Morgan Busse is a creative writer and in this Mark of the Raven did not disappoint.

The story started out rather dark and stayed that way for a good portion of the book. Cultish ritual, murder, attacks and the exploitation of trauma all feature heavily in the story. It was dark enough that I found myself fairly disengaged from the story at this point. The one redeeming factor for this portion of the book is that Selene is uncomfortable with the direction her life is taking. Her true desire is to serve her people, but is murder and manipulation the best way to accomplish that goal? The more Selene felt trapped into her role the more I shared a feeling of frustration, though I was frustrated with Selene for not realizing that she did have a choice.

The book really began to engage me when it came to the use and descriptions of the gifts of the other houses and the good purposes that the gifts were meant to accomplish. When Lord Darien enters the story he draws the curiosity of the reader as much as he does Selene. As the descriptions of light begin to be brought forward the book grows more and more intriguing until the climax of the story where Selene finally realizes that she can and must choose in which direction her future lies.

After a rough beginning I did become engrossed in the tale and will look forward to the next installment in the series. If you can wade through the dark tone at the beginning of the novel I think you’ll find a story worth pursuing.

I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

"Mark of the Raven" is a fantasy novel that's rather depressing until nearly the end. At the beginning, Selene gains the gift of dreamwalking only to learn that her mother expects her to kill and terrorize people using her gift in order to earn money and increase their House's power. She's kindhearted, so it's destroying her to follow her mother's instructions. Much of the story is her using her gift to hurt people.

She's willing to do this so that her sisters won't have to. It's nice that she isn't selfish, but the destruction of her soul through obedience was not fun to read. And it's a meaningless gesture anyway. One sister is eager to learn dreamwalking and would love to show how much better she is at it than Selene. Plus her mother probably intends for all her daughters to help her make money and gain power; she never said otherwise. Also, Selene kept consoling herself that she would learn a better way to use her gift, but she made no effort to explore other ways of using it (while actually dreamwalking) even when her father hinted at what it used to be used for.

There were also several holes and conflicting things in the story. Selene wants to learn how the other House gifts are used, but even her father (who comes from the House of wisdom and learning) doesn't know this information. On the other hand, the hero only has to ask that pretty girl from the other House to learn more about their gifts. One House leader only had to anger another House leader in order to see his gift in action (and in public). So it doesn't seem like it should be that difficult to find out about the other gifts.

While the ending left me interested in what happens to Selene in the future, I'm not sure that I trust the author to not create another depressing read even though the story seems to be Selene's journey toward the Light. There was no sex or bad language.

This is book number one in Morgan L. Busse’s newest fantasy series, but don’t let the category deter you—this book will appeal to a variety of readers. Action, mystery, and the possible beginnings of romance are included in this read.

Selene is a dreamwalker—she can enter people’s dreams and discover their secrets and fears. Her mother wants Selene to use her power to manipulate others to the will of their house, but Selene fights it—or tries to—by telling herself not to feel.

All of houses in the land (each lord or lady of said houses has their own power) come to Rook Castle to discuss a treaty. Getting to know the players in this story through there houses adds great layers to Mark of the Raven.

Lord Damien is intrigued by Selene. She is a fighter and there’s a coldness to her but not quite like what he sees in her mother and sister.

While the setup of the book (and series) takes a little while, once readers meet Damien, the story progresses. With twists, turns, a moral dilemma for Selene, house secrets, and unexplained deaths, Busse gives readers intrigue, action, and depth.

And the ending? Oh, this ending will have you clamoring for book two.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

In Mark of the Raven, Morgan L. Busse creates a new world full of gifts and realms. She does a wonderful job of taking the reader on a journey, far from the real world. Whilst I love fantasy novels, I get impatient for the action to start. It takes to about halfway through the novel for the story really takes off. I found the dreams traumatic but understood highlighting the evil was the purpose.

Lady Selene is easy to like and her divided loyalty easy to understand. She is trapped trying to fulfill her mother’s wishes and staying true to herself. Christianity appears through the Great Light working against dark evil and it’s beautifully done.

The ending is a cliffhanger, a set up for the next novel. The scene is set and the characters formed. I’m looking forward to seeing where this one goes. Four out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale, if you like fantasy this one is for you,

Lady Selene has been training all of her life to use her gift and take over as the future head of the House of Ravenwood. But it wasn’t until her full gifting came to her that Selene fully realized how her mother and the other Ravenwood leaders use their gift as dreamers. And Selene is absolutely horrified. She is working to lock away her heart and do what must be done for the sake of her kingdom and to save her sisters from experiencing this horror. But she isn’t sure she can.
Lord Damien is quite young to be a Head of House. He would gladly have his parents back rather than bear this burden himself. Especially now that the Empire is back, testing the boundaries of the seven kingdoms. Damien calls for a meeting of the Heads of House in hopes that the seven kingdoms and their gifts can be reunited again. Some of the kingdoms seem eager to work together, some are denying the Empire is even a threat, and some, unbeknownst to all, are helping the Empire, plotting to kill those who would stand in their way.

Busse has built an enthralling world here. Each of the seven kingdoms has a different gifting. The Ravenwood gift is thought to be lost, and is a very well-kept secret. Damien can use water to form boundaries for his kingdom. Other kingdoms can use light to form shields or weapons, heal with special herbs, etc. There are rumors that long ago they used to work together and be invincible. And now they are about to face a seemingly invincible foe. There’s a lot of history between all the kingdoms and much of this book is spent understanding how they relate to each other, which is very important in how they form or refuse to form alliances. The prospect of getting people with gifts from all seven kingdoms to work together seems pretty slim. We also spend a lot of the book getting to know Selene and Damien individually. Selene is a very conflicted character trying to figure out what is right. (Sorry, I know, I’m being vague about her conflict but that’s a little bit of a spoiler so I’m not going to share.) Just suffice to say they use their gift to hurt or manipulate people and Selene has a more compassionate nature. Damien is trying to handle suddenly being the man in charge and just figuring out who he is. He’s also trying to figure out how to save the kingdoms from the Empire when he can’t get people to see reason. I knew how the book was ultimately going to end up pretty quickly, but I had absolutely no idea how Busse was going to get us there. I just couldn’t see how it would work out, and so watching her make that happen was quite fun. And I’m very glad that book two comes out in just six months instead of a whole year, because I need it as soon as possible! That’s a bit of a cliffhanger there. The story has some themes that parallel with Christian themes, but it is not overtly religious or preachy or anything. Recommended for those who like interesting fantasy worlds with underdogs about to take on a big evil next door bully but also in the midst of their own messy politics, featuring heroes with hearts and heroines who can wield swords and some special powers too.

Notes on content [based on ARC]: No language issues (there’s a made up swear word that sounds an awful lot like one of the Three Musketeers’ characters’ names, but it shouldn’t get anyone in trouble repeating). No sexual content. (Selene is told at one point that ladies from her house always end up lovers of the men of another house, but no details.) Some deaths by drowning that are a little disturbing, past deaths by burning and wolf bites somewhat described. Other non-gory but definitely twisted deaths are mentioned. All of the deaths are treated with the seriousness and remorse they deserve (well, at least by the good guys).

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've always enjoyed Busse's stories. Besides the external wonder of a new story world it's how she explores the internal dilemma of good and evil, light and dark, that I've found most intriguing. Mark of the Raven is no exception.

8 Great Houses (read Kingdoms or Lands) are ripe for takeover by the warlords of the Dominia Empire. Lord Damien of the House of Maris invites the rulers of the 8 Houses to a meeting, a bit like NATO, to agree a strategy to combat the Empire. Each of the Houses rulers have specific giftings. Lord Damien's gift is he is able to control water.

The meeting is convened at House Ravenwood where the ruling Lady Ragna is a female tyrant of sorts. She is suspicious of everyone, the house having been decimated centuries ago and left for dead by the other 7 houses. She's in no mood to do a deal. She has a mysterious gift of being able to invade other people's dreams and if need be, kill them in their dream.

Her eldest daughter Lady Selene also has this gift and stronger version of it. She will rule Ravenwood when Ragna dies and her mother has high hopes for her. But Selene is tormented by the power at her disposal. Selene has two younger sisters: Amara, only a few years her junior by Ophie is still a child. Amara covets her elder sister's inheritance and destiny and power. Selene knows it and that Amara has the merciless heart of her mother.

And then we have the Dark Lady, an invisible force of intuition and knowledge, that we're never sure about. But Lady Ragna does whatever the Lady tells her. And on the eve of the gathering, Ragna is informed that Ravenwood is to be threatened by a House from the north. With all the Houses gathering under her roof she sees an opportunity to do away with the threat once and for all. She enlists Selene to assist her in this murderous plot.

The story starts slowly and doesn't really pick up pace until the last 40 or so pages. It's an intriguing story with two feisty young leads: Damien and Selene. Damien is everything one could look for in a hero: young, charming, gifted, attractive and a ruler. Selene is beautiful, a warrior with remarkable fighting skills, but withdrawn and selective about what she shares with others. I'd suggest there is much more to Selene's character in Book 2.

I found the dream sequences fascinating when Selene invaded peoples dreams. She turns into a raven inside the dreams and observes their hopes, fears and worries. But she is very aware of the power she possesses and particularly conscious of the unwelcome intrusion. Will Selene use her power to keep her House free and appease her mother?

The pacing is deliberate and one's never sure what Selene will do with her power. But it's only half time and there's much to come in Book 2 when all will be revealed. Which of the sisters will rule Ravenwood and can Damien lead all the Houses to ward off the impending doom of the advancing Empire.

I'm looking forward to finding out in 2019.

I received a PDF copy of Mark of the Raven via Net Galley and my opinions are my own.

In terms of story and originality, this was genuinely thrilling. It had a slow buildup but once it reached its final arc no time was wasted in barrelling towards a conclusion that had me begging for the sequel.

This reminded me, in a cursory way, of Robin LeFevre's Grave Mercy; only with better plotting, better world building, and much less of a focus on romance. They both involve a young woman training to be an assassin in a politically fraught world and taking directives from an ominous deity. Only, Mark of the Raven has actual politicking and a strong action plot that can stand apart from any romantic entanglements the characters may have.

The protagonist, Selene, isn't unusual for being a conflicted, morally gray heroine. What makes her uniquely likeable is her steely reserve and the humanity that beats just underneath it. I appreciate that she was very conscious of her options and made her own choices, without being pushed into them by fate/destiny/love or any other nebulous forces. I mean, there were definitely nebulous forces at work around her but ultimately Selene makes her bed and sleeps in it, if you will.

I think the male protagonist, Damien, is rescued from blandness because he's almost like a prototypical YA heroine- only he's a man. He embodies a lot of characteristics that are often (wrongly) only given to female protagonists; compassion, trust with little reason, moral courage, and an inner light. Broodiness is par for the course for many male characters so it's refreshing to have the Byronic hero trope subverted.

My criticism comes from the execution. There is so much repetition in this book. If all of the constantly repeated character descriptions and motives were cut out this would be a much tighter novel. I felt like I being repeatedly hit over the head with information that was eminently obvious. An example that come to mind is when multiple characters observe or are told, at different times, that Amara takes after her mother in ambition and general awfulness. We. Get. It. And there has to be a way to describe Damien's eyes that doesn't involve the phrase "bluest blue". Show, don't tell. And especially don't tell half a dozen times. This sort of exposition and characterization made the writing feel more juvenile.

Overall, I think this was a really fun low fantasy with a dash of political intrigue. To my mild surprise, I really liked the characters and their world view considering how cliche this could have been. The real strength of this book is the momentum at the end that had me completely engaged. I hope it carries through to the sequel!

Wow. This was a wild ride. o.O

I really, really enjoyed Mark of the Raven. It's a perfect light fantasy read with some really interesting superpower elements in it, like dreamwalking (a dreamwalker can enter a person's dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires) and water controlling. The worldbuilding is fantastic- you have multiple "Houses" that gather together for a meeting, and each House has a distinct personality.

I also loved how Morgan wrote the characters' personalities- she really made them come alive for me. Selene, the main protagonist, is a really well-thought-out character. I really feel like I know her well now. Damien, the side protagonists, is such a thoughtful, sweet, yet extremely tough person.

One thing I didn't really like (at first) was that the blurb didn't accurately convey what the book is like. Of course, I quickly realized what is was about, so I guess it wouldn't really matter too much.

Overall, I would totally recommend Mark of the Raven to any fantasy readers! 4 stars.

Recommended to a mature 13 year old.

*FTC DISCLOSURE: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.*

There are a few books out there that have all the elements of a perfect story. Everything just comes together in a way that works out so well it leaves you with such a satisfied feeling by the end of the book that you’re almost sad there isn’t more to read just yet. Well, this is one of those books.

Honestly, I cannot express how happy I am that this book is here. It’s so hard to find Christian fantasy that actually works as a complete story and where the religious elements don’t feel out of place. This author has done what I always knew could be accomplished. Slowly but surely the religious elements come across but not in a way that feels pushy or obtrusive, honestly I would call it quite beautiful the way the author managed to present the central gospel message in a metaphorical, almost fantastical way. Her writing reminds me a lot of C.S. Lewis and how he was able to infuse meaning into the world of Narnia without being forceful, but you understood perfectly what he was trying to get across. Busse has done the same here. She was able to keep the book towards a clean narrative, while still including the cruel realities that life entails, which I appreciated. Her ability to give just enough description so the reader knows what happened, but not too much to teeter over into being grotesque or salacious was great. It left the tension in, but the unnecessary content out.

I was especially drawn to the fact that the author showed how important it was not to judge a person’s journey or demeanor from the outside. Damien and Selene experienced this first-hand. Selene was drawn to the “light” within Damien as his warmth was the whole of who he was and he was drawn to what he believed he could see in her beyond what she tried to present to the world as her mask. Those two characters really jumped off the page. It was easy to want both of them to succeed throughout the book, even though at times it appeared their agendas competed. The way that their romance unfolded wasn’t totally unexpected but I love the idea of how it all is playing out. I’m a sucker for a slow-burn romance and their moments together in the book were some of the best ones.

Of course the best books are the ones that don’t just pay attention to the main characters but to the other characters as well. I think that’s what made this book stand out too, all of the side characters had equal personality with the main characters. Selene’s middle sister, Amara and her father, Caiaphas where two standouts. Amara was intriguing as almost the dark version of Selene, maybe the other path that could’ve been taken so to speak. Their father was such a surprise with all of his undercover things going on, I’m curious to see how that will all work out, but I hope to see more of him. I’m also interested in her littlest sister Ophie, but I have a feeling the questions about her will be answered in later books. Selene’s mother, Ragna was great as the villain of the story, although in a way there are multiple villains, but she was so pronounced as this antagonist figure towards Selene and Damien.

The pacing and worldbuilding in this book were phenomenal. From the politics, to the powers of the Great Houses, to the landscapes, I could picture and understand it all. Some people may think the first part of the story lags when they read it but I actually think it sets everything up nicely. The way this book reads is more like a political fantasy. The fantasy elements are there but they aren’t the focus, the politics are the focus and how the powers of each house advance or are integral to the house politics and interests. It was honestly fascinating to me. At some points it felt like I was watching a really well plotted out fantasy television show. It was all so thrilling getting to experience this world through the eyes of Damien and Selene and see how everything fit together as the different plots spun around one another. Sometimes I got so sucked into this book that it was a little jolting when I had to stop reading.

Overall this was a marvelous book. The characters, the world, the writing, everything just melded together so perfectly to create such an excellent story. Now I just can’t wait for the next installment to come out!

Is she a killer or will she discover the Light?

There are two kinds of fantasy novels out there; charmingly captivating, and deliciously dark. Mark Of The Raven is one of the latter. I don't know what it was that caught my attention, I haven't read any of Morgan L. Busse's previous books. Maybe it was the gorgeous eerily mysterious cover, which is much like the heroine herself, or maybe because I was just in the mood for a fantasy novel that promised to be a shadowy tale of danger and intrigue. Oh, I got just that and more! This dark and absorbing tale will have you, as it did me, immersed in the battle between The Light and the Dark Lady played out in the sinister halls of the ancestral home of the Ravenwoods and also in the dreams of the powerful and the powerless.

While aimed more at the YA market Mark Of The Raven is just as appealing to adults. There was something about Selene's struggle with upholding family expectations and her natural bent to protect those weaker that will capture the attention of readers both YA and adults alike.

Fantasy fans are in for a real treat with Morgan L. Busse's new book and will quickly find themselves, like me, impatiently awaiting the next release in the Ravenwood Saga series. Seriously, I HAVE to know what happens!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Finished this book 20 mins before it's release day and all I can say is oh my...this was absolutely fantastic! This is an awesome read for fans of Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor. I went into this book with no real expectations. I just knew that the synopsis sounded amazing and it's a Christian fantasy so I was intrigued by that. This surprisingly blew me away. This is my first read from Morgan Busse and I will definitely be reading more from her.

This book follows the lives of Lady Selene and Grand Lord Damien and their struggles with their gifts and the world they live in. Though Lady Selene is the main protagonist of the story, Grand Lord Damien gets his chapters which play a huge part to the overall plot. Both of them are such phenomenal characters with such pure hearts. They are strong in every way possible.

Lady Selene has just come into her power and as the eldest daughter she is the heir to the Ravenwood house. She is not like the rest of the women from her family. She desires to be free and to help people. She desires to see peace among the people. She isn't a cold-hearted person. She plays the role well, but I loved seeing her true self shine through. She was everything her mother didn't want her to be and that was absolutely stunning! She was beautiful on the inside and the out. Such a sweet soul my pumpkin pie is (yes I call her my pumpkin pie)!

Grand Lord Damien is a young man with such a huge heart. He came into his title after losing both his parents and younger brother. He is the family man and friend to many. Damien was such a sweet person. He struggled with having to kill in order to protect. I do think he focused too much on his father's dream and not enough on making his father's dream work for him (in how he could execute it). Everything about Damien made me extremely happy which why I called him my sugar plum.

The romance, though non-existent, was simply adorable. I was rooting for both Selene and Damien from the third or fourth chapter. Everything about them was similar. They both wanted to use their gifts to help and protect. They also despised the idea of killing others to protect. The cuteness between them at the grand assembly made me SO happy. I hope they grow to love one another!

Grand Lady Ragna...she is the WORSE mother on earth. She has allowed bitterness to overtake her life which opened up doors for evil to prevail in her life. I really couldn't stand her way of thinking at all. She was a twisted lady. As for her second oldest daughter, Amara, I just could not stand the way she acted like Ragna. I really don't want to see how twisted she becomes in the sequel.

Caiaphas is the BEST father on ever! This man was pure goodness all around. Everything he did was for his daughter and to bring peace and unity. I respect him so much and hope he survives this series.

The houses were all so interesting. I loved the grand assembly meeting as it showcased how the houses could truly come together if they tried to do so. The secrets between the houses really have me interested in learning more.

I loved the fantasy aspects with the different gifts, but even more so I loved the reference to scripture and relation to scriptures. It was absolutely profound and made the reading experience one that I could relate to in so many ways.

I cannot wait for the sequel! The cover alone has me stoked for it! Highly recommend this beauty!

Morgan Busse weaves a dark story about the heir to the House of Ravenwood who has just learned her family's secret; her mother and the Ravenwood women before her use their gift of dreamwalking to gather information and assassinate their enemies. Now Lady Selene is stuck in a web of political intrigue, lies and betrayal while the Seven Houses ready for war with the Domina Empire.

Another reviewer mentioned that it reminded her of Game of Thrones and Assassin's Creed, which I agree with completely. The only thing that this book has that those stories do not is a thread of hope that lies within the Light. Overall, I would highly recommend this book for readers of YA and adult fantasy adventures. I might recommend pre-reading it if you have younger readers who might be put off by some non-graphic but violent content, as the book does contain assassins, war, etc.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.*

I was approved to read an advanced e-copy of Mark of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Here are my thoughts on the book and why I think you should pick it up:
The cover and description is what drew me in but the plot and writing kept me glued. This book was so good that I read 80% of it in one day. Mark of the Ravens is filled with Assassins, murder, and twisted families. The main character, Lady Selene, is relatable as she struggles to not lose herself when the ones close to her ask for more. It also has multiple POVs which adds to any book and makes the development of the characters even better as you get to see their side. This book will leave you wanting more and I can’t wait for this series to continue! It is out now so go check it out!

Mark of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse, an interesting tale of fantasy and intrigue. This is my first book to read by this author and also my first book of Christian fantasy. Normally I would not read this type of book, but others said they enjoyed it. So, I thought I would give it a try . I must say it was interesting.......Selene, the first born daughter, comes of age and into her power of dreamwalking  that has been handed down through the ages. This power has also been kept a secret.  The use of her power to harm others in order to help her people leaves her confused and desperate to not do it anymore. A contract to kill the only one who can perhaps unite all the kingdoms is placed into her hands. Will she be able to carry through with it? She knows she will forfeit her life if she does not.......I must warn you this ends in a cliff hanger. I would give it 5 stars if not for that...........
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

5 Stars!
I'm not a big fantasy reader, but the description of this one sounded so intriguing that I just had to try it! I loved this book, it was such a great read! I immediately liked the main character, Selene, and immensely enjoyed this first part of her journey from the darkness to the Light! I loved the author's writing style, and I loved that the pace of the novel was a bit on the faster side, I love stories that have a faster pace and that I don't want to put down, Mark of the Raven was definitely one such book! It really is so great, I enjoyed every minute of it and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
I only have one complaint and it is really pretty small, there were a couple of fictional made up swear words that were used a handful of times by the characters, but that really didn't bother me much, I just wanted to mention it as a heads up for those who might have a problem with it.
I highly recommend Mark of the Raven!


I received an ebook copy of this book from the publisher which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

I loved Morgan L. Busse's Soul Chronicles and got so excited when I saw that she had a new series coming out. I couldn't wait to dive into it. I was expecting to really enjoy Mark of the Raven and, I've gotta say, it exceeded all expectations and was even better than I thought it'd be. It's fast-paced and I couldn't read it quickly enough. I ended up neglecting everything else and read the last quarter of the book in one sitting.

There was a lot of pressure on Selene to restore House Ravenwood to it's former glory. She's extremely conflicted about how her family's gift is used. She feels a deep sense of wrong but to not use her gift would send her family and their people into ruin. It's such a dilemma for her. The journey she goes on to discovering herself is truly captivating.

And Damien! Oh my! He's such a good and noble guy, always looking to do the right thing even when it's the most difficult thing to do. He's definitely one of my favorite leading men that I've read about lately.

The characters were so great. All of them, even the minor ones, were distinct and fully fleshed out, seeming like real people I could easily picture in my mind.

A near-perfect fantasy, Mark of the Raven is not to be missed. I wish I could give it more than five stars; it was just that good. And with that ending, goodness, I need the next book, like, right now!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

4.5 stars

Lady Selene just learned of her gift. She is heir to her family’s gift of dreamwalking, which comes with many abilities and responsibilities, including killing. Will she be able to take her mother’s place one day as head of the House of Ravenwood?

I’ve heard about Busse’s books in the past, but I have never read them. Boy, will that change in the future! This book is very different from my typical reads, but it immediately pulled me in, despite being a bit dark at times. The characters and scenes are so vivid. I could easily envision everything. I am a huge fan of the Harry Potter series, and parts of this book reminded me of that book (in relation to the various Houses). The characters’ struggles are relatable, even though this is a fantasy/fiction story, as most people struggle with doing what is right and making wise choices at some point. The story does involve a dual POV, from the perspective of Celine and Damien, the head of the House of Maris. The overall story is a good illustration of our lives, and the part God plays in it when we choose to follow Him. The pace stays active, making this quite the page turner. Sadly, it will be some time before the sequel is released, which is unfortunate, as the book ends on quite the cliffhanger :-(

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

I have struggled in recent years with reading fantasy fiction. I love the genre in movie form, but I usually find fantasy books to be long and confusing. Mark of the Raven was great! The world building was well done and not overly detailed, and the magic system is easy to follow. The main character is a bit of an anti-hero too, which is a nice change. If your looking for a new series to start I would recommend The Ravenwood Saga. It's really good.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and Bethany House for the purpose of review.

I've read some of Morgan L. Busse's books in the past, and I really enjoy her command of allegory. Mark of the Raven, the first book in The Ravenwood Saga is another great addition to her resume.

The story follows two main characters. The first is Lady Selene who is the heir to one of the Great House of Ravenwood. On the outside they look like a normal noble family, and many of the others pity them because they lost their gifting centuries before. But they hold a great secret. Their gifting of dreamwalking was never lost at all, and they use it to whatever means necessary to help their people and keep their legacy alive, even to the point of murder.

The other main character is Damien, who is the grand lord of the Great House of Maris. He follows the Light, and his desire, as well as the desire of his late father, is to see the houses united in order to protect themselves against the Empire which tore them apart so many years before. His house doesn't have secrets, except maybe just how powerful their water gifting is, and how much they desire unity.

The opposing goals of Damien and Selene's mother pit them against each other in what could be a deadly showdown. But Selene sees something in Damiene, some light which she can't understand. She just knows she wants whatever he has. But will she be willing to give up everything, including her life, to get it?

I thought the characters were well done, and I was definitely cheering for them both. And we were given enough background information on some of the minor characters to really understand the motivation behind their actions. The storybuilding was great, and I thought the allegory was well done and not too "in your face." It seemed natural for their world.

I only had two complaints, and they're pretty minor so I'd really give this 4.5 stars. One is pretty silly in that the female assassin being named Selene reminded me of a female assassin in another book with a very similar (if spelled completely different) name. While the stories and characters were pretty different, there were enough similarities that it was jarring at times. My other problem was that I found myself skipping over paragraphs here and there. I'm not really sure why because the pacing was good, and there were enough details, but not too many. Maybe it was because I wanted to see what happened next so quickly, but in order to give the book 5 stars I probably should have wanted to read every word.

This was a wonderful book. I'm very much looking forward to reading the next one, and I plan on going back to read some of her other books again.

There are few fantasy novels that I actually love, I mean I have plenty that I like, but love. This is one that I LOVE.!!! The adventurous, spellbinding plot mixed with tension and family drama. The intriguing and interesting characters were very fascinating. It just kept getting better. What a start to a new series. I for one cannot wait until the next book in the series come out, I am fascinated to see where this story will lead us.