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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
informative
fast-paced
Ravens have lived at the Tower of London forever (or maybe since 1880). They have been under the protection of the royal family since Charles II (or maybe not). There is an age old legend that if the ravens ever leave the Tower, England will fall (or maybe drunk tour guides made that up during Victorian times).
The Ravenmaster cares for the Ravens. He is one of the elite military men who guard the Tower of London. It's as if Alfred Pennyworth decided not to be a butler in Gotham in favor of caring for corvids and mythology. The Ravenmaster loves the ravens and loves his part of telling the myth about the heart of England.
Great bus book and goes very well with cold medicine.
The Ravenmaster cares for the Ravens. He is one of the elite military men who guard the Tower of London. It's as if Alfred Pennyworth decided not to be a butler in Gotham in favor of caring for corvids and mythology. The Ravenmaster loves the ravens and loves his part of telling the myth about the heart of England.
Great bus book and goes very well with cold medicine.
What a delightful read! I have a particular love of birds, especially birds who choose to live closely with people, so I was very excited to be chosen to read this by Netgalley. And it was worth every minute I spent with it. Not only do we get to learn about the ravens of the Tower of London and all the history and lore that goes along with them, but we also get to know each bird’s personality and quirks. Even more, the author shares stories of his experience, both as Ravenmaster and his time in the infantry, and he is as entertaining and charming as you could possibly want.
I really enjoyed this book and was sorry to see it end. Highly recommended.
I really enjoyed this book and was sorry to see it end. Highly recommended.
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
What a lovely little book. It was recommended by a walking tour guide on my first day in London and I'm glad to have picked it up! I really enjoyed the audiobook, as the author reads it and there are a variety of raven sounds throughout, making it more immersive.
After reading I immediately sought out my raven photos from the tower of London. I mostly captured George, who wasn't born when this book was written, but his mother Muninn is all over it. I kind of wish I had read this before visiting the Tower, so I could have appreciated the ravens even more, and kept an eye out for the author. I guess I'll just have to go back!
After reading I immediately sought out my raven photos from the tower of London. I mostly captured George, who wasn't born when this book was written, but his mother Muninn is all over it. I kind of wish I had read this before visiting the Tower, so I could have appreciated the ravens even more, and kept an eye out for the author. I guess I'll just have to go back!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
This was fun. Mr. Skaife's voice is so pronounced, it felt like he was talking to me. And, of course, the ravens. They were fun, they were playful, the stories were heartwarming and heartbreaking. Mostly, it was just a "rawkous" good time :D
informative
medium-paced
Rating: 4 stars - It was really good
Until a few years ago, I didn’t realize that the Tower of London had ravens or that there was a whole rumor that the city would fall if the ravens left. Christopher Skaife takes us through the history of the position of Ravenmaster and what it means to be a Ravenmaster.
As an American, I found this memoir to be very interesting. It was fascinating learning about the different ravens and their personalities, especially Merlina. I was also very happy to see that Skaife’s dedication to the ravens included upgrading their lives and keeping them as wild as possible.
After listening to this audiobook, which I recommend because you can hear the raven’s calls between chapters, I know if I am ever in London I will visit the Tower to see the ravens, and hopefully meet Skaife himself.
Trigger Warnings: discussion of animal death
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
Until a few years ago, I didn’t realize that the Tower of London had ravens or that there was a whole rumor that the city would fall if the ravens left. Christopher Skaife takes us through the history of the position of Ravenmaster and what it means to be a Ravenmaster.
As an American, I found this memoir to be very interesting. It was fascinating learning about the different ravens and their personalities, especially Merlina. I was also very happy to see that Skaife’s dedication to the ravens included upgrading their lives and keeping them as wild as possible.
After listening to this audiobook, which I recommend because you can hear the raven’s calls between chapters, I know if I am ever in London I will visit the Tower to see the ravens, and hopefully meet Skaife himself.
Trigger Warnings: discussion of animal death
You can also find my reviews at Red-Haired Ash Reads.
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
This book is so charming. A brief history of the Tower of London built into a very readable personal history and collection of fascinating stories about the Tower ravens and those who care for them.
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
I wanted more about the ravens and legend of England. That said, he did present legends after the connection of ravens. I just wanted more. I liked his writing style - it’s conversational, like he’s g in in his a tour of the ravens for a day (which he basically is). He weaves the ravens and his life together well, so as not to be intrusive with his personal stories. Thoroughly enjoyable and a fast read