I have mixed feelings about The Last Raven. The cover is gorgeous, and the premise is really interesting, but the main character and some of the plot points didn't work for me. Though there are adult themes and sexual content, the majority of the story reads as a YA fantasy, which I found a little confusing. I think I would label this a NA read, and I would say it's more fantasy than romantasy.

Emilia, the main character, is a human in a world of vampires. Her parents are king and queen, and she's about to take over ruling the kingdom. I didn't love Emilia or her parents. She is very naive and gullible, and she also doesn't listen AT ALL - to her detriment. She continually puts herself in dangerous situations and never thinks through her plans before acting on them. It became really frustrating. However, I like how she changes and grows as she is exposed to some of the harsher realities of human life, and the relationships she forges are great too.

Emilia also trusts certain people way too easily. There are elements of this love story that went really dark, and I actually thought some of it was really messed up and tough to read. I found the main romantic relationship to be a bit cringe and thought the FMC fell way too fast. I think because she's been sheltered so much and feels so lonely, she latches on to the interest shown her, but she went from dislike to love way too fast.

There are also plot points that I just couldn't get behind. They seemed unrealistic even when suspending disbelief. Like, why would her parents, who are centuries-old vampires, make their human child an heir when she's 18, especially when they've sheltered her completely from the world? They aren't honest with her and haven't really trained her or educated her to be the leader. It makes no sense. However, there were other elements I loved, like the exploration of this unique world and the juxtaposition of the desolate and bleak lives of the humans in comparison to the opulent greed of the vampires.

Overall, this was just an ok read for me. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

*The Last Raven* by Helen Glynn Jones is an exciting and heart-racing vampire romance that’s perfect for fall! Emelia’s journey as a human heir in a world dominated by vampires pulls you in from the start, and the chemistry between her and the mysterious Kyle is irresistible. Their forced proximity only makes the slow-burn romance even more delicious, and the forbidden aspect adds just the right amount of tension. The world-building is rich, and Emelia’s struggles with her destiny make her a relatable and strong heroine.

The plot is engaging, with rebellion simmering in the background and high stakes at every turn. Fans of *Twilight* will love the blend of romance and supernatural intrigue. It's the kind of book that keeps you hooked, rooting for Emelia and Kyle as they navigate a world full of danger and dark secrets. A must-read for those looking to sink their teeth into a forbidden romance!

The Last Raven is about Emelia, the human daughter of two vampire leaders. She has been isolated for most of her life to keep her safe, but when she is able to venture out into the world with her new bodyguard, she starts to learn that her world isn't what she always thought it was and rebellion is brewing.

Holy guacamole, I was not expecting most of what happened from the 3rd act until the end. It was so painful and then so satisfying. Got to love fast acting karma. I am curious about where this is headed.

Thanks to Harper 360 and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

Marketing this book as perfect for fans of twilight really does it a disservice. Emelias dynamic with her parents, global politics, treatment of humans, vampires' powers/weaknesses, general tone/stakes, none of this felt like twilight. Also, I found myself confused if this was a ya or adult novel


Thank you to One More Chapter for the advance review copy.

This book seems to be being marketed as an adult romantasy, which I definitely disagree with. It does have one spice scene, which is maybe why it's not being marketed as YA? The story is very much a YA coming of age fantasy that is told in first person with us being stuck in a 17 year-old girl's head for the entire book and the relationship between the protagonist (Emelia) and her parents is far more of a focus than the insta-love, teenage infatuation romance.

That being said, I think it is an excellent YA book and I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading it. The plot was fast paced and full of fun twists. Emelia is an extremely naive and sheltered teenager who has basically been shut away for her safety her entire life and we get to join her on her journey to discover what the world is really like for humans in a world controlled by vampires and then see her try to reconcile her relationship with her parents and figure out her purpose.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA fantasy and vampires.

Thank you to Harper 360 and Netgalley for providing me with an early copy to read and review.

Emilia Raven, the central figure of this tale, is born from pure vampire lineage, yet she doesn’t possess the typical traits of her kind. Unlike her vampiric ancestors, she has no aversion to sunlight, consumes regular food, and lacks the iconic fangs that define vampires. Essentially, she’s a human—though one with a royal status in vampire society. Emilia is the sole successor of the Raven family, one of the most influential vampire clans in a world both modern and ravaged by conflict.

Throughout her childhood, Emilia often felt alienated and helpless within the vast Raven estate. Despite being groomed to lead her powerful family, her lack of vampire abilities leaves her doubting her ability to command their vampiric underlings. At the same time, Emilia harbors a deep loathing for the brutal ways of the vampires, especially their merciless treatment of humans—a sentiment fueled by her moral convictions. Though her vampire parents adore her in their own way, they are also the source of the cruelty she despises, which eventually pushes Emilia to defy their expectations.

As the story unfolded, I found myself steadily intrigued. The author, Jones, skillfully unveiled the complexities of the world without stalling the narrative. The setting is one of grim despair, where humanity, once dominant, is now preyed upon by vampires who view them as mere cattle. While I felt empathy for the human plight, I struggled to connect with Emilia. Her character grated on me—she came across as spoiled, overly emotional, impulsive, and strangely ignorant for someone of her age and position. I understand that she grapples with feelings of inadequacy, but I couldn’t muster much sympathy for her. Her intense disdain for the vampires’ behavior felt exaggerated, given that she was raised by them. It seemed unlikely that she would reject their ways so completely without some personal, life-altering event driving her epiphany. Instead, her moral stance felt unearned, as if she simply decided to adopt a holier-than-thou attitude after observing her parents' everyday actions.

Despite my issues with Emilia, The Last Raven managed to stay true to its core. The story moved at a steady pace, with well-timed twists that kept me engaged, even making me gasp on occasion. The world was richly gothic, and I found myself oddly fond of Emilia’s parents. Their attempts to love and protect Emilia, despite their savage nature, gave the story an emotional depth. It was this complex family dynamic that made the novel a worthwhile read, even with its flaws.

I really was on edge about how I felt about the main character of Emilia Raven, some times I cheered for her and other times I wanted to shake her. Honestly I have to say though for the age range of the character, I feel these feeling fit. I don't really know what else to say that won't give things away, but the ENDING!!! Oh my gosh!!! I flipping tossed my kindle across the room and yelled!!