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A review by stephdaydreams
An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
3.0
I find myself changing my rating as I think over this book for this review.
I loved the writing, let me say that first. I loved the concept and the story.
I thought the way the immortal folk (the "Fair folk") was written was excellent and refreshing. Far too many times we see stories of immortal beings being depicted as these misunderstood, beautiful beings. Here we see these beautiful creatures as hollow, unfeeling, and not something you'd want to be. Which leads me to another facet of the story I loved: how much Isobel cherished her humanity. How fiercely she protected it. How she saw past the glamour of the fair ones and into these rather-like walking corpses who are stripped from the feelings of rage, anger, love, happiness-- all of it.
I have seen many say the central romance is instant love, but I disagree. Time-wise, there is plenty that passes by for the love between Isobel and Rook to grow. Rather, my problem was that we don't actually see. We're told it happens, but where? When? It's not instant love, but it is heavily behind the door love-- not allowing the reader in at all.
That was a major problem for me, but other problems included the following:
Isobel's true name.
Why is this mentioned if we are never privy to it? Why does this narrative continuously shut the reader out? It builds frustration, not intrigue.
What Happens Next
Now this may be more of personal nitpick, but considering this is standalone, I would have appreciated an epilogue. I really dislike leaving the book confused as to whether Isobel is immortal or not, now that is becomes Queen. We see the very early beginnings of the Fair folks expressing feelings; what else has changed? Can Isobel extend her life; or can Rook become mortal? Or is he bound for another tragic love who will die in what is merely a blink of an eye in his lifetime? I hate the not knowing in this situation. I don't mind an opening ending, but in this instance, I would have liked more closure.
Again, I was very impressed with the writing-- the way Isobel cares for her humanity, and sees the Fair folks as something wrong/undesired is refreshing compared to other similar stories. I really enjoyed that facet of the narrative, but the romance and ending was lacking. And the plot hole with the true name is incredibly frustrating for a standalone book.
I loved the writing, let me say that first. I loved the concept and the story.
I thought the way the immortal folk (the "Fair folk") was written was excellent and refreshing. Far too many times we see stories of immortal beings being depicted as these misunderstood, beautiful beings. Here we see these beautiful creatures as hollow, unfeeling, and not something you'd want to be. Which leads me to another facet of the story I loved: how much Isobel cherished her humanity. How fiercely she protected it. How she saw past the glamour of the fair ones and into these rather-like walking corpses who are stripped from the feelings of rage, anger, love, happiness-- all of it.
I have seen many say the central romance is instant love, but I disagree. Time-wise, there is plenty that passes by for the love between Isobel and Rook to grow. Rather, my problem was that we don't actually see. We're told it happens, but where? When? It's not instant love, but it is heavily behind the door love-- not allowing the reader in at all.
That was a major problem for me, but other problems included the following:
Isobel's true name.
Why is this mentioned if we are never privy to it? Why does this narrative continuously shut the reader out? It builds frustration, not intrigue.
What Happens Next
Now this may be more of personal nitpick, but considering this is standalone, I would have appreciated an epilogue. I really dislike leaving the book confused as to whether Isobel is immortal or not, now that is becomes Queen. We see the very early beginnings of the Fair folks expressing feelings; what else has changed? Can Isobel extend her life; or can Rook become mortal? Or is he bound for another tragic love who will die in what is merely a blink of an eye in his lifetime? I hate the not knowing in this situation. I don't mind an opening ending, but in this instance, I would have liked more closure.
Again, I was very impressed with the writing-- the way Isobel cares for her humanity, and sees the Fair folks as something wrong/undesired is refreshing compared to other similar stories. I really enjoyed that facet of the narrative, but the romance and ending was lacking. And the plot hole with the true name is incredibly frustrating for a standalone book.