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nerddata's review
4.0
The Storm Crow is set in the fantasy world of Kythra where magic exists and the kingdoms are on the brink of war. The book introduces us to our protagonist Anthia, known as Thia, in an opening sequence that had me instantly hooked. Thia is quickly established as a very capable and experienced character, alongside her childhood friend Kiva, who became my favorite supporting character throughout the book.
What ‘The Storm Crow’ does well is portraying PTSD, depression, and other natural reactions to the event that happens in the very beginning of the book. It was refreshing to see a protagonist have realistic emotions and actions based on that.
Kiva and Thia’s relationship is also second to none in this book. There are not enough strong female friendships in literature. You could tell that these two women have been together forever through their words and actions. Thia also has a great relationship with her sister, Caliza. It was very refreshing to read about a realistic sisterly relationship.
Kaylyn Josephson did an amazing job writing this world. Each part of it was influenced by the different cultures, technology, and even magic of the area.
Something that is difficult for me to look over is
Spoiler
that there is a love triangle. While the romance we get is cute and natural, it is always frustrating to read about a love triangle as you are left wondering which side you should be cheering for.Another thing I’m tired of reading about is child-protagonists. While in this world adulthood may be seventeen, it still does not convince me that a seventeen year old is an adult. The theme of child soldiers is very overdone. This is not a coming of age story, so there is no need for the character to be as young as she is, other than being inexperienced, which Thia is not.
While this story has strong female characters, it falls short on its male ones. Prince Ericen is set up to be our male lead, but in comparison to Thia and Kiva, his character falls short.
The Storm Crow did an amazing job drawing me in, and once I got into it I could not put it down. I found myself feeling for Thia and was left holding my breath several times during the story. Thia is a wonderfully written character, her entire arc through the book is very natural and realistic. The finale to the duology ‘The Crow Rider’ is already out and I look forward to seeing where the story goes.
I recommend this book if you:
Love well written and strong female characters
LGBTQ themes handled well
Realistic depictions of mental health
Like Birds
Other books like this that you may enjoy are:
[bc:Cinder|36381037|Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1)|Marissa Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507557775l/36381037._SY75_.jpg|15545385][b:Cinder|36381037|Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1)|Marissa Meyer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1507557775l/36381037._SY75_.jpg|15545385] - Fantasy with amazing world building.
[bc:Ash Princess|32505753|Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy, #1)|Laura Sebastian|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503181967l/32505753._SY75_.jpg|53100842][b:Ash Princess|32505753|Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy, #1)|Laura Sebastian|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503181967l/32505753._SY75_.jpg|53100842] - Royalty, enemies to lovers
[bc:Iron Widow|52459864|Iron Widow (Iron Widow, #1)|Xiran Jay Zhao|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617986668l/52459864._SY75_.jpg|77901205][b:Iron Widow|52459864|Iron Widow (Iron Widow, #1)|Xiran Jay Zhao|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617986668l/52459864._SY75_.jpg|77901205]- Well written and strong female character
Spoiler
heiroffire1989's review
4.0
First thing I want to say:
What a joy it was to read this book!!!
The rest of the mini review:
There's this super interesting world in which you have these magical crows that can do just about anything, and their riders who fly and fight with them, and it was just utterly magnificent to learn about them. The political elements are really well written and form a good base of the story, as well as that our MC's character development was reaaaally well executed - for example: I love how relatable the author wrote her and how she approached the 'depression' side of the MC. Not many authors are able to 'touch' me on this subject (I'm familiar with severe depression) but within the first 5 chapters I was often reading with goosebumps all over and tears in my eyes because it hit close to home thanks to the beautiful writing. I am in awe of this author's writing because of that alone; of how she's able to make me feel so much already so soon into the book. I also liked the minor characters from what I've read so far, although I feel like they still lack a bit of development and hope that they'll get some more in-depth attention in the next book. That said: the friendships present were amaaazing and I love the Girl power in this book a lot! The writing itself was addictive and I'm baffled really about how in depth this story is with this amount of pages in this first book.
Conclusion is that this was a fantastic first book that had me hooked from beginning till end and that makes me want to pick up the next one right away. I already have a feeling that I'm going to be bummed out about the fact that it's a duology and not a longer lasting series, because this world is just magical.
I HIIIIGHLY recommend to pick up this book if you have even the slightest of interest in it! Definitely worth reading!
some of my Fave Quotes
What a joy it was to read this book!!!
The rest of the mini review:
There's this super interesting world in which you have these magical crows that can do just about anything, and their riders who fly and fight with them, and it was just utterly magnificent to learn about them. The political elements are really well written and form a good base of the story, as well as that our MC's character development was reaaaally well executed - for example: I love how relatable the author wrote her and how she approached the 'depression' side of the MC. Not many authors are able to 'touch' me on this subject (I'm familiar with severe depression) but within the first 5 chapters I was often reading with goosebumps all over and tears in my eyes because it hit close to home thanks to the beautiful writing. I am in awe of this author's writing because of that alone; of how she's able to make me feel so much already so soon into the book. I also liked the minor characters from what I've read so far, although I feel like they still lack a bit of development and hope that they'll get some more in-depth attention in the next book. That said: the friendships present were amaaazing and I love the Girl power in this book a lot! The writing itself was addictive and I'm baffled really about how in depth this story is with this amount of pages in this first book.
Conclusion is that this was a fantastic first book that had me hooked from beginning till end and that makes me want to pick up the next one right away. I already have a feeling that I'm going to be bummed out about the fact that it's a duology and not a longer lasting series, because this world is just magical.
I HIIIIGHLY recommend to pick up this book if you have even the slightest of interest in it! Definitely worth reading!
some of my Fave Quotes
"People are their truest selves at their most desperate."
"I won't let my scars define me. Not anymore. From now on, they're a symbol of what I have left to fight for."
"I would not ler her break me. I am more than my emotions, more than my depression and fear"
"Words could be so much more powerful coming from someone else. I'd told myself a thousand times to get out of bed after Ronoch, but without Kiva's help, I might never have."
lorelai0624's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.75
tuckeralmengor's review
3.0
Here are the top five reasons you (Yes, you!) should read the storm crow.
1. Just look at that cover. Even if you never read it, you need this book on your shelf. It is gorgeous and will be a great edition to your bookshelf.
2. The writing will satisfy every reader. If your a reader who needs fast paced writing with lots of action, The Storm Crow is for you. If you love amazing images painted with words, The Storm Crow is your book.
3. The story. I won't go into it because I don't want to spoil but the story is basically a combination of Six of Crows and Brave. Anyone and everyone will love it.
4. The Storm Crow has a wide array of characters. Each one of them strong, brave and kind. (Well, most of them
ellakostka's review
4.0
this was really good!! the worldbuilding and romance (that did NOT turn out to be a love triangle might i add, thank god) was so well developed for this book only being about 300 pages long. i usually dont continue with a ya fantasy series, but im hooked tbh
konvineo's review against another edition
3.0
I got this ARC in my December fairyloot box. This was clearly the better of the two books in the box... by at least 150%.
Since there's quite a while until [b:The Storm Crow|38330596|The Storm Crow (The Storm Crow, #1)|Kalyn Josephson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1540301055s/38330596.jpg|59987150] is published, I'll keep this review short and not very detailed so as not to spoil anything.
- First of all the cover is beautiful, and I hope that they aren't going to change it.
- It's also super cool to actually have the ARC experience, unlike the last time there was an ARC in a fairyloot box.
- The book quite nicely subverts the typical love triangle trope, and it was refreshing to read even if it didn't go the way I wanted in the end. But there's hope for an awesome dynamic between the characters in question.
- I'm going to make myself sound old by saying that I remember a time where the most common thing in YA in terms of LGBTQ+ relationships was a mlm. It's nice to see more and more wlw relationships in YA. Even though it's in the background the wlw in this is cute, and I think it's going to progress into something amazing in a future book.
- The world of the Storm Crows is really interesting, and I'd like to read more about it, so it's extremely likely that I'll be checking out any sequels.
Since there's quite a while until [b:The Storm Crow|38330596|The Storm Crow (The Storm Crow, #1)|Kalyn Josephson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1540301055s/38330596.jpg|59987150] is published, I'll keep this review short and not very detailed so as not to spoil anything.
- First of all the cover is beautiful, and I hope that they aren't going to change it.
- It's also super cool to actually have the ARC experience, unlike the last time there was an ARC in a fairyloot box.
- The book quite nicely subverts the typical love triangle trope, and it was refreshing to read even if it didn't go the way I wanted in the end. But there's hope for an awesome dynamic between the characters in question.
- I'm going to make myself sound old by saying that I remember a time where the most common thing in YA in terms of LGBTQ+ relationships was a mlm. It's nice to see more and more wlw relationships in YA. Even though it's in the background the wlw in this is cute, and I think it's going to progress into something amazing in a future book.
- The world of the Storm Crows is really interesting, and I'd like to read more about it, so it's extremely likely that I'll be checking out any sequels.
nachokitty's review
4.0
Took me a while to finish but I’m glad i did. I definitely enjoyed this book. The battle with depression that Thia deals with is heartbreaking and something many people can identify with. Like, ugh. I feel you, Thia. Her dream is ripped away in the most crushing of ways and she’s faced with the difficult task of not only facing the fact her dream may never come to fruition, but that she is essentially letting her people down by letting her depression control her.
Still, she grits her teeth and does something only she can do, in attempt to save her kingdom and I’m very THERE FOR IT.
The book builds the farther you read and I love Thia and Caylus, my handsome hunky nerd. I feel so much for Ericen, not only because him being a prick is an act, but he’s gone through so much being the son of this tyrant Queen, you can’t help but feel for him. Also, there is good LGBTQA representation; not only is one of the main characters gay, it’s seen in side romances and I love it.
I’m so excited to see how things are going to go in the sequel, definitely one I’m going to keep an eye on.
Still, she grits her teeth and does something only she can do, in attempt to save her kingdom and I’m very THERE FOR IT.
The book builds the farther you read and I love Thia and Caylus, my handsome hunky nerd. I feel so much for Ericen, not only because him being a prick is an act, but he’s gone through so much being the son of this tyrant Queen, you can’t help but feel for him. Also, there is good LGBTQA representation; not only is one of the main characters gay, it’s seen in side romances and I love it.
I’m so excited to see how things are going to go in the sequel, definitely one I’m going to keep an eye on.