Antonia Hodgson’s The Raven Scholar marks her debut in fantasy, and as an avid fantasy reader, I sincerely hope she continues writing in this genre—because this book was simply amazing.

No matter what you’re looking for in your next read, The Raven Scholar has something to offer. Want a richly developed fantasy world with intricate court politics? It delivers. Craving a murder mystery to unravel? You’ll find one here. Yearning for a high-stakes competition that keeps you on the edge of your seat? Look no further—this book has it all.

While reading it, I was impressed at how tight and thoughtful writing is. Every detail feels purposeful, and the various plot threads intertwine seamlessly as the story unfolds. Whether this is due to Hodgson’s careful planning, her editor being terrific at her job, or both; the result is a deeply satisfying narrative that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

The worldbuilding is equally remarkable. Vivid descriptions bring the island setting to life, and the rich history and mythology add layers of depth to the world the characters inhabit. Which, speaking of characters: they are fantastic (no pun intended). Neema is very refreshing as the main character, being introduced as someone who will hesitate (but consider) to do morally questionable acts and will take the rational approach when it comes to weighing the pros and the cons of her decisions. She is also a bit of a grumpy couch potato who gets excited at the prospect of doing mountains of paperwork instead of having to do something like interacting with other people or physical labour. The side characters are just as compelling, each colorful and nuanced in their own way. Special mention goes to Sol, who has effortlessly become my favorite animal companion in any fantasy novel.

As for the audiobook, I cannot praise Daphne Kouma enough. She did an incredible job narrating this book, despite its difficulties with the different PoV narrators and its fairly large cast of characters. Each character has a distinct voice, and she perfectly balances solemnity and playfulness, especially with the more whimsical characters.

Overall I LOVED The Raven Scholar. From its captivating story full of twists and turns to its beautifully crafted prose and charming characters. I can’t wait for the sequel!

Thank you to NetGalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Hodder & Stoughton Audio for providing audio-ARC and eARC copies in exchange for an honest review.

The book started strong with lovable characters and a captivating story, but it lost steam toward the end. The premise of the plot was dampened by a slightly unexciting but fast-moving story and a missing sense of urgency from anyone but the main character.

The first part of the story, which is technically the prologue, grabs your attention right away, but I found it a bit confusing. I had to go back and read the blurb again to figure out who the main character was supposed to be, which felt a little disorienting and disappointing.

The characters are very likable, and I enjoyed reading about Neema and Cain. The shifts in point of view throughout the story added a fun element, and the moment of realizing whose perspective we were actually experiencing was unique and enjoyable. However, after about 400 pages, I started to lose interest. The story felt like it was dragging on, and I just wanted it to wrap up. Once the mystery of the murder was solved, the excitement fizzled out, and the plot didn't hold my attention like it used to.

The last 200 pages were okay, but I noticed that even though a lot was happening, I wasn't as engaged anymore. The trials felt drawn out, and besides Neema, there was something missing in the urgency of the contenders fighting for the throne. They were literally battling for their lives, but they didn't seem as desperate to win, which took some excitement out of the story.

While the characters and the first half were enjoyable, I found myself wanting more.

A super entertaining novel. Three books in one. First, the detective mystery part of it. Second, the pure worldbuilding with such a great treatment of gods and avatars. Third, the competition. A mix of Dragon Ball/Cobra Kai competition where the competitors fight to became the new emperor, which has to take down the role after 23 years. One of the most entertaining read of the year and with such an ending I could not believe it.

Antonia Hodgson’s The Raven Scholar is a richly layered fantasy novel that blends political intrigue, a murder mystery, and a fierce competition for the throne—all within a world steeped in mythology and history. While the story begins with an information-dense setup, it quickly gains momentum, delivering high-stakes action, complex character dynamics, and unexpected twists.

At the heart of the novel is Neema Kraa, a sharp and ambitious protagonist whose loneliness and inner struggles make her deeply compelling. One of the book’s standout elements is her bond with the Raven guardian, a sarcastic, opinionated entity that literally resides in her chest—offering both unsolicited advice and much-needed comic relief. The interplay between them is one of the book’s greatest strengths, adding levity to the tension-filled plot. The novel also introduces a memorable supporting cast, including the enigmatic Cain, the determined Benna, and the ever-intriguing Ruko, whose arc promises even more in future installments.

Hodgson’s world-building is intricate, drawing on the mythology of eight mythical creatures that form the basis of the realm’s factions. While this depth can feel overwhelming at first, it ultimately enriches the story, making the world feel grand yet intimate. The novel’s shifting narrative style—moving between third-person internal focalization, fairytale-like storytelling, and even first-person plural—shouldn’t work as seamlessly as it does, yet Hodgson pulls it off brilliantly, adding to the novel’s distinctive voice.

The romance remains subtle, woven naturally into the background rather than overtaking the main storyline. Yet, for those who enjoy slow-burn, well-developed relationships, the crumbs Hodgson offers are more than satisfying.

Another highlight is the book’s humor—witty, sharp, and perfectly balanced against the darker themes of ambition, betrayal, and power struggles. The courtly pettiness, the wry observations of the Raven, and Neema’s own cutting wit make for an engaging, often amusing read.

While some elements may feel familiar to seasoned fantasy readers, Hodgson’s execution and fresh perspective elevate the novel beyond standard YA tropes. The book also excels in its natural and effortless representation of diverse characters, including LGBTQ+, Black, and neurodivergent figures, making the world feel inclusive and lived-in.

If you enjoy intelligent fantasy with a strong mystery element, a protagonist who must navigate a web of deception and ambition, and a narrative that isn’t afraid to experiment with form and perspective, The Raven Scholar is a must-read. It’s an impressive start to what promises to be an unforgettable series.

Really different and intriguing genuinely enjoyed this. Lots of characters to try and keep track of but 100% worth it with all the twists and turns. Would recommend.

Wow. This book was everything that I wanted from an epic fantasy, and more.

Antonia Hodgson has successfully weaved a tale full to the brim of betrayal, bravery and love, set in a cruel and unforgiving world.

The Raven Scholar opens with the story of Yana, and the tragedy that became of her. Yana becomes a beacon throughout the story, every twist and characters having a connection to her or being driven by her in some way.

Following this, our protagonist Neema becomes the focal point of the story. Neema is driven, relentless and almost ruthless in her position as the high scholar. With her character being set in a world of tragedy and betrayal, Neema own ties to Yana’s story become a driver that set her on a path she would have never anticipated.

There is so much to say about The Raven Scholar and the intricacies of the world Antonia Hodgson has crafted. It is a beautiful, clever book and a very promising start to what should be an incredible series. I had to take my time reading this book, appreciating the world and the depth of the characters.

After looking at other reviews i can put my hands up and say that i didnt like this book and its a me thing.
It just wasnt for me- its not my typical type of fantasy that i like but thats my fault for not looking to it more before requesting.
I could not get into this at all and jsut never wanted to pick it back up

One of the few epic fantasy novels I've enjoyed in a year or two. It takes a while for the murder to happen, but it's not something I rushed to know about. The author spednds a delicious amount of time introducing us to lore, setting, and characters, and I loved being steeped in this story.

Full review to come.

I had really high hopes for this one but unfortunately it fell flat for me for a few reasons:
- The first few chapters from Yanara’s POV intrigued me and I was keen to see where her story was headed. Given what then transpires with Yanara, I think it would have been better to have her story/POV as a prologue, rather than the first few chapters of the book about her, then all of a sudden jump forward 8 years and switch to a new character and POV.
- There are changes to whose POV we are reading in throughout the book and most of these were very unclear and confusing to me.
- There were a lot of flashbacks and very detailed back stories which to me did feel unnecessary most of the time. This book is quite long at over 650 pages and it did feel too long in my opinion.
- Despite very detailed, in depth world building in this book it was hard to picture the world when reading.

Emperor Bersun’s reign is approaching its end, and as per tradition, there will be seven contenders competing with each other to see who will be next in line for the throne. But when one of the contenders is found dead in their room, Neema, an outcast scholar from a humble bloodline, is tasked to find the murderer and also fill in as the seventh contender.

THE RAVEN SCHOLAR blends the legends and court politics of high fantasy, its questions of the ethics of (mis)rule of an empire, with the intrigue of a murder mystery. The stakes get ever higher as Neema finds herself possibly having a fighting chance at ascending to a position she never wanted, while finally learning to open up to people over the course of the competition. This book sows seeds at the beginning that sprout into groundbreaking revelations towards its end, it brings in plot twists that made me genuinely worry for the contenders, and it weaves in the folklore and governing rules of the Guardian deities of the realm, how they are given their strength through collective belief and imagination, and how the human mind may be able to defy them. The first book in a trilogy, this is Antonia Hodgson’s first foray into fantasy, and she does an outstanding job. This story had me hooked from the beginning, and as I continue to worry for the characters after where we last left them, I am waiting impatiently for the remaining instalments.

This is a very interesting book with a unique and engaging story. I really like the mystery mixed with the complexity of this world and the way the story is presented. Writing is good and the world is intriguing. Love the fact that this isn’t about 16 year old girls but actual mature people.

The only downside here is that at times it’s very slow. It’s like getting stuck and all you want is to finish it faster. Then at times it is fast and really delivers which is odd. It makes for a bit of a choppy read and I feel like it would have been better to keep the pacing up throughout the book.

I both listened to the audiobook read the e-ARC, switching between them equally, both provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for that.

It took some time for me to get used to the POV(s), the characters, and the world. I felt more invested the more we got to see behind the façade that is presented to us at first. The reading flow got easier around the time Neema was introduced and when the narrative settled more in present-time events.
The story is told from an omniscient POV, with increasing appearances of a first-person plural POV woven into it. Both of these basically form one combined POV in this book, which may sound confusing, but it will make sense eventually. Once I got used to it, I did end up enjoying this narration style. I think it fit the story well, giving it a kinda whimsical and quirky touch that was delightful to read. There were also some footnotes sprinkled in.
The characters grew on me over time. I especially adored Neema’s animal companion Sol. Might have got a bit teary-eyed for the little guy, too. Neema and Cain felt quite a bit younger to me than their supposedly mid-thirties.
The second-chance romantic subplot was fine, even though their dancing-around-each-other without acknowledging the elephant in the room got a tiny bit tiring after a while.
I liked the stories within the story, and the way they are presented to us.
The murder mystery and courtly intrigue were interesting. The trial/competition for the throne less so. It’s part one-on-one combat and tasks set by the different factions that align with the values they follow. I could see the potential in the latter, but it wasn’t used in full. Even the fighting could have been interesting. I could see that there was tried to add stakes, but they were also lowered at the same time by world-building and plot elements. It also felt like we didn’t spend as much time as was necessary to actually experience the competition to feel properly invested. Maybe the problem also lies in having tried to add too many elements to the book, and not doing all of them the proper justice they deserve? Overall, the plot came across as slightly chaotic but still enjoyable.
We got a first impression of the world, and for that it was fine. Nothing groundbreakingly new world-building- and magic system-wise. The plot is pretty confined to that small island the competition is taking place in. I wish we could have explored the magic a bit more and developed a feeling that the rest of the world is being lived in. It felt a bit too much like empty space to me, but I think that might be rectified in the sequel.
The audiobook narrator made the story and characters come to life beautifully, and it enhanced the experience I had with this book. I also liked the music interludes that added epic and dramatic vibes.

Characters x4: 6.5/10 (Okay)
Relationships x4: 6/10 (Okay)
Atmosphere/Vibes: 9/10 (Excellent)
World-building/Setting x2: 4/10 (Mediocre)
Writing: ×4: 7/10 (Good)
Plot/Pacing x3: 5/10 (Average)
Audiobook narration: 10/10 (Outstanding)
Enjoyment x5: 7/10 (Good)
Total: ~6.38 = 3.25*

I found this book VERY long and I almost DNF at one point. The first part I found way too wordy and also quite unnecessary to the whole story HOWEVER, I stuck with it and I’m really glad I did. Once you get to around chapter 18 it all starts to pick up and you realise oh this girl they’re been talking about it actually the main character! I would say a solid 3.5 stars but I have rounded up to 4 because I’m nice (and you can’t do half stars on NetGalley)
A really excellent concept for a fantasy book with great characters but I just feel that the book should have maybe been made into 2 books?! The first part of this book could have easily been made into a novella as I felt like way too much time was taken to explain something in so much detail which could have been wrapped up in a chapter or two. It just felt very…..long winded.

When I got the email about this book from NetGalley, I thought it sounded okay but I wasn't sure if I wanted to claim it.  However the author name seemed familiar and I realised she wrote The Devil in the Marshalsea that I read last year so I went ahead and requested it.  The opening was interesting and the small glimpse of worldbuilding was intriguing.  I got a little confused because I thought the story was going to follow Yana, rather than Neema.  Yana is the main character for the first 3-4 chapters so I was quite invested in her which was a shame.  When I realised that the main character was actually Neema, I was disappointed because I wanted to know more of Yana's story. 

There are a lot of characters which means that I kept forgetting who some of them were.  It also means that several only get the slightest of personalities while others seem to be defined by one or two characteristics.  Some of them were quite interesting though, I rather liked Shal and Benna.  Initially I liked the characters of Cain and Neema but for most of the book, they swung between being irritating and interesting.  Cain was just too smug for words and his whole mischievous/risk-taking personality became tiresome.  Neema was so much of a doormat that it was quite boring. 

Unfortunately, the book itself felt like a major slog.  I kept reading and reading but didn't seem to be progressing through it at all.  The first quarter of the book is a little boring.  There was a lot of introduction of the main cast of characters which is particularly extensive and explanations of the world, its history and how things work.  In some ways, it was nice to have such detailed worldbuilding, but it meant that a lot of the story was pushed to one side and didn't really get going until about chapter 17!  I found it a little more interesting when the trials and investigation started but the pacing was still rather slow.  There were a lot of aspects that didn't make sense and although they did end up being explained later on, it was too much later on and I spent a lot of time wondering about them.  The last few chapters did ramp up the pace and excitement quite a bit and it was a shame that there wasn't more of that earlier.  There's a couple of twists in the later half of the story which does rather flip the whole thing on its head.  It's very much the opening of a longer story and it ends with a bit of a cliffhanger as to how things are going to progress from here.  I was intrigued enough to want to know more, which is a good sign!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy to review.

Ruthlessly beautiful, delightfully chaotic. This book satisfied a craving deep within.
There's political intrigue, interesting and lovable characters (many of whom are in their late 20s, early 30s and beyond, because yes!!), a fierce competition, an intricate world and FUN. This was heaps of fun.
I am so glad to have had the chance to sample this story before publication, and will be eagerly waiting for the next book in the series (already pre-ordered this one because how could I not after loving it so much?). Thank you so much! I hope the series is a huge success, it deserves it

This was fantastic!
Honestly, it just threw me straight back to the fantasy books I loved and the ones that got me into reading in the first place.
I love the premise of the different houses that represent different aspects that are considered to be the best, depending on which animal deity is followed.
The murder mystery in the story fully threw me. I genuinely couldn't decide what had happened. There were so many interlacing stories in this book that came together to bring a bigger picture story. Honestly, this was just so well done, and I need to know what happens next. I also need more books like this.

This is going to be one of my favorite reads of 2025—and I wasn’t even sure I wanted to pick it up! Thankfully the incredible reviews convinced me to give it a try, and I’m so glad I did because there was literally nothing I didn’t like about this book.

To be honest, this novel is difficult to describe, even though the premise seems simple at first glance. It blends epic fantasy with political intrigue, murder mystery, and a dash of romance. Usually, when a book mixes so many elements, you can pinpoint which ones work best and which fall short. But not here. This book is so well-crafted that it’s impossible to single out one element over another. Everything is perfectly executed.

The narrative is one of the book's standout features. While most of it is told from a third-person perspective of a single character, there are moments when the viewpoint shifts to other characters, and even a second-person plural narrative is employed. There are also footnotes. It may sound unconventional, but it really works and brings a refreshing twist to the genre.

As far as I know, this is Antonia Hodgson's debut fantasy novel, and I’m genuinely amazed by the scale of the world she has created and the scope of the story she has begun in this first volume. We get a rich mix of mythology, history, and a detailed political system. Every 24 years in the country of Orrun, a tournament takes place in which seven representatives compete for the emperor’s throne. Each represents one of the Animal Guardian Houses—Raven, Fox, Ox, Bear, Monkey, Tiger, and Hund. (There is also a Dragon House, but they are slightly different, as they don’t compete for the crown). The main plot centers on the upcoming tournament and its implications for the throne. The protagonist, Neema, represents Raven, and she enters the tournament after one of the participants is murdered.
One of the most unique aspects of the book is the way the divisions between the houses reflect social stratification. Those who join a particular house adopt traits associated with the animal they represent. It might sound strange, but it’s done so well that the traits feel natural and authentic as they manifest in the characters. The author takes her time introducing us to the world and its intricacies before the action ramps up, and yet she avoids clunky exposition. The murder mystery that drives the plot doesn’t even begin until about a quarter of the way through, but the time spent immersing us in the world pays off immensely, helping us understand the stakes later on.

I won’t delve into the plot too much, as I agree with those who say it’s best to go into this book blind. However, I will say that the story is packed with twists and turns that had me on the edge of my seat. Despite being 650 pages long, it never feels too drawn out or slow. The ending is nothing short of epic, and I’m honestly frustrated that I can’t dive straight into the sequel.

The characters are another highlight. Both the main character and the various tournament participants, as well as the secondary characters, are morally gray, making them complex and multidimensional. Even with seven main participants and a host of secondary characters, each one stands out. Their personalities and motivations are shaped by their house affiliations and personal ambitions, which often come with hidden agendas. The author does an excellent job of making you care about each character’s journey. I was thoroughly invested, even though I typically don’t enjoy linear plots where one quest follows another.

There’s also a romantic subplot, and it’s wonderfully done. Neema and Cain, the Fox contender, seem like absolute opposites, yet they complement each other perfectly. I’m eager to see where their relationship goes in future installments.

Honestly, I have nothing negative to say about this book. I loved everything about it, and it surprised me in the best possible way. I’m confident that The Raven Scholar will be one of the fantasy hits of 2025, and there's a reason for that—the hype is absolutely justified.

the raven scholar is an epic fantasy set in a Orrun, where every 24 years, a new emperor is chosen through trials. seven contenders are due to begin their trials when one of them is murdered. now Neema, a raven scholar, is forced to investigate a murder and participate in the trials and she’s completely unprepared. she will need to untangle a web of deadly secrets and uncover dangerous truths.

THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING I NEEDED AND MORE OHMYGOD!!!!!!!!!! there is no way for me to describe just how much i adored this.
the writing style was so intriguing. it changed from third to first person and in other ways, but it wasn’t really confusing, it just make the story THAT much more interesting.

the political intrigue had me on the FLOOR!! like this is how you write good political intrigue with crazy plot twists. there was nothing i could predict and my mind was constantly reeling from all the information😩

i loved following Neema as the main character. she is smart, determined, resilient, and honestly so amazing and it breaks my heart that she doesn’t realise how amazing she is😭
every single contender was so interesting as well!! special shoutout to my man Ruko (who i pictured as Toji from JJK, so i could not not love him)

the relationships formed and developed in this book, both romantic and platonic, were absolutely perfect and i cannot wait to see more of them!!

honestly this is forever one of my favourite books!!

What a magnificent read this was! (See what I did there?)

I have to admit that it took me a little bit to completely absorb this new world and learn all of its mechanics, but it is so worth it, as Antonia Hodgson's writing is beautiful, immersive, with a variety of flawed characters you can't help but cheer for.

The story begins with a glimpse into the past, which was a heartbreaking catalyst for many things to come. Then we follow Neema, the curious and bright High Scholar that ended up tied to the same opening events, who later on found herself from being in charge of solving a crime to competing for the throne at the same time.

One thing that gave me chills was the revelation of a POV I did not see coming nearly half into the book that felt like breaking the fourth wall to me, and it progressed into a quite comedic one. I really loved the humour throughout this book. It wasn't funny in a ha-ha-laugh-out-loud way, but more in a way that I found myself snorting at the most unexpected times by some very relatable things.

I wish we'd gotten more of the second chance romance between Neema and Cain, but hopefully they'll get the time to explore more of that in the next book! (Though, with the way this book ended, they'll probably have other things to worry about.)

Also, can we talk about Ruko? I sure like my men as morally grey as they choose to be, but Ruko was truly set out to be that one character you're supposed to hate, and yet I couldn't bring myself to hate him. There's just something he keeps walled up within himself that drew me to him and made me wish for a redemption arc more and more with each page I read (while my own Sol perched on one of my ribs kept screeching, "But remember that horrible thing he's done, Deb! Not a good guy! Not a lovable guy! Kraa! Kraa!"). I don't know about you, but Ruko with Pink-Pink on his shoulder, world domination? Sounds good to me.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC! While I read this in the first quarter of the year, I feel like it'll remain a top read till the end of 2025.

The Raven Scholar is very very excellent. I loved it very much indeed. I am a fan of Antonia Hodgson and was interested to see how she tackle a new genre and I wasn’t disappointed. It starts quite slowly with the story of a family who were involved in a failed coup and there’s a time jump where we pick up our main plot which is seemingly unconnected but wait… The current king has served his twenty five years and is retiring so to find his replacement the seven houses send a representative to compete in series of trials. So far so hunger games. But then one of the contenders is murdered and our heroine Neema Kraa is tasked with proving she didn’t do it, finding out who did, becoming the murdered scholars replacement in the trials, trying not to be murdered all whilst not being found out for treason. Not much too then.
I enjoyed this so much, there’s a sort of YA tropeyness in the trials situation but everyone is grown up and cynical. It’s funny and wry and clever which is everything I expect from Hodgson. The characters are well rounded and believable Neema’s genuine hatred of the murdered scholar is a delight, the pettiness is so sweet. The foxes are also divine. I can’t wait for the next one.