“The eight will return in blood and fire. You will taste them in the water, you will hear them in the wind, you will glimpse them in the lightening storm. They will come to you in dreams, they will call to you. Do not let them in.”

4.5⭐️. This book was such a ride! I went in blind, with no preconceptions of what the book was about, which I would recommend. You learn early on that the world is pretty brutal - exile is no simple banishment.

There are trials (but in a way that doesn’t feel like every other fantasy book with a trial trope), a magic book, murder mystery and 8 guardians (Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, Hound, Dragon) with a prophecy foretelling their deathly return. The Emperor is at the end of his 24 year term and rule isn’t passed down by familial lines; instead, a candidate from each monastery must compete to become the next leader of Orrun.

There were plenty of twists and turns, interesting character dynamics and the reveal at the end of part 6 was crazy! I did not see it coming!

I listened to the audiobook, which was really well performed. But I will definitely be purchasing the physical copy when it gets released and I can’t wait to continue the series!

Massive thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook arc.

An absolutely fantastic first book in a series I'm sure will become one of my favourites. Sharp dialogue, gripping action and plenty of twists, turns and intriguing lore throughout. The characters are the best part of the novel with the non-humans being just as (if not more) compelling as our human protagonists. I really enjoyed their development throughout the book and the bonds forged and broken between them.

I do think the pacing slows at certain points and the book could probably do with a bit of editing to cut it down by 10/15%. As I progressed through the latter half, I was frequently surprised by how much of the book I still had left to go! That said, I loved my time with it and very much look forward to the sequel.

I loooved reading this book so much. It should be consumed in every format! The audiobook was fab (as someone who’s both read it AND listened to the audio), they both have their own elements of beauty.

I love audiobooks because they can truly capture the feel of the book and bring it to life for the reader (if narrated well) and this one certainly was.

The world itself is so easy to immerse into and it’s great to get swept along into a fantasy world. The characters were all so well built I found and I enjoyed getting to know them all and experience the story along with them as the book went along.

I was so consumed by the book and even though it’s a long one, it’s not hard to get caught into the plot. It didn’t feel too long (like sometimes 500+ books can feel) and if anything, I wanted it to be longer! I’m seriously hyped for the next book and so glad it’s a trilogy as I know there’s some more epic tales to come.

Here’s the updated review with your addition about the audiobook:

---

"The Raven Scholar" is a masterclass in epic fantasy, weaving a gripping tale of political intrigue, cutthroat competition, and imperial deceit. Set in the sweltering summer heat of Orrun, the story pits eight exceptional contenders—each representing a sacred animal—in a deadly trial to claim the emperor’s throne. But when one contender is murdered, the competition spirals into chaos, and the brilliant yet eccentric Neema Kraa is thrust into a high-stakes investigation that could determine the fate of the empire.

Hodgson’s storytelling is as sharp as the trials the characters endure. The lush worldbuilding breathes life into the empire of Orrun, from its rival monasteries to the complex hierarchy of power. The contenders are richly drawn, with their skills, personalities, and rivalries making for a cast as dynamic as they are dangerous. Neema Kraa is a standout protagonist—quick-witted, flawed, and utterly compelling as she navigates a maze of secrets, betrayal, and ambition.

What makes "The Raven Scholar" truly refreshing is its unflinching focus on the political and philosophical stakes, eschewing romantic subplots for a narrative bursting with tension, humor, and heartbreak. The twists are unpredictable, the stakes immense, and the story’s emotional core—centered on ambition, loyalty, and the price of power—resonates deeply.

I experienced the story also as an audiobook narrated by Daphne Kouma, whose performance was nothing short of exceptional. Her ability to embody the nuances of each character, from their distinct voices to their emotional depths, brought the world of Orrun vividly to life. Kouma's narration added an extra layer of immersion, making the high-stakes drama and intricate worldbuilding even more compelling.

At 700 pages, this sweeping epic flies by, each chapter leaving readers hungry for more. For fans of intricate worldbuilding, razor-sharp intrigue, and brutal competition, "The Raven Scholar" is an absolute triumph that redefines the adult fantasy genre.