**We were gifted an e-copy of this book in return for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are our own**
I absolutely adore a witchy story, but haven’t seen many new releases of late so when I was invited to read the new release from author due Danielle Paige and Kass Morgan which follows a sorority of secret witches I jumped at the chance! Released earlier this year The Ravens is the first book in a new series (possibly a duology?) and I’m sharing my review today on the blog despite reading it quite a while ago – things have been kind of crazy – so I hope you’ll take the time to have a read.
About The Book
At first glance, the sisters of ultra-exclusive Kappa Rho Nu – the Ravens – seem like typical sorority girls. Ambitious, beautiful, and smart, they’re the most powerful girls on Westerly College’s Savannah, Georgia, campus.
But the Ravens aren’t just regular sorority girls. They’re witches.
Scarlett Winter has always known she’s a witch – and she’s determined to be the sorority’s president. But if a painful secret from her past ever comes to light, she could lose absolutely everything…
Vivi Devereaux has no idea she’s a witch. So when she gets a coveted bid to pledge the Ravens, she vows to do whatever it takes to be part of the magical sisterhood. The only thing standing in her way is Scarlett, who doesn’t think Vivi is Ravens material.
But when a dark power rises on campus, the girls will have to put their rivalry aside to save their fellow sisters. Someone has discovered the Ravens’ secret. And that someone will do anything to see these witches burn . .
Review
Vivi has spent her life sheltered by her Mother as they moved from state to state seemingly unable to put down roots anywhere. So starting college as a freshman is going to be the start of a ‘new’ life for her as she imagines a more stable life for herself staying in one place for at least a few years. Swept up in the excitement of the start of term Vivi finds herself at a sorority party and way out of her comfort zone, but before the night’s over she has herself committed to pledging to the Kappa Rho Nu, one of the most powerful sororities on campus and unbeknownst to her one of the most powerful covens in the world.
Scarlett has grown up knowing she is a witch and this year she hopes to become president of her sorority The Ravens in order to follow in the footsteps of her Mum, a legacy she is determined to uphold. But, Scarlett has a secret, one which could threaten to derail everything she knows and loves….how far will she go to keep it??
The Ravens is a tale of sisterhood, magic and secrets which kept me guessing until the final twist – not like me as I’m usually bad for guessing how a story will pan out! We follow the dual perspectives of Vivi and Scarlett who couldn’t be more different if they tried. Scarlett is a confident witch who has spent her life surrounded by magic whereas Vivi’s first indication that magic exists is when she enters the sorority. It’s really interesting to follow Vivi’s journey as she discovers the magic which has always lay dormant within her and how she learns to harness it. Scarlett on the other hand was often at times quite unlikeable thanks to her dismissive and often catty behaviour, however as her character and background was uncovered I did find myself warming to her.
I personally found the pacing of this book a little up and down, with a very strong beginning that dipped in the middle before it’s page turning finale. I’m not sure if this was just my reading mood at the time, but certainly when I’d finished reading it left me excited to see what’s to come in the next book in the series (duology?)
Overall I enjoyed this witchy YA book which was actually surprisingly dark in places. The combo of the college setting and the magical sorority works really well and I especially enjoyed the fact that tarot cards are utilised as part of the magic system. I hadn’t read anything by this author duo before but found their writing engaging and easy to read which has left me excited to read not only the follow up top The Ravens but also to discover some of the pairs backlisted books.
The Ravens is available to purchase from Amazon*
Fraser’s Fun House 