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!

Daniel Church's *The Ravening* is a chilling, atmospheric horror novel that grips readers from the very first page, immersing them in a world where ancient evil and personal trauma collide. The story follows Jenna, a woman whose life has been marked by tragedy and abuse, as she battles not only the demons of her past but also a far more sinister, supernatural threat.

At its core, *The Ravening* is a tale of survival—both physical and emotional. Jenna, haunted by the mysterious disappearance of her mother on a shadowy woodland road when she was a teenager, has grown into a tough, wary woman who has learned that trust often leads to betrayal. Escaping an abusive relationship, she finds solace in a new romance with her girlfriend, Holly, and hopes for a brighter future. But as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that the darkness Jenna has been fleeing isn’t just metaphorical. There are forces at work—ancient, malevolent, and terrifying—that refuse to let her find peace.

Church masterfully weaves together Jenna’s inner turmoil with the creeping dread of the supernatural. The claustrophobic tension in the novel is palpable, as Jenna’s personal struggles mirror the mounting horror she faces. The pacing is relentless, with the sense of doom intensifying as Jenna is drawn deeper into the mystery surrounding her mother’s death and the evil that haunts her.

What makes *The Ravening* stand out in the horror genre is its deep character work. Jenna is a fully realized protagonist whose pain, resilience, and hope feel incredibly real. Her relationship with Holly provides moments of tenderness and relief, but the novel never lets readers forget that darkness is lurking around every corner. Church portrays Jenna’s struggle to believe in love and goodness as a powerful emotional arc, making her journey as much about reclaiming her sense of self as it is about battling external threats.

The horror elements in *The Ravening* are masterfully handled. Church draws on classic Gothic tropes—dark forests, mysterious disappearances, ancient evil—but infuses them with a modern edge, keeping the reader on edge with unpredictable twists and genuinely terrifying moments. The novel’s villains, both human and supernatural, are unnerving in their cruelty and persistence, creating a sense of inescapable menace.

The setting plays a crucial role in amplifying the tension. Church’s depiction of the isolated, ominous landscapes Jenna must navigate adds a sense of dread and claustrophobia to the narrative. The novel feels like it is closing in on the reader, much like the forces that close in on Jenna.

However, amidst the terror, *The Ravening* is ultimately a story about hope and the possibility of finding light even in the darkest of times. Jenna’s strength, her will to fight, and her love for Holly anchor the novel, offering moments of redemption and resilience in the face of overwhelming evil.

*The Ravening* is a must-read for fans of psychological and supernatural horror. Daniel Church has crafted a gripping, haunting tale that explores the darkness within and around us, all while delivering a powerful, emotional story of one woman’s fight for survival and belief in the possibility of love.

This book was a journey, and I have mixed feelings about it.

I actually ended up quite enjoying it. I found it gripping, albeit a bit slow in some parts, however I was really thrown because in my opinion, the blurb is not conducive to this book.

I applied for this ARC after reading the blurb, and was expecting a folk and/or eco horror with some monsters from the forest. While yes, we got that, a significant part of this story line revolved around stealthing, kidnapping, confinement, isolation, and forced pregnancy. Despite the fact that I ended up enjoying this book, if that had been clear in the blurb, I likely wouldn't have applied for it. Further, there were no content warnings for these triggering topics.

As such, my rating is indicative of this missing information, despite the fact that I enjoyed the book.

This was a gripping, visceral read that was well written and I could be interested in reading the authors other works.

I really enjoyed The Hollows. However, this one was not for me. The publisher description was so completely different from the actual book that it seemed like it was done on purpose,, but not in a good way. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.

2.5 of 5 stars rounded to 3
https://lynns-books.com/2024/09/26/review-the-ravening-by-daniel-church/
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Didn’t Really Work For Me

I enjoyed The Hollows by this author so was really looking forward to this one but ultimately it just didn’t work it’s magic. But, first things first.

This gets off to a very intriguing start. Jenna and her mother are travelling when their car breaks down. Stranded in the forest things escalate quickly and Jenna’s mother disappears. Fast forward and Jenna is 30 (ish), the mystery of her mother was never solved and has left her with severe trauma and trust issues She struggles to hold down a relationship for more than a couple of months until recently meeting Holly. The two, on the face of it, feel like opposites, but they click somehow. They’ve just returned from a camping holiday, not something Jenna would usually undertake as she remains afraid of the forest since that terrible night when her mother went missing.

From here the story takes a completely different tack and not one that I was particularly expecting. The horror wasn’t what I was hoping for, don’t get me wrong, the situation that Jenna finds herself in is definitely horrific, claustrophobic and anger inducing – and I don’t want to go into detail here as it’s probably best discovered during the read – but it simply wasn’t what I was hoping for.

So, what did and didn’t work for me.

I liked the ancient evil that is at play. It’s a terrifying beast and there were some very creepy moments whenever it put in an appearance.

There are a couple of occasions where Jenna is, let’s say, making a break out – I found these gripping and tense.

In terms of criticisms. I found it very difficult to like any of the characters and this is really a problem for me. I wanted to like Jenna, she’s been through a lot and in fact continues to experience some terrible situations, but I didn’t find myself really caring. The same with the relationship with Jenna and Holly, it just felt very flat, they didn’t really come across as though they even liked each other to be honest, it was all super prickly. And, this is a small niggle, but the constant use of the word ‘babe’, it really irritated me, to the point I was actually becoming really grumpy and skipping over the dialogue in order to avoid it. On top of that, I’m not really a lover of dream sequences in stories and they play quite an integral part here. They rarely work for me.

I think some of my issues literally fall into the ‘its me not you’ category. There were some exciting moments, some tense scenes and the final chapters rolled out more of the horror that I was expecting. It just felt like a lot to get through in order to get to that point.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

The Ravening by Daniel Church is a chilling and immersive horror novel that delves deep into the human psyche and the supernatural. The story centers around Jenna, a woman whose life has been marked by trauma and loss. From the mysterious disappearance of her mother to escaping an abusive relationship, Jenna’s journey is one of survival and resilience.

Set in a small, eerie town, the novel creates a claustrophobic atmosphere that keeps readers on edge. Church’s writing is vivid and haunting, painting a picture of a world where ancient evils lurk just beneath the surface. The plot is a masterful blend of psychological horror and supernatural elements, making it a compelling read for fans of both genres.

Jenna’s character is deeply relatable, her struggles and fears palpable. Her relationship with her new girlfriend, Holly, adds a layer of emotional depth to the story, highlighting themes of trust and love amidst the darkness. The antagonist, an ancient evil that refuses to let Jenna go, is terrifying yet intriguing, driving the narrative forward with relentless tension.

Church’s ability to weave historical cult conspiracies with modern-day horror is impressive, creating a story that feels both timeless and contemporary. The pacing is relentless, with each chapter building on the suspense and horror of the previous one. The climax is shocking and satisfying, leaving readers with a lingering sense of unease.

The Ravening is a standout in the horror genre, offering a fresh take on familiar themes. It’s a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted, spine-chilling story that explores the depths of human fear and the supernatural.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I really enjoyed this book. Jenna witnessed her mother's death as a child years later what killed her mother comes after her. Although the plot diverges it doesn't take away the enjoyment of the read. I will be looking forward to more from this author. Thanks to Angry Robot and Netgalley for this review ARC

This novel promises to follow a young woman, Jenna, who witnessed the traumatic death of her mother on a lone forest road as a teenager, when evil comes after her once more. This description piqued my interesting and I was excited to pick it up. I also really enjoyed the first chapter and the dread it built.
However, this novel suffers for two reasons: It is too long and the summary does not even hint at a major change in plot at around the 25% mark of the book. As some other reviews have mentioned and which I wish I had read before requesting a review copy of this book, the summary could use some rewording to let readers know which direction the story will go. While the first chapter is really well written and delivers the dread I was hoping for, the story soon switches to that of a pregnant woman kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend and locked up with intention of forcing her to deliver his baby (which is not something I would have picked up had I known as it is not the type of story I enjoy). While it does ultimately tie together with the overall supernatural plot of the story, it was not what I was expecting at all and so definitely negatively influenced my enjoyment of the book.
When the first escape attempt immediately starts after she gets kidnapped, it was clear that one was doomed from the beginning and it was really interesting to read. However, due to the sheer quantity of running away and hiding and running and hiding (and on and on and on) it soon became too much and felt repetitive and tiring. From around 30% to 60% of the story I found myself very bored, as most of it was focused on (a variety of) escapes and particularly the second escape attempt dragged out even longer due to constant POV switches. Despite the many changes in scenery the actions of the villains as well as Jenna’s actions are soon repetitive as well. In the last quarter of the book my attention was piqued once more, as finally the lore was being revealed and we learned more about what exactly was going on and why all these things are happening to Jenna specifically. While I found that part interesting again, at that point unfortunately it was not enough to raise my opinion of this book higher.
I found the heavy inclusion of British vernacular intriguing and enjoyed reading the dialogue. I also liked the short flashbacks to the Templar’s which show which past events caused all this. In general, I think this could have been a fascinating horror story if it was shortened and the description revealed what can actually be expected of the story. All in all, I cannot give this story more than 2 stars.

Tw: slight fatphobia, death of parent, violence and injury, forced confinement, kidnapping, imprisonment, threats of rape, impregnation through deception (hole in condom), forced birth, threats of forced medical impregnation, gun violence, murder, forced institutionalization, graphic attempted suicide, homophobia, (past) bullying, violence, burning alive

This book gave me the full blown CREEPS!!!!

Jenna's mother disappeared when Jenna was a teen and she knows what she heard.... That night never left Jenna.

Present day, Jenna is a mess. She is pregnant with a baby she doesn't want but as she goes to the clinic she is kidnapped!

Things are not what it seems and there is something lurking that is not human..

The creature is CHILLING!! Its basically a horror/thriller twisty ride that you can feel breathing down your neck!

It could have been a bit shorter. That's my only issue but I love the writing style and I was fully absorbed into this book!

4.5 stars

This is the second book i have read from the author Daniel Church and once again i really enjoyed The Ravening. The author has very good talent for indulging the readers with his description and portrayal of horror elements. Filled with action, horror and suspense i went into the book anticipating said genres and i liked it a lot.

The characters were written really well, i liked Jenna she was a tough girl. Each of the other characters had all different personalities so it was easy to feel for them and feel the characters developments. We also learn about Jenna's past which i found really intriguing and was constantly wondering what was going on which is something i really love when reading horror books and this one definitely had all the right elements and is a eye catching read. The overall plot and development as the book goes on is dark and engaging and will keep you turning the page to the very end.

A true horror but claustrophobic read that i would recommend to others to read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Angry Robot for the copy of this arc in exchange of my full honest review.

Sadly I am dnfing the Ravening. DNF @ 25% It started so good, Iwas expecting a five star horror read but this is not what's being promoted. I also find it repetitive and uninterested. Took me a long time to come this far and I'm not even slightly curious about what is happening. I have to accept that this is not for me. I don't want to see the word lovey for a long time.

Overall, I was a bit disappointed with this book. The story dragged on too much for me as of the second half of the book - I was just not as captivated by it as I would've liked to be.

Loved this book! Loved the plot and it kept me hooked highly recommended. Was a quick read for me and hoping to read more from this author.