The world feels rich despite the short length, and Roth’s writing strikes a nice balance between action and introspection. Some threads could’ve used more space to breathe, but overall, it’s an engaging and imaginative read that sticks the landing.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this take on Polish Folklore. This novella that is inspired by the folklore (of my own ancestors even) was well written and concise. There was a depth to the story that without even knowing the history of the folklore, felt approachable. Dmityr, Niko and Ala all have their own troubles of their pasts and they find a way through those troubles together. The mix of magic and the real world is so well done!

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! Urban fantasy is a subgenre that I thought I left behind in the early aughts, but When Among Crows has shown me that I'm not done with it yet (the next entry in the Curse Bearer series releases in a few months!)

Excellent atmosphere, interesting characters, and a plot that I could invest in? That's enough for me.
Can one find things to pick at that weren't perfect? Sure, but I never felt the need to do so because I was having too much fun to care.

Recommended for anyone:
- with ties to Chicago,
- who enjoys urban fantasy with a somewhat Polish flair,
- looking for a fun, bite-size read.

*Thank you to Tor Books for providing me an e-ARC of this book.*

I wasn't sure about this book when I grabbed it, I usually punish myself with giant novels and series, so this little novel wasn't my usual choice, but the premise grabbed my interest and, maybe, I needed a little break from a gigantic tale. Am I ever glad I took a chance on this book because it absolutely blew me away.
You follow along with an unlikely crew of three very different characters who each carry their own family burdens. Ala, a zmora, longing to break her family curse. Niko, a strzygon, dealing with his forced role within his family. And Dymitr, a somewhat human, struggling with his guilt and family duty, hiding a secret that could potentially destroy his new found connections with Ala and Niko.
When Among Crows is a beautiful and captivating urban fantasy tale about repentance, regret and responsibility. I am so used to reading books with a more medieval based setting for their fantastical world that it was somewhat refreshing to be set in a modern day Chicago.
I've been trying to learn more about my own Ukrainian folklore history so it was especially wonderful to be immersed into the Slavic folklore that Veronica Roth brought into this book. I got so excited when Baba Jaga was finally introduced, I absolutely love all the different renditions of her that I have discovered and Roth created an absolutely fantastic Baba Jaga.
I was expecting a fast paced, action-packed folkloric urban fantasy, but I did not expect the deep commentary about immigration, cultural connections and Christian imperialism. Roth approached these elements with such nuance and grace while creating a lovely and tender achillean romance between Niko and Dymitr.
My love of gigantic series is making me wish that this had been longer, not because it needed to be, because Roth wrote this so perfectly, but because I so completely fell in love with these characters and their world. I would absolutely read a whole series.

I enjoyed this Slavic folklore tale following Dymitr on what we find out to be his redemption story. However I felt like the big reveal for the purpose of him starting his journey didn’t have as big of an impact as it was intended to. I also feel like the splash of romance between Dymitr and Niko was sort of random? I didn’t really sense any tension between them for their kiss until just before it happened. Following that the references to their interest in each other romantically were few and far between.

It was a good read but clearly more of a foundation book for which I’m looking forward to the sequel to see where our characters go. More world building and background on the different types of mythological creatures would have been nice as well.

I felt sort of "eh" about this book. I really loved the premise and the idea of blending slavic folklore with a modern day Chicago setting, but the book just fell flat for me. I wasn't engaged, I was at times bored, and it didn't grip me. I think I may not be the target audience for this book because I prefer something more fast paced, and I don't think this book was necessarily that. I also didn't love the narrator and main character, and felt the book was overall missing something. Very sad because I had high hopes but I look forward to Veronica Roth publishing more adult fantasy!

I enjoyed this quick novella! It was engaging even when I didn't fully understand what was happening in the book. There were some classic quest elements and some unexpected violence. If you like the idea of supernatural creatures living among us, and especially the idea of translating "old world"/folk tale creatures like rusalka, banshees, vampires, etc. into today's world, you'll be into this one. I really liked it! Thank you Tor for this e-arc.

Urban fantasy, found family, and polish folklore yup sign me up. Thier were many things that kept me intrigued. I did feel that some aspects were a bit lacking. Mostly in the world building, It may be my background that had me hoping for more in depth polish folklore, but with the length it's understandable. 3.5

I really enjoyed this book. This was my first book by this author since the Divergent series and I greatly enjoyed it!

When Among Crows is short, but it is anything but small.

Veronica Roth delivers a rich, eerie novella rooted in Polish mythology, packed with atmosphere, and brimming with the kind of quiet intensity that lingers long after the last page. It's fast-paced, gritty, and poetic — a story that walks the line between fantasy and horror with skill.

We follow a trio of reluctant allies as they face down supernatural threats that are more than just monsters — they’re tied to trauma, grief, and guilt. The characters feel fully formed despite the limited page count, and their interactions are layered with tension and reluctant vulnerability. I especially loved the blend of real-world Chicago with old-world myth; it felt grounded and modern while still carrying the weight of folklore.

Veronica Roth's When Among Crows (Curse Bearer, #1) steps into a world of fantasy that, while intriguing, doesn't quite soar to the heights one might hope for. Nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Readers' Favorite Fantasy in 2024, it certainly has its moments, but ultimately lands as a decent read rather than a truly captivating one, earning a solid 3 out of 5 stars.

The premise itself is pretty cool, as Roth often delivers. There's a clear effort to build a unique world with its own set of rules and lore, and for the most part, it's engaging enough to keep you turning pages. The magic system or the central conflict feels well-thought-out, and you can see the potential for something really special.

However, where When Among Crows might fall a bit short is in its execution of character depth and pacing. While the main characters are introduced with interesting backstories, their emotional journeys don't always feel fully fleshed out. You might find yourself wishing for a deeper connection to their struggles and triumphs, as they sometimes feel like they're moving through the plot rather than truly experiencing it. This can make it a little hard to completely invest in their fates.

The pacing, too, can be a bit uneven. There are parts that are genuinely thrilling and pull you right in, but then there are stretches where the narrative seems to drag, getting bogged down in exposition or less impactful scenes. This can break the flow and make it a bit of a stop-and-go reading experience, preventing the story from building consistent momentum.

Ultimately, When Among Crows is a perfectly fine fantasy novel. It has a compelling world, some interesting ideas, and moments of excitement. But it doesn't quite hit that sweet spot of being unputdownable. It's the kind of book you'll probably enjoy if you're a fan of the genre or Roth's previous work, but it might not leave a lasting impression or make you desperate for the next installment. It's a solid start to a series, but with room for growth.

When Among Crows is such a cool, atmospheric little read—quick but so rich in feeling and folklore. I flew through it in one sitting.

Dymitr was definitely my favorite—he’s complicated and kind of quietly intense in a way I loved. And while Ala wasn’t my favorite, I really enjoyed her character—she’s sharp and layered, and her dynamic with Dymitr was so interesting to watch unfold.

The whole thing has this eerie, magical vibe without ever feeling over-the-top. It’s dark, a little sad, and somehow still really hopeful. And I’m very into the beginning of whatever’s going on between Dymitr and Niko.

Huge thanks to Tor for sending me this and the sequel—I’m diving into book two next and can’t wait.

OK, MS. ROTH! Still haven’t forgiven you for Four, but this did grab me and pull me right in. I love folklore retellings. Thank you for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I am working through my backlog, and will be momentarily posting reviews for the stories I have yet to get posted but have finished reading.

This modern fairytale captivated me from start to finish! This is a quick read but man does it pack a punch. I can't wait to read more from Veronica!

When Among Crows is a beautifully dark novella perfect for fans of supernatural folklore, morally gray characters, and fast-paced storytelling with emotional weight. If you love urban fantasy with a folkloric twist and an undercurrent of real-world pain, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.

When starting this book, I felt a little lost because the pace of the story moves so quickly, likely because it's a novella. Once I got used to that though, I couldn't put it down. Dymitr is a Knight of the Holy Order from a family of Knights, and his job is to kill creatures. But he realizes that the creatures he's meant to kill are not just monsters, they're people. This realization starts him on a journey to unmake himself in penance for the murders he's committed. He is looking for the most powerful witch, Baba Jaga. On his journey he meets and becomes close with many so-called monsters, but he is keeping secrets about the real reason for his quest. One of his new friends has been hurt by a generational curse that his family set into motion decades before, and she doesn't know that his bloodline is responsible. When he finally reaches Baba Jaga, he asks to be unmade as a Knight so that his soul can know peace, and she makes him into one of the "monsters" his family has hunted for generations. Ala and Niko help him along on his journey and are there to pick him up at the end of things. Dymitr is soft and gentle in a position where he's expected to be the archetype of masculine indifference, and that is what makes his character so compelling. He is so intensely HUMAN. He feels the weight of his sins, and genuinely cares to repent for them. I loved this book and have already recommended it to others. Dymitr will stay in my head for a long time.

Oh, I enjoyed this! Wasn’t sure what to expect, so it took me by surprise. Slavic folklore + urban fantasy was a cool mix. I was getting Ninth House + vampires vs. vampire hunter vibes~ish? I honestly could have used a full length novel! I’m always impressed with novellas that can captivate me in so few pages. I do have the e-ARC for book 2 so I’m excited for that. A great novella always makes me wish I had more than a novella 😩

In this urban fantasy, there are magical monsters, curses, and Slavic folklore. A mission to seek out the witch Baba Jaga turns into a night of mayhem and mishaps, as Dimytr and Ala work together to break a deadly curse and stay alive.

I loved learning about the creatures and legends, and the Polish community in Chicago. It was a little slow at times, but I liked the little snippets of their night of adventure and the backstories to their motivations for working together.

"When among crows, you must caw as they do"

I was surprised to find that it was a novella, The cover is beautiful and compelling.
Truthfully, I wish it was a full novel. I was captivated by it immediately and she really did put so much lore and feeling into such a small beautifully written package.
I definitely recommend for a great little read. Small book, large story.

"I want you to live," she says. "I want you to try."

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC.

What a gorgeous cover! This is my first by Veronica Roth since reading Divergent many years ago, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. This has some really lush lore inspired by Slavic folklore, but the story itself wasn't as gripping as I was hoping it to be.