*Today’s usual video game review has been moved to next Wednesday because I wasn’t able to get it finished. I hope you guys enjoy the book review!

I had been curious about An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson for awhile so when I found it for just a few dollars at an Ollie’s store, I grabbed it. I knew that it was a YA fantasy but not much else. This book ended up being ALMOST a five star read for me. This review will have slight spoilers. Let’s get into the synopsis!

Synopsis

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.

My Thoughts

I’ll get straight to the point, my main complaint with this book is that it’s not long enough. I love the characters and the world but there just isn’t enough depth. For example, Isobel lives in a town called Whimsy. Whimsy is not a part of the fairie world but it’s controlled by the fairies. There’s also a World Beyond that is mentioned multiple times. However, it’s never explained how Whimsy came to be or if the World Beyond is aware of the existence of fairies, Whimsy, etc.

There’s also a serious case of instalove and this is again, because the story isn’t long enough. It’s obvious from the beginning that Isobel and Rook are going to end up falling in love but they do so in record time. I thought this book might attempt the enemies to lovers trope (which I love) but it didn’t even do that. It was more like vague distrust to lovers for no reason other than being attracted to each other.

If this book had a sequel or was longer, I would have completely adored it. I love, love, love Rogerson’s version of fairies. They’re somewhat similar to Sarah J. Maas’ fairies in A Court of Thorns and Roses. I think if you like that series you’ll like this book but I like these fairies more. They’re beautiful but they’re far from perfect. They’re actually monsters underneath a glamour that makes them appear attractive. They can’t partake in anything that is considered Craft or they will die. Craft is art, writing, cooking and basically anything that makes life truly fulfilling.  The fairies in this book aren’t enviable.

Final Thoughts

An Enchantment of Ravens is well written and almost perfect. If you enjoy fantasy, you probably wouldn’t regret reading this book. Be warned, though, if you’re like me, you’ll come away from it wanting more. What fantasy book should I read next? Thanks for reading and have a great day!