The Raven Queen

by Sarah Jane Whitney

He was made to kill. She was made for someone else.

They found him in Harrow Woods—nameless, mute, more animal than child. A fae King gave him a name. A human spymaster gave him a purpose. No one asked him what he wanted to become.

Recalled to the human capital after five years of bloodshed in the furthest reaches of the kingdom, Harrow is crown's sharpest knife—shaped since childhood into the kind of man who solves problems that can't be solved cleanly.

But alliances are growing tenuous and the throne is held together with secrets and blackmail. Harrow's closest friend is now the sole heir to a waning dynasty and the cost of keeping the knives from his back is growing steeper.

And, somewhere in the secretive fae courts to the west, the princess Harrow has loved since boyhood is living under a curse that kills every man who tries to claim her hand.

For her entire life, Morrigan has been told she is destined for a fated mate—the mysterious, long-awaited High King who will unite all four fae courts. She dreads the future. To her, nothing could be more violating than having who she will love decided for her.

Harrow knows he is not the one the prophecy promises—he's always known. But that doesn't stop him from loving her anyway.

Told across two timelines—the feral boy learning to be a person, and the man reckoning with what that cost him—this is a story about whether you can truly love someone when fate has already decided the end of the story...And whether a weapon, once made, can ever choose differently.

THE RAVEN QUEEN is the first book in THE NIGHTBORN PROPHECIES, an adult dark fantasy romance series. This novel is told entirely from his POV and features childhood friends to lovers, fated mates as a curse, a morally grey mentor, and a hero who will tear down every political alliance and risk war for the woman he was never supposed to want.

379 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2026

Reviews

[GivernyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was such a great read. The start did throw me off a little with the change from third person in the prologue to first person in the first chapter. That being said, the story was quick to draw me in despite the slower pace.

The blending of the two timelines (past and present) was also done quite well and added so much depth to the story in terms of better understanding the MMC. Which was quite important for the latter half of the story because that ending!!! I understood why Hallow did it, but gosh it left me on a bit of a cliffhanger wanting to know more.

The author built everything up so good, especially with all the political side of things (which I'm a sucker for). And the way that everything was shown as different layers of grey with there being no real black and white choice was quite fun to see. Also that world-building. Loved it and the way it was weaved into the story.

Overall, I really loved the characters (Dorian and Nim are my personal favs) and how they were written with all sorts of flaws. Also the complexity of relationships in this story was *chef's kiss*.

Really excited to read book two in December. Though I don't know if I can wait that long XD


Thanks to the author for the ARC.

[Nasya D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off I LOVE that this was told from the POV of the MMC; it was a nice change from reading from the FMC POV.

When Harrow is a young boy, he is found abandoned and is sent to live with a human family. Since he doesn’t really “fit” anywhere as a “half breed”, the family’s spymaster trains him to be an assassin and it comes super easily to him.

There are alternating timelines: present day and flashbacks when the MMC is younger. I enjoyed the flashbacks of the trio’s childhood memories and their individual relationships with each other. My heart broke for Harrow when they found him, so growing up with Dorian as his brother was so wonderful 🥹.

The descriptions of Moro’s magic and her markings was really cool, I’m interested in hearing more about that in the next book. In general this ended how I hoped/thought it would BUT with an extra twist I didn’t expect.

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

Found family
Fated mates
Assassin x Princess
Half human half fae
Unknown identity
Unique magic and markings

[Evelyn Mootispaw]

Okay first, I received this book as an ARC read at no charge. This is my honest and voluntary review. With that being said....That ending!!!!!! How could it end in such a way. It makes me antsy for the next book. Sarah Jane Whitney has out done herself with this book. And I can not wait to read more from her. I could not put this down. Harrow and Morrigan chemistry stole my heart. They each are trying to deal with the trials they are forced into and learning who to trust. The details that the author gives made me feel like I was in the story.

[Krystle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will pull you in

I think it's fascinating to read almost entirely from the MMC's POV, but it worked here. I knew going in that the beginning of this would be slow with all of the world building going on, but it didn't slow it down too much. I also enjoyed getting all of the backstory for Harrow. It helped me understand his character better.

The epilogue is quite the set up for the second book and I am here for it, because it's going to be good!

I did receive an early copy of the book and I'm leaving a review voluntarily.

[The Apron Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc (advanced reader copy) Review:

Wow, this book has my heart aching. The characters were written super well: their backstories, their motivations, their sense of humor, I could really feel their connections with the other characters through the pages.

This book is told only in the MMC POV, which did not disappoint for me at all: you experience the MMC grow up from stray and feral living in the forest to a grown man with manners and figuring himself out in the world. The thorough backstory really helped shine light on his actions towards the end of the story.

Although in the beginning, it felt a little slow and didn't hook me from the start, i'm so thankful i kept reading. This book showed that not all actions or morality is black and white and had my heart strings tugged. I am definitely going to read book two! I already miss experiencing the world and the characters.

[Virginia Raffield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a arc to give my honest thoughts, and this book is amazing, I love the characters the story and I just couldn’t put the book down, I can’t wait for the next book 📕. I want to thank Sarah Jane Whitney for letting me read a advance copy

[Dear Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okok firstly I obviously have to thank Sarah Jane Whitney and Bookfunnel for providing me with this arc 🫶🏻
Y'all know I live for ARCs atp (i mean I do literally have a separate account for them)
Ok sooooo let's get into it
I gave this book a solid 4-4.25 which surprised even me
To be honest, I was expecting another spicy romantasy ACOTAR copy
And I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be very different!!!
So, the story is about Harrow, who was found in the woods, tried to a post, beaten and bloody because he is half fae, half human
And then is trained to be an assasin, falling in love with his childhood best friend who is destined for a ruler to unite all 4 courts, anyone else except her mate bound to die as they say their vows
I actually liked Harrow!!!!!
Now I have high standards, especially for characters, so this means A LOT
I think his motovations were clear, and I loved how he was clearly, objectively terrifying with all his assassin-esque skills
but from his perspective he seems so....normal
I think his whole story was so......how to even explain it?
Let's just say my heart ached for him several times throughout the story
And I LOVED his friendship with Dorian
OMG DORIAN MY BABY
FAV CHARACTER 100%
Honestly, they had a lot of even chemistry I would say
But either way, their dynamic, and just Dorian in general is 🤌chef's kiss🤌
But what about his actual romance with Moro?
Tbh, I thought Moro was the most undercooked character in this whole book
Which kinda sucks, considering she's the fmc and we're supposed to be rooting for her 😞
And because her character was so underdeveloped, I never truly felt the romance between them 🥲

Other than that, I LOVED Nim, loved Rodrick (yes, I did, even tho I have zero clue how old he actually is. was it ever mentioned? is he 20? 30? 60? who knows 🤷‍♀️? certainly not me)
I really wish we'd seen more of Vilde, of her motivations and more of just the inner politics of the castle
Another thing I LOVED was the dynamic of the trio (Moro, Dorian & Harrow) when they were younger
But I did find the kiss between Dorian and Moro very unnecessary, as it didn't really lead anywhere??? it had no actual meaning??
As we slowly wrap up, I wanna mention one of the bigger flaws of this book
The politics were sort of badly explained (at least the Dawn Court politics - i found them very hard to keep up with, and I am someone who usually loved a good political book)
Now, onto my last comment, something I can't decide whether I LOVED or hated
The book gave MAJOR The Cruel Prince vibes in my opinion
MAJOR
Now personally, for me this was awesome because I ADORE those books
But objectively, I see how this could be a problem, as I think that the book doesn't just take inspiration from The Cruel prince, but leans on it a lot
Especially with Dorian - the young prince who doesn't want to be prince, who loved getting drunk at parties and hooking up with random girls
I will say, I'm pretty sure it was heavily hinted at that Dorian is bi, which is a plus in my books (we love a bi king - literally)
I mean, even the names are similar
Cardan Greenbriar / Dorian Blackbriar
Too similar, if you ask me
And all the politics, the main character being a spy for someone inside the castle, not the king himself, but someone very close to the king
And then the king dying and that young son of his inheriting the throne
Now, I absolutely ate this up, because, as I mentioned, I FRICKIN LOVE THE CRUEL PRINCE
Butt I understand how it poses as an issue

Overall, this was a quick and easy read (i read it it one night and the next morning), full of political intrigue, fae, and absolutely perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince
I loved all the scheming, the politics, the forests, the assasins and the plotting
I would definitely recommend it, it's fast paced and very hooking!!!
Once again, thank you so much to Sarah Jane Whitney, and if you do read this review, I hope you use some of my criticisms to improve for the next books 🫶🏻
Also, I ABSOLUTELY ADOREE THE COVER
See y'all in my next ARC review!!
With love,
Dear Reader xx

[Lysander Wilkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: this is an ARC review.

tldr: It's good! The beginning is a bit rough, but if you push through it's well worth the pay off. If you like morally grey men with trauma and repressed desires you won't be disappointed. You will be fed. You will feast.

I ended up really enjoying The Raven Queen, especially the mid to latter half. I found the opening a bit dense and the main character's child perspective a little difficult to read during the early flashbacks, but I appreciated the purpose they served within the narrative and ultimately I think they built towards a very deep and well rounded character. Whitney wasn't afraid to take narrative risks and in a lot of ways, for me, those risks paid off.

First of all, it's bold to begin a fantasy romance with a single POV from the male lead, but it also makes the book stand out. Harrow is a very compelling and well thought out character, and although I didn't always agree with his decisions, I was always rooting for him and I always understood why he behaved the way he did.

The love interest, Morrigan, comes across as selfish and a little callous but never enough to make me think she's a bad person. Just enough to make me eager for a look inside her head. Their chemistry is believable but their flaws keep them from understanding one another and for the first book in a series that's exactly what I want. I don't want to feel like the entire romance is solved by the start of the second book.

The relationships between Harrow and the tertiary characters are also interesting and complex, especially his relationship with his father figure and mentor, and his friendship with Prince Dorian. There were always enough characters that the world felt lived in, but never so many that I got overwhelmed which is a delicate balance in fantasy.

As for the world building, it wasn't groundbreaking but rather it felt as if the intention was to take a deeper dive into common tropes and ideas and pick them apart which I appreciated. I was able to understand what was going on and I was never bogged down in the details.

The pacing and structure of the book was probably where it stumbled the most. You could tell Whitney had great characters and a great plot, but there were times where the execution didn't quite land for me. I understood the purpose of the flashbacks to Harrow as a child, and once he starts processing language more normally I even enjoyed them, but I definitely found the early flashbacks difficult to read through. However if you can push past those bits there is a genuinely wonderful story to uncover, and I am very much looking forward to reading more in this series and from this author. Pacing and structure are so much easier to remedy than a lack of depth and character, and I am fully confident that Whitney will only continue to impress.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Raven Queen is a dark romantic fantasy with a wounded assassin at its center, court politics, fae prophecy, and a childhood connection that turns into something much more complicated than simple pining.

For me, Harrow is the strongest part of the book, no question. He is sharp, damaged, loyal, and I just want to wrap him in a blanket and feed him soup until his soul heals. He has been raised as a weapon, and the author really shows us the cost. His relationships with Rodrick and Dorian were just as interesting to me as the romance, sometimes even more so, because they carry so much history and emotional mess.

The romance with Morrigan is slow and tense, and there were so many terrible choices, I loved it. This is not cozy. If cozy is what you're looking for, turn away. It has yearning, violence, political maneuvering, and a hero who keeps making decisions that are emotionally understandable and also deeply stupid. Deliciously stupid, but still stupid.

The structure uses a lot of flashbacks, and while they add weight to the present-day story, they do slow the pacing at times. The worldbuilding is interesting, but there are a lot of courts, clans, titles, and political stakes to absorb, especially in the first half. I also wanted a little more of Morrigan’s interiority earlier in the book, since we spend so much time seeing her through Harrow’s eyes.

Having said that, the final act hit me like a freight train. The ending is sharp, messy, and very clearly setting up the next book. This does not read like a standalone romantic resolution, so go in expecting the fallout.

I’d recommend this to readers who like dark fae romantasy, assassin heroes, childhood history, political intrigue, and romantic tension built on secrets and bad decisions.

[Britt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so excited that I stumbled upon this arc opportunity on IG because I’m HOOKED on this series already!

I absolutely loved that this was from Harrow’s POV!! I loved watching the way he thought, spoke, and acted morph throughout his youth and make him into the man that he was in the current timeline of the story. He was the perfect morally grey MC, definitely doing a lot of not great things but being a good guy at his core which we were able to see through his internal monologue. The dual timeline was amazingly done and something I really loved!

Harrow was such a complex character and I loved him for it. He went from an abused child, to a mute boy, to someone who was trained to not be seen and to end wars before they started. The fact that he was half human and half fae, a combination that usually lead to death early in life or weakness for most, he was shunned by a lot of people for being “less than”, hence why him hiding in the shadows worked well for him and his recruiter. I love a good underdog, especially when we can tell they are conflicted but ultimately good, and this sums him up to a T.

I loved his complex relationship with Rodrick, the man who took him in but also the man who crafted him into the weapon he was. Having had no one care for him, he sought so much of a fatherly type relationship with Rodrick, who gave him just enough to keep him going so that he could be used as a tool for the kingdom. I do think deep down Rodrick cared for him, but their relationship was definitely rooted in Rodrick breaking down Harrow so he could build him up for his uses. There were a couple parts, especially towards the end of the book, where I felt so bad for Harrow because he stayed being a good man despite everything that was thrown at him and despite how complicated his relationship with Rodrick was.

I loved the subtle worldbuilding within the book. There were fae and human kingdoms and tons of political intrigue!! There was so much war and political shenanigans going on in the background of this story and I can’t wait to see how everything progresses! I also really enjoyed the idea that magic was not something that was as prevalent anymore, but Morrigan, our FMC, had some. Unfortunately, she was also trapped in a prophecy, so I guess that outweighed it a bit!

At the end of the day, I loved the little friend group of Harrow, Morrigan, and Dorian. I loved watching them meet as kids and grow into adults who would be ruling the kingdom very soon. I loved that around eachother, they could just be themselves, not a princess, a prince, and an assassin. I also really loved Nim, Morrigan’s cousin who clung to Harrow in the last half of the book. He was hilarious and definitely a ride or die for Harrow, even though he had known him for a short time. I really want to see what role he plays going forward!

Thank you to Sarah Jane Whitney for the eARC! The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars

My thanks go to the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of the book prior to publication.

I have really struggled with writing my review for this book. It has some incredible elements. I literally posted on Instagram a few months ago that I really wanted to find a romantasy book told solely from the MMC’s point of view (in a M and F pairing). And this is one! Harrow is our MMC and narrator. The novel shows his development from an abandoned child, living in the woods on scraps he can find, to a 21-year old assassin pledged to a kingdom. This may sound incredibly weird, but he kind of reminded me of Jane Eyre. He also had a horrible childhood and just wanted to find his place in the world. He is definitely the most compelling character in the book and I really enjoyed his friendship with Dorian.

One of the places I struggled was with the romance itself. I felt his yearning, his love for her from childhood. But I didn’t feel her personality enough to warrant his devotion. She feels a bit wooden at times and the chemistry just wasn’t there for me (I thought his chemistry with Dorian was more compelling), and not enough for her to be the title of the book.

The biggest barrier for me was the names used in the book. I have no idea if it was an intentional or not, but the use of several names from the Sarah J. Maas universe threw me. There is a map at the beginning of the book (I love when these books have maps) and while perusing it, I found “the Night Court,” “the Dawn Court,” and a town called “Amaranthine.” Additionally, two main characters share names with SJM characters. Again, I cannot say whether this was meant to evoke those books, but as a reader, it just took me out of the world building a bit.

[Read_Sips · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

(ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.)

I really enjoyed this book. It has prophecies, court intrigue, looming war, magic, fae, spies, and betrayal, basically everything I love in a fantasy story.

The narrative is clearly divided into two phases. The first focuses more on getting to know the main character, alternating between past and present timelines. Personally, I really liked this structure because it helped create a stronger connection with Harrow. Even though this section is slower paced, there are always small developments that keep the story engaging.

The second half is where the action truly begins, and from that point on, I couldn’t stop reading. The pacing picks up significantly, and I constantly felt the need to keep going to see what would happen next.

The ending genuinely surprised me, and I thought the twist was very well executed and fit naturally within the story and characted development. And that final chapter from Morrigan’s POV left me even more excited and curious for the sequel.

I also really appreciated the way the romance was developed. It was refreshing to see a relationship that wasn’t immediate or overwhelmingly intense from the start. Instead, we follow a friendship that gradually grows over time, particularly from the MMC’s side, while the FMC doesn’t seem to reciprocate those feelings in the same way.

When they finally become involved, it doesn’t happen because she’s in love with him, but rather because of a request from a friend, which the MMC accepts despite the personal cost to himself. I found this dynamic different and surprisingly compelling, and I liked the way it was handled throughout the story.

[Meg✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🐦‍⬛⚔️THE RAVEN QUEEN REVIEW⚔️🐦‍⬛

First of all thank you so much Sarah (@sarahjanewhitney.author) for allowing me to read your book and providing an ARC. Being an ARC reader is such a joy and I love being one of yours!

The Raven Queen is a well paced, adult fantasy that delves into the world of the fae and the different clans set amongst stunning landscapes and magical settings. TRQ is a brilliant story that follows assassin, Harrow, as he navigates being honed into a ruthless weapon from a young age after being found as a feral child in a forest. Harrow is thrust into a terrifying world of killing and is such a well developed, damaged character that I just wanted to wrap him in a blanket and protect him. His relationships with his father figure, Rodrick and best friend, Dorian are incredibly special and intriguing, well within the found family trope. However, his relationship with Rodrick is one built on violence and secrets, nevertheless there is a genuine love between them as they both manoeuvre through blood thirsty dangerous politics.
Most important of all is Harrow’s relationship with Princess Morrigan, who he has admired since they were children. He’s trained to kill and she’s royalty cursed to be with someone else… The romance is tense and unhurried with yearning, stolen glances and politics that gets in the way.

And I must point out that my favourite character is Nim, Morrigan’s teenage cousin who is witty, determined and loves completely. The conversations between Nim and Harrow warmed my heart as they became like brothers. I can’t wait to see what Nim does next!

Overall, there is never a lull in the story telling, all of the chapters flow well and the world/character building is incredibly well done. Just don’t go in expecting a clean ending with bows on….

Sarah, WHEN IS THE NEXT ONE DROPPING IN MY INBOX!!!!???

[Yaksha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received a free E-ARC from the author.

Commoner x royal
He falls first
Childhood friends
I would die for you

Harrow and Morrigan… I adore them.
Morrigan’s ambition and her unwavering sense of duty stood out to me. She’s the kind of character who can be easily misunderstood if you only look at the surface, but there’s so much depth to her emotions once you really pay attention.

And Harrow? His pining is relentless. It’s soft, painful, and constant in a way that makes your chest ache.

The story is captivating right from the start. The plot is engaging, and while the character development could have been stronger, it still adds enough to keep you invested.

Harrow will make you emotional in ways you don’t expect, while Morrigan challenges you to understand her rather than judge her.

I’d definitely recommend this. It might feel a bit slow at the beginning, but stick with it, it truly gets better.

[Nean Sy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received the advance copy and first time doing this.

Honestly, if I wasn't so busy with life, I wouldn't be able to put it down!

It was an interesting & enjoyable read! I loved the perspective of the assassin along with separate chapters about his childhood. It made me feel his feels and understood him a little better.
However the world building threw me off a little since it sounded similar to others. And the peak of the story... I feel like it needed a little "unf" I can't quite describe what it needed. But it was there, he did that... that happened and that was it. I don't know if the author did that so that I could look forward for the next book (which I am!)... because that ending?! Tsk tsk, I need answers and I need more!

Overall, a great book with minor issues but highly enjoyable!

[siyaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

EVERYONE LOCK IN, THE RAVEN QUEEN IS SUCH A GOOD DEBUT! I went into this book expecting dark fantasy vibes and totally got sucked into the emotional complexity of Harrow, our main character! The atmosphere of the book is dark, almost haunting, where everything feels heavy with the power, secrets, and fate. This was my first time reading an MMC-only POV book, and I loved it! I'm obsessed with the FMC, Morrigan as well. She's so freaking strong and you can FEEL the pressure and responsibilities she carries through her speech; Sarah Jane Whitney has written this so well! Don't even get me started on the tension between her and Harrow because it was INSANE. I NEED HER TO RELEASE BOOK TWO LIKEEE YESTERDAY. Thank you so much Sarah Jane Whitney for providing me with an ARC to review, I'm in LOVE! I can't wait to read more of your books!

[Jami Cliborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC from the author through bookfunnel. Thank so much to Sarah Jane Whitney for allowing me the privilege to read this book as an arc.

It took me a minute to get hooked in this book. It was about 50-60% in when I got truly hooked and didn’t want to put it down. The twist and turns I did not see coming. I so glad I stuck it out and finished this book. I’m chomping at the bit to read book 2 that will be out in December. I love the characters, the banter and the yearning. This is slow burn with the yearning one sided (for now I hope). If this isn’t on your tbr go add it now.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a darker fantasy romance told through the POV of Harrow, the MMC. We get flashbacks to when he was younger as well as plot during the events of the present. He is an assassin who is so down bad for Morrigan. There is a lot of yearning there. The beginning of the book had a slower pace but picked up about half way through. I enjoyed this book however, I just personally didn't really connect with Harrow. There is nothing wrong with him though and he was written well. There were a few similarities to the Cruel Prince so if you enjoyed that book, then this one might be for you.

[Kristen Schmitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy in exchange for this review.

I really enjoyed getting a fantasy romance from the POV of the MMC! It was a refreshing change of pace. The prologue was a rough read just in the sense of tw: child abuse BUT it felt like a necessary intro to Harrow and his character. I also loved the way you could see Harrow growing through how his language and thoughts were structured in the flashbacks. The book really picks up in the latter half, so if you're not huge on character-driven novels, the first part may deter you, but I promise, it is worth the wait!

[Mindy Fenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC reader: I was hooked from chapter one! I loved how the author described the characteristics of each race and their homelands, it made me want to be there in person to see each place. I also enjoyed the way she wrote the MMC Harrow and his growth from a feral, scared child, to the man he ended up as. Each character felt well written and fully developed, even when they had very small parts in the story.
Overall a fantastic read and I look forward to book 2!

[Snacks Writes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC (advanced reader copy). This was a true romantic fantasy where I didn't have to compromise on the rise-of-the-hero story, the fantasy world building, OR (especially) the romance. 4/5 because the early flashbacks were a bit of a hard sell for me, and because there are some (admittedly minor) typos, but my reservations did not last long and the ending made me absolutely craving the next book! And yes the (Eventual. Torturously slow-burned.) smut hits!

[Stasia Roze]

This is SJM fan fiction, there's far too many things for it not to be. Names of characters are the same as ones from ACOTAR & TOG. Town and geographical names are named after characters and locations in ACOTAR. To me, SJM is a problematic author, and therefore, I can't platform a fanfic. I was disappointed as I see no mention of this on authors' socials. If I had, I wouldn't have signed up to ARC read.

[Shandie McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received from Author. I loved this book. Its told from the MMC POV which I liked as a change from most books being told in only FMC or Dual POV. The twists and turns of this book were so well written and the ending had me in a hold. I cannot wait for book 2 to come out this December. Highly recommend this book!

[Rose Bennet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't read a ton of romantasy but this one really gripped me. I received an ARC from the author and I LOVED the single POV, the world building and some of the secondary characters (Dorian) are amazing, and I can't wait for the second one! Very fun to read.