A few weeks after the siege, Qaanir is rebuilding and the other rulers are starting to arrive for the summit. The first one in a thousand years.
I’ve been training hard with our growing army, and it's definitely not because I’m hiding from my feelings. I need to get stronger. I need to learn every discipline of magic if I want to stand a chance against Sebastian.
But Felix’s haunting visions are getting darker. They show a dire future, and the answer seems to lie in the alliance. Which means the fate of the worlds is in the hands of a gaggle of pompous Daevasi kings and queens.
Oh, gods … We’re doomed.
As usual, Quillon has a plan, and as usual, I don’t like it. Draqaar must be united under one leader. A herald of the alliance. And Quillon wants to nominate me. There’s only one catch: the herald must be a ruler of Draqaar. But Quillon has a plan for that too …
The Raven's Burden is a slow burn reverse harem. It's book 3 of 6 in the Arsyn Morgan series. The series is recommended for 18+ due to violence, bad language, and sexual situations.
I’m really disappointed with how this series is progressing. The plot is good but the actual character development is so poor and it’s been three books already? It says it’s a slow burn but there is only the smallest amount of smoke, let alone any fire. The development of relationships between Arsyn and the boys is so weak that the few sex scenes we got were so boring, disjointed and underdeveloped. I love slow burns but this is just barely any development. Idk if I’ll continue the series because it feels like nothing is ever going to progress.
I’m loving the action and adventure, the world building and the magic. There’s finally some spice, but it feels like an afterthought. The series is dragging a bit for me, and I’ve realized that not all the books are out. So I’ll stop here and maybe revisit it later. Mythical creatures reading challenge-kraken Wheels10
I'm all for a slow burn because it makes all the angst and wait leading up to that inevitable explosion even more worth it. We finally get a touch of that fire that would make Shael beam with pride. This installment in the series did not disappoint as we get to see Syn with some of her guys, at last, take the next step in building their relationship. No more of that back and forth, will they won't they, with some of the men as they finally make it clear what they want from her. EEK, this made me so happy! 😍
We follow Syn not long after the battle with the undead as she and the Aegis work with Quillon and the people of Qaanir to rebuild and train with magic and weapons to prepare for what is coming. There are some emotions and insecurities Syn is working through after Sebastian's betrayal, though she is realizing she can't do it all on her own and needs to place her trust in those who love and support her. We learn even more about her capabilities and where the hunters might have originated from. On top of dealing with a new darkness that seems to be coursing through her veins, she is trying to figure why the Aether is being drained of all magic and who is reaching out to her through dreams/visions telling her to find them. The citizens of Qaanir are beginning to look up to and rely on her as the potential for leadership opportunities are thrust upon her. Needless to say, she is dealing with a lot all while continuing to stand firm with her values and doing what she feels is best for all involved.
Over all there's lots of action, some real good spice 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️, more world building with some new side characters thrown in. I enjoyed learning more of the magic system in this world and how their life now differs from how their lives were while in Haven on Earth. We get more of her antics with her men and it was nice to see a couple of POV's from the guys. I love how the guys show her that she deserves to be loved and how important she is to them and others around her. They help to comfort her and make her see that her life is valued despite her past as a hunter. That she shouldn't feel the need to sacrifice herself as those past actions do not define who she is. Her life matters and can make a difference in the current chaos of their world.
The more I read of this series the more invested I get in the lives of these characters. We get more of what makes them all tick and I'm excited to see Syn grow her relationships with her guys. Found family is one of my favorite tropes and this book hits it just right. Ugh! Now I'm even more anxious for the next installment than I was when I was waiting for this one. Absolutely loved it! 🫶
*I was lucky enough to receive an ARC and this is my honest review.
Stowe is setting this up for an epic finale. I think the hits will start coming at all sides for Syn and the Aegis. They have Valeria and Sebastian, the hunters and now I’m wondering if the Aegis council will take a swing.
Arsyn is struggling with trust in herself after the events of the last book with Sebastian and the battle on Qaanir. She is trying to learn everything that a hunter can truly do that Sebastian has already unlocked and miles ahead. I’m still on the fence about him. I’m leaning more towards “oh he’s gotta die” but again, book 3 of 6. A lot can happen in the next few.
Em makes more of an appearance in this book and is right back by Syn’s side through this next endeavor since Enchanter Inc seems like it is over.
We learn more about Felix’s visions and I can’t imagine having these visions and know it coincides with the apocalypse. Things do look dreary and the Aegis (Arsyn included) still have a long way to go despite small victories. This book is moving at quick timeline so I wish maybe some of it could be slowed down and focus on some of the relationships and more dialogue.
We also maybe understand some of where Arsyn may come from which may explain some of her abilities. I still want to understand her mom’s sacrifice to save Arsyn and if this played a role.
I will say the spice is very low in this book, so if you’re looking for smut, this is either gonna be a slow build to it or just won’t exist at all. But that’s ok because I love the world building and the storyline. (But there are a couple of quick scenes). I want more Cyrus, Ari (who still disappears lot on this book) and Skye time.
There are some good one liners throughout that add a bit of humor in the classic Stowe fashion. I can’t wait to see more from my Queen Arysn and I want her to be more of a baddy. She is not without her faults and flaws but at least she embraces them and her ongoing changes to what she is becoming.
The harem: Cyrus: daddy vibes, can’t wait for this explosion. Ari: the protector and comfort. Syn’s safety net. Felix: the jokester who needs support through his past and visions. Skye: at this point I’m thinking book 5 or 6 before he falls. Shael: more like Syn’s friend and easy going partner. Quillion: he uses Syn, and was always up front about it, but also cares for her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I can’t wait for more. However it’s definitely frustrating to see the miscommunication on Arsyn who should be telling her men what’s actually going on with her. I understand trust issues however she knows the worlds are at stake and she should be able to just talk to them plainly.
Hopefully we can see more development for her to communicate with everyone. I do think Ari should confront her in the next book and do it in front of everyone.
The harem itself also needs to focus on communication cause there’s a lot of secrets that we still need to know. It feels kinda dragged out, but I understand this is supposed to be a six book series. I just feel like though that if they love Syn, and wanna defeat the antagonists, they should figure out their issues first and disclose any information that may or may not help them.
Genre: Urban Fantasy / Portal Fantasy Type: Series Age: New Adult Safety: 🟡
Tropes / Featuring: 🧙 Magic 🏹 Hunter 👰🏼 Marriage of Convenience 💞⌛ Slow-Burn 💕 Polyamory Relationships ❤️🔥⚔️ Enemies to Lovers 🏰 Court Intrigue
My thoughts: I do have to admit that I don't remember that much about the story, maybe that's the reason I didn't care about the characters and how the story progressed. But still I didn't like the writing style. Especially because it's supposed to be a six-book-series.
I enjoy this series, and the slow burn is so good it hurts! A lot is happening in this installment, and I don’t want to spoil anything, so that I will be vague. Syn and the Aegis are working with Quillon and his people to rebuild after the battle. Syn is battling her demons after being betrayed by Sebastian, and I hate that she is choosing to hide it from the guys.
A good amount of time is spent with Felix, Shael, and Quillon, which is fine because I adore them all. Felix broke my heart in this book as we learn about the visions he’s been seeing and more of his past. Skye will be the holdout and probably the last to give in because he let his guard slip once and is determined not to do it again. I need more of Ari; there is just something about him that I need to see more of him. I love that he is, without a doubt, Syn’s biggest protector, even if she isn’t aware of it.
We get to meet the other rulers in this one, and of course, there is clear plotting to either win Syn’s approval or mostly turn her against Quillon, which is ridiculous because while he does keep some things to himself, he’s pretty upfront with Syn. I feel like it wouldn’t be as easy for people to twist her up if it weren’t for Sebastian’s betrayal. I enjoyed a few mini-spicy scenes with him, but again, the name of the game here is SLOW BURN. With this being book 3 of 6, there is still room for more action with the guys, and I like that it’s building because it makes the moments even better.
Halfway into the journey, and I’m eagerly awaiting book 4!
Other reviews have said all 3 of these books are “ a slow burn” It’s more like rubbing two toothpicks together to make a fire. Literally three books and the we barely get a spark of heat. The writing is still blocky and doesn’t have a flow but it’s coming along. Much better than the first book. I’m enthralled story though so I’ll keep reading. Hopefully the writing keeps improving.
I love Arsyn because she’s a strong fmc who’s hilarious. I can’t wait for her to finally start trusting herself and becoming more vulnerable with her men. I’m still pissed at Sebastian cause I thought he was hot until the betrayal. I’m so ready for the next book. This one felt like i breezed through it. It’s just that great.
This was so good... This series has a little bit of everything, and the world building continues to impress. Things with Arsyn and the guys are finally moving forward. But I wish there were more steamy scenes. Can't wait to read book 4!
The pacing was all over the place. Things "moved" but didn't. And when it seemed like it would take a slow burn turn, it got very insta(love). Things got spicy but weird (very anticlimactic I'd say). It delivered nothing at the end.
Corrupt magic, a love lost, and undead! I love this series. They are so good! Not liking that there is no book four in sight, I need to know what happens next. To be continued.
I really love this world. It is so different than some of the world building I typically see in a RH. It’s a true fantasy PNR. I love every aspect including the magic systems and people.
We finally get back in this wonderful world with new problems yet same horrid villains.
The raven's burden is just as addicting as the two previous books and we get to see Arsyn open up more to our guys. It is still action packed and many new characters are introduced. I am just SOOOOOO INLOVE with this series and I can't wait for the next one! I am truly hoping that we get open communication in the next book because I am getting frustrated with how Arsyn always keeps to herself. Though, I understand that in this book, it was necessary because we get to delve to why Arsyn thinks like that and her battle in defeating her insecurities. I really hope that the next book, we get to see them opening up more! ♡ y'all need to read this now!!
Arsyn is truly involved in politics unlike before. She must continue to figure out the best way to defend Sebastian while still feeling the impacts of his betrayal. I adored watching Arsyn navigate her relationships, while being unsure of her status. Her realizing her relationships matter to her in a serious more loving way made me get so excited.
Not to spoil, but the spice goes up in this one and I was SHOUTING yes finally!! The slowburn has been killing me, and I was so excited for some relief.
Let's talk plot of this book. Probably the fastest resolved in the last 3 books, which was great. I felt the tension, yet it was solved and it didn't feel too fast. I didn't get bored at any point, and I felt I know how the book is being set up but there are still a few mysteries.
Highly excited for the next book especially with how this one ended!!