I have heard wonderful things about An Enchantment of Ravens almost since I started blogging. And I never picked it up. But then I was browsing Scribd the other day and thought, “Oh I forgot about this one, let’s give it a go shall we?” and I was transported to another world.
Summary
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.
Review
When I went to write my review I realized I don’t even have any notes. And that’s just a true testament to how much An Enchantment of Ravens swept me up. It’s been a while since I read a book with fairies, faeries, but An Enchantment of Ravens reminds me of all the reasons why I should read more. There’s something about this combination of ethereal beauty with this knowledge of otherworld-ness.
And what better way to become re-immersed through the eyes of Isobel, a clever artist, who is unwittingly thrown headfirst in the midst of faerie danger. An Enchantment of Ravens is a beautiful book inside and out. Not only does it have a gorgeous cover, but the writing is tender and stunning.
Isobel is wonderful – sarcastic, clever, intelligent – and her interactions with Rook have to be some of my favorite. It reminded me a little of Castle and Beckett’s banter in “Castle”. There are genuine moments where Rook is just so confused about human customs which definitely lends a humorous aspect to the story. Also Isobel has two sisters and a fierce sense of family which make her and the book just even better.
Nothing is as it seems…
But at the same time, Rogerson shows us the decaying side of the faerie courts. While some humans are entranced by the faeries, gambling away their years for pretty enchantments, Rogerson shows us the molding, their lack of empathy, and the ways in which humans really don’t know what they’re getting into with the faeries. The faeries are stunning, silly, and tremendously callous, but they’re also unhappy – craving craft and complex.
An Enchantment of Ravens is a book with hidden depth, gorgeous colors, and characters that will enchant you. I’m so glad I ended up listening to this on audiobook! Find An Enchantment of Ravens on Goodreads, Amazon & The Book Depository.
That’s the only faerie book I’ve read so far and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, your review is reminding me that I really do need to check out some other books like it.
I know I’m like….well do I read all the faerie books now?