A Raven's Scream

by Justin Beckler

1987. Caroline survives a teen party that leaves four dead. She doesn’t remember what happened in those woods, but something primal has awakened inside her. And the veiled woman hunting her seems to know more about her family than she does.

1961. Margot’s visions are spiraling out of control. Somewhere in the static of time, she finds a girl bound in the trunk of a car. When Margot discovers she can communicate with the girl, saving her becomes an obsession—even if it means turning against the coven that raised her.

As two stories collide, a mother and daughter shape each other’s fate across decades while uncovering pieces of a generational puzzle with a dark history.

A Raven’s Scream introduces the Southern Order a world where shadows thrive, the past has eyes, and some bonds can’t be broken—even by time.

404 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

Reviews

[Haly Hoards Books]

4☆
A Raven's Scream has so much happening. Beckler put a lot of effort into writing a novel full of twists and turns. This is a character heavy novel where not everyone is who they were as time progresses.

Beckler has created a sprawling, well thought out hierarchy of a Witch coven. The magical system is quite detailed. I was impressed! The Raven relationships through the decades are convoluted and I had to take notes in order to keep from being confused. Those who seem like evil enemies are not, and those who pose as saviors are not. It's all topsy-turvy!

The going backward and forward in time can be confusing until you get to about the 30% point in the book. A focused reading is necessary but worth it. Between the confusion of so many characters and the time shifts I deducted one star = 4/5☆.

I received a free copy through Booksirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Justin Beckler and publisher for the chance to review this novel.

Beckler has a way of leading readers through the twisted, gnarly politics, love, hate and thurst for power within the Amber coven to a satisfactory resolution. But, what happens next for Caroline? We have to wait for the second novel of the trilogy, A Widow's Kiss.

Favorite Quote:
"'A Raven cannot wither in the eyes of the unknown. A Raven revels in the unknown. You will thrive in chaos because you are the chaos.'
Janelle Locke in the autumn of 1960"

[Makayla Jenkins]

I’ve rated this book based on the CAWPILE method. This book averaged 5 stars.

“The past is dead, today is alive.”

CHARACTERS- 10/10

The characters are fully fleshed out and so unique. There are quite a few POV’s but they are easy to navigate because they are written so well.

ATMOSPHERE/SETTING- 9.5/10

Atmosphere is indeed very southern gothic. I just wish the dialogue was written so that it sounded like it had a bit more of that southern twang.

WRITING STYLE- 9/10

Love this writing style. While each POV definitely had its own cadence and vibe, they all meshed together really well. There were a couple times I had to reread because I didn’t quite understand the first time, but not often.

PLOT- 10/10

Love the plot. Every time I thought ‘oh, I see. Everything is coming together now’ I got a swift kick in the behind that told me otherwise. I cannot even tell you how much I loved this plot. It feels like fear street meets AHS coven.

INTRIGUE- 10/10

As mentioned above I was consistently being surprised by the direction the story went. I finished this in nearly two sittings.

LOGIC/RELATIONSHIPS- 10/10

These make total sense. I don’t even know what to say. It seems completely plausible that this could happen in that situation. I’d love to know the authors thought process behind this book.

ENJOYMENT- 11/10

Overall I loved this book SO much. Everything about it is just top tier. Would I recommend it? Uh, yeah! To anyone with the ability to read! Also, bonus point for mentioning the art of crochet and (as far as I could tell) not getting it mixed up with knitting. Absolutely amazing. Will be devouring the next book as well.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Aura]

Arc reader review.

Well damn, this book was a roller-coaster from start to finish and I know the following book is going to be the same (I mean, I hope). The writing was perfect, it's been a while since I've read something so well written. The characters are so different but in the end, they complement each other so well.

I am really excited to read more, to know what happens. Thank you for letting me be part of their adventure in advance.

[Malavika Pillai]

Thank you to the author/publisher for providing me with an ARC. This review is my true opinion of the book.

A Raven’s Scream is a strong Debut novel by Justin Beckler which delivers a dark and atmospheric reading experience with strong gothic horror elements and an eerie tone that keeps the tension simmering throughout. The writing creates an unsettling mood early on, making it easy to sink into the story’s darker themes.

The story is about a young girl who finds herself pulled into unknown and unexplained world following a party that left her with more questions than answers of what happened.

The strongest aspect of this book is its atmosphere. Beckler leans into mystery, suspense, and haunting imagery, creating a story that feels immersive and cinematic. Fans of darker fiction and horror-leaning narratives will likely enjoy the ominous pacing and mood.

At times, the pacing may feel uneven depending on your reading preferences( switches between multiple timelines and POVs), particularly in sections focused more on buildup than action. However, the gradual unraveling of the story adds to the sense of dread and curiosity.

Overall, A Raven’s Scream is a solid pick for readers who enjoy gothic horror, supernatural tension, and darker emotional undertones. I’d recommend it to fans of atmospheric horror, mystery and strong female charecters.

[Svetlana Tucker]

A Raven’s Scream is the kind of story that doesn’t just haunt you, it studies you, waits, and then strikes when you think you understand it. With its dual timelines, the novel threads together Caroline’s fractured survival in 1987 and Margot’s unraveling visions in 1961 into a chilling, slow-burn collision that feels both inevitable and devastating. The mystery is razor-sharp but deliberately disorienting; answers don’t come easy, and that’s exactly the point.
What makes this story gripping isn’t just the eerie presence of the veiled woman or the lurking Coven, it’s the emotional core. The bond between mother and daughter, stretched across time and trauma, gives the horror real weight. Every revelation lands harder because it feels personal, like history itself is alive and hunting.
Dark, patient, and deeply unsettling, A Raven’s Scream rewards readers who lean into the confusion and trust the pieces will click into place. By the end, it’s not just the supernatural that lingers, it’s the realization that some legacies don’t fade… they wait.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bama Girl]

A Raven’s Scream is a roller coaster ride, so buckle up. The novel chronicles the Ravens, the young witches in training for the Amber Coven of Georgia, and the legacy of the Grand Witches who rule it. Powers are passed from mothers to daughters, and when Margot, a young Raven, begins to display extraordinary gifts, jealousy brews among those determined to stop what seems inevitable. Carolyn, a foster child who has been lost in the system, begins to see and hear things others can't. She becomes a pawn in the witches' plan to rebuild their shattered coven. But at what cost?

Spanning the years 1961 to 1987, the pace never lets up. The shifting timelines demand attention, and readers must stay alert to keep track of who has taken over whose body in this eerie, atmospheric tale.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

And while I received an advanced review copy for free, I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tina Lincoln]

What defines a connection?
Connections without touching physically...
For most, that may sound impossible! To connect without touching, using devices, or telephones... sometimes even throughout time itself. Is that really possible? This wonderful story with Caroline, Margot, and others, describe how people can very much touch and reach others... with a 'simple' Raven's Scream! That is such a powerful connection!
I was pulled in by this story, how it is different from what most of us know, that a bond can be created, even if it goes against what has been your connected life!
Thank you, Justin Beckler, for a great story.
I received a complimentary arc copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Christine Choptovy]

This is an interesting horror/supernatural tale.Caroline is a teenager who lives with her foster mother Sandra. She is unaware of her origin story, which she really ought to be aware of. She’s having a hard time socializing with her classmates, so she’s encouraged to attend a sleepover with four other girls her age. However, the party becomes the start of the horror Caroline will experience. It is a layered story showing how the past intertwines with the present and will likely affect the future. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received an ARC and this review is my personal opinion.

[Shelby]

Rating an Advance Reader Copy

A Raven’s Scream is a compelling southern gothic horror focused on a teenage girl with no idea of her background, and the coven of her origin. The author does a nice job of switching between POVs with clarity and ease, and dates each chapter so it’s even more clear which timeline you’re currently in.

The characters were compelling and the story builds with a nice cadence, feeding you tidbits of information of the magic system while pushing the story along at a nice jaunt.

This isn’t my typical genre selection, but I definitely enjoyed the book, and would recommend, especially if southern gothic horror is your shot of whiskey.

[Crystal Ramirez]

The book was good. I had to take my time reading it to really understand the plot and what was happening and it took me several days to get through. I did really enjoy the character development and how I began to realize that everyone and everything is interconnected in the book. I also really enjoyed all the reference to witchcraft as it is a subject matter in books that I would like to read more about but havent come across very often. Overall I enjoyed the book and I'm looking forward to the next one!

[MIss M Truelove]

Wow, this book had me gripped from the very first page. The book focuses on The Ravens a group of young witches. The book spanned multiple decades and while this did require attention i did not feel lost. I loved the character development and how they became interconnected. I do not want to give away any spoilers but will say this if you like witches and strong powerful women you will not be disappointed with this book. I cannot wait for the next book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Julie Jordan]

I liked the way the book started in the present then went back in time. I felt the time in the past was too much though. I felt there might have been too much detail given that wasn’t important to the overall story. It felt like there wasn’t anyone telling the truth or being truthful with Caroline and I was getting frustrated for her. There were many dangers that Caroline was thrown into and the end did set things up for a sequel nicely.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Josette Thomas]

From the opening sentence to the end of the book; I could not put this book down until I had finished. The atmosphere of this book by itself was creepy. The trek through the forest had me feeling very trapped. Then add in the fact these are some powerful witches that also hold grudges make this book very powerful. Some of the scenes depicted in this book were important to the sustainability of the covens but seemed cruel. I was not sure if some of the rituals were for helping or for harming of the Raven’s. When Peggy could see ahead in the future but was unable to help not only frustrated Peggy but the reader as well. When I could finally reach the end of this book, I was not sure if I liked or despised Starla. I felt sorry for Caroline because she was an unknowing pawn in a power struggle. Had she of has some knowledge of where she came from she may have had a better chance when facing the terrors she faced. Overall this book had me entertained and hoping for a good ending. If you like books involving women as powerful people then go get this book.

[Cyrus]

I do love a good mystery with a touch of the strange, and this delivered. That poor Caroline, waking up after that party not knowing what happened it gave me chills. And Margot's story, with her visions and the coven, was just as gripping. The writing pulls you along, and before you know it, you're halfway through. The ending left me wanting the next book right away. A fine read for a rainy afternoon.

[Alauna Friskics]

So creepy. So riveting. I loved it. It ramped up quickly, grabbed me, and I stayed in “can’t put it down” mode through the whole thing. The depth of characters and interweaving of relationships made for one of the most thrilling books I have read in a long time. Great reveals. Unseen twists and turns. This book delivers in every way.

[Carissa]

I won this book on the Goodreads giveaways. I enjoyed this and really liked the premises of this book. I love a witchy book. Not everyone is who you think and it takes time to figure everything out. I can’t wait to read the next one!

[Diane]

I came for the vibes, stayed for the chaos, and left yelling at the last page.

This book had me in a chokehold from page one. The tension, the atmosphere, the emotional gut‑punches — all top‑tier.

Then we hit the 75% mark and suddenly the plot decides to level up like it’s trying to win a boss fight. If you blink, you’re flipping back pages like you’re studying for an exam. I definitely had to reread a couple sections just to get my bearings.

But that cliffhanger? I almost screamed. Beckler really said “good luck waiting” and slammed the door. Four stars because I loved it — even if I needed a map for a few chapters and now have to suffer until the next book drops.