Every now and then you want a novella, especially when it's a dark magic adventure expertly written by Veronica Roth. When Among Crows is a captivating short read that leaves an impact equivalent to a novel ten times it's size and is certainly not a story fantasy readers will want to miss.
From the blurb;
'We bear the sword, and we bear the pain of the sword.
'Pain is Dymitr's calling. His family is one in a long line of hunters who sacrifice their souls to slay monsters. Now he's tasked with a deadly mission: find the legendary witch Baba Jaga. To reach her, Dymitr must ally with the ones he's sworn to kill.
'Pain is Ala's inheritance. A fear-eating zmora with little left to lose, Ala awaits death from the curse she carries. When Dymitr offers her a cure in exchange for her help, she has no choice but to agree.
'Together they must fight against time and the wrath of the Chicago underworld. But Dymitr's secrets - and his true motives - may be the thing that actually destroys them.'
Embedded with Polish myth and legend, this Chicago based novella takes us on a deep dive into a well developed fantasy world. Roth's story is brief but her cast of characters is well formed, beautifully developed and carries the story to a satisfying conclusion.
This urban fantasy is full of magic, plot twists and surprise revelations, packed alongside an array of intriguing magical creatures, chased by a group of bloody hunters who own abilities are vastly curious. It is a wonder that Roth managed to get so much weight and development into just 165 pages, and highlights her almighty story telling talent.
Despite a lot happening in this short novel no part of the tale feels rushed, and every character is offered the opportunity to fulfil their arc. Roth perfectly balances action and heart in this otherworldly tale, giving us fantastic tip of the knife sequences in equal measure to heartfelt insights into the characters lives and motivations. The further we delve the more we uncover about this world and the magic systems that rule it, but also about our characters themselves, and their private struggles.
A beautiful found family novel that touches upon the importance of trust and the devastating hardship of being born on the wrong side.
The perfect weekend read this autumn When Among Crows should not be missed.
We give When Among Crows Four Stars
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ISBN - 9781803363585 Hardback Cover Price - £12.99
Published by Titan Books 2024
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