The Raven Scholar Review (Eternal Path, #1)

Hello, all!

Fantasy friends, allow me to introduce you to your next favorite book: The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson.

Pub Date: 4-15-25
Adult - Fantasy

Bersun the Brusque has ruled over the land of Orrun for the last twenty-four years, but now his reign of peace must come to an end. Per the laws of their empire, Bersun can't select his successor, and instead, each faction of Orrun must send a candidate to compete in a brutal trial to win the throne. Neema Kraa was once a lowly Raven scholar but was propelled to the rank of High Scholar after the emperor had her write out the exile edict for a young girl. A decision that would prove to have lasting repercussions on not only Neema but the whole of Orrun.

Thousands of citizens have flocked to the Imperial Island to watch the competition and take part in the Festival of Eight, but before the celebrations can start, tragedy strikes. When the Raven contender, Gaida Rack, is found dead in her rooms, Neema finds herself tasked by the emperor to find the killer. Not only that, but Neema must also take Gaida's place in the competition. Neema was planning on spending the festival with her nose buried in a book, but now she must fight for her life for a throne she didn't ask for. But soon, Neema finds herself tangled in a dangerous web of secrets that goes back decades and gains help from an unlikely ally.

I almost DNF'ed this book ~100 pages in because it wasn't gripping me, but I'm so glad I kept going since I ended up loving it. The beginning was a little slow, and I wasn't sure where Hodgson was going, but then it was like a switch flipped. I attribute that to the characters. I loved Neema. She has that type of know-it-all personality that could rub people the wrong way (and it does), but I found myself weirdly endeared to her. I loved watching her work with Cain, forcing them to confront the awkward way their relationship ended, and then watching it rekindle. He was another standout character for me; I loved his snarky attitude. Once I was enmeshed in the story, I didn't want to put it down. Everything about it was well crafted, from the mystery to the guardians (Sol is a little emo raven, and I'm obsessed with him), and I can't wait to see where the story will go from here.

Rating: 4/5