A review by keepcalmblogon
When Among Crows by Veronica Roth

adventurous dark hopeful tense 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

When Among Crows was one of my most anticipated releases this year as Veronica Roth is an all-time favorite author! I was nearly desperate to get my hands on an ARC, so when I saw it was an option for MacMillan’s Audio Influencer program, it was my number one choice!

When Among Crows is a novella about compassion, magic, and found family, and it packs so much into its small format. Of course it takes place in Chicago, but the city is an urban fantasy den where “monsters” and knights war for peace. Dymitr’s pain is pungent on the page, his emotions literally succulent smells to the zmory, stryga, and other creatures around him. Ala and Niko, two of said creatures, are so clearly people too, but the Holy Order has prejudice and hypocrisy at its core. Dymitr’s tenuous allyship with Ala and Niko leads the three on a chase through Chicago for the witch Baba Jaga, and while the book is small, the journey is epic.

In less than 36 hours, Dymitr, Ala, and Niko struggle against curses, family, and each other to overcome hate and violence spread down generations and discover the true meaning of humanity and family. 

As for the narrators, I particularly liked Helen Laser’s voice. I felt it was fitting to have two different male-timbred voices because the forest guardian’s leszy voice brought something other to the sound of his thoughts and dialogue. I honestly didn’t know what to expect from this story going in, but in the end I was left with a feeling of wholeness, of fulfillment, that all the best books give me. Five stars!