“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.

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:

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"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.

No sé qué me hizo empezar The Raven Scholar, el nombre de Antonia Hodgson me era desconocido y aunque la sinopsis era atractiva, hace ya tiempo que aprendí a desconfiar del marketing encapsulado en cuatro frases. Pero tendré que darle las gracias a ese instinto, porque me he encontrado un libro que merece las cinco estrellas con las que lo he valorado.


The Raven Scholar mezcla la investigación de un asesinato con un mundo de fantasía apasionante, como The Tainted Cup de Robert Jackson Bennett. Y he de decir que esta mezcla de géneros, que no sé si hay un término que describa adecuadamente, al menos a mí me tiene encandilada. No es menos cierto que disfrutar de la lectura de un libro tan extenso gracias a la labor de narración Daphne Kouma lo convierte en una tarea exquisitamente agradable. Además, los valores de producción que incorpora el libro, con ecos y cambios en la grabación en determinados momentos clave de intervención de los personajes no hace si no añadirle valor a esta versión en audio.

La construcción de mundo sobre la que se sustenta The Raven Scholar es excelsa. Tanto el sistema de elección del emperador basado en pruebas que enfrentan a los mejores representantes de las ocho casas de saber, como el hecho de que los dioses sean más temidos que venerados le da muchísimo juego a Hodgson. El torneo que se desarrolla durante las 700 páginas del libro recuerda un poco al de los tres magos en Hogwarts pero vitaminado y supermineralizado. Y aún con todas las bondades que muestra, no tiene por qué ser lo más destacado del volumen, porque el elenco de personajes, su profundidad, su historia pasada y sus relaciones también son un pilar en el que basar el éxito del libro. No me extrañaría verlo enmarcado como dark academy, aunque creo que el volumen ofrece mucho más. También he visto que lo llamaban fantasía épica y tampoco es desacertado, pero sigo pensando que hace falta una definición distinta para algunos libros.

Hodgson también aprovecha para meter ciertas dosis de humor que alivian la tensión in crescendo a lo largo de la lectura. El humor en la fantasía es un tema delicado, no es fácil que salga fluido pero la británica sale bastante airosa de este envite, de mí al menos ha conseguido alguna carcajada y, por lo general, la lectura ha sido con una sonrisa en los labios. Es un recurso muy bueno para contrarrestar los momentos más duros del libro, que también los tiene. Y es que, como la vida misma, The Raven Scholar puede provocar sonrisas y lágrimas al más pintado. La trama es aparentemente enrevesada y algo exigente con el lector, en parte por la gran cantidad de personajes que tienen un papel más o menos relevante en la historia y sobre todo por los vericuetos que los conspiradores y los investigadores deberán recorrer para revelar la verdad, pero, sinceramente, creo que el esfuerzo merece la pena.

Lo más frustrante para mí es ver que se trata solo de la primera entrega de una trilogía y que queda mucho por descubrir, a pesar de la gran longitud de la obra. Pero no me cabe duda de que en cuanto que esté disponible la siguiente entrega me haré con ella, para seguir disfrutando de lo que escribe Antonia Hodgson.

I was not expecting to start 2025 with a 700 page tome of epic fantasy, especially not one that brought something fresh and vibrant to the genre but here we are. What a great start to my reading year.
I really enjoyed Hodgson's historical mystery series so I'm not surprised I immediately gelled with her writing style. This was packed with engaging characters, action, wit and twists against the backdrop of excellent world building. My only stumble was that the prologue was so engaging that it led me to believe the MC would be a completely different character to the Neema, so it took me a while to warm up to her. If you like fantasy competition tropes and political fantasy, then you'll really enjoy this.

This is how epic fantasy should be done. I adored every page (all 700+ of them): it was so meticilously plotted, so carefully built, so funny, and the characters! I could spend seven thousand pages with them, not seven hundred.

The plot in brief: Neema Kraa (brilliant, hilarious, socially challenged) is the emperor's High Scholar. On the night when the tournament to choose the new emperor starts, she 1) loses her cushty position in court, 2) finds the dead body of her rival, and 3) is forced to join the tournament. The story weaves both the murder investigation (since Neema needs to clear her name) and the tournament (since Neema needs to survive) together, and throws in so many unexpected twists and turns as we go. There are a lot of clever narrative choices that surprised me, and the whole story is told with a wonderful sense of humour, which provided a nice balance to some of the darker moments.

My favourite part about this book was Neema. She was so much fun to spend time with: I have a soft spot for scholarly characters, and she was so delightfully out of her depth for most of the story. I also loved the subtle romantic subplot.

This book was a definite favourite for me, and I really, really hope the sequel comes soon. This book was a definite favourite for me, and I really, really hope the sequel comes soon. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC - the audiobook narration was excellent!

The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson is a gripping new fantasy fuelled by a deadly competition to find the new Emperor of Orrun. The story begins with the devastating tale of a young girl called Yana who faces exile and ultimately death at the hands of her twin brother and sadly due to the actions of her Father. This betrayal will cause a spiral of events eight years later where we follow the journey of her twin brother, the High scholar who wrote the exile letter and the corruption of those in power in Orrun.

The World building in this story is excellent, the magic system is unique and the politics will have you shocked with the twist and turns of corruption. I loved the way the writer was able to lay down the foundations of what has happened, giving hints but not requiring to blatantly tell you. I was guessing right up to the end which kept me hooked.

‘When hope flares in the darkness, it blinds even the sharpest eyes.’

The characters are beautifully crafted and complex, Neema the high scholar is a studious, ambitious and follows what she thinks is the right path for the Empire. Cain, her love, is a wily, hilarious assassin with a hunger for all food in sight. Ruco, twin brother and betrayer of Yana is so complicated and interesting I loved his story.

‘The path to the throne is narrow ... And must be walked alone.’

I read the audio and kindle copy and I think the narrator was excellent and weaved a fantastic story. My only wish was that the Raven sounded less robotic. I enjoyed the music at the beginning of different parts.

This is the beginning and I can’t wait to see where this story goes. Thank you to netgalley, the publishers and Antonia Hodgson for the opportunity to read and listen to this tale in exchange for an honest review.

I always like a trial story!
There are many participants and all the people around them and as we get to know them, all have their secrets and goals.

Be prepared for many twists and turns, deceptions, treacheries... And as soon as you think you got it figured out, something else happens leaving you dumbfounded. I really liked Neema and her development.
I listened to the audiobook and the voices are made really nicely, there is even some music at times.

I enjoyed this much more than I expected. Let just say I've been burnt by books well marketed who didn't deliver, and luckily this one isn't one of them. Can't wait for the next book in this serie.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder&Stoughton Audio for access to the audiobook against an honest review.*

THIS BOOK IS MAGNIFICENT! My first highlight of the year. The Raven Scholar is a colourful, playful epic fantasy, that is just PURE FUN.

Emperor Bersun wants to resign from office. To choose successor, a competition is held at court. Representatives of the various Animal Guardian houses, the best of the best – Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound – are pitted against each other. But even before the first competition, one of them is murdered …
High tension, high drama, high humour, packed with unforeseen twists and turns, these 700 pages flew by, oh my. It is a compelling and highly engaging mix of murder mystery that feels kind of like a heist, but never loses sight of its epic fantasy roots. The pace was fast, but there was enough room for the characters and their development.
So let’s talk about the characters: Neema Kraa, the titular Raven Scholar, is perhaps not the most likeable character at first. She comes across as strict, overly disciplined and arrogant. Of course, she is brilliant and has achieved her ambitious goal to become one of the emperors’ closest confidants, but maybe there is more to her. In contrast to her is Cain, the fox contender, who doesn’t take anything seriously (really, anything), and loves to get in trouble. It is the fox’s way, always to joke on the lips.
One of the most interesting parts for me was their character development. I also absolutely loved the diversity of the cast and world building. Neema is a Black woman over the age of thirty and I read her as autistic coded; Cain is bi and, in my opinion, also neurodivergent coded; the world building is queer normative, which was just very wholesome.
At first, I was afraid I would have problems with the world-building. Everyone in this city affiliates with one of the animal guardians through their professions and character traits, which I am not usually a fan of because it can feel too artificial, but for some reason, here it was done in a more serious and flexible way so it still felt like an organic world building.

Finally, I can only recommend the audio book. Voice actress Daphne Kouma does an incredible job of giving the different factions different voices and even enhances the humorous tone. I applaud the narrator for her interpretation of the footnotes. It truly was: magnificent. I only wished I had access to a glossary – which means, I will read a physical copy one day.
This is an epic fantasy that will appeal to a variety of audiences in the fantasy genre. It is accessible, not too dark, yet with depth and seriousness in its themes and characters.

If you liked this, you definitely should read the Raven Scholar:

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: For the adventure, for the fun, for the diverse world, the humour and the chaotic drama!
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch: Not as gritty as Locke, but highly engaging in its political intrigue and heist-like plot!
Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon: Like Priory, I think Raven Scholar is a good place to start exploring the epic fantasy genre if you’re coming from romantasy or YA fantasy, as it’s an easy book to immerse oneself in.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this digital ARC.

The Raven Scholar
Antonia Hodgson

As sly as a fox, strong as an ox, or witty as a raven. The narrator of this book embodies the personalities within and took me on an adventure wanting to listen whenever I could spare a minute. This book opens your eyes to a world where training and determination are not the only factors that can lead to one's success. Listening to this book pulled me into this world and brought the words to life. Slight inflections and changes easily distinguished the different characters and gave them each their own personality. Nima is knowledgeable with many strong attributes but her social skills are not the most refined, leaving many interactions with a feeling of discomfort. She is thrust into a challenge that she is woofully unprepared for, not to mention that her childhood best friend and ex lover is one of the other competitors. Deception, untimely death and power drive the challenge and uncover many secrets leading to an ending that comes all to soon, with many new trails to be followed. The book and the narrator had a flow that kept the chapters and breaks noticable but did not interfere with the overall experience with music to mark the larger transitions. Overall this is a book the I very much enjoyed listening to and could be doing again soon.

I listened to the audiobook of The Raven Scholar. The narrator fully commits to the role and is very enthusiastic. If you're going to be the voice of a collective of ravens, you've got to give it some oomph, and she does! She uses a range of accents and intonations to differentiate the characters and her narration really enhanced both the tension and the humour of the book.

And there's a lot of tension in there! Right from the beginning of this story, I found myself listening to the audiobook with my jaw completely dropped to the floor. There were some really shocking things that happened straight away in the prologue section, and I could never guess where the story was going to go next. I was just along for the ride.

But there's also humour in there, and a really great balance of murder-mystery plot, character development and romance. I came to really like Neema, although it didn't start that way. But I didn't need to love her from the start to be invested in the story because she and many of the side characters were so interesting and unique, and the plot had instantly captured me, so it was just fascinating to see how everything unfolded.

I honestly have no idea where the next two books in the trilogy are going to go, as book one was so unpredictable, so I'm not going to even hazard a guess!

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Listener Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

Be aware: this will be a raving review!

This book came highly recommended, and people kept teasing it was.... magnificent.
In the first three chapters though. I kept checking if I'm reading the right book. Not that they were bad at all, they just weren't what the blurb promised.
But then I hit chapter 4 and I was so in - and stayed. If ever a book deserves the word 'epic', then it's this one (while still maintaining a tight focus).

There's a narrative voice that is both unique and funny - also at times aiming to be scary while in fact just being dramatic.

The FMC is an incredibly interesting character. Not that you have to like her, necessarily, but you will still be entranced by her story.

In a fully developed queer-normative world, there are magical tournaments and political intrigue, murder mystery, dark academia and deep mythology.
All of that working without a romance story at heart.
On top of that my favorite trope: two entities merged into one - with one of them being a drama queen.

This book is so so good and I can't wait for the next in the trilogy.

I was so glad to have been granted both the eBook and audiobook.
The audiobook is a work of art with the narrator being a true artist. The voices she does are incredible.
Yet I had to go back time and again to the written word to absorb everything how it deserves. I also enjoyed just rereading a paragraph or more.

5/5 stars and absolute recommendation

Thank you @netgalley and @hodderbooks for the eARC and ALC.

#TheRavenScholar #Netgalley #Bookstagram

Gonna keep it short because mostly im still processing this book. First thing this is long, not in a bad way but damn . Didn’t expect it . The story so good , i like every step , the intrigue, the romance , the betrayals . Everything was so well done and developed. Loved our main character and how she grows in this. Definitely one of the books to look out for . Happy im getting a special edition of it because love it

A sumptuous epic fantasy combined with a murder mystery that is bursting with complex characters and tremendous plot twists. Copious political machinations and a unique religious system will keep you enthralled. The emperor has been on the throne for twenty-four years and must now retire, so eight contenders will compete to replace him. Trained at rival monasteries inspired by the sacred animals. Eight contenders, who are the best of the best – then one of them is murdered. This roller coaster of a book will take you through a myriad of emotions, you will be laughing and crying with equal measure. A fantastic story that kept me up all night! I am extremely excited for the sequel. The narrator conveyed the spirit of the story perfectly,