Jack of Crows

by J.H. Fleming

Jack remembers being human, but that was long ago... Now he's just a scarecrow, content to spend his days quietly sitting in his field and watching the clouds go by. He has but one friend, Evelyn, yet that is enough for a scarecrow with fleeting memories of his days as a man. Until Evelyn makes a deal with a witch and is cursed to become a crow. Together, crow and scarecrow must embark on a quest to break the curse and make Evelyn human once again. It won't be easy, not with the witch's Hunter on the trail, intent on consuming their souls. They'll meet allies along the way, but can one ever really trust the slyest of foxes? Or the intentions of mages? As the wolves rage their war across the land, Jack and Evelyn must brave constant danger from animals and humans alike. And the Hunter is ever on their trail. To break a witch's curse, determination alone isn't enough. Sometimes, sacrifice is needed... But are they willing to pay the price?

400 pages, Paperback

Published October 10, 2023

About the author

J.H. Fleming is the author of Jack of Crows, the Music the Gathering series, The Call of the Fae series, Rhythms of Magic, and Peter Pixie, Mayor of the Multiverse: The Black Wand. Her work has appeared in anthologies by NewCon Press, Evil Girlfriend Media, Mocha Memoirs Press, Seventh Star Press, and Pro Se Productions, as well as New Realm Magazine and Visionary Tongue Magazine. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing from the University of Central Arkansas.
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In her free time, she enjoys reading, playing video games, and learning other languages. She'd prefer to live in a library in the middle of a forest, and has so far collected fourteen hundred books toward the goal. Until then, she and her partner live just over the Arkansas-Missouri state line, where they keep buying more books than they have room for.

Reviews

[Gene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack of Crows is a fast-paced fairy tale. Jack, a scarecrow now mobile, deals with the practical and magical limitations of a scarecrow life. But through it all you see his perseverance and loyalty shine through authentically. You root, you cry and you laugh your way through his mishaps. Ultimately, you come to love Jack as someone who does what he says no matter the cost. This book is the perfect pick-up for a quiet fall afternoon.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Jack of Crows" is a delightful amalgamation of fantasy tropes that feels both familiar and refreshingly original. With its captivating characters and a story that keeps you engaged from start to finish, this book is a must-read for anyone in search of a heartwarming and thrilling adventure. Fleming's storytelling has created a world that will enchant you, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

[Anne Vandermey · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.H. Fleming has written the perfect fall read. The characters of Jack and Eveyln come to life and there is such a great supporting cast of characters. I was kept on my toes following their adventures and quest to return Eveyln to her human form.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed this take on novel-length fairy tale - Jack is a very likeable character, and he stands out because he's truly got a good heart. He contrasts with every other character, in that he's always being supportive, whereas the rest of the quest cast all have annoying quirks and selfish moments. This is a good story for readers who enjoy quests, and it is well-written. The story meanders a lot geographically speaking, with many revisits, and there are a lot of side characters and side quests. This did feel a bit chaotic at times, but hung together in the end. A couple of things didn't get wrapped up to my own satisfaction - I would have liked Arnica to get a similar resolution to Nadya, for example. The one thing I didn't ever figure out was why Martha was able to get under Jack's skin so much after he got his memories back - but at least he did finally let that go.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack of Crows was a delightful journey for me. The themes of friendship, growth, and adventure I found within the pages of this story were delivered in a cheerful and at times intense style. Every chapter left me wondering what came next in Jack and Evelyn's journey. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking adventure. The characters are memorable and engaging in a way that feels like a warm cup of your favorite beverage on a fall day.