it was freaking good. I LOVED it. the atmosphere, the characters, the plot , bonding theme, the cover are just 🔥 I couldn't put it down the last 35% even it was obvious how it ended. the author did a great job.

˗ˏˋ 4 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .

i loved how this book had a unique magic system like no other and kept me hooked right from the start.

although there were some plot twists that i didn't see coming, a few of them were relatively predictable to me. regardless, the book kept me on my toes and second guessing until the very last page. i literally flew by the last hundred pages.

i loved how some parts of the book took place in a dream, that concept was pretty wild and interesting to me. and that mirror scene *OMFG!-* definitely would recommend this book!

⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book, and could not put it down (even with other life commitments).. I loved the magic system and the more contemporary setting for this world. I could almost believe that the Raven Hands exist somewhere in a Gotham style city.

Thankyou for this ARC. I look forward to reading more from this author.

A beautifully almost lyrical book that i absolutely adored right from the first page. Gothic and macabre and everything that I love in books of this genre. I really enjoyed it

lyrical and haunting tale of transformation, identity, and magic. A mesmerizing read that lingers long after the final page.

We Become Ravens started strongly. I liked the premise with its enemies-to-lovers trope and was interested in how the past would unravel as the revelations started. However, my interest began to waiver at the mid-way point. Valdemar had seemed intriguing at first, but then his character devolved into only fixating on Evangeline without any real development of his own. Meanwhile Evangeline had my sympathy at first but soon lost it due to her sense of entitlement. I can't say too much to avoid spoilers, but I also found her brother's actions hard to reconcile. The fantasy elements were there but really played second fiddle to the sexual aspects. The pacing too felt off at times, dwelling for ages on flashbacks to the past while racing through moments in the present (except for the sex scenes which sometimes went on for pages). In the end, I am giving this book 3 stars. The plot idea was interesting and there was plenty of spice for those into that end of the romantasy scale. However, I felt the writing didn't always live up to the storyline's promise.

4 stars

I found this book while browsing NetGalley, and I was immediately attracted by the title and the premise. It was such a delightful read!

This book merges the macabre aura of Edgar Allan Poe's poems with a passionate, whirlwind romance, and magical aspects. Ten years ago, Evangeline's twin brother was killed by Valdemar Montresor. The book starts with Evangeline answering Valdemar's request to meet him in prison, after he promises he will tell her the truth about the night her brother was murdered. There, she finds out he'll be released in six weeks, and through those last weeks of his imprisonment, he unravels the secrets of that fateful night he has worked hard to keep.

There were a couple of plot twists I didn't see coming, though quite a few were clear as day. I don't know if that was the intent of the author, but I was surprised by the two major ones so I'm happy with it.

The short chapters, the quick pace, the intriguing story kept me hooked to my kindle. I seriously couldn't put this book down! Although, I found the writing lacking a few times, and the characters didn't have separate voices. As a result, I was left skeptical of the romance, though I enjoyed the sex scenes.

Overall, I had a great time reading this book and I would definitely recommend to friends!

We Become Ravens by Maria De is a haunting and lyrical novel that delves into themes of grief, identity, and transformation. With its beautiful prose and emotional depth, De crafts a story that stays with you long after the final page

I LOVED the idea of this book, and the first half of it, but at some point I felt like I couldn’t keep up with the story.

It kept dragging on and on sometimes, for instance when a character was telling a past event (so much unnecessary info, such as ‘the sun was setting out of the window’ or smth like this). And other times everything happened way too fast.

I liked the FMC in the beginning but later she started to have this illusion that everyone just owed her something. News flash, they didn’t.

And her twin brother with that request was absolutely hilarious AND outrageous. I had no empathy for him after that. I mean what the hell do you mean ‘kill my best friend, soul brother so I can be with my lover who by the way also pulled the trigger on me’?

I honestly loved the concepts and the supernatural aspects of this story but I wish it would have MC development or events that would make sense. Or an MMC that would have a real personality rather than just having his whole world revolve around the FMC.

I also wish it was less action-packed but with better storytelling.

Still, I don’t regret reading the book because it was a fresh plot to dive into. Good luck to the author with her new book.

PS I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, so thank you to the author and the publisher.

We Become Ravens is a dark, paranormal romance. It is the first dark romance I have read. I have to say that I did enjoy the book. I found it well paced. The romance was steamy. There were plenty of plot twists that I did not see coming.

The main female character, Evangeline Bransby, receives a letter from Valdemar Montresor, the man who was convicted of killing her brother, Ed, ten years ago. The man who is the notorious leader of a vigilante group called Raven Hands. He wants to meet with her to tell his story. Evangeline is a grieving sister, and she is a journalist for the Amontillado Gazette. Valdemar has been approached by many journalists over the years to tell his story. He has refused them all. Now is the time to tell his story, and Evangeline is the only person he feels should hear his story.
Evangeline is torn. She isn’t interested in listening to Valdemar’s story or having him seek her forgiveness. Killing her brother is something she can never forgive. As a journalist, she is finding it hard to resist his invitation. Evangeline is eventually convinced by her mother to accept Valdemar’s invitation. She cannot help but wonder what Valdemar Montresor could possibly have to say other than he is sorry.

When Evangeline first meets with Valdemar, he tells her he will be released from prison in six weeks. He wants to meet with her every Thursday over the next six weeks. Each Thursday, he will reveal parts of his story. All her instincts tell her to refuse. She hates him. She has dreamt so many times, over the last ten years, of thrusting a knife into Valdemar’s chest. She is terribly unsettled by her attraction to Valdemar. This is the man who admittedly killed her brother. How can she feel anything but hatred for him. Valdemar reveals the secrets of Raven Hands and the truth behind her brother’s death. The truth is not what Evangeline expects. There is danger in knowing the truth. Revealing the truth would be deadly.

This book contains forbidden romance, dangerous liaisons, dark dreams, and ghostly appearances. I was fully engaged in the story right through to the end.

The author mentioned there are triggers for some in this book. I feel it is worth mentioning these prior to someone reading this book: Violence, sex, dubious consent, suicide, death, grief, trauma, death during child birth, and depression.

I want to thank Hot Tree Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

I really was not sure what to expect going in to this book. However, I was pulled into it immediately! The details throughout were incredible. The plot was phenomenal! I had no idea what was going to happen next at any point during this read.

This book was so addicting. I was at work and all I could think about what this book. I am guilty of reading it work. This was such an amazing story. It had those dark sexy vibes that sucks you right in.

This book was fantastic and I could not put it down. Which means I am really tired writing this having been up till 3 am. I was excited to get an ARC after reading the description, and it did not disappoint. The plot was so good and unique. I can't recommend this book enough!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

I LOVED every single second of this story!! I wasn't 100% sure what I was getting into but I was pleasantly surprised. We Become Ravens is a devilishly dark, sexy and atmospheric story about our FMC Evangeline who starts to visit the man who killed her brother - Valdemar Montresor.

The story gets straight into the drama as we follow Evangeline and Vlademar meeting in the prison and even though he is quite obviously morally grey I loved him and their interactions together. Part of this story takes place in dreams and I found this to be really interesting and unique to me. The writing was compelling and had me reading when I should have been sleeping, I loved the references to Edgar Allan Poe and the smut was on point.

If you like dark romance and morally grey MMC's then please check this out.

Mesmerizing on multiple levels - past and present intertwine with ghosts and secrets, bits of dark magic - reality isn't real and the truth is buried, nothing is as it seems - and everything is woven through with nods to Poe, a true dark delight the man himself would be delighted in - every silken sad uncertain rustle ...

I enjoyed this book. The story was unique; I personally haven’t read anything like it. The plot line wasn’t predictable and had appropriate foreshadowing without giving everything away. I do think that the main characters’ personalities could have been fleshed out more. I didn’t really feel anything for them as individuals. As someone who hasn’t read many dark romance books, I felt like this was maybe a medium-low in darkness. There were some spicy scenes with detail, for those that like to know spice level. I feel like I have to also credit the author for the many Edgar Allen Poe references within the book - clever!

Thank you to Hot Tree Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

This story follows our FMC, Evangeline. Her twin brother was murdered and she receives a letter from the killer himself, Valdemar. He is the leader of the Raven Hands gang and was imprisoned after the death of Evangeline's brother. While still imprisoned, Valdemar wants to talk to her to explain his story before his release from prison. During this time of the story, it does seem a little slower, but once Valdemar is released from prison, the story begins to pick up. There are definitely nods to Edgar Allen Poe in the story, which I absolutely loved. There is also spice in this book!

This book was read with my fresh Onyx Storm hangover. And it definitely helped!! The MMC is the man of my dreams, considering the fact that he is morally grey but hey it’s dark romance. FMC has a lot of trauma but she wears it well. The ending was good as I’m assuming this is a standalone. Overall I’m recommending this to my book club to read when it publishes in March. Thanks for the ARC!

We Become Ravens is smartly written and a creative take on Edgar Allen Poe's works. This felt eerie and dark, giving a similar vibe to Edgar Allen Poe's writing while also weaving characters and ideas of his different works together that was so fun to read about and see them connected in one story. The magical/supernatural aspect of this book was really interesting but left me wanting more information (specifically on the idea of Blood Brothers and the reasoning why some people have abilities and how they get them). It was explained pretty superficially, and I just found myself wanting more information on all of it. The one part of this story I didn't particularly enjoy was the spicy scenes. I'm not against them in general, but specifically in this book they felt unnecessary and out of place and didn't add anything to the story (for me). Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC!

Evangeline will never forgive the murderer of her twin brother who will be released after ten years in prison. When Valdemar invites her to visit him in prison, she has no choice but to go if she wants to know the motives behind the murder.
‘We Become Ravens’ has charismatic characters and a narrative pace that immerses you in a story that brings together romance, fantasy and mystery.
Clearly a novel that will fascinate you.