From New York Times best-selling authors Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige comes a thrilling, dark contemporary fantasy about a prestigious sorority of witches and two girls caught up in its world of sinister magic and betrayals. At first glance, the sisters of ultra-exclusive Kappa Rho Nu–the Ravens–seem like typical sorority girls. Ambitious, beautiful, and smart, they’re the most powerful … they’re the most powerful girls on Westerly College’s Savannah, Georgia, campus.
But the Ravens aren’t just regular sorority girls. They’re witches.
Scarlett Winter has always known she’s a witch–and she’s determined to be the sorority’s president, just like her mother and sister before her. But if a painful secret from her past ever comes to light, she could lose absolutely everything . . .
Vivi Devereaux has no idea she’s a witch and she’s never lived in one place long enough to make a friend. So when she gets a coveted bid to pledge the Ravens, she vows to do whatever it takes to be part of the magical sisterhood. The only thing standing in her way is Scarlett, who doesn’t think Vivi is Ravens material.
But when a dark power rises on campus, the girls will have to put their rivalry aside to save their fellow sisters. Someone has discovered the Ravens’ secret. And that someone will do anything to see these witches burn . . .
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The Ravens had a promising premise: a sorority that is a coven of witches; the two main characters are Scarlett Winters, a legacy Raven, and Vivi Deveraux, a freshman that is pledging in it. Scarlett’s purpose is clear: she wants to be the sorority’s next president following her mother and sister’s footsteps. Vivi is excited to be in college and away from her mother. She’s not interested in sororities and she’s shocked when she gets an invitation to pledge in the very exclusive Kappa.
I was excited about this book. The premise sounded amazing but the execution had its flaws. Apart from Scarlett and Vivi, the other characters weren’t very fleshed out. The characters’ descriptions were also a little weird. The story is told from Scarlett and Vivi’s point of view. Scarlett was my favorite POV, by far. She was a great character and the only one who had significant character growth in this story. I liked her. She had a backbone and a strong personality. Her POV kept me engaged. Even when she wasn’t nice, that happened a lot in the beginning, she was still the star of this story.
Vivi was the “Not like other girls” perspective. I didn’t care much for her. She was too naive, boring and I didn’t enjoy being in her mind. Her relationship with her mom was the only thing interesting about her. Her mom was way more interesting than her. It didn’t help that she became infatuated with another character very early on. It came out of nowhere. Literally, after a 2-minute random encounter and a few words exchanged, she was daydreaming about this boy. The boy in question, Mason, was also annoying so maybe they do make sense together.
I appreciated how Jackson, another character related to a girl that used to be a sorority sister, was intertwined in the story. I wish his character had been more developed. Some of the other girls seemed promising characters but the character development wasn’t there. I liked Mei, even though we don’t get much of her in the story. I think that adding her POV would have been more interesting. The magic system was very uncomplicated. I enjoyed it a lot. The story had its mysteries which kept me intrigued. Especially Scarlett’s secret. I guessed the big reveal a little early, so I wasn’t surprised in the end, apart from some minor details.
The Ravens was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed the sisterhood and how the girls supported each other. I liked Scarlett and was intrigued by where the story was going. Vivi was the major letdown in it and considering that half the book was her POV, it did lower my enjoyment of the story. All that said, I’m still interested in the second book. I’m hoping that after everything these girls went through, Vivi will be less insufferable in the next book.
When I started this off, I expected the normal catty sorority girls, but was pleasantly surprised! The focus on sisterhood is strong and beautiful. I’m excited for the next one!
The Ravens tells the story about Vivi, a witch, attending college and Scarlet, following their life on campus. I liked the plot, but didn’t love it.
Vivi and Scarlet were both awesome characters. It was great to see everything from both of their point of views. I loved the witch sorority and their sisterhood. The twists and turns in the book kept me interested in the book. I cannot wait to read the next one. Thank you Netgalley and RB Media for providing me a free copy of this arc audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
An exciting and interesting new series that grabbed my attention and hooked my from the very first page! The main characters are a work in progress, they slowly grow and adapt to the events unfolding in the story. Magic, friendship and revenge are at the heart of this spellbinding tale with deception and secrets rounding it out from all sides. Well written and captivating enough that I am very eager for the next one!
Lovers of young adult fantasy novels may expect Kass Morgan’s and Danielle Paige’s The Ravens to follow the lines of other YA fantasy novels in the genre. However, readers will be pleasantly surprised that this thrilling young adult is much more than a story of sorority sisters that happen to be witches. The Ravens proves to be a heart-racing tale of love, sisterhood, friendship, and betrayal.
The first in The Ravens series, the novel follows the stories of Vivian Deveraux and Scarlett Winters as they navigate a new semester at Westerly College in Savannah, Georgia. Vivi, a freshman who has been stuck fleeing from an unseen enemy with her seemingly deranged mother, is happy to begin a new life away from the chaos at home. However, once Vivi crosses the threshold of the elusive Kappa Rho Nu sorority house everything changes. For Scarlett, this semester is one in the same with only one major difference—Kappa’s search for who will replace their current president, Dahlia, when she graduates from Westerly in the spring. Becoming president of Kappa is everything that Scarlett has been working toward, especially since her sister and mother were both presidents of the sorority when they went to Westerly years before. When Scarlett’s and Vivi’s worlds collide when Vivi is given a bid to the Kappa sorority, strange things start happening to each of the girls and an unknown entity lurks in the darkness waiting to snatch each of the Kappa witches up.
There are many enjoyable aspects to The Ravens, one of them being the spitfire character that Vivi is through her sarcastic humour and headstrong personality. Vivi carries much of the novel through the different predicaments the finds herself in including fooling around with a boy that is particularly off limits. Scarlett, on the other hand, provides much insight to the values and traditions that Kappa Rho Nu believes in and prides themselves on. Another strength that is present are the descriptions of the scenery. From Westerly’s campus to the elaborate parties at Kappa House, Morgan and Paige are able to paint a whimsical picture of the magic that The Ravens has to offer.
There are many aspects that readers may enjoy, one of them being the diversity among the novel’s characters. From Scarlett being an African American main character, to other people of colour from across the world being included in this novel pushes the fact that anyone could pick up this book and find someone they can relate to. Several secondary characters represent minorities as well, especially two witches, Juliet and Jess, who are in a committed relationship. The way these people from different walks of life are represented and accepted in the Kappa Rho Nu sorority is so important for young readers to be aware of and the different events that happen to all of the characters in The Ravens will push readers to continue turning the pages.
While the majority of the novel was fast-paced and filled with the mystery surrounding Westerly’s campus, some scenes leave more to be desired. The magic that comes to the sisters of Kappa Rho Nu is merely explained through generations of witches and tarot cards, which may leave readers questioning how a witch may discover her powers. Additionally, it is mentioned several times throughout the novel that the Kappa sorority is the most exclusive on Westerly’s campus. With knowing that, it would be helpful for readers to know what the other students thought of the Kappa sisters for some perspective of their life on campus.
Overall, The Ravens is a spectacular read for those looking to find a novel with good representation, humour, magic, and just the right amount of horror during the fall and winter seasons.
The Ravens is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
Wow.
is a fantastic novel that blends college life and magic together perfectly.
This dark YA fantasy novel was everything I could have hoped for and boy, do elements of it tueb our emotions every which way possible.
I loved Vivi, she’s innocent of so much in the world due to her Mother’s insistence of never living anywhere too long and her frustration is tangible that she’s always the ‘new girl’ until she finds herself as a freshman at Waverley. Everything she’s ever known will be tested when she finds herself becoming part of the Greeks on campus and you as the reader will find yourself sometimes telling her to run as fast as she can, whilst at other times encouraging her to grab life and all that the Ravens offer her with both hands.
You won’t be disappointed and you certainly won’t see the twists and turns coming, I for one was left amazed by what transpires so I’m not going to ruin it.
(I never will intentionally ruin a story – guides honour.)
The story switches smoothly between Vivi and Scarlet who is sorority royalty and she knows it, Scarlet comes from a legacy of Winter women who have attended Waverley and been President of Kappa Rho Nu and she plans on continuing that history. The girls are vastly different and Scarlet especially goes on a path of learning from her first encounter with the quiet freshman and it is that journey that truly gives life to this story.
I really hope there is more from , because damn it – these girls have stories aplenty hidden in the corners of their beautiful sorority house. If you are looking for a dark, original fantasy novel that will grab a hold of you from the get go, is that book.
Please.. Let there be more as the side characters were equally fascinating and often quiet and I need and want to hear their stories.
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This book was a little bit different than what I was expecting. It was quite a bit darker than what I normally read but I still really enjoyed it. I love books that center on witches so a sorority of witches sounded amazing, and it was!
This story has two POV Scarlett and Vivi. Scarlett is a legacy and she wants to be president of the sorority. Vivi is just trying to get away from her mother. Vivi had no idea she was a witch until she was recruited to be a raven.
I adore the idea behind this story. I think it was executed pretty well. I liked the characters. I feel like there could have been more development there but over I really just enjoyed the story.
I listened to the audiobook for this and the narration was perfect. The narrator set the perfect tone for the story.
The Ravens is the first book in a paranormal ya series that combines college life with magic. It centers around the Kappa Rho Nu sorority that in reality houses one of the most powerful covens in the world. The story is told out of the perspectives of Vivi and Scarlett and the beginning gives you a lot of info and I needed a minute to sort through it, but afterwards you can fully admire the wonderful and dark atmosphere.
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Vivi is a freshman at Westerly College and super excited to settle at one place, built a life there and get a sense of normality. This is something she previously haven’t experienced because of the whims of her eccentric mother. But she quickly learns that magic is real and is thrown into this world.
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Scarlett on the other hand is well established in the witch world and expected to continue the family legacy and become the next Kappa Rho Nu president. She had the biggest development in the story and I loved to follow that. At the beginning there was a little rivalry between her and Vivi due to a boy and some misunderstandings and that was so sad. Luckily that was resolved and they could better work together as sisters.
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What I loved the most about the story was the witches. The magic system is beautiful and focuses on the elements and tarot cards. I also loved the coven and to learn more about each person and their history. This also leads to some mysteries and secrets and especially when a dark power arises, you cannot irgnore them. The end was very enthralling and I can’t wait for the sequel.
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Overall, this story is a very magical read that I really enjoyed and it receives 4 stars.
(ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.)
I was excited to start this story as it has been one of my most anticipated reads of the season. I read the blurb and was interested to see how the story developed and how the mythology of magic/witches were incorporated.
I really enjoyed the narrator in this audiobook. I think she did an amazing job of creating a calming read with the right emphasis on the different aspects of the story as well as creating each character in a unique way that I had no trouble distinguishing between the major characters (the story is a dual narration of two female characters).
The story itself was a bit slow and slightly lack luster from me, only in that I was expecting much more action and magic and “witch-ness.” What is there is there is nice but it is a more subtle experience in my option. I did believe that these characters were Freshman in college. they has that native yet older adult vibe to them. There was the common jealousness and some petty moments but overall this was a nice story. As I stated above, the story is rather calm and very relaxing, I never felt any heart beating moments but I was interested at finding out what the ending would be. I will read this again in physical form and I will be checking out the next in the series.
Being that I am more focused on physical stories rather then audio, I think I might enjoy this story even more in that form. I received an audio ARC via NetGalley and RB Media and I am leaving an honest review.
4.5/5 stars for this YA Witchy read! Total The Craft vibes for this one! Who wouldn’t love a witchy book set in a sorority? Love the cover! Narration was great! This would be a perfect fall read! Highly recommend if you need a witchy book!
*I received this book in exchange for honest review from Netgalley*
What a fantastic novel. The Ravens takes readers to college, where a coven of witches hides as a typical sorority.
Great Plot & Pacing
The Ravens
split between Scarlett Winter and Vivi Devereaux. Scarlett is a Junior now at Westerly College and has long been part of the Kappa Rho Nu coven, vying for the spot of President. Vivian and a Freshman with no idea she is a witch. It is a compelling story about two girls trying to figure out whom they want to be in life. Vivi does not want to be like her mother; she wants to redefine herself in a way that feels true to her. Vivi wants to stop being the girl always looking in and instead wants to be a part of something.
For Scarlett, the same can be said. She is struggling to find herself, to escape from the shadow of her family’s legacy, and live under the pressure of being a Winter.
Moreover, in the midst of all this, while trying to figure out who they are and whom they want to be, they have to contend with a missing sister, a vengeful sister, and someone threatening to expose them all.
It is an incredibly fast-moving story that keeps the reader engaged by delving into the character’s narrative and while building up the tension of the plot. The rising tension leaves no room for the reader to put it down as if the reader is spellbound to read the story. That is what makes it so good. The tension, the mystery, the black magic that haunts and threatens the characters, not to mention the unpredictable plot twists that leave the reader gasping, all these elements together keep the reader utterly hooked.
Characterization
As mentioned above, The Ravens is about the characters as it is about magic and mystery. Vivi and Scarlett are essential to storytelling.
It would be easy for the authors to fall into the trap of cliches with their characterization, but thankfully they stay clear of it. Admittedly, there are times when Scarlett does come off as that stereotypical mean girl, but her development throughout the novel is incredible.
Scarlett goes on an intensive journey, focusing on her internal struggles, the pressure to live up to her family’s legacy. She grows so much throughout the novel and does not lose her ferocity or her sisterhood. Scarlett has so many chances to put herself first, but instead, she puts her sisters, her coven, above it all, sacrificing friendship and love to keep her coven safe. It makes her incredible and allows the reader to connect to her on a deeper level.
As for Vivi, the only issue with her characterization is that there are times where it feels like two different people are writing her. Vivi’s opening chapter with her mother, the ferocity she has there, the stubborn willpower, it gets lost as she goes to college. There are times where her naïve innocence does not coincide with her inner narrative. With Vivi, it is clear that two different people are writing this novel as if they are trying to make her fit within the plot.
Nevertheless, Vivi’s personality balances out Scarlett’s well enough, allowing the reader to overlook her shortcoming.
Final Thoughts
The Ravens left me hungry for more. Morgan and Paige did an incredible job of bringing this story to life with a great plot, strong characters, and a powerful message of sisterhood.
OMG, I love this book!!!!!! Everything from the beautiful cover, to the characters, to the story line is amazing! This book grabs you with a sacrificial murder and keeps you hooked throughout the entire story. Vivi spends all her life thinking that her mom is a fraud with her tarot card readings but little does she know magic is real and she’s a witch. I’ve always been a fan of sorority stories and this one did not disappoint. There was an appropriate amount of hazing yet they didn’t go too far. And this one had the spooky element of a witch with black magic trying to hurt the girls. Scarlett’s character kinda rubbed me the wrong way in the beginning as she comes off as jealous but by the end she grew on me. The twist at the end definitely surprised me, I wasn’t expecting it at all. I can’t express how much I loved this book, I highly recommend it for anyone who loves a good suspenseful sorority story.
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love to read books with magic so I was incredibly excited to be able to pick this one up.
Things I liked about the book: The plot was intriguing and the character personalities were relatable. I enjoyed the theme
around magic and the level of details the author included to immerse you into their world. The magic performed in the book seemed well thought out and executed.
Things I didn’t care for: I was disappointed with the lack of character development throughout the book, especially when there were two protagonists. The middle seemed to drag on so by the ending, I was getting frustrated
with the lack of movement. The ending was a lot less anticlimactic than I expected, however the twists were well executed and fit nicely within the story line.
Overall, I liked the book well enough. The writing was very (almost overly) descriptive, which may have contributed to the feeling of the middle dragging but I felt comfortable with the major points in the plot.