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malfy's review against another edition
5.0
Love this!!
The book was a action packed and featured a fear I never knew I had.. Lol I loved the Ents in The Lord of the Ring but now I find th am terrifying
The book was a action packed and featured a fear I never knew I had.. Lol I loved the Ents in The Lord of the Ring but now I find th am terrifying
especbooks's review against another edition
4.0
There are some very cool concepts here integrating historic fantasy, steampunk, and myth and legend. It was just a little hard to get into at first, but once I was engaged, I was fully engaged. Somethings were set up very well, but occasionally there were missed opportunities or things I felt had not been set up at all.
Overall, I can definitely recommend The Raven Lady, particularly if you are looking for something new and different.
Overall, I can definitely recommend The Raven Lady, particularly if you are looking for something new and different.
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
3.0
I found this was quite slow going at the start, I think there was too much information just thrown at you in the beginning, rather than letting us learn as you read the author tried to introduce too much at once and I found it made it hard to get into. It’s a shame as once I got into it I did really enjoy it, I found the story and plot unique and clever, the dual POV I feel is done well. It is really entertaining if you can get past the first quarter of the book, overall a fun read, just needs work on the start.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
smatthew459's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
An engaging and highly entertaining story that kept me hooked.
Great world building and character development, good storytelling and plot development.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Great world building and character development, good storytelling and plot development.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading other books by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
cakt1991's review
4.0
3.5 stars
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I requested The Raven Lady prior to learning it was part of a series, and while I have since acquired the first book, I didn’t have time to read it beforehand. However, this book works fairly well as a stand-alone, even noting that the prior book will serve to fill in background details about the world and past events, but giving the reader enough that this could serve as a suitable starting point on its own.
I did feel at times it did feel a little too info-dump-y, giving you a lot of information early on and throwing it at you, while expecting you to follow along. The issue waned as I got into the book, but I did struggle a bit at first.
However, once you get past that first hurdle, it’s pretty much unputdownable. It has that blend of semi-historical and fantasy, and the world building, steeped in myth and legend is truly compelling.
While first person dual remains my least favorite POV type, this story makes it work, easily distinguishing Koli and Finvara as characters, both of whom are caught up in chaos and end up falling in love in the midst of it.
This book is so much fun, and I will definitely be reading more from this author. And if you love historical/paranormal mash-ups (including steampunk, mannerpunk, and gaslamp fantasy), I think you’ll enjoy this one.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I requested The Raven Lady prior to learning it was part of a series, and while I have since acquired the first book, I didn’t have time to read it beforehand. However, this book works fairly well as a stand-alone, even noting that the prior book will serve to fill in background details about the world and past events, but giving the reader enough that this could serve as a suitable starting point on its own.
I did feel at times it did feel a little too info-dump-y, giving you a lot of information early on and throwing it at you, while expecting you to follow along. The issue waned as I got into the book, but I did struggle a bit at first.
However, once you get past that first hurdle, it’s pretty much unputdownable. It has that blend of semi-historical and fantasy, and the world building, steeped in myth and legend is truly compelling.
While first person dual remains my least favorite POV type, this story makes it work, easily distinguishing Koli and Finvara as characters, both of whom are caught up in chaos and end up falling in love in the midst of it.
This book is so much fun, and I will definitely be reading more from this author. And if you love historical/paranormal mash-ups (including steampunk, mannerpunk, and gaslamp fantasy), I think you’ll enjoy this one.
asrarlydiasbooks's review
3.0
This is the first book I’ve read by Sharon Lynn Fisher, and I really enjoyed it.
The world building was well executed, although sometimes it got a bit confusing which time period they were in. I enjoyed the switching of POV’s, both Finvara and Koli’s chapters were equally intriguing and I really contacted to both characters!
One think I have to remark on was the mountain of info-dumping in the first chapters. It made the book really hard to get into and could have been done much smoother, but after a few chapters I couldn’t put it down and I really look forward to reading other books by the author!
The world building was well executed, although sometimes it got a bit confusing which time period they were in. I enjoyed the switching of POV’s, both Finvara and Koli’s chapters were equally intriguing and I really contacted to both characters!
One think I have to remark on was the mountain of info-dumping in the first chapters. It made the book really hard to get into and could have been done much smoother, but after a few chapters I couldn’t put it down and I really look forward to reading other books by the author!
its_justine's review against another edition
4.0
"But now you are in love…And that is the greatest risk of all."
The Raven Lady is a captivating tale of transformation and finding one's true place in an ever-changing world, where loyalty is of the utmost importance. Author Sharon Lynn Fisher tells the legend of an unlikely romance between two souls bound by duty, both of whom diverge to unforeseen paths paved by respect and solidarity. Within its pages, a battle rages in the shadows for a foothold in the coveted Emerald Isle, and loyalties are tested, shattered, reformed. This is a beautifully told story of following one's heart while skirting deadly intrigue and wrathful deities, finding a place to call home in the most unexpected of places. With relatable characters, an enchanting world, and skillful storytelling, this modern fairytale is a true treat for those looking for a little magic.
The core of this story is its focus on the the budding relationship between its two main characters, Koli Alfdóttir and King Finvara, formerly known as Duncan O'Malley. Those that have read The Absinthe Earl will be familiar with the latter, but rather than a charming ship captain, we witness a man so completely out of his element when the mantle of responsibility is placed upon his shoulders. Koli, dutiful daughter of Iceland's Elf King, one of Ireland's most notorious enemies, battles what's been planted in her mind, and what lies in the shadows of her heart. What originally begins with a healthy level of apprehension blossoms into an accord of mutual respect, followed by a sizzling desire, however there's always a pang of distrust itching to come to the forefront. Only together will they be able to overcome the nefarious plotting intended to topple a kingdom, but first they must learn to set aside misconceptions and hold fast to the building trust.
The world Fisher crafts is wonderfully enchanting, drawing readers in with its dangerous beauty. The story takes place in Ireland during the late 19th century where the veil between the world of man and Faery, the realm of fairies, is thin, and a merging of the past and present can be seen around each and every corner. The in-between is made of stars shimmering in the darkness, a portal to and fro where time is of no consequence. Barrows home to long-forgotten kings and enchanted forests pepper the land, and it's not altogether uncommon to see a skyship drifting on the horizon. The entirety of this tale is about the joining of old and new, shifting and evolving, yet keeping true to your roots; castles made of ancient stones, but powered by mysterious alchemical sciences, timeworn magics meet steampunk technology, secrets of old brought to light by curious minds. It's easy to lose yourself in this world, and I hope to explore more of it in the future.
The author smoothly tells a story that takes you on a journey into another place and time, feeding your imagination and allowing it to take flight. As soon as I picked up the first book in this series, I fell in love with her writing style – fully captivated by the level of immersion and charm she infused into each of its pages. The Raven Lady follows suit, but I found it to be more…untamed, with less of a focus on propriety, and more on the needs of the body and soul. I truly appreciated this shift, as it perfectly indicated we were no longer concerned with the restrictions of society, and were free to embrace the wildness. More audacious, yet more introspective. More savage, yet more passionate. After a slow build up, there's an explosive race to the finish, and I just couldn't put the book down.
Fisher has a way of ensnaring readers with her flowing prose and knowledge on the many historical aspects of the tapestry she continues to weave. When it's clear an author has a passion for the content they include in their stories, it makes for a thoroughly enjoyable adventure.
The Raven Lady is a story I've been waiting for since I turned the final page of its predecessor last year, and I wholly enjoyed making my way through this book. It's a perfect example of what a modern fairytale for adults should be, grasping the magic, infusing myth and lore of the past, and presenting it in a relatable way to dazzle its audience. The story itself ties up nicely, albeit maybe just a tad too quickly, and can most definitely be read as a standalone novel. If you're hoping to transport yourself into an alluring, spellbinding world, The Raven Lady may just be the book you're looking for to help you get there. I highly recommend.
Note: A huge thank you to the author and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a complementary advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.