Black Crow

Black Crow Chronicles #1

by Jen Pretty

Raising the dead is just the beginning.

Selena is a necromancer but hiding her talent is priority one. She works in a small diner as a fry cook with her best friend, only raising the dead when the magic becomes too much and always in secret.

But all that changes when someone starts leaving dead animals at her doorstep.

She runs, leaving everything behind, but finds herself in a new world where magic is king and the group teaching young people how to use their magic want her to aid the police in paranormal investigations.

Someone or something is killing people and when tragedy strikes too close to home, can Selena stop hiding and find the power she needs to stop a monster?

Genres: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

ebook

First published August 16, 2019

About the author

Jen Pretty is a well- known and prolific writer of smart urban fantasies. Her novels are character driven, witty, often violent, and with a liberal sprinkling of coarse language. Some of her books genre-hop into mythology, pulling characters and situations from a variety of sources.
When not writing, Jen can be found in the barn with her horses, or knee-deep in the vegetable garden at her home in rural Ontario, Canada, which she shares with her husband, three children, and a white husky dog named Salt.

Reviews

[Helen Garraway · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first novel I have read by Jen Pretty, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A really good, well written YA paranormal fantasy with vampires, witches and warlocks.

Selena is a necromancer. She can raise the dead and have a chat, not that she does it often. She has tried to hide her ability and avoid others of the paranormal world. Until the day she is transported to the sanctuary, a place that teaches youngsters to control their magic, but Selena cannot cope with it draining all her magic and runs, only to come face to face with someone just like her.

Selena meets some great characters, some who turn out to be friends, others of course who are more like jerks. Once she meets another necromancer, she sees what some of the possibilities might be for her future. Murders are happening across the city, and she could help uncover the perpetrator. Although this is a story about necromancers and vampires, it wasn't overly dark and gritty, the characters and their interactions carried the story more than the mystery.

This story is the first of seven books in the series that are currently published, which is great news, as Selena, Anick, Peran and young Colvin are such wonderful characters that you want to get to know them better. I love the interactions, and the Snappy dialogue. Quite a quick read at 251 pages, but very enjoyable. Roll on book number two, Two for Mirth.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book cover is pretty but the book itself is okay. The magic and necromancy idea was cool but I didn’t care for the writing. I never felt immersed in the world and the dialogue between characters came off wooden and unrealistic. The female mc was kind of annoying with her over the top reactions. The romance was nothing special. Nick had the personality of a nice best friend. Nothing wrong with that but as a love interest I found it boring. Overall, there were some interesting ideas but I didn’t connect with the writing or characters. I thought this was maybe a debut novel for the author but when I got to the end and saw many other series I was surprised. Her style of writing is just not for me. Given all the other 5 star reviews plenty of other people have liked it so if you have kindle unlimited I’d recommend giving it a try.

[Charlotte Hope Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One For Sorrow

The book is great. It totally surprised me. Selena's type of supernatural is the first one that I have read as a total story. It is totally different that what I would think of, especially of the connection to the vampire, Nick.
I loved how the story went in how Selena learned who and what she was.

[Sharon Hughson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paranormal Mystery

I enjoy a good mystery but I wasn’t sure if a necromancer’s perspective was for me. Actually, she wasn’t too bad, but the story gave me a bit of whiplash with all the sudden changes.
The mystery? It wasn’t much of one. I had it figured out early.
If I say the crow was my favorite part, you’ll know I had one.

[Dawn Cavenee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have LOVED this book-I just wish there were more answers or information. She/we could have used more details regarding the schooling and history. I greatly enjoyed the world building and characters, but additional knowledge and background would’ve endeared me further. 😀

[Margarita Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrill ride of the paranormal. Liked the premise and the relatable characters. They each complimented each other with good dynamics. Good storyline and I want to read more of this series.

[Michele Keeling · Rating 5 out of 5]

One for sorrow

This is the first book by this author, I have read. Not gonna be the last. I loved it and have already got the next in the series

[Barbara Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Loved the book hoping the next one is just as good, I was wondering why people didn’t seem it weird people walking around with white hair lol.

[H NELMS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start to series

Great start to series...I enjoyed number one...looking forward to reading number 2...Will look out for more of this author's work...well done.

[Judith A Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

And one for the good guys

I like it. It's characters are fresh. The heroine is snarky. The plot is fresh. Enough said. Get this one and enjoy the ride.

[Scarlet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read.

I enjoyed this book. It’s a new twist on necromancy that I loved.
The characters are fun too and I can’t wait to see what awaits Selena in the next book

[Jennifer Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title sums it up very well.

Magic and myth... sorrow, trust and love. They seem to go hand in hand. Exciting moments around every corner (page). I truly enjoyed this book.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/14/2020)! 🎁

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for review via Authorsxp, and overall really enjoyed it.

Selena is a necromancer who was raised in an orphanage and taught to hide her powers. She works as a mundane human fry cook, living in a shabby apartment and going out with her friends on weekends. But someone is killing women, making it dangerous to go anywhere alone. And when someone starts leaving dead animals on her doorstep, she's convinced someone knows about her powers to raise the dead.

Enter a wonderful cast of paranormal secondary characters, who come to her rescue and take her to a Sanctuary where children with abilities are trained to use them. Her new guardians want her to work with the police, to help catch the killer by raising and interviewing the victims.

Overall, it was a fun read after a slow start. There was plenty of action and angst to keep the story moving. I loved the characters' personalities, and how the author designed each separate race and ability. The one issue I had was with Selena herself - there were times when she was a bit petulant and immature, overreacting in a way I didn't understand. Her group of guardians were rather saintlike, tolerating what someone should have called her out on. But the story was fast-paced and came to a satisfactory conclusion, and I would read more in the series--albeit with a hope to see this memorable and interesting heroine grow and mature.

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raising the dead is just the beginning.
Selena is a necromancer but hiding her talent is priority one. She works in a small diner as a fry cook with her best friend, only raising the dead when the magic becomes too much and always in secret.
But all that changes when someone starts leaving dead animals at her doorstep.
She runs, leaving everything behind, but finds herself in a new world where magic is king and the group teaching young people how to use their magic want her to aid the police in paranormal investigations.
Someone or something is killing people and when tragedy strikes too close to home, can Selena stop hiding and find the power she needs to stop a monster?

This book was a good read with good development of relationships between the characters. There were some spelling mistakes in the copy i read but this does not detract from the story. It was a good plot line and easy to follow with some twists and turns along the way. I look forward to reading more books int he series. Give this one a try if you like fantasy, supernatural books.

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

When legend becomes fact

A terrific start. Magic, legends, vampires, witches, warlocks and not forgetting necromancer all mixed into a read that has you following a young woman. Abandoned at birth, she's been hiding her powers and appearance for years. Now someone has found her! Taken to Sanctuary, her powers suddenly disappear and her necromancer magic is gone. The only way she can survive is outside the magic enclave. Taken by another necromancer, a warlock and a vampire (who has taken on bodyguard duties), she goes to Canada. Almost against her will she fights to bring down the killer roaming around killing witches. Plus a killer is stalking her home town and has killed her human BFF. Can she bring down the killers? What does being the Black Crow mean? Is her magic so much stronger than the others? With her familiar Crow she embarks on her journey of discovery.
Wonderful characters that lend colour and vitality to the read. Plus with all their different powers it makes for an exciting one too.

[Blake · Rating 2 out of 5]

(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I completely change my mind on a series, so want to change my scoring down a lot)

How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see some stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
------------

First time read the author's work?: Yes

Will you be reading more?: Possibly

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jen Pretty writes books with snarky, !likeable heroines that suck you in and take you on a thrilling adventure. In Black Crow she delivers again. Selena is a necromancer trying to blend in with society and hide her powers. When a serial killer targets magic wielding females she attempts to hide. Instead, she is swooped away to a hidden enclave. There she finds a secret society along with learning of new paths open to her. I found a couple of homophone type errors, but it doesn't detract from the story. The ending hints of the future, so I am hoping that Black Crow is the first in a series. I read it in hours as once I started, I couldn't put it down.

[Sarah Daneen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feeling about this book. There were parts that I really liked and others not so much.
I loved the authors take on necromancer, I thought it was different from what I have read before and it was this that had me hooked. I also liked some of the humour, something I was not expecting.
The only negative I have about the book is the main character and how she acted in certain parts of the book. I felt she was melodramatic at times. I did not understand why she would act so over the top when she found out things. It did not feel real to me.
I still liked it and I would read the next book in the series.

[Shelleen Toland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Selena is a necromancer and is careful using her talents. She works in a diner with her best friend and they hang out a lot. Then someone starts leaving dead animals at her doorstep and she knows she has been found and she goes on the run.
Someone is also killing people and when Selena ends up in a place where magic is the be all then she is asked to help the police. She ends up losing her magic and is taken away to Canada. A lot of going on in this book.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witches, warlocks, vampires, wraiths, and, most importantly, necromancers… what more can you ask for? Black Crow offers a smorgasbord of paranormal beings in this well-written thriller. If you like a quirky heroine hunting down a paranormal serial killer, then read this novel. A very fast-paced, easy read.
I received a free copy of this book and choose to review it voluntarily.

[Norman Hirschman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read and very interesting in the concept. Selena has Magic she tries to hid. Eventually she is discovered by a group of people who use magic and she finds out she may be the imaginary Black Crow. Will Keep you on the edge.

[Sherry Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating. I haven't read a book this interesting in a long time.

[Anne T. Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read- good characters

This book is interesting with good characters. Good POV. Pacing is steady. Definite worth a read and is easy to get caught up in.