OMG 🐦‍⬛ THIS 🦊 BOOK 🐉 IS 🐒 SO 🐻 FREAKIN 🐅 GOOD 🐂

I honestly don’t even know where to start. This book is so different, so refreshing, so intriguing, so imaginative I cannot even begin to tell you how hooked I was.

Welcome to Orrun, an empire devoted to the Eight deities - the Tiger, Monkey, Raven, Fox, Hound, Ox, Bear and Dragon. After the emperor’s 24 year term is over, a representative from each of the temples faces a set of deadly and devious trials in order to earn the throne. But after the Raven representative is murdered the night before the festival begins, the emperor’s High Scholar Neema is thrust into the unwanted position of contender. But behind this long-established routine of power change, political machinations are in motion, and the Eight - who have saved the realm 7 times - promise to destroy Orrun if they have to return again.

UGH. This story is delicious, I really could not put this down. There’s a murder mystery, prophecies, courtly intrigues, spies and assassins, games and trials, just EVERYTHING.

The characters are so complex and interesting I found myself caring about every single one of their journeys rather than just focussing on the main storyline.

That brings me to the writing - my god this blew me away. At first you don’t know what perspective this story is told from, is it a narrator or another character? The story seems to jump in perspectives and tells the overall plot through so many different characters that it just feels so rich and complex that I could just squeal about it for days. Aside from that the characterization of the Eight, the way their voices are woven into the story is just incredible.

I would give this 10 stars if I could. I’m begging for book two and this isn’t even out yet!

This is one you NEED to pre-order. It releases on 17th April and trust me you must must MUST add it to your TBR.

Thank you so much Hodderscape, NetGalley and Antonia Hodgson for the absolute privilege of reading this ARC!

Absolutely amazing story! The first chapter had me hooked instantly and I couldn’t stop reading. What an amazing book. I adored the realistically flawed characters and the world building in this. The story centers around a competition for the throne and a murder mystery, which I love! I would recommend this to any fantasy lover. PLUS, it has a romance subplot.. aghhh it couldn’t be more perfect

What a fun and gripping read!

I almost have no words to describe how much I love this book, perfection, barely seems to cover it. The Raven Scholar is simply magnificent!

Deadly trials. A murder plot. An ancient prophecy and so much more.

Hodgson's writing is so immersive I could barely put it down. The world is rich and intriguing, the characters are unique and imperfect. The plot is gripping and every time I thought I'd worked it out there was another thrilling twist. I am devastated that it is the beginning of a trilogy and I have to wait for the next installment!

This was such an incredible read.

The complexity of the characters, the world-building, everything was so intricately written/ I felt completely immersed in this world from the beginning. It's the best fantasy without making you feel like you're missing something or not understanding. The details throughout the book let you perfectly visualise all the scenes, and I absolutely adored it.

The plot was amazing! The competition for the throne - every aspect of the competition was laid out, there were no skipping over chunks or time skips which was so refreshing. We got to live through the competition along side the contenders which really gripped me in the book. The interweaving murder mystery throughout was so incredibly written, adding even more to an already amazing book. Alongside all the political intrigue, this book was jammed packed with everything you could ever want, in the best way possible.

The depth we got from each character was perfect. Every character was completely fleshed out, their flaws, their strengths, everything - which made them all so much easier to connect with and care about. A lot of the books I've picked up fail to truly embellish their characters with anything more than surface level descriptions which flattens the story, but The Raven Scholar is nowhere near close to suffering from that fate. Not only are we seeing the characters evolve throughout the book but we get details from their past, from others that truly flesh out who they are, showing their drive and passion.

The pace of this book is so great. There was never truly a moment where I thought it lost its luster, I hardly wanted to put it down because every page kept me engaged and wanting more.

The ending was absolutely amazing!! I need the next book ASAP!!

If you enjoy fantasy in any shape or form, enjoy any sort of murder mystery, any sort of political intrigue, you're going to ADORE this book. Oh, I forgot to mention, there's a pantheon of gods.. I feel like that speaks for itself.

So initially I requested this as an audio book but like with most fantasy the word building was fairly intricate and 20% in I couldn’t understand exactly what had happened. So I came back to net galley to check if there was a digital arc and there was so swapped over to that.

I’m so glad I did because I really enjoyed this book!

This is a fairly long fantasy at 700 pages for book 1 but I loved the authors story telling and there were some twists and turns I didn’t see coming.
In a kingdom with 7 animals houses, people choose which house to pledge themselves too based on their interests, morals and characteristics. So the main character Neema is part of the Raven house, as a scholar and her diligence to the raven way makes her make a pretty questionable decision at the start.

Fast forward 8 years later and the time has come to choose a new emperor, to do so one chosen participant from each other the 7 houses compete in trials. However at the same time Neema is tasked with uncovering a mysterious murder of one of the participants.

I loved the concept of the animal houses, how their personalities lifestyle, and trials reflected the traits of each of the animals. I’m not sure if this was loosely based on the Chinese zodiac

It was definitely a unique experience having a PoV from these animal guardians. There were plenty of laugh out loud, shocking and tender moments, Absolutely loved Cain, the cunning fox contender.

The audiobook felt a lot more juvenile compared to actually reading it on kindle so whilst I enjoyed the option of continuing the story throughout the day I preferred ‘reading’ the story, it made the romance more believable especially as these characters were mid to late twenties the audiobook didn’t present them in that way.

Overall this is a story I’m so glad I persevered with, was really cleverly written and I’m interested to see where the story will go.

Absolutely superb! Engaging from the start, well written with an excellent plot. One of my favourite reads of 2025 so far. I'm very much looking forward to the sequel.

Now this is what modern fantasy should be! I absolutely loved it. I don't really want to summarise it at all, because I think this book is best experienced going in completely blind. There's deadly tournaments, murder mystery, ancient spirits, power struggles, romance and rebellion. There are so many elements you'd think it shouldn't work, but it does!
While it was initially a bit slow, I think the plot did need that bit of worldbuilding and set up before it got going. And when it did get going, it didn't stop! I loved how the plot just constantly kept me guessing. I felt like pulling out the red string board at multiple points and, though I did actually guess quite a lot of the twists, it didn't feel predictable and instead like I was being rewarded for my detective work! There were also some moments that took me completely off guard. I was just so invested! I stayed up late reading 'just one more chapter' and sped through it in only a couple of days.
The characters were also wonderful. Our protagonist Neema was smart and down to earth (if a little oblivious sometimes) and all of the other characters really stood out too. Everyone had their own motivations and complexities and flaws and loveable aspects (except for maybe Gaida). The dialogue was funny and sharp (particularly from the non human characters) and I just loved seeing all of the dynamics.
I also really loved the variety of narrative voices. I wasn't initially paricularly won over by the writing style, but it developed throughout the book and I loved the experimental aspects of some of it. The humour woven in was also a really nice touch and it was just so much fun.
The worldbuilding was fun and unique, though I think it could've been fleshed out a bit more. The world was described as an 'empire' but we never really got a sense of that given the majority of the story was set only in one place. Some more information about the rest of the world would have been cool. That said, this is already a chonker of a book so I can see why it was omitted!
So overall this was a really fun ride. There's something for every kind of fantasy reader here, and if you liked books like Six of Crows with a diverse cast of characters and a mixture of romance and action then you'll definitely love this. Keep an eye out for it when it hits the shelves in April, you won't be disapppointed!

My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Net Galley for a free DRC of "The Raven Scholar" by Antonia Hodgson.
A highly entertaining Political Fantasy that reuses some fun older tropes such as trials in order to become emperor, sacred animals, each with it's individual group of faithful followers, corruption and power plays.
I did have a lot of fun reading this first instalment of a trilogy, besides of the author's tendency to describe absolutely everything in minute details, even twice sometimes, characters repeating themselves and almost everybody described as absolutely gorgeous (except a corrupt politician that of course is depicted as plus size).
The characters while distinct enough, felt theatrical for most situations, so I did not felt they were in any real danger during challenges or at turn of events.
So while I was entertained reading the book, the more I think about it the more some flaws become obvious and I don't believe the many anecdotes, time jumps or tangents will stay with me for long.

thank you to Hodderscape and Antonia Hodgson for giving me the e-arc & audiobook of The Raven Scholar!

Antonia does an AMAZING job at world building as we’re taken into a world where there are eight gods, based off animals and the people that pledge in turn take on the traits of their patron god which was really interesting to read!

THE POLITICAL INTRIGUE one of my favourite parts of high fantasy novels with The Raven Scholar having a mix of murder mystery involved too.

There were different POVs throughout the book, with the story beginning with Yana then shifting over to Neema (I love them both. The Raven being an omniscient narrator was so cool.)

The length was definitely intimidating at first, but it’s SO worth it for a high fantasy, and it does have a romantic subplot. I love all the characters, but pink-pink the chameleon is an actual icon, also the part with the fox god manifesting into a physical form but then complaining about his alter not having chickens was hilarious!

I absolutely recommend this book and I’ll be sure to read the sequel!!

This book was incredible! I have never read a book so unique yet so brilliant. It had everything you could possibly want out of a fantasy book. Political intrigue, intricate magic system, rich world building, high stakes, mystery, trials, gods, subplot of romance.
One thing that really stood out to me was the narrative voice of the book. Hodgson cleverly chose on omniscient narrator in the form of The Raven to tell the story. You follow the story of Neema predominantly, but the narration allowed for important perspectives from some of the other characters.
Considering this book is so long, I could not put it down.

I went into this book not knowing much about the plot or other peoples opinions, and I ended up loving every second! I was immediately captivated by the immersive world building and intriguing plot. The main character was intelligent and likeable, and the cast of side characters had diverse personalities.
At times I felt like there was a lot going on and I struggled to follow the plot, but as the plot progressed everything started to fall into place.
Overall I was completely captivated by this story, and I fell in love with the characters. The plot felt epic and high stakes, and left me so excited to read the next one!
I also listened to the audio version of this book and the production was seamless, the narrator was captivating and expressive without being over the top.

All the stars!

I don't remember the last time I enjoyed a book quite this much. Quite simply, it was absolutely blumin' fantastic! I went in not knowing very much about the story, and it took a little while to get the world and the characters straight in my head, but from the very first chapter I knew I was in for something special. The writing is confident and controlled and you really get the feeling that the author knows exactly where the story is going, but she's not going to take you there straight away, and she may well lead you down some dark alleys that seem like dead ends, but have patience as the journey is every bit as enjoyable as the destination. The characters, both human and other, are just brilliant, such an array of personalities, and behaviours, and yet they all seem very real and relatable. The plot is a roller coaster, you don't always see the turns and drops coming, but it's all the more exciting for that. In summary this may well be my book of the year and I sincerely can't wait for the other in the series. Don't walk, run to pre-order/buy this book, I promise, you will not regret it.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC (and ALC)!

I was really excited to dive into The Raven Scholar. The premise is very intriguing —an empire ruled by divine animal factions, a deadly competition for the throne, and a murder mystery at the centre of it all. It sounded like exactly the kind of fantasy I enjoy.

Unfortunately, while there were interesting ideas, the execution didn’t quite land for me.

The book tries to combine several genres—epic fantasy, murder mystery, and political intrigue—but the blend never fully works. The pacing felt slow, and at nearly 700 pages, it dragged in parts. I found myself losing focus and re-reading sections often. I enjoyed the initial POV, but the early switch felt jarring, and I didn’t connect as well with Neema’s perspective.

There were also a few stylistic choices that made the reading experience feel disjointed. One that stood out was the use of modern slang and swear words in a world that otherwise leans toward high fantasy. I know this works for some readers, but for me, it broke the immersion.

The romance subplot didn’t particularly resonate either. And while I appreciated the diversity in the cast, I found it hard to connect deeply with most of the characters.

That said, there were things I enjoyed! The concept of the eight animal-based factions was creative and intriguing, and there were some clever, humorous moments that stood out. I especially appreciated Sol, who brought a much-needed dose of warmth and lightness.

I also alternated between the digital copy and the audiobook, hoping it would help me connect more with the story. While that didn’t change my overall experience, I do want to highlight that the narrator did a great job bringing the characters to life.

I’ve seen many readers connect with this one, and I truly believe it will find its audience. If you enjoy slower-paced fantasy with political complexity, mythological themes, and a touch of mystery, this may very well be for you. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t the right match for me—and that’s okay.

I was so excited to read this one. The blurb sounded amazing and I had read so many positive reviews, but I feel like I was reading a different book than everyone else 😅

Unfortunately I DNFed this one quite early on (20%) and to be honest, it was a struggle to get that far.

I found the storytelling very slow, and it really didn’t grip me as much as I had hoped. I was also a lot more interested in Yanas story than Neema. I just don’t think I vibed with her character. I found her very dull.

I wish I had liked this one more. But perhaps it just wasn’t for me at this point in time.

Absolutely unputdownable! This will go down as one of my top reads of 2025!

I loved the worldbuilding in this book with eight gods based on different animals who return to the world seven times to save it but the eighth time they come, they will destroy it. The people of the world take on the characteristics of the animals they pledge themselves to. It's a very intricate world with lots of detail and very cleverly done.

The characters are great. They are all flawed and make mistakes, but they grow. As the main characters develop throughout the book and answers come to light, the twists and turns are surprising. The answers that are found are shocking and not quite what was expected. The book kept me guessing all the way through.

The ending was good. It wrapped up nicely but definitely leaves it open for a sequel, which I will most certainly be reading.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!

Oh my god. Y'all, I was blindsided.

This book is looong, and I have to admit that my attention span is very, very short these days. I did not think that I would fly through this massive book, glued to the page. It was just, simply, gloriously good.

Okay, let's admit it: The beginning is weird. The first three chapters are basically an extended prologue, and I was confused why I was reading a book about a girl named Yana when the plot summary had promised me a woman called Neema. Well, Neema takes over the main character part in chapter 4, and that is when the pieces well together and it clicked, and I was absolutely and irrevocably hooked.

The writing is amazing. The characters are all stand-outs. But it's the worldbuilding where this book truly shines. I wanted to curl up and build a nest in this world. There's just so much incredible detail, and it felt good and refreshing, and fleshed-out and lived-in and comfortable and dangerous and exciting. I haven't read about a world as alive and vibrant as this one in a long, long time.

Trials of any kind are always a good plot, at least in my humble opinion. And so are locked-room mysteries. This isn't really one of those, but sometimes, it feels like it, because we have this cast of characters, and we KNOW one of them is guilty. And it's exhilarating, and it's tantalizing. The plot is break-neck in the best of ways, and nothing feels rushed or drawn-out at all. Just perfect pacing all around, which is not easy in a book this long.

I'm trying not to spoil anything in most reviews; in this one too, but I just have to admit that during the last quarter of the book, I couldn't put it down. The plot twists were so good. I did not see a single thing coming. The plot - it was just so clever. Or at least it seemed to me to be incredibly clever (I do not have the best track record with guessing plot twists.) And everything came together so beautifully.

There are glistening bites of sparkling humor strewn all through those pages. The multi-aspected flock of sentient ravens. Pink-Pink the chameleon somehow being one of the most important characters (and, might I add: an absolute ICON). A fox god manifesting into physical being and complaining about his altar not featuring chickens. It's perfect. It provides just enough bite-sized levity to carry you through the chapters towards that blistering conclusion.

And now that I've arrived at it, and there's nothing more to read, I have to resign myself to waiting for the other two books in this series, which will seem like an eternity of being stuck in a magical fresco, with nothing to do all day except to chant my own binding spell that will keep me stuck to the walls. Great.

I am so sorry, but this book just wasn't for me. I tried three times to get past the twenty percent mark but just couldn't. I think the problem was that' I didn't connect with Neema's pov. I also think that the blurb doesn't quite match the story so I felt slightly misled. There are lots of positive reviews, but this book was not for me

The Raven Scholar is a whirlwind of intrigue, emotions, and intense character dynamics that left me reeling. I really enjoyed the world and the structure of their society. The idea of different communities based off of animals and their personalities was really cool and the world and lore felt very fleshed out.

The first chapter had me on the edge of my seat and I was completely enthralled in the story from the beginning.
I didn’t read the synopsis before starting and I really wasn’t expecting the book to take the turn that it did. (if you know you know)

Neema, the fierce and complex female main character (FMC), is refreshingly human. I loved that she’s not the typical badass snarky FMC that we’ve been seeing more and more lately.
She makes a lot of decisions that make her quite unlikeable to be honest but her development was so interesting to watch; her journey is more about perseverance and strategy than raw power, making her growth compelling.

The trials, though—wow. I normally hate trials in books and I do feel like they’re getting overused in the fantasy space but these trials were actually so interesting and I needed to continue reading. The other competitors did definitely add to my intrigue and my favourite was definitely Ruko.

Ruko… where do I even start with Ruko? He is a puzzling character—one moment I’m questioning him, the next I’m completely captivated. The constant back and forth between wondering whether I should hate him or love him added layers of tension and unpredictability to the plot.

The plot twist towards the end of the book had me almost dropping my kindle like i knew something was off but i was not expecting THAT!

Overall, The Raven Scholar took some sharp and unexpected turns, which kept the pages turning. I do feel like the book was slightly too long but the payoffs are definitely worth it.

Epic fantasy meets murder mystery in the best possible way. I had the best time and also no idea how to review this, so a rambling review it is :)

Emperor Bersun is near the end of his term, and the competition to find his successor is about to start. Each of eight houses dedicated to a different animal/god sends a representative to compete in the trials. When one of these contenders is murdered, Neema, the Raven Scholar becomes her replacement, the lead investigator, and the prime suspect in one fell (and unexpected) sweep. The stakes: life, death, and the fate of the empire. No biggie.

At 656 pages, this book is a chonker with lots of plotlines and characters. There are 80 chapters divided over 8 parts, and I can honestly say that every single one of those chapters carries its weight in the end (even if that is far from obvious while you read some of them). The characters all have depth and a clear individual identity. I was engaged and invested from beginning to end, and after finishing it and seeing where all the bits fit into the larger story I'm just kind of in awe of the author's craft. I don't normally read historical mysteries, but I might need to give the author's other books a go anyway...

If you're a reader of epic fantasy normally, read this. If you're not but you'd like to try the genre, I think this one is a good place to start. Fair warning though: it's the first book in a trilogy, and if the sequel is anything like this, I imagine we might be in for a little wait. (I'm realising ARCs are great in theory, but also mean an extra long wait for the next one).

Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for giving me an eARC of this title to review. All opinions are of course my own.

From the very first page, I was completely immersed in this world, captivated by its rich histories and intriguing characters.

The book seamlessly intertwines mysteries and thrilling trials, keeping me on the edge of my seat. As a fan of magical trials, I was thrilled by how well this element was executed—it certainly didn’t disappoint! While the protagonist was incredibly engaging, I was also drawn to the well-developed side characters, each adding depth and charm to the story.

This is a fantastic new addition to the fantasy genre, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book to discover what lies ahead!

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodderscape for this eARC to review.