Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Return of The Banshee Queen #1

The Raven's Call: PNR RH/Why Choose Novel

Rate this book
Coming soon.....

Paperback

Published January 3, 2024

237 people are currently reading
286 people want to read

About the author

Ravin DeMarco

8 books57 followers
Ravin DeMarco is a baby author from the Midwest who loves reading and writing in equal proportions.

When not writing, Ravin enjoys her time behind the camera lens, capturing all the spooky vibes she can to go along with her year-round aesthetic.

With her very spoiled husky at her side, Ravin dives into creating fantastical multi genre worlds that her readers can't get enough of.

She can be found at home, like the hermit she is, cuddling with her fur babies, drinking coffee, or making playlists and character inspirations for her books.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
95 (38%)
4 stars
69 (27%)
3 stars
47 (18%)
2 stars
22 (8%)
1 star
17 (6%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for Melo.
812 reviews17 followers
August 11, 2024
DNF

The plot just didn't do it for me. The heroine doesn't believe in anything supernatural at all and it's shaking pom poms in her face. Apparently The Nile is her best friend.

The man closest to a father figure to her dies, she doesn't mourn, doesn't cry, just nothing, the man has been dead a day!! Yet off she goes to where she was found to unravel her birth, not a pre planned trip by the way. We get a constant rehashing of what she's dealing with but nooooo she doesn't want to believe anything she's told. I found it tedious.

The characters were flat to me, even the MMCs didn't stand out. Another thing I found strange Nyx was brought up by her adoptive family for 25 years and calls them "your" family to her "sister" how is that normal? It's like Nyx is emotionally empty and sadly it bleeds into the story and makes it bland.

Did all the author's have a meeting and decide all men's hair is long at the top and short on the sides???
Profile Image for Katy.
683 reviews6 followers
January 7, 2024
Has potential

Has potential but this whole book was basically just one massive info dump after another. It was soooooooo much telling. And everything was just so convenient with no working for answers. No mystery. No angst. It was all just too easy.
Profile Image for Tristin.
176 reviews31 followers
January 6, 2024
Ravin DeMarco's "The Raven's Call," the first in the Return of the Banshee trilogy, is an engaging tale that seamlessly blends fantasy elements with romance. It's a book that grips you from the start – I found myself so invested that I devoured it in a single day.

Set against a backdrop that intriguingly combines faerie lore with modern sensibilities, the story follows an assassin raised from infancy with a mysterious background. As she navigates a series of realistic nightmares and encounters with four distinct and captivating men, the narrative unfolds in a way that is both fascinating and well-paced.

The writing is proficient, effectively drawing the reader into a world that balances the fantastical with relatable character dynamics. The protagonist and her four male counterparts are well-developed, each with their own unique personalities, ensuring that the romance aspect of the story feels genuine and not rushed. Despite the presence of 'fate-mate' dynamics, the relationships progress naturally, avoiding the trap of forced connections.

One notable aspect is the absence of explicit 'spice' in this installment, setting the stage for potential romantic developments in the subsequent books. This approach allows the story to focus more on character and plot development, which I found to be a refreshing choice.

"The Raven's Call" will undoubtedly appeal to new adult fantasy readers who are fans of faerie-themed stories, especially those who appreciate the fated-mate and 'why choose' tropes. It's a promising start to a trilogy that promises more intrigue, romance, and fantasy in its forthcoming books.
Profile Image for Amanda Palmer.
55 reviews3 followers
June 19, 2024
The Raven’s Call is the first in a trilogy and a debut novel from the author Ravin DeMarco.
In this solid 3.5 star read, we meet Nyx who has lived the first 25 years of her life in her adoptive family leading a relatively normal life. Stories abound about how Nyx was found as a baby. She was found in a basket with a note that indicated she was so loved and very special and should be kept safe. The note also insisted that she be highly trained in combat and self defense.

Growing up beside her best friend and “sister” Sorcha, they have learned to lean on each other and that they compliment each other in the very best of ways. Everything in their lives appears to be status quo. Until one night, after finishing their shift at work, Nyx receives a phone call.

This phone call alerts Raven that someone she was close to has been found murdered and she must flee to safety. This is just the first event in a series that proves to Raven NOTHING is as it seems! As she is thrust into her fantastical life learning that she possesses magic and is in fact incredibly powerful, she also leans that the fate of many depends on her.

An easy to read fantasy that is perfect for people who are new to the fantasy genre. This book does an excellent job of explaining how and why things are happening in a way that encourages the reader to continue to flip the pages. Readers beware that this book ends on a cliffhanger that will have you wanting to immediately jumping into the next!
Profile Image for Sierra.
38 reviews
June 29, 2024
Story had potential but I am disappointed.

The writing was very basic, mostly telling not showing, dialogue info dumps, and blurry, underdeveloped characters. The dialogue was so unrealistic, especially the way the MMC’s interacted. Nyx was disappointingly flat, her reactions were confusing at times so i struggled to understand her base character. The ending was honestly ridiculously underwhelming and underwritten, it was beyond rushed and felt more like some dream sequence or vision than it should have.

Again, the story was intriguing which is why I finished, but the writing really distracts from an immersive experience and just doesn’t feel natural or developed. There were also numerous grammatical errors and improper punctuation, especially in dialogue. I have no real idea who the characters are at this point, the MMCs are so similar in their words and actions that I was just begging one to be a grumpy ass or something else just for some variety. Overall, I appreciate the details of the world building, and lore/mythology, and will give the 2nd book a chance in hopes the writing will develop as the author grows.
Profile Image for Josmely.
657 reviews27 followers
February 29, 2024
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh i need the second book. So ngl half way through the book I felt like I took a wild guess on something and I might have been right so I'm currently jumping up and down rn 😄😄😄

SO definitely enjoyed this one. I really appreciated that the author let the story flow slowly. She wasn't thrown into some big battle, or had to fight anyone with her recently discovered powers none of that. I really liked this bc there was so much info thrown at us and at Nyx that everything needed to be explained in detail before anything big related to the big plot happens. So the author did an amazing job building this world and having the characters get to know one another before they go on some big fighting mission. It gave the story actual time to develop.

"This woman amazes me with her strength and bravery" Draven
Same dude same.

Nyx was a really impressive character. She got thrown into a completely different world basically, she found out she has an entire different life and she handled everything amazingly. She found her true purpose and wasn't afraid of nervous in any way. It is mentioned that she's an extremely good fighter so I can't wait to see her actually fight and see her develop her magic more.

Now out of the four guys we only got the pov of Draven. I did like them and I liked how they were very respectful of Nyx and understanding. Another thing I liked that the author did was that even though they were mates it wasn't a love/lust at first sight thing. Yes they found each other attractive and they grew to care for one another but I liked how it wasn't rushed. So I can't wait to read about their relationship developing. Would also like to get povs on the other guys too.

Overall really enjoyable!!!! Most of the book was just worldbuilding and characters getting to know each other. I truly enjoyed learning about it so I was not bored in any way.
Profile Image for Lyssa Vette.
78 reviews9 followers
January 6, 2024
The book The Ravens Call is written by Ravin DeMarco and is book one in the Return of the Banshee Queen series.

I might say it does start off as a slow burn. But once it was gets going it is difficult to put it down. In those regards, the mystery is wanting to find out where the Queen is. Also, it will have you on the edge of your chair when it comes to Nyx nightmares. They have no idea why she is having them, how to control them, and what will become of it?

The relationship between Sorcha and Nyx is wonderful too. It reminds me of a friend of mine and our relationship a little bit in some cases. They caring, being there for one another in all aspects of life is just great and everyone should have that type of friend!!

The writing by Ravin was amazing, the characters development, for example Nyx (who is a very strong character), was written well.

Now!! That’s Cliffhanger Ravin!!! Uhhhh.. I can’t wait to get ahold of that second book and find out what happens because it’s all I have been thinking about since I finished this one.
730 reviews17 followers
January 5, 2024
The Raven’s Call is book one in the Return of The Banshee Queen and is written by Ravin DeMarco.

💜 strong, smart FMC
💜 found family
💜 mysteries
💜 slow burn
💜 fated mates

Nyx keeps having these vivid nightmares that wakes her up screaming. Good thing her best friend and sister, Sorcha, can come running in to be with her while she’s trying to calm down. They’ve been happening more frequently since she turned twenty-five. When weird things keep happening, she starts to worry. Will they be able to figure out what’s happening? Will it stop? Will she be able to find her parents?

This is a good debut book for this Indie author. Nyx is such a strong character and is willing to look at things with an open mind. I love her friendship and relationship she has with Sorcha. Sometimes found family is the best. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next stalest of this series, because yes this does end on a cliffy.
Profile Image for Kelley.
189 reviews8 followers
January 7, 2024
I so enjoyed this book. Being set in Ireland was great, but especially because I have family from Cork so it was really nice for me personally.
I enjoyed the characters and felt connected to them. I liked how even though there were many characters there's only 2 POVs. It really helped me keep everyone straight but I am hoping we get more POVs as thr series goes along. Just so I can better connect with the other guys.
No spice in this one, but there's definitely tension so that will be fun once it all comes to a head.
I didn't see the plot twist coming, I knew something was coming but wasn't sure what and was pleasantly surprised. Will def be tough waiting for the next but excited to continue.
Profile Image for Lee Hamm.
324 reviews6 followers
February 25, 2024
The Raven's Call is the very first book for a brand new Author Ravin DeMarco. It is a ONR why choose that is the first of a series so it does end with a cliffhanger!

Our FMC Nyx has some very vivid dreams that constantly plague her. She doesn't realize that sometimes dreams try to tell us something. She begins her journey of discovering who she is and where she comes from with her best friend Sorcha at her side. Nyx is a fierce character who has been trained as an assasin. She has no idea that while she is trying to find answers that there are others searching for her. Some who want to hurt her, and some that want to save her. I absolutely adored the characters and I can not wait to see where the next book leads us!
Profile Image for Christine Rains.
Author 57 books244 followers
July 8, 2024
Nyx was found as a baby with a strange note begging to keep her safe and train her as an assassin. Twenty-five years later, Nyx can kick butt and is desperate to find out about her mysterious parentage. Yet the past is coming to find her, and it wants her dead.

This is the first book in the reverse harem romantasy series, Return of the Banshee Queen. There is a lot of fae lore in this book which I love, and I especially liked how it was tailored for this particular story. A Quad of deadly and hunky warriors find Nyx, realizing she is the missing queen of the Fall and Winter courts. They also discover she is their fated mate. It happens very fast, but Nyx puts the breaks on everything and that will make this series a slow burn. She's got a kingdom to save, after all! There is a cliffhanger, but that's okay. The second book is already out!
Profile Image for Wendy.
1,679 reviews43 followers
January 22, 2024
Nyx has always felt that she didn't really belong anywhere, even though it was something that she can't really explain. She knows the story of how she came to live with the family that took her in, but even that doesn't give her much to go on or help to soothe how lost she feels. When strange things start happening including those close to her being killed in gruesome ways, she goes out of town to hide and regroup. There she is visited by 4 men who give her the truth behind her birth: she's the Queen. Also, those 4 men are her fated mates.

Be advised this is definitely a slow burn and there is a cliffhanger at the end of this one. That said, the characters are easy to become addicted to and I love the friendship between Sorcha and Nyx. They've grown up basically as sisters but they are really so much closer. It's awesome to read and see.
Profile Image for DeeDeeWReads.
1,138 reviews16 followers
January 6, 2024
Come Meet Nyx!

Warning: This will be a slow burn, slow build up RH. HEA isn’t coming yet, ends in a cliffhanger.

Nyx learns she isn’t human at all and her life is about to change big time. Enter the quad of guys and she’s about to enter a new realm, and we have a book debut for the record books! No way you can tell this is Ravin’s first published book!

That cliffhanger, woahhh, but so here for it. She was warned, am I right? You will love the banter, the snark, and the bestest friend/sister a girl could ask for. Loved every minute of my reading, and I can’t wait for more to come.
Profile Image for Laura Beltran.
998 reviews7 followers
January 12, 2024
Amazing

What a great debut book for this author. I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't put it down until I reached the end. Nyx is a great FMC , I love how strong she seems right from the start and her snark. Her relationship with the her friend/sister is so fun. The guys who are her mates literally fall into her lap and so far so good on their growing relationship. With this first book Raven DeMarco is feeding us a lot of information that seems to be setting things in motion for the next books but everything close and holds your interest and that cliffhanger- Wow. I can't wait for book two.
Profile Image for Elise Ballard.
273 reviews14 followers
January 24, 2024
i need more.

Total cliffhanger but I can tell book 2 will be worth it. As for The Raven’s Call, I loved it. Five stars to character development. Five star to plot. I love the bickering and jokes. I giggled multiple times while reading. I even laughed a few times.

I can foresee the future of Nyx’s relationship are going to be deep and oh so hot. This whole boom will have you begging for more.
Profile Image for Brandy Turman.
81 reviews4 followers
January 18, 2024
Intriguing World

As we embark in the new world created by Ravin DeMarco, we meet Nyx. She is a well trained human orphan. As we journey into this book, Nyx learns more about her past and her future. Where will she go and what trials will she face?

This is book one in a series. Be prepared to fall in love with the characters.
Profile Image for Amanda Graham.
587 reviews9 followers
January 6, 2024
Great foundation

This story is laying the foundation for the series. It is all world building and character development. This is the first published book by this author but you wouldn’t know it based on the quality of writing. This is a slooow burn in the truest sense of the word. Zero spicy. I am sure it is coming so we just have to be patient. I hope the wait isn’t too long for book 2!
18 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2024
OMG!

Poor Nyx. Finding out she isn’t even human. Mentor killed. Fated mates. Plural! Magic!

It’s a lot to go through in a few days.

Then, the cliffhanger.

Awesome read. Can’t wait for the next book.
290 reviews
July 22, 2024
A good book.

I like all the characters so far. It’s funny, when I began reading this story I thought it was set in a different time, until I get to the parts where Nyx jokingly called her friend a bitch. That really threw me off. It’s interesting to have this type of story set in today’s time and environment. I’m looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Anna Lawson.
28 reviews7 followers
January 6, 2024
Absolutely amazing. I loved how the guys were so straightforward about Nyx being their mate!! And how Ozul came to her in cat form just to comfort her. And that cliffhanger hanger, I need the next book soon!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kimberly Marie Gomez.
120 reviews21 followers
January 17, 2024
wow

A start to a very good series…. Was pulled in in chapter one… Nyx seems to be a strong FMC. The introduction to her fated mates was wow… with the twist at the end I can’t wait to the next book
1 review
June 21, 2024
YES! YES! YESSSSS!

Omg with the cliffhanger but oh so worth it 😅 this book was amazing! The world building, the character development…. Just *chefs kiss*
Ravin really brought this bad@ss world to life! We’ve got fae, we’ve got witches, we’ve got besties who will cut a b!tch if they hurt her. All the things that make a great book… well, great! I can’t wait to read book 2!
Profile Image for Ciji Jacober.
232 reviews6 followers
January 6, 2024
Starts off slow but things pick up quickly. Be warned, the cliffhanger ending will leave you wanting more!!! I can’t wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
201 reviews9 followers
January 12, 2024
What do you do when you wake up on your 25th birthday and your "normal" life isn't so normal? You pull up your big girl briches and do what has to be done! Nyx thought she was a normal human until she turned 25 and finds out she is the long lost Fae Queen and she has a Kingdom in ruins!😮😮😮 In this 1st installment of The Raven's Call we meet Nyx, her Fated mates that literally fall out of the sky on top of her Umbra, Draven, Ozul, and Necro! The men fall first however it seems like Nyx is not far behind. This does end in a cliffhanger so he warned as it will leave you begging for more!!! Well done Ravin, I can't wait to read more about Nyx and her men!
Profile Image for Winter Wray.
323 reviews18 followers
January 11, 2024
A very good first installment. The author did a nice job with the world building. The spice level was low but a well done slow burn is lovely. Pleasantly surprised for this authors first release and can’t wait to see what book two holds!
Profile Image for Tericka Black.
Author 14 books40 followers
January 12, 2024
I enjoyed meeting Nyx and her men. Their story is interesting even though it's more of a slow burn. This book ends in a cliffhanger, and leaves you wanting more!
Profile Image for Brittany.
661 reviews9 followers
January 30, 2024
This was an excellent debut novel by a new to me author. Storyline & characters were great. I think I have an idea about who her other mate is but not sure till the next book.
Profile Image for Anna.
157 reviews17 followers
April 18, 2024
Mini review:
•This is such a great debut by a new author! I was instantly hooked with the story! I love the relationship with her best friend/sister and how protective they are of each other! Nyx always knew that she didn’t belong and it took four guys falling from the sky (literally) to prove it. It was so exciting to get to meet all of Nyx’s mates and how much they cared for her even though they barely knew her. Can’t wait to read book two!
Profile Image for Shirley Barlow.
15 reviews
June 30, 2024
YES! YES! YESSSSS!
Omg with the cliffhanger but oh so worth it 😅 this book was amazing! The world building, the character development…. Just *chefs kiss*
Ravin really brought this bad@ss world to life! We’ve got fae, we’ve got witches, we’ve got besties who will cut a b!tch if they hurt her. All the things that make a great book… well, great! I can’t wait to read book 2!
6,453 reviews22 followers
January 8, 2024
This is an amazing debut and fantasy/PNR whychoose romance. We are introduced to Nyx, who is smart and strong and knows nothing of the world she is about to be thrown into. I really like her and her guys. This has really strong world building and characterizations. I am incredibly excited to read more of this author and series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.