Scan barcode
teesbookjourney's review against another edition
4.0
The cover of this book is what made me want to read this - Stunning! Princess Lyana is in love with a man that lies to her - meanwhile, she's supposed to be mated to another man - and they are half brothers.
Lyanna has bigger goals and dreams - to be true to herself and keep her people safe. Cassie is her only ally; meanwhile, she has kept secrets.
While Lyanna is doing her duty, things are in play behind her back. I loved the fantasy of this book and the world that was created.
The middle had some lag time for me - there was way too much time spent on the trails and the deception - since it's in the description, I didn't need chapters and verses.
The last half is where things get interesting, and ill be reading the other books in this series.
Sarah Sampino did a great job with the many characters, genuinely giving them a soul.
Lyanna has bigger goals and dreams - to be true to herself and keep her people safe. Cassie is her only ally; meanwhile, she has kept secrets.
While Lyanna is doing her duty, things are in play behind her back. I loved the fantasy of this book and the world that was created.
The middle had some lag time for me - there was way too much time spent on the trails and the deception - since it's in the description, I didn't need chapters and verses.
The last half is where things get interesting, and ill be reading the other books in this series.
Sarah Sampino did a great job with the many characters, genuinely giving them a soul.
kayladaniella's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5 stars
“This will not defeat you. It will not define you.”
This was the first audiobook I have ever listened to. It was an experience in itself. Prior to this, I was convinced that if I started an audiobook, I wouldn't be able to finish it. I listened to this book while driving to and from school everyday. It kept me interested enough to listen to the book instead of blasting music on the car ride home. And I finished it! I learnt that I actually do like audiobooks except for the one flaw that I did struggle with understanding the magic scenes for some reason. Besides that though, it definitely opened me to this form of reading that I will be continuing.
There isn’t much plot, it’s a lot more character dynamics. It was very slow in the beginning but even with the lack of a definite plot, I found myself really enjoying the story because of the characters. Rafe and Lyana hit hard as a pair. Loved Xander. Hated Cassi at first but I found her interesting by the end.
The world building is so interesting and I would’ve loved to know more. The different houses and powers and birds, it’s so freaking cool. I found myself wanting to know who the other houses paired with though and what their life was like. I kept on thinking about Coralie and Damien and wanting to know about their life cause they seem like exact opposites, or Lucca and Iris, and we don’t even find out who the others are paired with. Also, such a huge thing is that one of the male’s would not get a female cause there wasn’t enough, and we never find out which one. Adding those little details to the story probably would’ve tipped me to 5 stars.
This book had so much to it and I'm excited to listen to the next one. I found myself cackling out loud in the car or squealing like a little girl so often.
“This will not defeat you. It will not define you.”
This was the first audiobook I have ever listened to. It was an experience in itself. Prior to this, I was convinced that if I started an audiobook, I wouldn't be able to finish it. I listened to this book while driving to and from school everyday. It kept me interested enough to listen to the book instead of blasting music on the car ride home. And I finished it! I learnt that I actually do like audiobooks except for the one flaw that I did struggle with understanding the magic scenes for some reason. Besides that though, it definitely opened me to this form of reading that I will be continuing.
There isn’t much plot, it’s a lot more character dynamics. It was very slow in the beginning but even with the lack of a definite plot, I found myself really enjoying the story because of the characters. Rafe and Lyana hit hard as a pair. Loved Xander. Hated Cassi at first but I found her interesting by the end.
The world building is so interesting and I would’ve loved to know more. The different houses and powers and birds, it’s so freaking cool. I found myself wanting to know who the other houses paired with though and what their life was like. I kept on thinking about Coralie and Damien and wanting to know about their life cause they seem like exact opposites, or Lucca and Iris, and we don’t even find out who the others are paired with. Also, such a huge thing is that one of the male’s would not get a female cause there wasn’t enough, and we never find out which one. Adding those little details to the story probably would’ve tipped me to 5 stars.
This book had so much to it and I'm excited to listen to the next one. I found myself cackling out loud in the car or squealing like a little girl so often.
r_j_setser's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
“If anyone could bring color to a house of black, it was she."
The Raven and the Dove is an epic adventure that is truly meant for the reader who wants to live in a book. I listened to this audiobook over the course of two and half months, enjoying and savoring absolutely everything about it. It's a longer book than what is normal for YA (at 500+ pages) but I wouldn't want a single page taken out. It's an EPIC, HIGH fantasy novel, so expect intricate world building, thoughtful conversations between characters, many parts in the plot, and just, basically, a whole new world meant for exploration.
When I read fantasy, I love the details and this book was, without a doubt, full of details. The writing brought me into the pages and I can vividly describe to you every scene. Every tender moment and every time I felt my heart shatter. There are four points of view, and again, I wouldn't change it. I loved Lyana, Rafe, Xander, and Cassi. Their constant determination to chase their dreams and do what they believed was right, even though there were bigger things happening around them, was inspiring and so, so relatable. Each of their personalities were different and fun to read about, while also providing us with parts of the story that were literally unique to only them.
Other things I'd like to mention are tropes. Now, I'm not a fan (in general) of the love triangle trope because it often encourages or allows cheating and lies in romance, and as a rule, I don't believe a healthy romance can be built around such characteristics, so I typically avoid that trope altogether. However, this love triangle makes painful sense and I cannot tell you how many times I would pause the book and just look at the cover and whisper, "Oh my gosh, I'm so proud of you guys", because as teenagers in this situation, I was impressed by how they handled everything. Granted, they also made mistakes and more than paid for those with their consequences, but as a whole, I can say that this trope was as well done as you could expect from such a messy situation and with teenagers as the characters. I loved it.
Cliffhangers. If you don't like cliffhangers, buy the entire series first, because this one will rip your heart from your chest and fling it OVER the cliff. Literally (if you've read the book, you understand my trauma). I couldn't breathe through the last 5 chapters. I don't think I'll ever recover. It's fine.
Overall, I cannot wait to continue this series and highly recommend it to fans of high fantasy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received this audiobook for free from NetGalley. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and this review is voluntary.
The Raven and the Dove is an epic adventure that is truly meant for the reader who wants to live in a book. I listened to this audiobook over the course of two and half months, enjoying and savoring absolutely everything about it. It's a longer book than what is normal for YA (at 500+ pages) but I wouldn't want a single page taken out. It's an EPIC, HIGH fantasy novel, so expect intricate world building, thoughtful conversations between characters, many parts in the plot, and just, basically, a whole new world meant for exploration.
When I read fantasy, I love the details and this book was, without a doubt, full of details. The writing brought me into the pages and I can vividly describe to you every scene. Every tender moment and every time I felt my heart shatter. There are four points of view, and again, I wouldn't change it. I loved Lyana, Rafe, Xander, and Cassi. Their constant determination to chase their dreams and do what they believed was right, even though there were bigger things happening around them, was inspiring and so, so relatable. Each of their personalities were different and fun to read about, while also providing us with parts of the story that were literally unique to only them.
Other things I'd like to mention are tropes. Now, I'm not a fan (in general) of the love triangle trope because it often encourages or allows cheating and lies in romance, and as a rule, I don't believe a healthy romance can be built around such characteristics, so I typically avoid that trope altogether. However, this love triangle makes painful sense and I cannot tell you how many times I would pause the book and just look at the cover and whisper, "Oh my gosh, I'm so proud of you guys", because as teenagers in this situation, I was impressed by how they handled everything. Granted, they also made mistakes and more than paid for those with their consequences, but as a whole, I can say that this trope was as well done as you could expect from such a messy situation and with teenagers as the characters. I loved it.
Cliffhangers. If you don't like cliffhangers, buy the entire series first, because this one will rip your heart from your chest and fling it OVER the cliff. Literally (if you've read the book, you understand my trauma). I couldn't breathe through the last 5 chapters. I don't think I'll ever recover. It's fine.
Overall, I cannot wait to continue this series and highly recommend it to fans of high fantasy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received this audiobook for free from NetGalley. All comments and opinions are entirely my own and this review is voluntary.
kmbooky's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a great book. I love how the characters are. The fact that they are so relatable is great. I also like that their was a twist at the very beginning. I also love the fact that she was able to save him right off the bat, The book is well written and the narrator was amazing. The plot of the book keeps your interest and makes you want to continue with the series. I can not wait to find out what comes next. There are several twists that I did not see coming or at least some of the reactions of the characters. This is one thing that I really enjoyed about the book the attitudes of the characters was amazing. The class separation was also very interesting and as far as it being based on birds it is something I have never seen before.
minipanda's review against another edition
3.75
An intriguing story about forbidden love and duty.
This was an entertaining retelling of Tristan and Isolde. I only wished there were more character/relationship development and world-building.
*** Thank you to NetGalley and Kaitlyn Davis for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own. ***
This was an entertaining retelling of Tristan and Isolde. I only wished there were more character/relationship development and world-building.
*** Thank you to NetGalley and Kaitlyn Davis for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own. ***
senjalaakso's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
alyram4's review against another edition
3.0
I am conflicted.
I loved the worldbuilding in here. I thought it was excellently done and that alone makes me interested to read the sequel. While I have read books that had a similar plot, this one has just enough of a fresh take to make me interested. My main issue is the characters. Xander is by far the most well done character here, and reading his POV was my absolute favorite. I felt that he is underappreciated in the book by nearly all the surrounding characters. He has a lot of depth to him, and I feel that a lot that's done to him is just hurtful considering he's the strongest developed. Lyana I enjoyed for the most part, but she has her moments where I seriously just want to shake her and tell her to open her eyes! She can be downright annoying, especially in the middle, and by the end I found myself rolling my eyes often. Her "romance" with Rafael was more so lust and insta-love. There was nothing, and I mean nothing, in this book that gave the indication that these 2 had any sort of chemistry. Hell, she had more chemistry with Xander, who she tends to treat more as a duty and companion. Like, I'm interested in the next book but.... How am I supposed to care what happens next to the characters when the only person who I feel is genuine is the most underappreciated? So confusing for my emotions.
I loved the worldbuilding in here. I thought it was excellently done and that alone makes me interested to read the sequel. While I have read books that had a similar plot, this one has just enough of a fresh take to make me interested. My main issue is the characters. Xander is by far the most well done character here, and reading his POV was my absolute favorite. I felt that he is underappreciated in the book by nearly all the surrounding characters. He has a lot of depth to him, and I feel that a lot that's done to him is just hurtful considering he's the strongest developed. Lyana I enjoyed for the most part, but she has her moments where I seriously just want to shake her and tell her to open her eyes! She can be downright annoying, especially in the middle, and by the end I found myself rolling my eyes often. Her "romance" with Rafael was more so lust and insta-love. There was nothing, and I mean nothing, in this book that gave the indication that these 2 had any sort of chemistry. Hell, she had more chemistry with Xander, who she tends to treat more as a duty and companion. Like, I'm interested in the next book but.... How am I supposed to care what happens next to the characters when the only person who I feel is genuine is the most underappreciated? So confusing for my emotions.
julie_21's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
3.75