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Coven of the Crow #1
The Crow Games
Defy the gods. Win the games. Trust no one with your heart.
Maven is going to make the gods pay for killing her little sister. But when her desperate plan backfires, the avenging witch is captured by Death himself. Her she must compete in the Crow Games for the amusement of the divines.
Those forced to participate are trapped on a train which travels through a gritty, gaslit Otherworld. Each stop is a new trial and means certain death for those who don’t make it to the next platform in time. But Maven is not the only vengeful witch on board. Soon she and her new coven of misfits hatch a greater break out of the Otherworld and beat Death at his own game.
Not all her allies are what they seem, however. The greatest mystery of them all is Asher, the menacing reaper who wears his secrets like a cloak. Maven shouldn’t trust a man who might be a spy for the vindictive gods, but she’s the only one his touch doesn’t harm. And the more she sees of the poet’s heart beneath his dangerous exterior, the more she suspects that Asher might be her fiercest ally … or her downfall.
Maven is going to make the gods pay for killing her little sister. But when her desperate plan backfires, the avenging witch is captured by Death himself. Her she must compete in the Crow Games for the amusement of the divines.
Those forced to participate are trapped on a train which travels through a gritty, gaslit Otherworld. Each stop is a new trial and means certain death for those who don’t make it to the next platform in time. But Maven is not the only vengeful witch on board. Soon she and her new coven of misfits hatch a greater break out of the Otherworld and beat Death at his own game.
Not all her allies are what they seem, however. The greatest mystery of them all is Asher, the menacing reaper who wears his secrets like a cloak. Maven shouldn’t trust a man who might be a spy for the vindictive gods, but she’s the only one his touch doesn’t harm. And the more she sees of the poet’s heart beneath his dangerous exterior, the more she suspects that Asher might be her fiercest ally … or her downfall.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 26, 2025
About the author
S.L. Prater
22 books341 followersS. L. shares her home with three wild little girls and a husband so handsome he makes everyone else look like a potato. In no particular order, she fills her time reading fiction, eating tacos, and serving her community as a child welfare social worker. At night she writes magical kissing books. Sign up for her newsletter at: https://slprater.carrd.co/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
May 28, 2025
Thank you so much to S.L. Prater for providing me with an ARC!
The Crow Games was fun! Not only because there are constant moving pieces, a train in the Otherworld that is constantly in motion, and morally gray/morally questionable characters, but because, especially towards the end, there are so many twists and turns.
Maven is an extremely likable and dynamic FMC; I adored that she is older and more established than typical heroines in fantasy/romantasy. It gave her a bit of an edge and lack of tolerance for BS that was refreshing. Asher is what the girlies would call a shadow daddy, and he was mostly kind of just there, but he also proved to be a sweet and attentive MMC and a mostly beneficial ally. Even though only a drop of romance (and boy do I mean a drop) occurs between them in this, I suspect book 2 might be a bit more heated.
The issues I had with The Crow Games is that I did not understand The Crow Games. I think I must intensely struggle with books that have trials in them, because I never understand the "why" or the "how" or the motivations gods have behind them. Like, y'all can't be THIS bored. Some of the aforementioned twists were also very confusing, but I've accepted that book 2 will likely have the answers. With that said, this is short book that is often weighed down by repetition (like mentioning how Ruchel could only sense danger for herself more than once) and a lot of world-building. Which would have been fine—even preferable for romantasy which sometimes lacks world building—but due to the shortness of the book, it threw the pacing off 100% of the time and made those sections somewhat of a chore to get through. There were some really strong parts, and I feel like the book overall started off really strong and then lost steam. Some of the action scenes were cool, and others were completely muddled and confusing. Also, who tf killed Lisbeth?!
I ultimately wish the trials were more clear (I thought there were only 8 trials but every time I thought the trials were nearing the end there was a time jump and then I felt like they started over? LOL I don't know, I was soooo lost!). Prater is a great writer and I am glad to be part of the ARC team, but this didn't fully work for me like I'd hoped.
3.5 ⭐️s
The Crow Games was fun! Not only because there are constant moving pieces, a train in the Otherworld that is constantly in motion, and morally gray/morally questionable characters, but because, especially towards the end, there are so many twists and turns.
Maven is an extremely likable and dynamic FMC; I adored that she is older and more established than typical heroines in fantasy/romantasy. It gave her a bit of an edge and lack of tolerance for BS that was refreshing. Asher is what the girlies would call a shadow daddy, and he was mostly kind of just there, but he also proved to be a sweet and attentive MMC and a mostly beneficial ally. Even though only a drop of romance (and boy do I mean a drop) occurs between them in this, I suspect book 2 might be a bit more heated.
The issues I had with The Crow Games is that I did not understand The Crow Games. I think I must intensely struggle with books that have trials in them, because I never understand the "why" or the "how" or the motivations gods have behind them. Like, y'all can't be THIS bored. Some of the aforementioned twists were also very confusing, but I've accepted that book 2 will likely have the answers. With that said, this is short book that is often weighed down by repetition (like mentioning how Ruchel could only sense danger for herself more than once) and a lot of world-building. Which would have been fine—even preferable for romantasy which sometimes lacks world building—but due to the shortness of the book, it threw the pacing off 100% of the time and made those sections somewhat of a chore to get through. There were some really strong parts, and I feel like the book overall started off really strong and then lost steam. Some of the action scenes were cool, and others were completely muddled and confusing. Also, who tf killed Lisbeth?!
I ultimately wish the trials were more clear (I thought there were only 8 trials but every time I thought the trials were nearing the end there was a time jump and then I felt like they started over? LOL I don't know, I was soooo lost!). Prater is a great writer and I am glad to be part of the ARC team, but this didn't fully work for me like I'd hoped.
3.5 ⭐️s
May 27, 2025
Wickedly fun and surprisingly heartfelt ride through death, grief, and divine cruelty. This has a witch hellbent on revenge, a god-infested afterlife, and deadly trials on a magical train. But what really stands out is how quickly it unraveled my expectations. This isn’t a straightforward vengeance tale. Maven starts off bristling with righteous fury, determined to make the gods pay for what they did to her sister. And then... everything falls apart. Fast. She ends up trapped in the Crow Games, a sort of divine deadly trials on a train barreling through the Otherworld, and from there, it becomes a different story altogether.
The worldbuilding is tight but fascinating. There’s something so cinematic about his happening on a train. But it’s the characters that make this story shine. Maven builds a coven of misfits, and their bond is honestly the heart of the book. It’s rare to see found family develop so naturally and so quickly. Each character carries their own story and it was interesting to get to know them all.
And then there’s Asher. The reaper whose touch harms others, except when it comes to Maven. He has a poet's soul hidden under layers of mystery and I adore him. Their relationship is slow, subtle, and surprisingly soft. With their meeting and her characteristics, I expected something darker. It’s the kind of dynamic that feels like it evolves naturally.
And then the ending hits with a twist I didn’t see coming, which immediately made me crave the next book. How Prater manages to put such amazing world-building and depth in relatively short stories is anyone’s guess. Deal with the devil? Perhaps…
Thanks so much to the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
The worldbuilding is tight but fascinating. There’s something so cinematic about his happening on a train. But it’s the characters that make this story shine. Maven builds a coven of misfits, and their bond is honestly the heart of the book. It’s rare to see found family develop so naturally and so quickly. Each character carries their own story and it was interesting to get to know them all.
And then there’s Asher. The reaper whose touch harms others, except when it comes to Maven. He has a poet's soul hidden under layers of mystery and I adore him. Their relationship is slow, subtle, and surprisingly soft. With their meeting and her characteristics, I expected something darker. It’s the kind of dynamic that feels like it evolves naturally.
And then the ending hits with a twist I didn’t see coming, which immediately made me crave the next book. How Prater manages to put such amazing world-building and depth in relatively short stories is anyone’s guess. Deal with the devil? Perhaps…
Thanks so much to the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
May 25, 2025
✨𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 ✨
📖: The Crow Games (Coven of the Crow Book 1)
📜: Releasing May 26, 2025
After Maven’s sister is brutally murdēred, she is hellbent on revenge. Captured by Death, she’s thrust into the Crow Games, a series of dēadly trials in the Otherworld.
To survive, she must form alliances while determining who to trust. Maven is determined to make the gods pay with the help of a band of fellow misfits.
Tropes:
🧙🏻♀️Witch FMC
🖤Reaper Shadow Daddy
🔥Revenge
🪄Deadly trials
💔Betrayal
🫥Hidden identities
🗣️Banter
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
SL Prater never fails to create immersive and magical worlds. Maven’s a BA witch and slightly unhingēd in the best way. The quirky cast of characters kept me wildly entertained and a certain wraith reaper shadow daddy had me intrigued from the start.
The Crow Games delivers a rage-filled tale with beguiling, morally grey characters, tension that radiates off the pages, and a brutal ending! I loved all the twists and turns and cannot wait to see what happens in the next book of this Gaslamp romantasy duology.
Huge thanks to the author for the ARC opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.
📖: The Crow Games (Coven of the Crow Book 1)
📜: Releasing May 26, 2025
After Maven’s sister is brutally murdēred, she is hellbent on revenge. Captured by Death, she’s thrust into the Crow Games, a series of dēadly trials in the Otherworld.
To survive, she must form alliances while determining who to trust. Maven is determined to make the gods pay with the help of a band of fellow misfits.
Tropes:
🧙🏻♀️Witch FMC
🖤Reaper Shadow Daddy
🔥Revenge
🪄Deadly trials
💔Betrayal
🫥Hidden identities
🗣️Banter
🧑🧑🧒🧒Found family
SL Prater never fails to create immersive and magical worlds. Maven’s a BA witch and slightly unhingēd in the best way. The quirky cast of characters kept me wildly entertained and a certain wraith reaper shadow daddy had me intrigued from the start.
The Crow Games delivers a rage-filled tale with beguiling, morally grey characters, tension that radiates off the pages, and a brutal ending! I loved all the twists and turns and cannot wait to see what happens in the next book of this Gaslamp romantasy duology.
Huge thanks to the author for the ARC opportunity. This is my honest and voluntary review.
May 26, 2025
So I may be a little biased but my FAVORITE and the best (imo) S.L. Prater book is out now!!
I devoured this book and I know you will too! It’s got:
🖤Witch vs. Reaper
✨God Games & Bloody Trials
🖤Girl Gang of Badass Witches
✨FMC in her Villain Era
🖤Mature Characters
✨Enemies-to-Lovers
🖤Slow Burn Romance
✨Dark Romantasy Duology
🖤HEA at the conclusion of book 2
…vibes and SO much more!!
Though I won’t lie I am trying to find a way to bribe her to get me book 2 ASAP (I’ll let you know if it works 🤣)
It’s such an amazing and immersive read, I love Maven she’s one of my favorite FMCs S.L. Prater has written and there’s just so much to uncover in this book!
I devoured this book and I know you will too! It’s got:
🖤Witch vs. Reaper
✨God Games & Bloody Trials
🖤Girl Gang of Badass Witches
✨FMC in her Villain Era
🖤Mature Characters
✨Enemies-to-Lovers
🖤Slow Burn Romance
✨Dark Romantasy Duology
🖤HEA at the conclusion of book 2
…vibes and SO much more!!
Though I won’t lie I am trying to find a way to bribe her to get me book 2 ASAP (I’ll let you know if it works 🤣)
It’s such an amazing and immersive read, I love Maven she’s one of my favorite FMCs S.L. Prater has written and there’s just so much to uncover in this book!
May 14, 2025
S.L. Prater is one of those authors who never disappoint. In fact, she never fails to deliver beautifully woven stories filled with intriguing plots, perfectly crafted characters, heaps of banter and wit, and above all, a story to grab you and never let go. I've been one of her faithful ARC readers, and will be on her team for as long as she'll have me.
So, what can you expect to see in The Crow Games, Book 1 of her new Coven of the Crow duology? Well, apart from all of the above-mentioned, you will get to experience a train ride.
Trust me, this isn't any ordinary train and no ordinary ride. This is a train that never stops. A train made of, let's say, unsavoury material. A train with passengers you won't see on your daily commute to the office. This is a train that transports you from one deadly trial to another. A train filled with witches, warlocks, and an occasional reaper. A train filled with souls fighting for the entertainment of the gods. Wanna catch a ride?
But hey, not everything is so deadly and blackened. On this train, you will find unlikely friendships, people with different backgrounds finding common purpose. You will witness the creation of a perfectly imperfect found family. You will feel pain, rage, loss, hurt. You will also experience the birth of alliances and friendships. You will witness seeds of something akin to attraction and more sprouting to life.
Still don't want to catch a ride? Could I entice you with a shadow-wielding, poetry-writing reaper?
Join us on this train and enter the world of the Crow Games; you will never want to leave.
So, what can you expect to see in The Crow Games, Book 1 of her new Coven of the Crow duology? Well, apart from all of the above-mentioned, you will get to experience a train ride.
Trust me, this isn't any ordinary train and no ordinary ride. This is a train that never stops. A train made of, let's say, unsavoury material. A train with passengers you won't see on your daily commute to the office. This is a train that transports you from one deadly trial to another. A train filled with witches, warlocks, and an occasional reaper. A train filled with souls fighting for the entertainment of the gods. Wanna catch a ride?
But hey, not everything is so deadly and blackened. On this train, you will find unlikely friendships, people with different backgrounds finding common purpose. You will witness the creation of a perfectly imperfect found family. You will feel pain, rage, loss, hurt. You will also experience the birth of alliances and friendships. You will witness seeds of something akin to attraction and more sprouting to life.
Still don't want to catch a ride? Could I entice you with a shadow-wielding, poetry-writing reaper?
Join us on this train and enter the world of the Crow Games; you will never want to leave.
May 13, 2025
✨The Crow Games✨
Author: SL Prater
Release: May 27, 2025
A new series by SL Prater and, as usual, she does not disappoint. I have loved every book I’ve read by her and never fail to giggle my way through the pages. If you love gaslamp, witchy vibes, here’s your author!!
In this first installment of Prater’s newest duology, The Coven of the Crow, we follow a singular 1st person POV from our FMC, Maven. After the sudden death of her beloved sister, Maven enacts a revenge so lethal that she’s rips open the Otherworld. But because of this accidental attack on Death, she’s imprisoned on his train of bones to participate in the cruel trials that the gods have created for the unworthy. It is here that Maven finds a imperfectly perfect coven, an unlikely and handsome ally, and many, many reveals. So many hidden identities; so many enemies. But Maven isn’t innocent either. 🤫
Full of witchy friends, warlocks, evil creatures, meddling gods and deadly trials, Maven and her crew fight to escape the Otherworld before being taken to what they’ve been being tested for: the games. Banter, a precious sloooooooooow burn, and plot twists galore, I had such a good time on this wild and unique train ride. And with that ending, I’m DYING for book two.
Tropes you may find in TCG are gaslamp vibes, creepy bone train, found family, trials, slowest of burns, no spice, hidden identities, morally grey characters, shadow daddy, meddling gods, and a bit of a cliffhanger that makes you so pumped!
I am so thankful for once again getting to be an arc reader for SL Prater. It’s always such a joy and privilege.
Author: SL Prater
Release: May 27, 2025
A new series by SL Prater and, as usual, she does not disappoint. I have loved every book I’ve read by her and never fail to giggle my way through the pages. If you love gaslamp, witchy vibes, here’s your author!!
In this first installment of Prater’s newest duology, The Coven of the Crow, we follow a singular 1st person POV from our FMC, Maven. After the sudden death of her beloved sister, Maven enacts a revenge so lethal that she’s rips open the Otherworld. But because of this accidental attack on Death, she’s imprisoned on his train of bones to participate in the cruel trials that the gods have created for the unworthy. It is here that Maven finds a imperfectly perfect coven, an unlikely and handsome ally, and many, many reveals. So many hidden identities; so many enemies. But Maven isn’t innocent either. 🤫
Full of witchy friends, warlocks, evil creatures, meddling gods and deadly trials, Maven and her crew fight to escape the Otherworld before being taken to what they’ve been being tested for: the games. Banter, a precious sloooooooooow burn, and plot twists galore, I had such a good time on this wild and unique train ride. And with that ending, I’m DYING for book two.
Tropes you may find in TCG are gaslamp vibes, creepy bone train, found family, trials, slowest of burns, no spice, hidden identities, morally grey characters, shadow daddy, meddling gods, and a bit of a cliffhanger that makes you so pumped!
I am so thankful for once again getting to be an arc reader for SL Prater. It’s always such a joy and privilege.
May 24, 2025
ARC//
The witch, Maven, is really just trying to live a calm and normal life with her sister, Lisbeth. The main thing she's been trying to avoid for centuries catches up with her and turns her whole life upside down.
Now revenge is on her schedule.
After a failed attack on Death himself she gets tossed into the Otherworld, a place between the living and the dead, and she gets trapped there. To get to live she has to attend in the Crow Games. Several bloody and deadly trials made just for the ammusent of the gods. While Maven figures out her own plan of revenge she finds new friendships she never thought she needed and a helping hand from someone unexpected.
Together they try to survive it all.
🖤 It's dark
🌪️ It's magic
💔 It's loss
❤️ It's found family
🐦⬛ It's bloody games
and we have a shadow daddy 🪦
I hope you're in for a few surprises along the way.
Release date: May 26th 2025
First book in the Coven of the Crow duology.
The witch, Maven, is really just trying to live a calm and normal life with her sister, Lisbeth. The main thing she's been trying to avoid for centuries catches up with her and turns her whole life upside down.
Now revenge is on her schedule.
After a failed attack on Death himself she gets tossed into the Otherworld, a place between the living and the dead, and she gets trapped there. To get to live she has to attend in the Crow Games. Several bloody and deadly trials made just for the ammusent of the gods. While Maven figures out her own plan of revenge she finds new friendships she never thought she needed and a helping hand from someone unexpected.
Together they try to survive it all.
🖤 It's dark
🌪️ It's magic
💔 It's loss
❤️ It's found family
🐦⬛ It's bloody games
and we have a shadow daddy 🪦
I hope you're in for a few surprises along the way.
Release date: May 26th 2025
First book in the Coven of the Crow duology.
May 27, 2025
Someone hold my witch’s hat because The Crow Games just wrecked me in the best possible way. From page one, I was OBSESSED. Maven, our chaotic, grief-stricken, revenge-fueled witch queen, accidentally picks a fight with Death and gets dragged onto a cursed train that’s basically Hell’s version of the Hogwarts Express. Except this train never stops. And it's made of bones.
Inside? Trials. Magic. Deadly gods. An unhinged reaper who may or may not be my new shadow daddy obsession. There’s also:
🖤 Found family energy that gave me LIFE
🧙♀️ Morally grey chaos crew
🪄 Magic that feels both dangerous and sacred
🔥 Betrayals, plot twists, and reveals that hit like hexes
🚂 A setting so vividly weird it deserves its own character arc
S.L. Prater just gets how to build a world that’s lush, dark, and full of teeth. If you like your romantasy with vibes, vengeance, and very weird trains, The Crow Games is a must read. Book two cannot come fast enough.
Inside? Trials. Magic. Deadly gods. An unhinged reaper who may or may not be my new shadow daddy obsession. There’s also:
🖤 Found family energy that gave me LIFE
🧙♀️ Morally grey chaos crew
🪄 Magic that feels both dangerous and sacred
🔥 Betrayals, plot twists, and reveals that hit like hexes
🚂 A setting so vividly weird it deserves its own character arc
S.L. Prater just gets how to build a world that’s lush, dark, and full of teeth. If you like your romantasy with vibes, vengeance, and very weird trains, The Crow Games is a must read. Book two cannot come fast enough.
May 23, 2025
3 ⭐️ 0.5 🌶️
This is one of those rare times where I wished this was longer! I felt like we jumped into the storyline and there was barely time to build the world. For most of the book, I had a hard time picturing the scene. The setup of the games and trials didn’t click in my head so the plot itself was lacking some history. But I really liked that Maven was an older FMC with life experience! The found family in her new coven was such a cool concept too! And the twist was such a surprise to me.
I would recommend this to someone who liked Phantasma!
This is one of those rare times where I wished this was longer! I felt like we jumped into the storyline and there was barely time to build the world. For most of the book, I had a hard time picturing the scene. The setup of the games and trials didn’t click in my head so the plot itself was lacking some history. But I really liked that Maven was an older FMC with life experience! The found family in her new coven was such a cool concept too! And the twist was such a surprise to me.
I would recommend this to someone who liked Phantasma!
May 27, 2025
The Crow Games is a fantastic book that I flew through!
I was immersed straight away into the world that S.L. Prater has created.
The storyline developed quite quickly and had some twists that I did not see coming. I love Maven, and I like the mystery surrounding Asher. I look forward to learning more about Ruchel, Nola, and Blue.
There is so much about this world that I am intrigued by and want to know more.
I am very much looking forward to January 2026 when I can continue with this story.
I was immersed straight away into the world that S.L. Prater has created.
The storyline developed quite quickly and had some twists that I did not see coming. I love Maven, and I like the mystery surrounding Asher. I look forward to learning more about Ruchel, Nola, and Blue.
There is so much about this world that I am intrigued by and want to know more.
I am very much looking forward to January 2026 when I can continue with this story.
May 24, 2025
This book took me for a ride! The journey we take into Maven's life, her history, her secrets, the trials themselves, keep readers at the edge of their seats flipping page after page. I was desperate for more. Then I feel like as soon as I start to get answers, I had reached the end.
The end snuck up on me and swept me completely off my feet! I am desperate for more and super sad that I have to wait another year! 😭
The end snuck up on me and swept me completely off my feet! I am desperate for more and super sad that I have to wait another year! 😭
October 7, 2025
I received an arc in exchange for a fair review of this book! It’s was Snowpiercer x Hunger games core. Plot twist wasn’t exactly hidden but interesting premise and enjoyable. Will read the next in series.
June 28, 2025
ARC review: The Crow Games had me hooked from the first chapter! If you love a good dark witchy fantasy with a hint of romance then you need to read this!
June 9, 2025
“I want to be your comfort,” he said, his voice a gravelly purr. He opened the front of my shirt with fingers that shook. “I want to be your everything.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
What you’ll find in this book:
- Witch vs Reaper
- Dark Romantasy
- Bloody Trials
- Dark Characters
- God Games
- Slow Burn
- FMC in Her Villain Era
- Enemies to Lovers
At this point S.L. Prater can do no wrong, her writing always feels like such a homecoming, before blend of comfort and spice. Even this story very set within the dark romantasy genre still has that cozy vibe, whether that is through the familiarity of the writing style or the worlds that S. L. Prater creates you won’t catch me complaining! If you’re looking for a new book packed with witches, hidden identities, deadly trials, a found sisterhood and secrets galore then this is the perfect addition to your TBR. I am currently very much here for all the FMC’s in their feminine rage and villain era so Maven is absolutely perfect. Her unwavering resolve to get revenge for her sister is the main driver for the book but she finds so much more than she could have ever expected along the way, I already cannot wait for book two and I’ve only just finished book one.
When Maven’s little sister is killed Maven sets out on a path for revenge, when her desperate attempt to break through realms to find the culprit gets her captured by none other than death himself she finds with a whole new set of obstacles in her way. Her sentence for trying to break into the other world, she is forced into competing in a host of deadly trials known as the crow games, set up for the amusement of the gods. Trapped on a train travelling through this unfamiliar land, each stop with a new trial forcing participants to compete and return to the train in time as reaching the platform too late means meeting one’s maker. As time goes on, Maven begins to find allies in the most unexpected of places before forming a coven with a single plan in mind, breaking out of the otherworld and defeating death. However, not all of the members of her coven are as trustworthy as others, the main one being Asher, the mysterious reaper who lurks in the shadows. Knowing he is a spy doesn’t stop Maven from noting his haunting good looks and the way he craves her touch, the more she gets to know the man behind the shadows her fate hangs in the balance as she uncovers more about him, will he be her saviour or her ruin.
The dynamic between the coven is one of my favourite parts of this book, the banter and building trust between them that is so easy to fracture means that you see the best and worst of these characters as well knowing that we are not seeing the whole picture. Their contrasting characters and personalities is absolutely what you need for Maven draws those around her towards her but she is not easy to trust and rightfully so as everyone is in it for themselves. Her fierce feminine rage and desire to protect those around her makes her my favourite characters, once you are part of her inner circle she will stop at nothing to protect you and that loyalty is admirable. Asher is an enigma, throughout the book we get very little insight into his personality but there are glimpses of who he is shining through. He is fascinated with Maven and as the story goes on they get closer and closer, the attraction between them undeniable and I can’t wait to explore where their relationship goes in the next book in the series.
I am a sucker for a book that includes deadly trials, and the ingenuity of the trials and the monsters that S. L. Prater has created makes for a gripping story page to page. Discovering more about the deities and their powers is one of the aspects I’m most excited about in the coming books, as well as the mystery surrounding who actually killed Maven’s sister. The pacing of the story was perfect, fast but felt fully developed with every facet explored, we got a true introduction to the characters, world and magical system that I am sure will be built upon in the coming books.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an e-ARC to read and review early!
Author: S. L. Prater
Series: Coven of the Crow
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: May 26th, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
What you’ll find in this book:
- Witch vs Reaper
- Dark Romantasy
- Bloody Trials
- Dark Characters
- God Games
- Slow Burn
- FMC in Her Villain Era
- Enemies to Lovers
At this point S.L. Prater can do no wrong, her writing always feels like such a homecoming, before blend of comfort and spice. Even this story very set within the dark romantasy genre still has that cozy vibe, whether that is through the familiarity of the writing style or the worlds that S. L. Prater creates you won’t catch me complaining! If you’re looking for a new book packed with witches, hidden identities, deadly trials, a found sisterhood and secrets galore then this is the perfect addition to your TBR. I am currently very much here for all the FMC’s in their feminine rage and villain era so Maven is absolutely perfect. Her unwavering resolve to get revenge for her sister is the main driver for the book but she finds so much more than she could have ever expected along the way, I already cannot wait for book two and I’ve only just finished book one.
When Maven’s little sister is killed Maven sets out on a path for revenge, when her desperate attempt to break through realms to find the culprit gets her captured by none other than death himself she finds with a whole new set of obstacles in her way. Her sentence for trying to break into the other world, she is forced into competing in a host of deadly trials known as the crow games, set up for the amusement of the gods. Trapped on a train travelling through this unfamiliar land, each stop with a new trial forcing participants to compete and return to the train in time as reaching the platform too late means meeting one’s maker. As time goes on, Maven begins to find allies in the most unexpected of places before forming a coven with a single plan in mind, breaking out of the otherworld and defeating death. However, not all of the members of her coven are as trustworthy as others, the main one being Asher, the mysterious reaper who lurks in the shadows. Knowing he is a spy doesn’t stop Maven from noting his haunting good looks and the way he craves her touch, the more she gets to know the man behind the shadows her fate hangs in the balance as she uncovers more about him, will he be her saviour or her ruin.
The dynamic between the coven is one of my favourite parts of this book, the banter and building trust between them that is so easy to fracture means that you see the best and worst of these characters as well knowing that we are not seeing the whole picture. Their contrasting characters and personalities is absolutely what you need for Maven draws those around her towards her but she is not easy to trust and rightfully so as everyone is in it for themselves. Her fierce feminine rage and desire to protect those around her makes her my favourite characters, once you are part of her inner circle she will stop at nothing to protect you and that loyalty is admirable. Asher is an enigma, throughout the book we get very little insight into his personality but there are glimpses of who he is shining through. He is fascinated with Maven and as the story goes on they get closer and closer, the attraction between them undeniable and I can’t wait to explore where their relationship goes in the next book in the series.
I am a sucker for a book that includes deadly trials, and the ingenuity of the trials and the monsters that S. L. Prater has created makes for a gripping story page to page. Discovering more about the deities and their powers is one of the aspects I’m most excited about in the coming books, as well as the mystery surrounding who actually killed Maven’s sister. The pacing of the story was perfect, fast but felt fully developed with every facet explored, we got a true introduction to the characters, world and magical system that I am sure will be built upon in the coming books.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an e-ARC to read and review early!
Author: S. L. Prater
Series: Coven of the Crow
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: May 26th, 2025
May 24, 2025
THE CROW GAMES by S. L. Prater
"My enemies pleas for mercy would be in vain.
They would scream Lisbeth's name before I ended them.
The whole world would know my pain and would cry out for her as I did."
When witch Maven’s revenge on the gods goes wrong, she’s sentenced to the deadly Crow Games—trials aboard a ghostly train through the Otherworld. Teaming up with a ragtag coven, she plans to escape Death himself, but the enigmatic reaper Asher may be her greatest threat… or her only hope.
Another S. L. Prater book, another chaotic joyride I didn’t want to end. The Crow Games kicks off a darkly whimsical duology that fuses gaslamp fantasy, grief, vengeance, and the slowest of slow burns, plus a train with the most final of destinations.
We follow Maven, a woman reeling from her sister’s death, whose decision to take vengeance ends up ripping open the Otherworld and landing her as a prisoner on a train bound for deadly trials, a sort of purgatory. I love a vengeance arc, and this one delivered, complete with meddling, capricious gods and dark secrets. Maven quickly grew on me as a protagonist—prickly, grieving, quietly powerful—and the evolution of her relationships, especially with Nola and her found coven, was one of my favourite aspects. There’s something very raw and grounded about the way Prater writes female friendship, and it shone here.
" 'How many times have you plotted my demise? How many times have I thought about yours?'
His lips quirked. 'You thought about me?' "
But of course, my heart belongs to the romance. Maven and Asher’s connection is quietly tender, a slow unfolding rather than a firework show. The two of them reflect and soften each other in ways neither quite expects, but I revelled in. They don’t fix each other, but there’s this ache in how their damage mirrors and complements one another that really resonated with me. Plus, the banter was chef’s kiss.
Now, for a few caveats—because while I devoured this book, it had a few bumps.
The world Prater has built is fascinating: there’s a gothic, gaslamp shimmer to it that I wanted to fall into fully. But the execution sometimes left me scrambling to orient myself. I often found myself wishing we had lingered a bit more in each setting or trial just to better understand the rules and the stakes. The mechanics of the Crow Games and the different locales involved were occasionally confusing, at times feeling disjointed or abruptly transitioned, especially in the latter half. I hope we learn more of the mechanics in the next book.
That said, this book thrives in character dynamics, twists, and emotional resonance. The plot twists (yes, plural) had me oscillating from expecting them and believing them impossible, and the overarching themes—grief, identity, justice—are handled with nuance and heart. If you’re a fan of myth-infused fantasy, character-driven plots, or just looking for your next morally grey shadow love interest, you’re in for a treat.
All in all, The Crow Games is an ambitious and emotionally rich first instalment that lays the groundwork for something truly special. I’m already dying to see where Maven and her crew are taken next.
**I was given an eARC from the author. This has not affected my opinions**
Instagram: @librisinetenebris
"My enemies pleas for mercy would be in vain.
They would scream Lisbeth's name before I ended them.
The whole world would know my pain and would cry out for her as I did."
When witch Maven’s revenge on the gods goes wrong, she’s sentenced to the deadly Crow Games—trials aboard a ghostly train through the Otherworld. Teaming up with a ragtag coven, she plans to escape Death himself, but the enigmatic reaper Asher may be her greatest threat… or her only hope.
Another S. L. Prater book, another chaotic joyride I didn’t want to end. The Crow Games kicks off a darkly whimsical duology that fuses gaslamp fantasy, grief, vengeance, and the slowest of slow burns, plus a train with the most final of destinations.
We follow Maven, a woman reeling from her sister’s death, whose decision to take vengeance ends up ripping open the Otherworld and landing her as a prisoner on a train bound for deadly trials, a sort of purgatory. I love a vengeance arc, and this one delivered, complete with meddling, capricious gods and dark secrets. Maven quickly grew on me as a protagonist—prickly, grieving, quietly powerful—and the evolution of her relationships, especially with Nola and her found coven, was one of my favourite aspects. There’s something very raw and grounded about the way Prater writes female friendship, and it shone here.
" 'How many times have you plotted my demise? How many times have I thought about yours?'
His lips quirked. 'You thought about me?' "
But of course, my heart belongs to the romance. Maven and Asher’s connection is quietly tender, a slow unfolding rather than a firework show. The two of them reflect and soften each other in ways neither quite expects, but I revelled in. They don’t fix each other, but there’s this ache in how their damage mirrors and complements one another that really resonated with me. Plus, the banter was chef’s kiss.
Now, for a few caveats—because while I devoured this book, it had a few bumps.
The world Prater has built is fascinating: there’s a gothic, gaslamp shimmer to it that I wanted to fall into fully. But the execution sometimes left me scrambling to orient myself. I often found myself wishing we had lingered a bit more in each setting or trial just to better understand the rules and the stakes. The mechanics of the Crow Games and the different locales involved were occasionally confusing, at times feeling disjointed or abruptly transitioned, especially in the latter half. I hope we learn more of the mechanics in the next book.
That said, this book thrives in character dynamics, twists, and emotional resonance. The plot twists (yes, plural) had me oscillating from expecting them and believing them impossible, and the overarching themes—grief, identity, justice—are handled with nuance and heart. If you’re a fan of myth-infused fantasy, character-driven plots, or just looking for your next morally grey shadow love interest, you’re in for a treat.
All in all, The Crow Games is an ambitious and emotionally rich first instalment that lays the groundwork for something truly special. I’m already dying to see where Maven and her crew are taken next.
**I was given an eARC from the author. This has not affected my opinions**
Instagram: @librisinetenebris
May 31, 2025
Thank you so much for letting me read this ARC, I was completely engrossed by this story!!
So when I say that I was completely engrossed, it was to the point that I nearly missed my connecting flight because of how completely obsessed I was with it. (Luckily I was travelling with two other people who dragged me onto the flight in time 😬)
I have to start with the world building - I can honestly say that I've never experienced a world like this before. The closest it came to something familiar was the train and the city in the Otherworld reminded me a bit of Ba Sing Se from ATLA which I enjoyed! There was enough information woven through the storytelling that I never felt lost or overwhelmed with the different covens/cultures/gods etc and I could lose myself in the plot.
Whilst the trials hinted at Hunger Games vibes, the focus of the plot was mainly on our girl Maven seeking revenge and then grudgingly becoming part of a coven (love them all 💔) with the trials used to show Maven and the witches building their trust and breaking down some walls. Some reviews mentioned that they wanted more details of the trials which is fair, but I personally didn't feel that detracted from the story at all. The supporting characters are excellent and have their own mysteries (I'm looking at you Ruchel) and there are some truly heartbreaking moments which are so well told.
Asher is an enigma, wrapped in a cotton ball, disguised as a sarcastic crow. I love him. His and Maven's relationship develops in a beautifully slow but natural way and reveals his softer, caring side which becomes the unexpected balm to Maven's grief (there are also some adorable nicknames as the cherry on top 😍). His character and mystery add so much to the story - Book 2 is going to be intense 😬
There are a few (excellent) twists throughout the book - I am normally able to guess where a story/arc is heading so I was delighted when certain twists made me gasp out loud and I had to go back and re-read! Absolutely brilliant storytelling 🌟 the cliffhanger at the end nearly made me take a star away out of spite, but it's so good, that I just can't 😂
Grief and anger are major themes running through the story, and the enormity of these emotions and how they can smother everything really resonated - particularly when Maven's power overwhelmed her sense at the start of the book. I was so impressed with how grief in it's different stages was portrayed through the story, showing especially that it's not a linear thing and how sometimes we do hide in it to protect ourselves.
Obviously, overall I thought this was an excellent book. I'm so annoyed that I've read it and have to wait to read the conclusion, but I am positive it will be worth the wait!!
So when I say that I was completely engrossed, it was to the point that I nearly missed my connecting flight because of how completely obsessed I was with it. (Luckily I was travelling with two other people who dragged me onto the flight in time 😬)
I have to start with the world building - I can honestly say that I've never experienced a world like this before. The closest it came to something familiar was the train and the city in the Otherworld reminded me a bit of Ba Sing Se from ATLA which I enjoyed! There was enough information woven through the storytelling that I never felt lost or overwhelmed with the different covens/cultures/gods etc and I could lose myself in the plot.
Whilst the trials hinted at Hunger Games vibes, the focus of the plot was mainly on our girl Maven seeking revenge and then grudgingly becoming part of a coven (love them all 💔) with the trials used to show Maven and the witches building their trust and breaking down some walls. Some reviews mentioned that they wanted more details of the trials which is fair, but I personally didn't feel that detracted from the story at all. The supporting characters are excellent and have their own mysteries (I'm looking at you Ruchel) and there are some truly heartbreaking moments which are so well told.
Asher is an enigma, wrapped in a cotton ball, disguised as a sarcastic crow. I love him. His and Maven's relationship develops in a beautifully slow but natural way and reveals his softer, caring side which becomes the unexpected balm to Maven's grief (there are also some adorable nicknames as the cherry on top 😍). His character and mystery add so much to the story - Book 2 is going to be intense 😬
There are a few (excellent) twists throughout the book - I am normally able to guess where a story/arc is heading so I was delighted when certain twists made me gasp out loud and I had to go back and re-read! Absolutely brilliant storytelling 🌟 the cliffhanger at the end nearly made me take a star away out of spite, but it's so good, that I just can't 😂
Grief and anger are major themes running through the story, and the enormity of these emotions and how they can smother everything really resonated - particularly when Maven's power overwhelmed her sense at the start of the book. I was so impressed with how grief in it's different stages was portrayed through the story, showing especially that it's not a linear thing and how sometimes we do hide in it to protect ourselves.
Obviously, overall I thought this was an excellent book. I'm so annoyed that I've read it and have to wait to read the conclusion, but I am positive it will be worth the wait!!
June 9, 2025
To be fair, I read gaslamp fantasy and was pulled in but it didn't really scratch that itch for me.
The book starts off well, then this is my first trial book if memory serves me well, and it illustrated why I keep away from such books, because honestly, after about the second trial I was bored. I was so bored! I kept reading to see if my guesses of the obvious plot progression would be correct. I was technically correct on two of them, but the one not confirmed I'm guessing it'll happen as a plot point for book 2
Of the found family I love Nola+Ruchel and it's because they feel like characters that the author fleshed out. Blue and the others felt like side characters that were required to add complications to the story.
Asher I don't feel as a love interest. I was actually clapping when
If you're looking for a female protagonist who is finding her way, finding her power, finding her allies, still growing...then this is the book for you. Personally, I was expecting more from Maven, especially in terms of her power but all she'd do is get angry, charge up like a power ranger, then somehow fizzle. For this reason/in retrospect after finishing the story, my favourite power scene from her was the Nola+Ruchel shake down.
Then before Chapter 5, and then it would keep on happening later on, on and off, Maven's tone of voice, even some of the other characters, goes from old timey or whichever tone of voice the book is predominantly in to current, modern day speech. Also, when we start off, we're told Maven is old, she's lived life, seen some things, knows more but this is being revealed in a very piecemeal sort of manner; but instead of us seeing this, she comes off as the most naïve of the group in the way things work but her greatest motivation is unity and vengeance.
So, story has potential however, I'll not be continuing with book 2.
The book starts off well, then this is my first trial book if memory serves me well, and it illustrated why I keep away from such books, because honestly, after about the second trial I was bored. I was so bored! I kept reading to see if my guesses of the obvious plot progression would be correct. I was technically correct on two of them, but the one not confirmed I'm guessing it'll happen as a plot point for book 2
Of the found family I love Nola+Ruchel and it's because they feel like characters that the author fleshed out. Blue and the others felt like side characters that were required to add complications to the story.
Asher I don't feel as a love interest. I was actually clapping when
If you're looking for a female protagonist who is finding her way, finding her power, finding her allies, still growing...then this is the book for you. Personally, I was expecting more from Maven, especially in terms of her power but all she'd do is get angry, charge up like a power ranger, then somehow fizzle. For this reason/in retrospect after finishing the story, my favourite power scene from her was the Nola+Ruchel shake down.
Then before Chapter 5, and then it would keep on happening later on, on and off, Maven's tone of voice, even some of the other characters, goes from old timey or whichever tone of voice the book is predominantly in to current, modern day speech. Also, when we start off, we're told Maven is old, she's lived life, seen some things, knows more but this is being revealed in a very piecemeal sort of manner; but instead of us seeing this, she comes off as the most naïve of the group in the way things work but her greatest motivation is unity and vengeance.
So, story has potential however, I'll not be continuing with book 2.
May 15, 2025
I cannot wait for the second book to see what happens next! I am absolutely in my games/trials era and knew I wanted to read this book!
For fans of The Queen of Cursed Things, Holly Black, and Elisa S. Amore.
Synopsis: A witch, who cannot reveal her type of magic, stays in hiding until the unthinkable happens. In response, she has a sort of mental breakdown and makes a rash decision. This winds her up on the prison train where she must make allies and survive the Gods' games and trials.
This is a beautiful love letter to those who have struggled with grief. The author does an amazing job at ensuring all facets of grief are portrayed along with the healing journey.
What I liked:
- Relationships between all of the characters really felt genuine.
- The main plot line through the book was very compelling.
- There were two massive plot twists, one I didn't see coming, the other I did. I love surprises in books.
- Character development for all of the characters was very well done and I want more!
What I didn't like:
- The pacing was inconsistent and kept pulling me out of the story.
- Time jumps and repetition. Sometimes the story jumped in time in the middle of a plot point and it was confusing. At other times, the repetition of a specific part of the plot became monotonous.
- Locations were different and then the same for the trials. Perhaps I missed something, but it seemed like the trials were held at different locales in the early part of the book, but was the same locale after the half-way mark.
I will continue to read this series because I think the story is worth being read and I am invested. I am rating this at 3 stars because of the things listed above pulled me too far out of the story on multiple occasions. It is a good read, has a good plot, but could use a little more substance to tie things together a little bit more.
I greatly appreciate the author providing an opportunity to be a part of their ARC team. I look forward to reading more of their work in the future.
For fans of The Queen of Cursed Things, Holly Black, and Elisa S. Amore.
Synopsis: A witch, who cannot reveal her type of magic, stays in hiding until the unthinkable happens. In response, she has a sort of mental breakdown and makes a rash decision. This winds her up on the prison train where she must make allies and survive the Gods' games and trials.
This is a beautiful love letter to those who have struggled with grief. The author does an amazing job at ensuring all facets of grief are portrayed along with the healing journey.
What I liked:
- Relationships between all of the characters really felt genuine.
- The main plot line through the book was very compelling.
- There were two massive plot twists, one I didn't see coming, the other I did. I love surprises in books.
- Character development for all of the characters was very well done and I want more!
What I didn't like:
- The pacing was inconsistent and kept pulling me out of the story.
- Time jumps and repetition. Sometimes the story jumped in time in the middle of a plot point and it was confusing. At other times, the repetition of a specific part of the plot became monotonous.
- Locations were different and then the same for the trials. Perhaps I missed something, but it seemed like the trials were held at different locales in the early part of the book, but was the same locale after the half-way mark.
I will continue to read this series because I think the story is worth being read and I am invested. I am rating this at 3 stars because of the things listed above pulled me too far out of the story on multiple occasions. It is a good read, has a good plot, but could use a little more substance to tie things together a little bit more.
I greatly appreciate the author providing an opportunity to be a part of their ARC team. I look forward to reading more of their work in the future.
June 4, 2025
It's the first book in the "Coven of the Crow" duology and i cannot wait for book 2 already😭.
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This book was so creative, so engaging, i was hooked and never wanted to leave the otherworld🙈. I could not concentrate on anything but this book😍.
It is wickedly fun and heartfelt. The premise is so unique, loved the vibrant world-building and its strong character development, especially around themes of found family.
The story centers around Maven, a witch seeking revenge on the gods for her sister's death. This leads her to being captured by Death himself and forced into "The Crow Games," a series of deadly trials held on a magical train barreling through an Otherworld. This "bone train" and the trials it hosts are described so well , it was like watching a movie😍. It was so cinematic and fascinating.
Strong Protagonist (Maven): Maven is described as a "badass witch" who is "slightly unhinged in the best way." She's driven by rage and grief, but her journey quickly evolves beyond a straightforward vengeance tale.
Compelling Found Family: A standout element is the "coven of misfits" that Maven gathers on the train. Their bond develops naturally and quickly, becoming the true heart of the book. Each character has their own intriguing story, adding depth and relatability.
Morally Grey Characters & Intriguing Allies: Beyond Maven and her coven, the book features a cast of morally grey characters, including a "reaper shadow daddy" (Asher) who becomes an enigmatic ally. Their dynamic is a central point of interest, with a "precious sloooooooow burn" romance developing amidst the deadly trials.
The book is packed with deadly trials, meddling gods, evil creatures, and plenty of tension that radiates off the pages.
The no. of plot twists and revelations were Amazing 🤯.
It promises a wild and unique ride through death, grief, and divine cruelty, all wrapped up in engaging writing style. If you're looking for a fresh, exciting, and emotionally resonant fantasy read, "The Crow Games" is definitely worth picking up!.
Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
This book was so creative, so engaging, i was hooked and never wanted to leave the otherworld🙈. I could not concentrate on anything but this book😍.
It is wickedly fun and heartfelt. The premise is so unique, loved the vibrant world-building and its strong character development, especially around themes of found family.
The story centers around Maven, a witch seeking revenge on the gods for her sister's death. This leads her to being captured by Death himself and forced into "The Crow Games," a series of deadly trials held on a magical train barreling through an Otherworld. This "bone train" and the trials it hosts are described so well , it was like watching a movie😍. It was so cinematic and fascinating.
Strong Protagonist (Maven): Maven is described as a "badass witch" who is "slightly unhinged in the best way." She's driven by rage and grief, but her journey quickly evolves beyond a straightforward vengeance tale.
Compelling Found Family: A standout element is the "coven of misfits" that Maven gathers on the train. Their bond develops naturally and quickly, becoming the true heart of the book. Each character has their own intriguing story, adding depth and relatability.
Morally Grey Characters & Intriguing Allies: Beyond Maven and her coven, the book features a cast of morally grey characters, including a "reaper shadow daddy" (Asher) who becomes an enigmatic ally. Their dynamic is a central point of interest, with a "precious sloooooooow burn" romance developing amidst the deadly trials.
The book is packed with deadly trials, meddling gods, evil creatures, and plenty of tension that radiates off the pages.
The no. of plot twists and revelations were Amazing 🤯.
It promises a wild and unique ride through death, grief, and divine cruelty, all wrapped up in engaging writing style. If you're looking for a fresh, exciting, and emotionally resonant fantasy read, "The Crow Games" is definitely worth picking up!.
June 5, 2025
This book was purely addicting. Fast-paced with a unique concept and a badass crew of witches?? Writing like crack?? Pesky gods and warlock gangs and hell-beasts?? A truly devastating opening that I felt the repercussions of all throughout?? Yes, yes, yes, and yes.
This was a really fun book, with likable characters and a twisty plot; the whole idea was super immersive, basically Upper Realm witches & warlocks being pulled into Death's realm to face punishment for their so-called crimes, but mostly just to entertain the gods. There's a creepy bone train, some emphasis on calendars and clocks that I found intriguing, and vengeance galore.
My "mehs" were as follows:
Overall, I really liked this book and ate it up SO fast. I adore S.L. Prater's writing and the wicked plots she weaves. I think if this one had been longer and fleshed out a bit more, it would've been a stronger series opener, but of course with that cliffhanger I will be clawing my way through life until book two drops!!
This was a really fun book, with likable characters and a twisty plot; the whole idea was super immersive, basically Upper Realm witches & warlocks being pulled into Death's realm to face punishment for their so-called crimes, but mostly just to entertain the gods. There's a creepy bone train, some emphasis on calendars and clocks that I found intriguing, and vengeance galore.
My "mehs" were as follows:
- The worldbuilding kind of confused me and I never really fully understood the whole structure of the train/trials/games. The trials just never quite made sense to me, as all of them were the same and yet numbered as if different, and the survival sequences were always kind of skimmed over in a way that pulled me out of the story. Also, the games themselves didn't even feature in the book (I don't think, unless I'm very confused), so the title is a little misleading... BUT, I think as a first book, it set it up nicely for a banger of a sequel!
- The characters were likable, but the relationships were kind of flat and moved too quickly. For such a so-called "hard-ass," Nola warmed to Maven reeeally quickly and I didn't quite connect with what otherwise would have been a sweet found-family vibe. And then Blue and the green sisters seemed so interesting but never felt fully realized; also, why was Ruchel high witch when everyone always turned to Maven...? I think I just wanted more from the lot of them, though I did enjoy the air of secrets and not quite knowing who was on Maven's side and who was against her.
Overall, I really liked this book and ate it up SO fast. I adore S.L. Prater's writing and the wicked plots she weaves. I think if this one had been longer and fleshed out a bit more, it would've been a stronger series opener, but of course with that cliffhanger I will be clawing my way through life until book two drops!!
June 22, 2025
{I received this book as an e-ARC from the author herself [I have permission to use the blurb as a part of her ARC Team]}
"Defy the gods. Win the games. Trust no one with your heart.
Maven is going to make the gods pay for killing her little sister. But when her desperate plan backfires, the avenging witch is captured by Death himself. Her sentence: she must compete in the Crow Games for the amusement of the divines.
Those forced to participate are trapped on a train which travels through a gritty, gaslit Otherworld. Each stop is a new trial and means certain death for those who don’t make it to the next platform in time. But Maven is not the only vengeful witch on board. Soon she and her new coven of misfits hatch a greater plan: break out of the Otherworld and beat Death at his own game.
Not all her allies are what they seem, however. The greatest mystery of them all is Asher, the menacing reaper who wears his secrets like a cloak. Maven shouldn’t trust a man who might be a spy for the vindictive gods, but she’s the only one his touch doesn’t harm. And the more she sees of the poet’s heart beneath his dangerous exterior, the more she suspects that Asher might be her fiercest ally … or her downfall."
Maven is a fantastic main character who really captures the reader by the way her emotions radiate through her thoughts. Both the good and the bad.
She is reliable, and you can't help but like her and be interested in what happens to her both on the train and in the Crow Games.
There are times in the book when she is not reliable, but there is a very good reason for that, which you will have to read to find out!
S.L. Prater is an amazing writer, and I hope that someone else out there will read her absolutely nervewracking masterpiece of a book! It’s simply just brilliant!
If you want to know more about it, check out the next picture with the tropes from the book.
And then we can all look forward to book 2 being released next year!
"Defy the gods. Win the games. Trust no one with your heart.
Maven is going to make the gods pay for killing her little sister. But when her desperate plan backfires, the avenging witch is captured by Death himself. Her sentence: she must compete in the Crow Games for the amusement of the divines.
Those forced to participate are trapped on a train which travels through a gritty, gaslit Otherworld. Each stop is a new trial and means certain death for those who don’t make it to the next platform in time. But Maven is not the only vengeful witch on board. Soon she and her new coven of misfits hatch a greater plan: break out of the Otherworld and beat Death at his own game.
Not all her allies are what they seem, however. The greatest mystery of them all is Asher, the menacing reaper who wears his secrets like a cloak. Maven shouldn’t trust a man who might be a spy for the vindictive gods, but she’s the only one his touch doesn’t harm. And the more she sees of the poet’s heart beneath his dangerous exterior, the more she suspects that Asher might be her fiercest ally … or her downfall."
Maven is a fantastic main character who really captures the reader by the way her emotions radiate through her thoughts. Both the good and the bad.
She is reliable, and you can't help but like her and be interested in what happens to her both on the train and in the Crow Games.
There are times in the book when she is not reliable, but there is a very good reason for that, which you will have to read to find out!
S.L. Prater is an amazing writer, and I hope that someone else out there will read her absolutely nervewracking masterpiece of a book! It’s simply just brilliant!
If you want to know more about it, check out the next picture with the tropes from the book.
And then we can all look forward to book 2 being released next year!
May 26, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I cannot wait for January to get here so that I can finish the duology. Some of the strongest things about this book are the beginning and the end. The first chapter HOOKED me in. It had me wanting to know more about the main character, had me go through overwhelming sadness, and then it had me wanting to follow Maven on her path to revenge… I was willing to be that ride or die chick for this character I hardly knew… I believe I even uttered the words, “Who’s ass we kickin’, Maven?!”. The ending left on a cliffhanger, and while I typically I’m not a fan of cliffhangers, it is a great segway into book two. Impatience be damned.
I enjoyed the worldbuilding, as well as, the narrative voice. I do think the title of the book might be somewhat misleading. Are the characters taking part in dangerous trials? Yes, they are, but I don’t think that’s the main focus of the book. In other books where actual physical trials are part of the story, they are more fleshed out and described, every single one. This novel doesn’t do that. Some are described in greater detail than others — some not at all. So if you’re thinking this book is going to be a gaslampy Hunger Games, that’s not it. This is more of a character-driven plot. Maven does quite a bit of growing in this book. She does go through external stressors and grows from them, but it doesn’t compare to her internal stressors and growth.
For you romance lovers, this is a very very slow burn, but it’s worth it. I don’t think it would have worked out if it was anything but a slow burn. It adds to the reader yearning for the second book.
Is there a shadow daddy? Yup. Is that what draws me to him? Naw. This shadow daddy has a way with words, both spoken and written.
I’m really wanting to know what happens next.
I enjoyed the worldbuilding, as well as, the narrative voice. I do think the title of the book might be somewhat misleading. Are the characters taking part in dangerous trials? Yes, they are, but I don’t think that’s the main focus of the book. In other books where actual physical trials are part of the story, they are more fleshed out and described, every single one. This novel doesn’t do that. Some are described in greater detail than others — some not at all. So if you’re thinking this book is going to be a gaslampy Hunger Games, that’s not it. This is more of a character-driven plot. Maven does quite a bit of growing in this book. She does go through external stressors and grows from them, but it doesn’t compare to her internal stressors and growth.
For you romance lovers, this is a very very slow burn, but it’s worth it. I don’t think it would have worked out if it was anything but a slow burn. It adds to the reader yearning for the second book.
Is there a shadow daddy? Yup. Is that what draws me to him? Naw. This shadow daddy has a way with words, both spoken and written.
I’m really wanting to know what happens next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2025
First, I’d like to thank S. L. Prater for the ARC copy of this book to review! I am very grateful, and the following is my honest review!
I’m going to start at the end because THAT. ENDING. I’m sorry, but I need book 2 almost immediately. LIKE WHOA. One of the best book endings. I did guess one of the plot twists, which I won’t spoil here, however, I never guessed the book would end that way. To me, that is the sign of an excellent book - you guess a plot twist only to have it not be the biggest twist or takeaway.
Ok, back to the beginning. A lot (and I mean A LOT) happens in the first chapter. Actually, in the first few chapters. The pacing is very quick and it takes a second to understand all the pieces that are being laid out for you. However, Prater does a great job later in the book reliving and reviewing some of those first moments, so that you can relive them with the FMC, and more fully understand and feel them.
Our FMC is MULTI-layered. We are constantly learning about her and her past. She’s like an artichoke - tough on the outside, but once you peel back the leaves, you get to the gooey heart. Not that she would appreciate that at all ;)
Our MMC? Love. 100%. He’s lovely. He keeps the bullet (when you know, you’ll know), and I think it’s adorable. I love his vulnerability. I love his heart. I love his shadows. UGH, and the waistcoat.
This book really hits its stride at the end of chapter 4. After that, you really settle in to the writing style, the characters, and the story. The pacing of the first part of the book starts to make sense, and it really balances out after that.
I cannot wait until the next book, because I genuinely have no idea what’s going to happen. We have a lot of characters to explore, loose ends to resolve, and SO MANY QUESTIONS to answer!
I’m going to start at the end because THAT. ENDING. I’m sorry, but I need book 2 almost immediately. LIKE WHOA. One of the best book endings. I did guess one of the plot twists, which I won’t spoil here, however, I never guessed the book would end that way. To me, that is the sign of an excellent book - you guess a plot twist only to have it not be the biggest twist or takeaway.
Ok, back to the beginning. A lot (and I mean A LOT) happens in the first chapter. Actually, in the first few chapters. The pacing is very quick and it takes a second to understand all the pieces that are being laid out for you. However, Prater does a great job later in the book reliving and reviewing some of those first moments, so that you can relive them with the FMC, and more fully understand and feel them.
Our FMC is MULTI-layered. We are constantly learning about her and her past. She’s like an artichoke - tough on the outside, but once you peel back the leaves, you get to the gooey heart. Not that she would appreciate that at all ;)
Our MMC? Love. 100%. He’s lovely. He keeps the bullet (when you know, you’ll know), and I think it’s adorable. I love his vulnerability. I love his heart. I love his shadows. UGH, and the waistcoat.
This book really hits its stride at the end of chapter 4. After that, you really settle in to the writing style, the characters, and the story. The pacing of the first part of the book starts to make sense, and it really balances out after that.
I cannot wait until the next book, because I genuinely have no idea what’s going to happen. We have a lot of characters to explore, loose ends to resolve, and SO MANY QUESTIONS to answer!
May 20, 2025
3.5⭐️
S.L. Prater is always an automatic read so I have really enjoyed being on her ARC team! The Crow Games is the first book in her newest upcoming duology, Coven of the Crow. The story focuses on Maven, an ancient grey witch who has to keep her magic hidden, who just lost her beloved younger sister. Hell bent on revenge Maven rips open a hole into the Otherworld to find her sister's killer. But with this accidental attack on Death, she is imprisoned to train of bones and must participate in The Crow Games if she wants a second chance to live. The Crow Games are a series of high stake trials controlled and created by the Gods. Through her time in the trials Maven forms a new coven full of complex and problematic witches, becomes the interest of a dangerous reaper, and struggles through her journey of grief and vengeance.
Overall I really enjoyed this book! I loved the characters and the trials. Maven and her new coven have some amazing scenes and their little found family is so perfect. They all have their own problems to work through while supporting each other. The banter between Maven and reaper Asher was great but wow what a slow slow burn. Definitely one of the slowest burn relationships S.L. Prater has ever done. The twists and turns were great but what I struggled with was the pacing. It felt a bit disjointed at times especially since we jumped around during big plot points and the trials were out of order because of this. For me I had trouble keeping track of the locations and some of the trials. That being said I am very excited for the next! That ending wasn't what I was expecting so I can't wait to see what comes next for Maven and Asher!
S.L. Prater is always an automatic read so I have really enjoyed being on her ARC team! The Crow Games is the first book in her newest upcoming duology, Coven of the Crow. The story focuses on Maven, an ancient grey witch who has to keep her magic hidden, who just lost her beloved younger sister. Hell bent on revenge Maven rips open a hole into the Otherworld to find her sister's killer. But with this accidental attack on Death, she is imprisoned to train of bones and must participate in The Crow Games if she wants a second chance to live. The Crow Games are a series of high stake trials controlled and created by the Gods. Through her time in the trials Maven forms a new coven full of complex and problematic witches, becomes the interest of a dangerous reaper, and struggles through her journey of grief and vengeance.
Overall I really enjoyed this book! I loved the characters and the trials. Maven and her new coven have some amazing scenes and their little found family is so perfect. They all have their own problems to work through while supporting each other. The banter between Maven and reaper Asher was great but wow what a slow slow burn. Definitely one of the slowest burn relationships S.L. Prater has ever done. The twists and turns were great but what I struggled with was the pacing. It felt a bit disjointed at times especially since we jumped around during big plot points and the trials were out of order because of this. For me I had trouble keeping track of the locations and some of the trials. That being said I am very excited for the next! That ending wasn't what I was expecting so I can't wait to see what comes next for Maven and Asher!
May 23, 2025
The Crow Games by S.L. Prater
Coven of the Crows #1
My oh my! Swept into this immersive first book in a duology and carried through to the end only to hit a cliffhanger that has me waiting with bated breath for the conclusion!
What I liked:
* All of it – even the parts that I didn’t like, because they enriched the story
* Maven Elder: ancient, magical, older sister, has BIG secrets, loved her sister, wants revenge, lethal, giving, caring, seems to fear her power, intriguing, attracted to Asher
* Asher: Raven, shadowy, sometimes invisible, poet, ancient, caring, ferries the dead, protective, knowledgeable, attracted to Maven
* The way the story comes together with snippets from the past
* The “coven” that is created in the “Otherworld” to survive the “Games”
* The mythology, gods and goddesses, the “train”, and all that goes into creating the Otherworld that Maven and the others find themselves in
* Thinking about how alliances are formed and what would be necessary to create a strong one
* Feeling immersed in the story, feeling the pain of losing loved ones, and thinking about what some were willing to give up or forced to give up to further the story
* That I cared about the characters and the outcome of the story
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing – complex and compelling
* The gob smacking ending
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The reality of losing friends and family to evil and the pain it can incur
* Having to wait for the next book
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes
Thank you to the author and BookFunnel for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Coven of the Crows #1
My oh my! Swept into this immersive first book in a duology and carried through to the end only to hit a cliffhanger that has me waiting with bated breath for the conclusion!
What I liked:
* All of it – even the parts that I didn’t like, because they enriched the story
* Maven Elder: ancient, magical, older sister, has BIG secrets, loved her sister, wants revenge, lethal, giving, caring, seems to fear her power, intriguing, attracted to Asher
* Asher: Raven, shadowy, sometimes invisible, poet, ancient, caring, ferries the dead, protective, knowledgeable, attracted to Maven
* The way the story comes together with snippets from the past
* The “coven” that is created in the “Otherworld” to survive the “Games”
* The mythology, gods and goddesses, the “train”, and all that goes into creating the Otherworld that Maven and the others find themselves in
* Thinking about how alliances are formed and what would be necessary to create a strong one
* Feeling immersed in the story, feeling the pain of losing loved ones, and thinking about what some were willing to give up or forced to give up to further the story
* That I cared about the characters and the outcome of the story
* The plot, pacing, setting, and writing – complex and compelling
* The gob smacking ending
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The reality of losing friends and family to evil and the pain it can incur
* Having to wait for the next book
Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes
Thank you to the author and BookFunnel for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
May 30, 2025
Title: The Crow Games
Author: S.L. Prater
Synopsis: Defy the gods. Win the games. Trust no one with your heart.
Maven is going to make the gods pay for killing her little sister. But when her desperate plan backfires, the avenging witch is captured by Death himself. Her she must compete in the Crow Games for the amusement of the divines.
Those forced to participate are trapped on a train which travels through a gritty, gaslit Otherworld. Each stop is a new trial and means certain death for those who don’t make it to the next platform in time. But Maven is not the only vengeful witch on board. Soon she and her new coven of misfits hatch a greater break out of the Otherworld and beat Death at his own game.
Not all her allies are what they seem, however. The greatest mystery of them all is Asher, the menacing reaper who wears his secrets like a cloak. Maven shouldn’t trust a man who might be a spy for the vindictive gods, but she’s the only one his touch doesn’t harm. And the more she sees of the poet’s heart beneath his dangerous exterior, the more she suspects that Asher might be her fiercest ally … or her downfall.
Review: I’m so glad I got the opportunity to read this arc! It was fantastic and I had so much fun with it! I can’t wait for the sequel! Maven is such a great character and I truly felt sympathetic for her! I can’t imagine how it feels to lose a sister! It truly has affected her and it shows throughout the book! I loved watching the found family in this book it was authentic and it was a joy to read! The romance was slow and I was rooting for it!That ending though it left left me needing that sequel to find out what happens next!
Author: S.L. Prater
Synopsis: Defy the gods. Win the games. Trust no one with your heart.
Maven is going to make the gods pay for killing her little sister. But when her desperate plan backfires, the avenging witch is captured by Death himself. Her she must compete in the Crow Games for the amusement of the divines.
Those forced to participate are trapped on a train which travels through a gritty, gaslit Otherworld. Each stop is a new trial and means certain death for those who don’t make it to the next platform in time. But Maven is not the only vengeful witch on board. Soon she and her new coven of misfits hatch a greater break out of the Otherworld and beat Death at his own game.
Not all her allies are what they seem, however. The greatest mystery of them all is Asher, the menacing reaper who wears his secrets like a cloak. Maven shouldn’t trust a man who might be a spy for the vindictive gods, but she’s the only one his touch doesn’t harm. And the more she sees of the poet’s heart beneath his dangerous exterior, the more she suspects that Asher might be her fiercest ally … or her downfall.
Review: I’m so glad I got the opportunity to read this arc! It was fantastic and I had so much fun with it! I can’t wait for the sequel! Maven is such a great character and I truly felt sympathetic for her! I can’t imagine how it feels to lose a sister! It truly has affected her and it shows throughout the book! I loved watching the found family in this book it was authentic and it was a joy to read! The romance was slow and I was rooting for it!That ending though it left left me needing that sequel to find out what happens next!
June 9, 2025
"Many insist devils are the most fearsome of creatures. But I tell you,no fury burns hotter than that of an avenging witch"
“I served in the Sebrak Republic army, but that’s not why I follow her orders. I’ve always had a tender spot for pushy women.”
The setting feels like 1870’s, dark cloaks and smokie air with magical steam-powered locomotives. Where gods like to intervene and punish a bit too much all kinds of creatures.
Maven is doing everything to protect her sunshine little sister and herself. They must portrait as just two green witches, with their small shop, offering salves and other remedies.
But the wish to experience life is too strong for her little sister and Maven agrees for one night at the town’s festival… well, let’s leave it at that.
(Please note that I’m from EU, I’m not the best to describe triggers for other readers. S.L.Prater is amazing describing content warnings, so read it on the book 😊)
The Crow Games are the punishment from the gods to all that transgress their morals, justly or unjustly. Daily trials are required to survive, and many do not make it.
Maven is now forced to fight for her life, end the games and unalive a few gods. What she does not expect is to find a found family of witches and a particular crow, a reaper, Asher (now is time to find fanart 🥵). Why can she touch a reaper? And who’s side he’s on?
Prepare to fall for every single witch in Maven’s small coven, see them wanting to depend on each other and fight together, with or without secrets between them.
I’m always so impressed with the amount of feelings, character layers and world complexity in such a small number of pages.
It’s a slow burn (when I say it’s slow, I mean slow) and ends in a cliffhanger (you think you know, but you have no idea).
- Magical train
- Trials
- Enemies to “how in the world” are they going to be lovers
- Survival
- Found family (the heart of this book)
- 4,5 ⭐ /5
- 1 🍆 /5 (inside a train cabin 🥵. Note my spice rating does not mean little to loads of spice, it means this is a slow burn)
- emotional intelligent MMC
- noble but grey FMC
“I served in the Sebrak Republic army, but that’s not why I follow her orders. I’ve always had a tender spot for pushy women.”
The setting feels like 1870’s, dark cloaks and smokie air with magical steam-powered locomotives. Where gods like to intervene and punish a bit too much all kinds of creatures.
Maven is doing everything to protect her sunshine little sister and herself. They must portrait as just two green witches, with their small shop, offering salves and other remedies.
But the wish to experience life is too strong for her little sister and Maven agrees for one night at the town’s festival… well, let’s leave it at that.
(Please note that I’m from EU, I’m not the best to describe triggers for other readers. S.L.Prater is amazing describing content warnings, so read it on the book 😊)
The Crow Games are the punishment from the gods to all that transgress their morals, justly or unjustly. Daily trials are required to survive, and many do not make it.
Maven is now forced to fight for her life, end the games and unalive a few gods. What she does not expect is to find a found family of witches and a particular crow, a reaper, Asher (now is time to find fanart 🥵). Why can she touch a reaper? And who’s side he’s on?
Prepare to fall for every single witch in Maven’s small coven, see them wanting to depend on each other and fight together, with or without secrets between them.
I’m always so impressed with the amount of feelings, character layers and world complexity in such a small number of pages.
It’s a slow burn (when I say it’s slow, I mean slow) and ends in a cliffhanger (you think you know, but you have no idea).
- Magical train
- Trials
- Enemies to “how in the world” are they going to be lovers
- Survival
- Found family (the heart of this book)
- 4,5 ⭐ /5
- 1 🍆 /5 (inside a train cabin 🥵. Note my spice rating does not mean little to loads of spice, it means this is a slow burn)
- emotional intelligent MMC
- noble but grey FMC
May 23, 2025
This book blew my mind! The Crow Games is book 1 of 2 by S. L. Prater. Think The Hunger Games combined with The Witcher, adding in mythology. I knew that Maven was going to be our morally gray FMC, but you peel back pieces of her all through out the book. Asher is the morally black shadow daddy. After Maven finds herself on Death’s train after trying to go after him in the midst of a crushing loss, she discovers she is trapped on the train as a punishment. She must participate in The Crow Games, which is put together by the gods for their own entertainment. Maven must build her own team of allies, but the shadow spy (Asher) keeps lurking around. She does not trust him at all, and really just wants him to go away or die. She can’t chance that he will learn her secrets and the others find out, or worse, the gods find out.
Reliving her pain, becoming consumed with retribution and revenge, and having to gain the trust of her team is a constant challenge as they go through each challenge. So many magical and mythical creatures to hide from or fight for their lives. All the while, Asher slowly gains Maven’s trust and they can accept the darkness within each other.
The ending will have you on the edge of your seat, falling straight off the edge of the cliff and not sure that you can make it until January 2026 for book 2. For now, The Crow Games releases May 26th. Pre-order now and be ready to run.
Thank you to S.L. Prater for the eARC and the chance to be a part of your Street Team. My review is my honest opinion.
Reliving her pain, becoming consumed with retribution and revenge, and having to gain the trust of her team is a constant challenge as they go through each challenge. So many magical and mythical creatures to hide from or fight for their lives. All the while, Asher slowly gains Maven’s trust and they can accept the darkness within each other.
The ending will have you on the edge of your seat, falling straight off the edge of the cliff and not sure that you can make it until January 2026 for book 2. For now, The Crow Games releases May 26th. Pre-order now and be ready to run.
Thank you to S.L. Prater for the eARC and the chance to be a part of your Street Team. My review is my honest opinion.
May 25, 2025
▸God games and bloody trials
▸Witch vs Reaper
▸Enemies to lovers
▸Badass girl gang
▸Dark romantasy duology
▸Slow burn
▸Shadow daddy
▸Vengeance
Maven is going to make the gods pay for killing her little sister, and her anger caused her magic to explode, attacking the god of Death, and burning down her village. as a result of her actions, Maven was sent to a prison for witches or warlocks who had wronged the gods. but it was no ordinary prison, it was a place of survival where every trial was a matter of life and death for every prisoner. Maven not only has to survive against monsters made by the gods but also has to survive against a coven of witches who are ready to rob her things or target her body parts.
think of the hunger games, but in coven vs coven way✨ and the gods as the promotor also the spectators. it's a fast-paced and gripping book from the beginning to the end of the book🤩 a really good story and I really enjoyed it! the characters are well defined, great descriptions of the places and actions that transport the readers within the story. I love the fights the trials and how it’s a real slow burnnn🔥 between Maven and Asher, but so good! I’m sooo excited to see what happens in the next book!
♥️Thank you so much S.L Prater for the gifted copy, I'm so very grateful for the opportunity♥️
▸Witch vs Reaper
▸Enemies to lovers
▸Badass girl gang
▸Dark romantasy duology
▸Slow burn
▸Shadow daddy
▸Vengeance
"I didn't know which god had wrong me. If I killed them all, I couldn't miss."
Maven is going to make the gods pay for killing her little sister, and her anger caused her magic to explode, attacking the god of Death, and burning down her village. as a result of her actions, Maven was sent to a prison for witches or warlocks who had wronged the gods. but it was no ordinary prison, it was a place of survival where every trial was a matter of life and death for every prisoner. Maven not only has to survive against monsters made by the gods but also has to survive against a coven of witches who are ready to rob her things or target her body parts.
think of the hunger games, but in coven vs coven way✨ and the gods as the promotor also the spectators. it's a fast-paced and gripping book from the beginning to the end of the book🤩 a really good story and I really enjoyed it! the characters are well defined, great descriptions of the places and actions that transport the readers within the story. I love the fights the trials and how it’s a real slow burnnn🔥 between Maven and Asher, but so good! I’m sooo excited to see what happens in the next book!
♥️Thank you so much S.L Prater for the gifted copy, I'm so very grateful for the opportunity♥️
June 30, 2025
💔This one hurts, folks.
Because I adore this author. Her words? Magic. Her worlds? I want to live in them. Her characters? Usually, I’m emotionally attached by page 3. So giving this book only 3 ⭐️ feels like I’m personally betraying my bookish soul. But… here we are.
Let’s talk romance — I’m a romance gremlin. Insta-love, forbidden, enemies to lovers, slow burn? Yes, yes, and yes. But this wasn’t just a slow burn. This was a “glacial, possibly stuck in a time loop where nothing happens” kind of burn. And I could’ve lived with that, if we’d had more actual connection between the two MCs. The book is short and moves quickly… except, somehow, the romance didn’t show up to the party.
Now, I get that she’s grieving her sister — that part was emotional and important. But the creation of the coven? Kinda took over the whole show. I found myself missing the intimacy and emotional build-up that usually pulls me in.
Plot twist-wise? Some surprises landed well, but I spotted the final twist from miles away. Like, “waving at it from chapter four” levels of predictable. Still, it was fun when it happened.
The cliffhanger? Totally set up for book two, but because of how much I wanted to love this and didn’t quite get there, I’m not as hyped as I wish I were.
Am I still reading the sequel? Obviously. It’s this author. I’ll always come back.
Just hoping book two gives me that signature magic again.✨
Because I adore this author. Her words? Magic. Her worlds? I want to live in them. Her characters? Usually, I’m emotionally attached by page 3. So giving this book only 3 ⭐️ feels like I’m personally betraying my bookish soul. But… here we are.
Let’s talk romance — I’m a romance gremlin. Insta-love, forbidden, enemies to lovers, slow burn? Yes, yes, and yes. But this wasn’t just a slow burn. This was a “glacial, possibly stuck in a time loop where nothing happens” kind of burn. And I could’ve lived with that, if we’d had more actual connection between the two MCs. The book is short and moves quickly… except, somehow, the romance didn’t show up to the party.
Now, I get that she’s grieving her sister — that part was emotional and important. But the creation of the coven? Kinda took over the whole show. I found myself missing the intimacy and emotional build-up that usually pulls me in.
Plot twist-wise? Some surprises landed well, but I spotted the final twist from miles away. Like, “waving at it from chapter four” levels of predictable. Still, it was fun when it happened.
The cliffhanger? Totally set up for book two, but because of how much I wanted to love this and didn’t quite get there, I’m not as hyped as I wish I were.
Am I still reading the sequel? Obviously. It’s this author. I’ll always come back.
Just hoping book two gives me that signature magic again.✨
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