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1quillb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The representation in this is *chefs kiss*. So many queer people (and it’s NORMALISED, which I love in fantasy), so many people of colour, mental illness representation, slight disability rep- This is the kind of book I want all books to be.
Also, elemental crows? That’s such a unique concept? Applause all around for even thinking of that.
Overall, yes. Read this. It’s kind of confusing in the beginning because you’re introduced to so much so fast, but it’s such a good read. You’d especially enjoy this if you liked books like Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard or Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi.
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Colonisation, and War
Minor: Violence
dlrosebyh's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Sexual harassment
mitone_winona's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I will say however, I do adore Thia and her sister's dynamic in the book and how mental illness and PTSD/Trauma is addressed in the book and how Thia acknowledges her mother, the queen, has created a chain reaction of mistakes but is willing to go forward to fixing them.
Overall, a good book with great lore! Just a bad romance sub plot going on that went too fast.
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
thecourtofreading's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Mental illness and Grief
Moderate: Violence and Death of parent
Minor: Self harm and Fire/Fire injury
thewildmageslibrary's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, and Murder
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
- 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 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!
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Gore, Infidelity, Xenophobia, and Kidnapping
Minor: Self harm
chaptersofmads's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Self harm
olivialandryxo's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
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
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.