Thank you to the authors and publishers for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley!!

When I tell you I YELLED when I was accepted for this book, I’m not being dramatic. I had heard so many good things about this and couldn’t wait to sink my claws (couldn’t resist that pun) into it.

This book is layered. Layered as an onion, some might say. There were many different aspects to the plot and character developments that were very surprising. There were multiple plot twists which had me HOOKED, and one moment you think you know what’s happening, then BAM it’s completely different to how you thought. One of my favourite parts of this book was the exploration of emotions, as well as the development of the FMC. Her battle with guilt vs duty is clear throughout the book, and every character seems to have their own internal battles going on.
I also really enjoyed the multiple POVs, it really added to the story and it felt as though we had so many different outlooks on many scenes. I also loved the fact that there were footnotes throughout the book which gave context in such a unique way. I’ve never read a book like this before, and it’s so completely different to others in the genre.
My only problem was that some points were hard to follow, and I did feel as though the pacing was quite complex at times but that could also just be because of my ADHD - some times I couldn’t put this book down, but some times I had to re-read parts to understand what was happening.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and it was something I think I’d read again and get a different interpretation which I love.

Rating: 4/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Thank you to NetGallery for allowing me a chance to read The Raven Scholar as an ARC. Wow where do I start. I so enjoyed this book and the folklore woven in.

This book was difficult to get into to begin with, I had no idea how the first chapter related to what I was reading but I’m glad I persevered because wow the twists and turns and events that unfold are incredible and worth the wait.

I am so looking forward to the sequel and where this story will go. There’s only one final question, which guardian would swear reality to?

- Epic Fantasy
- Magic
- Deadly Competition
- Second Chances
- Betrayal/Revenge

Thank you to the publisher Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the eARC!

I'm so grateful I got the chance to read 'The Raven Scholar' ahead of release. What started as simple curiosity turned into full-blown obsession. I didn't expect to fall so hard for this story and its characters, but here we are!

This book follows Neema Kraa, a 34-year-old Raven scholar (finally, a grown protagonist!) who unexpectedly finds herself in the deadly game for the imperial throne. At the same time, one of the contenders is murdered, and Neema has to untangle the mystery, all while navigating court politics, secrets, alliances, betrayals, and trials.

Neema is one of the most compelling leads l've read in a while. She's intelligent, instinctive, and resilient, but also kind and deeply human. Her skills and strength don't come out of nowhere: we get to know her past, her struggles, and how she became the person she is. Everything about her just makes sense!

Also, the world is full of tension and misdirection: you never know who to trust. It's twist after twist, reveal after reveal, and just when you think you've got it figured out, the story pulls you deeper. The layers! The friendships! The betrayals! I didn't want to leave this world. It was so gripping, I only wish the book had been longer.

On top of that, we don't just follow Neema, the story shifts between characters (including the Raven itself!), giving us different perspectives and ambitions. Every character feels real and textured, with flaws and goals of their own. I fell for all of them - especially Sol (who has my heart) and Pinkpink (a close second).

Romance is there, but it stays firmly in the background. Honestly, I just wanted to get back to the main story every time something romantic happened. That's how good the central plot is!

I read this over the course of a week and I was completely immersed. 'The Raven Scholar' is rich, emotional, full of twists and just so addictive.
The perfect summer read if you love court intrigue, layered characters, and the thrill of not knowing what's coming next!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

3.5 rounded up for goodreads and netgalley.
Overall, it is a very solid first book. The plot is well-built, even though some aspects of it were not of my liking — it is not a problematic plot by any means, it’s purely about personal preferences. The worldbuilding is compelling, and it probably is the strongest asset of the book. The weakest asset has to be the cast of characters for me, unfortunately. I had no sympathy for them, I found them rather unlikeable (and not the interesting sort of unlikeable, just the irritating one). The only character that I found gripping is only there in the first few chapters — her name is Yana. And I truly hated one character (for those who read it, it’s Ruko). The main character is also one that I strongly disliked throughout the book.
Despite that, I can see myself reading the sequel.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Wow this was amazing. Epic high fantasy that was easy to understand and grips you from the start. Very detailed and well built world. Really transports you. I also loved the characters especially ruko and the trials element was so fun too.

I thought from the synopsis that I might enjoy this book but was really surprised by how much I got caught up in the story. It was truly gripping and the characters outstanding.

4⭐

Thank you Antonia Hodgson, Hodderscape & NetGalley for the ARC!

From an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy comes The Raven Scholar, a masterfully woven and playfully inventive tale of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar’s quest to uncover the truth.

This was surprisingly good. A very interesting and new epic fantasy. Information on the side – this really is more of an epic fantasy than a romantasy.

The protagonist is a smart individual who makes a compelling perspective. Compared to epic fantasy, this one has a tighter focus but it still felt grand and important in its own way

This book really caught me by surprise! The pacing felt a bit off at times, but I love the complexities of the characters.

If you love a book where everyone has a hidden agenda, no one is safe, and you will likely lose sleep trying to figure out who’s behind it all, then this is for you.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will definitely be continuing this series going forward!

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Epic fantasy is back, and better than ever. Antonia Hodgson has woven an intricate epic that defies genre constraints, blending political intrigue, murder mystery, and ruthless competition into a narrative as sharp as a raven’s beak and as unpredictable as its first flight.

At the heart of this queer-normative world is Neema Kraa, a Black, socially awkward scholar whose intellect and ambition make her both a tool and a threat. Through her and the omnipresent, delightfully meddlesome POV of a preening raven, we are plunged into an empire teetering on the brink of unrest. The current Emperor Bersun’s peaceful 24-year reign is about to end, and as per tradition, the seven Animal Guardian Houses send their best representative to compete in the trials to become his successor. But when one of them dies before the competition can even start, Neema is forced to find out who the murderer is; chaos, drama and mayhem follow.

The Raven Scholar starts at a slow-boil, clearly indulging in drawing out the finer details of its introduction, but I savoured every moment of it. The novel’s deliberate pacing is not a flaw but a feast, its richness unfolding through footnotes, mythos, and a prose style that balances biting humor with breathtaking depth. And while romance lingers in the margins—a lovers-to-rivals-to-lovers thread that teases the reader—it’s the smaller interactions and betrayals that steal the show. I also have to reiterate that the narrative voice is a DELIGHT. Even amongst enemies, there is a level of easy rapport and snarky wit that breathed so much life into this rich world and diverse cast, making it easy to fly through each page.

Hodgson is not simply writing fantasy; she's redefining it. This is the kind of book that lingers in the bones, setting a new standard for what the genre can be. The Raven Scholar is a triumph, and the Eternal Path Trilogy is already shaping up to be, you might say, magnificent.

I ended up fully immersed in this world, it was so intriguing. Epic Fantasy mixed with mystery, the plot kept me fully focused, it was beautifully written, I loved the world building and the character dynamics, for the depth of the story it was a surprisingly easy read. I can’t wait to continue the series!

I really enjoyed this .
At first I didn't think it was going to work but I was so pleased to realise that I was wrong.
I found myself utterly drawn into the world from almost the first page and I am thrilled that this is the beginning of a series.
A very exciting series that I can't wait to revisit.

I am bereft. Bereft, I tell you! This first instalment in The Eternal Path trilogy ended way too quickly. Despite its 700 pages, I would quite happily have read a thousand more as I wasn’t yet ready to temporarily say goodbye to this cast of characters and the intricate web Antonia Hodgson has weaved. I have no idea how I’ll cope having to wait for the second book. 

Hodgson has created the most brilliant fantasy world. To keep track of it all, there are some delightful maps at the beginning of the book. It seems there is so much more to explore in the sequels. But for now, the action is confined to the Imperial Island where the eight palaces of the contingents are situated. As the rule of the current emperor is coming to an end, each contingent is sending a contender who has to go through -  and survive - several trials to determine who shall succeed the emperor. 

All contenders are so very different from one another. Some you’ll adore, some you’ll dislike immensely. Some are warriors, some are thinkers. Some have trained for this their entire lives, others are here quite by accident. Some want the throne more than anything, others couldn’t possibly care any less. When one of them is found dead, well, that’s one less competitor to deal with, isn’t it? But why did this character have to die? It’s up to our main character, Neema, to figure that one out. Unfortunately, that way lies trouble and danger.

‘The Raven Scholar’ has a little bit of everything. Palace intrigue, a murder mystery, lots of backstabbing, mean girls, myths and legends and mythic creatures, and even a dash of romance. Which, dear reader, didn’t bother me in the slightest. If you’ve been following me, then you know I tend to cringe at the mere hint of lovey-dovey stuff, but here I actually found myself rooting for the lovebirds. 

This epic tale of betrayal, deceit, and cutthroat competition had me hook, line, and sinker from the very first page. ‘The Raven Scholar’ is deliciously twisty, surprisingly witty, and it enthralled me throughout. Getting to know these characters was such a treat. I can’t wait to find out what happens to them next. I hope the wait isn’t too long - patience is not my forte - but in the meantime ‘The Raven Scholar’ goes on my list of contenders for “Book of the Year”. It’s just that magnificent!

In short, loved it.

This epic fantasy is beautifully written and very witty. Mystery, murder & drama set in an imperial backdrop with competitors undertaking deadly trials to be the next emperor - it’s unlike anything I’ve read for a long time. Themes of social class, friendship, political scheming and so many twists and turns that I just didn’t see coming.

The vivid world building and rich history in this is excellent though rather heavy to start with but definitely pays off throughout as the intricate story weaves through so many moving parts and it just works!

This really was a wild ride and I loved it! It was chaotic, funny, endearing and I can’t wait to see where the next instalment goes!

Pluses:

- very well written: perfect balance of exposition to be immersive, but not infodumpy, the prose just flows
- interesting worldbuilding with animal gods / patrons similar to Chinese Zodiac
- diversity: fmc is Black and autistic-coded, there are queer side characters and characters of different ethnicities

Minuses:

- gosh this book takes sloooow to get anywhere: the first 40-something pages is an elaborate prologue (3 chapters), then we finally meet the mc, but oh wait, time jump, and now there's a preparation for the tournament and we need to get to know all the contenders...
- the footnotes: very annoying to navigate because they go at the end of the chapter, not bottom of the page
- you're constantly hammered over the head how oppressed fmc is for being commoner-born, everyone hates her, mistreats her, shuns her, etc. Even her "only friend"/boyfriend seems not to care about her, but she clings to him because she has no one else. This also means nobody is really likeable, except the protagonist, and even for her you feel more pity than actually like her.

I think I've fallen victim to the overhype: everyone was praising this book so much I expected a mind-blowing experience and instead I was simply frustrated. I did not appreciate the rug pull with the prologue, I thought we left those in the Game of Thrones era. I already have trouble getting immersed in a story, the beginnings are always hard, but taking a hard reset after 3 chapters where I have to reconnect to the story again? Tough call. It also made the whole opening sequence extremely drawn out. The story was fine but not as engrossing as I expected.

Objectively, this is not a bad book. But I can't say I "enjoyed" it.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodderscape for the ARC.

This book was mind blowing in all the best ways. I’ve read a lot of fantasy, and this simply took my breath away. The world building was intrinsic, creative and fresh. The characters were novel and exciting, they had great qualities whilst also acknowledging their flaws, making them some of the most human characters I’ve read in a long time. The plot delivered on so many levels, with the twists being genuinely shocking, and it seemed to be punchy plot line after punchy plot line without a trope in sight. I am unashamedly in love with this book and waiting with my whole heart for book number two.

The Raven Scholar is such an immersive and creative experience. I absolutely loved the story and was captivated from the first pages. The characters are well-developed, full of flaws and real. In terms of the world-building, this was truly epic, there are impressive foundations in myth and legends. I most enjoyed the political intrigue and how this developed throughout. The plot itself is full of twists and turns, peril and drama. There are trials but this trope was very well executed, feeling fresh within the genre. I adored the wit and charm pebbled through the writing.
This story is relatable yet escapist. It’s so well written that it did not feel like 600+ pages, I did not want it to end. I almost shed a tear at one particular point, and a book that makes me feel is a sign of a great read.
The ending is amazing and I cannot wait for the next instalment. An easy five star read for me and one I will likely re-read. This is a must read for any fantasy fan, it has a bit of everything.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

3.25 out of 5 ravens. 🐦‍⬛✨

I was interested in the book, but at first, I found it hard to get into it. Then it got easier… kinda.

You know those books where you start off thinking, “Ooo this could be good,” but then you’re just… stuck? Yeah. That was me with The Raven Scholar. The concept? Super cool. Eight mythical factions, each with their own vibe, a competition for the throne, a mysterious murder to solve—HELLO, right up my alley! But the actual reading part? Whew. It was a bit of a slog.

There were moments where I was intrigued, and then moments where I was staring at the same paragraph like it owed me money. I really wanted to fly through it, but it dragged in places. The worldbuilding is chef’s kiss—very Chinese Zodiac meets high fantasy—with these magical animal guardians and cool lore. I loved that! But the plot didn’t quite hook me the way I hoped.

The characters were fun, don’t get me wrong. They were distinct, a little chaotic, and had their own quirks, but I just didn’t get emotionally attached. The Raven guardian was a riot though—definitely the comic relief MVP. Neema, our leading lady, had depth, ambition, and that sad-girl-lonely energy that was actually relatable. But her on-and-off romance? Meh. Didn’t do it for me. Felt like it was trying to be swoony but landed more in “oh, we’re doing this again?” territory.

Also… the footnotes. Look, I love lore as much as the next nerd, but fiction footnotes make me feel like I’m doing homework. And don’t even get me started on the ending—what happened in that last 10%?? It went from “hmm interesting” to “did I just get hit with every cliché in the book??” The villain monologue alone had me dramatically closing my Kindle like I was in a soap opera.

BUT—and it’s a big but—I did enjoy the murder mystery bits (wish there was more of that!), the vibes, the competition, and the sass woven into the writing. Plus, the narration was top-tier. Daphne Kouma absolutely killed it with the audio. Made even the slow bits a little more bearable.

So, final thoughts? It wasn’t totally for me, but I wouldn’t gatekeep it either. If you like slow-burn fantasy, complex politics, and magical creatures with ✨ drama ✨, go ahead and give it a shot. Just... maybe don’t expect it to change your life.

And someone please tell the author: less footnotes, more murder.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheRavenScholar #NetGalley

An Emperor can only rule for 24 years. The time has finally come for Emperor Bersun to step down. In order to find his successor, there will be a tournament.

Neema Kraa works as High Scholar to the Emperor. She has worked very hard to make the opening ceremony fantastic. Unfortunately, an old rival decides to make a fool of her and puts her on the outs with Bersun.

When one of the contestants is murdered, the Emperor tasks Neema with finding the killer. Also, she must take the place of the dead contestant.
Neema is not happy. She's no warrior. The other contestants have trained for this for most of their lives. How is she supposed to find a killer while she's fighting for her own life?

This is fantastic! I loved it from the first page. I was not expecting it to go the direction it did, but I loved it. Definitely one of my favorites for this year.

This has all the makings of a great new fantasy world, but there are some kink- there were a lot of words, the plot chaotic and the pacing was off in places. I didn’t feel drawn to any of the characters. Nevertheless, there are many quality elements and I’m interested to see how the story continues.

This is an outstanding new fantasy book, with a very well developed natural and supernatural world-building.
The Eight guardians (god-like entities: Raven, Tiger, Fox, Hound, Ox, Bear, Monkey and Dragon) live in the supernatural realm. In the natural world they are represented by their monasteries. Followers of the Monkey tend to be entertainers, Raven scholars, Hounds have police-like jobs, Bears are soldiers, Tigers warriors, Oxen (the most likeable) are dependable practical workers, who keep the empire running, Dragon followers are strange. People may pray to their chosen entity for help, but they fervently hope the guardian will never appear. The guardians have saved the world seven times – on the eighth appearance they will destroy the world and mankind with it.
The natural world is ruled by an emperor. The emperor may only reign for a maximum of 24 years. Their successor may not be one of their children, and must be chosen by trial. Each of the seven non-Dragon monasteries puts forward a representative, and designs one of the trials. A challenger may not compete in their own monastery’s trial. The Dragon monastery never challenges for the throne, but does put forward a ‘visitor’ to even the numbers, and only runs a trial if there is a tie at the end of the process.
The current emperor is Bersun, who won the trials representing the Bear monastery, but was later attacked in an unsuccessful coup by the Traitor Andren Valit, who had come second in the trials, representing the Tiger. At the start of the book, the twin children of the Traitor, Yana and Ruko, now 16 and so adult, have been summoned to the imperial island by Bersun. Andren Valit is long dead. We follow Yana – and it is so clear how the book will unfold – except it isn’t! First of the many unexpected twists.
This is a story of revenge, of poor children making good, of corruption, murder, multiple layers of conspiracy, of perseverance, of honour and friendship, of greed, a murder investigation, politics, romance, betrayal – in fact everything you could want or need in a story. You really never know quite where it is heading – though you never stop guessing.
The writing is superb. It is primarily told in the third person from the point of view of the Raven Scholar. But when the Raven entities appear, they take over narration in the first person, and insert some brilliant humour into the proceedings. As you might expect from a god-like entity, they are vain, proud and supremely confident (also unseen by most):
“[She] has already dismissed her encounter with us as a moment’s shock, a lack of air, the heat, the stress of the day, exhaustion. We have never been mistaken for so many insulting things in one go before. What next, indigestion? A rogue prawn?”
““We are coming. She hears the heavy beat of countless wings. She sees us, an endless flock, streaming towards her from a crack in the sky. All the ravens that were, all the ravens that are, all the ravens that will be. Wheeling. Gathering. She sees the iridescent sheen of our feathers, the fierce intelligence in our eyes. Our claws outstretched, ready to tear her apart with love. We are infinite and we are one, wings spanning the sky. We are the Raven, and we are magnificent. …. We are here. For you. Let us in. For this moment, for this held breath, the world is ours. Ruko is a statue, fist frozen in mid swing. We land on his shoulder and wait. This is [her]. We are expecting questions. We tilt our head, viewing her from different angles. She is breathing hard. Her mind whirls through every possible, rational explanation and rejects them. She can deny us no longer. She cannot speak, but instinctively she knows she can reach us, that we may talk on this plane, the plane of the mind.” —"You’re real.””
We also get to meet the Fox entity – not such a pleasant experience.
As Bersun comes to the end of his 24-year reign – which has been peaceful and prosperous, apart from the attempted coup – it is time to select a new emperor. The challengers are named, and we follow them through the trials. The trials involve intelligence, strength, martial ability, courage and ability to work together – all attributes a ruler should have. You know who you want to win, you know who is the favourite, and who the Raven entity has said will bring about the apocalypse if they win – but it is not clear why and how it will all turn out until the end. But even then ….
“This story – fiction or fact – was the new truth.”
This is an amazing book, and I really hope it is the start of a series. I want to go back to this world.
I recommend ‘The Raven Scholar’ so very highly, and of course the author.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and not influenced by either the author or publisher.

I was really looking forward to this book because I had heard so many positive things! So I was even more excited to be able to read the ARC.

We are thrown straight into a sad backstory and inundated with information about the world and some of the characters (in a positive way!). Then we gain a foothold in the present and follow a completely different character.
In the beginning, the book has huge "Voyage Of The Damned" vibes. In between maybe a bit much that I thought I was reading said book. There's an unloved protagonist, different houses divided into species, contenders for the throne, and so on. It reads a bit YA as a result, but I didn't find that bad here at all.
Gradually, the depth of the world and the characters is explored and we move from the YA style more and more into the epic. We have some drama, action and an exciting writing style that leaves you wanting more.
I struggled with the book between 20 and 40% because it did drag on a bit. I was interested in what would happen next, but it just didn't go any further.
From 40/50% onwards, however, the pace picks up enormously and we get to know a wonderfully sweet secondary character who immediately captured my heart.

"Do we win a price? Something Sparkly?"

From then on, the book is super readable, the pace is even and the tension is palpable on every page.

Overall, this book is definitely a recommendation from me. Even as a non-English speaker, the style was easy to read and I understood everything. If you like reading epic, don't let the YA vibe at the beginning put you off. If you prefer reading less intense stuff, try it anyway and don't be put off by the initial world building.

Bonus: I loved the last part of the acknowledgements.