This was an absolute delight!

The Raven scholar has everything I love: court intrique, witty characters, humor, interesting world building. I really really loved this and devoured this pretty long book in only a few days.

Most suprising to me was that I actually didn't mind the deadly trials trope. I think the scale of the trials worked in it's favour and some of them were quite smart and funny. I was excited every time to find Out what the challenge would be this time.

The cast of characters is so compelling. So many characters with different goals and motivations and while not all of them are "good" I couldn't stop myself for rooting for almost all of them.

The romance subplot was so funny and cute and didn't take over the story too much but I was kicking my feet every time we did get interactions between the MC and her love interest.

The lore was great and the book does a great job at subverting expectations. I thought the whole 8 different animal gods would be another trope but just like with the deadly trials the author manages to spin it in a new and interesting way.

The book does a great job of giving you just as much information to make you think you know more than the characters just to reveal another twist, which made for a very entertaining and engaging reading experience.

I listened to the audio version which was also done beautifully. The character work of the narrator was amazing and some of the added effects really elevated the experience.

I just had a really fun time with this book and recommend it wholeheartedly!

If a murder mystery and fantasy had a baby, this book is it! I had the pleasure of listening to an advance copy of the audiobook, and think listening made the story even more enjoyable because the performance was so solid. Actually hearing the tone and delivery of the quick wit and humour of the characters added an extra layer that kept me hooked! The beginning has a switch in character perspective that’s a bit disorientating, but it necessary to the story and world building and once I moved past it I couldn’t stop listening (bit of an issue as it’s a mammoth 24hrs listening time!). The plot is such an adventure, with so many twists that just as you smugly think you know what’s going on you realise theres still 8 hours or so to go - nothing was predictable!

Thank you Hodder & Stoughton Audio, Hodderscape and the author for the privilege of listening to an advance copy in return for an honest review. I look forward to seeing The Raven Scholar being deservedly hyped all over Bookstagram and Booktok!

I really enjoyed this book so much. It did however take me a few beats to get into because there was so much to take in…. but I soon couldn’t stop listening and had to give in to the rich tapestry of characters and the build of the world and story. Loved it and I want more! Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the audio arc.

Book Review: The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson

Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton, and Hodderscape for this ARC and the audiobook!

I had the absolute pleasure of experiencing The Raven Scholar in both audiobook and physical formats—mostly because I just couldn’t put it down! From the very first page, this story grips you with betrayal, intrigue, and a world where nothing is quite as it seems.

We follow Neema, the Raven Scholar—an outcast, not particularly skilled at making friends, but fiercely intelligent. When an old enemy, one who has threatened to expose her deepest secret, is suddenly murdered, she is thrust into a deadly game of politics, lies, and corruption. In a system that claims to uphold justice, Neema must navigate a treacherous path to solve the murder—one that could expose the very secret she has built her life around.

Adding to the complexity, Neema is forced to work alongside her former lover, Cain, also known as the Fox. Their differences once drove them apart, but now they are thrown back together, uncovering conspiracies, battling for survival, and possibly even contending for the throne itself. And then, of course, there’s the raven that speaks to her—a presence that is equal parts chaotic, witty, and mysterious.

This book is fast-paced, filled with murder, romance, political intrigue, and a touch of magic. The world-building is rich, the characters are complex, and the stakes are high. Neema is a flawed but fascinating protagonist, making one questionable decision after another, yet her struggles feel real and compelling.

Overall, The Raven Scholar is a gripping fantasy read that keeps you hooked from start to finish. Whether you pick up the physical copy or the audiobook, this is a story worth diving into. Highly recommended for fans of political fantasy, morally grey characters, and, of course, talking ravens!

#TheRavenScholar #NetGalley #HodderStoughton #Hodderscape

I read and listened the audiobook at the same time, and it really made the experience that much better. The audiobook is perfectly narrated, and it really gave more of that magical vibe when reading. The book itself is really interesting with a unique magic system, the trials were done in a very good way and the twists kept on coming. I can't wait to continue this series.

I really loved this book! It took me a little while to get into it, but once I had my head around the characters and the different schools, I was fully invested. The world-building was immersive, and the characters were so well thought out—you can’t help but root for them. My only complaint? Having to wait for the next installment to see where the story goes! A great young adult fantasy read that delivers on adventure, intrigue, and character depth

First of all, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for approving an audio version of this book.

I am very sorry to say that this was a DNF for me. The promise sounded very promising to me, but unfortunately the book failed to hook me from the first pages due to the constant descriptive digressions that took me away from the narrative. In the middle of a dialogue, there would be a digression about a character's clothes or a description of the interior of the palace. When the description was over, I had to go back to the question in the conversation because I had forgotten what it was about. When new characters are introduced, we get a digression about their past, present and future intentions. I found this to be tedious and unnecessary.
Also, I couldn't connect with the protagonist, Neema, who I didn't find very well portrayed, because of the over-telling; we're constantly told who she is, how she should behave to fit in with what people expect of her faction, how she should dress. I also found the dialogue uninteresting. I pushed myself to read a chapter, but I was not curious to read on, I closed the book and picked it up the next day and pushed myself again, with the same results, until I reached 30% and decided to abandon it because there was nothing left to keep me going.

Aside from my struggle with the narration of the story, I thought the narrator did a great job. She gave the story a melody and gave each of the characters a different voice. I would like to hear more audiobooks narrated by this person.

The Raven Scholar is the first book in a new trilogy. We follow Neema Kraa, the emperor's High Scholar, who gets chosen to solve a murder all while there is a competition between seven contenders for the the throne of Orrun.

This is a fascinating mix of courtly intrigue, murder mystery, deadly competition and mystical beings that seem to have more influence on the world and its people than they might have thought. There is even a small amount of romance, but it's very much not the focus.

Neema is a great character to follow. She is witty, higly intelligent and ressourceful. And even though she is our main focus, we get different perspectives throught the narrative.

The audiobook is narrated by Daphne Kouma and she does a wonderful job. She gives Neema life and is very good at making every voice distinct and easily distinguishable. It was a joy listening to her.

The audiobook also uses musical cues between the different parts of the story, which makes it easy to follow.

I can't wait for the next book in this trilogy. I loved this so much!

Neema and Cain are great 😊

There is a competition and a murder mystery investigation. There is a lot of history which is intriguing, leading to the twists and turns of the story. I did enjoy learning more and more as I kept reading.

I really enjoyed the twist of the twist 😲

The Raven really are magnificent, I really enjoyed their perspectives. Especially Sol 😍

I listened to the Audio Book and thoroughly enjoyed listening to the story. I could clearly distinguish the different characters and I was fully immersed.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed the book a whole lot more than I thought I would. Which is an odd thing to say, considering I requested it. But in the world of romantays and overused tournaments, this felt like a fresh breeze. And though it was more of a epic fantasy than romantasy, something I didn't quite expect, it was a story worth reading. The characters were well developed and fleshed out, and the narrator just added that extra layer, making them come out in the best way possible. I'm more than excited for the next book.

I was lucky enough to get both the digital and audio arcs and alternated between the two. I absolutely devoured this book.
It's so lovely to read something that feels fresh and exciting. We've seen trials/tournament structure before, but I really enjoyed it paired with the interesting pantheon and world building. I would have liked some more physical descriptions of the characters, as the book is very character-led, yet I found myself mostly making up how they all looked. The FMC is older, in her 30's, which is refreshing, and the romance is more of a structural element to the story rather than the driver. I did not see the mystery twist coming, and it was wonderfully set up through the book. Overall this was a lovely trounce through a new world, and I would likely pickup a sequel if it comes.

The audio narration was well done, the characters easy to tell apart. One thing I really did not enjoy was the use of echo for the raven voice. It was quite grating, and the difference in character was indicated well enough without it. The use of effects here felt quite juvenile and did a disservice to both the character and the narrator.

Amazing, I can’t wait for the sequel!! Literally so many parts of this book were so incredibly catching, I honestly couldn’t stop thinking about it. Especially Yanna, she haunted the storyline veeeery successfully!

This could be such an amazing TV series…

In "The Raven Scholar," when the current emperor prepares to abdicate, seven contenders (plus one yet-to-be-revealed contender) gather for the traditional tournament to determine the next ruler. After one of the contestants is murdered, scholar (official title) Neema must take their place and find the killer while competing in a series of challenging trials, while dark magical forces wait in the wings.

What I Loved:
Each contender's character is layered and distinctive, particularly Cain "the fox" who we see a lot of.
Neema is a great underdog, using her brain to compensate for her lack of training.
The tournament tasks are testing more than just strength or magical ability.
Magic system based loosely on the Chinese zodiac
Daphne Kouma's performance brings each character to life with distinct voices and emotional depth.

What I Didn't Love:
The action starts a little late in the story (except the prologue, which is essential)
Couldn't get a clear sense of place or time based on a tech level, food, or clothing

Overall I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5, rounded up to 4 stars. It's the perfect start of a trilogy for epic fantasy readers who value character development and political intrigue over romance. While there are romantic elements, they remain secondary to the murder mystery and tournament challenges. Fans of tournaments/magical competitions and court politics will sink their teeth into this story.

Thank you to Hodderscape and NetGalley for providing a copy of the audiobook for my review.

Thank you, NetGalley and Hodder&Stoughton Audio for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First of all - I rarely listen to audiobooks, but I enjoyed this one! Daphne Kouma did a great job portraying all the different characters and made it easy to listen to it.

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. There is some romance sprinkled in it, but it’s very much not the focus of the story.

I really enjoyed the beginning. When I realised that the first chapter was actually more of a prologue, with a different main character than the rest of the book, I was a bit disappointed. I really enjoyed that first character and I kind of wish it had been her story to be told. But I got used to Neema quickly and I really liked her. I also appreciate that the beginning was quite straight forward. I was dreading some random reveals later in the book, and I’m glad to say that they didn’t come.

The story itself is summarized pretty well by the blurb. The emperor is getting ready to abdicate and seven contenders get together to fight in a tournament for the throne. When one of them is murdered, Neema has to take her place and find the killer. Simple, straight forward. Of course that’s not all there is, as the blurb suggests, the Raven waits in the wings and there is more magic behind the scenes.

I’ve come to dislike tournaments like this, but I actually enjoyed this one. The different tasks were interesting and sometimes quite different from what I expected. It wasn’t just about strength or magic, and I really enjoyed seeing the different aspects of the monasteries. The murder mystery of this story was also done quite well, with many different pieces coming together. I didn’t quite expect the answer and I’m happy that I didn’t.

The characters were awesome. Probably the best part of this book. First, there is Neema, scholar turned contender for the throne. She’s smart, disliked by most people at court and she has an important history. I loved seeing her stand up for herself. Even though she seemed to be so much weaker than the other contenders, she was a worthy opponent. Sometimes that felt a bit unrealistic to me, as she hadn’t trained for as long as the others had, but in a way all her wins made sense.
Next, we’ve got Cain, the fox. Oh, I loved him! He was fierce, sneaky, proud and simply sly. I always had fun with his scenes.
I’m not going into detail with the other contenders, but I enjoyed all of them. I really had the feeling that I knew them and even though it can be difficult to write so many characters at once, all of them were characterised very well and got enough time on page. All of them were way more layered than I would’ve thought.
And apart from the contenders, there are so many other interesting side characters! Easy to keep apart due to their quirks, without everything seeming too over the top. And all the different relationships were great. While Neema is obviously the main character, we get a handful of scenes from other POVs which really helped with understanding all the others.
The scenes with the Raven confused me at the beginning and I’m not sure whether I like the way it was presented. It seemed utterly unreliable, which is something that often frustrates me, but it did kind of fit the character, so I’m not gonna argue.

Something I have to criticize though is the world building. I do like the whole concept of the gods, and I adore the abilities of the different orders. I wish we had seen more of that! Houndsight sounds so useful - why didn’t Shan use it more? What about the magic abilities of the Visitor? And Cain’s abilities barely get explained at all and I have no idea whether it’s some kind of magic, or if he’s just trained very well. So while I do love the ideas, I wish there had been more magic in this book.
But the main thing to criticize is the actual world. I have no idea what it’s like. And this is a fantasy book, where world building is essential!
There is a map at the beginning of the book. It’s a pretty one. Looks similar to the continent of Asia. And overall, I would say that it fits. We’ve got an emperor and palaces, the orders are Dragons, Monkeys, Tigers, Foxes, which works for Asia as well. Hounds and Oxen fit everywhere, Ravens kind of as well, and Bears to the North sounds like Russia. And the empire is big enough that travel from one side to the other takes months. So far, so good. But if I’m right - why don’t we get more proof of that?
Look at a map of Asia. Russian culture is entirely different from Japanese culture. India is a very diverse country. While the culture is similar due to the prominent religion, people will still look different, dress differently, depending on whether you are in the tropics, or in the highest of mountains. Same for China. Looking at this book - sure, if it’s one empire, one religion, many things will be similar. That’s fine. But people will still eat different things, look differently, dress differently. And we barely get any descriptions of all those incredible cultures. I appreciate that we don’t get a stereotypical Russian character, or someone who’s very clearly Middle Eastern, but I would still appreciate at least some nod to all the differences on the Asian continent.
But it’s all the same. They all eat the same food, which barely gets described, but fits to no specific region and especially not Japan. There are mentions of almonds and nuts. Joghurt. Shrimp. Pretty little cakes. Coffee, tea. Whiskey. Keep in mind that this is still a kind of medieval world without modern trade.
I have no idea what the characters look like. I think Neema’s POC? And Cain is definitely white with red hair. Another girl is described as white and blonde, if I recall correctly? I honestly have no idea what everyone else looks like, except perhaps their stature. It might’ve been mentioned once, but if I get introduced to multiple characters at once and their looks never get mentioned again, I can guarantee you that after 700 pages, I won’t recall anything. No idea who they are. And the clothing does nothing to help. The workers wear overalls. Neema herself is described as wearing pretty dresses a couple of times. Some wear uniforms. One character wears a kilt at some point? I’m so confused. That’s just a huge mixture of cultures. Look, I don’t care if a book isn’t inspired by anything specific, if the author takes from a hundred different cultures. But I just want to know what I’m looking at. I really enjoyed this book, but I couldn’t describe anything at all.

The ending was pretty good. There were some twists that I really enjoyed as they properly took me by surprise. Some parts were a bit confusing at first, especially since I’m not entirely sure about the consequences of everything. But it was actually not as confusing as I expected. The ending was rounded enough that I’m not on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book, but I am curious as the bigger story is definitely starting up! Looking at the title of this one, I am curious whether it’s gonna have a different main character, or if we’ll continue to follow Neema.

Overall, even though it wasn’t perfect, I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to continuing the series!

The Raven Scholar has blown me away. This is going to be a huge hit, calling it now! It's the kind of epic fantasy that just sucks you in and doesn't let go. The world-building is just stunning – so detailed and immersive, you feel like you're actually there. And the characters are so well-developed and complex, you genuinely care about what happens to them. I loved the way Hodgson wove together the mythology, the murder mystery, and the competition – it all felt so organic and compelling. Plus, the writing is sharp and witty, with a touch of humor that I really appreciated. It's a long book, but honestly, I was sad when it was over. My only complaint is that I have to wait for the next one! Highly recommend this for any fantasy fan.

(Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!)

Rating: 4 stars

With its vibrant world, drama-filled storyline and well-developed characters, 'The Raven Scholar' quickly evolved into a captivating listen despite a slightly rocky start. 

Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The story kicks off with crucial backstory and immersive world-building, creating a rich but ultimately information-dense foundation to wade through. Fast forward eight years and the storyline picks up with lots of drama, action, and tension as a treacherous competition for the throne is rooked by the murder of a contestant and long-laid schemes. While some aspects felt familiar from other Young Adult fantasy reads, Antonia Hodgson's unique flair and engaging writing style breathed fresh life into these tropes, elevating them to match the epic scope of the narrative. I devoured every twist and turn and was impressed by the creative world packed with mythology, history, and political intrigue. I also thoroughly enjoyed the clever humour woven throughout the story and the petty courtly posturings. What's more, themes such as loneliness, ambition, and social class added to the story's depth and enriched the characters' journeys. 

"in times of light in times of shadow seek for one small pearl of joy and you shall find it"

It was actually the well-developed and realistically flawed characters that first drew me into this story. In particular, the Raven guardian, with their larger-than-life ego and comic relief moments, was an immediate highlight. Then there's Neema Kraa, the main character, whose ambitions, painful loneliness, and quirks are relatable and compelling. Several secondary characters, including Cain, Benna, Ruko, and Emperor Bersun, also left a strong impression, as their detailed backstories and evolving connections with Neema enhanced the story. Even the romance was refreshing light, with an adorable and realistically messy development that never overshadowed the main storyline. I certainly can't wait to see what lies ahead for each of these characters!

"no diamond ever shone as brightly as an open heart"

Daphne Kouma's narration contributed significantly to the immersive quality of this audiobook. Her ability to deliver varied accents and fitting vocal nuances brought each character to life, making it easy to distinguish between them and adding emotional depth to their experiences. Clever production effects for the Raven and atmospheric music at the start of each part of the story further heightened the epic atmosphere of the narrative and made it even more immersive.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stougthon Audio for the ARC

The Raven Scholar is a interesting fantasy novel with a good romantic sub-plot, a murder mystery and several trials. It's divided in several parts that each ends with an unexpected twist. What was interesting was the parts were we got the story about the raven and the fox and their POV. It blended seamlessly with the other narrative and present timeline. It also provided more intell to the story. It was fun and interesting, but I also lost consentration and interest at times considering how long it was. This is though a me problem. Otherwise a great and fascinating novel!

My Rating System:
Enjoyment: LOVED this, i had such a fun time reading it and didn't want it to end. I love the setting and the trial aspect. It felt like a plot I have read a lot but done in a way that kept me interested and surprised at every chapter. I especially enjoyed reading this via audio, the narrator did an exceptional job - 5 stars
More?: i need to stop reading arcs of first books in series, i need the second book immediately - 5 stars
Criticisms: i have a few criticisms, mainly i wish there was a little more diverse rep. there's such a rich cast of characters in this story who i feel we get to know so well, having some diversity in the characters would've benefited the story and brought up my rating - 3 stars
Rereadability: i would absolutely reread this book, i think i'll pick it up again before i read the second book to refresh - 4 stars
Average Rating: 4.25 stars (rounded down)

So it doesn’t happen too often that you read a 700+ page book and yet still crave more! This book was absolutely incredible and a very nice surprise because honestly my expectations weren’t that high and the blurb did not exactly attract me that much. And now it has very quickly made its way on my list of all time favorite books, absolutely amazing!!!

The writing was so smooth and good in that very specific way that just pulls you in and keep you in for as long as it takes to finish it, making 700 pages feel way too short. The author has a way of writing epic/high fantasy mixed with murder mystery mixed with lots and lots of lore and a sprinkle of romance and yet it does not feel forced or cliche or tiring. Every plot twist, every new chapter every turn of the page made me so excited, it was a perfect mix of all my favorite parts of all my favorite books. Something that on paper would sound not that good or too much and yet Antonia Hodgson made it work.

The narrator really gave life to the world and character and did it so perfectly that it really felt like being transported in the world of the book.

The world building was incredible and so deep and yet somehow without being boring, the characters backstories were so intricate and yet your able to keep up with everyone, the mystery and the plot twist are both unpredictable and predictable in exactly the perfect satisfying way to soothe your little detective inside.

I loved Neema as a main character, I was ready for her to be a pick me and a pretty stereotypical main character whining abt being hated but, surprise, she was not. The way she was written made her feel so real to me, her choices so human and her struggles annoyingly realistic.

And more than that, I absolutely adored Cain. His energy and just the traits of the foxes is just what I adore to read about. Lots of humor and lots of heists and mysteries.

It has an amazing intriguing new world, with animal inspired lore and Gods, amazing concepts and an interesting history, lots of information that just goes by naturally, realistic characters I adore, mysterious animal companions, littered with plot twists, Court intrigue, murder mystery, trials for the throne, a splash of humor, a touch of romance, a brush of found family and friendship and a very interesting narration style that immediacy drew me in. I’m already going to go beg for a sequel, it’s sooo good!!

The Raven Scholar presents some truly captivating themes and introduces unique aspects to trials that I found quite enjoyable. I was particularly impressed by the concept of the book. However, I found the overall plot to be rather slow. It took a considerable amount of time to gain momentum, and even then, it didn't progress at a pace that kept me fully engaged.

Despite the characters being well-developed and well-written, I struggled to connect with them on a deeper level. Perhaps it was the pacing of the narrative or the way their stories unfolded, but I didn't feel that emotional connection that makes characters truly memorable. That being said, I appreciated the effort put into crafting their backgrounds and personalities.

One highlight for me was the audiobook experience. The narrator did a fantastic job, with clear differentiation of voices and a calming reading style that made it a pleasant listen. The quality of the narration certainly added an extra layer of enjoyment to the story, even when the plot itself felt sluggish.

Overall, The Raven Scholar is a book with a lot of potential and some intriguing elements, but it didn't entirely live up to my expectations. The slow pacing and lack of character connection were significant drawbacks for me. However, the unique themes and excellent audiobook narration are worth noting.