Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the advance reader copy.

I think I may be in the minority of readers who didn’t enjoy this book.
The concept felt very promising and I was hooked by the beginning but then didn’t enjoy the character pov switch. After reading I understand why the author may have included this but due to the length of the book I wasn’t thinking about that character or their pov towards the end.

I got around 50-60% through and found that that’s when the pace got into some sort of swing. I unfortunately finished this to make sure I felt I gave it a chance.

As this is the beginning of a trilogy I wonder how much longer the other two books will be and if there will be similar pacing issues and a rushed ending.

1.5⭐️ rounded up to 2

Epic fantasy will always have my heart and Antonia Hodgson has given me a delectable meal of it with The Raven Scholar.

The world is beautifully rich in lore and politics that are unique and refreshing on the trope of gods vs humans. I was intrigued by the culture born from the different monasteries and how they influenced each contender in the battle for the throne. I enjoyed seeing each day dedicated to each of the Eight and how it demonstrated the different personalities of each of the characters as they underwent the trials, making them unique and three dimensional.

It was also really satisfying for how the dynamics between the monasteries were influenced by the natures of the Eight they represented.

Favourite characters: Neema, Cain Benna and Shal. Honourary mention for Ruko (he’s just a boy!)

Side note: Neema being black is very pleasing to me.

Very much looking forward to book 2!

I enjoyed the book and it has a nice build up but it just wasn’t for me!!! Releases on 17 April £9.99 on kindle version!

After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him.

Trained at rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal - Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth - the Dragon proxy - will be revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists - the best of the best.

Then one of them is murdered.

It falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering.

If Neema succeeds, she could win the throne - whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence herself to death - and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the empire

If I only had one word to describe this book, it would be magnificent!

This book was so fun to read, I enjoyed every page of it. The book immediately grabbed my attention by starting the first few chapters with the tragic backstory of the Valit twins, Ruko and Yana.
After that, the story continues. It takes place in an empire called Orrun. Its costum is that every 24 years, a new emperor will be chosen with a dangerous tournament. In this tournament, one contender of the eight monasteries will compete to become the next ruler. Each of the eight monasteries is named after an animal, representing their Guardian. Each of these factions are known for their typical characteristics. If we look at a Raven, they are known for their knowledge and thus are known to be scholars, lawyers, and clerks.
The FMC Neema Kraa is actually High Scholar of the Ravens.
The reign of the current emporer is nearing its end, so it's time for the tournament. However, right before the tournament, the Raven contender (who also happens to be Neema's arch nemesis) is found murdered in her chamber. Not only does Neema have the task to find out who the killer is, but she also has to compete in the tournament as the new Raven contender...

I love how Neema's flaws are very realistic and recognisable. Each character in the book has their own characteristics that match their Guardian. This also made the world building quite easy to follow. This is why I think this book is very suitable to use as a gateway to high fantasy.
I've come to adore a lot of the different in the book. I do have to say that at certain points, the certain POV switches can be a bit confusing. Still, the book read away so easily for me. I love how I had a wide range of emotions during this book. Some scenes were very tense, and others were really funny. There's a lot of enjoyable banter during the conversations. Next to the adventurous tournament, there's even a murder mystery, politics, and a very little romantic subplot in this book. Even though this book tackles all these topics, they fit the plot perfectly. Also, I need to mention there are a lot of very good plot twists in the story! Even though the book is a little chunky, it definitely didn't feel like that. To me, this book has everything that I want; good world building,good plot, good vibes, and lovable characters. So, five stars from me, and I NEED the next book now!

This is a long book - it was around 200 pages before the story really got going. There is a lot of complex world-building, and it took a while to learn all the various orders and how society functions. I was intrigued enough to persevere and did enjoy it once the story was moving, but it was a slow start.

Once the murder mystery aspect picks up, it’s interesting to follow the story and speculate about the assassin. I found Neema a compelling main character, although the long prologue threw me, because I was ready to follow someone else entirely, and then suddenly the focus shifted to Neema out of nowhere. I suspect most readers will identify with the Raven monastery, but it was interesting seeing the primary traits of the other groups, and I look forward to seeing where the trilogy goes! I also found the narrative to vary - sometimes it was clearly the voice of an observer (no spoiler who!) but then it flipped back to normal third-person narration with no warning. This could have been a quirk of the eARC and the formatting may be different in print.
This is a book best suited to fans of long reads, high fantasy, and complex worlds.

Thank you to the authors and publishers for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley!!

When I tell you I YELLED when I was accepted for this book, I’m not being dramatic. I had heard so many good things about this and couldn’t wait to sink my claws (couldn’t resist that pun) into it.

This book is layered. Layered as an onion, some might say. There were many different aspects to the plot and character developments that were very surprising. There were multiple plot twists which had me HOOKED, and one moment you think you know what’s happening, then BAM it’s completely different to how you thought. One of my favourite parts of this book was the exploration of emotions, as well as the development of the FMC. Her battle with guilt vs duty is clear throughout the book, and every character seems to have their own internal battles going on.
I also really enjoyed the multiple POVs, it really added to the story and it felt as though we had so many different outlooks on many scenes. I also loved the fact that there were footnotes throughout the book which gave context in such a unique way. I’ve never read a book like this before, and it’s so completely different to others in the genre.
My only problem was that some points were hard to follow, and I did feel as though the pacing was quite complex at times but that could also just be because of my ADHD - some times I couldn’t put this book down, but some times I had to re-read parts to understand what was happening.

Overall I really enjoyed this book and it was something I think I’d read again and get a different interpretation which I love.

Rating: 4/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Thank you to NetGallery for allowing me a chance to read The Raven Scholar as an ARC. Wow where do I start. I so enjoyed this book and the folklore woven in.

This book was difficult to get into to begin with, I had no idea how the first chapter related to what I was reading but I’m glad I persevered because wow the twists and turns and events that unfold are incredible and worth the wait.

I am so looking forward to the sequel and where this story will go. There’s only one final question, which guardian would swear reality to?

- Epic Fantasy
- Magic
- Deadly Competition
- Second Chances
- Betrayal/Revenge

Thank you to the publisher Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the eARC!

I'm so grateful I got the chance to read 'The Raven Scholar' ahead of release. What started as simple curiosity turned into full-blown obsession. I didn't expect to fall so hard for this story and its characters, but here we are!

This book follows Neema Kraa, a 34-year-old Raven scholar (finally, a grown protagonist!) who unexpectedly finds herself in the deadly game for the imperial throne. At the same time, one of the contenders is murdered, and Neema has to untangle the mystery, all while navigating court politics, secrets, alliances, betrayals, and trials.

Neema is one of the most compelling leads l've read in a while. She's intelligent, instinctive, and resilient, but also kind and deeply human. Her skills and strength don't come out of nowhere: we get to know her past, her struggles, and how she became the person she is. Everything about her just makes sense!

Also, the world is full of tension and misdirection: you never know who to trust. It's twist after twist, reveal after reveal, and just when you think you've got it figured out, the story pulls you deeper. The layers! The friendships! The betrayals! I didn't want to leave this world. It was so gripping, I only wish the book had been longer.

On top of that, we don't just follow Neema, the story shifts between characters (including the Raven itself!), giving us different perspectives and ambitions. Every character feels real and textured, with flaws and goals of their own. I fell for all of them - especially Sol (who has my heart) and Pinkpink (a close second).

Romance is there, but it stays firmly in the background. Honestly, I just wanted to get back to the main story every time something romantic happened. That's how good the central plot is!

I read this over the course of a week and I was completely immersed. 'The Raven Scholar' is rich, emotional, full of twists and just so addictive.
The perfect summer read if you love court intrigue, layered characters, and the thrill of not knowing what's coming next!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

3.5 rounded up for goodreads and netgalley.
Overall, it is a very solid first book. The plot is well-built, even though some aspects of it were not of my liking — it is not a problematic plot by any means, it’s purely about personal preferences. The worldbuilding is compelling, and it probably is the strongest asset of the book. The weakest asset has to be the cast of characters for me, unfortunately. I had no sympathy for them, I found them rather unlikeable (and not the interesting sort of unlikeable, just the irritating one). The only character that I found gripping is only there in the first few chapters — her name is Yana. And I truly hated one character (for those who read it, it’s Ruko). The main character is also one that I strongly disliked throughout the book.
Despite that, I can see myself reading the sequel.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Wow this was amazing. Epic high fantasy that was easy to understand and grips you from the start. Very detailed and well built world. Really transports you. I also loved the characters especially ruko and the trials element was so fun too.

I thought from the synopsis that I might enjoy this book but was really surprised by how much I got caught up in the story. It was truly gripping and the characters outstanding.

4⭐

Thank you Antonia Hodgson, Hodderscape & NetGalley for the ARC!

From an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy comes The Raven Scholar, a masterfully woven and playfully inventive tale of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar’s quest to uncover the truth.

This was surprisingly good. A very interesting and new epic fantasy. Information on the side – this really is more of an epic fantasy than a romantasy.

The protagonist is a smart individual who makes a compelling perspective. Compared to epic fantasy, this one has a tighter focus but it still felt grand and important in its own way

This book really caught me by surprise! The pacing felt a bit off at times, but I love the complexities of the characters.

If you love a book where everyone has a hidden agenda, no one is safe, and you will likely lose sleep trying to figure out who’s behind it all, then this is for you.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and will definitely be continuing this series going forward!

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Epic fantasy is back, and better than ever. Antonia Hodgson has woven an intricate epic that defies genre constraints, blending political intrigue, murder mystery, and ruthless competition into a narrative as sharp as a raven’s beak and as unpredictable as its first flight.

At the heart of this queer-normative world is Neema Kraa, a Black, socially awkward scholar whose intellect and ambition make her both a tool and a threat. Through her and the omnipresent, delightfully meddlesome POV of a preening raven, we are plunged into an empire teetering on the brink of unrest. The current Emperor Bersun’s peaceful 24-year reign is about to end, and as per tradition, the seven Animal Guardian Houses send their best representative to compete in the trials to become his successor. But when one of them dies before the competition can even start, Neema is forced to find out who the murderer is; chaos, drama and mayhem follow.

The Raven Scholar starts at a slow-boil, clearly indulging in drawing out the finer details of its introduction, but I savoured every moment of it. The novel’s deliberate pacing is not a flaw but a feast, its richness unfolding through footnotes, mythos, and a prose style that balances biting humor with breathtaking depth. And while romance lingers in the margins—a lovers-to-rivals-to-lovers thread that teases the reader—it’s the smaller interactions and betrayals that steal the show. I also have to reiterate that the narrative voice is a DELIGHT. Even amongst enemies, there is a level of easy rapport and snarky wit that breathed so much life into this rich world and diverse cast, making it easy to fly through each page.

Hodgson is not simply writing fantasy; she's redefining it. This is the kind of book that lingers in the bones, setting a new standard for what the genre can be. The Raven Scholar is a triumph, and the Eternal Path Trilogy is already shaping up to be, you might say, magnificent.

I ended up fully immersed in this world, it was so intriguing. Epic Fantasy mixed with mystery, the plot kept me fully focused, it was beautifully written, I loved the world building and the character dynamics, for the depth of the story it was a surprisingly easy read. I can’t wait to continue the series!

I really enjoyed this .
At first I didn't think it was going to work but I was so pleased to realise that I was wrong.
I found myself utterly drawn into the world from almost the first page and I am thrilled that this is the beginning of a series.
A very exciting series that I can't wait to revisit.

I am bereft. Bereft, I tell you! This first instalment in The Eternal Path trilogy ended way too quickly. Despite its 700 pages, I would quite happily have read a thousand more as I wasn’t yet ready to temporarily say goodbye to this cast of characters and the intricate web Antonia Hodgson has weaved. I have no idea how I’ll cope having to wait for the second book. 

Hodgson has created the most brilliant fantasy world. To keep track of it all, there are some delightful maps at the beginning of the book. It seems there is so much more to explore in the sequels. But for now, the action is confined to the Imperial Island where the eight palaces of the contingents are situated. As the rule of the current emperor is coming to an end, each contingent is sending a contender who has to go through -  and survive - several trials to determine who shall succeed the emperor. 

All contenders are so very different from one another. Some you’ll adore, some you’ll dislike immensely. Some are warriors, some are thinkers. Some have trained for this their entire lives, others are here quite by accident. Some want the throne more than anything, others couldn’t possibly care any less. When one of them is found dead, well, that’s one less competitor to deal with, isn’t it? But why did this character have to die? It’s up to our main character, Neema, to figure that one out. Unfortunately, that way lies trouble and danger.

‘The Raven Scholar’ has a little bit of everything. Palace intrigue, a murder mystery, lots of backstabbing, mean girls, myths and legends and mythic creatures, and even a dash of romance. Which, dear reader, didn’t bother me in the slightest. If you’ve been following me, then you know I tend to cringe at the mere hint of lovey-dovey stuff, but here I actually found myself rooting for the lovebirds. 

This epic tale of betrayal, deceit, and cutthroat competition had me hook, line, and sinker from the very first page. ‘The Raven Scholar’ is deliciously twisty, surprisingly witty, and it enthralled me throughout. Getting to know these characters was such a treat. I can’t wait to find out what happens to them next. I hope the wait isn’t too long - patience is not my forte - but in the meantime ‘The Raven Scholar’ goes on my list of contenders for “Book of the Year”. It’s just that magnificent!

In short, loved it.

This epic fantasy is beautifully written and very witty. Mystery, murder & drama set in an imperial backdrop with competitors undertaking deadly trials to be the next emperor - it’s unlike anything I’ve read for a long time. Themes of social class, friendship, political scheming and so many twists and turns that I just didn’t see coming.

The vivid world building and rich history in this is excellent though rather heavy to start with but definitely pays off throughout as the intricate story weaves through so many moving parts and it just works!

This really was a wild ride and I loved it! It was chaotic, funny, endearing and I can’t wait to see where the next instalment goes!

Pluses:

- very well written: perfect balance of exposition to be immersive, but not infodumpy, the prose just flows
- interesting worldbuilding with animal gods / patrons similar to Chinese Zodiac
- diversity: fmc is Black and autistic-coded, there are queer side characters and characters of different ethnicities

Minuses:

- gosh this book takes sloooow to get anywhere: the first 40-something pages is an elaborate prologue (3 chapters), then we finally meet the mc, but oh wait, time jump, and now there's a preparation for the tournament and we need to get to know all the contenders...
- the footnotes: very annoying to navigate because they go at the end of the chapter, not bottom of the page
- you're constantly hammered over the head how oppressed fmc is for being commoner-born, everyone hates her, mistreats her, shuns her, etc. Even her "only friend"/boyfriend seems not to care about her, but she clings to him because she has no one else. This also means nobody is really likeable, except the protagonist, and even for her you feel more pity than actually like her.

I think I've fallen victim to the overhype: everyone was praising this book so much I expected a mind-blowing experience and instead I was simply frustrated. I did not appreciate the rug pull with the prologue, I thought we left those in the Game of Thrones era. I already have trouble getting immersed in a story, the beginnings are always hard, but taking a hard reset after 3 chapters where I have to reconnect to the story again? Tough call. It also made the whole opening sequence extremely drawn out. The story was fine but not as engrossing as I expected.

Objectively, this is not a bad book. But I can't say I "enjoyed" it.

Thank you Netgalley and Hodderscape for the ARC.

This book was mind blowing in all the best ways. I’ve read a lot of fantasy, and this simply took my breath away. The world building was intrinsic, creative and fresh. The characters were novel and exciting, they had great qualities whilst also acknowledging their flaws, making them some of the most human characters I’ve read in a long time. The plot delivered on so many levels, with the twists being genuinely shocking, and it seemed to be punchy plot line after punchy plot line without a trope in sight. I am unashamedly in love with this book and waiting with my whole heart for book number two.

The Raven Scholar is such an immersive and creative experience. I absolutely loved the story and was captivated from the first pages. The characters are well-developed, full of flaws and real. In terms of the world-building, this was truly epic, there are impressive foundations in myth and legends. I most enjoyed the political intrigue and how this developed throughout. The plot itself is full of twists and turns, peril and drama. There are trials but this trope was very well executed, feeling fresh within the genre. I adored the wit and charm pebbled through the writing.
This story is relatable yet escapist. It’s so well written that it did not feel like 600+ pages, I did not want it to end. I almost shed a tear at one particular point, and a book that makes me feel is a sign of a great read.
The ending is amazing and I cannot wait for the next instalment. An easy five star read for me and one I will likely re-read. This is a must read for any fantasy fan, it has a bit of everything.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.