I don't know where to start with this one. I absolutely adored it!
I really don't want to spoil anyone because I think this book is DEFINITELY worth buying when it comes out and I hope it gets the recognition it deserves.

The writing and the story are gripping, the world-building fascinating and the plot keeps thickening the more you read.
It starts with the courtship trials that will pair up the children of the current rulers of their world and it's as much skill-based as it is a political event. The ruling families embody different qualities and appearance traits of different birds. I.e. The Eagles tend to be super accurate with their aim and they're colder people emotionally, while the Owls are studious and scholars, etc. I really liked this distinction between the different houses.

Rafe is meant to participate in the trials posing as his half-brother, who is the heir of the House of the Ravens but, due to his physical disability, he asks Rafe to compete and get him a mate - their house rarely gets one because they're pretty much the black sheep of that world. But before the trials begin, Rafe and Lyana meet each other in a life or death kind of situation during which they forge a bond.

Lyana is such a likeable character even if it's naturally hard to related to a princess. She seeks acceptance and honesty with those she loves and she is forced to hide a big part of herself for fear of persecution and, ultimately, death.

Rafe struggles with hiding a part of himself for the same reason and they bond over that mutual fascination and fear. I will say that Rafe reminded me A LOT of Will Herondale from TID and I love Will to bits! He's selfless, protective and so so damaged. He feels unworthy of any kindness that comes his way yet he sacrifices himself and his feelings so his brother can be happy and a great ruler.

I did like Xander too, but I didn't think he valued Rafe's sacrifices nearly enough. He should have talked to his brother when he realised something might be going on and he preferred to ignore his gut and continue clueless. Despite this, Xander is super intelligent and a total bookworm.

I don't know how I feel about Cassi yet and I'll refrain from saying anything else because this is a no spoilers review.

The ending broke me, it was brutal and heart wrenching.
In short, if you're looking for an amazing fantasy with forbidden love, love quadruples (although I'd say this is debatable because Lyana is pretty sure of her own feelings), betrayal and dragons with political games bigger than anything our main characters expect, this book is for you!

The sequel can't come out fast enough!!

What surprised me most about this book was that I was so easily submerged into the world, sometimes with fantasies I find it hard to get my head around the politics, characters, structures ect but not with this one! The world building was interesting & you weren’t ploughed with too much information at once.

I loved the characters and couldn’t possibly pick a favourite... maybe Xander or Cassi....

THE ENDING THOUGH *cryyyy*

I ABSOLUTELY FREAKING LOVED EVERYTHING from this book. The book felt like it was perfectly tailored for me. It had magic, romance, action & strong main characters. What more can one ask for?🤩
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The characters are beautifully written especially the main characters Lyana & Rafe & the development of their characters as the story progressed. The story was action packed right from the word go & the chemistry between Lyana & Rafe was simply amazing. It also made me cry at times reading their struggles & especially the End. The climax was heartbreaking.😭 .
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This 1st book of atleast 4 books in the series will be releasing in March 2020 & I am already excited for the next one. The anticipation of what might happen ahead may quite literally kill me.🥺
(ok.ok...Sorry for the dramatics but it is really that good🤷‍♀😅)
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✨Would like to thank @kaitlyndavisbooks & @netgalley for providing me an eARC of this book. The views & opinions expressed here are completely my own.❤

*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book.*

"The Raven and the Dove" is a very loose Tristan & Isolde retelling in a fantastic setting with humanoid birds or birdy humanoids? There are wings & doves & ravens.

Anyway. The story. Every generation, the princesses and princes of the ruling houses are mated to each other in a ritual. The evening before this starts, Lyana saves Rafe from a dragon and nurses him back to health. She thinks him the prince of another house, although he is just supposed to pose for his step-brother as he is no royal. Xander, the real prince, is supposed to be mated after the three days though. In addition there is also a spy at court, pursuing her own personal goals...

I thought a fantasy Tristan & Isolde retelling would be cool, especially because I know the Medieval romance quite well. But the entire thing didn't entirely convince me, the romance was so boooooring, I feel pity for Xander, and I have absolutely no clue what's going World-Building wise. This felt too much like the first book of a trilogy...

2,5 Stars --- maybe I'm also too old for this very tame retelling

This is the kind of book that I would buy just for the cover. The art is really beautiful and it makes you curious about the story. And reading the book I can say that I wouldn't be disappointed. I really loved the plot. It's interesting the idea of people combine with birds and how they became like this.

The world building is amazing. It's something new and hopefully we will find out about every realm not just for the doves and the ravens. At the beginning you can find a map that helps to imagine where the characters are living and where they are going.

Also you can fall in love easily with the main characters. Xander is underrated because I know he can do anything he wants. He should believe more in himself. Rafe is the book boyfriend who every nerd will want. Lyana is that kind of princess with backbone but unfortunately I saw her more childish than a fearless girl. And Cass is the mysterious owl with a dark secret.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed the book and can't wait to see what's going to happen next. Thank you NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for a review.

Why do I read arcs when they just cause me pain?
I just saw that there is going to be 4 books. This book isn't even out. I need the next one. I need more Rafe so bad.
If you know the story of Tristan and Isolde then you can guess some of this story. But there's so much more to it and I love it

To be honest, when I saw this arc on Netgalley, I didn’t think I would get it. It made my day when I got the notification that this arc was approved for me! I was so hyped to read this book; the cover was gorgeous, the story was intriguing, and most important of all:

The main characters had wings. And there were dragons involved.

I enjoyed this book. It was entertaining. The story was so interesting and I wanted to know more and more. We are left with sort of a cliffhanger at the end and with more questions than answers.

Which is obviously a good thing for the writer and publisher, since I now desperately want to know what will happen next. Luckily for my poor curious self, there are apparently going to be three more books released in The Raven and the Dove series, so hopefully my desperate questions will be answered.

I think my biggest problem with this book is the characters. With Lyana and Rafe. Xander was so underrated and a sweetie-pie, while Cassi’s character took an unexpected dark turn that I enjoyed. But with Lyana and Rafe…the little, inconsequential problem called insta-love arose.

Insta-love is such a big turn-off for me that I put the book down in frustration and went to do something else.

The writing was okay; I struggled with finding any quotes. However, I loved the world building! The idea of floating isles seems so magical to me. And with an entire world living below, never seeing the sun?

That got me really curious.


Good Underlying Themes/ Messages:

-Your disability does not define you.
-Wild souls are meant to be free.
-Brains matter just as much as brawn.

These were decent themes, so a whole star for this category!


Fantastic World Building:

As I mentioned above, I loved the world building in this book.

The setting sounded beautiful and the people seem to have an interesting history. I loved how people’s views on some things in this book were different. One thing was seen in a specific way, but it was seen as something totally different by someone else.

The people were diverse and we skimmed the religion but it was still interesting!

A whole star for this category!


Realistic characters and growth:

And so we’ve arrived at the real problem of this book for me.

Lyana is definitely a wild soul. She can’t sit still for even one minute before she wants to jump out of the window and fly away to find something more entertaining. At times, I liked her impulsiveness and spontaneity. It’s a fresh breath from all of the serious and dramatic characters I’ve encountered. But then again, at other times she irritated me. Her point of view was childish at times and her instant ‘love’ for Rafe frustrated me to no end.

Rafe was the typical brooding warrior with a good heart. He wasn’t very interesting to me, remaining bland for the rest of the book in my opinion. His only hobbies seem to be fighting.

The relationship between Lyana and Rafe reminded me of a very common problem when it comes to so-called love in books:

Love and lust are not the same thing.

It’s the cause for insta-love in this book. I didn’t feel any chemistry between them and I also hated it because I knew it would hurt Xander immensely. I still don’t understand why they were attracted to each other? Is it because of they both have magic?

Moving on to Xander, my thoughts while reading his chapters were that he was so underrated and underappreciated. He only has one arm and because of that, he doesn’t think he’s as worthy as Rafe. His severe daddy-issues have probably got something to do with it as well.

But you know what? I would choose Xander over Rafe anyday. Then we’ll spend our days reading on a couch in front of a sizzling fire. Heaven, don’t you think?

Xander’s POV’s were so much more entertaining than Rafe’s, so I hope the author realizes what a gem he is and gives him some more attention.

Cassie was a curveball I didn’t see coming. I thought when I first read her chapter that she would be acting as Lyana’s own Impulse Control but she had such a bigger role to play and I’m actually sort of proud of her?

I really struggled with this rating because honestly, Xander and Cassi were the only characters that kept me going. So for the first time, I’m giving this category 0.25 stars.

This just goes to show how much I hate insta-love.


Interesting Story:

The only thing that makes me want to continue this series is the story.

I’ve got so many questions and I urgently need to get some answers. As you probably already know that this story is a Tristan and Isolde retelling. I had no idea what story that was so I Googled it (obviously) and this book stays both true to that story and not. The elements of the original story is there, but I think from here on it’ll take it’s own original turn.

Sort of like how A Court of Thorns and Roses was based on Beauty and the Beast, but the rest of the series is an original story.

A whole star for this category!


Writing Style Is Beautiful/ Easy To Read:

As I mentioned before, the writing was okay. It wasn’t bad or good, just average. I appreciated that the writing wasn’t overly dramatic, since that and the insta-love wouldn’t have worked well together.

Half a star for this category.


That’s it!

Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book but I’ll definitely read the next book in the series!

Any thoughts on The Raven and the Dove that you would like to share? Have you read this book or would you like to read it? Comment down below!

*I received this arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kaitlyn Davis for this ARC!

All in all, this was a pretty good read! Not perfect, but I did enjoy it quite a bit. I think there was a good amount of world building... not so much that you are overwhelmed but still enough to feel immersed. Perfect balance for a fantasy novel.

Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but I didn’t really care for Lyana or Rafe. Their characters were a little boring and predictable. Xander and Cassi, however, were far more interesting. Xander’s positivity, trusting nature and absolute love for his brother was refreshing. I also really liked Cassi because of her backhanded dealings... I still think she loves Lyana as a close friend.

My only major critique is the level of detail. At times it felt like too much and that it really held up the story. Around 60% the balance improved and the story really started to move quickly and become more engaging. For this reason, less detailed descriptions would have helped the pacing and overall flow of the story. The writing style was engaging and I think the author is clearly very talented. I just wish the phrase “pumping his/her wings” wasn’t so overused.

The cover was also not my favorite, it made the novel seem more YA than I would have liked, but I think that’s just personal preference.

Thanks again to Netgalley and Kaitlyn Davis for this opportunity. I look forward to reading the sequel

The Raven and the Dove is a wonderful, dark and incredibly rich dystopian/fantasy novel, so well built and fast paced that I wasn't able to put it down till I reached the end. I was absolutely captivated by the atmosphere and characters.

This novel submerges the reader in a landscape so imaginative and detailed that the information of the world building, as complex as it is, never feels forced, and is never difficult to understand or picture in one's mind.

I was so intrigued by the synopsis but was let down a bit. I don't really have many feelings about this book. It was okay but nothing to go home about for me as a reader. 3/5 stars.

Synopsis:

A princess longing to be free...

On the dawn of her courtship trials, Princess Lyana Aethionus knows she should be focused on winning her perfect mate, yet her thoughts wander to the open sky at the edge of her floating kingdom. One final adventure calls. Upon fleeing the palace, the last thing she expects to find is a raven prince locked in a death match with a dragon.

A bastard aching to belong...

Reviled son of a dead king, Rafe would do anything for his beloved half-brother, Prince Lysander Taetanus, including posing as him in the upcoming courtship trials. When a dragon interrupts their secret exchange, he orders his studious sibling to run. After suffering a fatal blow, Rafe is saved by a beautiful dove who possesses forbidden magic, just like him.

Fate brought them together, now destiny will tear them apart...

Unknown to the world above, on the foggy sea ten thousand feet below, a young king fights a forgotten war. He believes Lyana is the queen prophesied to save the world, and with the help of his favored spy, hidden deep in the highest ranks of the dove royal house, he will stop at nothing to have her.

My Thoughts:

First and foremost thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for gifted me a free ebook in exchange for my Honest review...

Four dates will collide, four very different lives coming together in very different ways. One unforgettable journey. If you like fierce heroines, brooding heroes, forbidden romance, and action-packed magical adventures with twists you'll never see coming. Getting caught in love triangles, destinies, and secrets. Amazingly fun and twisted!! The banter that is displayed at times between characters is hilarious and gives it a touch of lightness, comedy.

Action packed, and non stop adventure full of magic!! None-the-less, there is also lies, secrets and betrayals. I can't wait for everyone to read this amazing story full of diversity, fun, and magic!! You don't want to miss it!

4/4.5 stars.

Secrets, betrayal, love and loss. This fantastic fantasy has it all.

The only negative I have to say is that Lyana, who this story is predominantly centred on (although it is told from multiple character perspectives from one chapter to the next) was probably the least interesting or relatable of the characters for me. She had a few strong moments where she had more depth to her, but she's a flighty (excuse the pun) character for me. Not as fleshed out and real as the others. Everyone has their flaws, battles to overcome, their internal monologues are deeper. She mostly felt shallow and entitled and I found it harder to root for her. I also wanted more of the trials to be covered, I felt that there could have been more given in that area to really structure the characters and their bonds.

However, having said all that, I love the plot of this story. I love the history, the differing beliefs. I like the twists and turns, the lows and highs. The diversity and representation through out the characters. And I very much am, already, eagerly awaiting the sequel! I will be highly recommending this to friends.

One of my favorite books of the year. I flew through this book and was immersed in the story. I cannot wait to read the sequel. The characters were my favorite part of the book.

This pure fantasy novel turned out to be a wonderful adventure. It is set in a fantastical avian world where a princess longs for the freedom to explore the world below her floating kingdom and an outcast of soiled royal blood longs to fully belong to,and be loved by, his brethren. It seems that fate has brought them together only to tear them apart as duty, deception, betrayal and a hidden force thousands of miles below them conspire to break apart all of reality.

I will admit it took me a little while to warm up to the characters of this book, but by the time I was done with the first few chapters I became fully invested in them and their stories. Dove Princess, Layana, seemed selfish and childish, but as the book progressed I saw her differently and began to like her boldness and self confidence. Rafe, the illegitimate half brother of Raven Prince, Lysander, is darkly handsome, brooding, and fiercely loyal to his brother, all traits that make him utterly irresistible. Lysander is a bit meek, but good hearted and is just as loyal to Rafe. The three are intriguing as their lives intertwine in inexplicable and dramatic ways.

The settings of this book are lushly created. Each kingdom of the air having unique terrains and human/avian hybrid inhabitants. The characters throughout the book grow and become more fleshed out, with complex motivations and emotions. The ending was heart wrenching and exceptionally well done. It also had an unexpected cliffhanger ending, not something I generally love, but it was well written and made sense to the overall story. I’m definitely going to get this book in hardcover when it comes out in March and am already looking forward to a sequel.

Oh this cover is really what sucked me in to reading this, but once you get into it. It creates this beautiful world and retelling of Tristan and Isolde takes you there on glorious wings. Getting to follow an adventurous princess from the highest Kingdom in the sky who just knows she's destined for great things is swoon because of a raven bastard and the secret they share, but there are so many secrets surrounding the dove and the raven. This series is going to be a nail biter.

RATING: 5/5 STARS

Wow, guys--this book really was a dark horse. Having read nothing by this author previously, I wasn't expected to be blown away. But I was enthralled by the storyline and characters, and hooked all the way to the shocking ending. What I most loved about THE RAVEN AND THE DOVE was Kaitlyn Davis' writing. Her descriptions are so magical. The way she weaves together words is comparable to Stephanie Garber and Cassandra Clare, whose writing styles I absolutely adore.

Davis does an excellent job giving each of her characters their own personalities, motivations, and secrets. There are chapters from the POV of Lyana (princess of the House of Peace), Lysander (prince of the House of Whispers), Rafe (illegitimate brother of Lysander), and Cassi (friend of Lyana). The romantic entanglements are intriguing, in that there is a love triangle that emerges--the book is loosely based on Tristan and Isolde after all.

If you like romantic high fantasy, I definitely recommend this one! It's a combo of fantastic world-building + emotionally complex and racially diverse characters + fast-moving plot. I'm ready for the next book already!

A sincere thanks to NetGalley and Kaitlyn Davis for providing an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Social: @_shelf.awareness on Instagram

I don't generally read a lot of YA, but was drawn to this book for its beautiful cover and the comparisons to Sarah J Maas. It was an enjoyable read for the most part, although I found it a little too slow paced to be absolutely gripping. The world building was excellent though, and I would probably still read the rest of the series.

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

This book started off a little slow, and it didn't really pick up the pace much afterwards. I really enjoyed seeing Lyana and Rafe's relationship progress, although I wasn't quite satisfied with where it ended in this book. While this was probably intended by the author, I wasn't really left feeling anything. I didn't really feel like I was rooting really hard for them, and I wasn't bawling that they (SPOILER) separated.
I'm still interested in reading the next book to see where this goes, so hopefully it can redeem some of the shaky bits of this one.

i was first drawn in by this beautiful cover and I also enjoyed the different character POV in this book,. There was magic, and the plot was full of depth. These characters and this atmosphere stole my heart! I was totally floored by the end and I need a sequel now!! This was full of intrigue, betrayal, friendships, and chemistry. A must read of the year!!!!