I'm intrigued by this book, but I'm struggling to keep up with the audiobook version. I think if I could physically read this novella, I'd be fully invested. I really liked the world Roth was creating and the premise of the story that she was telling, but I couldn't remain present with this narrator.

Title: When Among Crows
Author: Veronica Roth
Genre: Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Series or Standalone: Standalone
Narrator: Helen Laser, James Fouhey, and Tim Campbell
Rating: 4 stars

I’m thrilled to have been selected as a Macmillan Audio partner and elected to receive When Among Crows as one of my picks for the month of May. Thank you to Veronica and Mac Audio for the opportunity to listen to an advance audio copy of When Among Crows.

Dymitr is a hunter, but being a hunter comes with a price. He must sacrifice his soul in order to slay monsters and keep the world safe. His newest mission is to find Baby Jaga, but to accomplish this he will have to join forces with one of those who is typically his target.

Ala is cursed and has nothing to do but wait to die. Until Dymitr comes along and offers a cure in exchange for her help - an offer she cannot refuse.

As they form an unlikely alliance, secrets come out and everyone’s risk of demise increases.

This is a quick hit of a book, clocking in at just under 200 pages and took me just under 2 hours to listen to at the speed I use, however don’t let that turn you away because this book packs a punch. A lot of information and what feels like a very complete story is achieved in such a small span of time. I typically shy away from novellas as they leave me wanting more and feeling unfulfilled. This one did leave me wanting more, but that’s because I feel like Veronica built us such a cool world with so many possibilities to explore. The story she told us was definitely fulfilling.

Chicago is always a great setting, especially as a dystopian setting (hey Veronica, I see what you did there! Gave us a little fond memory of Divergent). You can tell that she really knows the setting she’s chosen and any liberties she’s taken are carefully considered and fit well within the idea that readers already have of a place. The combination of Slavic folklore and modern Chicago sounds like an odd combo, but she wove them together very well.

The audio was performed well and I do believe that it will add to the experience for someone who may be a little hesitant to read a story with folklore roots (I know that can be a daunting task for some readers).

This book/novella is AMAZING! As someone who lived in both Poland and Chicago in the span of a year, this book was an amazing nostalgic trip for me. I loved revisiting the city I love with creatures from Polish folklore living the shadows and running amok.

I was graciously given the audiobook arc from @netgalley and I was so impressed by the cast and the Polish pronunciation- although one narrator mispronounced words in the prose, which I couldn’t tell if it was on purpose or not since her character would mispronounce the words in dialogue since the character didn’t grow up speaking it.

My Polish excitement and nostalgia aside, the story was wonderful. The bookstagrammer/booktoker @emmaskies recommended not reading the synopsis going into it, and I agree. The book has beautiful reveals and turns, and asks the question of whether monsters and humans are all that different. The ending is very satisfying and I didn’t expect it at all.

When Among Crows earns 5 stars from me.

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!

Dymitr is a monster hunter who must find the legendary witch Baba Jaga in order to fulfil his mission in the Chicago underworld. This one surprised me. I'm not the biggest urban fantasy stan, but I like to pick one up from time to time. Luckily, this one gave me all the feels I'm looking for-- specifically the "tortured soul giving everything and being utterly lovable in the process" feels that I'm a total sucker for. Basically, I adored Dymitr. I actually liked all of the characters-- they managed to feel quite fleshed out despite the very short length of this story. Also, just look at that cover, will you?

Going into this audiobook I wasn't sure what to expect, I had heard such mixed reviews but I'm so glad I gave this one a chance.

Now I will admit getting used to a magical modern Chicago took me a while to get into but the amazing talents of our narrators brought this alternate world to life.

While there were moments I felt like this was a little rushed, but I can hope that just leaves room for a second book in this wonderful world I've fallen in love with.

While yes this world is full of dark magic and pain, it's also full of hope and possibilities that are beyond amazing.

Speaking of amazing let's talk for a moment about our narrators. Recently I've found hust how much I enjoy multiple narrators in a fantasy setting and this is a perfect example, Helen Laser, James Fouhey, and Tim Campbell are a brilliant trio to bring our characters to life, I thuroughly enjoyed what each of them brought to the experience of this audiobook.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing a copy of this Audiobook, I have voluntarily listened to it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC Copy!

There was so much about this book that I enjoyed but I just wish there had been more of it.

Slavic folklore, modern fantasy with high fantasy elements, an unlikely cast of characters, and Baba Yaga, what more could you want.

I really enjoyed the way that all the different folklore characters were sprinkled into the story while we follow our main characters on their different journeys.

This was a satisfying read. For a such a short novel, the author masterfully makes quick work of introducing the characters and magical world. The magic felt fresh to me (emotional vampires, borderline-cultish bone swordsmen, Polish mythology, blood curses). I’m torn between loving that this was a quick stand alone fantasy, and hoping the author will continue these characters’ stories in another book, or at least write something else set in the same world.

(Okay, but the fingernail removal… I’m not okay)

Dymitr is on a quest to find Baba Jaga, and enlists (well bribes) the aide of Ala, a cursed witch, to help him find her with the promise of a curse breaking flower he carries in his jacket.
I had really hoped to enjoy this more, as anything involving Baba Jaga is right up my alley, but it just felt very slow moving and difficult to get engrossed in. The world building was nice, I just never felt like there was enough time spent getting to know to world and characters to truly immerse myself in their journey. Always a bit hit or miss with novellas.

I love when a multiple-perspective audiobook uses different narrators for each character. The experience is heightened so much and it makes it easier for me to keep track of which character is which, something I occasionally struggle with in audio form. The opening chapter hooked me right in, and I was locked for the rest of this short, fast-paced adventure.

For anyone who believes a fantasy book has to be long to have captivating world building, this is proof you are dead wrong.

I wish I could read a book like this a day. Sadly, this is on another level and most novellas don’t quite make it here. I devoured every minute of this short, but enchanting story of love, redemption, and transformation!

Plot - 5
Writing and Editing - 5
Character Development - 5 (for a novella)
Narration - 5
Personal Bias - 5
Final Score - 5

Thank you Macmillan audio, Veronica Roth, and NetGalley for my advanced copy audio review. My opinions are my own.

When Among Crows is out now!

3.75 Rounded Up

Okay, so I went into this one kinda blind. Got the audiobook from netgalley and I've enjoyed work from the author before and fortunately this one didn't disappoint. You have a few mystical beings in, what I think is, an urban setting who are on a mission to find Baba Jaga. It was a super quick read and it had a lot of fun elements introduced without it feeling too overwhelming or busy. That being said I wasn't gripped in the way that I like, but since it was so short that ended up not being an issue, but it does mean its not a favorite even though I did like it. The story was an enjoyable and quick to read, the characters were interesting although I didn't have enough time to really connect with them, and the world building was pretty cool. I would totally recommend this to anyone who likes urban fantasy.

The fact that this deals with Polish folklore was interesting to me.

What I learned is that folklore is probably not my jam.

It was a well written story and those who love folklore will love it. But I just struggled to get invested.

Many thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this audiobook for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

DAMN, VERONICA ROTH!

GUYS.
I must admit, I completely hated the Divergent series. A lot. I really cannot begin to go into all the negative emotions I feel about it. I saw the cover of this book and thought it was nice, saw Veronica Roth's name on the cover, and was like oh..... no. But I read the description anyways and was like hmmmmm, this does sound up my alley though, so maybe I'll give Mrs. Roth another try.

THIS BOOK FLOORED ME. I don't think I'll ever be over how incredible the world-building is (evil holy knights with swords in their SPINES???) and how fantastic the characters are. I got so attached to them over the course of the book. It's incredible how much depth (character growth, world-building, etc) was packed into such a short story.

All this to say, I've learned you can't judge an author based on their first book series. I really need to check out more of Mrs. Roth's repertoire it seems!

A note on the audiobook: As much as I loved this story, I HATED the audiobook version. It seems as though the three narrators did not have consistency among their accents (one gave Nico a Polish accent and the other two didn't). I also disliked Nico's narrator immensely as his voice felt very flat compared to the other two. I would not recommend the audiobook as it is, but I would HELLA recommend the paper copy.

Publication Date: 14 May 2024

I've really enjoyed novels from Veronica Roth in the past including the Divergent series and Carve the Mark Duology. When Among Crows is much shorter, but I loved it just as much.

I thought the plot was intriguing and different from many main stream fantasy novels being published right now. It is beautifully written and, though short, Roth quickly brings her readers into the world of Slavic folkore. There is so much mystery within the book and though, little tidbits of information are revealed along the way I still felt taken aback when all the details were laid bare.

I found all the characters entertaining and relatable. The narrators for each character were wonderful, though there was some confusion over accents. While there is an obvious tone of good vs. evil, I felt as though Roth kept us guessing as to which side was which reinforcing the idea that even though we grow up being taught one side is good and one side is bad, the concept is clearly more gray.

At the end of this novel I felt myself wanting more - in a good way! I had gotten so attached to the characters I wanted to follow them into the next chapter of their lives and experience the future alongside them. With a bit of a found family trope, I feel like their adventures and antics would make for another entertaining novel.

4/5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishder for the audio ARC! I really enjoyed the narrators for this audiobook. The world of creatures with the Polish folklore in Chicago was fascinating. It reminded me of Olivie Blake's Master of Death. Overall, a great quick read.

I enjoyed this book, but one less star as I wish it would have been longer and expanded on the world, magic, etc. thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was alright, I've read better and I e read worse. It didn't leave much of an impression on me one way or another

I had high hopes for this book by Veronica Roth. I am a HUGE Divergent fan. This book was just a miss for me. I found the story hard to follow and did not connect with any of the characters. The setting was Chicago but I honestly couldn’t tell you this time period. There was a lack of character development and engaging plot and it just didn't hit for me.