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forestidylls's review against another edition
4.0
Such a good book! I admit I was skeptical at first but the further I got, the further it drew me in and now I can't really to pick up the second book!
hannahnana73's review against another edition
3.0
the ending was rushed... but it was interesting... not very used to fantasy ig
gatosenojados's review against another edition
2.0
Very slow. The dream walking idea is interesting but somehow, nothing interesting happened....
english_lady03's review against another edition
4.0
Mark of the Raven is the first novel in a new fantasy series from author Morgan L. Busse. Overall, I enjoyed it more than I expected it to. The concept was good and well executed and the world building quite believable. I would not all the setting wholly Medieval, as there were modern elements (tea trays etc) but they don’t seem intrusive or anachronistic. They just kind of work as part of the invented world.
There were faint resemblances to other stories including Patrick W Carr’s Darkwater Trilogy which involves different houses or families having different ‘gifts’, and even Game of Thrones with a clan of dragon riders (a wyvern was according to mythology a two-legged dragon) and a house the symbol of a raven. Yet there was enough originality in the story and characters for this story to work on its own. Despite a few clichés- leather trousers for example or characters drinking tea out of iron mugs. Yeah iron a conductor of heat, so, burning hazard there.
Also, the characters were interesting. Again, it’s easy in some fantasy stories for the characters to get ‘lost’ in the complexities of the story or the action, or just be killed off too quickly. It was possible to identify with Selene’s moral struggles and angst about her purpose the destiny in life, her care for her family was tangible, and I was found myself rooting for her throughout.
My only real complaint was that things got a little repetitive in a few places. I think the history of what had happened to House Ravenwood only needed to be mentioned a couple of times, not over and over again. Also, the way that characters kept mulling over their actions, thoughts and feelings, often with the same decisions and conclusions became repetitive.
I certainly recommend this novel to lovers of clean fantasy with an inspirational flavour set in unique and imaginative worlds, and I look forward to the story continuing in the next book.
I requested this title from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
There were faint resemblances to other stories including Patrick W Carr’s Darkwater Trilogy which involves different houses or families having different ‘gifts’, and even Game of Thrones with a clan of dragon riders (a wyvern was according to mythology a two-legged dragon) and a house the symbol of a raven. Yet there was enough originality in the story and characters for this story to work on its own. Despite a few clichés- leather trousers for example or characters drinking tea out of iron mugs. Yeah iron a conductor of heat, so, burning hazard there.
Also, the characters were interesting. Again, it’s easy in some fantasy stories for the characters to get ‘lost’ in the complexities of the story or the action, or just be killed off too quickly. It was possible to identify with Selene’s moral struggles and angst about her purpose the destiny in life, her care for her family was tangible, and I was found myself rooting for her throughout.
My only real complaint was that things got a little repetitive in a few places. I think the history of what had happened to House Ravenwood only needed to be mentioned a couple of times, not over and over again. Also, the way that characters kept mulling over their actions, thoughts and feelings, often with the same decisions and conclusions became repetitive.
I certainly recommend this novel to lovers of clean fantasy with an inspirational flavour set in unique and imaginative worlds, and I look forward to the story continuing in the next book.
I requested this title from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
votesforwomen's review against another edition
4.0
As I mentioned in my updates: This felt very, very much like Strange the Dreamer! However, I felt that Strange was better executed. As a result of that, and the fact that I had a few quibbles and inconveniences, I'm docking a star from this one.
However! the plot was twisty and turny, the story did things I was NOT expecting, and the characters, while nothing particularly unique, still grew in very enjoyable ways to watch. The ending knocked my socks off, and I can't WAIT for book 2!
However! the plot was twisty and turny, the story did things I was NOT expecting, and the characters, while nothing particularly unique, still grew in very enjoyable ways to watch. The ending knocked my socks off, and I can't WAIT for book 2!
lielos99's review against another edition
5.0
Such a good read!!!!! I love the idea of dreamwalkers and their gifts and it’s just so wonderful! I can’t wait for booke 2!
katherinebriggs's review against another edition
5.0
Cool world. Intrigue. Interesting characters. Tough choices. The glimpses into different souls fascinated me. I highly recommend Busse’s Mark of The Raven!
annie13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
taniel's review against another edition
5.0
This book started out slow for me but it’s probably due to the fact that I wasn’t really into fantasy books before but by the end I was hooked. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series.