Reviews

In The Ravenous Dark , by A.M. Strickland

jaymrn27's review against another edition

dark hopeful mysterious fast-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

5.0

carleeiigh's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this WAY more than I thought I would. It's just wild, it's long but I think it's still paced well. The magic is intriguing, the characters are fun, the plot can be a little over complicated but it's still a great world - plus queer EVERYONE.

There's a threesome and a polyamorous relationship between two vampires and a ghost. What's not to love?

genie110's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny 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

4.25

I really enjoyed this book. It was eventful and kept me riveted for the entirety of the book. Very interesting plot line and pretty inventive too. Would recommend.

baffledbiscuit's review against another edition

2.0

I was really looking forward to this, but unfortunately it did not meet my expectations.

Everything seemed way too rushed, and it felt like Rovan, the main character, became close to the other characters way too quickly. With Lydea in particular, it felt like

Spoiler

they went from meeting in one scene, to kissing in the next and willing to die for each other after that, with only a few flirtatious conversations in between.

The characters also recovered very quickly from some plot developments.

The setting never really felt like a real place to me. The part with the

Spoiler

Skyllean queen

didn't have much of an effect on the rest of the plot and could have been left out.

I did like the premise, and Rovan herself was a fairly compelling MC. The magic system was interesting, and so was the whole

Spoiler

Rovan becoming undead

thing. If the book had been longer/a duology, I think there would have been more time to get to know the characters and for the plot to breathe. But as it is I found it very disappointing.

Also Rovan must meet the record number of times for passing out - seriously half the chapters start with her waking up from being made unconscious somehow.

ashlee_'s review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

leila_reads_too_much's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

4.5

thebookeer's review

2.0

"In the Ravenous Dark" tells the story of Rovan, whose father is taken away by the royal family. A few years later, Rovan herself is unveiled as a bloodmage, who is to inherit a powerful bloodline from her father, who is struggling under the magical burden. Furthermore, a shadow guardian that she detests, is assigned for Rovan to keep her away from trouble.
The book is just mediocre - I enjoy the magic system and the background about sigils and bloodlines, however, it doesn't get covered as much as I prefer in a fantasy-genre book. Instead, it feels more like a pansexual romance book with some quirks. Furthermore, I had expected that this book has some dark, creepy vibes, but honestly - not really. The idea is good, but the execution lacking.

girly_cat1's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious fast-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

electrumempousa's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Really mixed feelings about this. The first half was slow and the second half was an absolute gallop. So much crammed in. I’m still wrapping my head around it. This could very easily have been a duology or a trilogy but I’m pleased it was kept to just the one book. Interesting concepts, quite liked the characters and their approach to love and the queer rep

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Vomit, Suicide, Transphobia, and Injury/injury detail

Minor: Sexual violence

twinklstarcandy's review against another edition

dark funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I was hoping to like it more than i did, very diverse characters but flat? Did not like the romance interests unfortunately, good idea but still standard general ya plot typa thing