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Chasing Ravens
Orphaned at a young age, 15-year old Anouk’s punishment for being too outspoken is an arranged marriage worse than any she could imagine. Fleeing on horseback, yet without a sense of where to turn, she stumbles upon an idyllic village where she finds safe haven. Could this be home?
When a curse threatens to kill the villagers she’s come to love, Anouk takes on the dangers of the natural and magical worlds to save them. Her journey takes her deep into the Dark Woods where she must draw on all her strength to survive, but will come to realize that these magic woods hold the key to discovering a gift she never knew she had.
Ultimately, it will lead her to confront the very face of death, yet amidst the danger and darkness, she meets a handsome woodsman and finds a glowing blue flower with power beyond her wildest dreams.
Inspired by Russian fairytales and steeped in ancient folklore, Paige’s novel is ripe with fantasy, love, and courage.
When a curse threatens to kill the villagers she’s come to love, Anouk takes on the dangers of the natural and magical worlds to save them. Her journey takes her deep into the Dark Woods where she must draw on all her strength to survive, but will come to realize that these magic woods hold the key to discovering a gift she never knew she had.
Ultimately, it will lead her to confront the very face of death, yet amidst the danger and darkness, she meets a handsome woodsman and finds a glowing blue flower with power beyond her wildest dreams.
Inspired by Russian fairytales and steeped in ancient folklore, Paige’s novel is ripe with fantasy, love, and courage.
183 pages, ebook
First published December 1, 2014
4 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
About the author
Jessica E. Paige
1 book5 followersJessica Paige hails from the Seattle area where she lives with her husband and two dogs. Though she was raised in the Pacific Northwest, Jessica has long been intrigued by the ancient folklore of her Slavic and Lithuanian roots. Her love of horses and the outdoors led her to a career in environmental outreach, and her studies in herbalism. When she’s not working or writing, you’ll probably find her digging in the garden, creating herbal remedies, or walking in the woods with her dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 24, 2015
Thanks to Netgalley and Booktrope for giving me this book to review.
When orphan Anouk is arranged to marry the worse man she could imagine at the age of 15 she decides to run away, and stumbles upon a village called Devya which she could make home. When a curse threatens Devya, Anouk ventures into the neighbouring magical forest to save them. In the Dark Woods she meets a handsome woodsman but it will take all her strength to survive.
Chasing Ravens is an OK light fantasy novel which has a Russian fairy tale feel, and is a quick read, but the pacing was very slow in the beginning of the book. It has action, adventure and a bit of romance. While the story idea was interesting, I didn’t particularly care what was going to happen next.
Anouk is a nice character, as she was courageous and determined to help those who were kind to her. I also liked most of the town folk of Devya but I wish we could have spent more time with them. However, the romance did not feel necessary and I did not feel any spark between the two of them.
Chasing Ravens is an OK read, and I would recommend to fans of very light fantasy novels.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
When orphan Anouk is arranged to marry the worse man she could imagine at the age of 15 she decides to run away, and stumbles upon a village called Devya which she could make home. When a curse threatens Devya, Anouk ventures into the neighbouring magical forest to save them. In the Dark Woods she meets a handsome woodsman but it will take all her strength to survive.
Chasing Ravens is an OK light fantasy novel which has a Russian fairy tale feel, and is a quick read, but the pacing was very slow in the beginning of the book. It has action, adventure and a bit of romance. While the story idea was interesting, I didn’t particularly care what was going to happen next.
Anouk is a nice character, as she was courageous and determined to help those who were kind to her. I also liked most of the town folk of Devya but I wish we could have spent more time with them. However, the romance did not feel necessary and I did not feel any spark between the two of them.
Chasing Ravens is an OK read, and I would recommend to fans of very light fantasy novels.
This and my other reviews can be found at Amethyst Bookwyrm
January 20, 2015
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
I haven't been pulled into a story like I was into Chasing Ravens... well, in a very long time. There was just something about this story that captivated me. I didn't want to put it down, and I'm glad I had the day off to read. I would characterize this as a coming-of-age, character-driven novel. Main character Anouk learns to reach for what she wants in life, not to wait for others to act.
Anouk was an amazing character-- so well-written. I absolutely loved her. in fact all of the characters, no matter how small the role, were well-developed. Anouk was the epitome of kindness and courage, humbleness and loyalty. The story was rich in ancient folklore, which I found fascinating. The ancient stories didn't dominate the plot but rather added to it, weaving a rich tapestry.
One thing that stood out was the imagery. It was easy to picture the towns, forests, and the characters, Everything just seemed to leap off the pages and into my imagination. The entire story was the adventure of Anouk's teenage life, and what an adventure it was! She suffered through the death of her family at the beginning of the novel and was sent to live with her uncle in another village. From there her life became harder and more complicated, forcing some tough decisions.
If you like fantasy and folklore, then I highly recommend Chasing Ravens. I think this is a great book for all ages, not just YA-- I would definitely recommend it for voracious middle-grade readers. Fantasy, adventure, bravery, and a touch of sweet romance make Chasing Ravens a winner in my book.
I haven't been pulled into a story like I was into Chasing Ravens... well, in a very long time. There was just something about this story that captivated me. I didn't want to put it down, and I'm glad I had the day off to read. I would characterize this as a coming-of-age, character-driven novel. Main character Anouk learns to reach for what she wants in life, not to wait for others to act.
Anouk was an amazing character-- so well-written. I absolutely loved her. in fact all of the characters, no matter how small the role, were well-developed. Anouk was the epitome of kindness and courage, humbleness and loyalty. The story was rich in ancient folklore, which I found fascinating. The ancient stories didn't dominate the plot but rather added to it, weaving a rich tapestry.
One thing that stood out was the imagery. It was easy to picture the towns, forests, and the characters, Everything just seemed to leap off the pages and into my imagination. The entire story was the adventure of Anouk's teenage life, and what an adventure it was! She suffered through the death of her family at the beginning of the novel and was sent to live with her uncle in another village. From there her life became harder and more complicated, forcing some tough decisions.
If you like fantasy and folklore, then I highly recommend Chasing Ravens. I think this is a great book for all ages, not just YA-- I would definitely recommend it for voracious middle-grade readers. Fantasy, adventure, bravery, and a touch of sweet romance make Chasing Ravens a winner in my book.
March 17, 2015
4.5 stars Wonderful tale. A mystical, magical, and dramatically dark blend of old world lore, myth, and legend. Anouk was a sweet yet fierce, strong and determined girl from the moment we meet her as a wee child. A natural healer, a modest and reluctant heroine, she travels far and wide to find herself, her place in the world, and where her heart longs to call home. Rich in detail from the beautiful and mysterious lands to the magic, traditions, and superstitions of the old ways, CHASING RAVENS had me eagerly following Anouk through trials, tragedies, and triumphs with never ending hope. A truly fantastic dark fairytale with a timely message for a world that seems to be losing its love of diversity and the freedom to believe, practice, and live as one chooses- no matter how big or small, old or young.
*I was gifted a copy of CHASING RAVENS from the author for my honest review and I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn a good bit of Russian folklore- trust me- it's fascinating, and those who love a good old fashioned fairytale.*
*I was gifted a copy of CHASING RAVENS from the author for my honest review and I recommend it to anyone who wants to learn a good bit of Russian folklore- trust me- it's fascinating, and those who love a good old fashioned fairytale.*
January 5, 2015
I read most any genre and I give a book 5 stars when I don't want to put it down. This was certainly the case here! What was most delightully surprising was the character development in this YA book. I like to read YA books but their downfall is often the lack of depth in the characters in exchange for action or story line in general. NOT true here. Anouk (and ALL characters) came to life in a real and heartfelt way. I am having my daughter (10) read this book next as I know she'll love it and Anouk is a strong courageous female heroine!
February 2, 2015
I got this ARC for an honest review by Booktrope via Netgalley
If I had to make a recipe for this book, it'd be a little something like this:
250g of Horse riding- chopped coarsely
150g of Magic and Mythology- microwave until soft.
60g of archery- preferably melted
1 teaspoon of Romance
1 tablespoon of creepy creatures
2 dozen names if healing herbs- fold in gently
Combine everything and Mix well for two minutes.
pour batter- Fairy style
bake for 300 hundred pages.
And Ta-da! you got this book.
This was a sweet, clean read with a heck of a lot of adventure.
Okay So this book begins with us meeting a Character named Anouk (unsual name but still cool and original)
I think Its good for me to point out that this a Russia-based fairytale, I'm pretty sure.
Anouk has recently had an awful tragedy in her life...she lost her parents and her beloved Grandmother.
Anouk, is therefore sent to her only surviving uncle, however, she didn't expect the lack of hospitality she meets in her Aunt and cousin.
They begin to work her to the bone- Cinderella style.
Anouk, bless her heart, doesn't complain.
The only thing she desires- is space. For her to be able to roam the forests, with her trusty horse and her puppy named Pip, she desires to be allowed to practice archery, to heal people and to be able to collected important herbs from the forest without anyone breathing down her neck.
However, in her village she gets the title of witch, because she likes to collect healing herbs. She's had one bout of being outspoken and that sealed her fate. She has become somewhat of a pariah and is therefore labelled- not-marriageable.
And so because her uncle is so easily influenced by his wife and daughter, he agrees to marry her off to a violent man, a drunk man...a seriously base man.
Anouk is only 15 years old and this guy Boris has had 2 wives already!
She does the only thing she can do, she runs away.
I can't blame her, if I had to marry Boris, I'd be gone pronto too!
So as she run away, there's a deluge and she goes and finds shelter, but as she does...nothing looks the same anymore and she meets a curious woman living in a cottage in the middle of the woods, and a horse who was a statue and turned to flesh as she aproached,
The woman welcomes her to Devya- A town filled with intrigue.
Now Anouk finally finds acceptance in Devya- but all that is threatened by an act of rebellious foolery and the trolls cast a deadly spell.
Knowing all will be lost if one doesn't act- Anouk goes into the dark woods to find the only salvation she can think of.
So it begins the adventure.
Okay now, this story was sweet, there was only minor things that made me sigh in dismay and that was the rushed romance, again i know this wasn't the primary focus of the book but i wanted more of that guy throughout this journey.
I really like the mythology aspect (again I'm pretty sure it's russian because i never heard of things like a Leshii before)
it was intriguing!
Its a nice book :)
have a wonderful read
-The Book Herald
If I had to make a recipe for this book, it'd be a little something like this:
250g of Horse riding- chopped coarsely
150g of Magic and Mythology- microwave until soft.
60g of archery- preferably melted
1 teaspoon of Romance
1 tablespoon of creepy creatures
2 dozen names if healing herbs- fold in gently
Combine everything and Mix well for two minutes.
pour batter- Fairy style
bake for 300 hundred pages.
And Ta-da! you got this book.
This was a sweet, clean read with a heck of a lot of adventure.
Okay So this book begins with us meeting a Character named Anouk (unsual name but still cool and original)
I think Its good for me to point out that this a Russia-based fairytale, I'm pretty sure.
Anouk has recently had an awful tragedy in her life...she lost her parents and her beloved Grandmother.
Anouk, is therefore sent to her only surviving uncle, however, she didn't expect the lack of hospitality she meets in her Aunt and cousin.
They begin to work her to the bone- Cinderella style.
Anouk, bless her heart, doesn't complain.
The only thing she desires- is space. For her to be able to roam the forests, with her trusty horse and her puppy named Pip, she desires to be allowed to practice archery, to heal people and to be able to collected important herbs from the forest without anyone breathing down her neck.
However, in her village she gets the title of witch, because she likes to collect healing herbs. She's had one bout of being outspoken and that sealed her fate. She has become somewhat of a pariah and is therefore labelled- not-marriageable.
And so because her uncle is so easily influenced by his wife and daughter, he agrees to marry her off to a violent man, a drunk man...a seriously base man.
Anouk is only 15 years old and this guy Boris has had 2 wives already!
She does the only thing she can do, she runs away.
I can't blame her, if I had to marry Boris, I'd be gone pronto too!
So as she run away, there's a deluge and she goes and finds shelter, but as she does...nothing looks the same anymore and she meets a curious woman living in a cottage in the middle of the woods, and a horse who was a statue and turned to flesh as she aproached,
The woman welcomes her to Devya- A town filled with intrigue.
Now Anouk finally finds acceptance in Devya- but all that is threatened by an act of rebellious foolery and the trolls cast a deadly spell.
Knowing all will be lost if one doesn't act- Anouk goes into the dark woods to find the only salvation she can think of.
So it begins the adventure.
Okay now, this story was sweet, there was only minor things that made me sigh in dismay and that was the rushed romance, again i know this wasn't the primary focus of the book but i wanted more of that guy throughout this journey.
I really like the mythology aspect (again I'm pretty sure it's russian because i never heard of things like a Leshii before)
it was intriguing!
Its a nice book :)
have a wonderful read
-The Book Herald
March 3, 2015
I liked this book, but I didn't love it. The russian culture was weaved in pretty nicely, which is probably my favorite thing about it. The main character is quiet, but smart and brave, and I also appreciated that.
But the problem was the plot, I think. It wasn't clear what the point of the story was. I don't feel much happened. At the beginning, there was too much exposition. So much I was already dreading the next pages, the next half, the whole book.
I managed to get over it when the MC started moving at last, and I liked the concept of girl against world it presented (because it usually is that way).
But then FILLER FILLER FILLER ATTACKS AGAIN
You get the point. IT WAS EVERYWHERE. No one was safe o.o
One thing that especially bugged me was this weird romance with Pavel. The guy doesn't appear until the last quarter of the book, which kind of blew it for me, since I was expecting romance, but um... maybe she should have found the way to introduce it earlier, or give poor Pavel more scene time? And even then, though the chemistry is there, they don't talk to each other a lot. But there is talk of love? When did that happen?!
The overall problem that prevented me from fully enjoying the hidden gems of this book is that it had too much stories crammed into one. They related to each other, sure, but they felt disconnected to me. Anouk first leaves her Uncle's house, and her disgusting could've-been husband, but there's no mention of them again, so... Why make us read about them in the first place? It could've easily been sumed up as backstory instead of being an entire chapter.
I have to praise the fantasy element of the story because it was handled beautifully. I just wish the rest of the book had been as well.
But the problem was the plot, I think. It wasn't clear what the point of the story was. I don't feel much happened. At the beginning, there was too much exposition. So much I was already dreading the next pages, the next half, the whole book.
I managed to get over it when the MC started moving at last, and I liked the concept of girl against world it presented (because it usually is that way).
But then FILLER FILLER FILLER ATTACKS AGAIN
You get the point. IT WAS EVERYWHERE. No one was safe o.o
One thing that especially bugged me was this weird romance with Pavel. The guy doesn't appear until the last quarter of the book, which kind of blew it for me, since I was expecting romance, but um... maybe she should have found the way to introduce it earlier, or give poor Pavel more scene time? And even then, though the chemistry is there, they don't talk to each other a lot. But there is talk of love? When did that happen?!
The overall problem that prevented me from fully enjoying the hidden gems of this book is that it had too much stories crammed into one. They related to each other, sure, but they felt disconnected to me. Anouk first leaves her Uncle's house, and her disgusting could've-been husband, but there's no mention of them again, so... Why make us read about them in the first place? It could've easily been sumed up as backstory instead of being an entire chapter.
I have to praise the fantasy element of the story because it was handled beautifully. I just wish the rest of the book had been as well.
January 24, 2015
Filled with the wonder and mystery of Russian fairy tales, this story is a delight of both the familiar and the strange. Split into three sections, the first tells of how Anouk loses her parents and beloved grandmother and has to go and live with her uncle. There's a familiar feeling to the way she is belittled by her cousin and aunt, working hard alongside her uncle to tend to the animals, while always feeling unloved and excluded. The only time she feels alive is when she goes into the forest to search for herbs. But not everyone is impressed with her skills and slowly Anouk's life is tightened and restricted by the views of others, until the dreaded marriage proposal arrives.
The second part follows Anouk's escape into the forest. Whereas the first section was mundane and miserable, the second introduces a hint of the magic and mystery of the forest as Anouk tries to find herself a new place in the world. I love Russian fairy tales and the way even the most ordinary things can be made special - like a heart hidden inside a needle, inside an egg, inside a duck, inside a hare. Slowly, as Anouk's tale unfolds, more and more of these wonderful touches creep in, until the third part launches a daring quest into the very heart of the woods.
Anouk is just an ordinary girl, one who grew up unafraid of the forest and with a passion for healing herbs. This skill, combined with her natural bravery lead her on a wild adventure of friendship, mystery and love, with her trusty dog Pip by her side and the dark shadows of Baba Yaga, trolls and forest Leshii hanging over her. I like how straight forward and honest she is. Even when she's uncertain of things, she doesn't let it distract her from what needs to be done. She's brave and strong and loyal, and I always wanted her to succeed.
Enchanting and beguiling, this is a story that draws you in with its deceptively slow pace yet builds into a clever adventure with a traditional folklore feel. If you like fairy tales - particularly Russian ones - you should love this.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
The second part follows Anouk's escape into the forest. Whereas the first section was mundane and miserable, the second introduces a hint of the magic and mystery of the forest as Anouk tries to find herself a new place in the world. I love Russian fairy tales and the way even the most ordinary things can be made special - like a heart hidden inside a needle, inside an egg, inside a duck, inside a hare. Slowly, as Anouk's tale unfolds, more and more of these wonderful touches creep in, until the third part launches a daring quest into the very heart of the woods.
Anouk is just an ordinary girl, one who grew up unafraid of the forest and with a passion for healing herbs. This skill, combined with her natural bravery lead her on a wild adventure of friendship, mystery and love, with her trusty dog Pip by her side and the dark shadows of Baba Yaga, trolls and forest Leshii hanging over her. I like how straight forward and honest she is. Even when she's uncertain of things, she doesn't let it distract her from what needs to be done. She's brave and strong and loyal, and I always wanted her to succeed.
Enchanting and beguiling, this is a story that draws you in with its deceptively slow pace yet builds into a clever adventure with a traditional folklore feel. If you like fairy tales - particularly Russian ones - you should love this.
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
March 5, 2015
Chasing Ravens by Jessica E. Paige is a YA fairy tale novel that also contains elements of fantasy, folklore and magic. I was drawn to the story immediately, just from my very first glimpse of the cover. It's simple, everyone has clothes on (which is far too unusual these days) and it's beautiful-I love the colors! Then I read the blurb and knew this was going to be one of those books that crawled into my heart and made itself at home. I was so right.
The main character, Anouk is a wonderful heroine; strong and vulnerable at the same time, and she's sweet and funny and smart. It was incredibly easy to root for her. It wasn't just Anouk, either, all of the characters in the story were fantastically real. They came to life in my head as I was reading with no effort at all. Their vibrancy added to my overall enjoyment of the story in a big way.
The way Paige tells this story is absolutely beautiful; the writing is more like prose. It was addictive and made it even more impossible for me to put the book down. Then we get to the story itself, I was enchanted from the very beginning. There was never a moment in the entirety of the book when I was bored or disappointed-not until the end. And that was just because I didn't want for it to be over. It shocks me that this is the author's debut-it was extremely well done; Paige writes like a seasoned veteran of the craft.
I would recommend this book to readers of all ages. Anyone who loves fantasy, magic, fairy tales, folklore, nature, animals, and just so much more; this book truly had it all. I enjoyed every single enthralling moment and I plan on reading it again and again while I wait for the next installment in Anouk's story!
The main character, Anouk is a wonderful heroine; strong and vulnerable at the same time, and she's sweet and funny and smart. It was incredibly easy to root for her. It wasn't just Anouk, either, all of the characters in the story were fantastically real. They came to life in my head as I was reading with no effort at all. Their vibrancy added to my overall enjoyment of the story in a big way.
The way Paige tells this story is absolutely beautiful; the writing is more like prose. It was addictive and made it even more impossible for me to put the book down. Then we get to the story itself, I was enchanted from the very beginning. There was never a moment in the entirety of the book when I was bored or disappointed-not until the end. And that was just because I didn't want for it to be over. It shocks me that this is the author's debut-it was extremely well done; Paige writes like a seasoned veteran of the craft.
I would recommend this book to readers of all ages. Anyone who loves fantasy, magic, fairy tales, folklore, nature, animals, and just so much more; this book truly had it all. I enjoyed every single enthralling moment and I plan on reading it again and again while I wait for the next installment in Anouk's story!
January 5, 2015
This is a fantastic debut novel for young adults. It is unique in that its focus and setting are rural, historic Russia with all the accompanying folklore and customs.
This is a young girl's story of loss, perseverance, and resourcefulness as she loses her parents, has a Cinderella like experience with distant relatives, escapes a prearranged marriage, and forges new relationships in a remote village. She has a keen interest in animals, archery, and the healing powers in plants, all of which come into play as she outwits trolls, ogres, and more. A touch of romance, a continued sense of urgency, and likable characters keep the reader pressing eagerly on to the dramatic conclusion with the formidable Baba Yaga. This could easily be set up as a series.
Some of the unsavory characters could have been made to seem a bit more evil and the pacing was slowed a bit too much by the steady emphasis on plants, yet this is a strong debut that will prove inspiring to those who enjoy stories of people defying and overcoming extraordinary circumstances.
This is a young girl's story of loss, perseverance, and resourcefulness as she loses her parents, has a Cinderella like experience with distant relatives, escapes a prearranged marriage, and forges new relationships in a remote village. She has a keen interest in animals, archery, and the healing powers in plants, all of which come into play as she outwits trolls, ogres, and more. A touch of romance, a continued sense of urgency, and likable characters keep the reader pressing eagerly on to the dramatic conclusion with the formidable Baba Yaga. This could easily be set up as a series.
Some of the unsavory characters could have been made to seem a bit more evil and the pacing was slowed a bit too much by the steady emphasis on plants, yet this is a strong debut that will prove inspiring to those who enjoy stories of people defying and overcoming extraordinary circumstances.
January 31, 2015
I received a copy of this book for free from Booktrope in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Chasing Ravens is a beautiful story, woven from folklore around a young girl searching for a place to belong. Anouk is a quiet, lonely girl forced to live with her snobbish aunt and disinterested uncle in a new village after the deaths of her parents and her beloved grandmother. A renowned healer, she had begun teaching Anouk to follow in her footsteps, telling tales of mythical creatures who live in the woods. The only thing that brings Anouk comfort in her new, unwelcoming home is walking alone in the woods, collecting herbs that her aunt sells at the market, and recalling her grandmother’s stories.
Read the full review at https://fangirlsreaditfirst.wordpress...
Chasing Ravens is a beautiful story, woven from folklore around a young girl searching for a place to belong. Anouk is a quiet, lonely girl forced to live with her snobbish aunt and disinterested uncle in a new village after the deaths of her parents and her beloved grandmother. A renowned healer, she had begun teaching Anouk to follow in her footsteps, telling tales of mythical creatures who live in the woods. The only thing that brings Anouk comfort in her new, unwelcoming home is walking alone in the woods, collecting herbs that her aunt sells at the market, and recalling her grandmother’s stories.
Read the full review at https://fangirlsreaditfirst.wordpress...
December 23, 2014
This book reminded me of The Lord of the Rings if it were written by a female for a female audience. I loved it! The writing was feminine and sweet yet tough at the same time. I loved how Anouk was a kick-ass archer like Katniss in the Hunger Games, but was also an innocent and a healer. This book was exactly how I like my fantasy. Fast-paced, well-written, and fun with just a hint of a potential romance to keep me hooked. I have a soft spot for fairy tale energy in a book too and this book was based on a fairy tale although I'll be honest I am not familiar with Russian fairy tales at all. Highly recommend this one for the YA audience. It is super clean and I would let me nieces read it.
In the spirit of full-disclosure, I work for the publisher but this did not impact my review.
In the spirit of full-disclosure, I work for the publisher but this did not impact my review.
January 2, 2015
I LOVE this book. Anouk is sweet, strong, independant, and brave. There are a handful of stories like this, which I also love, but Jessica put the time and thought into this book to make it one of the very best of its kind. She apparently has a passion for horses and animals, which is always nice. The book is very descriptive, it gives you perfect vison in your mind of what the surroundings look like, and what the characters are going through. It's a beautiful story!
The story is adventurous and keeps you captivated the entire time. I couldn't put it down once I started it. I hope Chasing Ravens gets the hype it deserves. Well done Mrs. Paige. I certainly hope there will be a sequel! Thanks for sharing your amazing talents with the world.
The story is adventurous and keeps you captivated the entire time. I couldn't put it down once I started it. I hope Chasing Ravens gets the hype it deserves. Well done Mrs. Paige. I certainly hope there will be a sequel! Thanks for sharing your amazing talents with the world.
January 25, 2015
I enjoyed Chasing Ravens immensely. With beautiful imagery the author draws you into the village life and folklore of Russia long ago. Throughout the book I felt I was there. The story evolves into Anouk's quests in the Dark woods in which old folk tales come to life and keeps you spellbound to the very end. This book offers a young heroine who is humble ,courageous and kind and uses the healing gifts that nature provides to triumph over evil. It was a breath of fresh air.
February 5, 2015
This book was amazing. So many twists and turns. You fall in love with the characters. I personally would recommend this to any one who likes fantasy and fairy tales. Please pick this adventure book up. If your not so much of a love person this book has just the right amount and not instant love like most books now a days.
February 7, 2017
Filled with Russian folklore, this story begins when Anouk is 15 years old and is being punished for being outspoken with an arranged marriage to a mean old man. She runs away and is taken in by kind villagers where she learns more about gathering herbs used for healing. When the leader of the village falls mysteriously ill, Anouk feels it is her duty to find a cure to repay him for his kindness and that of the entire village. She goes into the dangerous Dark Woods to find a healer and finds adventure and romance as well.
June 23, 2020
Reminded me a lot of The Bear and the Nightingale. Miserable Russian girl deals with creatures from folklore but mostly contends with a shitty family. There were too many characters to keep track of, and Anouk herself was super bland, but I liked the story and the folklore aspects.
February 22, 2015
There's definitely a unique story somewhere in here; but it's hidden do the choppy and unrefined writing style. I just couldn't get into it, no matter how hard I tried. And trust me; I tried hard.
I'd been wanting to read Chasing Ravens for the longest time, you see. The story sounded so unique. But even though Chasing Ravens has a unique plotline, it didn't feel special to me. It didn't have that wow factor.
Reason numero uno for this was due to the major infodumps at the beginning. Alas, the main way of getting information across about Anouk's backstory was this questionable writing technique. And therefore, while Anouk's backstory could have been an interesting way for me to get to know her character and start to like her, it ended up simply being tedious.
The writing also seemed very rushed. Especially in the beginning; again, the story became tedious when it could have been a nice way to get to see what shaped Anouk's life. It skipped from scene to scene with only three asterisks as a lead in. As a result, it was hard to transition from the previous setting to the next.
As for the characters...meh. I never cared much for Anouk; she didn't have the spirit or the wit, save for like two scenes, that I like to see in my main characters. I'm not saying they all have to be insult-slinging assasssins with fiery tempers, but...I don't like boring main characters either.
Romance? Yippee. Not. It was tacked on later in the story, and if there is anything I hate in books, it's a romance thrown in for the heck of it. Which seemed to be what happened in Chasing Ravens. I'm having a hard time remembering the love interest's name; that was how exciting I found this element of the story.
The plot had the potential to be great; the lush Russian folklore was what initially attracted me to this story. *Cough* and the cover *cough*. But I never got immersed in it, probably because of all the other issues I had with the book. I will say, I did come away with a desire to learn more about the background for all of this story. It isn't like anything I've read recently.
So, this book is getting a no from me. I do think the premise was good, so I'd like to find another book similar to this one, but Chasing Ravens itself wasn't my kinda book.
I'd been wanting to read Chasing Ravens for the longest time, you see. The story sounded so unique. But even though Chasing Ravens has a unique plotline, it didn't feel special to me. It didn't have that wow factor.
Reason numero uno for this was due to the major infodumps at the beginning. Alas, the main way of getting information across about Anouk's backstory was this questionable writing technique. And therefore, while Anouk's backstory could have been an interesting way for me to get to know her character and start to like her, it ended up simply being tedious.
The writing also seemed very rushed. Especially in the beginning; again, the story became tedious when it could have been a nice way to get to see what shaped Anouk's life. It skipped from scene to scene with only three asterisks as a lead in. As a result, it was hard to transition from the previous setting to the next.
As for the characters...meh. I never cared much for Anouk; she didn't have the spirit or the wit, save for like two scenes, that I like to see in my main characters. I'm not saying they all have to be insult-slinging assasssins with fiery tempers, but...I don't like boring main characters either.
Romance? Yippee. Not. It was tacked on later in the story, and if there is anything I hate in books, it's a romance thrown in for the heck of it. Which seemed to be what happened in Chasing Ravens. I'm having a hard time remembering the love interest's name; that was how exciting I found this element of the story.
The plot had the potential to be great; the lush Russian folklore was what initially attracted me to this story. *Cough* and the cover *cough*. But I never got immersed in it, probably because of all the other issues I had with the book. I will say, I did come away with a desire to learn more about the background for all of this story. It isn't like anything I've read recently.
So, this book is getting a no from me. I do think the premise was good, so I'd like to find another book similar to this one, but Chasing Ravens itself wasn't my kinda book.
January 24, 2015
I found this book to be a fascinating tale of a girl finding herself against all odds; I did however find the main character’s storytelling to be quite lacking in detail making it difficult to recognise with other characters in the book. I also very much enjoyed the links to popular Russian Folklaw and customs; including the reference of Babba Yaga. It is a truly imaginative book that is superbly written with great picturesque scenery that are described so vividly the reader is able to see them in their minds.
Anouk is a young girl with no family who finds herself running from an arranged marriage and enters a village that has been cursed. She is not a normal girl in that she is trained in herbs and a good horse rider, Anouk is very much a character out of a fairytale and if you ask me she is fairly similar to ‘Merideth’ from Disney’s ‘Brave’. I did however find it quite difficult to believe that she had fallen in love as I thought it was almost a snap decision and the other two options for her could have just as easily be the boy she’d fallen in love with. I also found it slightly more difficult to recognise other characters since the story was very much told from Anouk’s perspective and the descriptive passages were of the scenery; meaning that other than the very little dialogue Anouk had with other characters I was not entirely sure of very much about the secondary characters.
The secondary characters mentioned in this book are not in my opinion written in enough detail that I can review them.
The pacing in this book is lacking a little as I felt that not much was happening a lot of the time while reading this book. I did however enjoy that the book left it until the very last minute to give the main character any ideas of how to continue and have an adventure.
The storyline was very interesting and adventurous; I thought the storyline along with the beautiful description of scenery was the best thing about this book. While it did at times feel like there was nothing happening there was always a sense that the book was leading up to something.
A mixture of high points and low points, 3.5 star rating.
Anouk is a young girl with no family who finds herself running from an arranged marriage and enters a village that has been cursed. She is not a normal girl in that she is trained in herbs and a good horse rider, Anouk is very much a character out of a fairytale and if you ask me she is fairly similar to ‘Merideth’ from Disney’s ‘Brave’. I did however find it quite difficult to believe that she had fallen in love as I thought it was almost a snap decision and the other two options for her could have just as easily be the boy she’d fallen in love with. I also found it slightly more difficult to recognise other characters since the story was very much told from Anouk’s perspective and the descriptive passages were of the scenery; meaning that other than the very little dialogue Anouk had with other characters I was not entirely sure of very much about the secondary characters.
The secondary characters mentioned in this book are not in my opinion written in enough detail that I can review them.
The pacing in this book is lacking a little as I felt that not much was happening a lot of the time while reading this book. I did however enjoy that the book left it until the very last minute to give the main character any ideas of how to continue and have an adventure.
The storyline was very interesting and adventurous; I thought the storyline along with the beautiful description of scenery was the best thing about this book. While it did at times feel like there was nothing happening there was always a sense that the book was leading up to something.
A mixture of high points and low points, 3.5 star rating.
December 26, 2015
I love Russia: its magnificent city, its atmosphere, its landscapes, its colors, its culture and its literature. My biggest dream is to visit St. Petersburg and Moscow. When I read that it was inspired by a Russian fairy tale, I could not wait to read it. And I was not disappointed.
Anouk has lost her family when she was small: the mother died in giving birth to her little brother but even the child didn't survive. Her grandmother and her father died soon after because of the fever. Anouk is entrusted to the mother's brother: the girl is made to work very hard and her aunt would also force her to marry an old alcoholic but she decides to escape on horseback in the woods. She's welcomed in a village and here can be very useful due to her great knowledge of herbs and their benefits that taught her grandmother. But .......
Anouk is a girl who inspires immediately much sympathy: she hoped to find a new family in her uncle's family instead found only exploiters and a village that considers her a witch. She's a girl impetuous, impulsive, courageous and generous.
It 's really well written, doesn't seem a debut author, is never boring, even a page leads to another. She wonderfully alternated the Anouk's adventures with various legends, amazing descriptions of landscapes and those of herbs and their benefits. In a fairy tale then couldn't miss love .....
It 's a perfect story to read to children but very suitable for everyone.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
Anouk has lost her family when she was small: the mother died in giving birth to her little brother but even the child didn't survive. Her grandmother and her father died soon after because of the fever. Anouk is entrusted to the mother's brother: the girl is made to work very hard and her aunt would also force her to marry an old alcoholic but she decides to escape on horseback in the woods. She's welcomed in a village and here can be very useful due to her great knowledge of herbs and their benefits that taught her grandmother. But .......
Anouk is a girl who inspires immediately much sympathy: she hoped to find a new family in her uncle's family instead found only exploiters and a village that considers her a witch. She's a girl impetuous, impulsive, courageous and generous.
It 's really well written, doesn't seem a debut author, is never boring, even a page leads to another. She wonderfully alternated the Anouk's adventures with various legends, amazing descriptions of landscapes and those of herbs and their benefits. In a fairy tale then couldn't miss love .....
It 's a perfect story to read to children but very suitable for everyone.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
February 13, 2015
This is a beautifully written story, which reminds of traditional folklore at its finest. The heroine gains immediate sympathy as she looses her family, is forced to move to relatives she's never really met, and finds herself as an outcast about to be married off to an aggressive, drunkard. All this time, she struggles to keep her emotions in check and finally, takes matters into her own hands by running away - it pulls at the heart strings and one can't help but liking and cheering for her right away.
From here, there's a wonderful transition to first a new settlement in the middle of a forest, and from there to a mystical world on the other side of a river. I loved this gentle push bit by bit into the fantastical world and not an abrupt 'here you are'. The scenes are well described, allowing them to come alive without ever feeling overly done, and many of the mystical creatures are still familiar although not often seen in literature.
The writing itself flows well and follows a more traditional form of tale telling. Although I wondered about some of the character's decisions and actions, there are enough unexpected twists and turns to keep those pages turning. The ending wasn't a complete surprise, but it didn't have to be. It reminded me of a story my grandmother would tell, one that I'd cherish and spread on to the next generation.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
From here, there's a wonderful transition to first a new settlement in the middle of a forest, and from there to a mystical world on the other side of a river. I loved this gentle push bit by bit into the fantastical world and not an abrupt 'here you are'. The scenes are well described, allowing them to come alive without ever feeling overly done, and many of the mystical creatures are still familiar although not often seen in literature.
The writing itself flows well and follows a more traditional form of tale telling. Although I wondered about some of the character's decisions and actions, there are enough unexpected twists and turns to keep those pages turning. The ending wasn't a complete surprise, but it didn't have to be. It reminded me of a story my grandmother would tell, one that I'd cherish and spread on to the next generation.
I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 18, 2015
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. A young girl finally finds a home in a village only to have it threatened by a curse. Determined to save those who took her in, she goes on a dangerous quest. I think this book would be most appropriate for middle school readers who enjoy magic and adventure. The story is written in a simple style and follows a traditional plot line. It introduces Russian myths, legends, and fairytales, so it does acquaint students with a culture that they may be unfamiliar with (though the names are a struggle to keep straight at some points because they are unfamiliar). It is lacking the edge it needed to take it to the next level. The tempo is sedate. The protagonist doesn't have any real internal conflict other than choosing whether she is suited to becoming a healer. In short, she feels very much like a girl in a fairy tale, and that is fine, but it makes it hard to feel a connection to her when she is so purely good. If you like a traditional fairy tale, or you are looking for a book appropriate for a read aloud to 5th or 6th grade, this might be what you are looking for. The language and situations are appropriate for all ages.
March 6, 2015
This was a beautiful story that saw a young girl go from meagre beginnings to becoming a hero who saved the lives of many with her bravery. I instantly had a liking for Anouk.
Cheated of her immediate family, forced to leave her home only to be treated like a slave, my heart went out to this poor girl. I was glad she was able to find some comfort in Devya and that the people there treated her like one of their own.
There was a slow change in Anouk, as she blossomed into a beautiful young woman with a mind of her own. She was strong and brave, with a pure heart, and her actions only showcased her inner fire and beauty all the more. I enjoyed the folktales and lore that were woven into this majestic adventure. It was exciting to walk alongside Anouk on her travels. She showed plenty of courage in the face of danger; with her heart and head set on finding help I don’t think anything would have stopped her. Not even the ghastly trolls.
The one thing that really stood out to me was how Anouk, even after going through hell and back, was able to step aside and allow Vlad his redemption. It spoke volumes about her character.
This book was an absolute delight to read - storytelling at its best!
Cheated of her immediate family, forced to leave her home only to be treated like a slave, my heart went out to this poor girl. I was glad she was able to find some comfort in Devya and that the people there treated her like one of their own.
There was a slow change in Anouk, as she blossomed into a beautiful young woman with a mind of her own. She was strong and brave, with a pure heart, and her actions only showcased her inner fire and beauty all the more. I enjoyed the folktales and lore that were woven into this majestic adventure. It was exciting to walk alongside Anouk on her travels. She showed plenty of courage in the face of danger; with her heart and head set on finding help I don’t think anything would have stopped her. Not even the ghastly trolls.
The one thing that really stood out to me was how Anouk, even after going through hell and back, was able to step aside and allow Vlad his redemption. It spoke volumes about her character.
This book was an absolute delight to read - storytelling at its best!
February 20, 2015
I received a digital arc of this book from GHBT in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. All are my own opinion and is not compensated by any individual, organization, or company. This might contain spoilers.
This review can be found in Amiabooklover.
Chasing Ravens is a beautiful tale of love and courage. It showcases myths of Russia. It is definitely a very good start for a debut novel.
I really like the settings of the story. It is very rural, a fantastic display of nature at its finest. How I’d love to live in the forest this book describes. Characters are all written pretty good. They appeared to be well planned out and they really fit in the story. I really did feel closer to Earth and felt like a story I would never ever get tired of hearing.
This could be a very nice therapy for anyone who misses the comfort of living around trees, away from the pollution of the city.
Chasing Ravens had made me feel at home. It made me see the beauty of folklore.
I think this should be put on hands of everyone. The bravery and courage that this book teaches should serve as a guiding lesson for all.
This review can be found in Amiabooklover.
Chasing Ravens is a beautiful tale of love and courage. It showcases myths of Russia. It is definitely a very good start for a debut novel.
I really like the settings of the story. It is very rural, a fantastic display of nature at its finest. How I’d love to live in the forest this book describes. Characters are all written pretty good. They appeared to be well planned out and they really fit in the story. I really did feel closer to Earth and felt like a story I would never ever get tired of hearing.
This could be a very nice therapy for anyone who misses the comfort of living around trees, away from the pollution of the city.
Chasing Ravens had made me feel at home. It made me see the beauty of folklore.
I think this should be put on hands of everyone. The bravery and courage that this book teaches should serve as a guiding lesson for all.
February 8, 2015
Amazing story, it completely enthralled me. It took a little bit to get into it. Anouk is a strong young woman that will pull you into her story, her struggle in life. Jessica keeps you on your toes concerning who Anouk will have a love interest in will it be the boy in her uncles town? or Vlad her best friends love interest? or will it be the mysterious yet sweet Pavel from the Dark Forest.
Anouk gains such love, loyalty and compassion for the people of Devya
Its truly an amazing story. Great detail in each character, town and area of the forest that she travels to .
I think Pavel is the best of the young men she meets in her journey of life. Hes gone through as many trials and tribulations as she has in life. So they understand eachother. Anouk is a strong young female struggling to find herself. To find out if she is a true healer or if she is a hunter. Doubting her skills as a healer through the entire story.
I give it a 5 Star rating and cannot wait to see if there is more in this series from this amazing author.
December 30, 2014
Wow! Paige's writing is beautiful and captivating, with enough action (and even a little romance) to keep you riveted throughout the entire novel. Unlike many of the books you find in the young adult genre, Chasing Ravens relies on solid writing and exciting plot lines to carry the reader through the story. If you are a fan of fairy tales and mythology, strong female characters, and gorgeous prose that borders more on poetry, then this is a great pick! Paige does a fantastic job introducing elements of fantasy without hitting you over the head with it. She transports you to old world Russia, and infuses the story with the feel of a classic fairy tale--this is truly writing at it's best! The settings and characters really draw you in. My favorite part was Anouk's encounter with Baba Yaga--tense and exciting, and like the rest of the story beautifully written! I would highly recommend this book for people of all ages, not just young women.
February 3, 2015
I received this book for free from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I definitely enjoyed this book. It had adventure, a good heroine who you could get behind, and a lot of great use of Russian mythology that was worked in rather seamlessly. I found that an impressive feat in itself. It's a great tale about a girl growing up in a tough world who has to find her own way - and eventually, figure out what will make her happy.
There was something about the style/story that didn't 100% capture me making this 4 stars instead of 5, but it was still very good. I think there was a little more of the ending that could have been fleshed out more, , that seemed way too easy for me. There is room for a sequel, but it can also stand alone.
The publisher summary is a good one, and if it sounds remotely interesting I recommend trying out Chasing Ravens.
*read in less than 24 hours
I definitely enjoyed this book. It had adventure, a good heroine who you could get behind, and a lot of great use of Russian mythology that was worked in rather seamlessly. I found that an impressive feat in itself. It's a great tale about a girl growing up in a tough world who has to find her own way - and eventually, figure out what will make her happy.
There was something about the style/story that didn't 100% capture me making this 4 stars instead of 5, but it was still very good. I think there was a little more of the ending that could have been fleshed out more, , that seemed way too easy for me. There is room for a sequel, but it can also stand alone.
The publisher summary is a good one, and if it sounds remotely interesting I recommend trying out Chasing Ravens.
*read in less than 24 hours
February 7, 2015
A novel that engages you from the first page to the last. Anouk is orphaned and her village sends her to her uncle's home. They do not make her feel welcome. They decide the only way to stop taking responsibility is to get her married. Rather than marry, she escapes to find a village willing to take her in. She is welcomed and appreciated for herself. However troubles occur in the village and Anouk takes on a dangerous task on a trip that is unknown to her. Will she be able to help the village? Will her trip be successful?
The author has written a novel that is fun, interesting and inspirational. Anouk is a good role model for everyone. I must admit that I like the girl, Anouk is an inspiring role model for girls in more than one way.
Disclaimer: I received a digital galley of this book free from the publisher from NetGalley. I was not obliged to write a favourable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The author has written a novel that is fun, interesting and inspirational. Anouk is a good role model for everyone. I must admit that I like the girl, Anouk is an inspiring role model for girls in more than one way.
Disclaimer: I received a digital galley of this book free from the publisher from NetGalley. I was not obliged to write a favourable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
January 25, 2015
I found Chasing Ravens to be both enchanting and suspenseful, an absolute winner. It's fascinating plot is beautifully complemented by excellent character development and superb writing. The central character, Anouk, is at the same time tenacious, courageous, kind, and innocent. The descriptions of the characters and the natural world were interesting, charming and wonderfully detailed. I greatly enjoyed the descriptions of the various plants and herbs and their different uses. The writer's inclusion of stories drawn from other folk traditions adds a special dimension to the tale. Anouk represents a wonderful role model for young women, but I would not hesitate to recommend this book to readers of any age.
February 11, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was another cover request and I very much enjoyed it. I loved the old folklore and fairytale vibe this novel gave me.
This was a whimsical, lovely, fast read though I did have some difficulty with the names of characters, creatures and locations and keeping those straight. I quite enjoyed the mix of old folklore and fairy tale characters that made an appearance and the characterization of the lead was excellent.
Anouk was a great role model for young readers; she's smart, funny, independent and compassionate. I highly enjoyed this book and would recommend this to middle-grade children who enjoy mythology, folklore and fairytales.
This was another cover request and I very much enjoyed it. I loved the old folklore and fairytale vibe this novel gave me.
This was a whimsical, lovely, fast read though I did have some difficulty with the names of characters, creatures and locations and keeping those straight. I quite enjoyed the mix of old folklore and fairy tale characters that made an appearance and the characterization of the lead was excellent.
Anouk was a great role model for young readers; she's smart, funny, independent and compassionate. I highly enjoyed this book and would recommend this to middle-grade children who enjoy mythology, folklore and fairytales.
February 16, 2015
(From Netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
Chasing Ravens is the story of a girl with a gift for healing who is orphaned and sent to her uncle. He tries to marry her off and so she escapes only to find herself in a village in the woods. The woods are divided to make space for all the creatures she was told of as a child.
wow.........I really enjoyed this. I LOVE folklore and the author did some pretty extensive research. The main character was good and well rounded and I loved that even the 'bad guy' was just misguided. The only thing I didnt like was that I felt it could have focused a little more on Anouk's romance. Otherwise this is a really good story full of fairytale creatures including the haunting rusalka.
Chasing Ravens is the story of a girl with a gift for healing who is orphaned and sent to her uncle. He tries to marry her off and so she escapes only to find herself in a village in the woods. The woods are divided to make space for all the creatures she was told of as a child.
wow.........I really enjoyed this. I LOVE folklore and the author did some pretty extensive research. The main character was good and well rounded and I loved that even the 'bad guy' was just misguided. The only thing I didnt like was that I felt it could have focused a little more on Anouk's romance. Otherwise this is a really good story full of fairytale creatures including the haunting rusalka.
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