The Raven Scholar by Antonina Hodgson

Book Review

Elloise Hopkins

Yana Valit, descendant of Yasthala the Great, the last Raven Empress, has just turned sixteen, along with her twin brother Ruko. Summoned to the Imperial Island, they must face the emperor for the first time as adults. Just what does Emperor Bersun have in store for the children of the Great Traitor, Andren Valit, who tried to kill him eight years earlier?

Yana has her mother’s dignity, and intelligence enough to realise that now they are no longer children. The emperor’s protection they have lived under may be withdrawn. And Bersun has not sent just any guards to collect them… he has sent one with the rare ability of Houndsight. The twins will have to guard their thoughts and allow honesty to drive them. Little does Yana realise the path it will set her on, nor the part her brother will play in it.

Neema Kraa graduated first in her year, and even as a junior archivist, has the best handwriting in the Raven Palace. But even with her drive and talents, being a commoner from Scartown, Neema has spent the last three years in the same lowly post, and has never been consulted, despite her areas of expertise. Until now, that is. It seems the emperor himself shares an interest, and has sent High Commander Hol Vabras with an empirical order. Sadly for Neema, it is one she will remember, and perhaps regret, for the rest of her life.

Meanwhile, it is almost time for Emperor Bersun’s rule to come to an end. Each of the eight guardian houses will send a competitor to undertake the trials, with the ultimate winner becoming Bersun’s successor. It will be a dangerous and brutal fight for the title. 

The Raven Scholar is adult epic fantasy, and it is easy to see why it is being hailed as one of the big releases for 2025. We are spoilt with richly detailed description, and wonderfully crafted and expansive world-building from the start. This is a world where lives and characteristics are structured around the eight animal guardians: dragon, fox, tiger, bear, raven, hound, ox and monkey, with followers of each house trained in specific areas of skill. While this is something we have seen before, here it is deeply embedded and reflected in each character’s voice and actions.

Hodgson makes use of a unique omniscient narrative voice, bringing even the smallest supporting characters to the forefront and allowing the reader full immersion into the story. The near-700 pages do not take long to get through; the pace is excellent, with the right amount of tension, and unpredictable twists running throughout. The underlying implications of the guardian animals and the magic surrounding them are revealed slowly, and the balance between action, reaction, romance, plotting and, of course, betrayal, is perfect. An excellent series opener.