The Raven Scholar
the masterfully woven and breathtaking epic adult fantasy of cutthroat competition and imperial deceit
By Antonia Hodgson
Harry Hartog's review
This MAGNIFICENT fantasy book has it all. It made me gasp and laugh out loud so many times, as it changes from serious high fantasy to silly, sassy ravens in a heartbeat. There are some wild, out there plot twists you wont see coming, and character development that will keep you on your toes as to who you're rooting for, but ultimately this was an absolute joy to read from beginning to end. Don't let the chunky size put you off, this story is worth every page, footnote, raven babble and fox thought and will keep you entertained for a long time after you've put the book down. - Dee, Harry Hartog Macquarie
Description
She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder.
After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him.
Trained at rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal - Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth - the Dragon proxy - will be revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists - the best of the best.
Then one of them is murdered.
It falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering.
If Neema succeeds, she could win the throne - whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence herself to death - and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the empire . . .
- ISBN:
- 9781529339864
- Format:
- Paperback
- Pages:
- 656
- Published:
- Publisher:
- Hodder & Stoughton
- Imprint:
- Hodderscape
- Weight:
- 800 g