This book hooked me right from the start. I loved the world, the characters, and the writing. There were so many twists and turns that I never knew what to expect. I generally like the idea of a group of competitors engaging in high stakes challenges for a prize so this worked for me that way too. It also had romance but if you’re looking for a romantasy this isn’t that. The romance is a small part of the overall book. This was such a fun read and I highly recommend it!

The Raven Scholar checks all the boxes I look for in an epic fantasy. Strong FMC ✅ Diverse band of characters ✅ Intricate world building ✅ and (most importantly) excellent writing that keeps your interest ✅

As someone who has been dissatisfied with so many recent romantasy books, I love the sprinkle of romantic subplot in this story. Cain and Neema aren’t the typical bickering, bantering pair. Their friendship is sweet yet complex, just like many of the characters in this story.

I think this is an excellent setup for the series. I’m excited to see where this story goes!

This was really good! We’re introduced into a fantasy world where different animals and their characteristics define their followers, and a contender from each monastery competes for the throne. One competitor is murdered and the story explodes from there. Murder mystery, competitions, trials, political maneuvering, and complex relationships with a touch of romance.

The writing style is unique and took a little time to get used to but once I got into the rhythm of the story, I enjoyed how the points of view would change and give different insights into these characters.

Speaking of these characters. Beautifully flawed complex characters who have to live with the consequences of their tragic actions or inactions. Backstories are provided throughout the book that adds such depth and packs an emotional punch. You may not like the choices these characters are making, but you understand them.

The plot has plenty of twists to keep me guessing. I wish I had a physical copy of the book so I could easily flip back and check for hints and clues.

This is a long book (700+ pages) and sometimes I felt like things could have been a bit more succinct but truly, I enjoyed every page of this book. 4.75 ⭐️

*Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC for an honest review. All opinions are my own*

I think “The Raven Scholar” will be the book to watch this year. I had high expectation going into this one and was pleasantly surprised when they were met.

This is a big book (so it is not for the faint of heart) but I think it used its time well. There were obviously parts that lagged, but the story more than made up for it when it picked back up. I don’t think this is truly for fans of epic fantasy (it lacked the scope you would expect) but it will be a great into to the genre for a lot of readers. Don’t be off put by the prose – it took me a couple of tries to get into it – the payoff was worth it.

Rated 4 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.

It is magnificent.

This epic fantasy has trials, a murder mystery, and an intriguing cast of characters. The main character is Neema, a 34-year-old lonely neurodivergent scholar who has risen to power unexpectedly, is one of my favorite fantasy heroines to date. There’s a romantic subplot between her and her estranged ex-lover/childhood friend that is slight but sweet. My favorite character other than Neema has to be Ruko given his character development, or maybe Fenn, with his kindness.

Even though the story has its dark moments, the humor stands out. This book is part of a trilogy, but it’s hard to see how everything will be resolved in just 2 books. There is the making of an epic journey against the odds here.

Mark my words, I think The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson will be the next adult fantasy hit. First of all, this cover? Stunning. The deep, rich purple with our favorite Solitary Raven. Yes please!

The Raven Scholar blends trials, mystery and a dash of romance perfectly. We follow the story 8 years after the devastating death of a young girl named Yana and the time to find a new emperor has come upon our characters. One of my favorite aspects is that this book featured actual adult characters!! Many characters in their 30s, no more reading about teeny pop adolescents in an adult book.

I can confidently say that I did not see some of these twists coming and the book kept me on my toes. My one and only criticism is that the book did feel a smidge too long. But I can overlook that because I had a great time overall with this and am very eager to see where the story takes us in book 2.

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit for a copy of this arc. All opinions are my own.

This book is the definition of epic fantasy. Lots of tension, drama, conspiracies, unexpected twists and turns, murder mystery and even a bit of humor! It is a longer book, but it never felt like it dragged on. I throughly enjoyed myself for the full 700 pages.

After twenty four years of peace the empire of Orrun is in turmoil. Seven contenders are vying for the throne, until one of them is mirdered. Now it's up to Neema Kraa, the emperors brilliant High Scholar, to uncover the killer and claim power. She believes shed alone, but something, or someone, is waiting to help her. If she wins she gains and empire. If she fails...well, let's not think about that.

Overall, I had a really good time reading this. There wasn't a moment that I wasn't engaged with the story. There were even a couple reveals that had my mind reeling. This is definitely an epic fantasy and has a lot of information to digest, it might not be the easiest read but it was absolutely worth the time.

All the characters were well developed and had interesting backgrounds. There wasn't a character that I didn't love or hate. Understanding the animal gods and their characterizations really played a huge role in the characters and made each interaction unique. I do feel that there is room for growth for our characters and I hope to see that within the rest of the series.

The world building was well thought out and I hope to visit more of the world in the next books. I felt as if the author really brought this world to life and I was living in Orrun through Neema.

This may be one of the best books of the year for me. I can't wait for the next book! This book is such a breath of fresh air and a unique take on common fantasy plot points such as trails. It's a perfect mix of fantasy adventure and mystery with a great cast of characters. The hype did not disappoint!

Thank you to netgally for this ARC copy

I loved everything about "The Raven Scholar"!
It's the first installment in a new fantasy trilogy and it has everything: Great characters, fantastic world building, humour, love, a murder mystery, and more twists and turns than you can count.
I couldn't put it down and can hardly wait for book 2. To quote one of the characters: "Magnificent!"

Review: The Raven Scholar

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley, Orbit, and Antonia Hodgson for the e-Arc of this book and for giving me the chance to read it in exchange for my honest review!

"We are the Raven, and we are magnificent."

Set in the richly imagined world of Orrun, The Raven Scholar takes readers on a thrilling journey where, every 24 years, the clans—each devoted to one of the Eight, ancient animal deities—select a contender to compete for the throne. These deities have saved the world countless times, yet if they return, they are fated to destroy it. Amidst this high-stakes trial, a murder occurs, and Neema Kraa, Raven High Scholar, must unmask the killer—all while fighting for her own survival.

I adore books that take familiar tropes and subvert them in fresh, compelling ways, and The Raven Scholar does exactly that. This was an easy five-star read for me, and here’s why:

Worldbuilding:
Every scrap of lore and history in this book (even through the footnotes!) was an absolute delight. The world feels rich and immersive, from the influence of the Eight to the unique mannerisms, occupations, and attitudes of each clan. These cultural nuances add depth to the political maneuvering and court intrigue, making Orrun feel truly lived-in.

The Reveals:
I love a twisty plot, and this book delivers. The reveals are expertly woven, feeling earned rather than forced. The unraveling of secrets had me constantly flipping pages, and I already want to reread it to catch all the hidden clues I missed the first time. Murder mystery done well with high stakes.

Characters:
A diverse cast with fantastic representation—including characters over 30! Neema is arrogant, haughty, and brilliant, yet by the end, she’s impossible not to root for. The characters are layered, morally complex, and endlessly engaging. Cain, our sly Fox, and Benna were some of my favs. And Ruko? I was invested in his arc—he’s a character I both despise and love, which made for such a compelling and complicated feelings. The non-human characters? Chef’s kiss. The character dynamics in general was just too good and I got my dose of found family and a romantic subplot done well 🙂

Narrative Style:
The storytelling approach is so clever, and once you realize why—it’s impossible not to appreciate it. The book masterfully balances tension, dread, and humor, creating an experience that’s both gripping and unexpectedly witty.

Some Caveats:
The beginning is slow—I really got into it around the 30% mark. The prologue is long but sets the tone beautifully.
There were moments where I felt a little lost, but honestly? That made the journey even more rewarding. I enjoy when a fantasy makes me work for it.

If you love high fantasy books like The Will of the Many or The Fifth Season, this is a must-read. Now I just have to survive the wait for book two!

It’s been a long time since I’ve been so transported into a fantasy world but this did it for me. Things just kept happening; so many twists and turns and revelations I could barely keep up! It was very intense and also had some humor mixed in that actually had me cracking up.

I'll say it started a bit slow, but by the time i was halfway through, I couldn’t help but fly through the book until I got to the absolutely WILD end. I just feel so connected to the characters and the world now!

Thank you Orbit and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book! Five out of five stars without any doubt.

Clever, humorous, tragic, and enthralling, Antonia Hodgson has built a world where I will be happily returning to for any and all rereads-- especially on SEs!
I found myself, hoping against hope of a certain survival. It wasn't to be, but that didn't detract at all-- in fact, it only made a twist even more surprising. Despite being a thick book of 650 pages, I tore through it in a single day despite... working 8 hours, sleeping 8 hours, getting ready for an hour, and zoning out in recovery from the workday for another hour???? please help my brain was gloriously broken by this book.

I LOVED this book. I fell in love with the characters and the world almost immediately. And the plot never rested for a moment, keeping me on my toes trying to guess the next twist. I love stories like this: Mysteries, political intrigue, tournaments and magic. The fairy tale elements were also very enjoyable. Most of all though, Antonia Hodgson weaves together a very complex plot into a satisfying ending that still leaves me wanting more with the sequel. Can't wait.

Say hello to one of my new favorite books: *The Raven Scholar* is an early Best of 2025 contender and the start of an epic fantasy series that I already know will haunt me until the sequel arrives. This book had me hooked from the very first chapter—the world immersive and sprawling, the characters so vivid they felt real, and the stakes impossibly high… and that’s before the real story even begins!

From the opening prologue—set years before the main plot but already bursting with intrigue—you can feel the weight of history pressing down on every page. There’s an exile (this will, of course, come back to haunt us), and then, years later, an empire on the brink of change. The emperor is stepping down, and seven factions put forth a candidate to take the throne. But when the Raven candidate is murdered on the eve of the competition, our protagonist, Neema, is forced to step into a deadly political game—while also investigating the murder.

And let me tell you: this book delivers on everything.

🔥 The World-Building: You know that rare feeling when a book’s setting is so meticulously crafted that it feels lived-in? *The Raven Scholar* is one of those. From crumbling cities to opulent halls, from famous poets to whispered myths, every piece of this world feels intentional. The eight mythological beings that guide the factions add layers of complexity, influencing character dynamics and political maneuvering in ways that are endlessly compelling.

🕵️ The Murder Mystery: There’s nothing like a ticking clock, a house full of suspects, and secrets waiting to be uncovered. Neema’s investigation adds constant tension to the story, pulling her into dangerous corridors and whispered conspiracies. The mystery is so well woven into the larger narrative that it feels essential, rather than an afterthought.

⚔️ The Competition: Trials, duels, political scheming—everything you want from a high-stakes contest for the throne is here. But what I loved most was how these challenges weren’t just tests of brute force. Strategy, alliances, and unexpected twists kept everything fresh. And Neema? She wasn’t always the strongest, the fastest, or the most prepared—but she was clever. That made every win (and loss) feel earned.

😱 The Twists: Look, I’ve read a lot of fantasy. I can usually see plot twists coming a mile away. But this book? It got me. Multiple times. Hodgson doesn’t just throw in shocks for the sake of it—each revelation feels inevitable in hindsight but absolutely blindsiding in the moment. There are still twists I’m turning over in my head, wondering what they’ll mean for the sequel.

I genuinely don’t know how I’m supposed to survive the wait for the next book. *The Raven Scholar* is 650+ pages, and if anything, it felt too short. I didn’t want it to end. It’s been a long time since a fantasy novel completely consumed me like this, and I can already tell it’s one I’ll be recommending to absolutely everyone.

Trust me: go in blind, let the book take hold of you, and enjoy the ride. You won’t regret it.

Not sure what to say other than I loved pretty much everything about this book and if you like high fantasy at all, you should absolutely read this??? More specifically, you should read this if you love:
- skilled prose often with a touch of humor
- a twisty tricky plot with conspiracies, revenge, and murder
- endearing and complicated human characters. although I'm a plot driven reader, I also really loved the nuanced character work in this
- some absolutely magnificent non-human characters (I'll leave it there to avoid any spoilers)

In terms of rep, the main character is black (but race isn't really discussed in the book, though class status is) and neurodiverse-coded. Another prominent character is bisexual, and there's also a sapphic side couple.

Despite being around 700 pages, it never felt like a slog nor did I feel bored at any point. Although this is the first in a series, it doesn't end on any egregious cliffhangers while still setting things up nicely for the next book. I only hope the sequel has 700 pages of Sol being dramatic.

I don’t typically read a lot of epic fantasy but the summary was very interesting so I dived in - this book was magnificent.

✔ Compelling, multifaceted characters with realistic flaws. For every character, there were times in the story where I disliked them and times where they were wonderful. The depth of the characters significantly added to the twists in the plot.
✔ 10/10 twists and turns. I didn’t find myself successfully guessing too many of the reveals which is always a treat.
✔ There was an interesting relationship between the story/characters and the world’s mythology. It was particularly interesting to see characters had varying levels of piety toward the gods with mixed results.
✔ Hodgson used a clever, humorous narration style - it was genuinely fun to read.

✖ It did drag for short periods at times. There was a bit of a rolling cycle between fast, unable-to-look-away moments and slower buildups. It wasn’t so bad as to take away from my enjoyment of the story, but it was noticeable.

Overall I enjoyed reading this story and will be eagerly awaiting the sequel!
Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Raven Scholar ripped 5 stars out of me in two days. It was a fast paced, richly lush world and sucked me out of reality into a twisted scheme that kept me questioning what was happening until the very end.

Characters were multifaceted and given interesting backgrounds that enticed me versus turning me off by the sheer quantity of them. Our MC, Neema, was smart, capable, and still imperfect which made me really enjoy her. Cain and Ruko were both equally compelling. I loved the diversity shown within our group of contenders.

The true stars of the book were our sovereign 8: The Raven, The Fox, and the Dragon are phenomenal (and magnificent) and truly drew me in. The history and their continuing story has me enthralled and biting for more. I want them /all/!!!!

This is a long trek, and I forfeited Many hours of sleep to finish but it never /felt/ long. Though the sheer size of it may deter some, I say soldier on, because each page is worth it!

I was also not expecting it to be so funny! I loved the humor that was spread throughout and notated many sections that had me giggling out loud.

I am sooooo excited to buy this (I heard rumors of an Illumicrate special edition 👀) and continue on this story! Thank you to netgalley and Orbit for the arc!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Raven Scholar was an absolute delight. Fans of high fantasy will be overjoyed with this new entry into the genre. This book had tension, plot twists, mystery, humor and a lot of rich world building. I appreciated the diversity of the cast, the time spent fleshing out each individual character and that I was actually surprised by some of the twists. This was an amazing first novel in what is bound to be an epic series.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!

4.5 Stars!

The Raven Scholar started with a bang and never let me go! A story of friendship, love, betrayal, and secrets galore. Neema, our protagonist is a Raven, known for their skills in learning and scholarship, serving the Bear emperor, Bersun. Nearing the end of his tenure as emperor, Bersun calls the Festival of Trials where a contender from each palace will compete to be the Emperor-in -waiting. Neema, is chosen to compete after the Raven contender is found dead. She must solve the murder and stay alive through the trials, while navigating the politics of the court.

This was very well written and paced novel! This has the ingredients to make an amazing TV show series. Animal companions, a murder mystery, romance, and a few jaw-dropping twists kept me hooked. I really enjoyed the character of Cain, and his sly Fox ways particularly.

An amazing debut for sure! The writing is witty and often changes perspectives within a chapter but it was never jarring and serves the narrative very well. Each character that we meet is fleshed out and their character motivations are so well developed that I found myself lost in my own theories of what I thought was going on. Will be looking forward to the next in the series!