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340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2024
I will post editorial reviews as they populate here. Since this is a community ratings site, I will note the score but not add or aggregate it into a star rating. I hope these critiques help readers decide if this is the series for them!
Readers' Favorite | 5/5 stars
Author Christian A. Brown masterfully combines the elements of classic Lovecraftian cosmic horror with a sharp YA urban fantasy pace, creating a dark, immersive world with new frights lurking at every turn of the page. The vivid descriptions are packed with atmosphere to suit the haunting tone, and there’s an interesting mix of contemporary urban situations layered with baroque, gothic undertones that enhance the emotion of every scene. Brown’s characters are just as complex and multi-layered as his story world, making their struggles with both external and internal forces compelling as we get to know each Aspect through distinct dialogue choices and some heartfelt interactions. I was also really impressed with the inclusion and tactful exploration of Indigenous myths alongside cosmic horror, which added originality and cultural richness, but never felt overdone or gimmicky. Overall, Raven's Cry is a brilliant start to a promising new fantasy series that I’d certainly recommend.
Reedsy | Loved it! 😍
Full of grit and mystery, this urban fantasy is a dark blend of Lovecraft lore and native mythology with a cast of epigamic characters. Raven’s Cry is the first book of a new urban fantasy series by Christian A. Brown. With exciting characters and dark themes, Brown’s novel is enthralling, action-packed, and enjoyable. This character-driven tale has a diverse and enigmatic cast. A dropout, a drifter, a librarian, and a bouncer round out a core group of protagonists. Each character is well-defined with long and strange backstories. But Brown doesn’t dump a bunch of thrown-together descriptions to introduce each player. As characters interact, the reader is given a bigger picture of the heroes. Though not as developed, the antagonists and supporting characters are just as fascinating and important to the story. Even though each character is well-defined and distinct enough, Brown includes a glossary at the end of the book to give more insight.
As an urban fantasy, Brown’s tale is rather dark. He uses themes, creatures, and places from H.P. Lovecraft throughout his story. Brown also borrows much from both Canadian First Nations and Native American mythologies. Even though this story follows a simplistic good versus evil template, Brown’s heroes are gritty, and there is a lot of conflict between the foes. Unlike many urban fantasy series, Raven’s Cry does not have a neat and conclusive ending. Brown does a great job of foreshadowing future books in the series. What may seem like plot holes might be exciting twists as the storing continues.
With the blending of Lovecraft lore and native mythology, this urban fantasy reaches out to a wide range of fans, as long as those readers like dark themes. Even a peaceful night has spiders crawling through it. All the characters, from the epic to the small, add to the overall tale. As a master of foreshadowing, Brown leads the reader through dark passages, slowly shedding light into the corners he wants us to see. Readers looking to immerse themselves into a book and a series full of mystery, epic battles, and otherworldly gods, Raven’s Cry screams to be read.