, The Ravening is more action-thriller at times than horror.

This book … hmm. I thought it was good, but, in comparison, I thought The Hollows was excellent. I enjoyed this and was intrigued by the mystery aspect of it, but it felt a little longer than it needed to be as some parts dragged, and I’m also not fond of a certain plot point related to human evil (vs the supernatural). And by “not fond” I mean I find it frustrating more than scary or exciting.

Ok, I’ll just tell you as it happens pretty early in the story. There’s a forced pregnancy/kidnapping element to the novel. There’s no sexualized violence (aside from stealthing, told in passing), but if you find forced pregnancy icky, you might want to avoid it.

The thing about this book that kept it at a solid 3.5 stars for me is that it’s just not that memorable. I think this ties back to it being too long. There are parts to it that just feel like they could have been trimmed. The story essentially repeats itself plotwise at one point, which I think we could have done without, and there is a sort of Silent Hill alternate reality land that I just wasn’t into. I’m never fond of when movies or books have someone going into some sort of liminal space or dream realm or whatever to deal with the issues. It happens so often that I’m just a little tired of that trope. I think that might also be my issue with the book - there are a lot of tropes that I’m just not into. I’m trying to explain that this is a subjective thing, not so much a writing or narrative thing - it's more just my preferences (aside from the needed trimming)

The book starts off very very strong, the monster in it is intriguing and creepy, and the parts that are horror are actually scary. There’s just a bit too much action/thriller for me. His last book was a horror with a few scenes of shoot-out action, which cool, but this was mainly action/thriller with some scenes of horror. I think I got thrown off as the book starts as a straight-up horror but doesn’t keep that momentum.

I also wasn’t as drawn to the characters as I could have been. I understood and did like Jenna, the main character, as she was resolute and never stopped fighting back - I wanted a happy ending for her - but Holly wasn’t fleshed out enough for me to understand why she cared so much for Jenna, who is, by her own admission, quite abrasive. The villains are far too many and don’t get enough page time, so I could have used more time with them to make them more threatening than they were. The monster thing - the Bone Walker - was interesting up until the climax - I didn’t find the reveal overly surprising, perhaps because there are mini-chapters here and there basically explaining the premise as you go. Perhaps had the story been half the Bone Walker's story and half Jenna’s, I might have worked a bit better.

What I did appreciate was the book’s approach to bodily autonomy. As someone who is very pro-choice, these aspects of the story I thought were approached in a realistic and thoughtful way that I very much appreciated. I’m very happy to see these male authors writing about women’s issues and clearly doing their research, so that was great.

It is, as I said, a solid, entertaining book, but I can’t say that I loved it. But will I read another of Church’s in the future? Absolutely.

The Ravening is often lurking in the woods, and I mean that literally. If you like novels about stumbling through the Woods, Daniel Church’s The Ravening is the book for you.

Described as a “gripping, claustrophobic horror novel”, the story centers around one
Jenna McKnight, who is not a lucky person. Her mom vanishes down an abandoned road in the forest in the middle of the night when their car breaks down when Jenna is 15. Her dad drinks himself to death before she turns 18. She has failed relationships as an adult. Add all that to her latest misadventure: she’s been kidnapped.

Will fortune ever smile on House McKnight? Can Jenna find true happiness, maybe even love along the way? And what’s this supernatural Bonewalker creature doing up in her biz throughout her life?

Church uses descriptive imagery throughout the book to draw the reader into his story. While I felt the writing was more thriller than horror I enjoyed the flawed main character. My biggest complaint about the book was entirely too much use of the word “Babe” in the second half (I started calling it out every time I read it and put off my fiancé within five minutes). Overall, this was not a book for me, but I do think it has an audience with people who enjoy thrillers involving kidnapping and being lost in the woods.






Trigger Warnings I wish the book blurb contained:



kidnapping and forced pregnancy trope

This was an interesting read, there definitely was lots of action. Jenna sure was a tough girl! I'm not sure if the author/publisher wants you knowing much about the story before going in because the description is kind of vague as to what actually happens. Without giving away too much, the whole needing your descendants part was a little weird but made sense & went with the "monster" on his creation and what he needed to survive. 3/ 3.5 stars.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Angry Robot for the ARC copy of #TheRavening.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Sept. 24, 2024
As a teenager, Jenna’s mom is killed by a monster that only Jenna has seen. Soon after, her now-alcoholic father dies and Jenna’s life unravels even more. Now, on her own, Jenna fights against love and letting anyone in. But she soon finds out, that the monster who killed her mother is very, very real and he wants Jenna for himself. It is up to Jenna to rely on the one thing she has sworn off forever, real love, to save her from the monsters, supernatural and human alike.
Daniel Church’s new novel, “The Ravening” is a horror novel, with an LGBTQ romance flair. It starts with a terrifying monster in the woods, that leads to Jenna’s captivity and her right to choose (how/when/if she wishes to be a mother) and then wraps up with Jenna’s ability to let her lover in and start a life together. Church’s novel is complex, with many emotionally fraught themes, but Church manages to combine all of the plot lines into something dark and sinister, and thoroughly enjoyable.
The novel is told from Jenna’s perspective, on the day her mother is killed in front of her. The mysterious monster exists only in shadow and speculation, so even Jenna doubts its’ existence, until she can’t anymore. Church’s descriptions of the “Bonewalker” (Jenna’s term for the terrifying creature) are chilling and downright frightening. The backstory of who or what the Bonewalker is is creative and mythical, and this was, by far, the most engaging part of the novel itself.
“The Ravening” is non-stop action, right from the first page. Jenna is a relatable character and I immediately built a rapport with the tough-as-nails, independent protagonist. The chapters are short, making the story easy to read, and I was desperate to find out how it ended. Church delivers a satisfying ending that provided comfort after pages of spine-tingling, edge-of-your-seat horror, and I loved it.
“The Ravening” is not a feminist novel, but it has strong female themes focusing on a woman’s right to choose, but, even with the controversial theme, it is not preachy and there is no pedestal that Church preaches from. It is also mythical and theological, in relation to the monster itself, but again, Church has written the novel so it is not divisive and can be enjoyed by anyone looking for a new horror story to explore.
I was unsure of what to expect, as Church is new to me, and the reviews on this novel are mixed. But I found “The Ravening” to be creative and spooky, and I definitely will be looking forward to more horror novels from Church.

The ravening is a well thought out book, that manages to balance the themes of horror and suspense wonderfully.
What the author has done here, is keep the cast of characters low, which I feel has then helped in providing each one with their own personality and depth. The author has been able to pursue the character development and world building thoroughly and what has been produced as a result of this, is a strong, eerie, atmospheric and immersive book.
I’d highly recommend this one to everyone.

**Book Review: The Ravening by Daniel Church**

*The Ravening* is a compelling fusion of horror and suspense, skillfully crafted by Daniel Church, who uses the eerie setting of the woodlands to create a tense and foreboding atmosphere. From the outset, the reader is thrust into a world of chaos and dread, with the vivid descriptions making it easy to empathize with Jenna’s increasingly claustrophobic experience.

During the first half of the novel, I found myself completely absorbed, eagerly turning pages late into the night to uncover the fate of the main character’s mother. The story's initial pace and the unraveling mysteries keep you hooked, evoking a sense of urgency that is difficult to resist. However, as the narrative progresses, the momentum begins to wane. The latter half of the book drags somewhat, with the pacing becoming slower and less engaging, leading me to skim through certain sections in an effort to reach the conclusion.

One of the standout aspects of *The Ravening* is its well-developed characters. While the cast is not extensive, each character is given a distinct background and motivation, adding depth to their actions and making Jenna’s personal struggles all the more poignant. Jenna herself undergoes significant growth throughout the story. Initially portrayed as closed-off and, at times, difficult to connect with due to her traumatic past, she gradually evolves into a more open and trusting individual, thanks in part to her relationship with her partner, Holly.

Daniel Church's writing style is both thrilling and engaging, making *The Ravening* a memorable read despite its slower sections. His ability to build suspense and create an immersive atmosphere suggests that his future works will be well worth exploring.

For fans of horror and mystery-thriller novels who appreciate suspenseful and atmospheric storytelling, *The Ravening* is certainly a novel to consider.

I like horror but not this kind of horror! It's set up at the start to be a supernatural horror with a weird deer monster that abducts Jenna's mom when she's a teenager, and then a decade later, she's still trying to recover. It quickly then becomes a completely other sort of horror. A former boyfriend was an abusive jerk, he got her pregnant right before she left him, and once she realizes, he kidnaps her to hold her hostage to force her to carry his baby to term. Certainly these things line up eventually, but I wasn't going to stick around through that. Too scary.
Major CW for forced pregnancy and being held against one's will.

The two main characters, Jenna and Holly, and their relationship anchored this horror novel for me. And while the monster is terrifying, it is the sections where Jenna is imprisoned and her bodily autonomy is taken away that were the most chilling.

While there is potential for this book, it is in desperate need of quality control. There's just too much faff. The sheer amount of highly specific references, overwriting, ungainly hyperbolic characterization, and drama that is far too intense in the weirdest moments, made this sound distinctly Wattpadesque. The author was clearly having fun while writing, but that fun was transferred to me the same way I imagine it would be if I were watching a kid take a fat dump in a sandbox from across the park. Feels like someone should be monitoring and correcting this behavior, especially since it's a public spectacle, but the poor thing has been left unattended.

After reading The Hollows I looked forward to this.
This book has a really strong and gripping first half, and the potential up to this point is great.
But it does not fulfil the promise. I struggled alot with the second half and I don’t know if I would have finished it if I had not committed.

This was such an interesting premise and I really enjoyed Jenna’s character, and the first 40% of this book. After that, I felt that it got a little too complicated and the main plot and character were being forgotten amongst all the chaos. The horror aspect was written well, I certainly felt uneasy reading this. I just wish it was a little more tidy and neatened up in the middle.

The Ravening is a gripping blend of both horror and suspense where the author created an eerie backdrop with the help of the woodlands. The reader is plunged into a chaotic and dreadful world where, personally, i felt quite claustrophobic when imagining what it would feel like to be in Jenna’s place.

In the first 50% of the book i had my kindle gripped in my hands - i wanted to keep on reading even if it was already 4am just for the sake of finding out what happened to the main characters mom. However, it soon turned a little boring. The second half of the book’s pace is a little too dragging and i found myself skipping a few lines just to get it over with.

On another note, one of the novel’s strengths are the rich characters. Although not a lot of them, everyone had a background, a motive as to why they did the things they did; it helped Jenna’s horrors feel personal.
The main character also suffered a great development - due to her traumatic past she was extremely closed off in the beginning and her personality felt very icky at times. However, with the help of her partner, Holly, we see her blossoming into someone who can trust and love.

I’d love to read more of Daniel Church in the future - his writing style was very thrilling and captivating.
If you’re a fan of horror and mystery-thriller novels with suspenseful and atmospheric storytelling, you should give The Ravening a try.

The Ravening by Daniel Church is an intriguing read with a dark and atmospheric storyline. The book follows a small community haunted by a mysterious, malevolent force, and Church does a great job building suspense and creating a chilling setting. However, the pacing can drag at times, and some plot twists feel predictable. The characters are engaging but could use more depth. Overall, it’s a solid thriller with some strong moments, though it doesn’t quite hit its full potential. If you’re into eerie, suspenseful stories, it’s worth checking out

So, this book was okay. I picked it up because it was compared to Stephen Graham Jones, and I love his work. However, it kinda just felt like more female trauma written by a male author for male gratification. Which is not what the author probably wanted to do. IDK, it just wasn't the vibe.

The Ravening is a veritable chunky and visceral feast of a book for fans of horror.

Our carefully crafted companion, Jenna, is haughty, naughty and flawed; unsurprisingly after the terrifying way she loses her mum when still a teen in the early chapter where the tone is set with hints of ancient horrors to yet be unleashed upon us.

Fast forward several years, multiple deliveries of bad luck and a trauma laden 6 pound chip on her shoulder – we meet back up with Jenna and things seem to be taking a turn for the better in a relationship that is blooming despite her fear of commitment and lack of trust in everyone.

And that luck of trust proves portentous, as this is where the vortex of bad luck and injustice continues to sweep her up again and again to the extent that I had to keep putting the book down to take a breather from what she had to endure. But I was never far from picking it up again as it haunted me when I wasn’t in its pages.

There’s ancient bloodlines. Savage immortal creatures. Dark woodlands. Evil posh people and cold hearted doctors. Retibution and celebration into commiseration and frustration. Other worlds (how I loved that) and even some history around the Knights Templar.

Savagery and claustrophobia that won’t put you down all interlaced with a sardonic black humour from our protagonist – who is so well constructed that I feel I know her and in being so, feel every injustice personally. I almost read from behind a cushion.

Fast paced, brutal, stressful but always with a glint in its eye delivering little reprieves to the constant onslaught of WTF moments. The Ravening is an absolute joy to read and completely exhausting in all the ways I so desperately crave from books.

Daniel Church, bigup your badass (and very talented) self and kudos to Angry Robot for allow me the privilege of reading this advance copy.

A gripping, fast paced, grotesque, and horrifying read I couldn’t put down!

From the creator of The Hollows comes a chilling horror thriller that will captivate fans of Stephen Graham Jones's The Only Good Indian. Jenna's life has been marked by hardship, from the mysterious disappearance of her mother to escaping an abusive relationship. Now seeking solace with her new girlfriend, Holly, Jenna finds herself haunted by a malevolent darkness that refuses to let her go. The Ravening is a taut, suspenseful novel that pits Jenna against both ancient evils and personal demons, exploring themes of trust, self-belief, and the faint glimmer of love in a world shrouded in terror.

This book is a masterclass in the art of psychological and visceral horror, expertly blending the grotesque with profound emotional depth. Its pace is blistering, pulling readers into a maelstrom of fear and dread. As Jenna encounters a series of horrifying events, the descriptions of gore and terror span all five senses - every drip of blood and scream is rendered in striking clarity. This immersive approach ensures that readers experience the horror alongside Jenna, feeling her terror in real-time as she narrowly escapes one horrific encounter only to be thrust into another.

The Ravening is more than just a relentless horror story. It dives deep into real-life demons that shadow us daily - PTSD, grief, bullying, and self-worth. The narrative eloquently illustrates that the monsters lurking in the dark are not always the most terrifying. Often, the real monsters are the struggles and emotional battles we face in our everyday lives. Through Jenna’s experiences, the book underscores the importance of clinging to the small, cherished details that help us persevere amidst adversity. There’s even a spicy sense to ease the tension.

The historical references woven into the story enrich the plot, grounding the ancient demon at the heart of the tale in a context that feels both plausible and daunting. These elements not only enhance the believability of the demon’s existence but also serve as a testament to the long-standing struggle humanity has faced against this dark force.

Overall, The Ravening is a compelling blend of fast-paced horror and meaningful commentary on personal struggles. Its chilling atmosphere, combined with its exploration of both supernatural and real-world demons, makes it a standout in the genre. If you’re a fan of horror that goes beyond the surface and digs deep into the human psyche, this book is a must-read.

DNF at 20%. Our very first introduction to Elaine, whose disappearance ostensibly drives the protagonist and the rest of the story, is her saying we should bring back hitting children, which threw off any negative emotions I would have felt about her murder/disappearance/kidnapping/whatever. The way Jenna was written made me feel like the author disliked her, which was also off-putting. I love an unlikeable character, but when the author themselves doesn't like their own creation, it's just hard to read. I was also totally thrown off by the disconnect between the story itself and the marketing -- for anyone reading this, the bulk of the story up until the point where I decided to stop was about forced pregnancy and kidnapping, which was hardly the folk horror setup the blurbs promised.

The Ravening is an interesting mix of folk horror, Knights Templar history, forced pregnancy horror and kidnap trauma. The opening sequence in the woods is particularly effective - although sadly the book is never quite as strong again. I definitely found the folk horror and knights Templar aspects more enjoyable than the forced pregnancy storyline which wasn’t really to my taste - once we were back into weird metaphysical elements I was much more engaged again.

I think the biggest issue for me is that neither Jenna nor Holly are particular likeable, and i wasn’t entirely convinced by their relationship - and especially the repeated use of ‘babe’ as a term of endearment. It’s funny the things that annoy you at times…

having said that there are effective elements - I do like the greylands as a concept, and the end is rather neat. Overall a bit of a curate’s egg, and a slight disappointment after the Hollows which I loved.

The Ravening starts off strong with a traumatic back story for the FMC and the plot switches to a brief cozy romance before everything is turned upside down. I won’t say too much as this may spoil things but I certainly was not expecting a lot of what happened to happen, which is always a positive. You definitely don’t know who to trust and the atmosphere is great. The scenes in the woods are especially atmospheric and dark. I felt the FMC internal dialogue was well presented and her personal struggles well portrayed.
I read this book quickly as I wanted to find out what happens next.
I loved the cover of this book and although there are antlers in the story I felt they should have had more coverage. I feel the cover doesn’t quite fit what I read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.