meaghanelizabook's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Blood, Self harm, Violence, Religious bigotry, Murder, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: War
thecourtofreading's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Grief
Moderate: Violence and Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Self harm
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this book! For me, the best part about it was how it dealt with Thia's mental health. She clearly has depression and PTSD from the events of Ronoch, and it is not slid under the rug, or ignored, or mysteriously solved by the appearance of a cute boy. It keeps coming back, and tripping her up, even though she is trying, and working, and slowly getting better.
I also really loved the side characters in this book! Kiva is great, as well as Caylus, and of course the crows!
The magic system is super interesting. I wish that we had been able to see more of it in this book, but I look forward to reading about it more in the sequel.
Definitely recommend!
I also really loved the side characters in this book! Kiva is great, as well as Caylus, and of course the crows!
The magic system is super interesting. I wish that we had been able to see more of it in this book, but I look forward to reading about it more in the sequel.
Definitely recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal death, Death of parent, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Torture, Physical abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Xenophobia, Gore, Kidnapping, and Infidelity
Minor: Self harm
chaptersofmads's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Mental illness, Animal death, Blood, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Self harm
aravenclawlibraryx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Find this review and others like it at https://aravenclawlibraryx.wordpress.com
If you do read this book, make sure to go to the end as there is a chapter dedicated to explaining the different crows, what they do and how they came to be. It’s very helpful and informative.
Yes, are you looking for your next favorite book? Do you want accurate depictions of depression and PTSD? Do you want a cool concept of crows and a unique magic system relating to said crows? Then look no further than this book. I guarantee you that this will be your next favorite book and if it’s not, I give you permission to yell at me. But don’t yell too loud, I’m fragile.
I adored this book in case you couldn’t tell. The depression representation was spot on to the point where it hurt to read at times. It permeated the pages of the book. You could feel Thia’s depression all the time. Even during the happy moments, it never truly went away. Because that’s what depression does. It never truly goes away. You have to fight every single day just to function. And that’s what happened with Thia. Sure, she had some good days but she had to fight for those good days. And I know what that is like.
Anthia, or Thia, was a complex but enjoyable character. I appreciated the first person POV. It helped to really understand her and you really get immersed with her depression and her feelings. It’s a bit rough to read at some times, because her grief and depression is so strong at times. It takes so much out of her and you feel for her. She did frustrate me at times because she did act a little childish but I couldn’t blame her. She was grieving. And grief makes you act in ways you normally wouldn’t.
Some other positive aspects of this book are the positive female friendships. There is no jealousy between Thia and Kiva. They are always there for each other but respect boundaries. Because you can always be there for your friends but at the same time, you have to make sure that you are in a good state of mind too. There was also LGBTQIA+ representation. It was sprinkled throughout the book, which I appreciated.
Overall, this was a great book. I enjoyed the plot with the crows but I wish we had more time with them to fully see what they were capable of. Thia explained the different types of crows and what they did but it would have been fun to experience them. Overall, though, I’m happy and so in love with this book. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Self harm, Murder, and Mental illness
The mental illness content warning is set at moderate but it is a very prevalent thing throughout the book. The MC has constant grief and depression from what she experienced but it comes in waves. There is also a content warning for burning flesh and self harm in the name of religion.plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Storm Crow has been on my tbr for some time, and finally I checked it out on Libby, an impulse decision. I’m so glad I did. From the beginning, I was hooked. I love the world and characters Josephson created, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this.
The idea of crows having magic and essentially powering a country is so cool. You need to water your crops? There’s a crow for that. Heal a wound? There’s a crow for that too. Maybe you’re fighting a war for your country. There’s even a crow for that. There are seven different kinds of crows, each connected to a different sector of Rhodaire and tasked with helping the country run smoothly. It was very creative and I liked it immensely.
As a whole, the world-building was great. Illucia has fought and taken over all the nearby countries except Rhodaire, which is next on the list to add to their empire. It’s a bit basic for a fantasy, as many books technically have a similar base, but Josephson made her version unique, intricate, and fascinating to read about. I almost always enjoy political tension, so long as it’s not dense and boring. That was never a concern here.
One thing in The Storm Crow that I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen in a YA fantasy—or any fantasy, for that matter—is a protagonist with depression. When Illucia attacks Rhodaire and causes major problems, Thia spirals into a depressed state that lasts for six months before she is forced to take action. Throughout the book she regains her will to fight and also fights the nagging desire to hide in bed until everything is said and done. This could’ve gone really wrong, but it was handled with care and ended up working out well. I could really relate to Thia in this regard, and seeing her stand up for herself, her friends, and her country while dealing with her own mental health was truly admirable. Team Thia all the way!
I also really loved Kiva, Thia’s best friend and bodyguard. She’s supportive and snarky and will absolutely fight anyone she doesn’t like or that hurts Thia. Their friendship is amazing and among the best I’ve read in any fantasy story.
Unfortunately, there is a love triangle of sorts between Thia, Ericen, and Caylus. One of them has unrequited feelings for Thia, who falls in love with the other. I won’t give any more details due to spoilers, but I will say this: when Caylus was introduced, I liked him but was wary that something like the above situation would happen. Even though I was right, both Ericen and Caylus ultimately ended up being complex characters that I liked and/or appreciated for various reasons. I think there’s a lot more to one in particular, and I’m curious to see how all the relationships develop in the sequel.
On that note, there’s so much to be addressed in the sequel. While the whole book was entertaining, the last five chapters were especially intense and unexpected in more ways than one. I have absolutely no clue what any of these twists will lead to, but I’m certainly curious to find out.
I think I’ve said everything I can about The Storm Crow. I definitely want to buy my own copy, and I’ll be reading the sequel as soon as my hold on it comes in. Please read The Storm Crow, y’all!!
Representation:
The idea of crows having magic and essentially powering a country is so cool. You need to water your crops? There’s a crow for that. Heal a wound? There’s a crow for that too. Maybe you’re fighting a war for your country. There’s even a crow for that. There are seven different kinds of crows, each connected to a different sector of Rhodaire and tasked with helping the country run smoothly. It was very creative and I liked it immensely.
As a whole, the world-building was great. Illucia has fought and taken over all the nearby countries except Rhodaire, which is next on the list to add to their empire. It’s a bit basic for a fantasy, as many books technically have a similar base, but Josephson made her version unique, intricate, and fascinating to read about. I almost always enjoy political tension, so long as it’s not dense and boring. That was never a concern here.
One thing in The Storm Crow that I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen in a YA fantasy—or any fantasy, for that matter—is a protagonist with depression. When Illucia attacks Rhodaire and causes major problems, Thia spirals into a depressed state that lasts for six months before she is forced to take action. Throughout the book she regains her will to fight and also fights the nagging desire to hide in bed until everything is said and done. This could’ve gone really wrong, but it was handled with care and ended up working out well. I could really relate to Thia in this regard, and seeing her stand up for herself, her friends, and her country while dealing with her own mental health was truly admirable. Team Thia all the way!
I also really loved Kiva, Thia’s best friend and bodyguard. She’s supportive and snarky and will absolutely fight anyone she doesn’t like or that hurts Thia. Their friendship is amazing and among the best I’ve read in any fantasy story.
Unfortunately, there is a love triangle of sorts between Thia, Ericen, and Caylus. One of them has unrequited feelings for Thia, who falls in love with the other. I won’t give any more details due to spoilers, but I will say this: when Caylus was introduced, I liked him but was wary that something like the above situation would happen. Even though I was right, both Ericen and Caylus ultimately ended up being complex characters that I liked and/or appreciated for various reasons. I think there’s a lot more to one in particular, and I’m curious to see how all the relationships develop in the sequel.
On that note, there’s so much to be addressed in the sequel. While the whole book was entertaining, the last five chapters were especially intense and unexpected in more ways than one. I have absolutely no clue what any of these twists will lead to, but I’m certainly curious to find out.
I think I’ve said everything I can about The Storm Crow. I definitely want to buy my own copy, and I’ll be reading the sequel as soon as my hold on it comes in. Please read The Storm Crow, y’all!!
Representation:
- protagonist of color with depression
- gay side characters
- side characters of color
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Self harm
This book contains detailed descriptions of depression, as well as occasional descriptions of fire/arson and war.
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