The Last Raven

The Last Raven by Helen Glynn Jones is sure to become your next fantasy obsession. It is truly amazing! Helen Glynn Jones, you have captivated me and I eagerly anticipate the next installment.

Fans of the genre will find Helen Glynn Jones's The Last Raven to be an engrossing vampire romance that deftly blends elements of forced proximity and forbidden love. This story, which takes place in a vampire-dominated world, offers a novel interpretation on the traditional vampire myth while capturing the difficulties of identity, rebellion, and the weight of fate.

The protagonist of the tale is Emelia, the lone descendant of the House of Raven, who is set to inherit a society from which she feels wholly cut off. She struggles with her identity and the expectations of her heritage as a human living among vampires. Emelia is a sympathetic heroine because of her unwillingness to accept her fate, and her mental turmoil creates the perfect environment for an engaging story. Emelia saw Kyle, an enigmatic character, as a chance for rebellion and a way out of the oppressive expectations that have been placed on her.

Emelia and Kyle's relationship is expertly developed by Jones, who also creates a tangible tension that drives the plot. The stakes of their relationship rise as their bond grows stronger in the face of society pressures and sinister forces in motion. The story does a great job of examining issues of sacrifice and choice as Emelia is forced to choose between doing what her family expects of her and following her own intuition.

The Last Raven is distinguished not only by its gripping love story but also by its intricately designed setting. Emelia finds it difficult to feel like she belongs in the mysterious and dangerous vampire society that Jones depicts. There are many of twists and turns and a fast pace to keep readers interested all the way to the finish.

All things considered, The Last Raven is a compelling addition to the vampire romance genre, ideal for readers looking for a blend of romance, adventure, and emotional depth. As readers immerse themselves in Emelia's turbulent journey, this book is guaranteed to leave them wanting more because of its captivating characters and surprising plot.

I recently finished "The Last Raven" by Helen Glynn Jones, and it was a good, interesting take on vampire fantasy/romance. The novel follows Emelia, a human born into a powerful vampire family, destined to rule over a world of immortals who would eat her in a heartbeat. This book is solidly in the YA/NA category. Some people would categorise this under romantasy, but I would categorise it as a fantasy with heavy romantic elements.

Jones does an excellent job of building tension throughout the story. The plot moves pretty fast with a couple of unexpected twists. I was impressed by the ending, which was genuinely surprising and well-executed. I found myself wanting more details about the vampire society and its history. However, the fast-paced plot largely made up for this little shortcoming.

The relationship between Emelia and Kyle, her new human empathiser guard, adds an interesting dynamic to the story. Their interactions are charged with tension, providing a nice balance to the more serious political elements of the plot. While Emelia's character can be frustrating at times due to her childishness, it's understandable given her sheltered upbringing. Her struggle to reconcile her human nature with her vampire destiny is well-portrayed and adds depth to her character.

Overall, "The Last Raven" offers a new angle on vampire lore, blending elements of political intrigue, a coming-of-age drama, and romance. It did give me some "Twilight" vibes (but without some of the more problematic aspects), making it an enjoyable read for both young adult and new adult audiences. I'm looking forward to seeing how the series develops in future!

The story centers on Emelia, the sole heir to the House of Raven. Caught in the relentless expectations of her lineage, Emelia is forced to confront her unique position in a society that values power and bloodline above all else. The reader instantly connects with her internal struggle—torn between the lavish life and responsibilities inherent in her title and her own yearning for authenticity and freedom. Jones's portrayal of Emelia is both relatable and poignant, as she grapples with feelings of confinement while navigating the treacherous waters of being human in a vampire world.
The arrival of Kyle is a game-changer for Emelia, serving as more than just a romantic interest; he becomes her beacon of hope and rebellion. Their chemistry crackles with intensity, fueled by the tension of their different worlds. Jones does an exceptional job of weaving the “forced proximity” trope into the narrative, as Kyle’s mysterious demeanor and hidden agendas draw Emelia into a whirlwind of passion and peril. Their relationship is both thrilling and delicately layered, as Emelia must not only confront the potential of love but also the danger it brings.
One of the most enthralling aspects of "The Last Raven" is how it challenges the norm of vampire literature by placing a human heroine at its core. Emelia’s perspective offers a refreshing departure from the traditional vampire narrative, and as she uncovers her own strength, the reader is taken on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. The themes of choice and sacrifice resonate deeply, especially as Emelia grapples with the idea of leaving behind those she loves for a chance at true freedom.
Overall, this book is a hauntingly beautiful tale, perfect for anyone seeking a fresh take on vampire romance.

✶✶✶✶ / 5 𝔰𝔱𝔞𝔯𝔰 ꔫ

ℑ’𝔩𝔩 𝔟𝔢 𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔠𝔢𝔡 𝔱𝔬 𝔱𝔞𝔨𝔢 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔠𝔯𝔬𝔴𝔫, 𝔰𝔦𝔪𝔭𝔩𝔶 𝔟𝔢𝔠𝔞𝔲𝔰𝔢 𝔬𝔣 𝔴𝔥𝔬 𝔪𝔶 𝔭𝔞𝔯𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔰 𝔞𝔯𝔢. 𝔑𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯 𝔪𝔦𝔫𝔡 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔪𝔶 𝔰𝔨𝔦𝔫, 𝔪𝔶 𝔢𝔶𝔢𝔰, 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔴𝔞𝔶 ℑ 𝔪𝔬𝔳𝔢, 𝔢𝔳𝔢𝔯𝔶𝔱𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔤 𝔴𝔦𝔩𝔩 𝔤𝔦𝔳𝔢 𝔪𝔢 𝔞𝔴𝔞𝔶 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔴𝔥𝔞𝔱 ℑ 𝔞𝔪.

ℌ𝔲𝔪𝔞𝔫.

ℑ𝔫 𝔞 𝔴𝔬𝔯𝔩𝔡 𝔯𝔲𝔩𝔢𝔡 𝔟𝔶 𝔳𝔞𝔪𝔭𝔦𝔯𝔢𝔰.

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

I want to start off by saying thank you to NetGalley for letting me have the ARC copy of this book. I am also even more happy to say that it did not disappoint.

Starting off this was such a quick, easy and enjoyable read. I got through this book very quickly and I was not expecting that. The cover first drew me in, but I was a bit concerned it might disappoint me like Divine Rivals did (though they’re not similar at all). This really serves as a reminder not to judge a book by its cover—literally!

Being born human to two vampires is incredibly rare, which leads to discrimination against Emilia and causes her parents to keep her locked away and sheltered. This dynamic shifts when her parents decide she needs to start engaging in social settings to assert her role as heir, especially with her eighteenth birthday approaching.

At the beginning of the book, I felt the world-building was somewhat lacking; I struggled to see the direction of the story, as there seemed to be countless possibilities for its evolution. I wasn't entirely sure where the story was set, and the descriptions of passing characters were minimal. It was also unclear what time period we were in, though it felt like a somewhat modern dystopian world. Europe is mentioned, but there's no specific location given. However, I see these as minor issues that could be easily addressed in the next book.

Despite those concerns, the book was fast-paced, easy to follow, and featured short chapters—every book lover's dream! I am looking forward to the next book!

⊹₊ ˚‧︵‿₊୨୧₊‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

જ⁀➴ᡣ𐭩 𝔈𝔪𝔦𝔩𝔦𝔞

Emilia is a highly relatable character who feels lost in her world, struggling to fit in on either side. Despite being born into privilege, she faces discrimination and feels a strong responsibility to advocate for marginalized groups. Her strong moral compass is truly admirable.

While there are many positives to Emilia's character, she can come off as a bit too weepy at times. I understand her feelings, but as the heir to the Raven House, with powerful vampire parents and a unique bloodline, I wanted to see her exhibit more strength. It would be great to witness her grow not just mentally, which we do see toward the end as she becomes more assertive and aware of her role, but also physically.

She needs to learn to stop being prey; yes, she’s at a disadvantage as a human, but come on—think Vampire Diaries! A wooden stake or a special knife would be fantastic! There’s so much potential for her character development, and if handled well, it could really elevate this series.


જ⁀➴ᡣ𐭩 𝔎𝔶𝔩𝔢

I'm not sure if I should dedicate a paragraph to Kyle given how the book ends, but here we go. From his first appearance, I was hooked; he embodies the typical morally gray romantic lead. I appreciated that, even in a short book, he was much more emotionally complex than most male main characters. I won't say any more, read for yourself as it will not disappoint.

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Last but certainly not least, let’s talk about the ending! While there were moments when the plot felt unclear, the author definitely pulled me in. I didn't see that plot twist coming at all! There were moments of foreshadowing that made me think I had it figured out, but I was completely wrong—and I loved it. This really set the book apart from other fantasy series. Not only was there one twist, but it also ended on a cliffhanger! It was so shocking that I’m left wondering what comes next. How can we finally get a glimpse of where this foreshadowing leads, and then just have the book end like that?

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for something that captures the vibe without being overly spooky. If you’re craving a story that scratches that vampire itch, this is the perfect choice!

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Screw some of the other reviews—I really liked this! I think it deserves more credit than some of these reviews are giving. A lot of people complained about the world-building, but I found it perfectly adequate. The story is set in a world where vampires have taken over the world with the US and UK under the Raven rule, and the other regions controlled by different vampire families. Humans are now confined to Safe Zones like livestock. This isn’t a high fantasy with a complex magic system, and I didn't expect it to be. The setup was clear enough for me, and I appreciated the dark, dystopian vibe.

Now, I get the critiques of Emelia, the FMC. She definitely came off as bratty and petulant, especially in the beginning. Honestly, around the 18% mark, I thought about not finishing the book because she was grating on my nerves. But at about 20%, she started to grow as a character, and by the end, I was a fan. It’s a slow burn in terms of character development, but it definitely pays off.

As for the MMC—yes, he's got red flags. A lot of people complained that they didn't like him. That the insta love was too quick. That he was condescending...but maybe they didn't consider that it was because he was indeed condescending? First loves are tricky....

At its core, The Last Raven is a story about the quality of life, human slavery, and fighting for the meek and helpless. It has deeper themes that I think some readers overlooked. I’m really looking forward to seeing what the author does with the next book!

this one was a very refreshing vampire story and i was delighted to be an arc reader for this book ✨

we follow Emelia the heir of Raven, the vampires who control Europe. she is to be crowned on her 18th birthday so she can take her proper place as the head of the family. there is only one problem, Emelia is a human.

i love reading vampire books. while this one had many familiar vampire things, daylight, super speed, super strength, blood, there was also refreshing new ideas throughout the story. i loved the consept of anti-feed.

this book was very easy to read and i loved following Emelia although she was at points very naive and a bit childish. (which was understandable though, as she had lived a very shielded life) The love story aspect was very ya and a bit insta love but I enjoyed it for the most parts.

the ending was very cool and i totally did not see that coming. all in all, very refreshing take on a vampire story.


4,5 stars

I was invested from cover and description and was so glad I was able to read this. It had that romance element that I was looking for and thought it worked as a realistic tale in this universe. I thought the characters worked with the vampire element going on. I was never bored when reading this and am excited for more from Helen Glynn Jones. Helen Glynn Jones always does a great job in writing this type of book and can’t wait for more.

*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!

Imagine being the only human in a world full of vampires, and the biggest problem isn’t that they want to drink your blood, it’s that they expect you to be their queen. Yep, that’s the situation for poor Emelia in The Last Raven by Helen Glynn Jones. And let’s just say, royal life isn’t all tiaras and fancy gowns when you’re trying to hide the fact that you’re not actually undead.

Emelia, our reluctant heir to the House of Raven has everything a girl could dream of: power, wealth, influence… oh, and a massive secret. Unlike her blood sucking family and everyone around her, Emelia is inconveniently human. Awkward, right? Imagine playing vampire dress-up every day just to avoid becoming someone’s next snack. No pressure!

Things get even juicier when Kyle, a mysterious new guard with a suspicious amount of charm, shows up. Suddenly, Emelia’s world of brooding vampires and shadowy politics gets a bit more complicated (and a lot more interesting). Kyle isn’t just a distraction, he’s her possible ticket to freedom. But escaping the crown isn’t as easy as ditching a ball gown. With rebellion simmering and some seriously dark forces lurking around the palace, Emelia’s caught between her desire for a normal life and the throne that’s destined to be hers.

Do you choose love and freedom or embrace your destiny as the not-so-undead queen? Decisions, decisions…

The best part about The Last Raven is how it blends classic vampire intrigue with fresh twists. Sure, there’s political drama, forbidden romance, and some dark magic brewing in the background, but Emelia’s humanity brings a layer of humour and realness that makes her super relatable (even if she’s surrounded by creatures of the night). Watching her struggle to keep her secret while the world demands she step up as the next vampire queen is equal parts hilarious and nail-biting. Let’s just say, faking immortality? Not as easy as it looks.

Helen Glynn Jones delivers all the broody, bloodthirsty vampire drama you want, but with a modern twist that’ll have you flipping pages. With rebellion on one side, romance on the other, and Emelia stuck in the middle of it all, this book is the perfect mix of adventure, angst, and just enough swoon-worthy moments to keep you hooked.

So, if you love vampires, political intrigue, and a heroine who’s over the whole “eternal power” thing, The Last Raven is your next read.

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 Collins UK - One More Chapter and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.