Okay, so The Raven Scholar is one of those insanely ambitious, charmingly chaotic, and uniquely unconventional stories that has absolutely zero business working as well as it does, and yet it absolutely soars. It’s part intricate epic political fantasy, part riveting murder mystery, part cutthroat competition for the crown, and just 100% playful, inventive, magnificent, and unpredictable fun.

Welcome to the deceptively sumptuous and sophisticated world of Orrun, where nothing is as it seems and danger, treachery and deceit lurk around every corner. We are dropped into this world during a pivotal moment in history, as emperor Bersun’s peaceful 24-year reign is about to come to an end. So, per tradition, the seven Animal Guardian Houses have all sent their best representative to compete in the trials to become his successor. But then, one of them dies before the competition can even start, and so chaos, drama and mayhem ensues.

Now, all I knew about The Raven Scholar before going in was ‘locked room murder mystery, but the locked room is an island’ and ‘cutthroat trials in a competition for the crown’, and that was all I needed to be sold. And honestly, would have been fine if that is all it delivered, but Hodgson said: “Hold my beer”, and then continued to weave a tale that is truly unlike anything I have ever read and which satisfied fantasy cravings I never even knew I could have.

I mean, it’s got a magnificent (queer-normative) world with a detailed history and rich mythos that comes to life through folktales, footnotes and all other kinds of historical gems scattered throughout the narrative, a wonderfully diverse cast of complex characters with strong (hidden) motivations whose vices and virtues are on full display, an omniscient sassy sentient raven POV who sweeps us throughout time and space, mischievous meddling gods, a second chance friends-to-rivals-to-lovers romantic subplot full of banter and snark, and tons of political intrigue that build up to a grand conspiracy ages in the making.

And as the cherry on top, we get to watch this magnificent tale unfold primarily through the eyes of our titular raven scholar Neema Kraa, who is absolutely one of the most compelling (female) main characters I have ever met. Not only is she a Black, neurospicy, socially awkward scholar in her mid-thirties (we love to see it), but she is also just such an idiosyncratic, walking contradiction of a woman who is way too intelligent for her own good. From the very first few chapters, which take place some years before the main events of the story and serve as a little tragic catalytic prologue, we see that she is willing to make very questionable choices to benefit herself; choices that will come back to haunt not only her, but the entire empire of Orrun.

As complicated as she is though, I absolutely adored her with all my heart and I had a blast following her as she is just desperately trying to survive what is possibly the worst week of her life. Through a series of unfortunate events, she has somehow ended up as the replacement for the murdered Raven contender and now has to participate in the cutthroat trials, while also leading the confounding murder investigation in which she she may or may not be a prime suspect, while also trying to wrestle with her confusing feelings for her frustratingly charming ex-lover who participates as the Fox contender (THE CHEMISTRY!!), while also reluctantly forming a bond with her new solitary raven companion who offers way too many unsolicited opinions (and who also has a tendency to burrow inside her chest). In other words, girlie deserves a break.

The uniquely clever way that she approaches the dangerous trials (in which she is SO out of her depth) and navigates all the intricate webs of silly court politics had me on the edge of my seat, and I loved seeing her interact with all the dangerously ambitious people around her, be they fellow competitors or any of the other larger than life characters that she crosses paths with. The complicated interpersonal relationships and razor-sharp, snark-laced dialogue in The Raven Scholar absolutely shine, and I loved seeing everyone clash or work together in the most unexpected ways.

Now, in a way it almost feels wrong to call Neema the main character of this story, not only because the scope just became bigger and bigger as Hodgson wove all the seemingly separate threads/perspectives of this story into one magnificent masterpiece, but also because each character in this tale just has big main character energy. There wasn’t a single character who didn’t leap off the page with personality, but especially Cain (my favourite food obsessed chaos queer), Sol and, most surprisingly, Ruko ended up really stealing the show for me.

And if this book wasn’t already captivating enough on its own, the audiobook experience just added a whole new level of life and immersion to it. The way that Daphne Kouma captured the legendary yet playful vibe of the story and brought all these characters, both human and non-human, to life is absolutely nothing short of masterful, and I think her narration and Hodgson’s evocative writing are just a match made in heaven.

There’s absolutely no denying that this book is unapologetically unconventional and indulgent, but there truly wasn’t a single aspect, scene, sentence or word in this story that didn’t entertain me. See, similarly to in Jenn Lyons’ A Chorus of Dragons series, there’s a certain cheeky charm to the writing that not only breathed so much life into this rich world and diverse cast of vibrant characters, but which also made me fly through this 700-page chunker without any effort.

The Raven Scholar just sunk its claws into my heart on the very first page and never let me go. It has absolutely soared straight to the top of my favourites list and single-handedly raised the bar for what epic political fantasy can and should be. And if that absolutely diabolical and bittersweet ending is any indication (hello emotional gut punches), then this is only the beginning of the wickedly wild ride that Antonia Hodgson has in mind for The Eternal Path Trilogy. So don’t walk, don’t run, but spread your wings and flock to the bookstore to get this absolute gem of a book, I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. The Raven Scholar is scheduled for release on April 17, 2025.

I have really enjoyed listening to the audiobook of The Raven Scholar. Daphne Kouma, the narrator, is excellent.

Although I was slightly confused that the episode at the start of the novel seemed to have little to do with the ensuing plot, it all came together nicely, and I had several almost sleepless nights because I found it so difficult to put down. This is the first book in a trilogy, and I am certainly looking forward to continuing the series, especially as the ending was tantalisingly, but not unexpectedly, left a bit up in the air.

I absolutely LOVED this book! Obsessed!
It was unique, intriguing, exciting, thrilling... all the good stuff! The story plot and world building was brilliant - I haven't read a book like it, and I am now desperate to read more - when's the next book!!!!

As a summary, you have this city that build on worshipping these 8 god like animal beings, and everyone categorizes themselves and choses to worship a particular god and thus takes on their values and characteristics - for example Monkeys are creative, Ravens are intelligent and so fourth. Their jobs in the city are then also based on their chosen god, hence the name of the book 'Raven scholar'.
We follow this bright but introverted Raven scholar girl who gets herself into tricky situations due to her intelligence and need for approval. There's romance, suspense, murder mystery, exciting life or death trials, betrayal, twists and shock revelations that keep you hooked throughout the book!

To top is all off, I had the audiobook copy of this ARC and I can say the voice actor was amazing - truly created such an engaging experience and I loved every second of it.

xxx

Wow what and incredible book. And the audiobook was truly stunning.
The narrator was wonderful. I thought she was passionate and had an amazing pace. The only only think i could be improved was when they did male voice it could be a bit off.

The story was amazing. When political intrigue is done right it consumes all of my thoughts. And I don't think I will stop thinking about this book until the sequel. All the characters were so complex and intriguing.
I cannot wait until the next book 🥰

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Hodder & Stoughton (Hodderscape) for access to the early review copy of this audio book. I was offered advanced access to this publicationin exchange for an honest review. All opinions shared are my own.
I had a really great time with this audio book, the narrator, Daphne Kouma, was the perfect choice for this novel. She truly brings the characters to life and you can really tell the difference between them all in the narration style.
Antonia Hodgson has truly written a splendid start to a trilogy. I had a really great time with this one. This is how I wish the animals could have been portrayed in Voyage of the Damned. I enjoyed all the misdirection that was written into the story, everytime I thought I knew where the story was heading, Hodgson wrote something I didn't even think was a possibility.
All of the characters were written so well. They were all fully formed and I really felt that there was a lot of care and attention taken in creating them. Naturally, my favourite character was Sol and I can't wait for other readers to meet him!

The beginning of this book really drew me in. Then the time jump and change of perspective took me out. I continued but never came to be as interested as in the beginning for the rest of the book.
The world building was interesting. The writing and tone made me feel quite removed from the characters. I didn't find myself particularly invested in any, except for one, the last character I would have imagined to be interested in at the start of the story. That was a pleasant surprise.
The big villian reveal was unexpected but felt cliché. I did not like the ending at all. I'm not sure if I will continue with the series.
The audiobook was brilliant. I loved the voices and the music.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

From the very first page, I was completely immersed in this world, captivated by its rich histories and intriguing characters.

The book seamlessly intertwines mysteries and thrilling trials, keeping me on the edge of my seat. As a fan of magical trials, I was thrilled by how well this element was executed—it certainly didn’t disappoint! While the protagonist was incredibly engaging, I was also drawn to the well-developed side characters, each adding depth and charm to the story.

This is a fantastic new addition to the fantasy genre, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the next book to discover what lies ahead!

I thought the narrator did a great job with this audiobook and would definitely read the others this way too!

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodderscape for this eARC to review.

“It was like reading a book, she decided. You read the book and the world became scenes, the characters became people, and they lived inside you.”

If it took me a little while to get into The Raven Scholar, once it was done I enjoyed the journey a lot. It discovered the story through its audio version, and it was a great one, with rhythm, and an awesome narrator (the voices! especially when she does the ravens! I adored it!).
The story is full of details and the author masters the plot, sprinkling it with worldbuilding and twists, with revenge and treason. I love characters who are scholars, and Neema doesn’t make an exception. I loved how the author uses the statut to give worldbuilding elements without being too much at a time. Her character is interesting. I loved her sociales difficulties, and also her strict rule follower side, how it put her into out of control situations and propulsed her into a game she had no intentions to play.
If the start is a tad slow, the rhythm picks up as soon as the trials starts. I got carried away by the story to this point, and until the end. The plot starts to rush, between moral, individual, and “societal” stakes. Survival. Moral Compass. Found Family. Manipulation. Erasing. Belonging. Neema is thrown in the middle of everything, and so are we –and it is a delight. I loved how she uses her scholar statut to cope and adapt, and how education and information’s access are key.
All the characters are grey, very human, every single one has strengths and weaknesses, and until the end I couldn’t really predict what would happen next. That, in itself, is enough for me to want to read the sequel. I can’t wait.

Thank you to the author and Hodder & Stoughton Audio | Hodderscape for the ALC. My opinions are my own.


Rate 4.5/5

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

What a book!! If you like political and magical intrigue - try The Raven Scholar, you won't be disappointed! Antonia Hodgson managed to combine a well-developed world with multi-layered characters AND create a plot that kept me engaged. Also, kudos to Daphne Kouma, who did an amazing job narrating the book and assigning different voices to characters (which really helped to follow the plot!).

I was hooked from the very first paragraph. The narrator is fantastic and making the story come alive. I enjoyed the flow of the story and the character storylines.

Firstly the narrator for this might be my favourite ever. The different voices were amazing and distinct and bought the story to life.

This was a whirlwind of a story where to start. There’s a murder mystery, political intrigue, trials and competition. I loved the ravens and their POV. I loved Caine and Neema and was rooting for them to find their way back to each other. The magic system and world building was unique and complex.

I need the next book in this series I am still thinking about the ending and may dive back in to reread.

Narrated beautifully by Daphne Kouma, The Raven Scholar is an intense and captivating fantasy novel with a rich, immersive world. The unique world-building sets it apart, blending dark academia vibes with a haunting atmosphere where knowledge is as dangerous as power. The music between parts enhances the experience, and the raven’s eerie presence adds an unsettling edge. Sharp dialogue, unexpected humor, and a gripping storyline make this an enthralling listen. If you love fantasy with deep lore, mystery, and a touch of the macabre, this one is well worth your time!

The synopsis of this book intrigued me and it certainly delivered on that. This was a mystery wrapped in a fantasy setting. The mystery aspect was done so well it kept me guessing throughout and I didn’t predict the twists ahead of time. This book is heavy on the detail though, there’s a lot of people, guardians and politics to keep up with and for this reason I am glad I had the audio version. For me I’d have likely stopped reading early on with the level of detail, even though it all felt necessary, simply as I wasn’t expecting it so much.

I really enjoyed the FMC, she was a smart character and it was nice to have a protagonist who wasn’t a skilled fighter or leader from the start and grew throughout the book by learning such skills. I also enjoyed the side characters including the raven guardian who had a few amusing moments. I also really liked the animal based tribes which initially made me think of Voyage of the Damned but it’s done better here.

Overall I gave this book a 4⭐️ i really enjoyed the premise of the story, the characters and the world/politics. It kept me on my toes with the mystery element so it deserves a good rating, but where I couldn’t give it more was because it felt quite long for me. A big book is obviously not a bad thing but it felt that maybe some detail could’ve been cut out as the ending felt rushed in comparison to the rest of the book. I will definitely read the sequel, but this is definitely an audiobook recommendation from me.

The Emperor can only rule for 24 years and so the eight must undertake a series of trials to appoint his successor. Not all is fair and something else is going on. Neema Kraa will become the Raven contender but must also investigate the death of the original raven contender.

Very well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Great characters in this fast paced fantasy novel. Eight warriors, the best of the best will compete but there are dark forces influencing the trials. Who will survive and will there be a winner? Read and find out.

🐦‍⬛THE RAVEN SCHOLAR🐦‍⬛

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

The Raven Scholar is easily one of my favourite books this year!

This book is so unique and I can’t even really begin to explain what I liked about it because I’m scared it’ll just be me lovingly narrating the entire book.

The narrative in this book was excellent. Never did I ever think I would be experiencing this story through a flock of pesky ravens but there’s a first time for everything is guess. The Raven Scholar has somehow perfectly balanced political intrigue, extensive worldbuilding, and high-stakes trials with humour that quite literally had me cackling.

This book was just so smart. All of the characters had plots inside of plots and I loved being constantly surprised, and very rarely guessed the direction of the story!

The ravens were, of course, quite magnificent indeed and I must say that I resonate with Anxious Raven With Piercing Alarm Call on a spiritual level.

The romance in The Raven Scholar hit the sweet spot of just enough to keep me interested but little enough to make me hang onto every word searching for scraps in every interaction.

I cannot recommend the audio book enough! The narrator absolutely nailed the switches in narrative voice and she really brought the story to life.

Keep your eyes peeled for special editions of this one! This is not a book you want to skip!

The Raven Scholar is an intricately-woven epic fantasy packed full with trials and political intrigue. Neema finds herself in the middle of a competition to replace the outgoing emperor after another contestant is murdered. She must investigate her opponents to find the killer while working through trials she is wholly unqualified for. Throw in a childhood love, plenty of dirty laundry and more scheming than you can keep track of, and you have the Raven Scholar.

I LOVED the first half of this book!! I was absolutely wrapped and sure it would be a 5 star read. The world-building and lore is unique and absolutely riveting from page one. Did I know what was going on 100% of the time? No. Did I need to? Also no. The author is incredibly talented at throwing the perspective around at just the right times and their overall voice is thoroughly entertaining, there are really no lulls. I love that the book opens with Neema's backstory (before jumping 8 years into the future) rather than slowly unravelling these events because it ensures her motivations and intentions are crystal clear and you can spend time simply enjoying her quirks rather than questioning her actions. She is an incredibly loveable protagonist and I think even if I didn't enjoy this book, I would be likely to continue the series regardless just to spend more time with her. I don't want to spoil anything but her *companion* along the way is so complimentary and will give you so many laughs. I felt like all of the main characters were interesting and layered, and there was just great chemistry everywhere. If you like banter, witty one-liners, etc. this is for you!! I think this is one of the best example of great dialogue that I've ever read. I was astonished and obsessed with the lack of cliches and how many times it pulled a smile out of me.

After the halfway point, things get a little messy, and by the end it's verging on clusterfuck. Personally I think 1 or 2 characters/storylines should have been cut during editing because there are too many leads to follow towards the end and it really impacted the overall quality of the book. I love a fat fantasy book and I think this book is a great length, but it would've been more enjoyable if the main storylines weren't competing for page time with so many other threads. Another reason I think less characters would've been more in this case, is that Neema's relationships with some characters is incredibly dynamic and deep, while other connections read as very superficial and almost unnecessary. I think if there weren't so many characters in close proximity to her that needed attention, there would have been more development overall.

In saying that, I will 100% be looking forward to the sequel, and even possibly rereading this in preparation (depending how far away publication is) and I hope there is more focus as the series continues.

I was gifted an ARC and an ALC so I switched between reading and listening, and it's worth mentioning the audiobook narration was fantastic and REALLY complimented the characters.

Antonia Hodgson’s The Raven Scholar marks her debut in fantasy, and as an avid fantasy reader, I sincerely hope she continues writing in this genre—because this book was simply amazing.

No matter what you’re looking for in your next read, The Raven Scholar has something to offer. Want a richly developed fantasy world with intricate court politics? It delivers. Craving a murder mystery to unravel? You’ll find one here. Yearning for a high-stakes competition that keeps you on the edge of your seat? Look no further—this book has it all.

While reading it, I was impressed at how tight and thoughtful writing is. Every detail feels purposeful, and the various plot threads intertwine seamlessly as the story unfolds. Whether this is due to Hodgson’s careful planning, her editor being terrific at her job, or both; the result is a deeply satisfying narrative that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

The worldbuilding is equally remarkable. Vivid descriptions bring the island setting to life, and the rich history and mythology add layers of depth to the world the characters inhabit. Which, speaking of characters: they are fantastic (no pun intended). Neema is very refreshing as the main character, being introduced as someone who will hesitate (but consider) to do morally questionable acts and will take the rational approach when it comes to weighing the pros and the cons of her decisions. She is also a bit of a grumpy couch potato who gets excited at the prospect of doing mountains of paperwork instead of having to do something like interacting with other people or physical labour. The side characters are just as compelling, each colorful and nuanced in their own way. Special mention goes to Sol, who has effortlessly become my favorite animal companion in any fantasy novel.

As for the audiobook, I cannot praise Daphne Kouma enough. She did an incredible job narrating this book, despite its difficulties with the different PoV narrators and its fairly large cast of characters. Each character has a distinct voice, and she perfectly balances solemnity and playfulness, especially with the more whimsical characters.

Overall I LOVED The Raven Scholar. From its captivating story full of twists and turns to its beautifully crafted prose and charming characters. I can’t wait for the sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for providing audio-ARC and eARC copies in exchange for an honest review.

i was so entranced by the storytelling, how all the plot points were expertly woven together and how realistic the characters were, i found it difficult to put this book down. even at nearly 700 pages, i wanted to keep going.

the characters were also very complex and compelling. neema, our beloved fmc, was very fun to read about. i loved sol and the other ravens, they added the right amount of comedy to the book.

cain was a bit of a confusing character for me. i couldn’t tell if i should trust him or not (and I’m not sure if that’s just me 😂), but it was one thing that i really liked. it made him realistic to me.

(side note: fenn was my favourite and i wanted more of him front and centre).

like with any long book, i found the first 150 pages difficult to get through. i almost DNFed it when @originsofstars told me several other people said to push through and it gets better. i’m glad i listened to that because this is easily one of the better books i’ve read this year, despite the rough start. and the start wasn’t bad per se, but it was slow paced which i was struggling with.

there is a lot of set up and world building at the start of this book before things get underway. there’s so much backstory, and it all pays a pivotal role in how the book plays out.

the climax and conclusion was so fast paced, intense and filled with plot twists and revelations. my jaw was on the ground for the last 15% of the raven scholar.

while I’m so happy to have read this early, I’m not looking forward to the excessively long wait i’ll now have to endure before the release of the second book 😂

adding to this, because i did have the audiobook: i struggled with the audio at first as it was too complex and so much was going on. i ended up putting it down and only picked it back up once i had a physical copy. i read and listened at the same time in order to fully absorb the story. there’s nothing against the narrator, she did an excellent job, this book was just too heavy and complicated for me at first.

An epic fantasy with spectacular world building and superbly individual characters, some lovable, some tolerable and some despicable. Raven Scholar Neema Kraa is an unlikely hero and she has to solve a grisly murder whilst completing side quests of great difficulty.

The audiobook version enhanced my enjoyment particularly when it comes to Sol’s voice.
I’m so happy to hear it is the start of a trilogy as I can’t bear to leave Neema and the Raven so soon.
I LOVE this book. It is Magnificent!

I’m still very new to romantasy and fantasy novels so I do feel like my review won’t be as helpful! I think the plot was interesting, not that difficult to follow if you’re a well seasoned fantasy reader but it did take me a while to fully get into it and hooked. I think there was definitely some great character development which was performed well in audiobook and made this more enjoyable for me. I will definitely give this a re-read so I can put together a more clearer review but overall would give this a 3.75⭐️ round to 4⭐️