I found this book VERY long and I almost DNF at one point. The first part I found way too wordy and also quite unnecessary to the whole story HOWEVER, I stuck with it and I’m really glad I did. Once you get to around chapter 18 it all starts to pick up and you realise oh this girl they’re been talking about it actually the main character! I would say a solid 3.5 stars but I have rounded up to 4 because I’m nice (and you can’t do half stars on NetGalley)
A really excellent concept for a fantasy book with great characters but I just feel that the book should have maybe been made into 2 books?! The first part of this book could have easily been made into a novella as I felt like way too much time was taken to explain something in so much detail which could have been wrapped up in a chapter or two. It just felt very…..long winded.

When I got the email about this book from NetGalley, I thought it sounded okay but I wasn't sure if I wanted to claim it.  However the author name seemed familiar and I realised she wrote The Devil in the Marshalsea that I read last year so I went ahead and requested it.  The opening was interesting and the small glimpse of worldbuilding was intriguing.  I got a little confused because I thought the story was going to follow Yana, rather than Neema.  Yana is the main character for the first 3-4 chapters so I was quite invested in her which was a shame.  When I realised that the main character was actually Neema, I was disappointed because I wanted to know more of Yana's story. 

There are a lot of characters which means that I kept forgetting who some of them were.  It also means that several only get the slightest of personalities while others seem to be defined by one or two characteristics.  Some of them were quite interesting though, I rather liked Shal and Benna.  Initially I liked the characters of Cain and Neema but for most of the book, they swung between being irritating and interesting.  Cain was just too smug for words and his whole mischievous/risk-taking personality became tiresome.  Neema was so much of a doormat that it was quite boring. 

Unfortunately, the book itself felt like a major slog.  I kept reading and reading but didn't seem to be progressing through it at all.  The first quarter of the book is a little boring.  There was a lot of introduction of the main cast of characters which is particularly extensive and explanations of the world, its history and how things work.  In some ways, it was nice to have such detailed worldbuilding, but it meant that a lot of the story was pushed to one side and didn't really get going until about chapter 17!  I found it a little more interesting when the trials and investigation started but the pacing was still rather slow.  There were a lot of aspects that didn't make sense and although they did end up being explained later on, it was too much later on and I spent a lot of time wondering about them.  The last few chapters did ramp up the pace and excitement quite a bit and it was a shame that there wasn't more of that earlier.  There's a couple of twists in the later half of the story which does rather flip the whole thing on its head.  It's very much the opening of a longer story and it ends with a bit of a cliffhanger as to how things are going to progress from here.  I was intrigued enough to want to know more, which is a good sign!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy to review.

Ruthlessly beautiful, delightfully chaotic. This book satisfied a craving deep within.
There's political intrigue, interesting and lovable characters (many of whom are in their late 20s, early 30s and beyond, because yes!!), a fierce competition, an intricate world and FUN. This was heaps of fun.
I am so glad to have had the chance to sample this story before publication, and will be eagerly waiting for the next book in the series (already pre-ordered this one because how could I not after loving it so much?). Thank you so much! I hope the series is a huge success, it deserves it

This was fantastic!
Honestly, it just threw me straight back to the fantasy books I loved and the ones that got me into reading in the first place.
I love the premise of the different houses that represent different aspects that are considered to be the best, depending on which animal deity is followed.
The murder mystery in the story fully threw me. I genuinely couldn't decide what had happened. There were so many interlacing stories in this book that came together to bring a bigger picture story. Honestly, this was just so well done, and I need to know what happens next. I also need more books like this.

This is going to be one of my favorite reads of 2025—and I wasn’t even sure I wanted to pick it up! Thankfully the incredible reviews convinced me to give it a try, and I’m so glad I did because there was literally nothing I didn’t like about this book.

To be honest, this novel is difficult to describe, even though the premise seems simple at first glance. It blends epic fantasy with political intrigue, murder mystery, and a dash of romance. Usually, when a book mixes so many elements, you can pinpoint which ones work best and which fall short. But not here. This book is so well-crafted that it’s impossible to single out one element over another. Everything is perfectly executed.

The narrative is one of the book's standout features. While most of it is told from a third-person perspective of a single character, there are moments when the viewpoint shifts to other characters, and even a second-person plural narrative is employed. There are also footnotes. It may sound unconventional, but it really works and brings a refreshing twist to the genre.

As far as I know, this is Antonia Hodgson's debut fantasy novel, and I’m genuinely amazed by the scale of the world she has created and the scope of the story she has begun in this first volume. We get a rich mix of mythology, history, and a detailed political system. Every 24 years in the country of Orrun, a tournament takes place in which seven representatives compete for the emperor’s throne. Each represents one of the Animal Guardian Houses—Raven, Fox, Ox, Bear, Monkey, Tiger, and Hund. (There is also a Dragon House, but they are slightly different, as they don’t compete for the crown). The main plot centers on the upcoming tournament and its implications for the throne. The protagonist, Neema, represents Raven, and she enters the tournament after one of the participants is murdered.
One of the most unique aspects of the book is the way the divisions between the houses reflect social stratification. Those who join a particular house adopt traits associated with the animal they represent. It might sound strange, but it’s done so well that the traits feel natural and authentic as they manifest in the characters. The author takes her time introducing us to the world and its intricacies before the action ramps up, and yet she avoids clunky exposition. The murder mystery that drives the plot doesn’t even begin until about a quarter of the way through, but the time spent immersing us in the world pays off immensely, helping us understand the stakes later on.

I won’t delve into the plot too much, as I agree with those who say it’s best to go into this book blind. However, I will say that the story is packed with twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat. Despite being 650 pages long, it never feels too drawn out or slow. The ending is nothing short of epic, and I’m honestly frustrated that I can’t dive straight into the sequel.

The characters are another highlight. Both the main character and the various tournament participants, as well as the secondary characters, are morally gray, making them complex and multidimensional. Even with seven main participants and a host of secondary characters, each one stands out. Their personalities and motivations are shaped by their house affiliations and personal ambitions, which often come with hidden agendas. The author does an excellent job of making you care about each character’s journey. I was thoroughly invested, even though I typically don’t enjoy linear plots where one quest follows another.

There’s also a romantic subplot, and it’s wonderfully done. Neema and Cain, the Fox contender, seem like absolute opposites, yet they complement each other perfectly. I’m eager to see where their relationship goes in future installments.

Honestly, I have nothing negative to say about this book. I loved everything about it, and it surprised me in the best possible way. I’m confident that The Raven Scholar will be one of the fantasy hits of 2025, and there's a reason for that—the hype is absolutely justified.

the raven scholar is an epic fantasy set in a Orrun, where every 24 years, a new emperor is chosen through trials. seven contenders are due to begin their trials when one of them is murdered. now Neema, a raven scholar, is forced to investigate a murder and participate in the trials and she’s completely unprepared. she will need to untangle a web of deadly secrets and uncover dangerous truths.

THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING I NEEDED AND MORE OHMYGOD!!!!!!!!!! there is no way for me to describe just how much i adored this.
the writing style was so intriguing. it changed from third to first person and in other ways, but it wasn’t really confusing, it just make the story THAT much more interesting.

the political intrigue had me on the FLOOR!! like this is how you write good political intrigue with crazy plot twists. there was nothing i could predict and my mind was constantly reeling from all the information😩

i loved following Neema as the main character. she is smart, determined, resilient, and honestly so amazing and it breaks my heart that she doesn’t realise how amazing she is😭
every single contender was so interesting as well!! special shoutout to my man Ruko (who i pictured as Toji from JJK, so i could not not love him)

the relationships formed and developed in this book, both romantic and platonic, were absolutely perfect and i cannot wait to see more of them!!

honestly this is forever one of my favourite books!!

What a magnificent read this was! (See what I did there?)

I have to admit that it took me a little bit to completely absorb this new world and learn all of its mechanics, but it is so worth it, as Antonia Hodgson's writing is beautiful, immersive, with a variety of flawed characters you can't help but cheer for.

The story begins with a glimpse into the past, which was a heartbreaking catalyst for many things to come. Then we follow Neema, the curious and bright High Scholar that ended up tied to the same opening events, who later on found herself from being in charge of solving a crime to competing for the throne at the same time.

One thing that gave me chills was the revelation of a POV I did not see coming nearly half into the book that felt like breaking the fourth wall to me, and it progressed into a quite comedic one. I really loved the humour throughout this book. It wasn't funny in a ha-ha-laugh-out-loud way, but more in a way that I found myself snorting at the most unexpected times by some very relatable things.

I wish we'd gotten more of the second chance romance between Neema and Cain, but hopefully they'll get the time to explore more of that in the next book! (Though, with the way this book ended, they'll probably have other things to worry about.)

Also, can we talk about Ruko? I sure like my men as morally grey as they choose to be, but Ruko was truly set out to be that one character you're supposed to hate, and yet I couldn't bring myself to hate him. There's just something he keeps walled up within himself that drew me to him and made me wish for a redemption arc more and more with each page I read (while my own Sol perched on one of my ribs kept screeching, "But remember that horrible thing he's done, Deb! Not a good guy! Not a lovable guy! Kraa! Kraa!"). I don't know about you, but Ruko with Pink-Pink on his shoulder, world domination? Sounds good to me.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC! While I read this in the first quarter of the year, I feel like it'll remain a top read till the end of 2025.

The Raven Scholar is very very excellent. I loved it very much indeed. I am a fan of Antonia Hodgson and was interested to see how she tackle a new genre and I wasn’t disappointed. It starts quite slowly with the story of a family who were involved in a failed coup and there’s a time jump where we pick up our main plot which is seemingly unconnected but wait… The current king has served his twenty five years and is retiring so to find his replacement the seven houses send a representative to compete in series of trials. So far so hunger games. But then one of the contenders is murdered and our heroine Neema Kraa is tasked with proving she didn’t do it, finding out who did, becoming the murdered scholars replacement in the trials, trying not to be murdered all whilst not being found out for treason. Not much too then.
I enjoyed this so much, there’s a sort of YA tropeyness in the trials situation but everyone is grown up and cynical. It’s funny and wry and clever which is everything I expect from Hodgson. The characters are well rounded and believable Neema’s genuine hatred of the murdered scholar is a delight, the pettiness is so sweet. The foxes are also divine. I can’t wait for the next one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

I read all 704 pages of this in roughly 3 sittings and my ADD brain never complained once. That's pretty unusual for me and it is absolutely representative of the quality of Hodgson's storytelling.

The world of The Raven Scholar was a delight to be in from beginning to end. The writing was lush and playful. I loveddd the humour. There's only a touch of it at the beginning but it really grows into its own thing as the story progresses. The POV changes are creative and easy to follow. Hodgson also does something quite fun with the formatting which works so well for the narration. I loved it. I think I will happily read anything this author puts out into the world.

The characters were great. Neema is one of my favourite protagonists in a long time! I love her. Sol is everything, I could just dedicate this entire review to Sol (and Pink-Pink, the grouchy chameleon). The supporting cast were diverse and interesting with believable motives and and complex loyalties. There were so many that I liked and hope to see more of in future instalments. I have to also give a quick praise for the combat sequences - I loved how every characters style and emotional state was reflected so vividly in those scenes.

The worldbuilding was also a dream. Hodgson really transports you to her island setting. You can feel the humidity in the air, the summer heat, can imagine the gardens and the waterways. It's beautiful and well brought to life. The history and the lore were a little sparse for the scope of the story she is trying to tell in book one, but what we did get was engaging enough.

If I had one complaint it would be that the plot was lacking something in the second half for me. Once the mystery of the mysterious death has concluded, the story falls a harder on political fantasy stereotypes than I would like and I lost a bit of interest in where things were going. But I was happy to be along for the ride. I cannot wait to see where Neema's journey will take her next!

Happy to welcome my first 5 star read of 2025! Please don't let the page count put you off, this story is worth every bit of space it takes up.

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My rating system:
✧✧✧✧✧ - loved it, no complaints
✧✧✧✧ - loved it, some technical flaws
✧✧✧ - liked it
✧✧ - disappointing
✧ - unenjoyable

Murder Mystery
Politics & Secrets
Reluctant Hero
Found Family
Second Chance
Closed Door Spice
Fantasy

This book had me so intrigued from the blurb and I couldn't wait to dive in.

At first it feels like there's a little bit too much going on, too many characters and different plot lines, but the further you go the more it starts making sense!

The book is also filled with twists and turns that had my jaw dropping!

The downside for me is the length of it. Over 600 pages/24 hour audiobook felt a little bit daunting to me. That being said, I absolutely love the narrator and I feel like she did a fantastic job! I enjoyed doing parallel audio and ebook for this one

4.5 ⭐️

The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson. What a book. An incredible new fantasy novel. It feels unique and original. So well written with a brilliant cast of characters.

A bit of a remove from what Antonia Hodgson has written before, but the writing was just as brilliant as before, and this unique fantasy world takes it to a whole new level.

I loved the setting and the feel of this book. The plot feels original, and the twist at the end really took me by surprise. Brilliant. Cant wait for book 2.

Absolutely brilliant! I honestly didn’t want it to end! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25 STARS

I'm not going to lie, this was kinda difficult to get into. I really struggled for the first 6 chapters to have any understanding on what really was happening. It felt odd that the first 3 chapters were a prologue?? and then it finally changes to the main MC Neema. Personally for me, there was just too much throwing out random people and places names without pause and this felt so rushed and clunky.

Once I went back, read the books description and started over again it was fine :\ but by this point, the story has lost my attention and I found myself start gravitating towards other books.

As I continued it got way better and I really loved the world that Antonia has created and the idea of rival monasteries and characters inspired by sacred animals is so interesting and done in a way that felt new and fresh.

I am looking forward to continuing with the series :).

Thank you Hodderscape, Antonia Hodgson and NetGalley for a digital ARC of The Raven Scholar.

*Actual rating is 2.5 stars*

I had high hopes for this book, as I love both a tournament and a murder mystery. It felt like it would be a great combo, and it probably could have been if the story didn’t have a structure that made it so hard for me to focus on what was going on. The combination of both third and first person POV, multiple plot threads and character storylines thrown into the story just lost me. The book started out as a straightforward murder mystery/competition which I enjoyed. But then the further the book got the more it started to diverge and it just became a lot. It just made me lose interest as I tried to keep up with everything and everyone. It wasn’t just a book for me. If you enjoy all the things I brought up, then you’re clearly the audience for this book.

Epic Fantasy at it's best. This was so engaging, every time I thought I knew what was going to happen next, I was proven wrong, in the best possible way.

Dare I say Magnificent

This book was incredible.
Wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but it wasn't that I'd enjoy it this much!
So well written, loved every minute of reading this!

The most perfectly written, entertaining, witty, absorbing and breathtakingly book I have read in a long time! Neema a is from a poor, faraway background and when she gets the chance to study, she grabs it, hard. But not coming from the same social circles as her peer scholars means that she is outcast, with just her books and translations for company. Resulting in her becoming a friendless, absolutely brilliant scholar, her beautiful penmanship noted by the emperor. Her rise within the court is resented and she remains friendless, recalling her childhood days with her one friend Cain who she has not seen or heard from for years. One order from the Emperor changes everything: she must write an order to exile a young girl, not yet a woman - a punishment that will bring the girl a certain, lingering and terrible death. A pivotal moment in Neema's life, and the start of all that is to come. Riveting.

Wow. This book was amazing and I don’t care that we are only in March; I just know it will be one of my favorite read of 2025.

There is so much to love about this book:

The writing style: it was like nothing I’ve ever read before. I loved how, even it’s written in third person, you get many different POV’s. The dry and peculiar humor was just perfection and even if the stakes were very high, I couldn’t stop myself for laughing out loud at some dialogues or inner thoughts of the different characters.

Talking about the characters, they are all so complex and interesting. I just loved getting to know them, their motivations, the relationships between them, their back stories, etc. it was wonderfully done. The fact that after a few chapters we jump 8 years in the future made a lot for character development and I really enjoyed it. It was also so, so, so refreshing to have main characters in their thirties.

I really loved the relationship between Neema and Cain. I loved the fact that Neema is a POC. We still too rarely see main characters being POC and she had such an interesting past. Cain was also a fascinating character and he was so, so, so fun.

The world building was great and very well written. I never felt overwhelmed with information. I just continuously wanted to know more. The whole mythology is so well made and interesting.

The trials part was done right. I do enjoy trials, but often feel a bit disappointed. That wasn’t the case in this book; I was always trying to figure out what the contenders needed to do to win the contests/fights/games and what was the main goal of each trial.

I litteraly couldn’t put my kindle done and the plot twists were plot twisting! I do read a lot of fantasy but this one got me: 😱😱😱😱 so many times! I really cannot wait for book 2.

Don’t be scared about the number of pages! I swear they fly by! :)

And to quote The Raven: Yes, you and this book are magnificent 🐦‍⬛🖤

Thank you so so much to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton&Antonia Hodgson for an advance earc of this book ♥️

This book! It took me a while to get in to as it is quite dense but once I started to understand the world and get to know the characters I couldn’t put it down. I will definitely be reading the next one as now I am so invested in each character. So many fantasy books now are about special teenagers who feel two dimensional so this book was so refreshing.

Some parts of this book are 5 star for me but it wasn’t easy to get in to and I think it could have been a bit tighter so I’m going for a 4 star for now. I do applaud the ambition though. I also found the change of focus with the narration/POV a bit jarring to begin with (that’s a bit vague but don’t want to spoil anything!).

I didn’t like the use of footnotes in this but that might be a me thing and the formatting was a bit odd in the ARC so that might have been part of it. Felt like they were unnecessary and took me out of the story. Hopefully formatting in the actual book helps with this.

I loved this, it's almost like hogwarts houses meets the hunger games but so much more - I really resonated with Neema and cannot wait to read her next adventures