A review by kimbereading
The Raven by Carrie Cotten

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.