Eternal PathBook 1 of 2
The Raven Scholar (Eternal Path Trilogy, #1)
The Sunday Times bestseller from an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy - a masterfully woven tale of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar's quest to uncover the truth.
'IT'S THRILLING, ROMANTIC, OFTEN TRAGIC, AND ALWAYS FUNNY' ALIX E. HARROW 'SIMPLY GLORIOUS!' GEORGIA SUMMERS 'FIENDISHLY CHARMING AND CLEVER' TASHA SURI
She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder.
After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him.
Trained at rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal - Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth - the Dragon proxy - will be revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists - the best of the best.
Then one of them is murdered.
It falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering.
If Neema succeeds, she could win the throne - whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence herself to death - and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the empire . . .
PRAISE FOR THE RAVEN SCHOLAR 'The Raven Scholar is an intricately plotted historical mystery steeped in gothic charm and intellectual intrigue' โญโญโญโญโญ 'It [The Raven Scholar] is truly one of the best epic fantasy books I've read in a long time' โญโญโญโญโญ 'I have NEVER rooted a romance more' โญโญโญโญโญ 'This book is simply "Magnificent"' โญโญโญโญโญ 'Mature and sensible, but still idealistic, emotional, passion-driven [characters]' โญโญโญโญโญ
656 pages, 3 editions
English edition · First published 2025 by Hodderscape · ISBN 9781529339888
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Ratings and reviews
๐ ๐ฃ๐ป๐ฒ๐ช๐ต๐ผ, ๐ข๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ป๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ผ, ๐ช๐ท๐ญ ๐ก๐ช๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ท ๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ผ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ผ ๐ฆ <i>A murder mystery wrapped in imperial politics, layered trials, and cryptic birds, The Raven Scholar is a sharp and twisty fantasy debut that challenges your brain and rewards your patience. In the empire of Orrun, seven contenders compete to replace the emperor. They're the strongest minds and fiercest warriors the land has to offer. Until one of them ends up dead. The task of uncovering the killer falls to Neema Kraa, the emperorโs eccentric and brilliant High Scholar, who must solve the mystery while still competing herself. Her only allies? A chorus of watchful, razor-tongued ravens who might be more than they seem.</i> <blockquote>โWe are the Raven, and we are magnificent.โ</blockquote> Let me start by saying: the ravens were magnificent. Sassy, sharp, and occasionally cryptic, they were easily my favorite part of the book. Their presence added a layer of myth and mystery that made the whole world feel alive. I loved their commentary, equal parts eerie and hilarious. The story is ambitious and rich with world-building. The political intrigue and interwoven secrets kept me invested, and Neema is a wonderfully relatable main character, witty, stubborn, and constantly questioning everything around her. Thereโs a really clever narrative voice at play here too. At times, it felt like the story was talking directly to me, not just unfolding for me to observe. That said, the book is definitely dense. Between the political maneuverings, many named characters, and layered backstories, I sometimes had to pause and retrace my steps to keep things straight. And while I found it to be fairly fast-paced, there were moments when the complexity combined with the length made it a bit overwhelming. This isnโt a light read, itโs one you sink into, slowly but fully. Still, the payoff was worth it. The twists in the last third had me stunned, and Iโm incredibly excited to see where the story goes next. If youโre a fan of clever heroines, high-stakes trials, and morally murky power plays, this oneโs for you. ๐ The Raven Scholar was released on April 15, 2025. Special thanks to NetGalley, Antonia Hodgson, and Hodder & Stoughton | Hodderscape for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Rating - โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธ / 5
Editions
3 editions
English
- The Raven Scholar (Eternal Path Trilogy, #1) · Hodderscape · 2025 · ISBN 9781529339888 · 2 readers This page
- The Raven Scholar (Eternal Path Trilogy, #1) · Orbit · 2025 · ISBN 9780316577229 · 1 reader
- The Raven Scholar · Hodderscape · 2025 · ISBN 9781529339901
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