A review by vagrantheather
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

At 12-14 I probably would've loved this. At 30-something I just cannot tolerate the shallow/nonexistent relationship building. I thought the fae were poorly done - Rook especially, who's just an awkward straightforward human but with special fae magic and immortal hotness. There is nothing strange or unearthly about him. It's a tired gripe now to complain about obscenely ancient beings falling in love with 17 year old protagonists; similarly tired to gripe about teenagers who have unearned mastery over extremely difficult fields. 

I could not enjoy the writing because it felt like the author was trying to use $5 words rather than choosing the best words to convey her intent. It's not the worst prose - better than ACOTAR - just noticeable. Descriptors felt empty; pretty phrasing that meant nothing. 

The over the top declarations of love were gag inducing and the characters felt stiff.

1.5 for personal enjoyment, 3 overall because I know in a curmudgeonly old lady and it's not meant for my age range. Split the difference for Storygraph.
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