“Life is a puzzle with no answer; a game with no rules; a maze with no exit, except death. And still we stumble on through the dark, creating form where there is none, seeing patterns that are not there.”

In the Empire of Orrun, its leader is about to step down after 24 years of peace. The new emperor will be determined through a series of trials, with one contender from each of the seven houses. But on the eve of the first trial, the Raven contender is murdered.

Neema Kraa, the emperor's High Scholar, is not only tasked with finding out who the killer is, but is also ordered by the emperor to take the Raven contender's place. But Neema isn't an exceptional warrior or master strategist – so why is the emperor so keen for her to take part? As Neema investigates the contender's murder, she will uncover truths that could destroy her, and the empire itself. And the only way she can survive the trials is to let the Raven itself in ...

What a wonderful debut – this epic fantasy has it all: a captivating setting, vicious court politics, bloody trials, an intriguing murder mystery, ferocious enemies around every corner, and a touch of romance. The world-building isn't overly complex or hard to follow, and there are no info dumps to overwhelm the reader.

At first, Neema is rather an unlikeable main character. She does some awful things at the beginning of the book, which cost her dearly. BUT, when the trials start, she tries to redeem herself and fix her messes. Her character growth through the novel is realistic, and the author takes the reader on an interesting journey.

Antonia Hodgson has the ability to describe characters, including all the contenders, with great clarity and conviction, so it's easy for the reader to picture them. Cain – Neema's former best friend – is an absolute riot. His sarcasm and witticisms are the perfect counterpoint to Neema, who takes herself exceedingly seriously.

The narration is pitch-perfect. Daphne Kouma does a stellar job of bringing each character to life through their various accents and ways of speaking, making the audiobook easy to follow. She makes the world-building interesting and finds ways of adding flavour to the mythologies that underscore the backstory of the book.

The audiobook is long (and I just can't listen to the playback at higher than 1.25x speed!), but I was never bored. In fact, I couldn't wait for my morning walks to continue listening.

A fantastic start to what I hope will be a wonderful trilogy. I can't wait to see where these characters go next.

Wow. Just WOW. I never thought I would enjoy The Raven Scholar half as much as I did, but honestly, this book blew me out of the water. I went into it expecting a quintessential high or epic fantasy novel. Not only was it that, but also so much more. The worldbuilding is intricate and beautiful and interesting, and honestly, I would read so many accompaniments to this book/series just on the worldbuilding alone. The legends and stories and the history that is invoked here is so thoughtful and comprehensive. The characters are also really cool and well fleshed-out and the characters I was expecting to like the most weren't actually. Of all of them, I'd say Neema and Ruko took the centre stage for me in terms of their storylines and their personalities. I am really, really interested to see where Hodgson takes the second book. Hands-down, one of the best reads of the year for me!

High fantasy is so back, baby!
While this book always somewhat was on my radar, courtesy of being published by Orbit, it certainly wasn't one of my most anticipated releases, yet alone a book that I anticipated to absolutely love. Well, am I ever so grateful to be proven absolutely wrong. I am a fool, an utter imbecile, to not have been more hyped for this.

The Raven Scholar checks all of my boxes: a complex cast of mature characters with unique motivations, intricate relationships and secrets aplenty, well-developed court politics, a setting that is deliciously rich in both history and magic, and of course, snarky animal (?) companions. In the beginning, I anticipated the story to be somewhat run of the mill, but my expectations were totally shattered. Honestly, every aspect of this book just kept improving as it went on, which is saying a lot, as I was already totally hooked at around... 10% in?

Frankly, I don't want to discuss the story too much, as I went into this blind and enjoyed the experience tremendously. The audio book was also a delight to listen to, I think that the narrator did a brilliant job with it and I can only recommend it.

I cannot wait to read the sequel and I hope that Antonia Hodgson will delight us with many more stories to come!

The Raven Scholar is one of those rare books that's both entertaining and stunningly well written. The perfect mix of deep fantasy world-building, political drama, and witty humour. This book blew me away. Easily my favourite book I've read this year. I'll be recommending this to anyone who reads fantasy.

This was SO GOOD!!

I went in knowing basically nothing about it - except that it had early rave reviews, so I was cautiously optimistic heading into it. And The Raven Scholar turned out to be one of my favorite reads of the year! It had great murder mystery vibes with a touch of fairytale magic sprinkled in, and I loved how steeped in lore the story was.

All the houses were very distinct and the characters had so much depth to them. Seeing them compete in various trials and how they went about solving problems showed their different sides and provided fascinating insights. Neema was a particularly compelling main character: driven and brilliant but also flawed and out of her depth at times. It was interesting to watch her deal with the unforeseen consequences caused (in part) by her own actions. There were a couple of times where the story went into really surprising directions or a lot was going on, but it all worked so exceptionally well.

From the multi-layered characters to the intricate world building, there was always something that would catch my attention. Even the slower sections never felt boring but like intriguing puzzle pieces that were adding context and gradually filling in the picture. Also, I'm really glad I got approved for the audiobook, so I could listen and read along, which made the experience even better (I love to immersion read whenever possible).

The Raven Scholar was such a wonderfully entertaining mix of mystery, trials, intrigue, and scheming gods. I can't recommend it enough. Book 2 will be on my "most anticipated" list for sure!

3.75 stars

"The Raven Scholar" was an enjoyable read overall, but it probably could have been a little shorter in some places.
I enjoyed the overall premise and I liked the main characters, even though they felt a little younger than their actual ages in some parts. The world-building was good as well, and I really liked the set-up for the next part in the series, which I'm definitely looking forward to.

I completely forgot to review this when I listened to the audiobook back in January, but it holds up as one of the best reads of the year so far six months later! This book is phenominal- its chunky, but it's an easy, accessible read that you absolutely fly through and wish it wouldn't end. Can't wait for the sequel!

This book took me a while to get through, not because I wasn’t enjoying it, but because it’s pretty dense and slow paced. That said, I really liked it overall. The story follows Neema, a high scholar who suddenly finds herself thrown into a deadly competition to choose the next emperor after one of the original contenders is murdered. She’s also expected to solve the murder while trying not to die herself.

One of my favorite parts was the narrator, both the actual audiobook narrator (who did an amazing job bringing the characters to life) and the in-story perspective. There’s this strange, clever, slightly sarcastic “we” voice that speaks directly to the reader, and I really loved how that added to the whole atmosphere. It made things feel a bit eerie and playful at the same time, very clever!

Sol, the solitary raven, was easily my favorite character. He’s prickly and sarcastic and surprisingly charming in his own weird way. The humor in the book is subtle but adds so much personality to the story it helps balance out some of the heavier, more intense moments. And a shoutout to chameleon Pink-Pink.

I did get a bit lost in the cast of characters at times, and there were moments where I felt like the story dragged a little bit, this is probably why it took me a month to finish. But even with the slow pacing, I was always curious to see what would happen next and was never really bored.

If you enjoy a book that rewards patience, and especially if you like morally messy characters, old secrets, and political scheming, this is worth picking up. I’m definitely curious to see where the series goes next.

Incredibile world building and set of characters.
Something completely new and amazing writing.
I cannot wait for the rest of the books.

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