by Margaret Rogerson
Date Published: September 26, 2017; Margaret K. McElderry Books
From Goodreads:
A skilled painter must stand up to the ancient power of the faerie courts—even as she falls in love with a faerie prince—in this gorgeous debut novel.
Isobel is a prodigy portrait artist with a dangerous set of clients: the sinister fair folk, immortal creatures who cannot bake bread, weave cloth, or put a pen to paper without crumbling to dust. They crave human Craft with a terrible thirst, and Isobel’s paintings are highly prized. But when she receives her first royal patron—Rook, the autumn prince—she makes a terrible mistake. She paints mortal sorrow in his eyes—a weakness that could cost him his life.
Furious and devastated, Rook spirits her away to the autumnlands to stand trial for her crime. Waylaid by the Wild Hunt’s ghostly hounds, the tainted influence of the Alder King, and hideous monsters risen from barrow mounds, Isobel and Rook depend on one another for survival. Their alliance blossoms into trust, then love—and that love violates the fair folks’ ruthless laws. Now both of their lives are forfeit, unless Isobel can use her skill as an artist to fight the fairy courts. Because secretly, her Craft represents a threat the fair folk have never faced in all the millennia of their unchanging lives: for the first time, her portraits have the power to make them feel.
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
An Enchantment of Ravens is one of my most anticipated September release. I was lucky enough to get approved for an e-arc and I legit thought it was a mistake. I was super surprised. I remember I fangirled so much like I’ve never fangirled before. Such was my excitement for this book. And I’m happy to say it wasn’t misplaced.
I guess I should start by saying that I absolutely fell in love with the author’s writing. I know very few authors who could write in such a fascinating, enthralling and lyrical way. Margaret Rogerson is now one of them. I have a feeling she could write about the most boring, inconsequential thing and still make it the most interesting and most enchanting thing you would ever read. I think this is the main selling point of the book. The whole thing could have been about Isobel’s preference of color or paintbrush or why she loves eggs so much and I wouldn’t have minded. The author wrote with such flawless grace that had me ensnared from the very beginning.
An Enchantment of Ravens was such a delight! I love everything about it! The world-building was incredible. The fair folk were both extraordinarily beautiful and scary at the same time. The idea that human Craft can be fatal to them was also an interesting twist. I would have wanted to see the fairy courts myself (not that it’s an ideal place to visit but yeah). It was depicted so vividly and beautifully. Isobel was a lovable character. I love that whenever she paints it always feels magical. Rook had my heart from the start. I have a soft spot for heroes with a tortured past and a sweet, loving heart. I admit the romance bordered on insta-love. But I enjoyed the book too much I just ignored that fact.
While writing this review, I’m actually almost finished reading the book for the second time. And I didn’t know it was possible but I LOVE IT EVEN MORE now.
Oh and can we please talk about that cover?!? Take a moment (or two) to admire just how gorgeous and pleasing it is to the eyes? I am in serious cover lust.
I received an e-arc via Edelweiss+ to read and review.
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