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jalapeno89's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ckayd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
funkelbunt_liest's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
I knew I would love Revna’s story after reading “The Huntress” and I knew I would absolutely need it after finishing “The Viking”. But I didn’t know how much I needed it and how much I would love it!!!
Like the previous books it has everything - strong faith content, redemption arcs and character growth. Palpable danger and action that kept me on the edge of my seat and the most wonderful enemies to lovers romance.
And don’t get me started on loyal friendships or family bonds. I absolutely hate that I can’t scream why this book was so absolutely wonderful and brought so much healing. You have to read the series yourself. And I really mean that - read them!
I didn’t cry nearly as much or often as I did while reading the previous books, but it still is my favorite and gave me ALL the feels. Oh I hoped for this and still couldn’t believe it when there were the first hints…
I know my review must seem like confused ramblings if you haven’t read the books, but that’s all I can say. Read it! You will be heartbroken and then there will be healing. Oh this book and these characters! I love them all, but Revna and Aksel are most definitely my favorites. They might even be my favorite couple of 2024’s reads… The banter, the healing, the stubbornness and how they care not only for each other but for people in general. It’s such a sweet and swoony romance. I just loved them together. They are far from perfect, but perfect for each other.
Also - I absolutely loved Rune. I loved how he was in a way the one who showed Revna God’s love even if it took years for her to accept it. I love the strong gospel message of these books and how they show that we don’t know God’s plan. That we might not see change in someone’s life but that doesn’t mean there is none or that we shouldn’t boldly proclaim Christ and live for Him. There is so much grief and hurt in this series, but so much more hope.
— very MILD spoiler ahead, because we all expected this, didn’t we..? —
The only thing I wished for after finishing the book was a longer scene at the end where the three women reconnected. Like we know what happened to each of them because we read the books, but I would have loved a bit of reminiscence between them, a bit more telling each other about the last years, a bit more wonder about how God led each of them and brought them together again. Because I know this is fiction, but I am still amazed how it all fell into place.
This series is truly a masterpiece, can’t emphasize this enough!
But since Carrie announced another book - which I was honestly not expecting - I am happy I don’t have to say goodbye yet and hope we will see these characters again in Isa’s story!
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
Like the previous books it has everything - strong faith content, redemption arcs and character growth. Palpable danger and action that kept me on the edge of my seat and the most wonderful enemies to lovers romance.
And don’t get me started on loyal friendships or family bonds. I absolutely hate that I can’t scream why this book was so absolutely wonderful and brought so much healing. You have to read the series yourself. And I really mean that - read them!
I didn’t cry nearly as much or often as I did while reading the previous books, but it still is my favorite and gave me ALL the feels. Oh I hoped for this and still couldn’t believe it when there were the first hints…
I know my review must seem like confused ramblings if you haven’t read the books, but that’s all I can say. Read it! You will be heartbroken and then there will be healing. Oh this book and these characters! I love them all, but Revna and Aksel are most definitely my favorites. They might even be my favorite couple of 2024’s reads… The banter, the healing, the stubbornness and how they care not only for each other but for people in general. It’s such a sweet and swoony romance. I just loved them together. They are far from perfect, but perfect for each other.
Also - I absolutely loved Rune. I loved how he was in a way the one who showed Revna God’s love even if it took years for her to accept it. I love the strong gospel message of these books and how they show that we don’t know God’s plan. That we might not see change in someone’s life but that doesn’t mean there is none or that we shouldn’t boldly proclaim Christ and live for Him. There is so much grief and hurt in this series, but so much more hope.
— very MILD spoiler ahead, because we all expected this, didn’t we..? —
This series is truly a masterpiece, can’t emphasize this enough!
But since Carrie announced another book - which I was honestly not expecting - I am happy I don’t have to say goodbye yet and hope we will see these characters again in Isa’s story!
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
areadingmama12's review
5.0
How does one even write a review for a book like The Raven?
The depth. The intricacy. The faith woven throughout.
Carrie must be a magician. The plot twists she threw. My head was spinning. My eyes wouldn’t stop leaking.
Cyrene will always be my favorite, but Revna and Aksel are second for sure.
Revna was filled with so much darkness at the beginning of the story, and Aksel was as well, in his own way. There were times that it seemed like redemption might be impassible. Almost as if Revna would live I the shadows forever. It was neat to watch as they both grew in their faith, as they watched God’s hands move, that they trusted in Him.
If you haven’t picked up any of the books in this series… you’re missing out! You MUST start with The Huntress, and once you start just arm yourself with tissues and chocolate, and take a week off work. Just read all three at once!
The depth. The intricacy. The faith woven throughout.
Carrie must be a magician. The plot twists she threw. My head was spinning. My eyes wouldn’t stop leaking.
Cyrene will always be my favorite, but Revna and Aksel are second for sure.
Revna was filled with so much darkness at the beginning of the story, and Aksel was as well, in his own way. There were times that it seemed like redemption might be impassible. Almost as if Revna would live I the shadows forever. It was neat to watch as they both grew in their faith, as they watched God’s hands move, that they trusted in Him.
If you haven’t picked up any of the books in this series… you’re missing out! You MUST start with The Huntress, and once you start just arm yourself with tissues and chocolate, and take a week off work. Just read all three at once!
mrssehardy's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I couldn't read this story fast enough or make it last as long as I wanted it to; it is the perfect blend of adventure and character growth to keep you engaged to the very last page! This book will keep you guessing and I enjoyed every moment. I definitely think, that it is best read as a series and in order. The author has build such a rich world and you won't want to miss a single page!
kimbereading's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“Because there is only one path to forgiveness, and it is paved wi’ stones too heavy for any human to lift.”
The Raven by Carrie Cotten is an intense, sweeping redemptive story set in medieval times that will have you by your throat in tension one scene, then swooning from a tender moment in another.
It is filled with twists and turns I didn’t see coming, reaching back and connecting threads from the first two books in the series. (I highly recommend the first two books, The Huntress and The Viking, and recommend you read the series in order to get the richest picture of the characters and stories).
One thing I love about Carrie’s books is how the characters and stories she creates encourage and challenge me in my own life / faith journey. The Raven is no different—Aksel and Revna are deeply developed characters with flaws and hurts that made me ache for them, but also journey with them as they individually (and together) grow, learn, battle, and change in realistic and meaningful ways.
And the banter! So many witty and fun lines throughout a book that is intense and emotional. The Raven is filled with strong characters that fight to do the right thing even when it’s hard; who get back up and try again even when they fail; who are learning who they are and how much the One Who Gave All loves them.
If you love sweeping stories of faith and fierceness, witty banter, characters full of heart, fight scenes that make you feel like you’re in the middle of it, with threads of hope and redemption running through it all, then you’ll love this book. Five stars from me.
*I received an ARC of this book. This is my honest review and all opinions are my own.