Thank you to Netgalley and E.E. Star for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I want to preface this review by saying, these tropes and setting were clearly just not for me. The writing was beautiful, I loved the idea of the Gaelic language and folklore woven in, however it just didn't grab me. I ended up dnf-ing at the 60% mark as I felt like not all that much had happened. I could see that there was a lot of focus on the world-building and I thought the dual POVs were good for setting up character relationships, but in reality, aside from the one big event that caused our characters to flee, not a lot had occurred for me. It's clear from reviews that if these tropes and elements appeal to you, you are probably going to love this book, and I did find the writing really beautiful, the overall book was just not for me.

The visual imagery created in the book are amazing. If you are someone who has movies playing in your head while you read this book is perfect for you. I love the writing style just for that. The character building is very well done. They were not lying when “slow burn” was mentioned. I am anxious to see where the rest of this series goes. And where the main relationship goes especially with the magic system in play.

What a great way to start a series. Though I did not expect this to be 70% romance and 30% fantasy, I still enjoyed the story and am looking forward to the potential in future books.

Triona grew up loving the stories her mother and father would tell her about the Raven Queen and the fighting and action. Yet as she grows older, something within her awakens. Also, there's Finn MacGregor who is certainly out MMC and seems fairly crush-worthy and intense. Other characters are also well developed and the story is solid even if the beginning was a bit slow. I feel like the first 10% is just introducing various characters and kind of setting a stage. It didn't feel overwhelming with regards to content, but I do think it could have been a little bit shorter.

I do feel as though this book gets the ball rolling in what aims to be a a good series. I wish the magic system had been more developed a bit more in the beginning as well a more fantasy elements. I completely understand the author was trying to stay within a realm of possibility, but they do mention earlier the other lands in the other world, so we can suspend belief when we cross the veil into the other world.

All of that being said, I really enjoyed entering this world and joining the characters for the adventure and recommend this to anyone who loves a good romantasy and mythology.

This is an incredible read. The storyline in the beginning, the folklore, the history it creates in na world set in my favourite places in the world. Im in love!

I can only describe this book as an experience! I was lost in the world, the lore, the characters, the relationships and the love story. There is no shortage of descriptions and long sentences but omg I savoured every word and I find myself refusing to pull out of this world!

Things that would otherwise jarr me work perfectly here. The first half and more of the book reads as a historical novel/ romance but there is the interlaced mystery of how the fantasy element will unfold which somehow added to the story without taking away or frustrating. I was so invested to witness the romance develop, I ended up absolutely consumed. The folklore is strong and amazing. Enjoyed every aspect of it.

What a love story! Finn is top tier, he's absolute perfection and the dialog (the things coming out of this man's mouth, Jesus!), the interactions, the slow burn, the yearning, I could not get enough of it, masterful! the spice is late to arrive, but when it does, it will scorch you! Trina's arc is brilliant and I can't wait to see her come into her powers and abilities. Casey, Bran and Callan are *chef's kiss*

This book is very much laying the groundwork for what's to follow, again, I was not annoyed for the cliffhanger or the fact I have to wait who knows how long for the second installment. Somehow I am content to pause here and take a breath, the story halts at an agreeable point and I appreciate that E.E.Star has a clear idea of how she wants to tell her story. It's actually a pace I respect because it has allowed me to truly get to know the characters and love them. They are all so very skillfully flashed out and there is so much love that seeps through the pages, romantic love, sibling love, friendship. Brilliant.

I even love the loose ends, I feel like the story is about to turn into an epic adventure and I'm here for it. I will admit, went into this pretty blind and loved EVERY SINGLE WORD. thank you for transporting me to this world, was truly a gift.

Cannot recommend enough, I hope this book gets all the love and attentions it deserves!

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and E. E. Star for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved this book. Some of the scenes I think could have been cut or shortened given how long the novel is, however, I enjoyed this immensely.

3.25⭐️
This story does a fantastic job blending historical fiction with fantastical elements and magic. The writing style and world-building take a bit of time to adjust to, so keep that in mind when you start.

We dive deep into the magical aspects of the world in the last 20%, and the final 6% was so gripping that I’m left reeling and full of more questions than answers.

I’m still not entirely sure how I feel about the book. Did I enjoy it? Yes, for the most part. Did I think it was a little too long? Also yes. There's so much potential here, especially with the characters and the world, and that ending?? It’s hard to ignore. At this point, I think I’ll continue with the series because I genuinely love the characters and their connection, and I’m curious to see how the story unfolds.

Thank you NetGalley and E.E. Star for this arc!

The beginning of this is very slow and I was worried nothing would reel me in. At some point I became very interested in what would happen, only for that fire to be doused over time. I truly liked Triona, I just felt bad for her. I think I'm just over the "woman trains her whole life for some unknown reason just for everyone around her to reveal that everything she thought she knew is a lie" trope. The romance with Finn was SUCH a slow burn, which I do enjoy, however I wish he would've revealed his feelings much sooner. This was difficult to get through at times and I think it should've been much shorter. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you Net Galley and publishers for the ARC of this book. I thoroughly enjoyed the world building and high fantasy setting. I would recommend this!

When they say slow burn, they really meant slow burn. It wasn’t even just in terms of the romance in it but the entire story in general. I was so excited during the first 20% of the book and then by the time I hit 43% I realized I didn’t really know anything about the FMC aside from everyone really loved and cherished her.

The dual POVS played well. I think I was more invested in Bran and Finn’s relationship than the two MCs. That being said for a very long time this felt like more of a romance novel. It’s like you get the fantasy out of the prophecy you read in the beginning and the subtle additions of visions with Triona’s dreams but aside from that it’s all romance which made me bored. The fantasy “dark fantasy” didn’t make an appearance until later which took a lot of effort to reach.

I did however love the language used, appreciated the songs, and the history.

This book was different from anything that I’ve ever read. It was a bit slow in the beginning and the slang that was used throughout the book through me off a bit. The writing was also a bit repetitive at times. But it wasn’t bad at all, but it also wasn’t my favorite book ever. I very much appreciate being able to get an ARC of this book. I don’t think it would be for everyone, but I also think that there are people who would enjoy it as well. Overall, this book was an enjoyable read.

The opening scene introducing Triona’s parents had me swooning right away. I loved how the author not only captured their love for each other but also set up the story by showing them trying to get a cheeky, energetic young Triona to sleep, telling her the tale of Eriu.

As the story continued, though, I found the pacing to be slow, especially when it came to establishing since picking up on the connection between Triona and Eriu.,The silent language spoken between her family confirms they clearly knew more than Triona did at the time.

Halfway through the book is where things truly picked up. As beautiful as the descriptions were, especially the folklore, it was difficult for me to connect with the story as much as I would have liked, simply because it took so long to get going.

That said, the way the story ended made me curious about the journey ahead. There’s a great foundation here, and I’m hoping we get to see more of what Triona is capable of in the next installment.

Absolutely obsessed with this story! So beautiful and funny and the most delicious romance you ever read. @author_e.e.star thank you for giving me the chance to read your work. Can’t wait for everyone else to read it too.

Do you like detailed descriptions of someone walking into the room? The way the wind feels on a nice sunny day ? lol if so this book is for you. I did not know that the book would be so descriptive and it was a bit much for me. I don’t want to be rude because it had its benefits with knowing the characters and their behaviors. But there were times I would roll my eyes at the details. My biggest problem with the story was the amazingness of the FMC. Time and time again her kindness, loyalty, greatness was mentioned. Which is fineeee but as I read I didn’t see anything that made her that way. I do not like to be told things by the author I would rather read it for myself with their actions.

Historical romance with a good dose of adventure, the characters coming together to fight for the greater good. The FMC and MMC were very cute, a good amount of yearning while having sweet but corny declarations. Having so many characters at times it was hard for me to keep them straight. The minor characters were memorable and likable that make you want to know more about them and their problems. I enjoyed this story but it’s definitely something you have to be in the mood in to be able to enjoy but I can see it being difficult to get through.

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op I received a ARC for an honest review !

A thrill to read! Great if you enjoy dark fantasy and slow-burn romance. A good dialogue and vividly paints wonderous imagery. Well thought out and researched - evident with the Gaelic language which is used throughout. If you like dark fantasy and folklore, give this a go!

The Violet Raven offers a dark and imaginative start to the Warriors of the Raven Queen series. E. E. Star presents a unique world filled with shadowy magic and mysterious lore, and the concept of warriors tied to a death goddess is refreshingly different.

While the story has some pacing issues and certain plot points could use more development, the core ideas are strong, and the main character shows promise. Some moments felt rushed, but others really pulled me in and left me curious about what’s next.

It’s a solid debut that lays the groundwork for what could be an exciting series. I’m hopeful that the next book will build on this foundation and take things even further.

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing Publishing group for the eARC..

The Violet Raven is available May 27, 2025!

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing, and E. E. Star for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Buckle up, because the violet raven will take you on a LONG ride. If you love high fantasy, insanely detailed world building, and a romance slow enough to send you to a nursing home, this one is for you.

I honestly really, really enjoyed this book. I am not a huge fan of any miscommunication tropes but I have to admit, I was still hooked. This is a SLOW BURN romance and you will not receive any kind of instant gratification from the FMC + MMC. And good lord does the romance send you on a winding path.

You will use the glossary so helpfully included in the beginning of the book. You will, I know you will. If you are a native English speaker, you might be largely unfamiliar with the Scottish and Irish terminology. There is a LOT included in the book. The author is incredibly thorough with her glossary which I personally appreciate.

The beginning did not hook me, but the story was good enough for me to push through. Things did eventually pick up, but the first few chapters are very dense and difficult to read in my opinion. Of course, this is the first in a series and there are a lot of unanswered questions towards the end. I’m not sure if I’ll immediately pick up the second book when it releases but I will eventually read it.

🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇 6-Bat Review: Violet Raven (Warriors of the Raven Queen, Book 1) by E.E. Star

Some books don’t just whisper to you — they seize you by the soul and drag you willingly into their world. Violet Raven was one of those rare treasures. It’s been far too long since I gave a 6-bat review, but E.E. Star left me no choice. From the very first breath of this story, I was devoured whole — and that dedication? It shattered me in the most beautiful way.

The magic here isn't just woven — it’s branded into every page. The character arcs are alive, breathing, aching — and don't even get me started on Finn, who stole my heart and refused to return it. This isn’t just fantasy; it’s folklore, myth, and memory bound together in ink and blood.

I desperately need a physical copy to press against my heart... and the second book? I’ll be standing at the gates, howling, clawing, waiting for it.

If you crave books that taste like moonlight and sorrow, victory and old spells, Violet Raven will ruin you in the best way.

#TheVioletRaven #VioletRaven #WarriorsoftheRavenQueen #EEstar #NetGalley #ARCReview #FantasyReads #MagicAndMyth #DarkFantasy #MythicFantasy #AdvancedReaderCopy #NetGalleyReviewer #IndieAuthorLove #SixBatRead #BookishLove #FantasyAddict #BookishMagic #ReadersOfInstagram

⭐️5/5 Stars — “A Stunning Adventure Full of Heart!”⭐️

The Violet Raven feels like stepping into a dream you never want to wake up from — mysterious, a little wild, and absolutely unforgettable. E.E. Star has created a world that’s beautifully bizarre, with characters who are just the right kind of wonderfully weird and a plot that twists like ivy around a crumbling tower. The unbreakable bond of family running through every chapter. It’s messy, it’s beautiful, and it gives the wild fantasy a grounding, emotional core that makes everything hit even harder.
And Finn — oh, Finn! His fierce loyalty, hidden softness, and the way he calls her “little doe” completely stole my heart. Their bond is the kind that lingers long after you turn the last page.
If you love your stories a little poetic, and a lot unforgettable, The Violet Raven is one you won’t want to miss.

~this was an ARC read for an honest review. Thank you to the author and NetGalley!~

The violet raven

I’ll start with what I really enjoyed.
I thought that there was some truly beautiful descriptions in this book, that created some amazing imagery in my mind.
I also think the use of Irish and Scottish Gaelic in the dialogue throughout was really well done.

Onto our FMC, Triona, I loved our first introduction to her as a child. She was cheeky and inquisitive. As we jump forward to 19 year old Triona, there are glimpses of the cheekiness, but she’s also a little naive and full of love.
Our MMC, Finn, was intense, and emotional. Even though I liked him I was frustrated at his refusal to tell Triona how he felt about her even though it was very obvious! Very Slow burn romance here.

Speaking of slow burn romances, the plot felt slow in the beginning too. For the first half of the book Triona’s only goal was to not marry and become a house wife which was what was expected of her. However there was a sense that something more important was at play, we just had no idea what that was until we reached the half way point. Luckily there was fun banter and chuckling laughter to keep us readers entertained, as we got more familiar with her family and albeit, normal life.
After a turn of events at that half way mark, the story did get moving.

By the time I got to the end, I was happy to see some things click in to place, but there’s definitely many questions left hanging for us to think about before book 2 is released.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me an ARC of The Violet Raven.