The language and prose are so poetic, it was mesmerizing to read. The main character, Isobel, is an artist who paints for the fair folk, who in this story, can't craft on their own. So they buy whatever they can off her, and she sells her paintings for magic/enchantments to help her farm. When Isobel dares to paint the truth hidden on a fairy's face, she's dragged into their lands to stand trial for her crime but nothing goes as planned.

I adored this book. The characters are diverse, intense but well done. You don't get the extremism without valid reasons and I love how complex they are. The plot is paced quickly and you dive right into the action but nothing feels rushed or shoved into your face.

And I loved all the emotions this book made me feel.

Teetering between 3 & 2.5 Stars . . . maybe?

Here's the thing - it's hard to read this and not compare it to Sarah J. Maas's "A Court of Thorn and Roses." There are several blatant similarities, which is totally fine because there are also enough differences to set this apart from Mass's work (now that I think about it, this kind of feels like the PG version of ACOT&R...hmmmm...something to think about...) The problem is that where Maas's story felt more nuanced and expressive, the development of the story unfolded naturally with highs and lows that aided rather than hindered the storytelling, and all of her characters were interesting and had purpose - Rogerson's story felt rushed and clunky and it was hard to ever really get attached to any of the characters because you never really got to know them beyond the few paragraphs they existed on a page. This is particularly true of the villain, who never actually felt very villainous. I'm also still trying to understand how exactly Rook and Isobel fell in love, it happened so quickly and without much actual storytelling. Additionally, while I don't mind novels that use an epic journey as a method of building relationships between characters, it needs to be done well in order to really work and there has to be a natural progression in the development of said relationship to make it feel believable. In the instance of Isobel and Rook, once again, the epic journey trope didn't really work because everything felt extremely rushed (the epic journey felt less "epic" and more like a dangerous walk around the block), underdeveloped, and like someone took a magic wand and said "POOF! Things are this way now. Why? Because I said so!"

I think, ultimately, where the three stars comes in is because there is definitely a lot of potential here. There are certainly moments where I kept thinking, "YES!! More of this please!" And the repartee between Isobel and Rook can certainly be delightful at times (also May and March are adorable!). I just needed more - more character development, more suspense, more plot, more everything. At the end of the day, as far as debut's go, this isn't terrible and I think this would be an excellent alternative for younger readers who may not be quite ready for the intensity of Mass's "A Court of Thorn and Roses" series. I also don't think I'm ready to completely give up on this author quite yet. She definitely has some skills and I'll be interested to see what she does in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me a copy of “An Enchantment of Ravens” by Margaret Rogerson. WOW! I absolutely loved this story! It is exactly the book I wanted right after I read “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas. The fairies are on point. They are sassy, totally full of themselves, and oh boy, there is sure some steamy fairy guys. The writing is clever and luscious. I am officially going to read anything Margaret Rogerson writes. I have already purchased it for my high school library!

The cover of this book is eye-catchingly gorgeous (appropriate for a story featuring a painter). I enjoy novels featuring the fae, and I like a good romance. Yet even though those ingredients were present here, I wound up feeling a little “meh” after finishing it.

I did like some aspects of the book. The idea of the story works for me: a portrait painter offends a fae prince and is whisked off to the fairy realm to be punished, only for the two of them to fall in love; they then have to fight to save themselves from the death sentence that is mandated by their forbidden romance. I like the passion that the main character displays for her art and that the romance doesn’t overshadow her calling as an artist. Another plus is that the fae characters were portrayed as heartless and inhuman and rather creepy, not just as overly pretty humans, as they sometimes are in novels.

Except . . . that last bit doesn’t hold true for Rook, the prince at the heart of the story. Yes, he looks inhuman (at least when his glamour fails), but he behaves much like any young man in love. I think that, for me, that’s the weakness at the heart of the novel. Why is Rook so different than the other fae? Why is he capable of feeling positive emotions when the others don’t seem to be? Why, if he is centuries old (or more), does he act so young, as young as 17-year-old Isobel? None of this is ever really addressed in the book. Granted, it’s a hard balancing act to pull off, to make Rook both inhumanly strange and yet human enough to be sympathetic to the reader, but the author goes too far in the direction of human with Rook’s character for my tastes.

As I was reading this book, I kept thinking of The Hollow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle, which also features a young woman who is spirited off to a fae realm by a prince (a prince of trolls, in that case). Dunkle’s book doesn’t have the swoony romance featured in this novel, although there is a love story, but she does a better job of defining her fae creatures in my opinion. Readers who like this book and haven’t read the The Hollow Kingdom might want to give it a try. (Well, unless you’re just in it for the swoony romance; then Dunkle’s book might disappoint.)

An Enchantment of Ravens is a debut novel, and in spite of my disappointment with aspects of the story, I think the author shows a lot of promise as a writer. I’m definitely going to be checking out her next book.

An eARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley for review; all opinions expressed are my own.

Actualy rating: 4.5 stars

Simply speaking, some books are worth the hype…An Enchantment of Ravens is one of them!

An Enchantment of Ravens is a divine piece of writing. Margaret Rogerson‘s first novel is completely masterful and full of whimsy, which is fitting, given that the name of the town in which the humans live is called just that.

Rogerson 100% won me over with her writing! Her style is charismatic, brimming with imagery, and laced with sarcasm. I felt something — everything — while reading this book.

An Enchantment of Ravens follows a gifted human artist, Isobel, and her experiences with her fae clients; one experience leading to a journey with the disgruntled autumnlands prince, Rook. This is largely the story of their dangerous trek and their risky feelings towards one another.

The premise of An Enchantment of Ravens compelled me to pick up this book, and the twists and turns kept me from wanting to put it down. I really enjoyed the story Rogerson imagined. However, I couldn’t help but feel a little like, through its entirety, we were merely put in a jar, shaken up, and dumped right back out again. In other words, I’m not sure I feel like the plot really went anywhere, despite how much I enjoyed the tale that was told.

I was also left wanting. This book could have easily been longer, and I would have gladly taken it! Someone please tell me this is going to be a series!?!

The world building is stunning and the characters are so imaginative! I could honestly see the setting of this book. Rogerson writes so descriptively and beautifully that I have no doubt what Whimsy and the fairy courts look like. I also greatly appreciate how easily I could visualize the characters. Again, the imagery is on point!

I absolutely adored the characters in An Enchantment of Ravens. The humans are so relatable, and the fae are so…fae!

I didn’t find Isobel and Rook to be overdone, either. Yes, they are quick to “fall in love,” but they are there for each other throughout the story in a genuine way, and I really enjoyed that, as well as the push and pull that we see between them. It isn’t a story of the fae prince saving the weak human OR the human saving the world on her own. This is a happy medium.

Side note: One of my favorite scenes between the two that I cannot go without mentioning is near the end of the book…Isobel is mid-breakdown, Rook is at a loss, and she reassures him by saying “I’m just, I’m being really human right now, all right? Give me ten seconds.” I laughed out loud and thought how completely genuine that seems.

Overall, An Enchantment of Ravens is truly a gem! I would recommend this book to fans of SJM and even fans of plot twists à la Caraval. If you appreciate great writing, this is also a book for you! High recommend, guys!

Unquestionably 5 stars. This is gorgeous and atmospheric. It feels like a brand-new-yet-familiar fairy tale. Isobel is a great MC, and Rook is perfectly charming as a faerie-prince-turned-love-interest. I devoured this book, relishing in its romance, magic, and autumnal feel. I immediately wanted to order my own copy so I could reread it again and again.

And with that, Rogerson became one of my new favorite fantasy author.

(Plus, that cover is one of the prettiest things I've ever seen.)

Margaret Rogerson has created (apparently with her first published book?) a gorgeously written epic tale of strength, love, and fairy. I really loved this book.

Isobel is a mortal artist with great skill, sought after by fairy folk to paint their portraits. Fairies are immortal, powerful, magical, cold, and feared by humans. The one obvious lack in fairy perfection is the inability to craft anything. (Crafting would destroy them). This leads to their 'dependence,' or at least patronage of, humans. The relationship is an uneasy one, with humans desiring the attention and favor of the immortal fairy, and the fairy extremely desirous of human craft.

The story starts off very quickly, with a ton of world building explained in a very short time. What follows is a appropriately angsty time of relationship building between fairy and human. The story may be based on ideas that have existed for centuries, yet remains fresh, surprising, and very satisfying. Also, I can not get past that this seems to be Rogerson's first published novel! It is brilliant!

There is so much to praise about this book, so much that I loved. Isobel, with such strength of character and ability to remain true to herself. Rook, a perfect example of a fairy prince. Fairy lands, fascinating frenemies and enemies, and beautifully descriptive passages.

After my first reading, I cannot find fault with this book. Very well done, very highly recommended, and I can not wait to see what the author writes next.

This book is amazing. Roberson did a fantastic job building a believable world full of both ordinary and magical. Rook and Isobel are captivating within the confines of the rules of their world.
The ending was delightful and full of twists I didn't see coming. I genuinely hope we get to see more of Rook and Isobel's story if only so I can learn her true name!!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an E-ARC copy of this novel.
An Enchantment of Ravens was an unexpected and amazing novel. I am not putting anything into this review other than this is a must read!. If you enjoy fantasy novels of any kind it does not disappoint. I once said the same thing about Throne of Glass and look how popular Sarah J. Maas is today. Margaret Rogerson has a keen sense of how to bring the reader into her story and not let you go. I was truly sad when I was at the last page. I didn't want to leave it. I think this is an author people will be talking about. Her talent is clear.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

As a long time fairytale enthusiast, this book was right up my street. Although, technically speaking, it was a tale about faeries rather than a retelling, it contained many of the tropes and archetypes of a fairytale which definitely got me on board. Isobel is an artistic prodigy and her portraits are greatly sought after by the fae, who due to their own immortal natures are unable to create, only counterfeit - whether that pertains to adding glamour to clothing or appearance, aping human emotion and morality neither of which troubles them much at all, or coveting human created art. Through her career as a portrait artist, Isobel meets the Prince of Autumn. You can probably guess what happens next.

This isn't the most action packed of novels but I really enjoyed the way it took certain tropes and subtly distorted them. There's the fae compulsion to return courtesy for example where in faery lore they are said to dislike the words 'thank you'. Or the lack of ability to lie. And of course the big one - fae and humans must not fall in love or it contravenes the Good Law. The Faeries in this are sufficiently inhuman and nasty that it's a precarious balance to treat with them. However if you're an inhabitant of the town of Whimsy, in order to feed yourself and your family you have to treat with the fae. It was certainly interesting looking at a system of economics that was partly held up by chancy magic!

Other reviewers have pointed out their irritation that the MC is a level headed young woman right up until she gets 'kidnapped'. They have a point but presumably those same reviewers don't like tales like Beauty and the Beast? It's not quite as cut and dried as Rook abducting Isobel and she losing her head and heart over him in any case. I like the way that she aggravates and thwarts him, insisting on being treated well, despite being massively outgunned. Ultimately, Isobel's wits save the day.

The narrative is engaging and the writing is lovely. The characters are likeable and just complex enough. My only real criticism is that in some indefinable way the latter half of the novel felt less finished than the first half. Possibly that just me.

Overall a great faerie story that will appeal to those who like fantasy romance.

A different presentation of faeries and their lore, which is refreshing in a saturated genre. Humorous, adventurous and romantic. An ending open enough for a sequel but complete enough to satisfy. Well done.

Okay, so. This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year. I’ve been excited ever since I learned about it and then the cover pretty much doubled that excitement. So I had a lot of expectations for this book and I’m so happy that this didn’t disappoint in the slightest. I already know this is going to be on my top reads of 2017 list. It was funny and charming while still maintaining that “oh shit, these people aren’t actually people” vibe throughout that keeps you on your toes. It made me laugh out loud and it made me clutch the book to my chest. An Enchantment of Ravens feels like a folktale in all the best ways. My only complaint is that I wanted more – the ending felt the slightest bit rushed but it also could be that I just wanted to keep reading about these characters forever. Anyone who loves Uprooted as much as I do (which is A LOT), should definitely pick this one up. Also everyone. Everyone should read this. I can’t wait to get my preorder and reread it.