Community Reviews
The last Urban Fantasy book I read was Jenny Sandiford's debut book: "Initiate: The Shadow Atlas #1" which I thought was a phenomenal book. In my review I praised the world building, magic system, and great cast of characters. So I was excited to be given a copy of her prequel to this series: "House of Ravens"
This novella continues the party. Less then 200 pages long but reads like a bullet train. I started the morning of my day off and by dinner was finished so just a great enjoyable read. In her first book we are introduced to Torin: A mysterious loner mage with a dark past. This one goes back about seven years to when he was 16 and tells his story.
And it's about as epic a story as you can get in 180ish pages! There are three major action packed sequences to this one so the action is back to back to back. So good luck trying to find a spot to put this one down. It all leads to a brutal ending and a seamless transition to book #1.
The good: Action packed, dark, and violent! I love a dark book as much as the next person but even I was a little shocked at the ending of this one. Plus, IMO, better written then the first book. That is definitely not saying the first one isn't well written but this one really improves on her debut novel. So very highly recommended.
I should also chime in on what I think is the best reading order. Obviously we have a publication date order which you start with Book 1, go back to this prequel, and then continue with Book 2 (not published yet as of 2/16/23) This is what I would recommend since you get the great world building you have with Book 1 which you don't get with this one. (it literally just shoots off) Plus you meet Torin as a secondary character and then get to know him in this one and appreciate the character building. Or you could just go in chronological order and start with this one but it really changes the whole scope of how you are introduced to everyone.
Either way this is a fantastic series if you like Urban Fantasy and I highly recommend it and is my first 5 star review of the year.
I really appreciate Jenny Sandiford for giving me a copy of her book to review and it has a publication date of Febuary 21, 2023.
This novella continues the party. Less then 200 pages long but reads like a bullet train. I started the morning of my day off and by dinner was finished so just a great enjoyable read. In her first book we are introduced to Torin: A mysterious loner mage with a dark past. This one goes back about seven years to when he was 16 and tells his story.
And it's about as epic a story as you can get in 180ish pages! There are three major action packed sequences to this one so the action is back to back to back. So good luck trying to find a spot to put this one down. It all leads to a brutal ending and a seamless transition to book #1.
The good: Action packed, dark, and violent! I love a dark book as much as the next person but even I was a little shocked at the ending of this one. Plus, IMO, better written then the first book. That is definitely not saying the first one isn't well written but this one really improves on her debut novel. So very highly recommended.
I should also chime in on what I think is the best reading order. Obviously we have a publication date order which you start with Book 1, go back to this prequel, and then continue with Book 2 (not published yet as of 2/16/23) This is what I would recommend since you get the great world building you have with Book 1 which you don't get with this one. (it literally just shoots off) Plus you meet Torin as a secondary character and then get to know him in this one and appreciate the character building. Or you could just go in chronological order and start with this one but it really changes the whole scope of how you are introduced to everyone.
Either way this is a fantastic series if you like Urban Fantasy and I highly recommend it and is my first 5 star review of the year.
I really appreciate Jenny Sandiford for giving me a copy of her book to review and it has a publication date of Febuary 21, 2023.
