Wow. This is was really good novella. Perfectly pace and the right amount of depth be world building. I think Roth always has such amazing concepts and this thus time it worked as a novella but I would be just as happy if it was a full novel or even a series that she could expand on. This was fun and with a satisfying ending.

3.5/5

I picked up When Among Crows by Veronica Roth solely based on its premise—it sounded metal as hell. An order of knights that pull swords from their spines to keep the monsters at bay? That’s my jam. It was a short, dark, and heartfelt ride that is a must-read for the top of your summer reading list.

The streets of Chicago teem with people…and monsters if you know what to look for. Dymitr was trained on all the signs and easily connected with a group of Zmoras, a type of creature that feeds on fear. But Dymitr does not fear them and instead, hopes to help one of their own in exchange for a meeting with Baba Jaga. Ala is cursed and on borrowed time. She’s wary of Dymitr’s offer but doesn’t have many options left. She will lead this strange man and jump through supernatural hoops to get Dymitr an audience with Baba Jaga in hopes of finding herself a cure.

Starting Crows was a jarring experience because I anticipated a 400-page count for some reason. I was mentally prepared to get immersed in a complicated, dark world I imagined from the summary. But before I got too far, I realized that I was getting a much shorter story and that everything would wrap in less than 200 pages. The premise sounded so epic that I built my own little reality and expectations around it. Despite preparing for a descriptive and lengthy standalone, I ended up loving the much shorter and punchier adventure it became. The best way I can describe it is that it reads like a serious Supernatural episode. It gives the reader a mission, sprinkles in folklore, pulls back the curtain to show monsters living among us, and throws in moments of levity to shake things up.

Because the story gets right into the thick of it, there’s only so much I can say without giving anything away. But I can tell you a little about our two main characters and tease that another fun character will join the mission later. But we start the story with the two mains, Dymitr and Ala. Dymitr is morose, serious, and not immune to the pain and suffering of the world. He expresses concern for those around him but treats himself with apathy. He’s a severe-looking man who doesn’t bat an eye when interacting with monsters, which is intimidating and intriguing. Ala is impulsive but not in a chaotic way. The curse doesn’t give her the luxury of time, so she doesn’t carry around doubt and is quick to action. Of the two mains, more attention was given to Dymitr’s story so I feel less connected to Ala, but I did enjoy both of their roles in this story.

Amidst the otherworldly mission are themes surrounding cultural heritage and the varying ways we can be immersed in it but still isolated. Roth primarily focuses on scenarios where the character is not fully part of their group. The characters are seen as “other” even though there is connective tissue that binds them to their people. This can look like a character growing up immersed in the culture but rejecting it entirely or another who was purposefully made ignorant of their culture but has to live within it. There are even more interesting ways this theme manifests, but that gets into spoiler territory.

I haven’t read a Veronica Roth story before, but despite how you may feel about her other novels there’s no reason why you shouldn’t pick up When Among Crows. It’s a short and bittersweet standalone guaranteed to entertain you for a night or two.

Rating: When Among Crows - 8.5/10
-Brandee

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The thoughts on this story are my own.

I didn't realize this was a novella when i requested it so for me it was over too quickly!
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I loved the layering of the magic and monsters and creatures .But for me it felt rushed .I really feel like this could have been longer and I would have enjoyed it more

Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc. All opinions are my own,

I love Roth's novellas and this was no exception!! This was such a short but jam packed story and I breezed through it!! I loved every second of it. Fingers crossed for a sequel.

I would like to thank Tor, NetGalley, and the author for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

“Chicago was a city ruled by monsters, and all those monsters were women—strzyga, zmora, and llorona, each a legend of wronged women, sinful women, mysterious women. Tragic and powerful figures, all, not to be underestimated.”

Read if you like:
🌃 Urban Fantasy
🇵🇱 Slavic mythology
❤️‍🩹 Forgiveness and healing
📓 Novellas

Hidden from humans in Chicago, monsters from Slavic folklore rule the city. Dymitr’s life is full of pain, and regret. To make up for his sins, he is willing to sacrifice part of his soul to change his life. But he needs to find Baba Jaga to do it. He obtains an enchanted flower and offers it to Ala, to cure her curse in exchange for her help.

There is a lot packed into this novella. I really liked the dark urban fantasy plot set in Chicago and I loved all the Polish references. I don’t often read novellas because I tend to feel unsatisfied and want more of the story. I liked how this story flowed, how it all came together, and was pretty satisfied with the ending…but I still wanted more. Maybe I’m just greedy. I wanted to know more about the strzyga, zmora, and llorona and think there could be a lot of stories set in this world.

Wow! For a novella, this little baby packs a punch! The incredible world-building takes shape immediately. Roth doesn’t overcomplicate this fantasy realm set in modern-day Chicago. Instead, she methodically layers creatures, monsters, magic, and Polish Folklore that’s easy to follow. Throughout the urban fantasy, Roth’s vivid imagery ignites your imagination as morals live alongside otherworldly beings. As a Chicagoan, I love all the Chicago details Roth embedded in the story - the Uptown Theater scene is absolute perfection!

Unlike most novellas, the story is not all plot-driven. Roth’s character development is quite impressive. She skillfully weaves backstories, making it impossible not to empathize with these morally grey characters. The three MCs forge such strong friendships that it feels a bit like a found family trope.

I paired the physical book and the audiobook. The narration was fantastic! The narrators did great with the accents and emotions, bringing the adventure to life.

Did Roth leave the door open for a sequel? I certainly hope so! I wasn’t ready to leave these characters or this world. I’ll read volumes 2, 3, 4, 5, or as many as she writes!

I haven’t read Roth’s adult work so this was decidedly different. It’s well written but in a stark, almost cold way I wasn’t expecting. It’s a very grown up type of book (which sounds ridiculous to say) but had me trying to place it in my own “categories” for some reason.

I was most reminded but Lani Taylor’s Daughter or Smoke and Bone (for some odd reason?) but more adult and with less feeling.

I think, due to its length, things were cut that could have enhanced the book so much. There was a rush, an urgency, that left me wanting more but not getting it.

I did enjoy the light twist at the end but wanted more from the story. However, for what it was, there was a lot to it that I did enjoy I such a short span.

Note: Language

My rating: 3.5*

—-
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Dymitr is man on a mission. What exactly that mission is, he's not saying, but as he makes his way through the hidden parts of Chicago, filled with creatures from Slavic folklore that feed on human emotion, it becomes clear he's looking for Baba Yaga's help with it.

This is a fast-paced novella with excellent world-building and character development. The author reveals Dymitr's secrets one by one as he gets closer to his goal, sliding in perspectives of the other characters along the way,

Thanks to Tor and Netgalley for providing an ARC of this book.

I enjoyed this novella and the premise of it. I also enjoyed the writing. It felt a little disjointed for me but I would recommend it to others who enjoy this genre.

4.5 out of 5 stars

I haven't read Veronica Roth since my "Divergent" trilogy days, back in the 2010s, and I have to say, I am thoroughly impressed. "When Among Crows" is a beautiful urban fantasy novella (set in Chicago, thank you very much), filled with Polish folklore. Need I say more? It's dark, Slavic folklore (my favorite), with a dash of the immigrant experience, set in the city I've spent the past 20 years of my life in, featuring a cinema that plays horror movies - this book was pretty much written for me. The author finds the perfect balance between its modern setting and the fantasy elements - it's the old and the new coming together in a unique blend that feels almost Gothic. The writing style is very fitting as well: it's descriptive and evocative without feeling overdone, each character has a unique voice, and mythical creatures pretty much jump off the pages. Also, a special thank you from me for getting Kupala Night and the fern flower involved in this story.

As expected with a great novella, my only complaint is that this wasn't a full length novel. I loved the characters, I loved the story itself, I loved the setting, and I was incredibly sad that all of it was over so quickly, even though I loved the ending. There definitely was so much more to explore, and I sincerely hope Veronica Roth revisits this world in the future. I obviously highly recommend it. Oh, and if you're a fan of "The Witcher", particularly the first two books of short stories - don't walk, run to your local bookstore to get your hands on "When Among Crows".

𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑨𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝑪𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔 by Veronica Roth
Pub Date: May 14th, 2024
Genre: urban fantasy, novella
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I would highly suggest going into this book blindly as synopsis are giving away a story slightly. I’m glad I didn’t know anything about this book before diving into it.

If you love dark atmospheric fantasy with found family, strangers on the mystery mission, unlikely companions, and fairytale vibes - give it a try!
This book is based on Slavic (Polish) folklore and I loved that it’s done in an urban setting on the streets of Chicago.

This was my first Veronica Roth’s book and I loved the writing and the story!

Thank you so much @torbooks and @netgalley for an e-ARC!!🙃♥️

3.5 stars
Veronica Roth is an author I’ve followed for years. I was first entranced by her Divergent series (still a favorite in my book) as many of us were. This book is a completely different type of story starting with Polish folklore in a modern human world. Monsters feed upon human emotions, especially fear. This world is inundated with these monsters that can harm humans but also the people that fight these monsters.

Dymitr and a long line of his family have given up their souls to fight these monsters. And yet, he is tasked with the impossibility of finding Baba Yaga. The only way to do this is to partner up with Ala, a monster. In return, he promises to rid her of a curse she endures daily. But their loyalties will be tested and the journey is full of danger.

The premise of this book is very original. I loved the dark gothic atmosphere with monsters in a human world. It did take me quite a bit to get used to that contrast but it fit the storyline well. For me, the characters needed a bit more development, which is common in a novella. There is just not enough time or space to develop them well enough. But I really connected with the struggle of taking long-learned beliefs and finding there is a different truth than what they previously knew. I love a character who can see beyond what they’ve known and find their own way in this new way of thinking.

I recommend this to those that love dark gothic vibes and found family!

AUDIO REVIEW: There were three narrators, two men and a woman. My only complaint is that the female voices were not as polished as the others. It made them sound fake or too young.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Tor Books through NetGalley for the copies!

"I don't find it painful to be ordinary." When Among Crows is a book that I was really excited for, as someone who hasn't read Veronica Roth since high school, and was curious to see how her adult books read. I did not realize going into this that it was a Novella and I am sad about that fact. I think this could have been fleshed out even more to be a full length novel, as I did come away from the book with more questions and a deep need to know more.

However; for a novella, I do think the story moved very smoothly. We progressed quickly and was easily consumable. I binge read this in an hour and a half.

This book is a wild mix of urban fantasy and folklore about an unlikely crew on a quest. Our three very different characters each has their family burden to carry but the navigating of regret, repentance, and responsibility allows them to come together. I ultimately think it would have benefited from being a little longer because it jumped scenes without smooth transitions and wrapped up fairly quickly.

This novella is a creative story that mixes folklore creatures with urban fantasy to create something new and interesting. The plot moved fast, the characters were interesting, and for so few pages everything felt fully developed.

My one complaint is a glossary of creatures and terms would have been helpful. I spent a lot of time stopping reading and looking things up so I could better visualize and understand the creatures.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes quick reads, magical creatures, or urban fantasy.

In modern-day Chicago, a mysterious man strikes a deal with a zmora haunted by visions: he’ll help her break her curse if she’ll help him track down the legendary Baba Jaga.

When Among Crows by Veronica Roth paints a dark and shimmering urban fantasy teeming with magic and Slavic lore.

I really loved how Roth draws on her own Polish heritage here. The story skillfully explores the diaspora of Polish descendants whose families were forced to flee during WWII. The sheer amount of creatures from Slavic folklore featured in this story--including a leszy, noonwraith, and stryzgon--is fantastic as well and filled my nerdy heart with joy.

However, it’s strange that part of the main character’s identity is supposed to be a big, shocking reveal two-thirds through the story … when that information is spoiled in the first paragraph of the blurb. That completely undermines the emotional weight of the reveal to me.

I wish either the blurb had omitted certain details so that moment could come as a surprise or I wish those details had been included earlier in the story in order to create dramatic irony and tension.

Overall though, the world itself has loads of potential. (I mean, having an order of knights who wield swords forged out of their own spines is metal AF!) I'd love to revisit this world and its characters again, and judging by that cliffhanger at the end, it looks like we're setting up for a sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor, and Veronica Roth for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

This is a gem. Absolutely unique from anything and everything I've read in quite a while. The only one negative I could give is that I didn't realize when I requested the ARC, that it was a novella. I would have loved to spend lots more time in this world. However, I will admit, Veronica Roth masterfully directed the pacing and characters within the space. What a treat to do a deep dive into Polish mythology in the heart of Chicago. ((I read a lot of mythology, so I can't say how much it helped that I was sort of familiar with much of the terminology.)) I don't know whether Ms. Roth is Polish but every page, every phrase, felt authentic. The book is so short I don't want to spoil anything, but suffice to say, Dymitr, Ala and Niko are all fresh, genuine characters who completely immersed me in their world within a few words. (The romantic tension between Dymitr and Niko was JUICY.)
I am not a Chicago resident but the setting felt very authentic as well.

Highly recommended but I wish there was more!

Veronica Roth has always been a hit and miss author for me. This one was okay. It was a quick read but I felt it could have been developed a little bit more and would have been better as a full length novel.

WHEN AMONG CROWS is Veronica Roth’s newest release. It's out today! I know I'll definitely be buying a copy.

This novella follows several main characters, the primary being Dimytr—a human with a myriad of secrets who is searching for Baba Jaga. As he allies with members of Chicago’s secret monster community to locate the witch, he’ll discover secret clubs for zmora showing horror movies and strzyga boxing matches.

The other main characters, Ala and Niko, were just as intriguing as Dimytr! I loved the queer romance element to the book and was fascinated by the idea of the Holy Order and their weapons—swords they must pull from their own spines every time they want to use them. The world building and lore within the pages of this book was unparalleled, and when paired with the intriguing characters the story focused on, it was unputdownable!

I highly recommend checking this one out. It’s a different kind of urban fantasy than I’ve ever read and I’m really hoping there’s a sequel at some point. I could read so much more about these characters!!

Huge thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing a digital arc copy in exchange for my honest review!

If I could say one thing, and only one thing, about When Among Crows it would be to go in blind: don't read the blurb, don't look at reviews, just go in blind after judging this book by its pretty gold detailed cover.

When Among Crows is a lushly written, entirely too short - in my opinion - novella set in a world that blends the modern with Slavic folklore together seamlessly. Dymitr, Niko, and Ala are so well crafted and three dimensional in such a short amount of time and words. I am desperately hoping that Roth will write more for them because I need more of them in my life.

Novellas typically don't end up being something I purchase to add to my 'serial killer' shelves in my personal library; however, I am so tempted to head directly to buy it as soon as I get off work.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor for the eARC!