With thanks to the author, publishers Angry Robot, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed an earlier work (The Hollows) by this author, but this book, while it has a really interesting premise, fell a bit short in its execution.

After the first 100 pages or so I felt the plot dragged a little, reflected in the fact that it took me several attempts over a 2-month period to finish the book. The main character Jenna wasn’t particularly likeable, while her relationship with Holly felt a little forced, and the constant use of “babe” between them, both in person and with what I think was meant to be Holly’s voice in Jenna’s head, honestly got a little tedious after a while.

Also I think I expected more horror in the story based on the blurb, which wasn’t really in evidence and so probably negatively affected my enjoyment of the story.

Daniel Church's horror novel "The Ravening" presents itself as an ambitious tale of ancient evil and supernatural horror, but ultimately delivers a divisive reading experience that falls short of its potential. While the book shows promise in its premise and atmosphere, it struggles with crucial elements of character development and plot focus.
Strengths
Church demonstrates skill in crafting an oppressive atmosphere of dread and unease that permeates the narrative. The novel's foundation - built on ancient curses, cult rituals, and supernatural horror - provides fertile ground for exploring compelling themes about immortality and human nature. The author succeeds in creating genuinely unsettling moments and maintains a consistent sense of mounting tension throughout the work.
Critical Weaknesses
The most glaring issues lie in Church's character writing, particularly his handling of female characters. His portrayal of lesbian relationships has been criticized as inauthentic, with dialogue that feels forced and unnatural. This fundamental weakness in character development undermines the emotional core of the story and creates a disconnect between the readers and the protagonists.
Plot Structure and Focus
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of "The Ravening" is its mishandled potential. The novel contains what could have been a fascinating narrative thread about a doctor investigating the secrets of immortality from an "old god" - a plotline that readers suggest might have made for a more compelling central focus. Instead, Church opts to emphasize body horror elements, particularly focusing on forced impregnation themes that many readers found gratuitous and disturbing without adding meaningful depth to the story.
Writing Style
While Church shows competence in creating atmosphere, his writing falters in crucial areas of character voice and dialogue. The language used between main characters often feels artificial and poorly conceived, particularly in intimate or personal moments that should serve to develop character relationships.
Final Verdict
"The Ravening" emerges as a frustrating work that fails to capitalize on its strongest elements. While it succeeds in creating a chilling atmosphere and presents intriguing concepts, the novel is ultimately hampered by problematic character writing and questionable plot focus. The book may appeal to hardcore horror fans interested in body horror and supernatural elements, but readers seeking well-developed characters and thoughtful exploration of its themes may want to look elsewhere.

When a fierce winter storm hits, isolating the village, something terrifying begins to emerge. A series of brutal and inexplicable deaths quickly spreads panic among the residents. As they realize they're being hunted by a supernatural force, the villagers band together in a desperate fight for survival.

Church creates an atmosphere of creeping dread, with themes of isolation, survival, and human resilience in the face of unimaginable horror. With its blend of psychological tension and supernatural terror, The Ravening is a gripping choice for fans of atmospheric horror and intense, survival-based thrillers.

The Ravening is an atmospheric and gripping horror novel written by Daniel Church, and published by Angry Robot Books. A woman, Jenna Mcknight, whose past was marked by the strange disappearance of her mother when she was 15, who is trying to get her life back on track 15 years later after a breakup with an abusive ex; in a novel that explores themes such as body autonomy, the right to choose, and the impact of trauma many years after.

Jenna is seeking to rebuild her life with her new girlfriend, Holly, but it's still haunted by her past; nightmares are constant, feeding on that trauma provoked fifteen years ago, in a sort of experience that Jenna can't be sure if it's real or just sheer trauma. To make things worse, Jenna discovers she's pregnant, possibly by her ex, putting her between the stone and the wall, as she doesn't desire to be a mother; however, before she can't do anything about it, she's kidnapped and held hostage in the woods, where their captors pretend her to take her pregnancy to a term.

With this premise, Church creates a heavy atmospherical experience, diving into Jenna's traumas, and how that night when her mother disappeared is still coming to hurt her. She's not only having to confront her own traumas, but also a new wave of them, which slowly reveals more about the creature that has haunted her since that night. Through really vivid images, we share Jenna's experience, while the author plays with the fine line between reality and the power of fear.

The Ravening is a book that shines, especially due to how smartly the setting is used, how the woods are drawn as the base for Jenna's trauma, exploring them while we are also introduced to the creature that has haunted her. As a result, we have a really atmospherical experience that is mixed with some folk horror elements.
The novel is excellently paced, despite the challenge the own plot presents; the only problem is towards the end, as it feels a bit rushed.

If you are looking for a horror novel with a great atmosphere and that discusses themes such as body autonomy and the freedom to choose, The Ravening is one you will love. Daniel Church consolidates his voice as an excellent writer with this sophomore novel, and you can be sure that he's an author we will cover in the future.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

The book description hooked my interest, with the plot being described as a claustrophobic horror. I immediately wanted to know what that meant, and hoped the journey would be thrilling. It was, until it wasn’t.

The book starts out with the night Jenna’s trauma begins. The death of her mother was obscure, spooky, and very atmospheric. It left me wandering how the author would blend magical realism with the plot. But then the book skips 15 years ahead, and the mood the first chapter set vanished. The magic gone because the writer loosely ties it to Ancient Greek and Roman history. It becomes a folktale instead of a horror/thriller. And a boring one at that.

The characters remain flat the entire time, and show very little character growth. Sure Jenna lets Holly in, but she still runs in the end like she does with every other relationship. Holly and the internal voice of Holly is terrible. I don’t think a book has ever used the word “babe” more. I hate this pet name and find it devoid of all emotion. It became annoying to read, and then it grating. Every time it made me cringe because it’s derogatory, empty, and sort of a male projection onto a female lesbian relationship. I don’t think the author captured the way women think, feel, or express literally anything. Jenna is very guarded and very emotionally distant — stereotypical of most male characters with trauma, The women lack depth in this novel, because the writer does not know how to write from a female perspective.

Also the sex scene in this book was so poorly placed. It felt like it was jammed in there just to say there is romance, to tick a box. But gosh it was cliche and didn’t flow with what was going on in the Greylands. Like if I was being haunted and tracked by evil in both my waking and dreaming states, the LAST thing I’d want is to have shower sex in a cramped, dinky trailer. Jenna is exhausted. Why would she waste her time, energy, and safety for a quickie? Again, seems like a male fantasy, rather than an intimate eureka moment for Jenna. So cheap and so unnecessary.

The plot also drags. Like this book could have been 100 pages shorter because it just lingers on descriptions that aren’t contributing to the story or plot at all. The greylands were detailed in a way that still came off as confusing. So much random description only slowed the pace and made the scenes harder to picture rather than crisper. The voice she keeps hearing is also just incredibly disruptive to the flow. If it is supposed to be Holly leading her to safety, I don’t understand how she knows what’s happening. If it’s Jenna inventing a version of Holly, then it seems like she’s in love with the idea of Holly and not the actual person, which sucks actually.

I wish the author leaned more into the horror side of things. I wish the bonewalker wasn’t a flat misogynistic prick. I wish the metaphor of Jenna’s trauma wasn’t so heavy handed and unresolved. It was not the book for me, and it did not live up to expectation based on the description.

The Ravening by Daniel Church took me in a totally different direction then I was originally expecting, and in the end, it left me feeling sort of neutral on if I'd recommend this book in the future. I think if it followed more closely to the prologue I would have really enjoyed this book but I felt the idea that the beginning of this book lead me to a totally different story line left me wanting more from it.

Thankl you Netgalley, Angry Robot and Daniel Couch for the E audio of The Ravening.
Narrated by Emma Powell.

The Ravening had a really good premise and started off strong following our MC who's Mum tragically died on a country road, switches to a controlling BF and the dramatic events thereafter. I felt that somewhere along the line, the pacing started to feel a little off and I lost interest. I did listen to it all because there was enough atmosphere to keep ticking along.

Emma Powell who narrated this book, had a wonderful way of keeping all the characters individual and built in lots of atmosphere with her voice.

3 stars

This was deliciously creepy. However, it also was a struggle for me to really get sucked into and I found myself going several days without picking up the book.

Daniel Church is one of my favorite writers now. He does tense, atmospheric horror so well. The Ravening is no exception to his ability to craft a creepy, wild ride.

After the masterpiece of The Hollows, I was kind of concerned how Daniel Church would top himself. That novel is massive, an epic of horror. The answer was simple: he didn’t try. Instead, he’s adopted a more intimate scope, telling the story of one woman trying to cope with an evil that is specifically targeting her. And it works beautifully. Jenna is such a likeable and appealing character, and watching her struggle and cope and grow is wonderful. This is another masterful performance. I have some quibbles (the dialogue can be a little much, and I found the sex scene kind of cringey), but overall, it’s astounding.

Unfortunately not the story for me. I could see it be the story for someone else, though. But unfortunately I didn't fully enjoy it myself.

Unfortunately I didnt enjoy the book. The first chapter was intrigueing but as the story progressed I got more annoyed. The characters were immature. Their behavior was annoying.

This book started so well. Lots of tension, a good setup for a nice creepy generational horror.

Sadly it then turned into something I really hadn't expected, and which was a personal trigger for me. I tried to power on through, but it was uncomfortable to the point of having to put the book down (forced pregnancy).

I've absolutely no doubt that this will hit the spot for many readers, as it certainly is a powerful horror tale! But I couldn't finish it due to personal reasons, huge apologies.

Trigger warnings would be appreciated in future editions.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book to review!

This is another case where the cover and the blurb got me! I truly thought that I would enjoy this much more than I did. It truly felt like Church had NO CLUE how to write female characters, especially lesbians, and the language he used seemed very off when it came to the main characters speaking together.

And the plot? There was a good plot in there somewhere, but Church decided to focus on the weaker character and the weaker plot rather than focusing on what could have been a brilliant story of a doctor trying to discover the secrets of immortality from the "old god", and instead focused on the body horror of forced impregnation and all the disgust that comes along with that.

Daniel Church's The Ravening is a chilling horror novel that delves into ancient curses, cult rituals, and the depths of human depravity. The story follows Jenna, a woman haunted by a tragic past, as she becomes entangled in a terrifying conspiracy involving a monstrous entity.

Key elements of the novel:

Intense atmosphere: Church masterfully creates a sense of dread and unease throughout the narrative, drawing readers into the dark and unsettling world he has crafted.
Compelling characters: Jenna is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, her struggles and fears making her a compelling figure to root for. The supporting characters, while often morally ambiguous, add depth and complexity to the story.
Engaging plot: The plot is well-paced and filled with twists and turns that keep readers guessing. The exploration of ancient myths and rituals adds a fascinating layer to the narrative.
Shocking revelations: The Ravening does not shy away from disturbing content, and the revelations about the nature of the evil force at work are both horrifying and thought-provoking.
Overall, The Ravening is a gripping and unsettling horror novel that will leave a lasting impression on readers. If you enjoy dark, atmospheric tales with a supernatural twist, this book is definitely worth checking out.

What starting out as a 5-star promising read for me, started to lose me around the halfway mark. The pacing seemed to be a little off, and the plot went in a different direction that I'm not sure I really enjoyed. But, I did love the overall creepy dark theme. I would read another book by this author!

The Ravening by Daniel church is a book I was looking so forward to reading having loved the hollows but sadly around 30 or 40% I just wasn’t as into the book as I had been in the beginning. When everything happened with Jennas mom I was like oh this is going to be good and then the camping trip with Holly now I thought this is getting even better but then her ex boyfriend comes in to play every time I thought I got a handle on the plot it seems the playing field an atmosphere would change and then the big shebang and I was just no longer into the book I was so over it I am so tired of Summeries not having a good description of the book it is like someone told them about the book and they made the summary on that that never works out. It is so sad that these people get paid to write the summaries and I could do a better job. I’m not gonna waste your time with a long review I thought I was going to love it but did not. #NetGalley, #AngryRobot, #DanielChurch, #TheRavening,

The Ravening by Daniel Church starts off with an intriguing premise but ultimately fell short of expectations for me. The story follows Jenna, who has been haunted by her mother’s mysterious disappearance in the forest years ago. As an adult, she grapples with trauma and trust issues while navigating a new relationship with Holly. The book had some gripping moments, particularly when an ancient evil is revealed, but overall the horror and characters didn’t quite hit the mark. I found it hard to connect with Jenna, and her relationship with Holly felt flat. The use of dream sequences and some repetitive dialogue made the story drag in parts.

While I appreciated the creepy atmosphere and the tension in certain scenes, the pacing was uneven, and the blurb was a bit misleading. It advertised one type of horror, but much of the plot focused on darker, more unsettling themes like isolation and forced confinement, which weren’t mentioned in the description.

The Ravening is a gripping, claustrophobic horror story that explores both real and paranormal threats, leaving a lasting impact on the reader. It offers a bizarre, thought-provoking horror experience that would be perfect for a Jordan Peele-style horror film.

Detailed Breakdown:
Characters: 6/10
I never expect to get attached to any characters in a horror novel. However, Jenna, the protagonist, stood out as a fun, hard-edged character shaped by her tough upbringing. I found her compelling to read about and really enjoyed her witty zingers.

Atmosphere/Setting: 8/10
The setting was one of the most horrifying aspects of the novel. It added depth to the mood, acting both as an enigma and a symbol of safety at different times.

Writing Style: 7/10
Initially, I struggled with the writing but eventually grew to appreciate it. I spent the entirety of the book trying to determine what was really happening and felt there were significant plot holes, but the style won me over.

Plot: 8/10
The plot was intriguing, keeping me questioning what was real and what was a figment of the protagonist’s imagination. The story unfolded like a fever dream, raising doubts about whether the events were real or the result of Jenna’s hallucinations.

Intrigue: 7/10
I found myself thinking about the story even when I wasn’t reading, particularly curious about Jenna’s fate.

Logic: 6/10
The plot had some unexplained elements, and at times, the events felt too convenient. However, most loose ends were tied up by the end. The story’s reliance on superstition and lore meant that some knowledge was intentionally left ambiguous.

Overall Enjoyment: 7/10
I’m glad I picked up The Ravening and enjoyed it overall, despite a few minor issues. It left a lasting impression, earning 4 stars.

A modern reiteration of the myth of Kronos: the rite of Cronus stopped, overturned by an iron willed woman, fulled by self belief and what else: love... I am afraid I've really struggled with the narrative, which I found ludicrous. Full of stereotypes like: the rich wanting immortality, the overly rich manipulating anything and everything for their own gains; secret medical clinics conducting all sorts of experiments, conspiracies around the Knights Templar Order and so on...I really couldn't put up with everything mixed in, to make The Ravening even remotely believable!

Like other reviewers, I must say this doesn't hold a candle to Church's previous novel. While the horror elements where a bit much for me, overall it was a pleasant novel that I've truly enjoyed. Sadly I cannot say the same about The Ravening(I think the only enjoyable bit was that it was based in Manchester, Salford even hahaha, I really love that Church writes about where I live!), but hopefully the next one is going to be a good one!