The Hunter and the Mage

The Raven and the Dove #2

by Kaitlyn Davis

Return to the world of The Raven and the Dove, where winged people rule the skies, a lost kingdom lives at sea, and two star-crossed lovers hold the fate of each in their palms. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Sabaa Tahir, and Leigh Bardugo!

A mage written in prophecy…

When Lyana wakes in the Sea of Mist, adventure is the first thing on her mind. But between her unruly new magic and an unyielding young king, the world below comes with more responsibility than she ever dreamed. An entire civilization exists within the fog, and its survival depends entirely on her.

A hunter forged in blood…

Adrift at sea on a ship full of strangers, Rafe fights to cope with his new reality. He'll do anything to return to the sky and the people he left behind. When a surprising offer comes his way, he instantly accepts, sparing no time to consider the consequences.

Loyalties are tested and an ancient war begins anew…

With rebellion in her heart, Cassi defies her king and befriends the prince she's been ordered to kill. Oblivious to the threat, Xander welcomes her into his inner circle, determined to rescue his mate. As one works to help and the other to hinder, an ancient enemy stirs, forcing Cassi to choose between trusting the man who broke her heart and turning her back on everything she's ever known.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult, Dragons, Fantasy Romance, High Fantasy, Ebooks

498 pages, Hardcover

First published September 21, 2020

About the author

Bestselling author Kaitlyn Davis writes young adult fantasy novels under the name Kaitlyn Davis and contemporary romance novels under the name Kay Marie. Publishers Weekly has said, "Davis writes with confidence and poise," while USA Today has recommended her work as "must-read romance."

To learn more about her contemporary romance novels, visit her Goodreads author page for Kay Marie here: https://www.goodreads.com/Kay_Marie

Always blessed with an overactive imagination, Kaitlyn has been writing ever since she picked up her first crayon and is overjoyed to share her work with the world. When she's not daydreaming, typing stories, or getting lost in fictional worlds, Kaitlyn can be found playing fetch with her puppy, watching a little too much television, or spending time with her family. If you have any questions for her--about her books, about scheduling an event, or just in general--you may contact her at: KaitlynDavisBooks@gmail.com

Sign up for Kaitlyn's newsletter to stay up-to-date with all of her new releases and more! http://bit.ly/AuthorNewsletter

Like her on Facebook here: Facebook.com/KaitlynDavisBooks

Follow her on Instagram here: Instagram.com/kaitlyndavisbooks/

Reviews

[Kaitlyn Davis]

Sept 1st Update!

Ack, shame! I haven't updated you guys in so long. First and foremost, both the character cards for the pre-order giveaway have been revealed and they are GORGEOUS!



As a reminder, anyone who pre-orders a copy of The Hunter and the Mage is eligible to received copies of these cards. If you live in the US, physical cards will be mailed to you. If you live internationally, you'll receive a digital download. Just make sure you visit my website and fill out the sign up form: https://www.kaitlyndavisbooks.com/p/pre-order-giveaway.html

The artist, Dominique Wesson, is working on four more cards - of Rafe, Lyana, Malek, and a new character, Brighty. They'll be up for grabs as pre-order gifts for the third and fourth books, so you should start collecting now if you want the whole set!

I've also been doing a ten week teaser countdown via social media - only three weeks to go! Here are a few of those teasers :)







Check out my Instagram profile for the rest of the teasers!

Last, but not least, the hardcovers and paperbacks are now available to pre-order for anyone who has been waiting for that! Here are some links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository HC | Book Depository PB

Phew, that was a lot. Only three weeks until on sale - so excited!!

May 18th Update!

I'm so happy to let you guys know there is a pre-order giveaway for this book! I hired an amazing artist, Dominique Wesson, to draw six character cards. Two will be given away as a pre-order gift for this book, two for book 3, and two for book 4. For all the details, please check out my website: https://www.kaitlyndavisbooks.com/p/p...

For now, here's a little preview of the art - so gorgeous! The character cards will be half-body portraits. This is just a teaser :)



I'll be sharing the final art soon, along with teasers and other fun stuff. To be the first to know, be sure to follow me on Instagram (@KaitlynDavisBooks).

Enjoy!

March 27th Update!

The cover was revealed today!! WOOHOO! Salome Totladze (the cover artist) outdid herself with this one. I'm in love, and I hope you are too!



In case you missed it, I also updated the on sale date, which is... September 21st, 2020! I hope the wait won't be too excruciating :) The ebook is available to preorder on Amazon now! Hopefully, the hard copies will go up for preorder sometime around July/August.

"The Hunter and the Mage" on Amazon

Finally, if you want a little sneak peek, I'll be revealing the prologue for this book in my April 1st newsletter! You can sign up on my website if you haven't subscribed yet. I send an email on the first of every month with exclusives, updates, and more!

Newsletter Sign Up Page

That's all for now! I'll be back with more updates soon!

***

I just revealed the title, so I thought it was time to get an update chain going :) The cover reveal will be on March 27th! Get excited!

[Renaissance Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy release day to The Hunter and the Mage!!!

I absolutely loved The Raven and the Dove, so this was one of my most anticipated reads for 2020. It did not disappoint!

This story starts off right where The Raven and Dove finished, with Lyana, Rafe, Xander, and Cassi navigating the new circumstances in which they each find themselves. The confusion, heartbreak, and pain from the events of book one are still there, mixed with the anticipation of what’s to come and questions on how the characters will find their way back to one another. Like book one, their chapters alternate among them in 3rd person POV, with two new POVs added for a total of six. These two additional POVs, while delightful to read, only have a few chapters between them, so I wouldn’t consider them main characters like our four original protagonists.

Surprisingly, as I read the first third or so of this book I was convinced I would ultimately give it three stars. Fellow reviewers can probably understand what I mean by that gut feeling you get early on in a book, and in my case it usually ends up being true. Still, that doesn’t mean I never leave room for a book to prove my intuition wrong, and in this case it absolutely did!

If anything, so far this series has proved that author Kaitlyn Davis is a master of character arcs and knows exactly how to make external and internal conflict come together in a satisfying and meaningful way. Not only does the action make for a thrilling story, but it also provides the strongest circumstances to push our protagonists to examine what they believe and stand for. Seeing where The Hunter and the Mage leaves the characters and thinking back to who they each were at the beginning of book one, I feel genuinely proud of Lyana, Rafe, Xander, and Cassi. They each have faced their demons and emerged from strife and tragedy as stronger people on the path to becoming who they’re meant to be, working to accept their scars, mistakes, and flaws as integral parts of their stories. They all still have room to grow, but I anticipate Davis will continue to flawlessly build these arcs in books three and four.

The first half of this book was a bit slow and took me longer to get through, as it felt like a lot of setup for the characters to adjust to their new circumstances. Around the 40-50% mark it really starts picking up, and one night where I thought I’d read for maybe an hour or so turned into an hours-long session that went well past midnight. I doubt you’ll be able to put the book down until you’ve gotten through the final page!

Along with the slow start, I chose to dock this book one star because the characters’ senses of deduction were often so spot-on it came off as unrealistic. Multiple times, a character would discover one piece of information that would be enough for them to put together complicated pieces of the plot to which they had previously been oblivious. In minutes, they would understand exactly what had happened or what someone intended to do, all within a couple paragraphs of internal monologue. I think Davis’ intention was to keep the plot moving without info dumps or each character having to put together clues bit by bit, especially because the reader is already privy to those details, but sometimes it seemed too convenient and therefore unbelievable.

Overall though, I really enjoyed this book. Along with her amazing character work, Davis continues the excellent worldbuilding we saw in book one while heightening the stakes and introducing new discoveries and unexpected twists for book two. Now, I cannot wait to see how the sky isles and the kingdom beneath the mist continue to collide (no pun intended) in book three!

Thank you to author Kaitlyn Davis for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This part two in author Kaitlyn Davis’s “The Raven and The Dove” series opens with our main characters finding themselves in unexpected circumstances and no longer necessarily among friends. Rafe and Lyana have been separated. Cassi is still a plant in Xander’s court (I LOVED the chemistry between these two in this book.) Evil king Marek is still a slimeball. We have a whole new cast of characters, this time on ships in the land below the veil. And of course, there are dragons! This is a series full of magic, betrayal, constant plotting, and complex relationships. I loved book one, and I loved how book two developed even more. Without spoilers, new powers are discovered, terrible things happen, and there are some great scenes that will have you cheering. Bring on book three!

[Valkyrie ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the first book left my heart beaten and bloody, the second book broke it into pieces. I’m probably a masochist but, I love it when a book hurts me. And this one did!



This is the kind of review where I indulge myself into sharing all the quotes I loved and rant about my feelings in detail. So you've been warned. lol

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Lyana

“It was time to be who she was in her own right—Lyana Aethionus, free and unbound, guided by her heart and fortified by her magic, a woman who would save the world, the whole world, or die trying”

Aw man. She was the weakest link in this book. And it pisses me off because

1) I absolutely loved her in the first book and more importantly,

2) because her character was changed to shoehorn the entire plotline with Malek.

Lyana had to get a lobotomy to accept the bullshit Malek was putting her through. She was too accepting from the beginning of the book. There was no fight, no struggle, or any kind of reproach towards Malek for kidnapping her, clipping her wings to keep her where he wanted, for what he did to Xander in the first book... None.

She accepted all that in the name of a prophecy she had never heard about because it was Very Important™. And she went from “I have to sacrifice myself for the good of the Raven people” to “I have to sacrifice myself for the good of these stranger” without a second thought.

The worst part was knowing Malek was the worst kind of fuckboi a girl can find out there and how inevitably Lyana would reach to that conclusion as well. Which, thank god she did. But still, we spent too much of this book with her trying to make things work with Malek, simply because they were the King and Queen of prophecy and they were supposed to be a thing.

Where was our feisty, strong, no-bullshit-allowed Lyana? It just made no sense.

Thankfully she snapped out of it by the end of the book and gave him the middle finger because otherwise I’d have rioted the streets.



Rafe



Can we please wrap Rafe in the softest, warmest blanket and give him the most loving hug, please?

My poor dude got through a lot in this book. Even with his tragic past, his self-sacrificing undying love for his brother, what Cassi did to him at the end the last book... all those things are nothing compared to what he goes through in this book.

You can’t help but love Rafe even more with every new scene. He’s loyal, compassionate, the softest of soft boys. His friendship with Brighty only highlighted how fast he loves and how once you’re someone important to him, he’ll do anything for you. It also shown a more goofy and laid back side of his character that became the last straw in a long list of reasons why We Must Stan.

I can't resist the soft, self-sacrificing boy who believes he doesn't deserve love. There's something in that equation that plays right into my heartstrings.



Rafe and Lyana



“He was dark where she was light, and she was dark where he was light, like a mirror reflecting a perfect complement, as though they were two halves of one whole. They looked like…they looked like…a King Born in Fire and a Queen Bred of Snow.”

“Every man she'd ever met had wanted to cage her. [...] But not Rafe. He was here, fighting with every ounce of strength he possessed to set her free. And he always had been, right from the very start.”

“She still gazed at him the way no one else in the world ever had, as though all the things he hated most about himself were the very reasons she stayed beside him.”

I could quote the whole damn book. Ugh, they are so good together.

All the parallels between them, all the comparisons. It was truly poetic. This relationship has been done so well, they elevated each other so much throughout the two books, it was impossible not to root for them.

It was all about the longing in this book. And as someone who survives on angst and yearning, this book gave a whole damn meal. That scene when he tries to reach her in the crowd and she feels his magic... I threw my e-reader away in frustration. It was one of the most amazing scenes in the book.

And when Brighty asked her for the name of the person Lyana was missing and she said the wrong one on purpose... I threw a fit on my couch at 2 a.m. and I'm not even sorry.



Cassi




“Love was a gift wasted on the unworthy. It was foolish to yearn for someone who would never want her in return.”

“She didn’t know what she'd done to deserve such devotion, but she knew right then and there that she would spend the rest of her life fighting to earn it. If these two people had found her worthy of saving, then maybe, just maybe, she was.”

“Her story was one of abandonment. [...] She'd learned that people didn't come back. They left. Again and again, they did nothing but leave.”

Cassi!!! Nobody touch me, I’m very emotional right now.

How can I love such a conflicting, morally grey character? She’s done some fucked up shit. She’s lied, manipulated, hurt those she cared for. And yet!! The angst, the self-loathing, her sense of “I can only do awful things because I'm awful and I don't deserve better” it's all irresistible to me.

I’m honestly obsessed with her. She’s probably one of the best female characters I’ve ever read. And I'm sure some people reading these books are probably a lot more critical with her than me. But what can I say, she's my daughter, I love her no matter what.

Her character grown in this book was exquisite. Learning about her childhood, how she was basically created to spy for Malek, realizing all the grooming and manipulation she suffered and how those were the reasons behind every single one of her actions. It was truly painful to go on that journey with her as she realized her traumas and decided to break free.

I just love her so much.



Xander

I'm the worst kind of fool, he thought, answering his own question. I'm the fool who chooses to believe even when all the evidence tells me otherwise.

If Rafe is soft, Xander is straight out a pillow.

His story in this second book felt a lot more contrived than the rest, simply because he had to keep pace with other storylines that needed more development. But even then, I enjoyed every single one of the chapters from his POV. And at the end of the book, I loved Xander even more than before, if possible.

His pure, idealistic way of living was such a gift. Only the simpest of men could've moved Cassi the way Xander did and I was living for it all.



Cassi and Xander




“She didn't want to kill him because that day in Pylaeon, while the city burned around them, he'd held her close, much like tonight, and for a brief second in his arms, she'd felt worthy—of being saved, of being loved, of being seen—and she didn't want to let that feeling go.”

“He took one of her hands in his, cursing his disability for the millionth time in his life as his right arm hung limp by his side. As though she could read his thoughts, Cassi finally moved, just enough to reach out and grip his forearm, connecting them in every way, their eyes locked, their limbs entwined, their bodies close, and the outer edges of their wings brushing.”

I wanted to scream from my rooftop as I was reading their scenes together. Oh my god. They were so perfect, and I knew it was going to go downhill, I just did, and still I couldn’t help loving every single one of their interactions. “I’ll go down with this ship” gif made into an actual ship form.

Where she was all edges and darkness, he was soft and honest. They were the perfect juxtaposition, everything made sense when they were together and their chemistry was off the charts.



Malek



“Malek was the King Born in Fire, the king of prophecy, the foretold hero. But he was also a monster. And she didn’t know how to reconcile the two."

Ugh he pissed me off so much.

Malek is portrayed as an anti heroes/ambiguous character. We were supposed to understand and even sympathise with his angsty backstory, and then learn the truth about him gradually along with Lyana. The problem was that I could tell he was the true villain of the story from the start so that wasn't a fun ride for me.

Theres's something about a controlling, manipulative male characters that really piss me off. And Malek ticked all my boxes in that regard. All I want for the third book is to see him without power. It'd be like sweet poetry.

The plot twist with Rafe was the best thing to ever happen and I'll never get over it.



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Summary: This book punched me in the feels and I thanked it. And I need all of you to read them and come cry with me.

[abthebooknerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lyana, Rafe, Xander, & Cassi's journey continues in this thrilling sequel fraught with mages, dragons, and sailors ✨

This continuation did not disappoint. There are so many new characters introduced in this next book - I cannot wait for you guys to meet Brighty, and the other members of this dazzling new ship crew Rafe encounters. King Malek - yeah, you know - THAT King from the last one, was just as infuriating as you might imagine. He was giving major ACOMAF Tamlin vibes, just to give you an idea.
He was virtually sucking the life out of our beloved Ana.

"That's a shame," Lyana commented softly. "Because. . . If we can't learn to trust each other, if you can't learn to trust me, then I don't see any reason to stick around. . ."

But, finally finally we got our old Ana back. I feel like I can't really convey my feelings about Malek through proper sentences, so let me just show you my notes as I was reading:

-Okay, it's official: I hate Malek.

-Okay, maybe I don't.

-Nope, I do. I hate him.

😂There were some conflicting emotions in the beginning, you could say. But honestly, he's horrible. He can go die, and I'd be okay with it. But he genuinely is willing to do absolutely anything - even at the expense of others - to fulfill this prophecy; to save the world. And that's what makes his character so interesting.

Another unexpected alliance in this sequel: Xander & Cassi. Let me just say this one thing: THEY ARE ENDGAME. Cassi is MY GIRL. I loved her arc so much.

Tragedy just doesn't suit me. Her lips curled into a grin as she made for her room.

The writing in this one, as well, felt very much elevated. That being said, I found myself wishing the book was a bit shorter - I caught myself speed-reading through the meaty parts to get to the good bits. But everything about this arc in this second book was super intriguing, and it kept me guessing until the very end.

If you loved The Raven & the Dove, you'll definitely enjoy this sequel!

A huge thank you to Kaitlyn, for reaching out and sending me an ARC of this book!

The Hunter & the Mage hits shelves September 21st! You can pre-order your copy now.

[Angela Staudt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“If you must be afraid of yourself,” she whispered. “Be afraid of the courageous and caring man I see when I look at you, because, trust me, Rafe, he’s a fearsome sight to behold.”

What a freaking sequel! I absolutely loved The Raven and the Dove and was so excited when the author reached out to me and gave me an eARC of The Hunter and the Mage. This book was everything I wanted! It was a hefty sequel, but the bigger the book the better in my opinion. We still see perspectives of the four main characters, like we did in the first book. We see much more of Cassi and Xander which I was kind of excited for because I wanted to know why they did some things that made me mad in the first book. We still get perspectives of Lyana and Rafe, but not as many. We also get a couple new perspectives as well and a whole bunch of new characters.

The Hunter and the Mage started out a little slow, but once I was about a quarter of the way in, I was hooked. There was so much action and I couldn’t read fast enough. This book picks up exactly where it left off in book one which is what I wanted. Lyana is in the world under, in the sea of the mist which was insanely cool to read about. I loved how in the first book we get so much world development of where they live in the sky and what their kingdoms mean and what each bird/wing means. In this book, we see amazing world building of the world below. The author definitely took a lot of time with that aspect and I appreciate it, world building is my favorite. Lyana meets the king of the world below, Malek, and let me tell you that boy is sketchy and I didn’t like him from the first book. Now I can say I hate him with a passion, and I don’t think anything can change that.

“When I was younger, I used to spend all my time at the bow of the ship, not behind the wheel. And then I learned a very important lesson – living in the past will prevent you from ever seeing a brighter future.”

The character development in this book is excellent. I wanted way more development of Cassi and Xander if I was ever going to give them redemption and care for them. Let me tell you, I love them now. I still love Rafe just as much as the first book and every time I got to a chapter with his POV I was so excited. The new characters we meet with Rafe were so much fun. Brighty is a new character and what a fun and great one, I hope to see more of her in the next book especially with some more of her backstory. I loved how so many different plots where going on that were all very important and slowly they all came together in this incredible point. I was pretty shocked at some events that transpire, but was extremely happy with all that happened.

Honestly, this was a great book full of twists and a huge variety of amazing characters. The ending made me so freaking angry because what kind of cliffhanger is that?! I can’t wait for the next book and to see where we end up next.

[Feyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers always made the best dreamers.

4.25 🌟
OMG! This was so good! During the last few weeks I couldn't get through a fantasy novel - let alone love it! Until this beauty came along. I could not put it down. There was so much to love - the characters (old and new), the plot, the writing...
I can't wait for the third installment! I need more Lyana and Rafe in my life and I need Cassie to be okay and Xander to be happy (oh yeah, that ship has so sailed!)!

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to the author for reaching out and sending me an ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

I was pleasantly surprised by the first book in this series and so I was very eager to read the second one, which unfortunately wasn't as good in my opinion.

The story immediately picks up where we left off at the end of the first book and we see what happened to the main characters. In this book we get to see a lot of Xander, something which I'm definitely not complaining about. He's got all the odds against him, but still he fights with all he has, he's so precious and he must be protected at all costs. Obviously we follow Rafe's and Lyana's storylines too, but for some reason I was less invested in them and I found more enjoyment reading about Xander.

Speaking of characters, some new ones were introduced in this story. We've got Brighty and the whole ship crew which I feel like it could be a good source of entertainment and fun in the next books, I would love to see more of it, and also of Brighty who seems such an interesting character.
We also got to know Malec, the king of the world below. As soon as he opened his mouth to speak, I knew he was trouble, we have to get rid of him and we have to do it fast.

My main issue with this novel is that not much happened, it was a long book so I expected more from the storyline, instead we only got a few meaningful things and then it was a lot of filler scenes which sometimes just interrupted the interesting storyline.

Overall I expected more from this book, but it wasn't a bad read and I totally want to know how the story continues.

[Surbhi Das · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart hurts💔💔

Thankfully the sequel comes out next month!!

[Alaina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have received this ARC from the Author in exchange for an honest review.

OMG! Guys! Ever since I finished the previous book, The Raven and the Dove, I am been freaking out to dive into this one. Luckily for me, I got the book! That being said, it did take me some time to finally dive into it. I would love to blame work full on because of how busy life can get.. but sadly, I am part to blame as well. There's just way too many books that I want to read and I will never find the time to do so.

Thankfully, I finally got to dive into this wonderful and beautiful book over the weekend. I mean what better way to snuggle up to a book while cooking something that takes an hour or so? Spoiler alert: the creole I made and this book were both fantastic!

Just going to start off with this book didn't disappoint one freaking bit. I can honestly say I wasn't worried one bit for that to happen because the first book was that good. Even though I do love and enjoy all the characters from the first book, this one introduced us to some pretty awesome people. At the moment, I can't even tell you if I have a favorite or not.

Other than claiming a favorite, I can definitely state that I still despise King Malek. He is just completely frustrating and annoying to deal with - and ugh he just needs to go. Besides him, I feel like I have so many ships right now and I really want them to succeed! I also really enjoyed all the twists and turns in this one because everything just had me second guessing everyone. Of course, we do learn a bit more about some people and things towards the end.

I can gladly say that I'm beyond excited for the next book. If there is even a next book because it should definitely become a thing. I need more from everyone!

[SincerelyTahiry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good follow up to the first book!

It was packed with all the same magic, plot twists and heart wrenching moments as the first book. I think this is the first series where I actually liked the first book more. (I’m a 2nd book type of gyal) but I still really really enjoyed this. I honestly had no clue where the story was going and I LOVED THAT. I felt like it wasn’t predictable at all and it had so many of my favorite tropes. Nuanced characters, soul mates and found family. If my reviews and the covers weren’t enough to convince you to read it at LEAST pick it up because it has SO MUCH BLACK GIRL MAGIC👏🏾👏🏾✨ The author once again did an AMAZING job of uplifting and highlighting this dark skin Black girl. The way she was praised and adorned were so heart warming. This book felt like a matured version of ACOMAF. (Without the smut obviously)

4.5 stars ✨✨✨✨✨

[Books, Coffee & Passion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sequel is amazing, this world is fantastic and I'm officially obsessed with this series.
After The Raven and The Dove's ending, I was so anxious to start The Hunter and The Mage. I was happy that it started up right where the first book ended. It was a roller-coaster and I read it in a day. Couldn't stop!
The multiple POVs kept me enraptured by the story, the details about the magic system, the world above and the world below painted a perfect picture of Lyanna's world and Malek's world. The world building is so impressive, there's so many distinctive details between the worlds and the dynamics are so different and vivid. Both worlds are stunning with amazing characters, a rich detailed magic system and an ancient mysterious prophecy about a queen and a king that can save both worlds.
This story is breathtaking and captivating, with flawed, wonderful and, at times, infuriating characters. Rafe and Xander are definitely my favorites and I devoured their POVs. Lyanna was a little off balance at the beginning of the story, which was understandable, fortunately she really shined through the story and grew into an amazing, strong heroine. I really loathe Malek, can't stand the way he controlled everyone and how he justified his actions for the sake of the greater good. Cassi... Well, Cassi was the most infuriating character ever! Especially because I don't want to care for her but then she did a few noble actions here and there and I ended up caring again, you know? 
I loved The Hunter and The Mage, I think it's a beautifully written tale of magic, love, friendship, survival and unexpected twists. I'm in love with this compelling series and I'm really looking forward to the next book. Highly recommended, a top favorite of 2020.

[Chloë · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this wonderful sequel to the Raven and the Dove, we visit this avian, magical world once more. The story picks up right after the cliffhanger from the previous one and we follow our beloved characters take on difficult roads while getting introduced to new ones.

It was interesting to see the new dynamics, to see how these characters act when they're separated. Rafe losing his wings and landing on a foreign ship, hunting dragons. Lyana, learning how to command her magic by the controlling King Malek. Cassi, still in the world above, spying while questioning her orders. Xander, trying to piece his country back together and trying to help his people. We see something bloom between Xander and Cassi, although she has been ordered to kill him. This sequel focused more on them whereas the previous book was more focused on Rafe and Lyana, which I found a welcome change.

We explore the way magic works and we learn about the dragons and the world-changing prophecy. Including betrayal, destruction, romance, this book will have you turning pages until the surprising end.

My only criticism is the lack of lgbt+ characters. At the very end, we are shown that a new character used to be in a sapphic relationship with a woman, but she couldn't bring her a child and due to a homophobic figure, the character went away. I just find it irritating that the only sapphic relationship is a forbidden one and that the author felt the need to include homophobia into this fantasy world that is so far from our own.

[Yeg · Rating 4 out of 5]

~3.5 stars~

The Hunter and the Mage reintroduces all the characters from The Raven and The Dove quickly, and shows us where they left off from the first book. There’s also a good quite fast pace as the characters get to where they need to for the story to further develop.

I’m not a Malek fan, and my strong dislike for the man made me borderline want to stop reading. He’s 100% a manipulative asshole, and his slight charm did nothing to endear him to me. I saw through his bullshit early on, and I kind of just wanted to drown him in the ocean. I’m not a fan. I took an insane amount of pleasure at his crumbling plan and revelation at the end of the book.



We get more of Xander and Cassi. Yes I wanted more of Cassi and honestly, I wanted to know her motivations and how far she would go…and how she could put aside her love and friendship with Lyana. She almost went too far for her to be redeemed in my eyes…but Lyana has a bigger heart than I do!



they’re kinda cute togheter , but they’re also dumb as hell. Lots of emotions between the two of them, and it’s a mess. I think in almost any other setting I’d be all over their dynamic because I love how they complement each other. But in this, I just want to reach in and shake the both of them. I also lowkey hate the things getting in the way of their obvious feelings.

─── ✧《✩》✧ ───

As for the other characters, I really only found myself caring about Rafe . That poor boy. He needs to be protected at all costs. He was the only one in this book whose choices didn’t annoy me at any one point. He is very much the victim in all of this. He needs a hug and I’m so glad he finds friends who look out for him.

Saying that, this is the first time where his story is not centered about Xander, or even Lyana for the most part and it was really good to see him away from those two, we got to know him better and I’m so glad for that, even if I hated Rafe and Lyana being apart!



Which leads me to Lyana . I’m going to be honest; she wasn’t my favorite in this book. For someone so confident and sure of what she wants, she’s naïve as shit a lot of the time. She lets herself get manipulated quite often. She’s also so glaringly the Chosen One – and no, I’m not talking about the prophecy within the book. I mean, she’s got three guys – and different obligations to each of them. It’s kind of annoying.

I know she only has romantic feelings for one of them, cares about the other, and is decidedly undecided about the other – but come on. She makes these grand sweeping promises to each of them, that nearly contradict each other. Whereas I really liked her in the first book, she wasn’t my favorite in this one. Towards the end she starts to see the light, figure out what she really wants, so that was refreshing. I’m holding out hope for the next book – I think she’s going to deliver and all my qualms will be washed away.

─── ✧《✩》✧ ───

I’m really excited to see what they all do in the next book. Malek is probably having a quarter life crisis and will become more unbearable. Rafe is a cinnamon roll who needs to be protected(PLEASE STOP TORTURING HIM, DAVIS!), but dude’s also a badass motherfucker. Xander is going to be fierce as hell, Cassi is…well, I guess we’ll find out, but she’s going to cause some chaos. And Lyana is going to show the world what the fuck she can do. (I HOPE!)

This was definitely a really good second installment into this series. The build-up took a while but the payoff was worth it by the end as once again we see everything come to a head as it did in the last book but on an even larger scale this time.

[Tay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love my birds, dragons and mages!!

Oh my gosh! Lyana, I know you made things clear with Xander about your feelings for Rafe, but what are you lot doing?!!!! *smacks forehead* I know the Ravens need leadership, but you both need to think this through.

Cassie can have the hottest seat in hell. I do NOT care for her. Nothing and I mean NOTHING she does can make her redeemable to me. Malek can join her.

Rafe, oh Rafe. Please let this man catch a break. I need him and Lyana to have their HEA already. Have they not suffered enough?! Especially Rafe! Let that man be happy with Ana. Jumping right into the next book because all of this suspense is bad for my health.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was wonderful to return to the Raven and Dove world and this avian inspired fantasy, I really enjoyed the first one and I was very much looking forward to reading the second in the series. The Hunter and the Mage is a light, Young Adult fantasy, which is quick and easy to read. The story starts off where the last novel left off but focuses more on the world beneath the mist.

The novel is full of action and suspense and the world building and attention to detail is wonderful and I loved seeing the contrasts between the world above and below the mist. The magic system is explored in much more depth, we learn about the different types of magic; agro’kine, hydro’kine and aero’kine and it becomes a fundamental part of the storyline.

The focus this time is on the four main characters Lyana, Rafe, Xander and Cassi. However, there are so many other amazing new characters introduced and the side crew also have an integral part in the story. Brightly is adorable, she is bubbly, witty and dynamic, with an interesting back-story and some hidden secrets yet to be revealed. I really enjoyed the comical scenes on the boat when Brightly is teaching Rafe how to sail. There is much less focus on the Rafe and Lyana relationship, however I was rooting for Cassi and Xander and they stole my heart.

In all honesty I didn’t enjoy this book quite as much as the first one which was a more compelling and fast-paced read, and I missed the romantic flirtation and banter between Rafe and Lyana. However, that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book it was fun and entertaining, with the addition of some fabulous new characters and sensational world building. I will never tire of this avian inspired world.

Thank you Kaitlyn Davies for the eARC and the opportunity to review this story.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Newfound magic, strange lands, people separated by fear, mistrust and geography. Kaitlyn Davis is back with the next installment of her The Raven and the Dove series and it is every bit as mesmerizing and fascinating as its predecessor.

THE HUNTER AND THE MAGE is a brilliant tale of magic, mayhem and political machinations as ancient enemies and an ancient prophecy collide with what the heart and honor wants. Wonderful characters come to life, hearts are involved, but secrets must be kept at any cost.

Once again, Kaitlyn Davis has taken me out of my reality and into her world and I loved every minute of it!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Kaitlyn Davis! This is my honest and voluntary review.

Series: The Raven and the Dove - Book 2
Publication Date: September 21, 2020
Publisher: Kaitlyn Davis
Genre: YA Fantasy
Print Length: 498 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Nicole HalfWildBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light young adult fantasy, that makes for a fun and fast read. Davis wields personal growth through fantasy, blending it together like magic. The series is an avian inspired fantasy, following four main characters who appear human but have the souls of birds, allowing them to fly and share their abilities, an idea that is so unique. We have a dove, Lyana, two raven brothers, Xander and Rafe, and an owl, Cassi. 

In my review for book one, I wanted more scenes with Xander, and I can confidently say that this is definitely his book, more so than Lyana and Rafe, who had the spotlight in book one. With his mate lost, and his brother missing, his reputation is in tatters as he tries to piece his kingdom together, giving his people encouragement after the dragon attack. Struggling, Cassi lends him a hand. Cassi and Xander were the highlight of the book for me, and both go through great character development. 

Xander is naturally trusting, and Cassi is a spy. When she is tasked to kill Xander, her loyalty becomes tested. Does she fight for her king, or kill the man she is falling for? Both of their internal dialogues are so interesting to read, and I love how they work with and against each other, piecing every piece of information together. Cassi's gentler moments were always overshadowed with the suspicion that she would betray Xander, which I liked, it keeps the reader on edge. 

Rafe and Lyana are separate from the rest of the characters we are familiar with. They have parallel journeys, leaning to embrace their magic and see themselves as worthy, and not someone who has to hide their gifts. While I love the sentiment behind their development, and understand the need, given the ending of the first book, I found their plot lines too similar at times, and in some cases, Lyana learned a lesson of self worth, and then in the following chapter, Rafe learned it too. This broke the flow for me, and it felt a little too repetitive. That being said, I think they both went on a very important journey, I just wish it was paced differently. 

Magic is vital in this book, and the system expands before us. We learn about Dragons, different types of magic, and of the world beneath the mist. Malek's need to fulfill the prophecy drives the plot, and with every chapter, the mystery of the God Stones deepens, leaving us wondering what will happen, if the islands will ever fall, and if they will be able to capture a dragon. The scene were Elias is horrified by magic was so saddening, it really encapsulated the way this world sees magic, and I hope they can come to love it, like Lyana and Rafe have. 

What did I lost most about this sequel? New characters! Brightly, Jolt, and the whole crew were so entertaining. I love a large cast of characters, and it was so entertaining to see Rafe barge into their lives, and stand brooding while they all goaded him. I was really surprised that we got another POV. Brightly added a new dynamic into the tale, while she appears bright and sarcastic, we get the sense that she's hiding secrets. It wasn't until the end that we finally got an insight into her character background. I really hope we get more from her in book three.

Overall, this was a solid conclusion. My main investment was Xander and Cassi's plot line, and Malek was a really interesting villain, who sees himself as a ruthless hero. If you're looking for a light fantasy to read this summer, check this one out. 

If you'd like to get a copy of The Hunter and The Mage, don't forget to check out the preorder campaign, where you can get a character card of Xander and Cassi with your order! Half Wild Books

[Arielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

Damn. DAMNNNN. I found and devoured book one via NetGalley in March and I was DELIGHTED when Kaitlyn reached out to me asking if I would be interested in reading and reviewing the second book. At this point in my life, I feel live I've read thousands of books, traversed a thousand skies and lands, and lived through the eyes of thousands of characters. There have been many similarities, how could there not have been? So when I come across a book that feels completely new, I pay very close attention. This story is one of those instances.

There's an entire world with floating islands, each hosting a different kingdom home to a different race of bird people (I mean that sounds weird when I word it like that but really it's just the type of wings those people have, lol). They fear magic and when they find any of their people with it, they either kill them out right or rip off their wings and throw them over the ends of their lands (messed up, right???). They think that magic represents and is given by a god that all of them fear and that he lives below their lands in the mist that hides dragons and nothing good.

In that first book we discover that that is NOT the case. There is an entire world of people down there without wings, where magic is NOT a crime and where the people live in that perpetual mist just trying to survive. Their King, Malek, has been working his entire life to find the queen of a prophecy who is supposed to help him save the world.

This book is broken up below and above the mist in the POVs of Lyana, Rafe, Malek, Xander, Cassi, and a new character, Brighty. Getting to know more about the world below the mist was soooo intriguing and seeing Lyana come into her power was so amazing. She might honestly be one of my favorite heroines of all time. She's just so fucking bad ass and GOOD. Malek on the other hand got on my shit list for MANY different reasons. Rafe. Oh sweet baby Rafe, you tortured soul. I just love him. I love them ALL (minus Malek) and I am dying to find out more about new developments with the prophecy and the lands above the mist and relationships and EVERYTHING.

The writing is so damn good. It had my heart beating wildly on so many different occasions, especially towards the end. I need moreeeeeee!

Huge thanks to the author for letting me get my hands on this early in order to shout out my honest thoughts and opinions to the world♥

For more of my reviews, please visit:

[Fazila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out the full review for The Raven And The Dove (#1) on my website. CLICK HERE

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FR REVIEW :

DISCLAIMER : Thank you, Kaitlyn Davis for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The Hunter And The Mage is the second book in this fantastic The Raven And The Dove series. When I got the chance to request for the ARC of this book I was beyond thrilled. I may have screamed a bit… The first book left me drained and so badly wanting to get back into the second book that I caught myself wondering what will happen in the coming books. Kaitlyn Davis doesn't shy away from putting her characters through her ringer especially her main characters. If you have read The Raven And The Dove, then you know what I am talking about! I had very high expectations for this book and went into it fully excited and ready for everything she will throw at us. I wasn't disappointed and I had a great time reading this book. This was longer than the first book. The story is not a fully action-packed novel but is mainly focused on establishing and expanding the world, the magic system, and the development of characters. I loved seeing the world below the mists and the mages wielding the magic. There were a lot of new characters that were introduced in this book. Rafe and Lyana are getting used to the new world and dealing with the loss of their freedom. While Cassie and Xander are trying to find the story behind Lyana's disappearance. Lies are being woven, an age-old prophecy is unfolding! A new war will break out testing the balance of the world. Will Lyana be able to make the world safe without sacrificing the world above? This book will grip you and engage you in the story and make you invested in the outcome. The story is guaranteed to be an amazing adventure and a journey of personal growth. This light fantasy was an amazing ride and I had a blast reading it. I gave it 5 stars. It was entertaining, engaging, and simply fascinating. If you enjoyed the first book you will love this book. I highly recommend checking it out if you enjoy light fantasy retellings with a unique set-up, and amazing characters.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.

After the ending that The Raven and The Dove had, I was eager to start this book. We find that Lyana is aboard a ship in the Sea of Mist with Malek, headed for an island. Rafe is aboard another ship. One that is hunting dragons. On his journey, he is given an offer that seems too good to be true, but he takes it anyways. After Cassi made some heartbreaking decisions in the last book, she struggles with the choices she's made. After being tasked with killing the prince, she defies her king and she starts to become friends with Xander. They then team up to try to find Lyana.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I feel like it went it a different direction than I expected, but I'm completely okay with that. I really liked that we saw more of Xander and Cassi in this book. I loved where Lyana's and Rafe's journeys each took them. I wasn't sure how I felt about Malek in the beginning, but I decided that I definitely don't like his character. I loved how it ended and I'm really excited for the next book!
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The author, Kaitlyn Davis, is hosting a pre-order giveaway! Anyone who pre-orders a copy of The Hunter and The Mage is eligible to receive two gorgeous character cards - one of Xander and one of Cassi. All of the information can be found at https://www.kaitlyndavisbooks.com/p/p...

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so happy to receive an ARC of this from the author for an honest opinion, all views are my own.

I loved Raven and Dove so much , but that end , well no spoilers but I’m an impatient person, I was so happy to receive this and jump right back into such a fantastic world, straight from where we left off. The story is full of action and suspense and attention to detail is wonderful. There are some great new characters introduced here in addition to our main characters of Lyana, Rafe, Xander and Cassi. But I did find the romance in this book lacking and it wasn’t present as much in this one. But I can’t wait for the next in the series, hopefully it will return more. Overall a fabulous read.

[⋆Aree⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sxfghf ay que se puso bueno, Lyana y Rafe, que los necesito juntos de una vez🥺

[Aishwarya✨️ chronicleofreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9

It started out really slow to the point I almost DNF'd the whole series ... but then once things started happening I couldn't put it down !

[Shahista Swellam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg !! I am obessessed with this series .
I had very high expectations for this book and went into it fully excited and it did not disappoint in the least.

The first book broke my heart but this one shattered it into tiny pieces yet aching for more. I literally flew through the pages, never for once getting bored or felt any drag into it.

This book serves us different povs for our four main characters and oh how did my heart break for Xander, Cassi and Rafe . loved Cassi’s ARC so much. Her conflicts and desire to belong all make her so much more interesting. Xander has to face the world and the complications it presents without his brother at his side. I love the relationship grpwing between them both, its kinda cute and eye opening to each of them helping them through their personal growth. Rafe as usual has to be tortured and I hate to say this but why does Rafe have to go through all this torture!! The first book almost left me in tears and I was heartbroken by everything Rafe goes through in the book. This book is no different and we get to see him put through the fire!! Literally!!
Brightly added a new dynamic into the story, while she appears bright and sarcastic, we get the sense that she’s hiding secrets. It wasn’t until the end that we finally got an insight into her character background. I really hope we get more from her in the third installment.

Kaitlyn has such great world building, fun and diverse characters, and her plots are always so intense. Since the start of the book I was on my toes, waiting to know what happens next. Especially with the betrayal we faced in the first book, I wanted to see how these characters reacted to the world below and to what brought them there.

Magic is vital in this book, and the system expands before us. We learn about Dragons, different types of magic, and of the world beneath the mist. Malek’s need to fulfill the prophecy drives the plot, and with every chapter, the mystery of the God Stones deepens, leaving us wondering what will happen, if the islands will ever fall, and if they will be able to capture a dragon.

Not enough words would be suffice ... must read for all ya fantasy romance genere fav.
Can't wait to dive right into the third installment.

[Selena F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

La secuela perfecta. El mundo de "The Raven and the Dove" se amplia de una manera espectacular e interesante, pero no hasta el punto de hacerlo irreconocible, algo de lo que pecan muchas sagas. El desarrollo de la historia es pausado, pero apropiado para lo que se quiere contar. Para mí, una de las cosas más destacables son las voces que narran la historia, perfectamente diferenciables. Y es que en muchas ocasiones, cuando un libro está narrado por varios personajes, lo que ocurre es que llega un momento en el que no sabes distinguir la voz de uno de la de otro, pero eso no pasa aquí.

Algo que también me gustaría destacar es el desarrollo de los personajes, sobre todo de los más secundarios, Xander y Cassi. Rafe y Ana se están ganando un lugar especial en mi corazón, pero me ha encantado ver más de los otros dos, sobre todo de Xander. Me parece un personaje que está madurando de una manera muy positiva, y necesito saber más de él. También me gusta ese lado más vulnerable de Cassi, esa manera que tiene por fin de cuestionar a su rey.

En cuanto al villano de esta historia, no sé si puede llamársele de esa manera, y eso para mí hace la historia todavía más interesante por lo impredecible que puede ser. Estoy deseando leer las dos continuaciones de este libro, porque estoy segura de que me deparan muchísimas sorpresas. Cruzo los dedos para que sean agradables.

[ReadingInPyjamas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first instalment and was lucky to receive an arc for the second one from the author, and I immediately devoured it. The story continues from where book one left off and the plot thickens. The storyline is interesting, the world-building expands, we get to travel to the land under the mist and meet new and intriguing characters, and the magic system is explained with a lot more detail. The action is fairly paced leaving room for character development. The romance between Lyana and Rafe while not being front and centre this time, it still fuels the storyline and I love that we get to connect a lot more with Cassi and Xander. This book ends with yet another cliffhanger, and I'm very curious to see what will happen next.⁣

[Sage Knightly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hi, I finished reading this book five (5) days ago and I don’t remember it. I failed to take down any notes while reading, or even after, and so I honestly have clue how I felt about this book? I re-read the synopsis in hopes that memories would start making themselves known, but I’m still mostly drawing a blank. I guess this book just wasn’t very memorable to me? Regardless, I will try my best to write this review with what little I remember because one of my goals this year is to write a review for everything I read.

In the first book, The Raven and The Dove, we get a lot of that slow build-up in the beginning, with excess information about the Courtship Trials. The first portion of the book was dedicated to getting to know the characters, their way of life, and their traditions so it wouldn’t come as a shock when our main MC Lyana has to find a mate and thus rule over another floating city/land. The second portion is about Lyana dealing with a betrayal, trying to find her place in her new home while also preparing to be Queen, and then it ends with her being kidnapped.

The second book picks up right where the first one left off. Lyana has been kidnapped, Cassi was left behind, Rafe is wingless and on an unfamiliar boat with strangers, and Malek is being such an enchanting abductor that Lyana doesn’t even fully realize she’s trapped.

From what I can remember, the character growth was really great. In the first book, Lyana is a bit of a rebel. She snuck out a lot and was almost always able to convince other people to do things her way. She was mostly carefree, very happy, and she had a lot of hopes and dreams she wanted to see come true. Then she found a mate, was betrayed, and become quieter, a little more submissive as she tried to find a place to fit in, but she still convinced others at times to things she wanted (such as healing the people), and she still had some hope and joy. In the second book, Lyana is drawn, exhausted, kept in a room and she barely fought back. Sure she questions Malek a lot, but not entirely in rebellion. She starts to depend on him, to need him around to keep her safe from her new magic and whatever else may happen. She doesn’t convince people to do what she wants, she doesn’t sneak out and help people, she lets go of her hopes and dreams. And then she slowly gains them back as well as the confidence to leave and do what she feels is right (which is great but it felt a bit sudden to me).

Rafe on the other hand is finally learning to like himself, his magic, and his life. He misses his wings, his family and Lyana, but he also feels freer without any restrictions, without anyone to make him feel small. I preferred Rafe’s point of view. I felt he was more likable and that his character development was more realistic and natural. He needed to be surrounded by kind and compassionate people who don’t see him as the guy who might overthrow his brother for the throne (something he would never even dream of). He needed to be free of those burdens, expectations, and suspicions to truly know himself and grow. If I end up reading the next boo, it will be because of him. I want to know what happened to him, how he feels and what he is left dealing with. He may have technically been abandoned, but he has his crew so hopefully he will be okay.

Cassi and Xander are okay characters. I understand why they were put together, but I honestly don’t feel anything between them. I almost wish Xander was gay, since we don’t really get any of that rep in this series. There is one mention of it, and it is mostly up for interpretation, so that kind of sucks. Regardless, these two character grew a lot as well, but more so in a I-fell-in-love-and-want-to-know-if-you’ll-accept-my-sins kind of way.

I don’t really remember the plot so I won’t talk about it. to be honest, I think this book was more so a build up to a bug reveal that will change everything Malek has been working toward in the first two books. I don’t want to say it’s predictable, because I won’t know until I read the next book, but it certainly has that feeling…

Overall, I only really remember the characters. Again, this whole book felt like it was building up towards something, and so I wasn’t really satisfied with it. It certainly has magic, romance, training, dragons, and political intrigue. If you enjoyed the first book, you will most likely enjoy this one as well.

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[jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5... maybe 3.8?
i really don't know how to feel about this tbh

[imogen thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad, but not as good as the first one. The rage I was feeling through the book wasn't fun lmao