Review: Raven Song by I.A. Ashcroft

Raven Song by I.A. Ashcroft

(I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.)

BLURB

A century ago, the world burned. Even now, though rebuilt and defiant, civilization is still choking on the ashes.

Jackson, a smuggler, lives in the shadows, once a boy with no memory, no name, and no future. Ravens followed him, long-extinct birds only he could see, and nightmares flew in their wake. Once, Jackson thought himself to be one of the lucky few touched by magic, a candidate for the Order of Mages. He is a man now, and that dream has died. But, the ravens still follow. The nightmares still whisper in his ear.

Anna’s life was under the sun, her future bright, her scientific work promising. She knew nothing of The Bombings, the poisoned world, or the occult. One day, she went to work, and the next, she awoke in a box over a hundred years in the future, screaming, fighting to breathe, and looking up into the eyes of a smuggler. Anna fears she’s gone crazy, unable to fill the massive hole in her memories, and terrified of the strange abilities she now possesses.

The Coalition government has turned its watchful eyes towards them. The secret factions of the city move to collect them first. And, old gods stir in the darkness, shifting their pawns on the playing field.

If Anna and Jackson wish to stay free, they must learn what they are and why they exist.

Unfortunately, even if they do, it may be too late.

Raven Song is the first of a four book adult-oriented dystopian fantasy series, a story of intrigue, love, violence, and the old spirits in the shadows who wait for us to notice them again. Readers of Neil Gaiman, Holly Black, and Charlie Human will enjoy this dark magic-laced tale rooted on the bones of what our world could become.



CHARACTERS

I loved the main characters. I love it when I love the main characters! While Jackson is a smuggler, he has problems far pressing than 'how to get the shipment out'. He sees Ravens, birds that are said to be extinct..birds that no one else see. Jackson has a past he doesn't remember and a future that looks bleak. I liked how for once I was reading about an orphaned character who did NOT have an abusive adoptive family or abusive relatives. Jackson was such a realistic character that I could practically see him in front of me when I read about him. I could see his movements, mannerisms..feel his relief, fear and curiosity. He is a perfect character in every which way.

Anna is a character with no memories of why she is where she is. Oh and also, she may have traveled in time. Her character develops so beautifully as the story progresses. I wanted to hug her and cry out "You go girl!" at many points in the story.

PLOT

I love how the genre isn't solely fantasy but is interlaced with science. This makes the world that the author has created more believable and real. The plot is amazingly crafted and the novel ended with so many many questions popping up in my head! So many mysteries pop up during the entire read and by the end we have more questions than answers! But not in an infuriating way. Rather in a I-can't-wait-to-read-the-next-book way. Full marks for the suspenseful, intriguing plot!

WRITING

The writing was on point. It wasn't cluttered or confusing. The author puts in the right amount of descriptions without slowing down the pace of the story. I would have finished the book in one sitting had it not been for college..

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE BOOK

-The plot
-The prologue (Perfection)
-The characters
-The writing style

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT THE BOOK

-NOT A THING!

CONCLUSION

If you haven't read the book yet, PICK IT UP ALREADY!

RATING

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