Reviews

The Raven Spell by Luanne G. Smith

a_reader_obsessed's review

3.0

3 Stars

If you like an alternate Victorian setting that contains secret magic, then you might enjoy this story about two powerful sisters who eke out a humble life in the city, all the while trying to hide who they truly are. However, when one of the sisters takes the memories off an almost dead man per her magical leanings, their lives become more complicated when he happens to survive.

This is a mystery in finding out who Ian is and what his purpose in the city was before he almost got killed. As they unravel the mystery, some discoveries have grave consequences.

This was a slow buildup and the big reveal doesn’t come til the very end. I’m still not sure what to think of this, and I’ll contemplate reading the sequel. This ends on a HFN as this has a touch of romance. Overall, if you’re in for a historical witchy read, check this out on KU!

ianvanhoof's review

adventurous dark medium-paced

amberlea_s's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

chipy10's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.0

klaragon73's review

4.0

I enjoyed this book. Darkness poured across the pages. Mysteries arose with a spellbinding quality.

metchap's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

lizdaniii's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

2.0

caraem3's review

adventurous challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

themanfromdelmonte's review

4.0

I don't know why I didn't write a review of this when I first read it a year and a half ago. I bought it on the strength of the Vine Witch novels and was not disappointed. However, I was underwhelmed by the author's latest offering (The Witch's Lens) and decided to re-read this to see if I'd made a mistake. the short answer is that I hadn't. This is a good story, replete with period detail and a decent plot.

Spoiler

Edwina and Mary are shapeshifting witches, orphaned and alone in London, eking out a living by scavenging for valuables left by the tide to sell in their small shop. Mary also has the power to capture the memories of the newly dead in the form of a jewel. Early on they come across a dying man on the shore of the river and, convinced that he will soon expire, Mary takes his memories even though he isn't dead. He survives and is revealed to be another witch working as a PI, looking for the missing song of a powerful mage.
To cut a long story short, he finds the sisters, and he and Edwina skirt the edges of a budding relationship.
Unfortunately, Mary's fascination with her ability leads her to take up with a killer. Apparently the memory jewels are brighter and shinier (see where this is going?) if the, um, victim is young and vigorous.
At the denouement, the sisters transform into ravens to escape.

There's a neat cliff hanger at the end that sets up a sequel. All in all, very enjoyable.

ginny17's review

2.0

2.5