A review by mariahaskins
Lisette of the Raven, Ash of the Rook: A Broken Cities Novella by Suzanne J. Willis
5.0
This is a rich and gorgeously written fantasy novella set in a fascinating world and it had me hooked from the very first chapters. I mean, how can you not love a story where the executioner is dressed in silk, a dead woman speaks, and ravens gather the faint echoes of the last words of the condemned?
I devoured this novella in a couple of sittings. The language is gorgeous and Willis keeps you hooked with the twists and turns of the plot and by plunging you into a richly imagined fantasy world. I love how Willis also delves deeper beneath the surface of that world, finding its dark corners and its unexpected shadows, skilfully giving both the world and the characters real depth and complexity. There’s a wonderful fairytale vibe to this fantasy world, and yet it has an edge and enough grit to make it vibrant and compelling.
I devoured this novella in a couple of sittings. The language is gorgeous and Willis keeps you hooked with the twists and turns of the plot and by plunging you into a richly imagined fantasy world. I love how Willis also delves deeper beneath the surface of that world, finding its dark corners and its unexpected shadows, skilfully giving both the world and the characters real depth and complexity. There’s a wonderful fairytale vibe to this fantasy world, and yet it has an edge and enough grit to make it vibrant and compelling.