The Raven and the Dove by Kaitlyn Davis is an engaging fantasy novel that blends romance, intrigue, and adventure in a compelling way. The story follows two main characters, Rhea and Caden, whose lives are intertwined by fate and the conflicts between their warring kingdoms. Rhea, a princess with a mysterious past, and Caden, a soldier with his own secrets, are thrown together in a world of political tension and magic.

The author does a great job creating a world full of rich lore and tension, with strong emotional stakes that drive the story. The chemistry between Rhea and Caden builds slowly, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers invested in their journey. The plot is fast-paced, and the writing is accessible, making it an easy book to get lost in.

Both Rhea and Caden are complex and relatable, and their growth throughout the book adds depth to their relationship.

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.

I love and hate the story of Tristan and Isolde because it is one of those epic love stories and also makes you upset. I really like that bit of this novel with the retelling. Some of the other stuff just did not work for me. I don't entirely understand the magic in the novel and it seems like not everyone has magic or wings, however, that was not entirely explained! It was a bit confusing for me with that part...and I guess because of that most of the novel was very bland for me. This is obviously a series, however, I dislike when I do not understand such a huge part of the story and I genuinely do not understand so much of the magic! I think maybe this was just a not for me kind of novel and I do not plan to continue the series.

Full disclosure: my reason for picking up with book was because of the black FMC knowing it was a YA. It is fairly light fantasy book in my opinion (based on the high-fantasy books I typically read). The world/setting building was the best aspect in this book. I have to say that re-tellings are also a hit or miss for me and this one did not quite hit the mark. The pacing was slow and I was not invested in the character's relationship or dynamic. Overall, my impression of this book was tarnished by the way this author uses a black FMC as a plot device for the story.

The Raven and the Dove by Kaitlin Davis
Rating: ★★★★★

Kaitlin Davis's The Raven and the Dove swept me away from the very first page. As a fan of fantasy novels with rich character dynamics, this book hit all the right notes for me. Davis weaves a captivating tale set in a fantastical realm where political intrigue and mystical powers intertwine.

What stood out most for me was the well-paced narrative that kept me eagerly turning pages. The story unfolds at just the right speed, balancing action-packed sequences with quieter, introspective moments that deepen the characters' connections and motivations.

Speaking of characters, Davis excels in creating a diverse and compelling cast. Each character, from the brave and determined Raven to the enigmatic Dove, felt vivid and multi-dimensional. Their interactions and relationships added layers of complexity to the story, drawing me deeper into their world.

Davis's prose is elegant and evocative, painting vivid scenes of lush landscapes and glittering courts. The world-building is richly detailed, enhancing the immersive experience of reading. Themes of love, sacrifice, and destiny are expertly explored, resonating long after the final chapter.

The Raven and the Dove is a masterfully crafted fantasy that delights with its intricate plot, well-rounded characters, and enchanting world. It's a must-read for fantasy enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys tales of romance and adventure woven into a rich tapestry of magic and intrigue.

I had high hopes for this book given the premise. Sadly, I feel this read too young to really maximize its potential.

It Was cute. A cute YA with Tristan/Isolde vibes and good plot and characters. Overall I liked it but I won’t continue the series

I think this ended up for me being a little too YA overall. I've been disconnected from fantasy romance YA and thought this would still work.

Unfortunately DNF'd at 20% in due to just general boredom.

I had high hopes for this book, but it didn't really meet my expectations. It felt like a long prologue for a bigger story that I have no interest in continuing. I liked Rafe as a character and his story progression, but I found myself getting annoyed with Lyana. Overall, this is a good book for those interested in getting into the world of romantasy.

The Raven and the Dove is interesting in its premise and I had a good enough time reading but somehow it fell a little flat for me. I didn’t really like the main character Lyana and I had a hard time believing in her motivations, she just wasn’t well developed enough for me to feel any kind of attachment to her. In comparisons I much preferred Rafe and his development and especially back story was externally well done and was probably the high point of this book for me. As a whole I feel like this is a good start to something bigger and even though I didn’t love this I would give this author a try in the future because I think she has promise.

I’ve come back to this book so many times, but despite loving the concept I just CANNOT get into it. I may give it another go eventually, but for now I’m finally dnfing it.

The premise of this book was interesting, I have to admit I'm a sucker for forbidden romance. The plot had a lot of promise but took a bit of time for it to unfold so at time the books kinda dragged. The story rotates between the POV of four main characters, I liked the characters for the most part but they came off a bit cliche. The romance also felt a bit insta-lovey. In general is seemed like in general the story and plot where buIlding up to blead to the next book. There where elements that I enjoyed but overall I did not like this book. I would recommend this for someone who is wanting to read a romance based story.

I've been looking for a unique fantasy romance, and this was just that! It was fun and quick to get through, but still so impactful.

This cover is amazing. The story a bit med, is a Tristan and Isolde retelling so from the get go you know what your in for.

This was a total cover request, this cover and the rest of the series are simply stunning! The story however was just OK. I wasn't overly fussed on the characters and the world-building had much more potential.

I really enjoyed this! It was very whimsical and fast paced and had my on the edge of my seat. I found the world to be so compelling and the story was well executed. I also enjoyed the slow burn of the romance and all the other characters were really interesting and fleshed out well.

This was an absolutely magical read! And the strongest part of it was - you guessed it! - the magic system. I didn’t love the multiple POVs, but it was well-done.

The Raven and the Dove was sitting on my tbr since its publication date. I finally read it this month and I really liked it.

It is an epic fantasy retelling of Tristan and Isolde and it has everything. Betrayals, star-crossed lovers, fierce heroines, brooding heroes and forbidden romances. It is action packed and with many plot twists. I really liked the writing style and the world building. I liked all the characters and if I had to choose a favourite it would be Rafe or Cassi.
The ending was really good and left me with my mouth open. Thankfully I have the next books to read asap.

DNFd this one unfortunately. I wanted to read the whole thing but the writing really distracted at the time. I was super intrigued by the concept however. And while it wasn't a book for me personally does or mean it I would recommend it to a friend.

This was an impulse request for me. Based solely on the fact that this cover is absolutely GORGEOUS.
It is so eye catching and beautiful, the artist really nailed their job.

The rest of the book, not so much. I was initially intrigued by the idea of a Tristan and Isolde retelling. Much like Romeo and Juliet, I love a good tragic romance where the happily ever after is not what you are expecting it to be. If there is one at all.
So I was more then ready to see how the author pulled this off.
Sadly it fell flat for me. It felt rushed as if they forgot to put details in certain area's and just focused on area's that really didn"t need it.
I was also very confused for the better part of the first half of the book.True the questions got answered eventually, it still took away from the story that all of the information dump given didn't make sense at first.

Such a great book! I enjoyed reading this one so much! I highly recommend this book. Side note: the cover!!!!