The Raven Scholar
by Antonia Hodgson
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Pub Date Apr 29 2025 | Archive Date Apr 22 2025
Hachette Australia & New Zealand | Hodderscape
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Description
The first book in a masterfully woven and playfully inventive epic adult fantasy trilogy from an award-winning author, full of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar's quest to uncover the truth.
She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder.
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 . . .
Advance Praise
'The Raven Scholar is a labyrinth of a book-vast and intricate, full of fiendish twists and clever traps--with a deeply human heart at its center. It's thrilling, romantic, often tragic, and always funny; I'm obsessed' - Alix E. Harrow, NYT bestselling author of Starling House
'The Raven Scholar is an immersive and enthralling epic fantasy. Fiendishly charming and clever, this is a book you absolutely must devour' - Tasha Suri, World Fantasy Award-winning author of The Jasmine Throne
'Twisty and clever' - Claire North, author of Ithaca
'The Raven Scholar is epic fantasy at its finest: fiendish political intrigue, the ultimate trial for the throne and a shocking crime at the centre. Every character plays friend, suspect and threat - and you'll be turning the pages at midnight to unmask them. I can't wait to devour the sequel. Simply glorious!' - Georgia Summers, Sunday Times bestselling author of The City of Stardust
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781529339864 |
| PRICE | A$32.99 (AUD) |
| PAGES | 656 |
Links
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Kerry F, Reviewer
Thank you to Netgalley, Hachette ANZ and Antonia Hodgson for providing me with a copy of this book for the purposes of review. The below is my opinion, freely given.
WOW! Just wow. May the eight strike me down (and remain hidden) if this isnt a 5 star read for any Fantasy fan.
The world building is magnificent, rich and deep. The characters, oh the characters. The story itself rumbles along like a lazy river ride with rapids around every corner. The author languidly pulls you through this mystical place, taking her time to weave a tapestry as complex and exquisite as the finest silk rug, while throwing you into the fray whenever it suits and when you least expect it.
As someone who regularly picks the villian and untangles the plot fairly quickly, I DID NOT pick the way this story developed and it kept me turning the page well into the wee hours.
The characters I wanted to hate, I ended up loving. The characters I thought I loved.....well I love them still but I never thought I'd feel the way I do about some of them in the end.
I loved this book and cant wait to see what occurs in book two. Neema - I cannot wait to see how you travel through the next part of this journey and I really hope Pink-pink is around in book 2. I suspect there's more to him than meets his rolling eye.
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