Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for a free copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Wow.
Just.... wow.
First things first, I wish this was longer. Not because it felt incomplete or because it suffered from world building or character development due to the length, but because I just want... more. I want more in this world. I want more with these characters.

The concept of this book was fascinating to me. The folklore it's inspired by magical, the atmosphere potent. The characters felt real despite not getting to spend a lot of time with them. I was thoroughly hooked on everything going on as we moved from event to event over the 36 or so hours that take place in the story.

Veronica Roth is a beautiful writer. Not too heavy handed with metaphors or allegories.. just enough. I could see baba jaga's theater. I could taste the smell of fear that Ala experiences. I winced and gritted my teeth when the bone blade was drawn.

Listen, please, Veronica, give us more!

Genre: Urban Fantasy

I have only ever read Roth’s Divergent series(which I loved), so I thought I would give this one a try. I went in blind and didn’t even know it was a novella until I started reading it.
This mixes Polish folklore with A Darker Shades of Magic vibe.
I usually enjoy novellas because they are short and you can fly through them. This was no different! It was fast paced with a fun quest involved. There was paranormal magic and a twist at the end that I liked along with interesting characters along the way.
I was not familiar with Polish folklore, so I had to look a few things up so I could get a better picture.
If you like urban fantasy in a European setting with a dark vibe, check this one out!

Thank you Tor Books for the ARC! 🖤

I've liked Veronica Roth since her Divergent Days, and I've found all of her more recent adult fantasy stuff to be pretty interesting. This was no different - a weird, sometimes dreamy, sometimes very gritty story of supernatural creatures living in secret in Chicago. This is deeply rooted in Slavic folklore, and while that was a cool element, it also sometimes took me out of the story that I couldn't remember what the different creatures were and had to keep looking them up. I did like that Roth basically took her main character on a "hero's" journey (he's definitely more morally gray than a typical hero, in my opinion, but still) in under 200 pages and within the geographical confines of the city of Chicago. If you've liked Roth's recent adult fiction - especially Arch-Conspirator and Poster Girl, I think you'll like this one.

This story sucked me in and kept me up reading late into the night. I loved the characters, the folklore, and the resolution. I'd happily shelve this next to Katherine Arden's Winternight trilogy and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantastical found families and a heavy dose of mystical creatures in the read world.

I did not realize this was a novella when I requested it (so at first, I thought it was a sampler thing and almost didn't read it), and I haven't read a ton of novellas, but I'm starting to really enjoy them! And this one was, in fact, enjoyable. It read a little on the YA side of things, but the characters (and their relationships known and unknown) are interesting, the worldbuilding is fun, and it's clearly the first in a planned series and I'd totally read the second one. It's definitely not a book that sticks with you though, I read it last week, and have basically already forgotten everything...but it's short! So I'm in for a re-read when the second one comes out. 4 stars.

This is an interesting fast paced novella with some really compelling characters involved. I really enjoyed the folklore associated although I did have to take a few steps back when they used La Llorona inaccurately.

The prose was lush, and definitely had great dynamics in the setting and descriptions of surroundings and characters. The Polish folklore, and the monsters contain within the novel were some of the most original and interesting I have ever encountered in an urban fantasy novel. I loved that the book was set in a modern day Chicago with a dark and gritty feel.

While I overall did have a good time with this novella, I was a little disappointed in the world building. I felt like the dynamics between the characters was a little off, and overall I was never fully satisfied by the world built around them. This in turn led to me to never fully buy into the motivations of the characters.

Set in a dark magical Chicago backdrop, When Among Crows follows Dymitr with his dark calling and cursed Ala on a quest to the Baba Jaga—only they only have one day to cure Ala before the magical flower that will save her dies. The world building in this is so interesting, but for my taste, the pacing was so fast. But there is so much interesting magic and characterization. I just have a little trouble with novellas cause I just want more and the pacing moves a little too fast to really get the full grasp. But the story felt unique and the magic and writing was well done and enchanting. It had a lot of dark fairytale elements and it was bingeable, I just didn’t connect as much as I had hoped to. It did have some cool D&D vibes to it too though that made it a lot of fun to read.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. It’s unlike anything I have read lately. It was engaging and interesting. It had a lot of fantasy and folklore elements that kept my attention without being hard to understand. I love a story that wraps up so nicely as well. It was a quick read!

Typically, I avoid urban fantasy, but as a native Chicagoan (the annoying kind who thinks this is the best place on earth) the synopsis of this book was enough for me to give it a try.

I thought the concept was well executed in its atmosphere and description. The mythological elements based on Polish culture are unique and the author describes nonhuman beings with great detail. While the idea of these creatures setting up places of business to sustain themselves in contemporary settings is a staple for urban fantasy, I thought it was well integrated here. The Knights of the Holy Order who hunt these creatures were set up to be both visually and narratively compelling. Most importantly, Chicago is beautifully portrayed. With all of these elements, the building blocks for an interesting story are all present.

Disappointingly, it didnt feel like any of the blocks were used successfully. I felt strangely disconnected from the story's events. We move between locations simply to collect characters and not to follow the logical flow of the narrative. Some trials seemed too easily overcome and others felt rather pointless. I never really felt the emotional weight that is supposed to be shared between the main characters despite the author setting them up for a sort of found family dynamic. By the end of the book, it's themes were explored only superficially and I had way too many questions about the worldbuilding for me to feel satisfied about its construction.

Here's where we get into my very specific and annoying nitpicks. It feels good to read a book that puts Chicago in such high regard, but there are some narrative choices that didn't really make sense to me. None of the locations (other than the Stanislaus Kostka Church) have any significant historical connection to the Polish community here in Chicago. I wonder why the author chose to have most of the book take place around Uptown/Edgewater when what was once known as Polish downtown is in the northwest part of the city along Milwaukee Avenue. Obviously, members of the community are not bound to those locations, and they are not as concetrated as they once were, but it feels strange to have a book so focused on the Polish diaspora and its lineages without even acknowledging this history. For someone who values these details, it came across as rather poorly researched. Obviously, this will not be a problem for most of this book's readership.

When reading this, you would never guess that it's a novella. It packed such a punch in the amount of pages it definitely felt like reading a full length novel. Roth does really well in balancing the amount of Slavic lore she brings into the writing. Just enough detail to follow along but not too much to be overwhelmed with minute details. We really get to know the characters and care about their progress throughout the story. Overall, the writing accomplishes so much in such a short amount of pages.
The letdown was the end, specifically that last little section of the book. <spoiler> Why bring back the people Dymitr encountered while trying to grab the flower? If you wanted to expand on the story you could've done it now, instead of leaving an open ended novella. </spoiler>

When Among Crows weaves a tapestry of Slavic folklore into a haunting exploration of redemption, sacrifice, and confronting our deepest fears. Dymitr, a hunter born into a legacy of pain, faces an intricate mission to find the elusive witch Baba Jaga. In a surprising twist, he forms an alliance with the very creatures he's sworn to destroy, including Ala, a zmora wrestling with her own ominous destiny.
The narrative is swift, a relentless dance through the shadows of Chicago's underworld, where time ticks away and secrets unfurl like tendrils of dark magic. The author masterfully draws from the rich well of Slavic mythology, infusing the tale with an atmospheric depth that adds layers to the characters' struggles.
The author skillfully balances the mystical and the human elements, creating a world where the supernatural and the mundane coexist seamlessly. The unfolding of Dymitr's secrets adds an intriguing layer of suspense, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation.
When Among Crows is a thought-provoking and visually vivid exploration of folklore's enduring power. The author's narrative prowess shines through, creating a tale that captivates with its atmospheric allure and resonates with the age-old questions of morality and self-discovery. A solid four stars for a novel that gracefully navigates the delicate intersection of myth and the human experience.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you #netgalley for this ARC.

When I requested this book, it was based on the cover and the description. I wasn't particularly drawn to the author, though I enjoyed the Divergent series for the fun teen work it was. (I also am part of the minority that liked the ending.) My rating system means 5 stars is revolutionary, life changing for me. And despite this getting a 4.5 in my book, I can't bring myself to round down because it is that good.

I was immediately drawn to this world of monsters that I had heard referenced but knew little about, some of them being completely new. And I found myself compelled by our main character, the hidden secrets and the foreshadowing of the past. Everything ties together in a way that leaves the reader knowing it could not have been any other way. I hope we see more of this world, these characters.

Love the mix of fantasy and the modern, in particular the Slavic mythology. Dark and crackling. I will definitely be ordering for my library.

I was immediately sold because Veronica Roth got me into dystopian fiction in high school. So glad to have come back to her with a fairy tale feel in my late 20's. This is definitely for all the fairy tale lovers.

Veronica Roth does it again! I have read everything she has written and have not been disappointed yet! I can not wait for everyone to get their hands on this book!

When Among Crows is a lush, action-packed novella steeped in Polish mythology that tells the story of a hidden world and the individuals that reside within it. In a relatively short amount of time, Veronica Roth was able to skillfully build a cohesive world layered atop our own, with characters that were compelling and sympathetic. I enjoyed learning more about Ala, Niko, and Dymitr, and I felt as though their motivations and backstories were super clear and propulsive. I really liked the arc of this story and I felt that Roth brought things to a very satisfying conclusion. I would be so intrigued to read more stories from this world and these characters!

When Among Crows by Veronica Roth - eBook ARC
3.5 stars

Title: A Haunting Journey Through Darkness: My Mixed Review of "When Among Crows" by Vera Roth

As an avid reader who seeks out stories that delve into the depths of human emotion and the enigmatic mysteries of life, I approached Vera Roth's "When Among Crows" with great anticipation. While the novel undeniably possesses elements of literary prowess and emotional depth, I found myself grappling with certain aspects that tempered my overall enjoyment.

Roth's writing style is undeniably captivating, drawing readers into a world that is both haunting and beautiful. Her ability to craft vivid descriptions and evoke powerful emotions is commendable, and there were moments where I was completely engrossed in the protagonist's journey. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that at times, the narrative meandered aimlessly, losing some of its momentum along the way. The characters were okay, but I didn't find myself invested in them, maybe found them to lacking the depth that I had hoped for. Despite these reservations, I can recognize that this book is both poignant and thought-provoking. And while "When Among Crows" may not have completely lived up to my expectations, there were moments of brilliance that I cannot deny.

"When Among Crows" is a novel that undoubtedly has its merits, but it wasn't written for a reader like me. I would encourage those who are drawn to stories of introspection and emotional depth to give it a chance, as there is certainly something to be gained from experiencing Roth's unique voice and perspective.

As a reader, novellas represent a tricky middle ground for me: a short story has brevity, a novel has depth, but novellas fall in this in-between space that usually means I struggle to find ones I truly love. I say all this to preface the fact that When Among Crows was a real standout to me, a novella that I loved and that worked for me on every level.

My biggest impression of When Among Crows is, I think, how striking it is. It's a novella that understands the real power of a strong visual image, the way it allows a story to take root in your mind. That certain scenes hit so hard, and come to life so vividly, is a real testament to Veronica Roth's writing, her ability to viscerally evoke the atmosphere and sense of a moment or scene. (There's one particular scene from the end of the novella that sticks out in my mind so starkly as an example of this.) I described it as a "striking" novella, and that's really the perfect word to convey the effect of Roth's writing: it aims, and aims true; sets up the shot and lands it with both precision and impact.

But if the novella's moments land, it's not just because of the stellar writing, but also the stellar characterization. There are three main characters in When Among Crows and they each feel distinct in their own right, with their own backgrounds, vulnerabilities, motivations, and story arcs. More importantly, their stories are just really moving; they're not just characters you feel like you understand, but characters that you care about.

Finally, When Among Crows is, thematically, such a fascinating novella to me. On a fundamental level, I think it's a story that's interested in asking two intertwined questions. First, what does pain do? How do we value pain, and what does it mean to invest in the significance of pain (both symbolically and practically)? to see pain as a marker of having "earned" or worked for something? From there, we get to the novella's second thematic question: what can pain do? Can suffering be a form of atonement? To what extent can pain be a form of restitution, a way to right wrongs done?

Like I said, novellas are usually a hard sell for me, so the fact that I loved this one makes it stand out to me all the more. Writing, characterization, pacing, themes--all of it worked for me here. When Among Crows was great in the moment, but even more it's a novella with lasting power, one that continues to be memorable in my mind.

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

✨Slavic Folklore
✨Urban Fantasy
✨LGBTQ+ MMC
✨Plot Twists
✨Multiple POV

Set in modern day Chicago, we follow Dymitr as he sets out to find Baba Jaga. On the journey towards the powerful witch, he finds unlikely companionship in Niko and Ala, both of whom are monsters.

I'm not generally interested in urban fantasy but I genuinely enjoyed this novella. This was actually the first book I've read from Veronica Roth and I can see the appeal. She has a beautiful way with words, and not many authors could conjure such an intriguing story in so few pages. If she ever chose to expand on this world, I can say I'd be happy to read it.

⭐ 3.75/5

3.75 ⭐ Since this is a novella, you are thrown into the world immediately and it was a little bit hard to follow at first. But as the story goes on, a lot of my questions were answered and I was hooked!

The urban fantasy setting mixed with Slavic lore was interesting and I became super invested in the characters and their journey. I have family from Poland and enjoyed that connection, I just wish it was a little bit longer.

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