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The Academy of Kindness #1
Daughter of Crows
Set a thief to catch a thief. Set a monster to punish monsters.
The Academy of Kindness exists to create agents of retribution, cast in the image of the Furies – The Kindly Ones – against whom even the gods hesitate to stand.
Each year one hundred girls are sold to the Academy. Ten years later only three emerge.
The Academy’s halls run with blood. The few who survive its decade-long nightmare have been forged on the sands of the Wound Garden. They have learned ancient secrets amid the necrotic fumes of the Bone Garden. They leave its gates as avatars of vengeance, bound to uphold the oldest of laws.
Only the most desperate would sell their child to the Kindnesses. But Rue … she sold herself. And now, a lifetime later, a long and bloody lifetime later, just as she has discovered peace, war has been brought to an old woman’s doorstep.
That was a mistake.
The Academy of Kindness exists to create agents of retribution, cast in the image of the Furies – The Kindly Ones – against whom even the gods hesitate to stand.
Each year one hundred girls are sold to the Academy. Ten years later only three emerge.
The Academy’s halls run with blood. The few who survive its decade-long nightmare have been forged on the sands of the Wound Garden. They have learned ancient secrets amid the necrotic fumes of the Bone Garden. They leave its gates as avatars of vengeance, bound to uphold the oldest of laws.
Only the most desperate would sell their child to the Kindnesses. But Rue … she sold herself. And now, a lifetime later, a long and bloody lifetime later, just as she has discovered peace, war has been brought to an old woman’s doorstep.
That was a mistake.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published March 24, 2026
278 people are currently reading
31305 people want to read
About the author
Mark Lawrence
99 books56.4k followersMy books vary a LOT - so
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[My new book Daughter of Crows is out in March 2026!]
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Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. Before becoming a fulltime writer in 2015 day job was as a research scientist focused on various rather intractable problems in the field of artificial intelligence. He has held secret level clearance with both US and UK governments. At one point he was qualified to say 'this isn't rocket science ... oh wait, it actually is'.
Mark used to have a list of hobbies back when he did science by day. Now his time is really just divided between writing and caring for his disabled daughter. There are occasional forays into computer games too.
[My new book Daughter of Crows is out in March 2026!]
Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/marklawrencea...
Blog here: http://mark---lawrence.blogspot.co.uk/
I'm on Youtube now! *excitement!*
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIrB...
Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/MarkLawrence...
https://www.instagram.com/mark___lawr...
Threads
https://www.threads.net/@mark___lawrence
Blue Sky
https://bsky.app/profile/marklawrence...
Three-emails-a-year newsletter here:
http://eepurl.com/cimnK1 #Prizes #FreeContent
I'm even on Tumblr!
https://www.tumblr.com/blog/marklawre...
Pintrest!
https://uk.pinterest.com/princeofthor...
Plus I have free stuff on Wattpad!
https://www.wattpad.com/user/MarkLawr...
Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. Before becoming a fulltime writer in 2015 day job was as a research scientist focused on various rather intractable problems in the field of artificial intelligence. He has held secret level clearance with both US and UK governments. At one point he was qualified to say 'this isn't rocket science ... oh wait, it actually is'.
Mark used to have a list of hobbies back when he did science by day. Now his time is really just divided between writing and caring for his disabled daughter. There are occasional forays into computer games too.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
Currently reading
March 27, 2026Now out in the US & UK.
Signed a few copies recently...
I've written a DARK book here!
Here's the cover reveal, along with an interview with the artist!
https://thatthornguy.com/2025/10/21/i...
There are ARCs - you'd have to contact Ace (US) or Voyager (UK) to lay hands on one though.
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
…...
Signed a few copies recently...
I've written a DARK book here!
Here's the cover reveal, along with an interview with the artist!
https://thatthornguy.com/2025/10/21/i...
There are ARCs - you'd have to contact Ace (US) or Voyager (UK) to lay hands on one though.
Join my Patreon
Join my 3-emails-a-year newsletter #prizes
…...
anticipated-books
December 20, 2025_A great cover,gods and academic vibes plz sign me up .
September 30, 2025
What kind of heroine this book is about you might ask? “The kind that crawled from the grave spitting dirt and ready for vengeance.”
I beta-read this in 2023-24, chapter by chapter as it was written, and later edited, providing detailed feedback.
It’s a grimdark novel, blurbed as Squid Game meets John Wick, with an old woman as the main character. The story shows her at different ages (the trilogy’s original working title is Maiden, Mother, Hag—if that doesn’t mean anything to you, look up "Triple Goddess").
Needless to say following the blurb, it’s a very dark book. A LOT of people die and some in terrible ways. Some will then even come back for a while. But necromancy has never been written more beautifully before.
It’s a revenge story that is powerful, fascinating, grim and even creepy at times, with a seasoning of occasional dry humour and lumps of heartache.
Additionally, I’ve just seen the final version of the UK cover art and it’s so hauntingly beautiful I’ve got goosebumps all over!
It’s another triumph for HarperVoyager after the stunning Library trilogy covers. Cover artist Tom Roberts is definitely a keeper!
I beta-read this in 2023-24, chapter by chapter as it was written, and later edited, providing detailed feedback.
It’s a grimdark novel, blurbed as Squid Game meets John Wick, with an old woman as the main character. The story shows her at different ages (the trilogy’s original working title is Maiden, Mother, Hag—if that doesn’t mean anything to you, look up "Triple Goddess").
Needless to say following the blurb, it’s a very dark book. A LOT of people die and some in terrible ways. Some will then even come back for a while. But necromancy has never been written more beautifully before.
It’s a revenge story that is powerful, fascinating, grim and even creepy at times, with a seasoning of occasional dry humour and lumps of heartache.
Additionally, I’ve just seen the final version of the UK cover art and it’s so hauntingly beautiful I’ve got goosebumps all over!
It’s another triumph for HarperVoyager after the stunning Library trilogy covers. Cover artist Tom Roberts is definitely a keeper!
March 25, 2026
Dark. Moving. Powerful. Intricately plotted fantasy, prose that turns you into an obsessive acolyte of Lawrence's, older FMCs that are wonderfully written, school-trope, multiple timelines, and a return to the peak of dark-fantasy where Mark started. Daughter of Crows is not to be missed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
✨ Happy UK release day! ✨
Review step 2:
What I've loved
1 Absolutely stunning prose, and deep meanings. I’ve highlighted more than 40 paragraphs.
2 While the pace felt slow, the twists always hit right. For the first half, every time I thought I understood what was going on, I was wrong.
3 The "Eldest" chapters were possibly my favourite. Even compared with the Academy, what happened here was weirder and crueler.
4 It was quite hard for me to put myself in Mollandra’s shoes, cause, luckily, I had nowhere near such a shitty childhood and life in general, but I really loved the diversity and depth of all the characters. Different personalities, drives, traumas and challenges. What they all share is pain and resilience.
Some considerations
1 A bit hard to relate with the protagonist(s) (thankfully) makes it such a great and well told story, but with a possibly weak emotional connection between reader and main character.
2 I loved being unable to predict where it was going, but I think I was missing a main driver to root for other than my curiosity. For this, I wouldn’t define this a page turner exactly, but one that rewards the reader nonetheless.
Conclusions
There is a weird power to this book. Like a true beautiful monster, I found my mind trying to escape while reading, and incessantly thinking how great story and prose were as soon as I pulled my eyes away.
It's not an easy book to read, but not for lack of merit. It just needs patience, a bit a trust in the process, and a bit of a strong stomach. Probably some anxiety meds.
I’m so grateful for this ARC copy, because the book was a masterpiece, but also because it put an end to my “I want to read some Mark Lawrence someday” and let me find out what the “fuss” is all about. What a writer!
Review step 1:
Reading experience in GIFS
_________
Wow. What a book. I need to reorder my feelings about this, but RTC soon. Not the easiest of reads, but one of the most singular ones for sure.
Pre-read
I was lucky enough to have received this book as an e-ARC. I've been meaning to read something by this author for like forever. Today is the day to stop procrastinating!
Review step 2:
What I've loved
1 Absolutely stunning prose, and deep meanings. I’ve highlighted more than 40 paragraphs.
2 While the pace felt slow, the twists always hit right. For the first half, every time I thought I understood what was going on, I was wrong.
3 The "Eldest" chapters were possibly my favourite. Even compared with the Academy, what happened here was weirder and crueler.
4 It was quite hard for me to put myself in Mollandra’s shoes, cause, luckily, I had nowhere near such a shitty childhood and life in general, but I really loved the diversity and depth of all the characters. Different personalities, drives, traumas and challenges. What they all share is pain and resilience.
Some considerations
1 A bit hard to relate with the protagonist(s) (thankfully) makes it such a great and well told story, but with a possibly weak emotional connection between reader and main character.
2 I loved being unable to predict where it was going, but I think I was missing a main driver to root for other than my curiosity. For this, I wouldn’t define this a page turner exactly, but one that rewards the reader nonetheless.
Conclusions
There is a weird power to this book. Like a true beautiful monster, I found my mind trying to escape while reading, and incessantly thinking how great story and prose were as soon as I pulled my eyes away.
It's not an easy book to read, but not for lack of merit. It just needs patience, a bit a trust in the process, and a bit of a strong stomach. Probably some anxiety meds.
I’m so grateful for this ARC copy, because the book was a masterpiece, but also because it put an end to my “I want to read some Mark Lawrence someday” and let me find out what the “fuss” is all about. What a writer!
Review step 1:
Reading experience in GIFS
_________
Wow. What a book. I need to reorder my feelings about this, but RTC soon. Not the easiest of reads, but one of the most singular ones for sure.
Pre-read
I was lucky enough to have received this book as an e-ARC. I've been meaning to read something by this author for like forever. Today is the day to stop procrastinating!
March 10, 2026
Mark Lawrence is back… and with Daughter of Crows we must acknowledge the Return of the King (of grimdark). The world that Mark has painted here is bleak – almost as dark as the ink that describes it.
Are you ready to suffer? If so, read on…
I have to say, even after decades of reading fantasy, no one quite delivers a line like Mark Lawrence. He delivers his prose with knife, always razor sharp and the cuts are deep. As soon as I opened the first page, I was pulled into this story. A story of rage – rage against the patriarchy, against brutality, but also against the ticking of time. Age itself is a foe in this story, a foe we call come to dread as much as the monsters that haunt these pages.
We have a multitude of POV characters in Daughter of Crows. Bek, Einsa, Mollandra, Molly, Rue, and the mysterious Eldest. Life is hard for the girls and women found within these pages. Life is unfair for all perhaps, but in this world, there are fates that are worse than others. Here, every year one hundred girls are collected and taken to the Academy of Kindness. An academy where those who survive deal out death and judgement. That might sound worthy, and perhaps it is. Surviving long enough to deal out this judgement is the problem, for only three of the hundred are allowed to become a Kindness and the road they tread is filled with magic, terror and death.
Some characters will relish this violence, others will run away, many will die. A few will be reborn.
Why?
Well, when revenge is required, someone needs to dish it out, and as it turns out, deciding to try and kill a Kindness is quite the mistake.
In short, Daughter of Crows is full of imagination. Woven with mythology, the word feels tangible and real and bloody. It is also full of heart - as amidst the darkness, friendship endures and love exists. This, perhaps, is my favourite sort of story.
Are you ready to suffer? If so, read on…
I have to say, even after decades of reading fantasy, no one quite delivers a line like Mark Lawrence. He delivers his prose with knife, always razor sharp and the cuts are deep. As soon as I opened the first page, I was pulled into this story. A story of rage – rage against the patriarchy, against brutality, but also against the ticking of time. Age itself is a foe in this story, a foe we call come to dread as much as the monsters that haunt these pages.
We have a multitude of POV characters in Daughter of Crows. Bek, Einsa, Mollandra, Molly, Rue, and the mysterious Eldest. Life is hard for the girls and women found within these pages. Life is unfair for all perhaps, but in this world, there are fates that are worse than others. Here, every year one hundred girls are collected and taken to the Academy of Kindness. An academy where those who survive deal out death and judgement. That might sound worthy, and perhaps it is. Surviving long enough to deal out this judgement is the problem, for only three of the hundred are allowed to become a Kindness and the road they tread is filled with magic, terror and death.
Some characters will relish this violence, others will run away, many will die. A few will be reborn.
Why?
Well, when revenge is required, someone needs to dish it out, and as it turns out, deciding to try and kill a Kindness is quite the mistake.
In short, Daughter of Crows is full of imagination. Woven with mythology, the word feels tangible and real and bloody. It is also full of heart - as amidst the darkness, friendship endures and love exists. This, perhaps, is my favourite sort of story.
January 15, 2026
4.5⭐️
Now that was some VERYYY DARK fantasy.
My first book written by Mark Lawrence and already perfectly suited to my bookish taste. Can’t wait to read more!
"Daughter of Crows" is the first book in a new series written by Mark Lawrence. It tells the story of an older woman living in a very cruel and brutal world. It tells a story of an Academy, where each year a hundred girls are sent to become extremely dangerous and powerful, but only three of them can survive the process. It's a story about revenge, friendship and discovering the truth that lies within oneself.
Mark Lawrence created a very dark and dangerous world, where death is something that even kids have to get used to. The fact that described events concerned 12+ y.o. children made it even more grim and deeply sad. It's definitely not a book for someone who can't handle reading about violence.
Author creates characters that are very easy to like and to care about. Since at some point they are only children the only thing I wanted to do was protect them agains the cruelty of this world. The book is split into different times and we spend the majority of it in the Academy, which for me was both fascinating and absolutely terrifying to read about (which is a good thing!). Getting to know different point of views was extremely engaging and I really appreciate how intelligently Mark Lawrance interweaved the threads of the plot. All those secrets, all those plot twist, they were perfectly balanced and at the same time very accurate to what was going on.
The story is overall pretty sad. To see how many pain can one person suffer and see that this pain will never end is absolutely heartbreaking.
It ended with a plot twist which makes me wonder where will the author take as next and if we'll ever get back to the place we've been.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Now that was some VERYYY DARK fantasy.
My first book written by Mark Lawrence and already perfectly suited to my bookish taste. Can’t wait to read more!
"Daughter of Crows" is the first book in a new series written by Mark Lawrence. It tells the story of an older woman living in a very cruel and brutal world. It tells a story of an Academy, where each year a hundred girls are sent to become extremely dangerous and powerful, but only three of them can survive the process. It's a story about revenge, friendship and discovering the truth that lies within oneself.
Mark Lawrence created a very dark and dangerous world, where death is something that even kids have to get used to. The fact that described events concerned 12+ y.o. children made it even more grim and deeply sad. It's definitely not a book for someone who can't handle reading about violence.
Author creates characters that are very easy to like and to care about. Since at some point they are only children the only thing I wanted to do was protect them agains the cruelty of this world. The book is split into different times and we spend the majority of it in the Academy, which for me was both fascinating and absolutely terrifying to read about (which is a good thing!). Getting to know different point of views was extremely engaging and I really appreciate how intelligently Mark Lawrance interweaved the threads of the plot. All those secrets, all those plot twist, they were perfectly balanced and at the same time very accurate to what was going on.
The story is overall pretty sad. To see how many pain can one person suffer and see that this pain will never end is absolutely heartbreaking.
It ended with a plot twist which makes me wonder where will the author take as next and if we'll ever get back to the place we've been.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book. This was my first time reading anything by Mark Lawrence. I actually planned to start with The Book That Wouldn’t Burn this year, but when I spotted an ARC of Daughter of Crows on NetGalley I abandoned all plans like a crow chasing something shiny. Zero regrets.
This book is chaotic in the best way. You’re thrown into the story with "a lot of characters" and shifting perspectives, and at first it feels overwhelming. But after a few chapters, everything starts to click, and suddenly the chaos makes sense.
Mollandra’s storyline at the Academy had me in a chokehold. That POV was my favorite by far, no competition. I was fully invested, emotionally attached, and absolutely not okay with everything that happened to her because let’s be honest, the girl did not get a single happy moment in this book. Not one. Zero. Just pain, trauma, and suffering on repeat. She was funny, loyal, and the kind of person you know you’d want in your life. The type who has your back no matter what. Which makes it even worse, because she deserved so much better than what she got. For her, I would become Kindness itself, just so I could get revenge and kill everyone who hurt her.
-"You told him to fuck off!"
-"I know what i did."
-"But he's the ferryman! He's Death with his scythe! He's the winged ones who take the warriors straight from the battlefield. He's-"
-"He's propably used to it. Dying's enough to give most people an attitude."
Honestly, in every book there’s usually at least one character I can’t stand, but not here. Somehow, everyone made sense. Every character had a purpose, and even when they were awful, it was clear they were like that because the world broke them first. The Academy, the system, the whole mess. No pointless villains, no “why are you even here?” characters, just deeply damaged people doing their thing.
If you’re into Greek mythology, this book will be right up your alley. The Furies (Erinyes) are basically the backbone of the story: ancient goddesses of vengeance pulling the strings, ruining lives. Fans of Squid Game should feel right at home here, too. It’s drenched in blood, death and gore.
Last but absolutely not least, the magic in this book is chef’s kiss. There are magical mixtures designed to unlock your inner rage, mess with your memories, or erase things entirely. And yes, there’s a talking crow. No, I will not explain. Just read the book.
This book is chaotic in the best way. You’re thrown into the story with "a lot of characters" and shifting perspectives, and at first it feels overwhelming. But after a few chapters, everything starts to click, and suddenly the chaos makes sense.
Mollandra’s storyline at the Academy had me in a chokehold. That POV was my favorite by far, no competition. I was fully invested, emotionally attached, and absolutely not okay with everything that happened to her because let’s be honest, the girl did not get a single happy moment in this book. Not one. Zero. Just pain, trauma, and suffering on repeat. She was funny, loyal, and the kind of person you know you’d want in your life. The type who has your back no matter what. Which makes it even worse, because she deserved so much better than what she got. For her, I would become Kindness itself, just so I could get revenge and kill everyone who hurt her.
-"You told him to fuck off!"
-"I know what i did."
-"But he's the ferryman! He's Death with his scythe! He's the winged ones who take the warriors straight from the battlefield. He's-"
-"He's propably used to it. Dying's enough to give most people an attitude."
Honestly, in every book there’s usually at least one character I can’t stand, but not here. Somehow, everyone made sense. Every character had a purpose, and even when they were awful, it was clear they were like that because the world broke them first. The Academy, the system, the whole mess. No pointless villains, no “why are you even here?” characters, just deeply damaged people doing their thing.
If you’re into Greek mythology, this book will be right up your alley. The Furies (Erinyes) are basically the backbone of the story: ancient goddesses of vengeance pulling the strings, ruining lives. Fans of Squid Game should feel right at home here, too. It’s drenched in blood, death and gore.
Last but absolutely not least, the magic in this book is chef’s kiss. There are magical mixtures designed to unlock your inner rage, mess with your memories, or erase things entirely. And yes, there’s a talking crow. No, I will not explain. Just read the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’ll read anything Mark Lawrence writes. This is partly loyalty, partly curiosity, and partly trust. Mark never writes the same book twice. His series always feel different from each other. Daughter of Crows might also have his best cover yet (which is impressive, given how good the Library trilogy looked). It’s also his best novel so far.
Now. I love The Book of the Ancestor with my whole heart, but this? This is bloody brilliant.
Rue is the reason. She is sharp, furious, stubborn, and held together by scars and bad memories. Fantasy rarely gives us elderly female leads, and almost never ones this dangerous or this compelling. I loved watching her limp, calculate, remember, and kill. The other half of fun is figuring out who she used to be.
The book runs on two timelines: present-day Rue hunting the mercenaries who destroyed her quiet life, and past Rue being forged into what she became. The past sections take us through a childhood that would make a nightmare ask for a night-light, and then to the Academy of Kindness - a school whose definition of kindness involves death rates. One hundred girls enter. Three leave. The rest, well, they contribute to the curriculum.
Interestingly, the past sections add backstory but also continue to reframe everything. The twists are all strong, starting early and tightening as the timelines converge. You can play detective if you want; the clues are there, but chances are just when you think you’ve solved it, another revelation will prove you were wrong.
I loved how Lawrence played with mythology here. Daughter of Crows incorporates a fascinating take on Furies, vengeance cults, divine bargains, and afterlife journeys. A heady mix, but it’s done well. The world runs on old laws, older gods, and the idea that justice and cruelty might be the same blade held at different angles. That theme shows up everywhere, from the Academy’s philosophy to Rue’s own moral math.
Daughter of Crows is dark. Children die. Mercy is rare and some scenes edge into horror. At times, it makes other grimdark novels look like they brought a candle. And yet the book still finds space for dry, perfectly timed humor. My favorite line comes when Rue considers bringing proof of her kills:
“She had considered bringing the heads from Debban's hut and tossing them before her when challenged, but the brothers had been balding beneath their caps, and heads without hair were awkward to carry.”
That line tells you everything about Rue. Practical. Violent. Mildly inconvenienced by logistics.
The story moves when it should and slows down only when it matters. The violence hits hard but never feels there just for shock value. The prose is sharp and purposeful. Lawrence always seems to know when to let a moment breathe and when to end it.
I finished it with one clear thought: I may have just found my favorite book of 2026. It’s going to take something extraordinary to beat it.
Now. I love The Book of the Ancestor with my whole heart, but this? This is bloody brilliant.
Rue is the reason. She is sharp, furious, stubborn, and held together by scars and bad memories. Fantasy rarely gives us elderly female leads, and almost never ones this dangerous or this compelling. I loved watching her limp, calculate, remember, and kill. The other half of fun is figuring out who she used to be.
The book runs on two timelines: present-day Rue hunting the mercenaries who destroyed her quiet life, and past Rue being forged into what she became. The past sections take us through a childhood that would make a nightmare ask for a night-light, and then to the Academy of Kindness - a school whose definition of kindness involves death rates. One hundred girls enter. Three leave. The rest, well, they contribute to the curriculum.
Interestingly, the past sections add backstory but also continue to reframe everything. The twists are all strong, starting early and tightening as the timelines converge. You can play detective if you want; the clues are there, but chances are just when you think you’ve solved it, another revelation will prove you were wrong.
I loved how Lawrence played with mythology here. Daughter of Crows incorporates a fascinating take on Furies, vengeance cults, divine bargains, and afterlife journeys. A heady mix, but it’s done well. The world runs on old laws, older gods, and the idea that justice and cruelty might be the same blade held at different angles. That theme shows up everywhere, from the Academy’s philosophy to Rue’s own moral math.
Daughter of Crows is dark. Children die. Mercy is rare and some scenes edge into horror. At times, it makes other grimdark novels look like they brought a candle. And yet the book still finds space for dry, perfectly timed humor. My favorite line comes when Rue considers bringing proof of her kills:
“She had considered bringing the heads from Debban's hut and tossing them before her when challenged, but the brothers had been balding beneath their caps, and heads without hair were awkward to carry.”
That line tells you everything about Rue. Practical. Violent. Mildly inconvenienced by logistics.
The story moves when it should and slows down only when it matters. The violence hits hard but never feels there just for shock value. The prose is sharp and purposeful. Lawrence always seems to know when to let a moment breathe and when to end it.
I finished it with one clear thought: I may have just found my favorite book of 2026. It’s going to take something extraordinary to beat it.
January 13, 2026
Being in my 60s it was refreshing to read a book where the main character was relatable (except the knitting) 😉 I have struggled with some previous books by the author but this book was a pure joy from start to finish
Well done sir, well done
Well done sir, well done
January 16, 2026
We’re only a couple of weeks into 2026 and this may already be a top competitor for one of my top books of the year.
Daughter of Crows is a dark, macabre and atmospheric first instalment to a new fantasy series. It revolves around the Academy of Kindness, where girls are sold to become powerful and bloodthirsty agents of justice to serve the gods. The world was immersive and the character development was a real highlight, Rue is our main character and takes on several forms throughout the different timelines we visit in this story, and she is GREAT.
Absolutely loved this world (despite how dark it is!) and I’m intrigued to explore more of it in the next book. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the eARC!
Daughter of Crows is a dark, macabre and atmospheric first instalment to a new fantasy series. It revolves around the Academy of Kindness, where girls are sold to become powerful and bloodthirsty agents of justice to serve the gods. The world was immersive and the character development was a real highlight, Rue is our main character and takes on several forms throughout the different timelines we visit in this story, and she is GREAT.
Absolutely loved this world (despite how dark it is!) and I’m intrigued to explore more of it in the next book. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the eARC!
March 2, 2026
This is the only book I’ve read by Mark Lawrence and holy shit, I loved it! I am already thinking of rereading the book when it comes out and I get my hands on a physical copy. This is a different kind of fantasy academia novel than I’ve read before, and it hooked me almost immediately. We get shifting perspectives, creepy vibes, and gore. Eldest’s storyline had me GRIPPED. I can’t wait to read the next book, and I’m so excited to read more by Mark Lawrence!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Daughter of Crows is just wow! A dark epic fantasy that’s a true page-turner. The Academy of Kindness is a brutal world where girls are taught anything but kindness. No one wants to end up there unless they’re desperate, but once the girls are sold, there’s no way out.
I had such an amazing time reading this book. It’s grim, yes, but even in this grimdark world, there are friendships and relationships that shine through. There’s pain and trauma, without question, but alongside that comes survival and resilience. The Academy teaches retribution, revenge, and killing. But are those killings unjustified? That’s for the reader to decide.
At first, I was a little confused by the world, but as the story progressed, everything started to fall into place. Now my biggest challenge is waiting for the next book in the series 😁 One thing for sure is that this novel is going to be one of the best books of the year for me.
Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and Ace Books for the digital galley of this book.
I had such an amazing time reading this book. It’s grim, yes, but even in this grimdark world, there are friendships and relationships that shine through. There’s pain and trauma, without question, but alongside that comes survival and resilience. The Academy teaches retribution, revenge, and killing. But are those killings unjustified? That’s for the reader to decide.
At first, I was a little confused by the world, but as the story progressed, everything started to fall into place. Now my biggest challenge is waiting for the next book in the series 😁 One thing for sure is that this novel is going to be one of the best books of the year for me.
Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and Ace Books for the digital galley of this book.
March 16, 2026
Thank you so so much to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for an ARC of Daughter of Crows by Mark Lawrence in exchange for my honest opinions.
Having read Mark Lawrence in the past, I knew to be prepared for emotional investment, great world-building and suspense. Well…I was not adequately prepared for this one. Lawrence has outdone himself and created something that seems to border on the profound. Truly, if I could give this more than five stars I would in a heartbeat.
We begin with the story of an old woman living in a world surrounded by violence and death. We are then introduced to The Academy, a school that forces young girls to become agents of retribution, used against those that need to pay for their sins to balance the scales. The weight of the responsibility is such that when reading those sections, you absolutely forget that you are reading about 12+ year old children. In the world that Lawrence creates, fear and death are something that not even children are protected from.
I will admit that for the first bit of the book, I was confused but also super intrigued. It didn’t take long for the pieces to start falling into place and Lawrence weaves them perfectly. Anyone who reads this and feels lost at the beginning, stick it out, trust me.
Lawrence tells this tale through a variety of POV’s that all manage to come together seamlessly as you work your way through the book. Each of the characters lend something very particular to the story while being forced into a situation where individuality must often be set aside for the “greater good”.
The world-building is exceptional and it is dark to say the least. Lawrence creates a world that is bleak and brutal and bloody. It feels as though it creeps into your bones. However, it fits the tone of the story to a tee and becomes almost like a character all of its own accord.
As always, Lawrence’s prose is beautiful and razor sharp. Even when the pacing of the story felt a little slower, the writing was enough to keep you completely sucked into the story.
Lawrence pulls off a remarkable feat with Daughter of Crows. He weaves religion and politics as is often expected from a fantasy novel, but he goes about five steps beyond the norm. He delves into the struggle to trust in love, care, peace and kindness. This is in stark contrast to the forced unending acceptance of pain, suffering, anger and fear without end.
I could go on for days about the book, but I will save everyone from that. Let’s just say that the next installment can’t possibly come fast enough.
Having read Mark Lawrence in the past, I knew to be prepared for emotional investment, great world-building and suspense. Well…I was not adequately prepared for this one. Lawrence has outdone himself and created something that seems to border on the profound. Truly, if I could give this more than five stars I would in a heartbeat.
We begin with the story of an old woman living in a world surrounded by violence and death. We are then introduced to The Academy, a school that forces young girls to become agents of retribution, used against those that need to pay for their sins to balance the scales. The weight of the responsibility is such that when reading those sections, you absolutely forget that you are reading about 12+ year old children. In the world that Lawrence creates, fear and death are something that not even children are protected from.
I will admit that for the first bit of the book, I was confused but also super intrigued. It didn’t take long for the pieces to start falling into place and Lawrence weaves them perfectly. Anyone who reads this and feels lost at the beginning, stick it out, trust me.
Lawrence tells this tale through a variety of POV’s that all manage to come together seamlessly as you work your way through the book. Each of the characters lend something very particular to the story while being forced into a situation where individuality must often be set aside for the “greater good”.
The world-building is exceptional and it is dark to say the least. Lawrence creates a world that is bleak and brutal and bloody. It feels as though it creeps into your bones. However, it fits the tone of the story to a tee and becomes almost like a character all of its own accord.
As always, Lawrence’s prose is beautiful and razor sharp. Even when the pacing of the story felt a little slower, the writing was enough to keep you completely sucked into the story.
Lawrence pulls off a remarkable feat with Daughter of Crows. He weaves religion and politics as is often expected from a fantasy novel, but he goes about five steps beyond the norm. He delves into the struggle to trust in love, care, peace and kindness. This is in stark contrast to the forced unending acceptance of pain, suffering, anger and fear without end.
I could go on for days about the book, but I will save everyone from that. Let’s just say that the next installment can’t possibly come fast enough.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks so much to Harper Collins for the chance to read this amazing book before publication :)
Daughter of crows will make you feel a lot of anger, melancholy, and also chill you to the bone. Mark Lawrence shows once again how talented of a writer he is in this new series.
The blurb only skims the surface of what the story is about. Daughter of Crows is the story of a woman and how she got where she is now, as we see her when the story begins. I don't want to say her name because as the story taught me, our main character wasn't just one person. The timelines switch from the present to past and they will make you guess. They will try to mess with your memories so that you'll bet that the mc is this or this other character you'll encounter down the road. They are proof that the name one is given doesn't define who they are.
One important theme is memory, this is why the story is told from different povs and it shows the reader how things are and how they used to be. Memories can be lost, forgotten, or one wishes they were but the rage of being left behind is charged with vengeance and it won't leave our mc alone. Memories can also be manipulated.
You will eventually find the truth (or sort of) because the author masterfully leads you to discovering it as you go. It felt like an adventure to me, and when I think about it, it starts as one because the balance is disrupted when some mercenaries get to a quiet village. And you're brought back into the past to understand why things as what they are, as the present story moves.
Our heroine has had a rough life and we learn of her past throughout the book. The story is dark, grim, with touches of horror as well. The author draws from mythology, fantasy lore, history, and turns these ingredients into something new and compelling. One thing I learned from reading Mark Lawrence is that he never writes the same book.
This story is one of child neglect, abuse, abandonment. No one who appears in this story has had an easy life and the scars they carry - both literally and figuratively - still burn. It is also a story about sisterhood and the bonds we forge along the way, our found family, or the family that is forced upon us. And as I mentioned earlier, the rage when these bonds are severed. The main heroine can't ever be left alone, and she won't go down without a fight.
The writing is excellent. The author isn't just great at creating new worlds and characters and creating a compelling plot. The prose itself is complex. If you enjoy dark-epic fantasy, I'm sure you will love this book.
Daughter of crows will make you feel a lot of anger, melancholy, and also chill you to the bone. Mark Lawrence shows once again how talented of a writer he is in this new series.
The blurb only skims the surface of what the story is about. Daughter of Crows is the story of a woman and how she got where she is now, as we see her when the story begins. I don't want to say her name because as the story taught me, our main character wasn't just one person. The timelines switch from the present to past and they will make you guess. They will try to mess with your memories so that you'll bet that the mc is this or this other character you'll encounter down the road. They are proof that the name one is given doesn't define who they are.
One important theme is memory, this is why the story is told from different povs and it shows the reader how things are and how they used to be. Memories can be lost, forgotten, or one wishes they were but the rage of being left behind is charged with vengeance and it won't leave our mc alone. Memories can also be manipulated.
You will eventually find the truth (or sort of) because the author masterfully leads you to discovering it as you go. It felt like an adventure to me, and when I think about it, it starts as one because the balance is disrupted when some mercenaries get to a quiet village. And you're brought back into the past to understand why things as what they are, as the present story moves.
Our heroine has had a rough life and we learn of her past throughout the book. The story is dark, grim, with touches of horror as well. The author draws from mythology, fantasy lore, history, and turns these ingredients into something new and compelling. One thing I learned from reading Mark Lawrence is that he never writes the same book.
This story is one of child neglect, abuse, abandonment. No one who appears in this story has had an easy life and the scars they carry - both literally and figuratively - still burn. It is also a story about sisterhood and the bonds we forge along the way, our found family, or the family that is forced upon us. And as I mentioned earlier, the rage when these bonds are severed. The main heroine can't ever be left alone, and she won't go down without a fight.
The writing is excellent. The author isn't just great at creating new worlds and characters and creating a compelling plot. The prose itself is complex. If you enjoy dark-epic fantasy, I'm sure you will love this book.
March 18, 2026
I am not a neurologist but the way Mark Lawrence writes and the stories he constructs makes me want to analyse his brain to try and understand how such genius can exist in one mind.
I absolutely loved this book. It is so unique in the way it’s told. I love the way that the perspectives shift over the course of the story and adds even more depth to an already captivating tale. The way the power of 3 is tested throughout with the myths and magic was very interesting to read.
I cackled at the way Rue approached conversation. The way she seems to attack sentences the same way she approaches life. That age is handled in a way that aids the dramatics of the situations was impeccably done. Sharp really captivated me in every chapter she was in. She was such a vivid character in the book.
I loved experiencing the academy with the girls and trying to guess who was going to be left standing. I would read an entire novel just about the situations and teachings here without the addition of world building and still enjoy every single page.
The plot twists that were in this were masterpieces. While a few I felt did overreach and needed more elaboration (which I hope is coming in the next instalment) most of them had me on the edge of my seat.
Thank you to HarperCollins for access to an eARC of this title. This is my honest opinion.
I absolutely loved this book. It is so unique in the way it’s told. I love the way that the perspectives shift over the course of the story and adds even more depth to an already captivating tale. The way the power of 3 is tested throughout with the myths and magic was very interesting to read.
I cackled at the way Rue approached conversation. The way she seems to attack sentences the same way she approaches life. That age is handled in a way that aids the dramatics of the situations was impeccably done. Sharp really captivated me in every chapter she was in. She was such a vivid character in the book.
I loved experiencing the academy with the girls and trying to guess who was going to be left standing. I would read an entire novel just about the situations and teachings here without the addition of world building and still enjoy every single page.
The plot twists that were in this were masterpieces. While a few I felt did overreach and needed more elaboration (which I hope is coming in the next instalment) most of them had me on the edge of my seat.
Thank you to HarperCollins for access to an eARC of this title. This is my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Okay, I'm out of superlatives because Mark Lawrence strikes again with an absolutely splendid story in Daughter of Crows!
The cover is exquisite, and I couldn't take my eyes off it from the moment I saw it😍
Masterfully weaving the story like a spider, perfectly using all POVs and times as threads that connect at some point or other, just enough to keep you hungry for more. Until it all collides into one intricate web, where you are familiar with all the threads representing the events and emotions that led you to that point where everything makes sense.
A merciless place, The Academy of Kindness takes girls who are sold and forges them into weapons of revenge against injustice. After ten years of bloody survival, only three will leave alive, with all the secrets they've learned there making them the perfect avatars of vengeance. Rue - one of our main characters - is one of the many girls there... but the difference is that while the others were sold by their families, she sold herself.
Gripping, bloody, and a brilliant take on necromancy that I loved.
It gave me John Wick vibes, especially that part with the pencil in the action scenes😂😈
I liked Rue and her complex character, a tender heart wrapped in tenacity, sharp edges, and unrelenting will.
But to be honest, Sharp, with her fiery temper and devil-may-care attitude, was my absolute favourite character.
I feel that the book only scratched the surface of the enormous potential of this world, and to say I'm curious to learn more about Rue and her world is an understatement.
The cover is exquisite, and I couldn't take my eyes off it from the moment I saw it😍
Masterfully weaving the story like a spider, perfectly using all POVs and times as threads that connect at some point or other, just enough to keep you hungry for more. Until it all collides into one intricate web, where you are familiar with all the threads representing the events and emotions that led you to that point where everything makes sense.
A merciless place, The Academy of Kindness takes girls who are sold and forges them into weapons of revenge against injustice. After ten years of bloody survival, only three will leave alive, with all the secrets they've learned there making them the perfect avatars of vengeance. Rue - one of our main characters - is one of the many girls there... but the difference is that while the others were sold by their families, she sold herself.
Gripping, bloody, and a brilliant take on necromancy that I loved.
It gave me John Wick vibes, especially that part with the pencil in the action scenes😂😈
I liked Rue and her complex character, a tender heart wrapped in tenacity, sharp edges, and unrelenting will.
But to be honest, Sharp, with her fiery temper and devil-may-care attitude, was my absolute favourite character.
I feel that the book only scratched the surface of the enormous potential of this world, and to say I'm curious to learn more about Rue and her world is an understatement.
February 12, 2026
Dark, twisted and fully befitting The Morrigan.
The Academy of Kindness (or rather temple to The Morrigan) is anything but kind. The academy is fuelled by female rage and inequality and injustice of the world. 100 girls each year are sold to the academy and only 3 will graduate. The Kindesses that graduate, unleash vengeance on the world that allows supports the academy in the first place, as 100 boys would never be sold.
What’s most fascinating (although also confusing) in the storytelling of this book, is the time jumps. It goes against expectations and the main storyline in the now setting is not the girls learning at the academy or even graduated 10 years. No this story opens on an older woman in her 60s who graduated many moons ago and thought that part of her life was over. Then we get many flashbacks to tell the story of the academy and what made our fmc who she is today. This is dark, darker than I even excepted and yet so interestingly done. Cant wait to get a physical copy of this book on my shelf
The Academy of Kindness (or rather temple to The Morrigan) is anything but kind. The academy is fuelled by female rage and inequality and injustice of the world. 100 girls each year are sold to the academy and only 3 will graduate. The Kindesses that graduate, unleash vengeance on the world that allows supports the academy in the first place, as 100 boys would never be sold.
What’s most fascinating (although also confusing) in the storytelling of this book, is the time jumps. It goes against expectations and the main storyline in the now setting is not the girls learning at the academy or even graduated 10 years. No this story opens on an older woman in her 60s who graduated many moons ago and thought that part of her life was over. Then we get many flashbacks to tell the story of the academy and what made our fmc who she is today. This is dark, darker than I even excepted and yet so interestingly done. Cant wait to get a physical copy of this book on my shelf
March 25, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC - I AM SCREAMING I AM RAVING I AM GONNA BE THINKING ABOUT THIS ONE FOR AAAAAGESSSS
Damn, Mark Lawrence, you’ve done it again.
I absolutely loved the Library Trilogy in 2024 and 2025, and considering how this book had me in a chokehold early on, I might just love everything Mark Lawrence writes. I’ll have to work through his backlist promptly because oh my god, thank you for your excellent stories and writing. This was sooo dark and sooo brutal but also so damn good, the twists were excellent and heartbreaking, the characters and their relationships were so well done, and I simply have to know more about the world and history and backstory and THAT ENDING?? I’m going to be absolutely rabid for what happens next for a loooooong time
Damn, Mark Lawrence, you’ve done it again.
I absolutely loved the Library Trilogy in 2024 and 2025, and considering how this book had me in a chokehold early on, I might just love everything Mark Lawrence writes. I’ll have to work through his backlist promptly because oh my god, thank you for your excellent stories and writing. This was sooo dark and sooo brutal but also so damn good, the twists were excellent and heartbreaking, the characters and their relationships were so well done, and I simply have to know more about the world and history and backstory and THAT ENDING?? I’m going to be absolutely rabid for what happens next for a loooooong time
March 27, 2026
This book makes a milestone in how many books i read so far, and what an incredible book it is to hit with.
Mark Lawrence became one of my most favourite Author after reading Prince of Thorns,and if you liked his dark books (didnt read the library trilogy) you will 10000% love this book,dont let yourself be spoiled by reading or watching reviews,this book is worth it to live and enjoy every moment by yourself!!
Now i am mad i have to wait for the next book….
Mark Lawrence became one of my most favourite Author after reading Prince of Thorns,and if you liked his dark books (didnt read the library trilogy) you will 10000% love this book,dont let yourself be spoiled by reading or watching reviews,this book is worth it to live and enjoy every moment by yourself!!
Now i am mad i have to wait for the next book….
Want to read
October 25, 2025THIS COVER OH MY GOD
March 24, 2026
Dark, eerie, and completely unlike anything I’ve read in a while, this book truly stands out.
This is one of those rare books that just feels different. From the very beginning, there’s this unsettling, almost haunting atmosphere that completely pulls you in. It’s dark, mysterious, and at times even disturbing—but in a way that makes it impossible to stop reading.
What impressed me the most is how original this story feels. It doesn’t follow the usual patterns, and even when you think you understand what’s happening, the book constantly shifts and keeps you slightly off balance. That sense of not fully knowing what’s going on only adds to the experience and makes everything feel even more intense.
Around the middle of the book, with the introduction of Eldest’s storyline, the tone shifts even further. That part in particular felt incredibly eerie and disorienting, and I found myself constantly questioning what I was actually seeing or understanding, it’s also the moment where I genuinely thought: how does someone even come up with something like this?
The writing is absolutely beautiful. There were so many moments where I had to pause just to highlight passages because they were written so well. The author creates a very vivid and emotional atmosphere that really stays with you.
At its core, the story feels almost like a life unfolding, layer by layer, while slowly revealing darker and more unsettling truths. Some moments were genuinely shocking and heartbreaking, and the emotional weight of the story is definitely not to be underestimated.
I also really appreciated that the story centers around an older protagonist, which adds a different kind of depth and perspective. Combined with the strong undercurrent of (female) rage running through the narrative, it makes the emotional impact feel even sharper and more layered.
What stood out in particular was how unique and imaginative the whole concept is. There were parts where I genuinely wondered what kind of creativity one must have to come up with a story like this one. It feels creative, bold, and very intentional.
Overall, this book feels incredibly complete and wellrounded while still leaving space for more. The ending suggests that there is more to come, and I honestly can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
This is easily one of my favorite reads of the year so far. Dark, eerie, and slowly spiraling into something unforgettable.
This is one of those rare books that just feels different. From the very beginning, there’s this unsettling, almost haunting atmosphere that completely pulls you in. It’s dark, mysterious, and at times even disturbing—but in a way that makes it impossible to stop reading.
What impressed me the most is how original this story feels. It doesn’t follow the usual patterns, and even when you think you understand what’s happening, the book constantly shifts and keeps you slightly off balance. That sense of not fully knowing what’s going on only adds to the experience and makes everything feel even more intense.
Around the middle of the book, with the introduction of Eldest’s storyline, the tone shifts even further. That part in particular felt incredibly eerie and disorienting, and I found myself constantly questioning what I was actually seeing or understanding, it’s also the moment where I genuinely thought: how does someone even come up with something like this?
The writing is absolutely beautiful. There were so many moments where I had to pause just to highlight passages because they were written so well. The author creates a very vivid and emotional atmosphere that really stays with you.
At its core, the story feels almost like a life unfolding, layer by layer, while slowly revealing darker and more unsettling truths. Some moments were genuinely shocking and heartbreaking, and the emotional weight of the story is definitely not to be underestimated.
I also really appreciated that the story centers around an older protagonist, which adds a different kind of depth and perspective. Combined with the strong undercurrent of (female) rage running through the narrative, it makes the emotional impact feel even sharper and more layered.
What stood out in particular was how unique and imaginative the whole concept is. There were parts where I genuinely wondered what kind of creativity one must have to come up with a story like this one. It feels creative, bold, and very intentional.
Overall, this book feels incredibly complete and wellrounded while still leaving space for more. The ending suggests that there is more to come, and I honestly can’t wait to see where the story goes next.
This is easily one of my favorite reads of the year so far. Dark, eerie, and slowly spiraling into something unforgettable.
March 23, 2026
Some really fun ideas but was also a bit monotonous at times. The present stuff with Rue was quite dull, but I really enjoyed the stuff with Eldest and at the Academy.
Full review to come
Full review to come
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Is it too bold to claim you've just read one of your top reads of 2026 when it's only January? Because that's genuinely how I feel.
This is my first read of anything Mark Lawrence has written but it certainly won't be my last.
Everything about this book is captivating and disturbing in equal measure. It is not an easy read. It does not have a comforting, happy ending. It's the sort of book that will tear you apart but you somehow want more of it.
Think dark academia mixed with Squid Games mixed with something so beautiful it almost hurts.
We follow the grim survival of our main character - a woman in her 60s - through a mixture of present day events and her time at the Academy as a teen. Chapters that at first seem disconnected begin to seamlessly weave together to paint a raw and brutal image of an individual who has clawed her way through life and suffered trauma beyond what you could ever expect any one person to survive. Yet survive, she does. Her need for vengeance sustains her and propels her onwards. Her stubbornness even brings her back from death until her score has been settled. Like, literally back from death.
As in, she told Death to fuck off 😂
I don't want to say too much about what happens in this book because I believe it is best experienced without prior knowledge. The twists, the reveals and the poignant moments are best experienced without any hints about what to expect.
This is my first read of anything Mark Lawrence has written but it certainly won't be my last.
Everything about this book is captivating and disturbing in equal measure. It is not an easy read. It does not have a comforting, happy ending. It's the sort of book that will tear you apart but you somehow want more of it.
Think dark academia mixed with Squid Games mixed with something so beautiful it almost hurts.
We follow the grim survival of our main character - a woman in her 60s - through a mixture of present day events and her time at the Academy as a teen. Chapters that at first seem disconnected begin to seamlessly weave together to paint a raw and brutal image of an individual who has clawed her way through life and suffered trauma beyond what you could ever expect any one person to survive. Yet survive, she does. Her need for vengeance sustains her and propels her onwards. Her stubbornness even brings her back from death until her score has been settled. Like, literally back from death.
As in, she told Death to fuck off 😂
I don't want to say too much about what happens in this book because I believe it is best experienced without prior knowledge. The twists, the reveals and the poignant moments are best experienced without any hints about what to expect.
March 25, 2026
“I can’t be what they want, so I may as well be what I want.”
There are fantasy books, there are dark fantasy books, and then there are dark fantasy books that feel like they’ve carved something permanent into you. Daughter of Crows is the latter.
I went in expecting brutality, revenge, rage, maybe a few emotional gut punches. I did not expect to come out the other side feeling like I’d been quietly dismantled without even realizing it. I mean this with absolute honesty… I knew by the first sentence I was going to love this. It met and exceeded every single expectation I had.
Mark Lawrence writes like he’s holding a blade to the page—every sentence precise, every line cutting exactly where it hurts most. This story is soaked in blood and grief and anger, but it’s never empty violence. It ALWAYS means something. Every loss matters. Every moment of cruelty lingers. There is precision and meaning and intent behind everything, and that is what makes this book incredible.
Rue is, without question, one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve ever read. An older woman shaped by decades of pain, survival, and choices that can’t be undone—she doesn’t just carry her past, she IS her past. It’s always with her, and it has made her exactly who she is in the present moment. Watching her move through the present while her history and past slowly unfolds is mesmerizing. You’re constantly recalibrating who she is, what she’s done, and what she’s capable of.
And the Academy of Kindness? Horrifying. Fascinating. Unforgettable. The idea and premise is BRILLIANT. The premise alone is brutal—one hundred girls enter, three leave—but it’s the execution that makes it truly devastating. The timelines weave together so seamlessly, revealing layer after layer of trauma, transformation, and truth. You don’t just witness what these girls endure—you feel it. And somehow, even in the bleakest moments, there are threads of loyalty, friendship, and something dangerously close to hope.
“The Academy graduated three students a year, three Kindly Ones, supposedly incarnations of the trio whose name you did not speak. The three who came for those who broke the oldest laws. The three who would hunt down any transgressor- mortal or god.”
The world itself is steeped in mythology and rot, where vengeance is sacred and justice feels like a blade. Necromancy, memory, identity—everything is handled with this eerie, almost poetic beauty that makes even the most disturbing elements impossible to look away from. And the characters… not a single one feels wasted. Even the broken ones. Especially the broken ones. There wasn’t a single character in this book I didn’t like which is very rare for me, but these characters just… fit? They make complete sense. You can’t help but like them.
What surprised me most, though, was how much this book made me feel. Because beneath all the rage and death and darkness, there’s something deeply human here. Grief. Love. The quiet, stubborn refusal to be erased. It hurts in a way that lingers. I had such a hard time putting this book down, but I also didn’t want it to be over. I haven’t felt this way about a book since Blood Over Bright Haven—which was my top book of 2025. That same all-consuming, can’t-stop-thinking-about-it, slightly unwell emotional spiral. And honestly? That tells me everything I need to know.
It’s March… and I already know this is going to be one of my top books of 2026—if not the top.
If you’re even slightly interested in grimdark/dark fantasy, morally gray characters, or stories that don’t pull their punches, read this. Just… be prepared to suffer a little for it. The suffering is worth it though… I promise.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for this absolutely incredible book and to Mark Lawrence for this insane (in a good way) story. I cannot wait for the next one.
There are fantasy books, there are dark fantasy books, and then there are dark fantasy books that feel like they’ve carved something permanent into you. Daughter of Crows is the latter.
I went in expecting brutality, revenge, rage, maybe a few emotional gut punches. I did not expect to come out the other side feeling like I’d been quietly dismantled without even realizing it. I mean this with absolute honesty… I knew by the first sentence I was going to love this. It met and exceeded every single expectation I had.
Mark Lawrence writes like he’s holding a blade to the page—every sentence precise, every line cutting exactly where it hurts most. This story is soaked in blood and grief and anger, but it’s never empty violence. It ALWAYS means something. Every loss matters. Every moment of cruelty lingers. There is precision and meaning and intent behind everything, and that is what makes this book incredible.
Rue is, without question, one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve ever read. An older woman shaped by decades of pain, survival, and choices that can’t be undone—she doesn’t just carry her past, she IS her past. It’s always with her, and it has made her exactly who she is in the present moment. Watching her move through the present while her history and past slowly unfolds is mesmerizing. You’re constantly recalibrating who she is, what she’s done, and what she’s capable of.
And the Academy of Kindness? Horrifying. Fascinating. Unforgettable. The idea and premise is BRILLIANT. The premise alone is brutal—one hundred girls enter, three leave—but it’s the execution that makes it truly devastating. The timelines weave together so seamlessly, revealing layer after layer of trauma, transformation, and truth. You don’t just witness what these girls endure—you feel it. And somehow, even in the bleakest moments, there are threads of loyalty, friendship, and something dangerously close to hope.
“The Academy graduated three students a year, three Kindly Ones, supposedly incarnations of the trio whose name you did not speak. The three who came for those who broke the oldest laws. The three who would hunt down any transgressor- mortal or god.”
The world itself is steeped in mythology and rot, where vengeance is sacred and justice feels like a blade. Necromancy, memory, identity—everything is handled with this eerie, almost poetic beauty that makes even the most disturbing elements impossible to look away from. And the characters… not a single one feels wasted. Even the broken ones. Especially the broken ones. There wasn’t a single character in this book I didn’t like which is very rare for me, but these characters just… fit? They make complete sense. You can’t help but like them.
What surprised me most, though, was how much this book made me feel. Because beneath all the rage and death and darkness, there’s something deeply human here. Grief. Love. The quiet, stubborn refusal to be erased. It hurts in a way that lingers. I had such a hard time putting this book down, but I also didn’t want it to be over. I haven’t felt this way about a book since Blood Over Bright Haven—which was my top book of 2025. That same all-consuming, can’t-stop-thinking-about-it, slightly unwell emotional spiral. And honestly? That tells me everything I need to know.
It’s March… and I already know this is going to be one of my top books of 2026—if not the top.
If you’re even slightly interested in grimdark/dark fantasy, morally gray characters, or stories that don’t pull their punches, read this. Just… be prepared to suffer a little for it. The suffering is worth it though… I promise.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for this absolutely incredible book and to Mark Lawrence for this insane (in a good way) story. I cannot wait for the next one.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ooft, this is dark.
The Daughter of Crows is a dark and often brutal fantasy. It's a story of survival and revenge.
The story starts off at the Academy of Kindness, a school where hundreds of girls are sold each year by desperate families, but you won't find kindness here. The girls are taught to become killers, and if they survive, they are sent out into the world to seek vengeance.
I really enjoyed this it's told over 3 POV, and to start with, I couldn't work out who was who, but it didn't take long before it clicked into place.
There's some fabulous characters here, some downright, creepy.
This is dark, but there's a sprinkle of humour, too.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the eArc.
The Daughter of Crows is a dark and often brutal fantasy. It's a story of survival and revenge.
The story starts off at the Academy of Kindness, a school where hundreds of girls are sold each year by desperate families, but you won't find kindness here. The girls are taught to become killers, and if they survive, they are sent out into the world to seek vengeance.
I really enjoyed this it's told over 3 POV, and to start with, I couldn't work out who was who, but it didn't take long before it clicked into place.
There's some fabulous characters here, some downright, creepy.
This is dark, but there's a sprinkle of humour, too.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the eArc.
March 26, 2026
Daughter of Crows by Mark Lawrence is a dark tale, but I wasn’t prepared for just how layered, gritty, and emotionally piercing it would be.
The story jumps between three timelines, all centred on Rue a former Daughter of the Academy of Kindness now in her seventies. In the present, she lives a quiet life in a small village until violence pulls her back into action. When it does, it’s striking to see that age hasn’t dulled her edge. Watching an elderly woman reclaim her role as avenger was something I never anticipated, and it felt utterly fresh.
The other timelines whisk us back to Rue’s childhood and her tumultuous years at the Academy which, despite its name, is anything but kind. Each year, 100 girls enter; a decade later, only three remain, transformed into “Kindnesses," divine avengers inspired by the Furies. The very idea captivated me. The Academy’s scenes are brutal and bleak, illustrating how grief, rage, and trauma are forged into formidable weapons.
At first, the shifting timelines and POVs took me a moment to fully grasp. The pacing felt uneven early on, and I wished the plot had been a bit clearer in those initial chapters. But once the threads began to intertwine, everything fell into place. What initially seemed disorienting became deliberately so, and I loved realising that some moments only made sense later, once I had all the pieces.
Rue stands out as the strongest part of the story. Unapologetically morally grey, she’s more cruel than kind, more vengeful than heroic yet I couldn’t help but root for her. She defies the traditional hero archetype, which makes her fascinating. She’s a hero in her own fierce, bloodied way, shaped more by loss and violence than nobility.
Lawrence’s style leans toward showing rather than telling, which I really appreciated. There are subtle details that might be missed on a first read, hinting at a rich, layered story that rewards rereading. It’s complex, unpredictable, and doesn’t hold your hand.
This is a bleak, atmospheric, often horrific story filled with necromancy, ancient laws, and an undercurrent of nature versus nurture. It’s not an easy read, nor does it aim to be. But if you love dark fantasy with deep character focus and a brutal edge, this is perfect.
Overall, I found Daughter of Crows ambitious and compelling, despite its initial roughness. I’m genuinely excited for the next book in the trilogy and I’ll probably reread this one before the next instalment arrives. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher HarperCollins for an e-arc.
The story jumps between three timelines, all centred on Rue a former Daughter of the Academy of Kindness now in her seventies. In the present, she lives a quiet life in a small village until violence pulls her back into action. When it does, it’s striking to see that age hasn’t dulled her edge. Watching an elderly woman reclaim her role as avenger was something I never anticipated, and it felt utterly fresh.
The other timelines whisk us back to Rue’s childhood and her tumultuous years at the Academy which, despite its name, is anything but kind. Each year, 100 girls enter; a decade later, only three remain, transformed into “Kindnesses," divine avengers inspired by the Furies. The very idea captivated me. The Academy’s scenes are brutal and bleak, illustrating how grief, rage, and trauma are forged into formidable weapons.
At first, the shifting timelines and POVs took me a moment to fully grasp. The pacing felt uneven early on, and I wished the plot had been a bit clearer in those initial chapters. But once the threads began to intertwine, everything fell into place. What initially seemed disorienting became deliberately so, and I loved realising that some moments only made sense later, once I had all the pieces.
Rue stands out as the strongest part of the story. Unapologetically morally grey, she’s more cruel than kind, more vengeful than heroic yet I couldn’t help but root for her. She defies the traditional hero archetype, which makes her fascinating. She’s a hero in her own fierce, bloodied way, shaped more by loss and violence than nobility.
Lawrence’s style leans toward showing rather than telling, which I really appreciated. There are subtle details that might be missed on a first read, hinting at a rich, layered story that rewards rereading. It’s complex, unpredictable, and doesn’t hold your hand.
This is a bleak, atmospheric, often horrific story filled with necromancy, ancient laws, and an undercurrent of nature versus nurture. It’s not an easy read, nor does it aim to be. But if you love dark fantasy with deep character focus and a brutal edge, this is perfect.
Overall, I found Daughter of Crows ambitious and compelling, despite its initial roughness. I’m genuinely excited for the next book in the trilogy and I’ll probably reread this one before the next instalment arrives. My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher HarperCollins for an e-arc.
March 6, 2026
Thank you Berkley Ace books for the ARC!
Hey, so respectfully, WTF?? (ACE)
This was WILD. I went in expecting it to be dark, but man, I wasn't expecting *THIS*.
And I loved every second. There is so much anger in these pages. Like, bone deep anger. This is a story about that anger, about being rejected, about doing what it takes to survive, and about what it means to find family--to find your sisters. And those bonds can be more important than anything.
This story is masterfully woven through a multi-timeline, multi-pov story that keeps you questioning what is going on, who you're ACTUALLY reading about, and how memory can be manipulated to serve a greater purpose. This is one of those books where the story isn't actually the story--the story is the vehicle to TELL the story. Sure, this is the story of how our heroine came to be who she is. But it's ACTUALLY a story about oppression and violence, and how we treat each other. Hint: It's generally not well.
Oh, and did I mention there's necromancy??
The blurb does NOT do this book justice. It was SO GOOD and I had the best time reading it. I really hope future books expand upon the lore and history of the world. There isn't a lot of worldbuilding throughout the book--you're given just enough information to understand what's happening in the moment, but not enough to piece together the full world and history. It's absolutely fascinating, and I really hope we get more of it in future books.
My only real qualm is that there are a lot of moments when the prose gets in the way of the story. When things are getting intense, I don't want (or need) a 3-paragraph explanation of what the dagger looks like. I get that it's done for dramatic effect and to increase tension, but it didn't really work for me--it just made me want to start skimming to figure out what is going on!!
Hey, so respectfully, WTF?? (ACE)
This was WILD. I went in expecting it to be dark, but man, I wasn't expecting *THIS*.
And I loved every second. There is so much anger in these pages. Like, bone deep anger. This is a story about that anger, about being rejected, about doing what it takes to survive, and about what it means to find family--to find your sisters. And those bonds can be more important than anything.
This story is masterfully woven through a multi-timeline, multi-pov story that keeps you questioning what is going on, who you're ACTUALLY reading about, and how memory can be manipulated to serve a greater purpose. This is one of those books where the story isn't actually the story--the story is the vehicle to TELL the story. Sure, this is the story of how our heroine came to be who she is. But it's ACTUALLY a story about oppression and violence, and how we treat each other. Hint: It's generally not well.
Oh, and did I mention there's necromancy??
The blurb does NOT do this book justice. It was SO GOOD and I had the best time reading it. I really hope future books expand upon the lore and history of the world. There isn't a lot of worldbuilding throughout the book--you're given just enough information to understand what's happening in the moment, but not enough to piece together the full world and history. It's absolutely fascinating, and I really hope we get more of it in future books.
My only real qualm is that there are a lot of moments when the prose gets in the way of the story. When things are getting intense, I don't want (or need) a 3-paragraph explanation of what the dagger looks like. I get that it's done for dramatic effect and to increase tension, but it didn't really work for me--it just made me want to start skimming to figure out what is going on!!
March 22, 2026
What an INCREDIBLE read! Lawrence’s world-building is PHENOMENAL—a series of incredibly harsh, brutal, & otherworldly settings that are as captivating as they are terrifying. I loved the nonlinear storyline & how organically it allowed everything to unfold. Lawrence’s prose is incredibly impactful—this book is BEAUTIFULLY written, with perfectly chosen phrases that bring an already powerful atmosphere up a notch. There are twists & turns right up until the very last page, & if you could see any of them coming, you’re more intuitive than I am! And of course, the lore/mythology elements are intricately detailed & expertly woven into not only the fabric of this fictional world (of which I can’t WAIT to get more) but also into every chapter of this incredible book. DEFINITELY one for your tbrs!
Thank you to the author and publisher for my gifted early review copy!
Thank you to the author and publisher for my gifted early review copy!
March 2, 2026
Ok so this was DARKKKKK Academia and DARK Fantasy. I loved the creative story and how this did not feel like anything else I’ve ever read (this is my first book by Mark Lawrence though). The dual timeline was also interesting because it isn’t often that we see a main character who is a 12 year old girl or a 60+ year old woman. Despite the heavy violence in this story I did think it did a solid job of touching on how dark life can be for young girls who face unimaginable horrors in their childhood and how strong those young women can be in order to live through them. Overall a very unique read and I look forward to seeing where book 2 takes the plot. Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the arc in exchange for my review!
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