I love this story. It’s jam packed with action and very fast paced.
I’ve read it in ebook and listened in audio. I live the audio because it has three voices.

Dymitr takes on a dangerous mission to pick the magical fern flower so that he can offer it to a cursed creature in exchange for help finding the witch Baba Jaga. But when Ala, a Zmora suffering from a bloodline curse, finds out who Dymitr really is, will she still be willing to help him?

This was a really interesting, short read. I loved Roth's writing style, and she did a wonderful job at immediately drawing me into the story. Because this was so short, I did feel like I was missing out on some character development, but the events of the story take place over such a short timeframe that, overall, I don't think the story needed to be super long. I absolutely loved the focus on Slavic folklore and the incorporation of so many different creatures that aren't often represented in literature. I'm hoping we get more of Dymitr's story in the next book, as he seems like a very interesting character with a deep backstory that needs to be told.

Read if you like:
Slavic folklore
Magical realism
Queer rep
Enemies to lovers
Hidden identity
Curse breaking

I want more! That's the review, that's pretty much it.

I really enjoyed to Slavic folklore and the characters here. The mix of that with the Chicago setting making it urban fantasy was really fun. It was so short though and I would really like to read more. I paired the ebook with an audio copy and the narrators for that were great!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy. Looking forward to the next book for sure!

The best way I can describe Veronica Roth's When Among Crows is by picturing Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments characters in the world of Andrzej Sapkowski's Witcher series. It's very short and paddles into Polish lore but it just didn't dive deep enough for me. The themes in the story along with the characters and plot were just very surface level, in my opinion. It just seemed like there was something missing when the timeline changed from the present to his memories.

I received this as an eARC on NetGalley.

I really wish this book was longer. I really enjoyed the world Veronica Roth built and I wanted to stay in it for much longer than 166 pages. I also felt like it was so short that the plot zoomed by so quickly that I didn't really have to time to soak in what was happening. I feel like I finished it and I couldn't really remember what happened except that I liked it. I feel like I will probably read it again before I read the second novella just so I can refresh my memory. I think it is astounding that Roth was able to build such a lush world and bring to life three distinct characters in so few pages. Again, I wish there was more of it because I enjoyed it so much but that is really the only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars. I can't wait to read the second novella when it comes out! Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for a copy of the book.

3.5 stars rounded up for the beautiful cover art

Fascinating story follows Dmitry’s quest to obtain a special flower and use it to save someone. I really enjoy stories that help me learn about other people or cultures and this did that throughout.

Thank you Veronica Roth and Tor Books for providing this ARC via NetGalley. Comments and opinions above are my own.

#WhenAmongCrows #NetGalley

This book was an interesting read, and I was intrigued by the Slavic folklore that was presented. I loved the juxtaposition of the magical entities with the real world. The book definitely has deep themes and touches on a variety of subjects. This felt fresh and different to other stories that I've read. I liked how the urban fantasy was executed here. I enjoyed this!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in advance; this does not affect my review.

I really enjoyed When Among Crows! It’s a quick read, but although it’s only 176 pages, a lot happens, and you are taken on a wonderful journey of magic, supernatural creatures, and redemption.
The book follows Dymitr on his journey to find Baba Jaga, with Ala and Niko joining him along the way. They run into some dangerous situations, and I found the detailed gore to be a bit too much. The backstory and foreshadowing were done very well, and kept me intrigued. I’m looking forward to seeing how the author builds on the characters and world in the next book.

Like 3.75 stars. I liked it a lot but it felt so short cause it was. The premise was fantastic and nicely executed but I wanted more so I’m highly anticipating the next one!!

This was an ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I was unsure about this one at the start. The writing was not what I was use to by Veronica Roth; but I was pleasantly surprised by it.

It’s urban fantasy set in modern day Chicago with Polish folklore. It kept me on my toes the whole journey; Veronica even gave us a little romance subplot for us, Romantasy girlies.

I’m curious to see how this series will continue. I will be picking up the next one!

I had no idea what to expect from such a short fantasy book that I'd only heard a few things about, so I went into When Among Crows with low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised by how much atmosphere and world building could be established in just around 150 pages, however I think the character development was ultimately the main thing that suffered from Crows' short length.

You're kind of thrown into this seedy Chicagoan fantasy world through the fast-moving plot rather than wasting time on exposition, which I definitely prefer. There are several kinds of monsters to learn about and their motivations aren't always clear, but you get a vivid description of each of them and their differences with Roth's lush writing style. It really was impressive how much was managed to be packed into such a small amount of pages.

I did like our characters, but I felt like we only spent a brief flash of time with them, and it left me unable to really feel attached to them. We see them interact with each other only briefly, and each of our three main characters gets at least one semi-tragic flashback, but I didn't feel like I was able to emotionally connect with any of them. This book never really lets up on the gas pedal for more than a breath, so between the action and the environment and the mysteries it felt like the characters weren't coming across as real people but more so catalysts for the story itself. Also there was the beginnings of a romance subplot that came kind of out of nowhere from what I could tell, but I am curious to see how that plays out. I know this is a series and book 2 will be out this fall, so I'm interested to see if we get to know everyone better in the second installment and this first book was more of a set up. I can definitely see myself picking up the second installment, To Clutch a Razor, at some point.

Overall I enjoyed When Among Crows, it was refreshing to read something so quick and fast-paced. The world and setting really pulled me in and were a fascinating, dark backdrop for our character's mission. If you're looking for something to read quickly without sacrificing good writing then I'd definitely suggest this book, but if you need to feel strongly connected to a novel's characters to care, this might not be exactly what you need.

3.5 stars.

I always go into novella's with hesitation. I have found that it's hard for authors to really delve into their story quickly and with short pages. I found that to be the case here, a bit. It took a little while for me to get into the story. By the time I did, it was almost over. There were some places that I wish there would have been more backstory. This is where I find novellas can really struggle. I needed there to be more pages!! I did really enjoy the folklore that she explored and the characters!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read When Among Crows.

This is an urban fantasy that brings Slavic mythical creatures into modern-day Chicago. The blending of Polish folklore with a contemporary setting is unique and makes for an engaging concept. It’s a relatively quick read, and the folklore elements were the strongest part for me.

That said, I found myself wishing for a bit more in terms of action and deeper character development. While the premise is solid, I felt the story didn’t fully reach its potential. Overall, it was an interesting read, and fans of urban fantasy with mythological roots may still enjoy it.

I’m always leery when picking up novellas that the story won’t feel complete. Thankfully Roth does not stumble into that pitfall. I was pleasantly surprised by how well developed and executed the plot for When Among Crows was. There was plenty of intrigue, suspense, and twists to keep my attention. Additionally, the characters themselves went through plenty of growth and revelations to make you forget that you’re reading a novella as opposed to a full length novel. I also appreciated the Polish lore woven into the story. I had the audiobook for this, and it featured one of my favorite things, multiple narrators. It was narrated by Helen Laser, James Fouhey, and Tim Campbell. Having distinctly different narrators helped my enjoyment and consumption of the story. I felt they all did a really great job but particularly the narration for Dymitr and Ala. I definitely recommend checking out the audiobook for this.

Among the Crows opens with Dymitr on a perilous quest for a mystical flower that could break a deadly curse. To prove his worthiness, he must endure a supernatural trial involving an ancient guardian and a noonwraith who literally examines his heart. The flower is needed to save Ala, a zmora (fear-eating entity) slowly dying from a generational curse. Only the formidable Baba Jaga can transform the bloom into a cure, but her help comes with conditions that bind Dymitr and Ala together.

Roth successfully weaves Slavic mythology into contemporary Chicago, populating the city's shadows with creatures like stryga, leshy, rusalka, and banshees. The urban fantasy feels authentically grounded in both folklore and modern setting. The narrative alternates between Dymitr's past and present, exploring how childhood trauma shapes adult choices while delivering a story rich with betrayal, romance, and redemption.

The novella format works well for the intimate scope but occasionally feels constraining—certain plot threads and character relationships could have benefited from more development. Fortunately, a companion novella is forthcoming to continue the story.

This marks a significant stylistic shift from Roth's previous dystopian work, embracing darker, more atmospheric storytelling reminiscent of T. Kingfisher's adult fantasy. Readers seeking mythologically-rich urban fantasy with emotional depth will find much to appreciate, though those expecting Roth's signature YA voice may need to adjust their expectations.

Thank you to Tor and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

this polish folklore inspired story set in Chicago was so easy to read and had many engaging plot twists. I appreciated the blend of past and present which helped the story move along with such a short page count. The magic system and urban fantasy world was easy to get into. I think the romance was a little too quick for my liking and why I reduced my rating slightly.

This book was SO good!!!!

This had all of the whimsy of my favorite childhood fantasy books with all of the grit of my favorite adult thrillers! The relationships between the three main characters are so strong and beautifully written, we LOVE a well-written queer protag, and I can't wait for the next book in this series!

Thank you netgalley and publisher for an arc of this book.

It was a fast read but to be honest I rather it be longer so the story could be explained a little bit better you are kind of just thrown in the middle and expected to understand what's going on. At some points I found I didn't know what character pov we were in and was a little lost. The story was very interesting and all the character were really cool and i wanted to know about all the different species and monster. I really wanted to have more back story on the knights but there not even really explained. Think the book could have been longer. Will probably pick up the next book to see if we get more backstories.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback.

When Among Crows is a darkly enchanting tale that merges the urban grit of Chicago with Slavic folklore, creating a swift, fever-dream journey through one fateful night. The atmosphere is rich, from the shadowed streets to the ancient magic beneath the city. The pairing of Dymitr and Ala is compelling yet uneasy, with Dymitr's urgent mission and Ala's cursed vulnerability adding emotional stakes. Their fragile bond, filled with mistrust, lends weight to the perilous narrative. While the brisk pace and evocative worldbuilding captivate, some characters and lore feel underexplored, leaving a few crucial moments lacking emotional depth. Overall, it’s a striking, immersive read that earns 4 stars for its atmosphere and intensity, hinting at a world ripe for further stories.