Length: 304
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (Simon & Schuster)
Source: I received a free eARC from the publisher. This did NOT affect my honest review.
Purchase: Barnes & Noble | Amazon
My Rating:
Goodreads Summary: 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 among them. 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, violating the fair folks’ ruthless Good Law. There's only one way to save both their lives, Isobel must drink from the Green Well, whose water will transform her into a fair one—at the cost of her Craft, for immortality is as stagnant as it is timeless. Isobel has a choice: she can sacrifice her art for a future, or arm herself with paint and canvas against the ancient power of 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.
My Review
An Enchantment of Ravens in Three Words: Fun. Charming. Captivating.I read An Enchantment of Ravens in one sitting. It may just be my favorite read of the year! I originally only picked up this book because of its beautiful cover. As it turns out, the words inside are just as beautiful. An Enchantment of Ravens may not be perfect, few things are, and some may find the romance rushed and will be looking for something a little deeper, but this book was perfect to me. It has my favorite fairy tale elements along with a swoony love interest.
This book is filled with a curious world, vivid descriptions, humor, plenty of swoons, and a fast paced plot. Whats not to like? Once I started reading, I just couldn't stop. It was just that good. The author does an amazing job at using imagery to bring the story to life right before your eyes. One second you will be sitting on your couch, and the next you will be in a world with scary creatures, delightful and frightening fae, and the most interesting season courts. The world building was immaculate, and as an added bonus it wasn't just shoved in your face all at the beginning of the book.
This story is one that fans of star-crossed lovers will immensely enjoy. Isobel is a wonderful artist who lost her parents and lives with her aunt and two younger and very interesting sisters. She paints portraits of the fair ones in exchange for enchantments. As for the Autumn Prince, Rook, he was perfection. Rook was handsome, not overly broody, charming, funny, kind, and proud. Their love comes fast, but since I fell for Rook just as fast it didn't bother me one bit. Their love is one worth cheering for.
There isn't a single thing I didn't like about this book. The characters have a nice amount of growth during their adventure. The magic is interesting and a delight to read about. The romance had some wonderfully steamy moments. The minor characters are a unique bunch of important players in the story. This book made me smile. It's as simple as that.
The Final Verdict: An Enchantment of Ravens is in fact enchanting. I highly recommend this book to everyone! Go buy it!
