Wingless Crow

Wingless Crow #1

by Marina Simcoe

He saw me first. But I'm not meant for him.
Stolen from the human world, I’m brought to the kingdom of sky fae to entertain the king. With my memories taken, I no longer remember my past, but my future depends on gaining King Tiane’s favor and affection. Against my better judgment, however, it’s the attention of the morose and sarcastic High General Voron that I crave.
As I try to fit in the glamorous yet dangerous court life, Voron is always there, lurking in the shadows. I believe he’s watching me as part of his duties. Then I realize he is watching over me. But even the mighty High General can’t protect me from what the king has planned.
Voron is the only highborn without wings. I’m the only human in Sky Kingdom. We agree to hate each other, but when my life is at stake and I have no one else to turn to, can I take the risk of trusting him?
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This book is part 1 of the duet Wingless Crow, set in Marina Simcoe's world of the River of Mists.
It ends with a HFN (Happy For Now), but the story of the main characters continues in part 2, Crownless King.
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Wingless Crow is a Romantic Fantasy with MF romance set in Marina Simcoe's world of the River of Mists. It contains graphic descriptions of intimacy and is intended for mature readers.
For the list of TW with potential spoilers, please visit the Wingless Crow page on MarinaSimcoe dot com.
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All stories set in the world of the River of

Wingless Crow
Wingless Crow
Crownless King

Fire in Stone
Fire in Stone
Hearts on Fire

Serpent's Touch
Serpent's Touch
Serpent's Claim

Madame Tan's Freakshow
Call of Water
Madness of the Moon
Power of Rage

All duets and trilogies in the River of Mists can be read independently and out of order. However, the books within the duets and trilogies should be read in order.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Fae, Fantasy Romance, Unfinished, Paranormal

344 pages, Paperback

Published May 17, 2023

About the author

Deep, heartfelt romance with a generous sprinkle of spice and a tad of magic.

Newsletter Signup is on www.MarinaSimcoe.com

For illustrations of her books, early access ebooks, bonus stories, and signed paperbacks, please visit the author's Patreon: https://patreon.com/MarinaSimcoe

Married to Krampus illustrated edition is being posted on Marina Simcoe's Patreon. Start reading here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/chapter...

Reviews

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This dark fantasy romance is so fabulous!! I absolutely loved it.. Voron is such an addictive character! Love his laugh, his kindness, protectiveness and honor.. Can't wait to read more!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic dark fantasy romance that will have you on the edge of your seat. Sparrow has been taken from the human world and taken to the fae king as entertainment. Voron Is the High General of the fae and it is down to him to keep Sparrow safe. With incredible world building, the chemistry between our main mc’s is off the charts but Sparrow belongs to the king of the fae and Voron has vows to the king and queen that treads a very fine line or he faces magical repercussions. They are both incredible characters and their journey is a dangerous one filled with action, drama, secrets, betrayals and political intrigue and I cannot wait to see where the author takes us next in this awesome story.

[JP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. Heavens! What a ride! Yep, yep, yep! I loved this one.
5 glorious ⭐️. This had everything I love. Great world building with more and more layers of intrigue. I could not put it down and I want book 2 now!
What I loved:
• Voron and the mystery of him
• The romance and chemistry- it was great!
• Great roller coaster feeling
• That it’s a series
I highly recommend if you love fantasy romance. This is a cliffhanger but I can eagerly wait for book 2, I think.
Thanks Booksprout for this ACR, I loved it.

[May · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG….
This book got me out of a serious reading slump! This book was one of the best fantasy romances I’ve read. I absolutely love the authors writing . This world she’s developed is amazing and just the right amount of tension banter and darkness. This was absolutely a chef kiss!!

[Caligirlkrys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another dive into the River of Mists world. This book (duet) can be read as a stand-alone but is better if you’ve read some of the River of Mists books so you understand the world better. I love this universe. Marina weaves such wonderful tales through time and worlds seamlessly. I love the blending of Fae and Greek legends to create each unique race. This book gave me ACOTAR vibes and I’m loving it. Sparrow is very relatable. She’s an average woman in her world who blends in and goes unnoticed the majority of the time and is just trying to make it through life one day at a time. When she ends up in the Sky Kingdom her beauty and worth shine through. Voron is dark and mysterious and a bit of a grump with a troubled and mysterious past. There is definitely an enemies to lovers trope happening and it creates some delicious tension between the two. I can’t wait for the conclusion to this duet!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this author's Serpent's Touch books, so when I saw this one I knew I had to check it out. The characters were so very different from those two but were also so very good. While the attraction between these two was pretty much instant, it wasn't an insta love. In fact, they both fight very hard to bury any feelings for the other they are developing. Obviously impossible, but a valiant effort none the less. I loved when the two of them were together and everything with them was just believable. And I absolutely loved Voron calling her "little bird" all the time.

I'll be honest. Sparrow was frequently annoying or frustrating me with her decisions and actions, but fortunately that didn't make me hate her character. She started her bad choices when she drank something a stranger at a bar gave her that she even admitted didn't look like anything she'd ever seen served before. And it was that one thing which would change her life forever. In so many ways.

I loved Voron. These stoic, powerful men that only show glimpses of emotion in front of their woman are so my thing. Voron is as straight laced, rule abiding, and deathly composed as they come. Being the only high fae in the sky kingdom without wings, he has no doubt had a brutal life. But he has fought his way up and earned the title of High General. Second in power only to the king. A king to which he has promised total obedience to in his quest for power. An action done when he was young and at the time thought nothing of the consequences, only now to be bound by that promise and loathing what it means for him.

These two meet when Sparrow is kidnapped from the human world to be used as payment for a debt. Voron doesn't want her there, but in the end sees no other choice. He steals her memories of her past self and gives her the new name of Sparrow before presenting her to his king. Sparrow is the only human in the kingdom and as such is quite the novelty. She learns quickly that her life quite literally continues on the whim of the king. At first, she tries to make the best of this new life and learn what she could do to please him. And for a while, all she has to do is sit on his lap at dinners and make sure he stays entertained with her. But the king is not the grand, benevolent ruler he presents to the court and people, and little by little Sparrow comes to dread being called on by him more and more. She does have one bright spot to her days though. For one hour each morning, she meets with Voron so that he can teach her the king's favorite board game. Things come to a head rather quickly when the king finally calls Sparrow to his room for the night and things tumble out of control from there. All leading up to Sparrow doing something she never thought she could and fleeing for her life. Of course she doesn't make it very far before Voron finds her and brings her back to the palace for an even worse fate.

Despite the abrupt ending, I liked how it all went down. Voron is very good at what he does and he's also very good at working around specifics in the orders he's given, so he makes it seem so easy when saves Sparrow. He gives her the choice of her future but when she turns back to him, he's not above asking for what he wants. Which was amazing for a character like him.

I'm so happy that I only have to wait two days to find out how these two's story will end.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st reading: Wonderful to learn more about Voron, who appears near the end of the Fire in Stone duet. A Highborn member of the Sky Kingdom without wings - the only one in history - he promises his loyalty and service to the crown in exchange for power. But the loss of his free will comes at a great cost.
Sparrow - whose human name no one knows, not even her - is kidnapped by Trez (whom we've also seen before) as repayment to the king of the Sky Kingdom. But as charming and frivolous as King Tiane seems on the surface, underneath he is corrupt, narcissistic, and violently blood-thirsty. Voron brings Sparrow to the king, but it's not long before everything falls apart.
This book is well-written with compelling characters and plot. I'm eagerly looking forward to the conclusion, which should be available in a week's time.

[Rainelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wingless Crow is a total different fantasy adult book that I have read. The synopsis and the plot is very entertaining. Little bird/ Sparrow as Voron calls her finds herself kidnapped to this world were she’s starts this new complete life. With no one to guide her she struggles to survive in this one of many worlds that are connected. I was so happy to read that their was someone to guide her. Thank Brebie. Vernon is such a mysterious soldier, but I love that he has set his site on Sparrow. Together these two turn up the heat. The story is an entertaining one filled with many characters to learn about. The dialogue is easy to read and understand. The book is a good read for the fantasy lovers. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Jannie Cv · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding story!
Intense! A fledgling romance developing amid debauchery, depravity, and danger. I am so entranced by these two! The attraction between Voron and Sparrow is becoming so strong, but I don’t think it can go further. Ill-considered youthful promises bind Voron to the royals. What will happen to Sparrow? Considering the loss of her memories of her past, Sparrow does an amazing job acclimating to her current situation. It’s rough, but she has formed some dear friendships to ease her way. I love the encounters she and Voron have! It’s easy to see how they feel about each other. This is an amazing adventure, a thrilling story - and it is not done yet! Stay tuned…

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! This book starts out so innocuously, and then suddenly takes a dark turn. My heart broke for Sparrow. She is so strong and resilient, trying to make the best of a horrible situation until she knows she is utterly without options. Voron is also in an impossible position, fighting his attraction to Sparrow and trying to protect her while being bound by his promises to the king. I was on the edge of my seat from beginning to end and need the second part of this duet now! 😅

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Danii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sky Kingdom with its different creatures and enchanting characters is another wonderful world created by Marina Simcoe in the River of Mists universe.
The clueless but strong human Sparrow stuck in the middle of secrets and danger, High General Voron deliciously dark and mysterious and all the magic, promises and political machinations in this fae court. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wingless Crow

I absolutely loved it! It was fast-paced, suspenseful, emotional, and romantic. I really enjoyed the story and couldn’t put it down. It was easy to connect and root for the characters. I enjoyed the depth of the characters and can’t wait to read more about them and see what happens next.

[DMCechak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Angel of Doom

‘How far would my “exotic” status of a human take me in Elaros? How long before the novelty of having a companion from another world would wear off for the king? What if I never became the mother of the royal heir that would ensure my status? One thing was clear, I couldn’t rely on the whims of powerful highborn for my future. Everyone in this kingdom had a purpose. I had to find mine.’

Sparrow and Voron. Voron we have met before in Marina Simcoe’ River of Mists series, and now we learn more about the Wingless Crow.

Sparrow has been kidnapped and brought through the River of Mists, where she is used in a bargain and her memories are erased. Now playing n a place with magical creatures, she is drawn to Voron, even as they constantly clash. Their simmering emotional fire is put the test as Sparrow belongs to the king, and Voron must keep her safe while creating space between them for both their sake’s.

A magical series that spans time, Simcoe provides us with story duets and characters that all find a place in our hearts.

[Ruth Bookish Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an utter delight, unexpectedly brilliant.

The world-building in this story is to die for, a page-turner of utter joy and elation to the imagination.

Beautifully laid out scenes for our protagonists throughout their journey with may emotional ups and downs along the way. The narrative simply leaves you reeling.

I could not put this down and lost many hours of sleep, but it was well worth it. I can not wait for the next instalment of this fantastic story.

Pure brilliance. An otherworldly delight.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Voron!

So excited for his story and to be in the kingdom in the clouds.

[Luckylovesbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

April 13, 2024 - April 14, 2024
DNF @ 48%
2/5 stars - I’ll rate a book if DNFing >40%
50th book to DNF 🫤 yay.

Not for me. I didn’t like the way the FMC behaved and I didn’t like the way the MMC behaved. He basically enables her to become a glorified sex slave/pet to the king. He takes the memories of her past life away with no hope of regaining them. He forces her to disrobe so he can examine her in a humiliating way. (He wasn’t physically forceful and he didn’t touch her, but it went beyond just a physical examination because he “examined her between the legs) The author tried to make that “inspection” scene sexy but no. Nope. I felt icky because the FMC didn’t have a CHOICE. And the MMC was AROUSED 🤢(so was the FMC but she’s not in a position of power).

And the FMC? She doesn’t fight her circumstances. She’s on track to become the king’s “lover” (I say lover loosely) and bear the next heir, as per the queen’s order. She’s a pet and if the king looses interest, she’ll essentially end up at his zoo with the other unwanted animals. Instead of playing the game, I.e pretending, to find a way to escape or a way to exist that doesn’t end up with her on her back, she rolls over and accepts her fate. She WANTS to get the king’s attention and ACCEPTS she’ll need to bear him a child. These were the sentences that did it for me (DNF-ing):

“The most I counted for was lust and, hopefully, a lasting friendship after that [with the king]”

Is she delusional?

“Sex was the most I could ever hope to get from the king, with possibly some residual affection that would compel him to keep me around”

Like I said, she rolled right over and showed her fucking belly like a dog. Plus, she’s a bitch for making fun of the MMC for not having wings. Fuck her.

There were also intimate scenes with the king, not sex but he does lick/suck her nipple, kiss her (non consensual, in my opinion), touches her on her inner thigh, stokes her body etc. I did a search of the book and it looks like there’s a handjob involved around the 75%-ish mark with OM (the king). The MMC witnesses a lot of the touching, especially the nipple thing. I’m sorry, but an MC having these kinds of intimate scenes with OM/OW is a no-no for me.


February 24, 2024
The triggers aren’t bad and are manageable (for me)

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertainment for the King . . .

I felt bad for High General Voron whose youthful promises have kind of prevented him from being able to act on Sparrow’s behalf as his honor would have led him to do. But as much as he can, he tries to protect her. The vows of the Fae have consequences if they are broken in any way, so he cannot blatantly assist her. Sparrow had been stolen from the human world and brought to the Sky Kingdom to please King Tiane. But they took away her memories which makes it difficult to know where the danger is and how to respond. Being drawn to Voron would definitely put her in danger when he can’t openly protect her. But she begins to see things are not good and right in the court. And she knows that she must escape before she loses her life… or worse! Will she find a way out of there? How would she get back to her home world? Or will she indeed lose her life?

[Tallyho · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have so many spoilery questions to ask since I've finished reading!

This book ends on a cliffhanger, but it's not life or death, just middle of the story.

I love how he keeps saying, "I saw you first." Pretty sure that will be important in the second book. 😂

This book is SLOW BURN. It's part 1 of 2 and they barely get started in book 1 because of the "I can't have you, you belong to someone else" trope. 😆 It's really good, though. I like this universe, the world building is fantastic and the characters are *chef's kiss*.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voron's selfless behaviour, his protective stance and his fierce honor are put to the test when Sparrow unexpectedly falls into his sphere. His vows have magical repercussions if broken so he walks a very fine line between what has been stated, and what is intended. Sparrow's life has changed dramatically and she tries to reposition herself in this new world. But when she discovers the darkness that pervades the court she tries desperately to escape.

[Deb Farris Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!!

As usual Marina Simcoe’s writing is stellar, this is a touching story that pulls you in and makes you want more.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worldbuilding
Yay, we're returning to the River of Mists world! After reading almost all the books in this world, I'm so excited to be reading about Voron, whom we met in the Fire in Stone duet.
So this time, we're going to the Sky Kingdom, where Fae have wings... well, except for one (we read about at least).
As with all the other books, the scenes and settings were very well written, with clear details and enough information to immerse yourself in the story fully. As Sparrow is new to the Sky Kingdom, we learn about everything alongside her, so we're getting all the information gradually and not all at once.

Character development
Sparrow was out with a friend/coworker when she got taken by a brack through the River of Mist. It seemed Madame Tan made a deal with the Sky King, and she is the payment. I won't go into detail about what unfolds after, as that would be spoiling, and well... I hate that :D Just know that poor human Sparrow is now left in a kingdom all by her lonesome to be presented to the king... Oh dear...
I like Sparrow; even though she's been uprooted from her life, she shows her unique character. She has a backbone and a good head on her shoulders.
Voron, our wingless Fae, the High General, is a pretty mysterious character, and only towards the end do we get a good feel for what he's been going through (and get some indication explaining his reasoning for doing what he does).
Throughout even this first installment, you can see how the characters evolve. And not just towards the other. I look forward to seeing them grow and become their true selves in the second installment.
All characters throughout the book are well-written, to be honest. They feel real and believable, and it's not hard to picture them all in a room together (though what chaos that would be).

Pacing and flow
It starts pretty slowly, giving readers time to get to know the Sky Kingdom and the characters. But once things start happening, you'll find yourself drawn into the story completely and leaving until you know what happens... well... good luck with that ;)

The book
The book was well written with no (noticeable) errors. There are a few steamy scenes, but no sex is described (if that is important to you).
The book has 300 pages, spread over 32 chapters, and while it's mainly told from Sparrow's point of view, there are some smaller chapters from Voron's point of view, which is nice.

Final thoughts
I have read an advance copy of the book and love the River of Mists series; this book was no exception. The way that the characters are portrayed and the struggles they're going through It's really well written. I can't wait for the second installment to come out!

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another 'fae' romantasy involving magical creatures that aren't traditionally fae (like those in Irish/British folklore), but rather a wild mash-up of different beings loosely based on folklore from various areas, like Minotaurs. Or maybe I am giving too much credit, and they are simply random creatures that are part animal, part human.

This isn't isolated to this book, but I do wonder, what makes these creatures fae? Is it their weakness to iron, which isn't even that big of a deal since they can also be killed with some other magical element? Or the twist on the 'fae can't lie' trope (here, they are magically bound to their promises)?

Despite my personal beef with the terminology, I did enjoy the story. I mostly liked the characters, the villain is properly despicable, and the romance has good buildup and tension. Apart from some pacing issues, it was a fun read.

I did roll my eyes when the female main character turned out to be a short, chubby woman with large breasts and a smart mouth—since that just screams self-insert to me—but at least Simcoe did not make her into a romance-novel reader.

I definitely enjoyed the writing style overall; I just wish the magical beings were called something different.

[A Story Explorer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book might not have been quite to my taste because I prefer fast paced books. I ended up skimming a lot half way through the book. The characters were ok but I didn't connect with Sparrow much and I didn't know what Voron's motivations were or why he wanted to help her out so much. Definitely a slow burn. I liked that Sparrow was plus size and that Voron was wingless to add dimension to the characters. I'm glad that Sparrow learns to speak up for herself and takes action later but she was a bit frustrating sometimes. It was good world building and I wanted to explore more. I think it was a bit weak on the romance. While there was some spicy scenes, it was brief and limited. The conclusion was a bit unsatisfying for me as I wanted to feel like I have to know what happens next and I'm not sure I feel that way at the end. Overall, a good book if you want a different world fantasy with bits of romance.

2.2 out of 5 rating for me!

(An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. I leave this review voluntarily and I was not compensated in any other way.)

[Firefly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved it.

I’ve read the Serpent’s Touch, another River of Mists story and I just couldn’t get enough, so I was thrilled when the Wingless Crow appeared. I can’t get enough of Simcoe’s wonderful stories. The characters, the world building, the story itself is just fantastic.

This book had just a touch of almost everything. It’s a slow building of the romance…ish. It’s more like the leads had a slow growing bond that hopefully leads to something more. There are triggers so be warned: abuse, non-consent ish situations, meaning the FL knew, didn’t like it but did it anyways. What I had a hard time with was the beginning when she was taken, she quickly accepted the Sky Kingdom and her situation a little to easy which was a little “really? just like that?” and that’s the only issue I have with this story. There is one tiny scene of sexy time with no penetration between the leads.

Overall, I loved it and will definitely read the next part.

[Avis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the stories by this author. Well thought out plots with twist, secrets and conflicts. The world building was phenomenal. I could picture each of the characters. The gloom of the kingdom and the stress and anger of Vornon and Sparrow. Also the conflicting feelings between the two.
I liked Sparrow. She is thought to be a "weak" human, but in reality she is perceptive, and determined. I love how she analyzes each situation she is in. How is sees the new world she has been thrown into.
Voron has to obey the king and queen. Words are everything. Depending how they are said would determine life or death. His included. He is trying to help Sparrow. I loved how he does this without her even knowing it. His method was interesting.
I can't wait for the conclusion of this duet.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon Hendrix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this beginning

So we start off in the human realm with a couple of girls after work on a Friday night, having a drink at the bar. Needless to say, things don’t turn out so well for our leading lady. We don’t know her name, only that her life will never be the same. Drugged, her ability to anything more than obey her abductors, off to the Fae realm she goes.
Doomed to be given to the king of the Sky Kingdom as a payment from a disgraced goddess, she is delivered into the hands of the High General, Voron.
With her memories of her life erased, Voron names her Sparrow. This begins her new life in the Sky Kingdom.
Follow along with Sparrow and Voron as things get very interesting. And deadly. I’m looking forward to reading the next book!

[FS Meurinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dark fantasy romance had me hooked from the start! Sparrow, a human girl, gets taken to the fae king's kingdom where she meets Voron, the brooding High General. The world-building is incredible, and the chemistry between Sparrow and Voron is off the charts. But here's the catch: Sparrow belongs to the fae king, and Voron has some serious loyalty vows. Talk about a forbidden love story! The book is filled with action, drama, and juicy secrets. I loved how the author blended Fae and Greek legends to create these unique races. Sparrow is relatable, and Voron is mysterious with a troubled past. Can't wait for the next book in this epic duet!

[AussieMum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not usually one for fantasy but I am loving this. Voron is giving me Mr Darcy vibes, just waiting to let loose and shake everything up for the one he loves but cannot have. And Sparrow is no shrinking violet. She’s a smart woman who relies on her own wits to survive in a strange world where she is promised to the king but falls for his right hand man.

Not gonna lie. There’s a few squeamish moments here, and King Tiane deserves everything that’s coming to him.

Only a couple weeks till part 2 is out.

[Jasmin E Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

High General Voron!
Shadowy sexy Mr Rochester vibes.Broody dark and moody, very sexually intense, mysterious, emotional, troubled, and arrogant.

Sparrow
a Human taken to the Sky Kingdom and offered as a gift to the King, Sparrow - fiery,witty and passionate yet no memories of the past.... I adored her adapting to the twist & turns that is her life for now.

all is not what it seems. Quick & Easy page turning romantasy .. book1 of a duet.

chk tws & cws


Jasmin E Reads

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fantasy romance had lush world building that made the book a pleasure to read. The hero was enigmatic and deliciously alpha, and the heroine was deeply sympathetic. The romantic chemistry was sizzling, too. There was plenty of political intrigue to keep the stakes high, and enough danger and action to keep the pacing quick. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and highly recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving a review.