Dare I say this was... Magnificent? 🐦‍⬛🦊

What a wild ride this book was, in all the best ways! After struggling with the first few chapters, I started to really get into it when the main action starts, and haven't stopped thinking about it since. This is what epic adult fantasy should be like, characters with interesting backstories, simple wants and needs and quite some life experience to inform their choices and a detailed world-building which is consistent and interesting. In this case I found it very unique with its guardians and their roles, a kind of caste system but it's not mandatory and so much potential for future books! And the plot...! I'm usually someone who isn't easily surprised as I tend to foresee things, but in this case I might have had vague ideas of what was to come, but never to the full extent, so that all the twists and turns kept me on my toes.

I think what I liked best about the book was how most, if not all characters, were multi-facetted. All of them had good and bad sides, compassion, love, anger, irrationality, flaws and talents. They made me feel things, so many things, and that's what I love in a good book! Neema was wonderful, and I liked that she is a poc and autistic-coded. Cain is so funny and at the same time so sweet when he wants to. And even the (conceived?) baddies had sides to them that gave them complexity, which was amazing. Nothing was ever only black and white, people had reasons for their motivations, founded in their experiences and backstories and histories.

This was definitely one of my highlights so far this year, can't wait to read book two once it comes out! If you're considering reading it, do yourselves a favour and listen to the audiobook narrated by Daphne Kouma. She did an amazing job!!! So many different voices and layered emotions and accents. It was 🤌🏻 I'm so happy the book lived up to my expectations! Thanks to netgalley and hodder & stoughton for the alc! 💚

I had a good time with the first half and thought the lore and mystery were so intriguing. But then…it just felt like the book should have ended at that point. There was so much more to pack into the second half, and it just needed to be two books. There was a lot more telling-not-showing, big revelations stated like an afterthought, momentary POV jumps that didn’t add a ton of value (needed more time with these characters), and the trial became background noise. I wish there had been more focus on the actual trials and action.

A gripping blend of political intrigue, deadly competition, and a scholar caught in the storm, The Raven Scholar is a fantasy that keeps you hooked with its sharp twists and layered mysteries—especially when experienced in both print and audio.

✨ A scholar forced into a ruthless contest 🖤 A mysterious entity offering dangerous bargains 🔥 A world where knowledge is power—and power is perilous

Hodgson crafts a richly detailed realm where every choice carries weight, and the tension builds with each revelation. Neema’s journey is compelling, her intellect razor-sharp, and the stakes feel impossibly high. The pacing leans into slow-burn intrigue, unravelling secrets with deliberate precision—but at times, I wanted it to push harder, to let the urgency hit faster.

Listening alongside reading heightened the experience, making the world feel even more immersive. The narration brings an extra layer of depth, sharpening the tension and making the Raven’s presence feel even more enigmatic. The voice work adds weight to the political manoeuvring and emotional stakes, making every twist land with impact.

If you love intricate worldbuilding, high-stakes competition, and protagonists who fight with their minds as much as their actions, this is absolutely worth picking up. Just be ready for the slow unravel.

Genre: Epic Fantasy
Age: Adult

This is all the stories that were,
all the stories that are,
and all the stories that will be.

"But when hope flares in the darkness, it blinds even the sharpest eyes."

I haven't read epic fantasy in a while, and what persuaded me most to pick up this story was the narrator Daphne Kouma, who won me over instantly! She did such a great job at bringing the characters to life, highly recommend the audiobook.

"There is a lesson for you. Never trust things that smell of gingerbread."

The concept was a refreshing mix of murder mystery and competition for the throne with a diverse cast of flashed-out characters. Beautifully written, covered loss and revenge and yet, was so entertaining, thanks to the perfect amount of humour and lightness, woven into the story.

"Brushing her fingers across a wall, she felt a slight give to one section. A hidden door. She ignored it and moved on. A secret passage through a haunted, booby-trapped tomb system? No thank you."

My favourites were Cain (naturally), always a joke on his lips and a person, that felt like home, but also Ruko, entirely different in every aspect, whom I loved from the get go even tho the reader wasn't supposed to, I think. He has a good heart. Every scene with him became instantly more interesting, just like every scene with Cain became pure fun!

There are sparkles of romance, very few but just as sweet. And then there is the "animal companion" Sol, always helpful.

"When she woke he was fast asleep, still holding her. "I love you," she murmured, in his ear.
"He is asleep, Neema. He can't hear you."
"Yes, thank you, Sol."
"You are welcome."

Honourable mentions to Benna, Sol and the Fox. Benna, for being all cheerful and lovely - and for what she wakes in Ruko. Sol for being Sol. And the Fox ... I liked him, when first introduced, hated him shortly after and loved him at the end. A careful love, I must state, but he is very entertaining, and that's all I can ask for.

"Are we still a flock?"
She looked at him, snug in his gingham cloth.
"You said we were a flock before, but perhaps it was temporary? A temporary flock?"
"We're a flock," she said. "Permanent"

This book is magnificent!

Such an interesting story and on track to be one of my favourites this year. I did struggle slightly to follow the audiobook but as soon as my Illumicrate copy arrived I picked it up and devoured it. So excited for the next book!

I have heard some great things about this book and was looking forward to diving into this one. Unfortunately, I decided to DNF at 25%. The main problem for me is that this book is very long and it's not holding my interest. Maybe it's a case of right book at the wrong time but for now, this was isn't for me.

THE RAVEN SCHOLAR is an epic fantasy in many sense of the word, but it took me a while to get into it.

This book took me a long while to get into it. It's a very long book and the first two chapters follow someone entirely different, basically a (long) prologue that sets up several characters' motivations. It was quite jarring to go from that to a tale focused on Neema, and then the next hundred pages or so are very slow. There's a lot of establishing world building and the murder takes a while to occur. This all made the start crawl a bit, which wasn't particularly encouraging when you're holding a very long book.

However, once Neema becomes a contestant, the book does pick up more. She has a set of clear goals (solve the murder, survive the trials), which she lacked before. As a reader, I find a clear goal crucial to getting behind a character, a way to engage with them and the plot.

The trials were interesting. You have the more typical fights but it was the guardian trials I was eager to read. Each monastery creates a trial based around their own values (with their contender designing it and not taking part.) It was a nice way to show what they all valued but also most had a trick in them, playing off perception of values vs their intended meaning. I enjoyed watching Neema puzzle them out.

There were a few long stories told in the book, which I wasn't so much of a fan of. I liked the idea of them, but they were long and interrupted the flow. This is all added to the sense that this book was very long and dragged the pacing down.

The narrative style was also interesting. From chapter three, for a long time, Neema was the only narrator, other than some sections from the Raven guardian (which were in a different tense so I found a little jarring by contrast). But as the book increased, we kept hopping into other perspectives, sometimes for a few paragraphs, sometimes for a scene or a chapter. I found it a little odd given we'd started pretty tight on one character.

There are some interesting twists in the book, leading to a slightly manic finale where it all comes together. I'm still trying to work out what I think of them, particularly the twist that happens in two stages - you think you've discovered the answer and then it twists again.

In all, it was a fun read, but did feel like it could have been tighter at times.

Just like the text version this is a very interesting book with a unique and engaging story. I really like the mystery mixed with the complexity of this world and the way the story is presented. Writing is good and the world is intriguing. Love the fact that this isn’t about 16 year old girls but actual mature people.

The only downside here is that at times it’s very slow. It’s like getting stuck and all you want is to finish it faster. But as an audiobook this isn’t as much of an issue and I feel like it works better for listening. Then the slow parts doesn’t feel as tedious.

The narrator did good and it was an easy and enjoyable listening experience.

The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson was the most epic and entertaining fantasy I’ve read in a while! The plot hooks you from the very beginning and doesn’t let go. The length of the book might seem a little intimidating, which is why I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. The narrator did an amazing job bringing every character to life. Each POV had a distinctive voice, making it super easy to follow. Narrator’s accent and tone truly elevated the story.
And what a story it was! At its core, it’s a mystery wrapped in a rich fantasy world, with a romantic plot simmering in the background. The political intrigue had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. The world building is definitely heavy on detail, but I didn’t mind at all, everything felt important and added so much to the atmosphere and plot.
Neema - our main protagonist was brilliant and refreshing. I absolutely loved her resilience and inner strength.
The author’s writing was beautiful, lyrical at times and honestly quite funny! There were so many lines that made me smile or pause to reread. And bonus points for the diversity, which was naturally woven into the story without ever feeling forced.
All in all, this book was an absolute standout, and I can’t wait to see what Antonia Hodgson writes next. I cannot wait for the sequel!

4.5 Stars | 0 Spice
Epic fantasy is so back! It took me a little while to find my footing in the story, but once I did, I was completely drawn in. Around the 40 per cent mark, the story hit its stride and refused to let go. The layered worldbuilding, steady pacing, and political tension had all the weight and scope I look for in epic fantasy.
One of the most refreshing aspects is the heroine. She is not physically powerful or brash, but rather book-smart, kind, and quietly strategic. Her strength is rooted in intelligence and emotional clarity, which sets her apart in a genre often dominated by force or firepower.
Romance is present but minimal, taking a respectful backseat to the real heart of the story: court politics, a crumbling empire, and a magical system that feels mysterious and ancient rather than flashy. The atmosphere is rich, with just enough intrigue and slow reveals to keep the tension simmering.
And then there is the animal companion. I adored them. Their presence added warmth, wit, and moments of levity to a world otherwise steeped in decay and danger. (Though if they heard me call them a sidekick, I might not live to write another review. They are absolutely magnificent.)
I highly recommend the audiobook, as the narrator is just superior in every way, breathing life into the characters like I’ve never witnessed before.
This is a strong and memorable start to what I suspect will be an unforgettable trilogy. I will definitely continue the series and look forward to seeing where it leads.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I can’t lie I need mysteries to be snappy, the “who done it” of it all can only hold my attention for so long before I lose interest.
I fear this book was too long and the content/trials were not gripping me.
Cain was the only funny/interesting character, everyone else failed to catch my attention unfortunately.

The world was really thought out and the first 200 pages were gripping, this series will definitely be for some but unfortunately is not for me.
I will not be continuing

Really enjoyable start to a new fantasy series. I have high hopes for what is to come next. Magic, world building and characters to adore.

The Raven Scholar drew me in with its rich atmosphere and mysterious, gothic setting. The story balances academia, magic, and dark secrets in a way that feels both immersive and compelling. The protagonist is well-developed, and I loved watching their growth as they unraveled the layers of the plot.

The writing is lyrical without being overdone, and the world-building , especially the magical elements woven into the scholarly environment, was a real highlight. While the pacing lagged slightly in the middle, and a few side characters could have used more depth, the story pulled through with a strong, satisfying ending.

Overall, it’s a beautifully written tale that fans of dark academia and magical intrigue will thoroughly enjoy. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book if this becomes a series!

4.5

Is this my new favourite series...?

I loved that the main character, Neema, is a woman in her thirties who has already lived a life, complete with baggage. She’s independent, capable, and unapologetically herself from the very first page. It’s so refreshing to read fantasy where the heroine isn’t wide-eyed and just discovering the world. Her dry wit and stubbornness drew me to her even if she isn't the most stereotypically likeable character. This only made me enjoy her character more though - we need more *difficult* women!

The world-building is also brilliant—rich, layered, but never overwhelming. I was completely pulled into the politics, magic, and mythology of the empire, especially the temples and all the animal imagery. I love a good trial/tournament plot, and this was done so well. It never felt like Neema would just breeze through; each test felt properly tense and meaningful. I loved how the trials revealed more about the world and the characters. It’s such a well-realised setting and I feel like we’ve only just scratched the surface. I can’t wait to explore more of it in the next book.

Neema’s dynamic with Cain was another big highlight. Their relationship grows gradually and I found myself really invested in both of their perspectives. It’s layered and complicated in the best way.

I think the raven might have stolen the show for me though. They were absolutely hilarious and the audiobook made me love them even more. At first, the narration style took a bit of getting used to, but by the end I was waiting for the next scene with the raven in it.

A brilliant start to a series, I can't wait for the next one! Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC of the audiobook!

I was lucky enough to get an E-Arc of this book, but I loved it so much that I Waldo wanted to try it out in audiobook format. I felt the narrator perfectly matched the story this book was trying to tell, and I was left wanting more even after the second read through.

This was one of the best new fantasies that I have read in a while. It combined all my favourite tropes into one while still having a fresh and unique take.

From the fascinating humour and engaging characters to great writing and a competition that kept me on the edge of my seat, I flew through this.

I loved following Neema as the main character and watching her come up with ways to get through the competition when there were no other options. I cannot wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to the audio of the book.

this was an entertaining book and I highly recommend the audiobook, that added to the experience in my opinion.

this book is long. maybe a tad longer than it needed to be. and I love me a good long book, but there were moments in the middle of the book where I wasn't as invested, where I felt it dragged a bit, where while things were happening in a sense, I wasn't as interested in what the characters were doing.
but the last 40% of this book really hooked me. there were twists and turns of this book, that pulled me through it's pages and I struggled to put it down.

the worldbuilding is fascinating. how the 8 work, the Raven and Neema relationship, how it didn't feel western. I loved it. the idea that people take trials to become an Emperor was brilliant to me, but the Trials aren't the forefront of the book, nor is the mystery, if you do looking for either you will be disappointed. however, together they both work and weave seamlessly. it was interesting enough to keep me going, but it wasn't a driving fact to make me pick up the book.

the characters sung off the page. while this is mainly from Neema POV I enjoyed the glimpses into other POV's we got throughout the book. the small stories that added more to the worldbuilding and making us, as the reader pick things up a little earlier.

there were moments where I was on the edge of my seat because of a few reveals, but I never feared for the characters. that never came through and this is a brutal book in places. but the romance was sweet, Neema was a driving character and the magic system really hooked my interest.

as a whole, looking back the book worked. it was driving, twists and mysteries, the world a big factor into my enjoyment. but as I was reading most of the book, it was only fine. at least until the last 40% of the book.

after the ending, I am interested in where this author is going to go with this series and I will be picking it up.


SPOILERS BELOW. READ AND BEWARE.


Neema was an interesting characters, but I did struggle with her to begin with. why did everyone hate her from the start? I didn't realise she was black as I was reading, (this could be a me problem with I don't really pay attention to descriptions as i read) but i found the hatred of her to just be irritating. I put it down to it was because she was poor, and came from a poor family but I still don't believe it.
however, as I went through the book with Neema she was interesting. she grew on me. she was ruthless in her own way, willing to do whatever it took to stay in position, but that did fade as she was given the task to compete for being an emperor.

the murder mystery of this was fine. it was clear early on that the Emperor wanted her rival dead, and (Gidas?) discovered that he wasn't who he said he was, that he was the brother on the Emperor, that was a twist I was excited about. but it was easy for Neema to discover this, there was no tension there. however, I was enjoying being in this world and this book.
the MAgic system was col and the small stories about how the Fox was in Cain, how Yana's mother was, that she was trying to kill her own son she he didn't have to suffer as he knew he would if he won, that she was hiding her remaining daughter because she had been chosen by the dragons. they story of her life, being left with the Dragons, stealing away with Dragon oil.

Bella was a sweet character but it was obvious that she tried to poison Neema the night Giada died. and Neema didn't do anything about it? though I enjoyed how Neema tried to save a few of the others contestants, warning them and her dream about the Tiger contestant gaining the throne and deciding to try and stop it. she was working mostly alone and it showed her resilience. I just wished I enjoyed it a bit more.

the Trials. they seemed almost pointless for how little time they took up in the book. Neema, refusing the Ravens to take over her, escapes death a little too easily considering that she hadn't really trained. she never expected to be in the trials. the Ravens helped her yes, but I didn't find it justified it.

I adored her and Cain though. they were sweet together. but Cain not having a fragment but the whole Fox inside him? that was cool. and how the Fox was as a personality, I enjoyed. I enjoyed the worldbuilding the most out of this, how the Ravens used the book to talk to Neema, how Sol the solitary Raven came about, that was cool.

but by far the most enjoyment from the book came from the last 40%. where the Emperor is revealed to be not the brother of the real Emperor, but Yana's mother, the Tiger. that he's been here this whole time and he was pushing others to get what he wanted, that he wanted his own son to win the Trails so that he could take his sons body and use him with the chameleon spell. though the Dragon Trail at the end, where Neema and the Tiger contestant whose name I've forgotten, went in and Neema say herself on the forest like Yana had been, exiled and he saw himself on the throne. it smells of deceit.
but the battle with Cain, now back as himself, the Fox gone, escaped into someone else as the Emperor called the 8 down, binds them to use them, and Neema and Cain escaping, fighting, the Hounds all being slaughtered because the head hound decreed it, how they escape and the Ox contestant taking Sol the Raven as he is hurt from protecting Neema through the gates. this is what I wanted from the book. did it justify the pages? i don't think so, to get to this point, but I was thoroughly hooked.

Oh my God! I did NOT expect to find an all new favorite Fantasy book when I picked up TRS - BUT IT IS. This has such an intriguing World building and magic system. I love the religious aspects of the magic and what it all means for the political landscape. This has a murder mystery as well as a competition element, which are both buzzwords for me in a Fantasy book and I just couldn't put the book down. I read this chunker over the course of a couple days and haven't stopped screaming about it since then. This should be on everyone's TBRs!

The audiobook was amazing as well. I'll def keep an eye out for this narrator in the future!

This was a ROMP. The moment I finished it I called my friend to explain the plot while waving a mug of tea like it was hard liquor. Is it very transparent about what it's doing? Well, yeah, an overlooked, working-class scholar trips into a competition for the emperor's throne. One rival is her betrayed former lover. There are people who know secrets that could ruin her life. She learns secrets that could ruin everything. AKA I had a FANTASTIC time.
I received a free copy of the audiobook from NetGalley. The narrator Daphne Kouma did a great job, I really enjoyed her performance.

Ok so that was crazy😃 absolutely enjoyed it

This is a story with heavy political intrigue, following a scholar who’s forced to compete to be the next emperor. The beginning was rough because there’s no long paragraph filled with explanations (which was good because I HATE infodump), but I sensed a good story early on. I’m so happy it turned out really great!

I love everything about this book: the expansive and thorough world-building, the solid characters full of personalities, the multi-level plot twists, the interesting narrative, the perfect balance between tension & humor. Obsessed with the dialogues!

Neema & Cain were giving carefree unserious man x over-thinker smart girl, and I loved their dynamics so much. They reminded me of Emily & Wendell from Emily Wilde series by Heather Fawcett. But plot wise, a lot of things reminded me of Holy Terrors by Margaret Owen, which was fantastic. Everything about this book was perfect for me, I have no criticism. Dare I say that it’s ✨magnificent✨? Haha

NOT TO MENTION the splendid audiobook!! The narrator really knew how to put a show, to give extra life to the story that turn a text into an entertaining performance. Her range is insane. From an anxious scholar to chaotic animal deities, she nailed them all.

This series is now officially my new obsession and I CANNOT wait for the sequel!!!

A high fantasy according to my heart: complex worldbuilding, love/hate/revenge, someone who will be the chosen, myth and action.
And humour, a light humour that turn the reading experience in a great reading experience.
Ms Hodgson is a talented storyteller and this an excellent start of a new fantasy series: I loved it since the beginning and wasn't able to stop reading.
There's a lot of pleasure as it's a huge book but not a moment of bore.
The narrator'voice kept me hooked and give more layer to the story
Can't wait for the next novel
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine