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Wintervale #1
The Crow King: Wintervale, Book 1
Magic is against the law. He must use it anyway.
The Crow King has outlawed magic. Despite the kingdom's edict, Gwyn plunges into the ancient and deadly True Wood to find a magical cure for his dying brother. Within the shadowed realm, he must fend off more than violent and fallen fae - like Ilidreth - when he learns the king is out to stop him at whatever cost.
On his desperate quest, he is joined by a unicorn, a quirky girl, and the maddest of the fallen fae. Together they must outrun enchanted crows and enemy armies, and face the ghosts of a shattered age, all while racing to save Gwyn’s brother. Meanwhile, war brews between countries, and a secret order of mages hunts Gwyn down.
Yet none of this can prepare Gwyn for the harrowing truth behind the fall of the Ilidreth long, long ago, and what it means for his life and his homeland.
The Crow King has outlawed magic. Despite the kingdom's edict, Gwyn plunges into the ancient and deadly True Wood to find a magical cure for his dying brother. Within the shadowed realm, he must fend off more than violent and fallen fae - like Ilidreth - when he learns the king is out to stop him at whatever cost.
On his desperate quest, he is joined by a unicorn, a quirky girl, and the maddest of the fallen fae. Together they must outrun enchanted crows and enemy armies, and face the ghosts of a shattered age, all while racing to save Gwyn’s brother. Meanwhile, war brews between countries, and a secret order of mages hunts Gwyn down.
Yet none of this can prepare Gwyn for the harrowing truth behind the fall of the Ilidreth long, long ago, and what it means for his life and his homeland.
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First published September 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 24, 2021
4.5-stars for this.
I discovered this author via Instagram/bookstagram and am quite impressed by her work.
This is the sort of fantasy that I would rather be reading at the moment. It is enchanting as opposed to shocking or violent.
It has the Fae, it has a Dragon (though only briefly) it has magic, and it has characters who show moral fibre and decency.
It is well written and beautifully presented. I bought the kindle duology and found the little graphics as chapter headings quite charming.
If you like a gentler form of traditional fantasy with YA lead characters then you'll enjoy this. If you just want a hack-and-slash-fest then it wont suit your needs.
I look forward to reading the 2nd book.
Thanks for reading.
I discovered this author via Instagram/bookstagram and am quite impressed by her work.
This is the sort of fantasy that I would rather be reading at the moment. It is enchanting as opposed to shocking or violent.
It has the Fae, it has a Dragon (though only briefly) it has magic, and it has characters who show moral fibre and decency.
It is well written and beautifully presented. I bought the kindle duology and found the little graphics as chapter headings quite charming.
If you like a gentler form of traditional fantasy with YA lead characters then you'll enjoy this. If you just want a hack-and-slash-fest then it wont suit your needs.
I look forward to reading the 2nd book.
Thanks for reading.
July 14, 2022
I think I'd have loved this, if I had stumbled upon it when I was thirteen and just discovered fantasy. It is the very classic style quest of the good, chosen hero against evil.
Having read a lot of fantasy since then, this just had way too many tropes for my taste, which made it very predictable.
It felt a bit like Sword in the Stone meets Tolkien meets Last Unicorn, in a decidedly YA version.
While I do love good YA, and this story was enjoyable, it just didn't grab me anywhere as much as for example Bartimaeus or Alanna did.
The morals seemed a bit too much "on top", instead of being woven into the story smoothly. The good guys are incredibly good, and the bad guy is horrendous. We only get one middle ground character, and he felt like Smeagols twin. As I do have a soft spot for Gollum I did enjoy him. I also thought the character rather well written, but the way the others interact with him felt a bit off.
The dialogue felt a bit too easy and unpolished at times, as if the characters were much younger than they actually are.
The pacing and timeline jumped around a bit, and felt disjointed in a few places.
I did however like most of the characters!
If you're not used to dragons, unicorns, mages and battles, it might be quite addictive and intriguing.
For veterans of the genre the twists will be easy to spot and guess, for newer readers there will be quite some surprising turns!
So while it didn't really work perfectly for me, I think it might be ideal for readers new to the genre, or those wanting an easy fantasy with the classic feel to it!
Having read a lot of fantasy since then, this just had way too many tropes for my taste, which made it very predictable.
It felt a bit like Sword in the Stone meets Tolkien meets Last Unicorn, in a decidedly YA version.
While I do love good YA, and this story was enjoyable, it just didn't grab me anywhere as much as for example Bartimaeus or Alanna did.
The morals seemed a bit too much "on top", instead of being woven into the story smoothly. The good guys are incredibly good, and the bad guy is horrendous. We only get one middle ground character, and he felt like Smeagols twin. As I do have a soft spot for Gollum I did enjoy him. I also thought the character rather well written, but the way the others interact with him felt a bit off.
The dialogue felt a bit too easy and unpolished at times, as if the characters were much younger than they actually are.
The pacing and timeline jumped around a bit, and felt disjointed in a few places.
I did however like most of the characters!
If you're not used to dragons, unicorns, mages and battles, it might be quite addictive and intriguing.
For veterans of the genre the twists will be easy to spot and guess, for newer readers there will be quite some surprising turns!
So while it didn't really work perfectly for me, I think it might be ideal for readers new to the genre, or those wanting an easy fantasy with the classic feel to it!
February 23, 2022
2.5 Stars
For the full review: essentialreadingsandreviews.blogspot....
What's the story about: The Crow King is a tale that harkens back to classic fantasy in being about a young boy who goes on an adventure to save his brother from a deadly sickness that ends up being more than he bargains for. While simple, themes of loyalty, responsibility, and taking risks abound.
The Crow King is a fun and gripping tale based heavily in classic fantasy. A noble quest, evil kings, magical creatures; it has everything that classic fantasy boasts, and yet it is none too boring or bland. Woodscourt weaves a tale with interesting characters, a plot that is worth getting behind, even if it handles awkwardly in many places, and a level of lightness that is rarely found in modern fantasy. While there are stumbling blocks that made me scratch my head, the adventure is still one worth going on.
For the full review: essentialreadingsandreviews.blogspot....
What's the story about: The Crow King is a tale that harkens back to classic fantasy in being about a young boy who goes on an adventure to save his brother from a deadly sickness that ends up being more than he bargains for. While simple, themes of loyalty, responsibility, and taking risks abound.
The Crow King is a fun and gripping tale based heavily in classic fantasy. A noble quest, evil kings, magical creatures; it has everything that classic fantasy boasts, and yet it is none too boring or bland. Woodscourt weaves a tale with interesting characters, a plot that is worth getting behind, even if it handles awkwardly in many places, and a level of lightness that is rarely found in modern fantasy. While there are stumbling blocks that made me scratch my head, the adventure is still one worth going on.
August 31, 2020
I read an ARC of this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves fantasy. The settings were fabulous, the characters were real. It was a great read, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
The characters come to life under the author's guidance. The settings are vivid, places I would love to see outside of my imagination.
Gwyn's journey was filled with struggle and reward. There were exciting twists and turns along the way, and I can't wait to find out what happens next for all of these characters.
The characters come to life under the author's guidance. The settings are vivid, places I would love to see outside of my imagination.
Gwyn's journey was filled with struggle and reward. There were exciting twists and turns along the way, and I can't wait to find out what happens next for all of these characters.
August 8, 2021
I love fantasy, so this book did not disappoint! I cannot wait to read the second one! I highly recommend this book for any fantasy lover. The descriptions were so beautifully clear in my mind. The world-building was great, with terrific characters. It was such a well-written story.
September 21, 2020
What a beautifully written novel. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Crow King and read it in 3 nights. The story is well crafted and having elven characters is a must for me. World building , plot and character development was graceful and in tune with the theme of the novel. The story flowed immaculately and held the reader's attention throughout. Difficult to put down, I was disappointed when I came to the last page. I can hardly wait for book 2. Well done M H, this book is truly Epic Fantasy in the making.
December 13, 2025
I read both the Crow King and the Winter King back to back, so this is sort of a combined review.
First of all, this is true, pure epic fantasy, the likes that the great Tolkien himself would be proud of (if you added about 68% more poetry and songs). We have a mad tyrant ruler, a young Chosen One who would rather be at home on his farm than where his circumstances have led him, glorious (yet slightly standoffish) fae beings, unicorns, dragons, and all manner of hardships and trials.
When young Gwyn (he'll be of age in only 6 months!) discovers that his elder brother and dearest friend Lawin is dying, and that the only cure for him may lie in the hands of the savage and deadly Ilidreth, he has no qualms about risking his own life to do whatever it takes to save him. What he does not expect is for that single act of bravery (or stupidity, depending on who you ask) to lead the course of his life in a direction that will end with him leading a rebellion to end the rule of a mad tyrant king, and reveal secrets about the world that have been kept from most of civilization for over 300 years.
The story overall is clean, with no spice, graphic violence or strong language, but the emotions you will feel will still rip your heart out (or have you texting angry emojis to the author late in the evening as you clutch your emotional support ice cream to your chest while trying to avoid letting your hot, salty tears taint its gentle sweet caress on your soul). There is a general religious overtone, but it is not preachy, by any means. The religion and the idea of a higher power is used both as a means to give the Winter Army hope in their dark times, but also to show that religion can often be twisted and manipulated by those who desire to use it however they can to justify their questionable actions. The story is also a beautiful example of how easily loyalty and devotion can be turned into something more sinister with nothing more than sweet words and empty promises for those who are not confident in their own selves and their own purpose.
The characters...oh my, the characters. You have noble young men, loyal ladies, shining nights, glorious unicorns--all the delightful things, and they are all so well developed in their depth. And then you have Kive. Kive is Kive. He is my absolute favorite character of the entire series, and I will not budge on that. Not the MC, the loyal brother, the sassy female, the powerful unicorn, or the twisted villain...just Kive. He is a sort of Gollum type character, a fallen Ilidreth, but extremely reminscent of Renfield, from Dracula--forced to serve his master, even when he knows he doesn't want to. He sees things in a way that is simultaneously extremely simple but more complex than anyone else can possibly imagine. I just adore him, and I want to give him a hug and tell him that everything will be ok, even though he can always tell when it won't. 😭
First of all, this is true, pure epic fantasy, the likes that the great Tolkien himself would be proud of (if you added about 68% more poetry and songs). We have a mad tyrant ruler, a young Chosen One who would rather be at home on his farm than where his circumstances have led him, glorious (yet slightly standoffish) fae beings, unicorns, dragons, and all manner of hardships and trials.
When young Gwyn (he'll be of age in only 6 months!) discovers that his elder brother and dearest friend Lawin is dying, and that the only cure for him may lie in the hands of the savage and deadly Ilidreth, he has no qualms about risking his own life to do whatever it takes to save him. What he does not expect is for that single act of bravery (or stupidity, depending on who you ask) to lead the course of his life in a direction that will end with him leading a rebellion to end the rule of a mad tyrant king, and reveal secrets about the world that have been kept from most of civilization for over 300 years.
The story overall is clean, with no spice, graphic violence or strong language, but the emotions you will feel will still rip your heart out (or have you texting angry emojis to the author late in the evening as you clutch your emotional support ice cream to your chest while trying to avoid letting your hot, salty tears taint its gentle sweet caress on your soul). There is a general religious overtone, but it is not preachy, by any means. The religion and the idea of a higher power is used both as a means to give the Winter Army hope in their dark times, but also to show that religion can often be twisted and manipulated by those who desire to use it however they can to justify their questionable actions. The story is also a beautiful example of how easily loyalty and devotion can be turned into something more sinister with nothing more than sweet words and empty promises for those who are not confident in their own selves and their own purpose.
The characters...oh my, the characters. You have noble young men, loyal ladies, shining nights, glorious unicorns--all the delightful things, and they are all so well developed in their depth. And then you have Kive. Kive is Kive. He is my absolute favorite character of the entire series, and I will not budge on that. Not the MC, the loyal brother, the sassy female, the powerful unicorn, or the twisted villain...just Kive. He is a sort of Gollum type character, a fallen Ilidreth, but extremely reminscent of Renfield, from Dracula--forced to serve his master, even when he knows he doesn't want to. He sees things in a way that is simultaneously extremely simple but more complex than anyone else can possibly imagine. I just adore him, and I want to give him a hug and tell him that everything will be ok, even though he can always tell when it won't. 😭
October 8, 2020
*** NO SPOILERS ***
A magical story about love, loyalty, choices and their consequences.
This story is a coming of age tale about a younger son willing to defy the laws of the land and the Crow King himself to try to save his dying brother. A bold decision for a fourteen year old gentleman farmer. Headstrong and reckless at times, his love for his older brother, returning from the wars and dying from something the healers cannot treat, makes this a simple choice for him. Despite the risks. Despite the costs. To do so, he must travel through an enchanted wood filled with danger where humans are not allowed to live, seeking an enchanted castle that may only be a thing of myth and legend for that, if anywhere, is where the cure could be. He is guided by a unicorn which befriends him, and who offers wisdom when needed. Eventually he discovers more than he bargained for, returns, and sets wheels into motion that neither he nor anyone else might have imagined or dreamt possible. He must answer to the Crow King and face the likelihood of execution.
It is difficult to say much more without posting spoilers, which I will not do. I found it to be a very good read, with solid, complex characters, an interesting plot with some great unexpected twists, and a resolution that has me eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. I recommend it as a well done, enjoyable read that I really think you'll enjoy as well.
A magical story about love, loyalty, choices and their consequences.
This story is a coming of age tale about a younger son willing to defy the laws of the land and the Crow King himself to try to save his dying brother. A bold decision for a fourteen year old gentleman farmer. Headstrong and reckless at times, his love for his older brother, returning from the wars and dying from something the healers cannot treat, makes this a simple choice for him. Despite the risks. Despite the costs. To do so, he must travel through an enchanted wood filled with danger where humans are not allowed to live, seeking an enchanted castle that may only be a thing of myth and legend for that, if anywhere, is where the cure could be. He is guided by a unicorn which befriends him, and who offers wisdom when needed. Eventually he discovers more than he bargained for, returns, and sets wheels into motion that neither he nor anyone else might have imagined or dreamt possible. He must answer to the Crow King and face the likelihood of execution.
It is difficult to say much more without posting spoilers, which I will not do. I found it to be a very good read, with solid, complex characters, an interesting plot with some great unexpected twists, and a resolution that has me eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. I recommend it as a well done, enjoyable read that I really think you'll enjoy as well.
February 9, 2021
Sometimes it is the long books that are the most worth it. Inside myself, I usually give myself 3 chapters to determine if the book is worth reading. The first three chapters were great. This book has a great moral story. There are so many twists and turns that sometimes it felt like I wasn't going to be able to keep up. There were parts of the story that seemed to drag on a bit, however never long enough for me to put the book down. This book has left a huge gap as to what will happen next. It isn't really a cliff hanger because the book came to a clear end, however, I can't wait for the next book to come out.
There is a young boy, Gwyn, and his brother Lawen. That shows how strong the bond between families can be. There is a girl in the book that is saved by Gwyn, Nathaera, they become good friends. They also encounter Aleum, a unicorn, that helps along the travels to the Snow Castle and the through all the other trials ahead.
You really need to read it yourself there is so much that I could tell you. However, you won't regret the read.
There is a young boy, Gwyn, and his brother Lawen. That shows how strong the bond between families can be. There is a girl in the book that is saved by Gwyn, Nathaera, they become good friends. They also encounter Aleum, a unicorn, that helps along the travels to the Snow Castle and the through all the other trials ahead.
You really need to read it yourself there is so much that I could tell you. However, you won't regret the read.
December 10, 2020
Fantastic. Intriguing. I could throw around a thousand adjectives that all add up to the fact this was an amazing book, and I feel like I might be doing it justice.
On a slightly more useful note, I can tell you this is a classic high fantasy with a world shaking plot that deals with huge themes. That's an intimidating task for any author to handle, but Woodscourt does it beautifully. It's filled with great characters. Each one is interesting, evocative, and well portrayed. You care about them. You want to know what happens. This is the book that you hand to—well, EVERYONE—but if you have to be picky, you hand this book to anyone who likes classic kingdom-stirring fantasy such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, or The Sword of Truth series. Then hand it to everyone else, just to be on the safe side.
On a slightly more useful note, I can tell you this is a classic high fantasy with a world shaking plot that deals with huge themes. That's an intimidating task for any author to handle, but Woodscourt does it beautifully. It's filled with great characters. Each one is interesting, evocative, and well portrayed. You care about them. You want to know what happens. This is the book that you hand to—well, EVERYONE—but if you have to be picky, you hand this book to anyone who likes classic kingdom-stirring fantasy such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, or The Sword of Truth series. Then hand it to everyone else, just to be on the safe side.
November 23, 2020
I was lucky enough to win a signed + swag copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaway and I am so thankful for it. 🤗 This is such a good book. In my opinion, it truly deserves all 5 stars + a few more.
⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐🌠I can't say it enough. And I cannot wait to have the opportunity to finish the series. 😁🤩
If you love a good Fantasy, with magic, beautiful settings and interesting characters then I can guarantee that you will love this book too.
I found myself lost in this book, not long after picking it up and I didn't want to be found anytime soon. 😉
I had a great time, 🥰 I'm honestly just so thankful to have gotten this experience. More please! 😃 Lol
⭐🌟⭐🌟⭐🌠I can't say it enough. And I cannot wait to have the opportunity to finish the series. 😁🤩
If you love a good Fantasy, with magic, beautiful settings and interesting characters then I can guarantee that you will love this book too.
I found myself lost in this book, not long after picking it up and I didn't want to be found anytime soon. 😉
I had a great time, 🥰 I'm honestly just so thankful to have gotten this experience. More please! 😃 Lol
June 17, 2021
Fourteen year old Gwynter sets off on a forbidden quest to save the life of his dying brother in a land where magic is outlawed. On the way he will gather friends and foes whilst discovering his true self.
Now that might sound like a lot of fantasy stories, but it's how a tale is told that matters. I loved the narrative and found the characters compelling and a joy to read, from our young hero to his trusty unicorn and especially the broken, cannibalistic Kive, who almost stole the whole tale.
As YA fantasies go, this one had multiple levels and was one of the most entertaining and page turning examples I've read.
Now that might sound like a lot of fantasy stories, but it's how a tale is told that matters. I loved the narrative and found the characters compelling and a joy to read, from our young hero to his trusty unicorn and especially the broken, cannibalistic Kive, who almost stole the whole tale.
As YA fantasies go, this one had multiple levels and was one of the most entertaining and page turning examples I've read.
October 14, 2020
Gwyn's brother is dying and Gwyn is convinced that a magical cure is hidden in the True Wood - an ancient and deadly forest teeming with dangerous Fae. Joined by a bunch of odd companions they must fight off the kings army, the fallen fae AND a mysterious society of mages who are all trying to stop him - at all costs.
The world and characters were described amazingly and the plot never slowed down. while it is 400 pages I could not put it down and ended up finishing it in 2 days!
I received a free review copy VIA StroyOrigin in exchange for an honest review
The world and characters were described amazingly and the plot never slowed down. while it is 400 pages I could not put it down and ended up finishing it in 2 days!
I received a free review copy VIA StroyOrigin in exchange for an honest review
June 3, 2021
Oh. My. Word. This book is devastatingly good. Impeccably written, with a cast of characters that you fall deeply in love with. I found it sharply reminiscent of Lloyd Alexander’s Chronicles of Prydain, with a young protagonist under a hidden destiny, a girl with more spunk than anyone has business owning, and characters whose choices are based on the safety of innocents rather than their own happiness and comfort. The author weaves in a beautiful understanding of our responsibilities in a corrupt and broken world—and the knowledge that God may call us to destinies we previously thought beyond us. So well done.
I devoured this book from cover to cover, and will rapidly be purchasing the second installment!
I devoured this book from cover to cover, and will rapidly be purchasing the second installment!
November 28, 2024
A truly entertaining read
I was uncertain about Gwen at the beginning thinking he’d be a cliche. But that wasn’t to be. He earned my respect and soon I cheered for him. I felt his sense of duty and honor throughout the book. I even understood his tantrum at learning his destiny. This was a well written adventure, that paid off until the end. I felt for Kive most of all, the true victim of the story. I hope the next book finds him redeemed. Thank you for a nice diversion.
I was uncertain about Gwen at the beginning thinking he’d be a cliche. But that wasn’t to be. He earned my respect and soon I cheered for him. I felt his sense of duty and honor throughout the book. I even understood his tantrum at learning his destiny. This was a well written adventure, that paid off until the end. I felt for Kive most of all, the true victim of the story. I hope the next book finds him redeemed. Thank you for a nice diversion.
January 22, 2021
Crowtastic!
The Crow King is a story that feels like re-visiting an old classic fantasy that has evolved and changed since we were last there. There are so many great aspects of fantasy pressed into the well-written, modern novel. I’m excited for sequel!
The Crow King is a story that feels like re-visiting an old classic fantasy that has evolved and changed since we were last there. There are so many great aspects of fantasy pressed into the well-written, modern novel. I’m excited for sequel!
March 20, 2021
I honestly really liked this novel, enough to give it five stars. It wasn't dense, but it was detailed; it was never too wordy, but never too spare. The details were more than enough to really set the mood. I enjoyed reading about Gwyn.
September 2, 2020
AWESOME.
This book is about Gwyn who is trying to find a magical cure for his dying brother in a land where The Crow King has outlawed magic.
A desperate quest as the king is out to get him.On his journey he meets great characters which quickly bring you into the story.
They help Gwyn in his quest and out run the armies together.
The story is told so well you feel like you are part of the story and it quickly overwhelms you and you forget about your existing life and cannot put the book down.
I love this book ,so will you.
Cannot wait for next book.......
This book is about Gwyn who is trying to find a magical cure for his dying brother in a land where The Crow King has outlawed magic.
A desperate quest as the king is out to get him.On his journey he meets great characters which quickly bring you into the story.
They help Gwyn in his quest and out run the armies together.
The story is told so well you feel like you are part of the story and it quickly overwhelms you and you forget about your existing life and cannot put the book down.
I love this book ,so will you.
Cannot wait for next book.......
November 26, 2020
Oh my gosh...
I can't believe this is the first book I found by this author. I'm surprised I haven't heard of her before.
This is incredibly rich with fantasy detail as you would find in A Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter series, without going overboard on adjectives but instead using strong verbs to get the imagery out there.
Outstanding writing with a different plot and well-rounded characters.
I will certainly continue following this author!
I can't believe this is the first book I found by this author. I'm surprised I haven't heard of her before.
This is incredibly rich with fantasy detail as you would find in A Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter series, without going overboard on adjectives but instead using strong verbs to get the imagery out there.
Outstanding writing with a different plot and well-rounded characters.
I will certainly continue following this author!
July 19, 2021
I read an arc of this book.
I really loved the plot, it doesn't disappoint. I love their personalities, and it was just an amazing read. I would totally recommend anyone who likes a good fantasy book to read it.
I really loved the plot, it doesn't disappoint. I love their personalities, and it was just an amazing read. I would totally recommend anyone who likes a good fantasy book to read it.
July 13, 2021
Took me a little while to read but it was well worth it. The Crow King was a tyrant and a warmonger. He used mages while at the same time oppressing magic. One young boy went on a quest to the fae enemy to save his brother with magic. Because of this, he was imprisoned by the king and then used for his own purposes. This tells of the young man, Gwinter's, adventure to save his brother and his people.
November 27, 2020
I was fortunate enough to receive and read an ARC of this book.
The Crow King is a fast-paced adventure that not only addresses the quest but also explores the aftermath and all that comes with it. The characters are dynamic and endearing and drew me into their world—a world of magic that reminded me of fantasy tales I’ve loved since I was young. This is a great start to a new series and I’m eager to read more.
The Crow King is a fast-paced adventure that not only addresses the quest but also explores the aftermath and all that comes with it. The characters are dynamic and endearing and drew me into their world—a world of magic that reminded me of fantasy tales I’ve loved since I was young. This is a great start to a new series and I’m eager to read more.
October 22, 2021
I read an ARC of this Book and enjoyed every minute It's like if King Arthur and Merlin got rolled up into one amazing character!
August 14, 2021
[I received a free audio copy from the author]
Audio: narrated by Logan Stearns
Secret royalty, a mentally unstable companion that reminded me of Smeagol, epic battles, mysterious fae and a magical unicorn; this clean, YA, epic fantasy with multiple pov's has it all!
Favourites:
- Philosophic questions: as always in M.H.Woodscourt's books, The Crow King also addresses some difficult questions. Especially the question whether keeping one's promise of loyalty is warranted when the person we promised it to turns out not to be who we thought they were, and we don't know if their intentions are good, I found a particularly interesting. I haven't seen this one addressed a lot in fantasy books and it was a pleasant surprise with some additional questions I hadn't thought about yet. I enjoyed the depth.
- The baddies: I enjoyed getting to see some other sides of the (big) baddies. The antagonists weren't necessarily redeemed, but I like getting the tip of the veil lifted a little to see that even the antagonists tend to have some good intentions, whethr or not their execution and reasoning was terrible. The Crow King did a pretty good job with this.
- Description: as always, Woodscourt's descriptions were superb!
- Sassy side character: I won't give you any spoilers, but one of the young female side characters was great. I enjoyed her spunk!
What I missed:
- Narration: I'm afraid that I think I really would have liked this story a ton better if I'd read it instead of listened to it. The narration often fell flat for me, especially the first half. I often felt like the narrator didn't know the story well enough and although he did different voices and accents, he seemed to often make mistakes with which voice he'd start a sentence with, only to then switch. It often also felt stiff to me. Because of the narration I found it hard to concentrate on the story, even if this got better with his improved narration further in.
- Smeagol character: I don't want to name any names because of spoilers, but I personally struggled a little with the way the other characters dealt with this character. I understand that this character had a bigger role to play later on, I think that was clear from the start, and that's why he had to be kept around. But I found it hard to understand any rationalisation of keeping this character alive and not locked up since he was clearly a danger to those around him. I would think that the risks of him killing and eating another human being would outweigh any pity pleas, so I wasn't sure how to feel about this part of the plot.
Sexual content: none
Coarse language: none
Violence and gore: moderate
Trigger warnings: cannabalism, mild torture
Conclusion
I enjoyed my read, but I think I would have enjoyed it a ton more if I'd read the book, which is exactly what I'm going to do with the sequel! I'm looking forward to that one, though! If you like clean, YA, epic fantasy with fantastical worldbuilding, pretty prose and some depth, then I can recommend checking out The Crow King!
Audio: narrated by Logan Stearns
Secret royalty, a mentally unstable companion that reminded me of Smeagol, epic battles, mysterious fae and a magical unicorn; this clean, YA, epic fantasy with multiple pov's has it all!
Favourites:
- Philosophic questions: as always in M.H.Woodscourt's books, The Crow King also addresses some difficult questions. Especially the question whether keeping one's promise of loyalty is warranted when the person we promised it to turns out not to be who we thought they were, and we don't know if their intentions are good, I found a particularly interesting. I haven't seen this one addressed a lot in fantasy books and it was a pleasant surprise with some additional questions I hadn't thought about yet. I enjoyed the depth.
- The baddies: I enjoyed getting to see some other sides of the (big) baddies. The antagonists weren't necessarily redeemed, but I like getting the tip of the veil lifted a little to see that even the antagonists tend to have some good intentions, whethr or not their execution and reasoning was terrible. The Crow King did a pretty good job with this.
- Description: as always, Woodscourt's descriptions were superb!
- Sassy side character: I won't give you any spoilers, but one of the young female side characters was great. I enjoyed her spunk!
What I missed:
- Narration: I'm afraid that I think I really would have liked this story a ton better if I'd read it instead of listened to it. The narration often fell flat for me, especially the first half. I often felt like the narrator didn't know the story well enough and although he did different voices and accents, he seemed to often make mistakes with which voice he'd start a sentence with, only to then switch. It often also felt stiff to me. Because of the narration I found it hard to concentrate on the story, even if this got better with his improved narration further in.
- Smeagol character: I don't want to name any names because of spoilers, but I personally struggled a little with the way the other characters dealt with this character. I understand that this character had a bigger role to play later on, I think that was clear from the start, and that's why he had to be kept around. But I found it hard to understand any rationalisation of keeping this character alive and not locked up since he was clearly a danger to those around him. I would think that the risks of him killing and eating another human being would outweigh any pity pleas, so I wasn't sure how to feel about this part of the plot.
Sexual content: none
Coarse language: none
Violence and gore: moderate
Trigger warnings: cannabalism, mild torture
Conclusion
I enjoyed my read, but I think I would have enjoyed it a ton more if I'd read the book, which is exactly what I'm going to do with the sequel! I'm looking forward to that one, though! If you like clean, YA, epic fantasy with fantastical worldbuilding, pretty prose and some depth, then I can recommend checking out The Crow King!
June 26, 2026
The Crow King is one of those books that grew on me slowly. At the beginning it felt very YA and fairly simplistic, so whilst it was engaging enough it didn't really catch me. By mid way through, the plot had opened out significantly and I was invested. Invested enough that on finishing the final pages, the second book was immediately on my Kindle, which is annoying in a way as I was looking forward to freeing up a KU slot!
This is classic epic fantasy written for the YA audience and utilises a lot of the well known tropes, particularly that of the chosen one. It starts out as a fairly simple fetch quest; Gwyn's brother is dying and the only chance of a cure is to face the despised Ilidreth and beg for their help. Gwyn's major problem is that magic is the solution, but magic is punishable by death. Gwyn's brave (or reckless) choice brings him to the attention of The Crow King and starts a spiral that may lead to revolution.
This definitely grabbed me a lot more once the narrative opened up. Initially, it felt very simplistic, but the wider world and events make it far more interesting and there are some unexpected twists and turns that moved the tale in ways I hadn't anticipated. It is a little heavy handed on the good vs evil side of things, which is perhaps to be expected for YA but makes everything fairly black and white; the good are very very good, the bad are very, very bad.
I did love the characters though and I'm an absolute sucker for the slightly crazed Gollum figure that becomes quite central to events. He's comic relief but also really pulls on your heart strings, particularly as the events of the long distant past unravel and how he became Fallen is unravelled. There's a wide and varied cast of magical and human characters here and the talking unicorn is another fond favourite.
All in all, The Crow King was a good surprise and I enjoyed the way the narrative branched out into a far more epic scale. There's an interesting world at the heart of it and some loveable and larger than life characters. I'll be interested to see where the author goes with it in the second half of the story.
This is classic epic fantasy written for the YA audience and utilises a lot of the well known tropes, particularly that of the chosen one. It starts out as a fairly simple fetch quest; Gwyn's brother is dying and the only chance of a cure is to face the despised Ilidreth and beg for their help. Gwyn's major problem is that magic is the solution, but magic is punishable by death. Gwyn's brave (or reckless) choice brings him to the attention of The Crow King and starts a spiral that may lead to revolution.
This definitely grabbed me a lot more once the narrative opened up. Initially, it felt very simplistic, but the wider world and events make it far more interesting and there are some unexpected twists and turns that moved the tale in ways I hadn't anticipated. It is a little heavy handed on the good vs evil side of things, which is perhaps to be expected for YA but makes everything fairly black and white; the good are very very good, the bad are very, very bad.
I did love the characters though and I'm an absolute sucker for the slightly crazed Gollum figure that becomes quite central to events. He's comic relief but also really pulls on your heart strings, particularly as the events of the long distant past unravel and how he became Fallen is unravelled. There's a wide and varied cast of magical and human characters here and the talking unicorn is another fond favourite.
All in all, The Crow King was a good surprise and I enjoyed the way the narrative branched out into a far more epic scale. There's an interesting world at the heart of it and some loveable and larger than life characters. I'll be interested to see where the author goes with it in the second half of the story.
July 5, 2021
What a wonderful story. Woodscourt has created a rich and magical world, full of well developed characters and quirky magical creatures. She had me at Unicorn, especially a shiny one. Anything that glitters and I'm there! Maybe I was a magpie in another life.
The first book of the Wintervale trilogy, The Crow King draws you in and immerses you in a magical world where the Crow King rules and only he is allowed magic. Gwyn is brave and a little reckless but he is true of heart and determined to save his brother. Through his eyes we discover the beauty of a world hidden and reviled and the reader quickly realises that all is not well and evil cruelty lies beneath the Crow King's iron control. You begin to question, as Gwyn does, whether what he has been told about his world is true.
As Gwyn, his brother Lawen, and even Nathaera, a young girl he rescues, come to realise, knowing something and doing something about it are two different things.
A well written first installment of an epic YA fantasy that is well worth the read. You are drawn into the magical world from the very beginning and it doesn't let up. Can't wait to pick up the next book.
July 11, 2021
I'm going to be completely honest, I was so excited to read this book but the first few chapters (like 3-4) I was really unsure of this story. Our main character Gwyn is a 14 year old boy, and that started to turn me off from this book. I was prepared for a 16-20 year old so I was a little thrown off by this revelation. However, I'm so glad I kept going because I ended up loving this story! Gwyn needs to find a magical cure for his older brother who is dying from some mysterious element (we found out what later). On his adventure he meets fae known as the Ilidreth, a unicorn, a mad fae and a spunky girl who help him on his quest. During this quest Gwyn finds out that the Crow King is not what he seems to be and magic is a lot bigger than he realized.
Although a slow build, Ms. Woodscourt paints a beautiful world full of interesting characters and creatures. Kive was one of my favorite characters and I so wanted to learn more and more about him. This story is full of hope, adventure and suspense and will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. I'm eager to continue on to the second part of this duology and see how it all ends.
Thank you to M.H. Woodscourt and StoryOrigin for a review copy.
Although a slow build, Ms. Woodscourt paints a beautiful world full of interesting characters and creatures. Kive was one of my favorite characters and I so wanted to learn more and more about him. This story is full of hope, adventure and suspense and will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. I'm eager to continue on to the second part of this duology and see how it all ends.
Thank you to M.H. Woodscourt and StoryOrigin for a review copy.
July 10, 2026
So I just read The Crow King by M.H. Woodscourt, and honestly? It's exactly the kind of cozy, old-school fantasy comfort read you didn't know you needed. It's got that "noblebright" vibe — good guys are good, bad guys are bad, no moral gray areas to stress about. The story follows Gwyn, a kid willing to risk getting straight-up executed to sneak into the forbidden True Wood and find some magic cure for his dying brother. Pretty high stakes for a "cozy" book, but it works.
What I loved most is how Woodscourt builds the world — magic just kind of exists in the landscape, woven into everything, instead of the book stopping every five pages to explain how the system works. No exposition dumps, thank god.
The real MVPs of the story are the characters, though: there's a telepathic unicorn, a wonderfully weird girl, and an actual mad fae running around causing chaos. That said, the morality is pretty black-and-white with dialogue that occasionally feels a little too simple. But none of that really kills the vibe — if you grew up loving The Chronicles of Narnia and want that same warm, nostalgic feeling, this one's a solid pick.
What I loved most is how Woodscourt builds the world — magic just kind of exists in the landscape, woven into everything, instead of the book stopping every five pages to explain how the system works. No exposition dumps, thank god.
The real MVPs of the story are the characters, though: there's a telepathic unicorn, a wonderfully weird girl, and an actual mad fae running around causing chaos. That said, the morality is pretty black-and-white with dialogue that occasionally feels a little too simple. But none of that really kills the vibe — if you grew up loving The Chronicles of Narnia and want that same warm, nostalgic feeling, this one's a solid pick.
July 19, 2023
I've had this book quietly resting somewhere in my TBR pile for quite some time. Knowing me, I would have taken too long to finally read it if not for this reading challenge madness. I'm forever grateful.
This Coming of Age story has all the elements we love about classic Fantasy. A protagonist who is inherently good and a bit naïve. A villain who lost all traces of humanity for the sake of absolute power. Opposing kingdoms waging a long war based on falsehoods and fear. Dragons, unicorns, mages, elves. You name it!
While some argue this lacks the depth of some of the more dark and complex fantasy novels we can find nowadays, I completely disagree. Perhaps this book will fit better with a younger audience, but it didn't take anything away from its quality and how much I enjoyed it.
It's beautiful to read and imagine each place. The characters are endearing (or frustrating... or terrifying). There are some truly inspiring pieces of dialogue.
Overall (if you disregard cannibalism) this is a great story for young adults or even children. Or sentimental adults.
This Coming of Age story has all the elements we love about classic Fantasy. A protagonist who is inherently good and a bit naïve. A villain who lost all traces of humanity for the sake of absolute power. Opposing kingdoms waging a long war based on falsehoods and fear. Dragons, unicorns, mages, elves. You name it!
While some argue this lacks the depth of some of the more dark and complex fantasy novels we can find nowadays, I completely disagree. Perhaps this book will fit better with a younger audience, but it didn't take anything away from its quality and how much I enjoyed it.
It's beautiful to read and imagine each place. The characters are endearing (or frustrating... or terrifying). There are some truly inspiring pieces of dialogue.
Overall (if you disregard cannibalism) this is a great story for young adults or even children. Or sentimental adults.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2026
Splendid! Stellar!! Superb!!! Gwynter ren Terare's brother, Lewan, is dying, and only magic can save him. But in Simaerin, the Cruel Crow King has forbidden all magic. Desperate and defiant, Gwyn travels the shadowy, toxic True Wood to find a cure. He meets Celin, one of the magical Fae-like Ilidreth. Despite his dangerous demeanor and otherworldly beauty, the Ildreth agrees to aid him in his quest. So, along with a cute and quirky noble named Nathaera, a telepathic shining unicorn, and a dark, deranged, fallen fae, Gwyn gallops through the spectral site of ancient magics. Can they locate a cure for Lewan? Will the king's secret shrouded order of mages track them down? This delightful novel was beautiful to read. The ending brought tears to my eyes! A fantastic 5-star fantasy that I'll read again and again!
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