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Fallen Empire #3
Raven Unveiled
"A woman with the gift to speak to the dead-and the assassin pursuing her-may be the only chance a crumbling empire has of holding back true evil, in this electrifying fantasy romance from the USA Today bestselling author of Radiance. Siora has been on the run for longer than she cares to remember, from her past and her gift. Born with the ability to see and speak to ghosts, she has heard their desperate pleas as an otherworldly predator stalks the dead amid the fertile killing fields of the collapsing Krael Empire. The creature's power and reach are growing with every soul it consumes, but Siora is preoccupied with her own namely an assassin who has sworn an oath of vengeance against her. Gharek of Cabast was once the right-hand man of the reviled empress but is now a wanted fugitive. Although his reasons for hunting Siora are viscerally personal, what Gharek can't anticipate is that when he finally does find her, she will hold the key to saving his world, or what's left of it. To make good on old debts and protect the vulnerable dead from a malevolent force, Gharek and Siora will both need to make an ally out of an enemy-and trust that will be enough to save each other"--
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2022
212 people are currently reading
4556 people want to read
About the author
Grace Draven
51 books7,668 followersI'm an author and Louisiana native living in Texas with my husband, three smalls and a big doofus dog. I have lived in Spain, hiked the Teton Mountains, honeymooned in Scotland, ridden in competition rodeo and am the great great granddaughter of a Nicaraguan president. I also hate doing laundry and refuse to iron anything.
I've loved storytelling since forever. I published my first short story with Amber Quill Press and have since written several other tales. A love of the bad boy in fiction always inspires me.
I've loved storytelling since forever. I published my first short story with Amber Quill Press and have since written several other tales. A love of the bad boy in fiction always inspires me.
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November 5, 2022
With
Raven Unveiled
, Grace Draven brings readers an epic fantasy romance that has adventure, danger, romance, and suspense. In this third book in the Fallen Empire series, she features Siora and Gharek. Siora was born with the ability to see and speak to ghosts. A predator is growing in power as it consumes the souls of the dead, and the ghosts need her help. She’s also on the run from an assassin. Gharek of Cabast was once the empress’s assassin. However, he is now a wanted fugitive. He’s pursuing Siora for personal reasons. Will Siora be able to defeat the ghost devouring entity? What will happen when Gharek and Siora meet?
Siora is barely tolerated by others even when they seek her out. She is kind, strong, and willing to help others even when it endangers her own life. She’s a character that readers will want to succeed in life. Gharek is fearsome, fascinating, cold, and calculating; except when it comes to his daughter. He places her safety, well-being, and protection above everything else. Both characters are dynamic and grow as the story progresses. Each transforms as events unfold. However, I didn’t fully buy into Gharek’s transformation. It seemed to happen too quickly. His actions were hard to accept. The minor characters are developed adequately for their roles. While less dynamic, they provide the support or conflict needed to keep readers interested in them. The author did a great job of weaving characters’ backstories into the tale without doing a data dump.
The story is well written with a deeply involved plot and vibrant characters. It’s well plotted and descriptive, but the pace slowed at times. The conflicts moved the story forward with some unexpected twists. The world-building is okay and the enemies-to-lovers romance trope almost worked. However, I wanted a little more of an ending. An epilogue would have helped. This action-packed novel features hatred, vengeance, forgiveness, power, redemption, respect, ghosts, evil entities, and more.
Overall, this fantasy is gripping, heart-breaking, and thought-provoking. The high stakes and smooth writing made it a page turner. While it’s the first novel I have read by this author, I believe it would have been even better if I had read the first two books in the series first. I believe they would have provided more details on the world’s view on magic and the state of its politics. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Berkley Publishing Group – Ace and Grace Draven provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for November 08, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.44 rounded to 3 stars review will be coming soon.
Siora is barely tolerated by others even when they seek her out. She is kind, strong, and willing to help others even when it endangers her own life. She’s a character that readers will want to succeed in life. Gharek is fearsome, fascinating, cold, and calculating; except when it comes to his daughter. He places her safety, well-being, and protection above everything else. Both characters are dynamic and grow as the story progresses. Each transforms as events unfold. However, I didn’t fully buy into Gharek’s transformation. It seemed to happen too quickly. His actions were hard to accept. The minor characters are developed adequately for their roles. While less dynamic, they provide the support or conflict needed to keep readers interested in them. The author did a great job of weaving characters’ backstories into the tale without doing a data dump.
The story is well written with a deeply involved plot and vibrant characters. It’s well plotted and descriptive, but the pace slowed at times. The conflicts moved the story forward with some unexpected twists. The world-building is okay and the enemies-to-lovers romance trope almost worked. However, I wanted a little more of an ending. An epilogue would have helped. This action-packed novel features hatred, vengeance, forgiveness, power, redemption, respect, ghosts, evil entities, and more.
Overall, this fantasy is gripping, heart-breaking, and thought-provoking. The high stakes and smooth writing made it a page turner. While it’s the first novel I have read by this author, I believe it would have been even better if I had read the first two books in the series first. I believe they would have provided more details on the world’s view on magic and the state of its politics. I’m looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Berkley Publishing Group – Ace and Grace Draven provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for November 08, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.44 rounded to 3 stars review will be coming soon.
September 5, 2022
Somewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars - For me, the romance in this one just didn't come together; it was too angsty and too much hate for me to fully buy the transition to love. Just not my trope combo. That said, I did really enjoy the fantasy world element! The whole "shade talker" magic Siora had was really interesting and it's been cool to see the process of an empire falling apart. I also like the morally grey part of Gharek outside of the context of him being a romantic lead
April 11, 2025
Cute!
3.75 stars
3.75 stars
November 8, 2022
I decided at page 3 that I’d forgotten almost everything from the prior book beyond it was the story of a Dragon and a healer. I know that because I didn’t remember Siora or Gharek the empresses Cat’s Paw. I also forgot about his unarmed daughter or that Siora helped said Dragon and thereby betrayed Gharek. But the good news is that even though I’d forgotten about 80% of the previous story it didn’t matter and I got caught up enough quickly. That is the thing that sucks about waiting at least a year between books and not having enough time for a refresher. That said this time it probably worked to my benefit as I didn’t remember how much I didn’t like Gharek going into this story.
I enjoy Grace Draven books. They have been a great blend of Fantasy and Romance making them some of my favorite Romantasy books. That said this probably was the weakest romance of the series to date. Siora betrayed her employer and the child she had become nursemaid to. She helped save the Dragon in the previous book knowing what it would cost her. Gharek is prepared to hunt Siora to the end of the world and back again because she didn’t just leave him, but also left his child who mourned her leaving like a child losing a parent. He will make sure he bring Siora in front of his daughter to apologize.
In the middle of capturing each other it seems they are in turn captured and now the former Cat’s Paw has a quest to go on and a future emperor to assist if he wants to keep his daughter safe, even if his life may be forfeit after. Siora will do anything to protect the child she left behind, even if it is to make sure to help the man she betrayed in hopes of some kind of forgiveness, even if cannot erase the choices she made.
I like the worldbuilding in this a lot. It is really amazing how the world is portrayed and the city of Midrigar was phenomenal. The city is cursed and there is an evil that is eating all of the spirits of the dead it can find. Siora who can speak to the dead and might be able to do more than that is the only hope of destroying this entity and saving the spirits of loved ones lost to her. She will need Gharek to trust her and protect her if she is to come out of this cursed city alive.
I’m glad I’d forgotten how much I hated Gharek from the first books. I might not have enjoyed him as the hero. Still after a few stumbles he became more of the hero the reader wanted him to be and the hero Siora needed. Siora however was so easy to love. She has had little in this world to protect her and she has done what she can for those who need protection. I really liked how sincere and pure she felt.
Overall the weakest love story of the series but still well worth reading.
I enjoy Grace Draven books. They have been a great blend of Fantasy and Romance making them some of my favorite Romantasy books. That said this probably was the weakest romance of the series to date. Siora betrayed her employer and the child she had become nursemaid to. She helped save the Dragon in the previous book knowing what it would cost her. Gharek is prepared to hunt Siora to the end of the world and back again because she didn’t just leave him, but also left his child who mourned her leaving like a child losing a parent. He will make sure he bring Siora in front of his daughter to apologize.
In the middle of capturing each other it seems they are in turn captured and now the former Cat’s Paw has a quest to go on and a future emperor to assist if he wants to keep his daughter safe, even if his life may be forfeit after. Siora will do anything to protect the child she left behind, even if it is to make sure to help the man she betrayed in hopes of some kind of forgiveness, even if cannot erase the choices she made.
I like the worldbuilding in this a lot. It is really amazing how the world is portrayed and the city of Midrigar was phenomenal. The city is cursed and there is an evil that is eating all of the spirits of the dead it can find. Siora who can speak to the dead and might be able to do more than that is the only hope of destroying this entity and saving the spirits of loved ones lost to her. She will need Gharek to trust her and protect her if she is to come out of this cursed city alive.
I’m glad I’d forgotten how much I hated Gharek from the first books. I might not have enjoyed him as the hero. Still after a few stumbles he became more of the hero the reader wanted him to be and the hero Siora needed. Siora however was so easy to love. She has had little in this world to protect her and she has done what she can for those who need protection. I really liked how sincere and pure she felt.
Overall the weakest love story of the series but still well worth reading.
November 5, 2022
I dearly love Grace Draven, her fantasy worlds are so rich and immersive and this third book in the series was no different. Another enemies to lovers, which Grace does so well, although it did feel a bit too much enemies for a bit too long.
However this pair was so charismatic and interesting, both in terms of their role in the plot and world and within their complicated relationship. Loved the hunt for the hero's daughter and also loved how dark he was. Morally grey, almost black IMO.
This leaned heavier on the fantasy elements than romance but I didn't mind because the fantasy was so well built.
I received an ARC for review.
However this pair was so charismatic and interesting, both in terms of their role in the plot and world and within their complicated relationship. Loved the hunt for the hero's daughter and also loved how dark he was. Morally grey, almost black IMO.
This leaned heavier on the fantasy elements than romance but I didn't mind because the fantasy was so well built.
I received an ARC for review.
November 11, 2022
This series hasn't been a great ride for me. I did enjoy book one, and rounded up on my feelings because of my love for the author, but the sequel ended up with the same rating this finale (I assume it's the finale..) is getting. Not a great progression.
In some ways, this one was better (at least from my vague recollection; I truly remember nothing concrete about the books that came before, but vague plot impressions, little to nothing about the characters) but in many ways it was equally lackluster. In a positive vein, I enjoyed how the book opened up, one character on the run from the other, assuming he's after her to kill her. He's definitely after her but the vengeance he's after is less murdery despite his initial inclination. Eventually everything gets derailed and they have to band together for reasons involving a side quest and it's through this bonding time they start to unpack their baggage and connect.
Or so the author wants us to believe. Because this romance? Hard to buy into. In fact, I want my money back because while I could maybe get on board with them being friends, I don't accept anything more. The moment these two started to lean into that, I started checking out of the story. That isn't to say it was four star material up until that point but it was better without the forced romance element.
I will repeat my moaning about how sad I am that I can't shout about the author's trade published works from the rooftops. Because all I can do is recommend some of the indie works that came before. This series just had none of the magic, none of the excitement, I've loved from her before. But having said that, her latest indie, a continuation of one of my favourite series, wasn't a win either, so. I'm at a loss.
I will probably read on in this series if there's more to come (#Completionist) but I hope it's done. I would of course be interested in whatever else is to come from her but my expectations will definitely be a smidge lowered.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
In some ways, this one was better (at least from my vague recollection; I truly remember nothing concrete about the books that came before, but vague plot impressions, little to nothing about the characters) but in many ways it was equally lackluster. In a positive vein, I enjoyed how the book opened up, one character on the run from the other, assuming he's after her to kill her. He's definitely after her but the vengeance he's after is less murdery despite his initial inclination. Eventually everything gets derailed and they have to band together for reasons involving a side quest and it's through this bonding time they start to unpack their baggage and connect.
Or so the author wants us to believe. Because this romance? Hard to buy into. In fact, I want my money back because while I could maybe get on board with them being friends, I don't accept anything more. The moment these two started to lean into that, I started checking out of the story. That isn't to say it was four star material up until that point but it was better without the forced romance element.
I will repeat my moaning about how sad I am that I can't shout about the author's trade published works from the rooftops. Because all I can do is recommend some of the indie works that came before. This series just had none of the magic, none of the excitement, I've loved from her before. But having said that, her latest indie, a continuation of one of my favourite series, wasn't a win either, so. I'm at a loss.
I will probably read on in this series if there's more to come (#Completionist) but I hope it's done. I would of course be interested in whatever else is to come from her but my expectations will definitely be a smidge lowered.
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
January 21, 2023
Nice romantic fantasy story, part of the fallen empire series. I like the author’s straightforward style and delicate writing.
His question gave her pause. Such a scenario had never before presented itself to her, and until now, it had been easy to take a stand when there was no scenario. Harder now to hold that line when someone she loved was in danger, and she struggled with the grim reality of compromise when needs must conflicted with morality.
His question gave her pause. Such a scenario had never before presented itself to her, and until now, it had been easy to take a stand when there was no scenario. Harder now to hold that line when someone she loved was in danger, and she struggled with the grim reality of compromise when needs must conflicted with morality.
November 9, 2022
He seeks revenge on the woman who betrayed him, but the battle over a fragmented empire and a powerful darkness rising to devour both living and dead force him to accept as ally the mysterious woman he hates. Returning to the Fallen Empire world for this particular story has been a high anticipation for me and I was not disappointed.
Raven Unveiled is the third of the strongly connected Fallen Empire series and finishes off a story arc that began in the previous book.
Gharek, the dead empress’ former assassin and cat’s paw, is the most hunted man in the former empire right now, but this doesn’t stop him from tracking down the woman who betrayed him and, worse, his little daughter, Estred. His need for revenge blinds him to his surroundings and he ends up nearly trapped in a dark shadow’s claws and does get captured by a former general of the empire set on wresting the remaining pieces of the empire from those who currently hold it as well as his desire to kill Gharek for what happened to his brother.
Siora saves Gharek’s life from a darkness that wanted to devour him and then faces down a powerful, ruthless general on Gharek’s behalf. Her shade magic helps her see and hear ghosts and she refuses to believe there is more to it. Her motive for standing by Gharek bewilder him, but she is determined to save him from himself- all for the sake of Estred his daughter. Or, so she tells him.
Raven Unveiled jumped in right after the previous book, Dragon Unleashed, left off. It has been a bit but, Grace Draven did a good job of recapping while current action scenes kept the plot driving forward. The background is the fallout that takes place after the empress is killed. I felt the chill of the ghostly realm and the gritty moments of danger between the phantom darkness coming after Siora, Gharek and the others, the brute force of the army camp, and the suspense of them trying to keep from being caught on the streets of the city since Gharek has a bounty on his head.
Siora is an enigma in the other books and starts out that way in this book even with her getting to share the narration with Gharek. She wields a magic that allows her to see and talk with ghosts. She is adamant that she is not a necromancer- they enslave the dead. And, she is just as determined to make Gharek understand that what he saw as betrayal was her taking action for his and Estred’s benefit. She adores his daughter and sees something in him that is redeemable. I loved her pluck and her humility, but also her will of iron that stands quietly strong when in the company of men who would crush her.
Gharek did atrocious things and I was glad the author didn’t try to sugarcoat or excuse him. This is a villain turned anti-hero at best. He is paying the price for his ruthless acts as he falls into the hands of people he wronged and must depend on their being better than he to let him live- at least live long enough to see his daughter protected. I liked getting his background and seeing him slowly let his need for revenge go and his attempts to be a better man for Estred- and Siora. The romance was slow to come and rightly so as Gharek has a long, hard journey out of the dark and along the path of love.
I have no idea if this is the last book or if there will be more Fallen Empire, but this was a story I wanted and it was satisfactory. Fantasy is not a genre I reach for very often, but this series captivated me from the start and drew me into the author’s writing and the Fallen Empire world. I highly recommend this book/series to those who enjoy Fantasy Romance.
I rec’d an eARC of the book through NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on Nov 8th.
Raven Unveiled is the third of the strongly connected Fallen Empire series and finishes off a story arc that began in the previous book.
Gharek, the dead empress’ former assassin and cat’s paw, is the most hunted man in the former empire right now, but this doesn’t stop him from tracking down the woman who betrayed him and, worse, his little daughter, Estred. His need for revenge blinds him to his surroundings and he ends up nearly trapped in a dark shadow’s claws and does get captured by a former general of the empire set on wresting the remaining pieces of the empire from those who currently hold it as well as his desire to kill Gharek for what happened to his brother.
Siora saves Gharek’s life from a darkness that wanted to devour him and then faces down a powerful, ruthless general on Gharek’s behalf. Her shade magic helps her see and hear ghosts and she refuses to believe there is more to it. Her motive for standing by Gharek bewilder him, but she is determined to save him from himself- all for the sake of Estred his daughter. Or, so she tells him.
Raven Unveiled jumped in right after the previous book, Dragon Unleashed, left off. It has been a bit but, Grace Draven did a good job of recapping while current action scenes kept the plot driving forward. The background is the fallout that takes place after the empress is killed. I felt the chill of the ghostly realm and the gritty moments of danger between the phantom darkness coming after Siora, Gharek and the others, the brute force of the army camp, and the suspense of them trying to keep from being caught on the streets of the city since Gharek has a bounty on his head.
Siora is an enigma in the other books and starts out that way in this book even with her getting to share the narration with Gharek. She wields a magic that allows her to see and talk with ghosts. She is adamant that she is not a necromancer- they enslave the dead. And, she is just as determined to make Gharek understand that what he saw as betrayal was her taking action for his and Estred’s benefit. She adores his daughter and sees something in him that is redeemable. I loved her pluck and her humility, but also her will of iron that stands quietly strong when in the company of men who would crush her.
Gharek did atrocious things and I was glad the author didn’t try to sugarcoat or excuse him. This is a villain turned anti-hero at best. He is paying the price for his ruthless acts as he falls into the hands of people he wronged and must depend on their being better than he to let him live- at least live long enough to see his daughter protected. I liked getting his background and seeing him slowly let his need for revenge go and his attempts to be a better man for Estred- and Siora. The romance was slow to come and rightly so as Gharek has a long, hard journey out of the dark and along the path of love.
I have no idea if this is the last book or if there will be more Fallen Empire, but this was a story I wanted and it was satisfactory. Fantasy is not a genre I reach for very often, but this series captivated me from the start and drew me into the author’s writing and the Fallen Empire world. I highly recommend this book/series to those who enjoy Fantasy Romance.
I rec’d an eARC of the book through NetGalley to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review will post at Books of My Heart on Nov 8th.
November 15, 2022
Will post my review as soon as I finish this High Fantasy ~ Billion Brilliant Stars ~ in a couple days
💝💎⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💝💎⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Want to read
April 4, 2022‼️November 8, 2022‼️
ME:
I need it! I need it NOW!
ME:
I need it! I need it NOW!
November 21, 2022
It has been two years since the second audiobook Dragons Unleashed published and I felt disoriented going into Raven Unveiled. Thankfully, my review and a re-listen to the last few chapters of the previous book brought me up to speed and reminded me of Siora’s role. While each audio features its own romance, the story arc and world demand that you listen to these in the order of their release.
Once again I was pulled into this world Draven has created and found myself impressed. One of the most wanted men in the falling empire, Gharek of Cabast, the dead empress’s former cat’s paw (assassin) is ruthlessly seeking the woman who betrayed not only him, but his beloved daughter, Estred. Siora is that woman. She believes she acted in the best interest of Gharek and Estred. The tale that unfolds delivers a merry chase, battles, danger and a greater threat.
Siora can speak to the dead, and yields untapped power. She will protest that she is not a necromancer, and indeed her skill set is unique. She is clever, adores Estred and has a soft spot for Gharek, even if he frustrates her.
Their chase is set against the darkness that has enveloped all the kingdom after the empress’s fall. Others seek power, and both are hunted. Gharek for his former position and Siora by a dark phantom who is gobbling up the dead in the fields of the fallen. I found the threads concerning the dead and Siora’s own talents fascinating.
The author delivers swoons, tender moments, suspense and nail-biting battle scenes that kept me on edge. The characters are ones I connected to. I truly admired Siora and loved the growth and sacrifice we witnessed. The romance that developed felt genuine as their snark & bite was laced with chemistry.
Katharine Lee McEwan narrated and brought both Siora and Gharek to life. Through tone, accent, and pacing, their emotions and personalities shone. Her secondary character voices were spot on. Her overall narrative enhanced this well-written fantasy.
The story began slowly and build up momentum until I could barely pause as I listened to the climatic ending. Draven gave us an epilogue, one which I appreciated. I am not sure if this was a trilogy or if the series will continue. Whatever the case, I will be on the lookout for her next release. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Once again I was pulled into this world Draven has created and found myself impressed. One of the most wanted men in the falling empire, Gharek of Cabast, the dead empress’s former cat’s paw (assassin) is ruthlessly seeking the woman who betrayed not only him, but his beloved daughter, Estred. Siora is that woman. She believes she acted in the best interest of Gharek and Estred. The tale that unfolds delivers a merry chase, battles, danger and a greater threat.
Siora can speak to the dead, and yields untapped power. She will protest that she is not a necromancer, and indeed her skill set is unique. She is clever, adores Estred and has a soft spot for Gharek, even if he frustrates her.
Their chase is set against the darkness that has enveloped all the kingdom after the empress’s fall. Others seek power, and both are hunted. Gharek for his former position and Siora by a dark phantom who is gobbling up the dead in the fields of the fallen. I found the threads concerning the dead and Siora’s own talents fascinating.
The author delivers swoons, tender moments, suspense and nail-biting battle scenes that kept me on edge. The characters are ones I connected to. I truly admired Siora and loved the growth and sacrifice we witnessed. The romance that developed felt genuine as their snark & bite was laced with chemistry.
Katharine Lee McEwan narrated and brought both Siora and Gharek to life. Through tone, accent, and pacing, their emotions and personalities shone. Her secondary character voices were spot on. Her overall narrative enhanced this well-written fantasy.
The story began slowly and build up momentum until I could barely pause as I listened to the climatic ending. Draven gave us an epilogue, one which I appreciated. I am not sure if this was a trilogy or if the series will continue. Whatever the case, I will be on the lookout for her next release. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
November 7, 2022
A story of redemption, sacrifice, second chances, and love, Raven Unveiled follows Gharek and Siora, enemies turned allies, in a quest to retrieve an ancient artifact and protect Gharek’s daughter.
The story begins while Gharek is hunting Siora for betraying him and his daughter. Determined to find her and drag her back to his daughter so Siora can apologize and ask for forgiveness, Gharek ends up becoming Siora’s ally. Theirs is a complicated partnership, as there are so many unspoken and unresolved things between them, but they work together well. Their begrudging partnership slowly turns into more as they begin to realize that their feelings for each other are deeper than either ever realized.
I liked both Gharek’s and Siora’s character arcs. They are unique and layered characters who go on major emotional and physical journeys throughout the story. Gharek was brutal and violent, but there’s more to him than being the cat’s paw. He is a loving and devoted father, a warrior, and a survivor. Gharek’s story is so intriguing, and I loved his path to redemption. As the cat’s paw, Gharek was forced to do unspeakable and violent acts at the behest of the Empress. He doesn’t justify his action, and he shows a lot of remorse for what he’s done. Much of what he did was to protect his daughter. The love that Gharek has for his daughter is without measure, and he shows time and again how far he’s willing to go to protect her. She is the one good thing in his life.
Siora is a survivor too, and she’s kind and caring. It was interesting to see Gharek and Siora face past betrayals, explore a new tentative truce, and slowly begin to trust each other. I was also really intrigued by Siora’s abilities, much of which she has yet to acknowledge and explore. It was fascinating to see her embrace her powers more. She can do some amazing things, especially as her powers grow and change throughout the story.
The plot and world-building are immersive, and there’s a ton of suspense and intrigue as Siora first tries to elude Gharek and eventually ends up kidnapped with him and working with him to save his daughter. Their journey is dangerous and deadly, and they encounter more than one enemy who wishes them dead. Even though I didn’t read the other books in the series, I was easily pulled into these treacherous worlds with unimaginable dangers and deadly supernatural beings. At the start, I found it a little bit tough to follow because I didn’t know the backstory, but it is explained and referenced enough that you get the main ideas pretty quickly.
Many secondary characters are interesting too, especially the ones who were connected to Gharek and Siora’s initial conflict. I was also interested in Gharek and Siora’s captor. He was mysterious and intriguing, and I was curious about his motives. A couple of other characters I loved were of the spectral sort. They both showed how strong family bonds can be in this life and beyond. These relationships, as well as Zharek’s relationship with his daughter, highlight the strength of familial love and ties.
This was an entertaining epic fantasy with dynamically developed characters, vivid world-building, unique fantasy elements, and tons of suspense and action. I’m thankful to for Berkley Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
The story begins while Gharek is hunting Siora for betraying him and his daughter. Determined to find her and drag her back to his daughter so Siora can apologize and ask for forgiveness, Gharek ends up becoming Siora’s ally. Theirs is a complicated partnership, as there are so many unspoken and unresolved things between them, but they work together well. Their begrudging partnership slowly turns into more as they begin to realize that their feelings for each other are deeper than either ever realized.
I liked both Gharek’s and Siora’s character arcs. They are unique and layered characters who go on major emotional and physical journeys throughout the story. Gharek was brutal and violent, but there’s more to him than being the cat’s paw. He is a loving and devoted father, a warrior, and a survivor. Gharek’s story is so intriguing, and I loved his path to redemption. As the cat’s paw, Gharek was forced to do unspeakable and violent acts at the behest of the Empress. He doesn’t justify his action, and he shows a lot of remorse for what he’s done. Much of what he did was to protect his daughter. The love that Gharek has for his daughter is without measure, and he shows time and again how far he’s willing to go to protect her. She is the one good thing in his life.
Siora is a survivor too, and she’s kind and caring. It was interesting to see Gharek and Siora face past betrayals, explore a new tentative truce, and slowly begin to trust each other. I was also really intrigued by Siora’s abilities, much of which she has yet to acknowledge and explore. It was fascinating to see her embrace her powers more. She can do some amazing things, especially as her powers grow and change throughout the story.
The plot and world-building are immersive, and there’s a ton of suspense and intrigue as Siora first tries to elude Gharek and eventually ends up kidnapped with him and working with him to save his daughter. Their journey is dangerous and deadly, and they encounter more than one enemy who wishes them dead. Even though I didn’t read the other books in the series, I was easily pulled into these treacherous worlds with unimaginable dangers and deadly supernatural beings. At the start, I found it a little bit tough to follow because I didn’t know the backstory, but it is explained and referenced enough that you get the main ideas pretty quickly.
Many secondary characters are interesting too, especially the ones who were connected to Gharek and Siora’s initial conflict. I was also interested in Gharek and Siora’s captor. He was mysterious and intriguing, and I was curious about his motives. A couple of other characters I loved were of the spectral sort. They both showed how strong family bonds can be in this life and beyond. These relationships, as well as Zharek’s relationship with his daughter, highlight the strength of familial love and ties.
This was an entertaining epic fantasy with dynamically developed characters, vivid world-building, unique fantasy elements, and tons of suspense and action. I’m thankful to for Berkley Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
November 9, 2022
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
This was good! This is the third book in the Fallen Empire series and I have to admit that I remember very little from those first 2 books. That became evident once I started listening to this book but that is okay since I think that it works well as a stand-alone. It took me a little bit to really get into the book but once I got a feel for the characters and the story, I really did enjoy it.
Siora has always been able to see and talk to ghosts and once served as the nursemaid to Gharek’s daughter, Estred. Gharak served as the cat paw, or assassin, to the former empress and has made a lot of enemies over the years. These two are at odds at the start of this book but grow closer as they learn to work well together. They both care deeply for Estred which helps to bring them together when forced to complete a mission to ensure her safety. The story had a lot of action and I really enjoyed watching Siora really grow into her power over the course of the story.
Katharine Lee McEwan did a great job with this audiobook. I believe that this is only the second time that I have had the opportunity to listen to her narration and I thought that she was a very good fit for this story. I thought that she had a very pleasant voice and I liked the voices that she used for the various character. I had no problem listening to this book for hours at a time and believe that her narration added to my overall enjoyment of this book.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this book did a lot of things really well and enjoyed the action, romance, and fantasy of the story. I do hope to read more of this author’s work in the future and would love to see more books set in this fantastic world.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and Penguin Random House Audio.
Initial Thoughts
This is the third book in the Fallen Empire series and I have to admit that I remember very little from those first 2 books. That became evident once I started listening to this book but that is okay since it works well as a stand-alone. Siora has always been able to see and talk to ghosts and once served as the nursemaid to Gharek's daughter. These two are at odds at the start of this book but grow closer as they learn to work well together. The story had some pretty exciting moments and I thought that the narrator did a great job with the story.
This was good! This is the third book in the Fallen Empire series and I have to admit that I remember very little from those first 2 books. That became evident once I started listening to this book but that is okay since I think that it works well as a stand-alone. It took me a little bit to really get into the book but once I got a feel for the characters and the story, I really did enjoy it.
Siora has always been able to see and talk to ghosts and once served as the nursemaid to Gharek’s daughter, Estred. Gharak served as the cat paw, or assassin, to the former empress and has made a lot of enemies over the years. These two are at odds at the start of this book but grow closer as they learn to work well together. They both care deeply for Estred which helps to bring them together when forced to complete a mission to ensure her safety. The story had a lot of action and I really enjoyed watching Siora really grow into her power over the course of the story.
Katharine Lee McEwan did a great job with this audiobook. I believe that this is only the second time that I have had the opportunity to listen to her narration and I thought that she was a very good fit for this story. I thought that she had a very pleasant voice and I liked the voices that she used for the various character. I had no problem listening to this book for hours at a time and believe that her narration added to my overall enjoyment of this book.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this book did a lot of things really well and enjoyed the action, romance, and fantasy of the story. I do hope to read more of this author’s work in the future and would love to see more books set in this fantastic world.
I received a digital review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and Penguin Random House Audio.
Initial Thoughts
This is the third book in the Fallen Empire series and I have to admit that I remember very little from those first 2 books. That became evident once I started listening to this book but that is okay since it works well as a stand-alone. Siora has always been able to see and talk to ghosts and once served as the nursemaid to Gharek's daughter. These two are at odds at the start of this book but grow closer as they learn to work well together. The story had some pretty exciting moments and I thought that the narrator did a great job with the story.
May 15, 2022
I'm a huge fan of Grace Draven, but I didn't love this story as much as the previous two in this series. The writing is still good, but I just didn't like the hero/love interest and didn't believe in or desire his redemption arc. He was pretty much a jerk through the whole book, as he was in the previous books in the series. Being nice to your own child on the one hand, while murdering and torturing others because you were "just following orders" on the other, makes for a pretty steep climb towards redemption, and this book didn't make the case for me.
July 11, 2022
4.5/5.0
Anyone who has read Grace Draven's work knows of the smooth and beautiful writing style that pens such creative action and intrigue! This book is no different. It is exciting, yet exquisitely poignant to read. Siora is an extremely compassionate and kind character. She has been gifted with a terrifying talent that, if known, would ensure her demise. Gharek, is a man who has committed unforgivable atrocities against so many in order to keep his own daughter alive. When Siora betrayed him in order to save his and his daughter's lives, Gharek swore he would find her and reap his vengeance. What neither suspect, however, is that there is a much more evil and dangerous foe about to descend and demand both their lives.
What follows is an extremely heartbreaking and ultimately beautiful tale, filled with danger, twists and turns, action and all kinds of scary ghosts! It takes the reader through every emotion from fear to tears to the happiest of smiles as that last pages closes. Gharek's actions are hard to accept at times even when they are understood. And, as the story progresses, his continued treatment of Siora is infuriating, Yet, that is exactly what makes his path to redemption so satisfying! It would have been absolutely perfect if there had been even a bit more time to see that redemption played out.
Still, for writing that is almost lyrical at times and a story that excites and endears, this is absolutely a must read!
Anyone who has read Grace Draven's work knows of the smooth and beautiful writing style that pens such creative action and intrigue! This book is no different. It is exciting, yet exquisitely poignant to read. Siora is an extremely compassionate and kind character. She has been gifted with a terrifying talent that, if known, would ensure her demise. Gharek, is a man who has committed unforgivable atrocities against so many in order to keep his own daughter alive. When Siora betrayed him in order to save his and his daughter's lives, Gharek swore he would find her and reap his vengeance. What neither suspect, however, is that there is a much more evil and dangerous foe about to descend and demand both their lives.
What follows is an extremely heartbreaking and ultimately beautiful tale, filled with danger, twists and turns, action and all kinds of scary ghosts! It takes the reader through every emotion from fear to tears to the happiest of smiles as that last pages closes. Gharek's actions are hard to accept at times even when they are understood. And, as the story progresses, his continued treatment of Siora is infuriating, Yet, that is exactly what makes his path to redemption so satisfying! It would have been absolutely perfect if there had been even a bit more time to see that redemption played out.
Still, for writing that is almost lyrical at times and a story that excites and endears, this is absolutely a must read!
November 24, 2022
fantasy romance between an assassin and his daughter's nanny who betrayed him
oh and I should have to mention that she speaks with ghosts... sounds incredibly interesting!! sadly I enjoyed the plot, action, and world-building more than the romance part
oh and I should have to mention that she speaks with ghosts... sounds incredibly interesting!! sadly I enjoyed the plot, action, and world-building more than the romance part
January 2, 2023
3.5 lyrical but not necessarily gripping. I stopped reading for 2 weeks and I didn’t suffer hunger pains :)
June 9, 2023
Gharek of Sabast.....I CAN fix you!!! I'm always gonna be weak for a man who believes he doesn't deserve love.
Raven Unveiled feels like a return to the enemies-to-lovers fantasy romances of olde where even the slightest touches and extensions of intimacy cause the couple to short circuit, instead of just “pressed up against the wall” scene after “knife to throat” scene. If you miss the “oh………..OH!” sensation then I think you’ll enjoy this! The way that they both had tiny slow bubbling crushes on the other while they were living together and having that resurface as they spent longer in each others' company....delicious!
I admit that when I started I found the plot a bit silly given that Gharek wanted to hunt Siora down just to bring her back to apologize to his daughter and then promptly shove her out of his life again, like come on. Talk about a waste of effort. BUT it starts to feel less contrived once Gharek starts articulating via his inner monologue that Siora hurt his feelings more than he could've imagined when he thought he was beyond such things, and so it kinda drove him a little mad. And that’s ok! Sometimes the organic angst of “You hurt my feelings and I don’t know how to tell you that” can be sweeter than “We can’t be together or else the world will collapse.”
In my opinion Gharek definitely has the most flavor out of the Fallen Empire MCs, he's grumpy and bitter and sarcastic and doesn't do a complete 180 once he discovers the wonders of unconditional positive regard. He's still him even though he now has a reason to live. His devotion to Estred made me swoon, of course. GD made Siora look so creepy and boring in books 1 and 2 but I'm very glad to say she was much livelier in this book. Forever cursing Grace Draven's name for not giving us more/longer sex scenes and longer epilogues, like I miss them already...
Raven Unveiled feels like a return to the enemies-to-lovers fantasy romances of olde where even the slightest touches and extensions of intimacy cause the couple to short circuit, instead of just “pressed up against the wall” scene after “knife to throat” scene. If you miss the “oh………..OH!” sensation then I think you’ll enjoy this! The way that they both had tiny slow bubbling crushes on the other while they were living together and having that resurface as they spent longer in each others' company....delicious!
I admit that when I started I found the plot a bit silly given that Gharek wanted to hunt Siora down just to bring her back to apologize to his daughter and then promptly shove her out of his life again, like come on. Talk about a waste of effort. BUT it starts to feel less contrived once Gharek starts articulating via his inner monologue that Siora hurt his feelings more than he could've imagined when he thought he was beyond such things, and so it kinda drove him a little mad. And that’s ok! Sometimes the organic angst of “You hurt my feelings and I don’t know how to tell you that” can be sweeter than “We can’t be together or else the world will collapse.”
In my opinion Gharek definitely has the most flavor out of the Fallen Empire MCs, he's grumpy and bitter and sarcastic and doesn't do a complete 180 once he discovers the wonders of unconditional positive regard. He's still him even though he now has a reason to live. His devotion to Estred made me swoon, of course. GD made Siora look so creepy and boring in books 1 and 2 but I'm very glad to say she was much livelier in this book. Forever cursing Grace Draven's name for not giving us more/longer sex scenes and longer epilogues, like I miss them already...
October 20, 2022
This lush enemies to lovers story had me enthralled from the very first sentence.
Siora is on the run from her former employer, Gharek. She came to genuinely love his daughter, and she is grateful for the safe landing and full belly he provided her with. She left because she had no choice.
Her flight hurt Gharek in ways he thought were no longer possible. As the former queen’s assassin he is despised throughout the kingdom. He has always loomed larger than life, a loathsome legend to be avoided at all costs. He is the stuff nightmares are made of. But he thought Siora saw beyond the blood on his hands and now he wants her to apologize to his daughter for her betrayal. Even if he has to chase her down across the entire kingdom.
When he finally catches up to his quarry, they are both cast onto a path they couldn’t have imagined. It is an imperiled journey of impossible odds and star-crossed love. It is a journey that gives sanctuary to two guarded, lonely hearts.
Full review to come on my blog, ihyperomance.com on release day.
A huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Siora is on the run from her former employer, Gharek. She came to genuinely love his daughter, and she is grateful for the safe landing and full belly he provided her with. She left because she had no choice.
Her flight hurt Gharek in ways he thought were no longer possible. As the former queen’s assassin he is despised throughout the kingdom. He has always loomed larger than life, a loathsome legend to be avoided at all costs. He is the stuff nightmares are made of. But he thought Siora saw beyond the blood on his hands and now he wants her to apologize to his daughter for her betrayal. Even if he has to chase her down across the entire kingdom.
When he finally catches up to his quarry, they are both cast onto a path they couldn’t have imagined. It is an imperiled journey of impossible odds and star-crossed love. It is a journey that gives sanctuary to two guarded, lonely hearts.
Full review to come on my blog, ihyperomance.com on release day.
A huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2022
Kat's Book Report - Contains Spoilers - For my own failing memory...
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
It's no secret that I'll read anything Grace Draven writes. I adore her writing - the prose itself, the plots, the world-building, her characters. She's masterful at weaving High Fantasy and Romance, and her latest novel - Raven Unveiled - provides yet another example of her adept skill. Fallen Empire has fast become my favorite series of hers; I looked back, and these are all five-star reads for me.
These books should be read in order, as is the case with her other series and with any epic, high fantasy series really, as the series-wide world-building and plot arcs build upon one another. This book takes place a few months after the end of Dragon Unleashed and continues a plot thread started in that book. The fall of Domora and the death of evil Empress Dalvila by the draga Malachus has left the world leaderless and in the midst of revolution. From the last book, readers will remember that Gharek, the Empress's cat's-paw, has sworn vengeance on his daughter's nursemaid Siora who betrayed him by helping Malachus. Raven Unveiled begins amid Gharek's search for Siora to enact his vengeance, but the plot quickly transforms as continued unrest in the fallen empire leads to the pair being captured by an invading army even as a new source of evil has begun to prey on the dead from the cursed city of Midrigar.
I recently reviewed another series for which I gave praise that the enemies-to-lovers trope was well-executed in part because of a *true* anti-hero. Raven Unveiled is another example. Gharek has done unconscionable things in his service to Dalvila, and throughout the majority of the book holds on to his resentment against Siora for her betrayal, especially due to its impact on Estred. But as the story unfolds and the reader is presented with more of Gharek's POV, we learn that perhaps Gharek's hurt doesn't just stem from his protection of Estred. His backstory also begs the question what would you do for your child? What horrible lengths would you go to to protect them? This book considers what an extreme answer to this question might look like.
Gharek's backstory is heart-wrenching (another time Grace Draven has ripped my heart out and stitched it back together!) The unconditional love he has for his daughter Estred, born without arms and submitted to the cruelty of a backward world that would treat her as a freak at best and an abomination at worst, motivates his very being. His unshakable need to protect this brilliant and loving child led him down his own path of destruction, trapped by Dalvila who knew he'd do anything to protect his daughter. But Siora challenges that, telling Gharek that he needs to be a better man for his daughter, and the resulting character arc tears at the heartstrings.
Throughout the book, Estred is used against Gharek, and he must relive the horror of being trapped by Dalvila. A general bent on overthrowing the current noble seated in the tenuous throne holds Estred captive so that Gharek must find a magical artifact to destroy the walls of Domora and help the general steal the throne. Gharek's resigns himself to once again being used. You're torn between hating him for the atrocities he's done and your empathy for the lack of agency he's had over the course of his life, especially when Gharek's past evils come back to haunt him. He faces victims of his past evils (and the previous book), on page, causing this dichotomy of emotion as you consider his redemption.
Siora has her own challenges to face, coming to terms with her magic. She's a shade-speaker, a medium for the dead, but refuses to admit she has more power than simply talking to ghosts. The idea that she can bind ghosts to her will - necromancy - is abhorrent to her, a form of slavery. But just as Siora challenges Gharek's beliefs about himself, Gharek challenges her beliefs about her powers and pushes her to realize that the magic itself is not evil, only how it is wielded. Siora must come to terms with the extent of her power as it becomes the only means by which they are able to save the trapped souls and ultimately their entire world from the spreading evil of Midrigar.
This book is definitely a morality-chain romance. With Siora's help, Gharek realizes that he needs to be a better man for Estrid, and eventually Siora as well. His transformation and ultimate redemption is rooted in his love and respect for Siora, and it is beautiful. Gharek knows that asking for forgiveness isn't enough to make up for the evils he's enacted on his victims. Instead, he chooses to transform his life and make different choices going forward, exemplified by saving the lives of the general and the sorcerer who have captured him when he could have left them for dead. This book shows us that no one is beyond redemption.
Raven Unveiled is lower steam than the other Grace Draven books I've read, but I honestly didn't notice (that much - ha!), because the character and relationship arcs were moving and emotionally intimate without a great deal of steam. There wasn't some huge build-up of sexual tension that necessitated a lot of steam when they eventually came together. For me, the continuity between sexual tension and its outcome is the key. I only take issue with a lack of steam in books when there is an imbalance between the build-up and the outcome, and that wasn't the case here.
I can't wait to read more of the Fallen Empire. We were introduced to some new characters in this installment, and I'm hopeful we'll see more of them as the series continues. I'm also interested to see if the world ever reaches equilibrium or if it will remain in a constant state of rebellion and revolution. I highly recommend this series and this book. Grace Draven never ceases to disappoint.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
It's no secret that I'll read anything Grace Draven writes. I adore her writing - the prose itself, the plots, the world-building, her characters. She's masterful at weaving High Fantasy and Romance, and her latest novel - Raven Unveiled - provides yet another example of her adept skill. Fallen Empire has fast become my favorite series of hers; I looked back, and these are all five-star reads for me.
These books should be read in order, as is the case with her other series and with any epic, high fantasy series really, as the series-wide world-building and plot arcs build upon one another. This book takes place a few months after the end of Dragon Unleashed and continues a plot thread started in that book. The fall of Domora and the death of evil Empress Dalvila by the draga Malachus has left the world leaderless and in the midst of revolution. From the last book, readers will remember that Gharek, the Empress's cat's-paw, has sworn vengeance on his daughter's nursemaid Siora who betrayed him by helping Malachus. Raven Unveiled begins amid Gharek's search for Siora to enact his vengeance, but the plot quickly transforms as continued unrest in the fallen empire leads to the pair being captured by an invading army even as a new source of evil has begun to prey on the dead from the cursed city of Midrigar.
I recently reviewed another series for which I gave praise that the enemies-to-lovers trope was well-executed in part because of a *true* anti-hero. Raven Unveiled is another example. Gharek has done unconscionable things in his service to Dalvila, and throughout the majority of the book holds on to his resentment against Siora for her betrayal, especially due to its impact on Estred. But as the story unfolds and the reader is presented with more of Gharek's POV, we learn that perhaps Gharek's hurt doesn't just stem from his protection of Estred. His backstory also begs the question what would you do for your child? What horrible lengths would you go to to protect them? This book considers what an extreme answer to this question might look like.
Gharek's backstory is heart-wrenching (another time Grace Draven has ripped my heart out and stitched it back together!) The unconditional love he has for his daughter Estred, born without arms and submitted to the cruelty of a backward world that would treat her as a freak at best and an abomination at worst, motivates his very being. His unshakable need to protect this brilliant and loving child led him down his own path of destruction, trapped by Dalvila who knew he'd do anything to protect his daughter. But Siora challenges that, telling Gharek that he needs to be a better man for his daughter, and the resulting character arc tears at the heartstrings.
Throughout the book, Estred is used against Gharek, and he must relive the horror of being trapped by Dalvila. A general bent on overthrowing the current noble seated in the tenuous throne holds Estred captive so that Gharek must find a magical artifact to destroy the walls of Domora and help the general steal the throne. Gharek's resigns himself to once again being used. You're torn between hating him for the atrocities he's done and your empathy for the lack of agency he's had over the course of his life, especially when Gharek's past evils come back to haunt him. He faces victims of his past evils (and the previous book), on page, causing this dichotomy of emotion as you consider his redemption.
Siora has her own challenges to face, coming to terms with her magic. She's a shade-speaker, a medium for the dead, but refuses to admit she has more power than simply talking to ghosts. The idea that she can bind ghosts to her will - necromancy - is abhorrent to her, a form of slavery. But just as Siora challenges Gharek's beliefs about himself, Gharek challenges her beliefs about her powers and pushes her to realize that the magic itself is not evil, only how it is wielded. Siora must come to terms with the extent of her power as it becomes the only means by which they are able to save the trapped souls and ultimately their entire world from the spreading evil of Midrigar.
This book is definitely a morality-chain romance. With Siora's help, Gharek realizes that he needs to be a better man for Estrid, and eventually Siora as well. His transformation and ultimate redemption is rooted in his love and respect for Siora, and it is beautiful. Gharek knows that asking for forgiveness isn't enough to make up for the evils he's enacted on his victims. Instead, he chooses to transform his life and make different choices going forward, exemplified by saving the lives of the general and the sorcerer who have captured him when he could have left them for dead. This book shows us that no one is beyond redemption.
Raven Unveiled is lower steam than the other Grace Draven books I've read, but I honestly didn't notice (that much - ha!), because the character and relationship arcs were moving and emotionally intimate without a great deal of steam. There wasn't some huge build-up of sexual tension that necessitated a lot of steam when they eventually came together. For me, the continuity between sexual tension and its outcome is the key. I only take issue with a lack of steam in books when there is an imbalance between the build-up and the outcome, and that wasn't the case here.
I can't wait to read more of the Fallen Empire. We were introduced to some new characters in this installment, and I'm hopeful we'll see more of them as the series continues. I'm also interested to see if the world ever reaches equilibrium or if it will remain in a constant state of rebellion and revolution. I highly recommend this series and this book. Grace Draven never ceases to disappoint.
December 13, 2022
Raven Unveiled is the third installment in the "Fallen Empire" series and it's been SO long since we got an installment into this series, and I can't tell you the excitement that I had that the author was returning to the series. The second book just ended in such a way that you just knew that there was so much more to be had within the story and she definitely delivered on much of that. I will say that I decided to pick this one up in audiobook, as the series has been hard for me to get into pacing-wise. I did enjoy this one, it wasn't a perfect read, but it was quite entertaining in every way.
Raven Unveiled is a story of betrayal, a blend of enemies to lovers, and a fatherly love. It's a story that is packed with adventure, forced proximity, and learning to forgive. Both the hero and heroine are at odds with each other and have betrayed each other in different ways. But when they are captured and forced to work together in order to save the life of a little girl, they join forces. But what they discover is a threat so evil it threatens the souls of the dead.
Raven Unveiled definitely entertains from beginning to end. The only aspect of the story was the audiobook, I didn't understand why the narrator was chosen to use an accent. It did throw me off a bit as I didn't expect it, but eventually, I grew to admire it and it did pull me in. I will say with the narrator chosen, it will be hard to listen to this any more than 1.75, just due to her thicker accent. I did prefer to listen to this at 1.5x though. I was really entertained by the enemies-to-lovers aspect of the story, and I felt like there was something more that we were missing in the relationship. I will be honest while I adored the plot and world-building, and individual growth of the characters, I didn't quite feel the romance or the relationship between our protagonists. So I definitely wish that there was more focus on that.
Overall I found Raven Unveiled to be a spectacular win of a story and definitely kept me on the edge of my seat and eager to see if we get more to the series.
Raven Unveiled is a story of betrayal, a blend of enemies to lovers, and a fatherly love. It's a story that is packed with adventure, forced proximity, and learning to forgive. Both the hero and heroine are at odds with each other and have betrayed each other in different ways. But when they are captured and forced to work together in order to save the life of a little girl, they join forces. But what they discover is a threat so evil it threatens the souls of the dead.
Raven Unveiled definitely entertains from beginning to end. The only aspect of the story was the audiobook, I didn't understand why the narrator was chosen to use an accent. It did throw me off a bit as I didn't expect it, but eventually, I grew to admire it and it did pull me in. I will say with the narrator chosen, it will be hard to listen to this any more than 1.75, just due to her thicker accent. I did prefer to listen to this at 1.5x though. I was really entertained by the enemies-to-lovers aspect of the story, and I felt like there was something more that we were missing in the relationship. I will be honest while I adored the plot and world-building, and individual growth of the characters, I didn't quite feel the romance or the relationship between our protagonists. So I definitely wish that there was more focus on that.
Overall I found Raven Unveiled to be a spectacular win of a story and definitely kept me on the edge of my seat and eager to see if we get more to the series.
June 9, 2024
This book was my least favorite of the series. The two main characters never connected with me. I struggled to keep reading at times and found myself skimming. I had to finish it to see where the other characters ended up. The story was good it was all the characters
November 9, 2022
Man, this is heart-breaking, but I did not like this third instalment that much, for pretty much the same reasons I have already given the second instalment of the Fallen Empire series only two starts.
First of all, I did not care for the main characters as much as I hoped I would. Grace Draven usually creates fascinating, layered and complex characters which take you on an impressive journey. Siora and Gharek, however, were unremarkable and forgettable.
Gharek, for his part, was a very one-dimensional character. He hates pretty much everyone except his daughter and doesn't care for anyone or anything else. That would be fair enough. Except he abandons his daughter to chase after his daughter's former nurse. His motivation makes no sense. He is a fugitive of the Empire; he knows he will be hunted and executed, and s and all through the Empire to hunt down Siora. For what? To get her to apologise to his daughter. Nothing else. He literally is risking his life and that of his daughter, to drag a homeless woman back to his home, have her beg for forgiveness and then send her on her way again. That's it. That's his entire character motivation. And to me, it was just not strong enough. He could have taken his daughter away, started a new, peaceful life with her, far away from danger and moved on. But for some reason, petty revenge for a lousy "I'm sorry" is more important. It just didn't work as far as character motivation goes.
Aside from that, Draven did try to give him more of a personality here and there. For instance, his sarcastic comments he drops now and then. There are also a few instances in which he begins to question his anger and resentment, but it's never quite enough. I'm also not sure how he, supposedly, became such a feared killer, known throughout the Empire. It just didn't work out and leaves him quite an underwhelming character.
Moving on to Siora, she felt like a borderline Mary Sue, whose background just didn't make sense all the time. So she can see ghosts. Neat. She can also talk to them. Cool stuff. Her father died in the Pit and is now something like her guardian angel. Fair enough. Suddenly, she can see and talk to ghosts and make them visible to others. Then she can instantly recognize a danger from another world no one has heard of and she instantly saves multiple people and ghosts and effortlessly binds them to her service and and and her magic abilities just do.not.stop. She was made too conveniently powerful and useful for the plot. Like, everything needed to succeed at any given time, Siora magically had the solution to it.
Through some titbits, we also learn that she used to be homeless and beg for money. Why? No one knows. It's not important anyway. She was almost killed in the rites of spring ceremony in the capital - how does that work if she was homeless and constantly on the move? She's also an incredible cook, which seems weird if she was homeless, right? She just gets this tragic background so people feel sorry for her, while also making her every macho housewife dream because she can cook, keeps meticulously clean and loves kids. Oh, aaaaaaand her time as a homeless beggar, a hidden magician and a fugitive has not made her jaded at all. She remains wonderfully innocent, naive and hopeful.
Apart from their individual issues, these two did not work as a pair at all. They have no chemistry, no interesting interaction, nothing. It's Gharek insulting Siora, Siora taking the insult with her head hanging low and just accepting her fate. Sometimes one or the other thinks the other one is hot.
Anyway, moving on to my issues with the plot:
First, there were massive issues with pacing (though to be fair this might be because Gharek and Siora have no chemistry, so every interaction felt incredibly boring). But still, the plot was all over the place. Within the first few chapters, we get Siora fleeing from Gharek, then rescuing him from some supernatural creature to her fleeing the Nunari to Gharek rescuing her only for both of them to be caught by Kraeleg soldier. I mean, holy moly, that's a lot for very few pages. Should we get some more background on ANY of these instances? Naw, not important dawg. Let's just jump right into the next part of the story, which is Gharek and Siora having to work together. For the next few chapters, we get seemingly endless chapters about them posing as a married couple, eating together, bathing, sleeping in the same bed, and so on. This should not have gotten the attention it received, especially considering it did nothing to move the plot or their relationship along.
Anyway, there is some strange scene in the Maesor which is, once again, incredibly rushed with no background whatsoever. Instead of focusing on that, we get an endless scene with the heroes of the second instalment of this series - Malachus and Halani. Look, I didn't like these characters, so I'm partial to their appearance, but this scene was completely useless.
Why do they just happen to appear? No idea. Serendipity. Are they moving the plot along, at least? Nope. But we can be reminded that they both still hate Gharek. And Asil, everyone's favorite annoying side character can make another appearance.
Look I understand that the main purpose of this book was to get a romance between Gharek and Siora going, but this book brings in so many aspects of fantasy and supernatural beings so this needs to be elaborated more. It's not good enough to speed through essential scenes that could be incredibly interesting from a fantasy-world perspective only to come to a stall for the most boring and done-to-death romance tropes. I mean, two haters having to pose as a married couple at an inn? Come on, that is literally the most unoriginal and done-to-death romance setting there is. Why would you dedicate more pages to them eating dinner and bathing than to their frantic escape from the Maesor, a place no one has left alive in a long time?
Also, the plot had another major issue for me: it had, apart from the appearance of Malacchus and Halani, nothing to do with the Fallen Empire series. And that's something that, in retrospect, I have to say is true for the second instalment as well. Yes, Halani appeared in the first book, but story wise this series speeds through one fantasy world after the other and they don't fit together.
The first book introduced us to the evil Empire and fire magic and nomad-like tribes that took down the Empire after Azarion escaped his life as a gladiator and came back with a vengeance. The second book does include the evil Empire, but suddenly it's all about the draga, mysterious creatures thought to be extinct. There's nothing else left of the world of the first book. And this one continues. Because fire magic and dragons are done - we now need some ghost hauntings and supernatural monsters who eat souls. They are all cool ideas, but this is a series, so the world you built should be continuous for the entire series.
Anyway, I feel like three pages worth of ranting is enough for now. I just want to add that I don’t know what happened here? Maybe I just really don’t care for these characetrs, which is totally fine, it happens. But before the Fallen Empire series I have usually loved everything Grace Draven has written. And don’t get me wrong, her writing is still superb. But everything else was a let down this time around. I don’t know if this is a new editor, a new publisher or what but I sincerely think that these works as inferior to her previous work.
First of all, I did not care for the main characters as much as I hoped I would. Grace Draven usually creates fascinating, layered and complex characters which take you on an impressive journey. Siora and Gharek, however, were unremarkable and forgettable.
Gharek, for his part, was a very one-dimensional character. He hates pretty much everyone except his daughter and doesn't care for anyone or anything else. That would be fair enough. Except he abandons his daughter to chase after his daughter's former nurse. His motivation makes no sense. He is a fugitive of the Empire; he knows he will be hunted and executed, and s and all through the Empire to hunt down Siora. For what? To get her to apologise to his daughter. Nothing else. He literally is risking his life and that of his daughter, to drag a homeless woman back to his home, have her beg for forgiveness and then send her on her way again. That's it. That's his entire character motivation. And to me, it was just not strong enough. He could have taken his daughter away, started a new, peaceful life with her, far away from danger and moved on. But for some reason, petty revenge for a lousy "I'm sorry" is more important. It just didn't work as far as character motivation goes.
Aside from that, Draven did try to give him more of a personality here and there. For instance, his sarcastic comments he drops now and then. There are also a few instances in which he begins to question his anger and resentment, but it's never quite enough. I'm also not sure how he, supposedly, became such a feared killer, known throughout the Empire. It just didn't work out and leaves him quite an underwhelming character.
Moving on to Siora, she felt like a borderline Mary Sue, whose background just didn't make sense all the time. So she can see ghosts. Neat. She can also talk to them. Cool stuff. Her father died in the Pit and is now something like her guardian angel. Fair enough. Suddenly, she can see and talk to ghosts and make them visible to others. Then she can instantly recognize a danger from another world no one has heard of and she instantly saves multiple people and ghosts and effortlessly binds them to her service and and and her magic abilities just do.not.stop. She was made too conveniently powerful and useful for the plot. Like, everything needed to succeed at any given time, Siora magically had the solution to it.
Through some titbits, we also learn that she used to be homeless and beg for money. Why? No one knows. It's not important anyway. She was almost killed in the rites of spring ceremony in the capital - how does that work if she was homeless and constantly on the move? She's also an incredible cook, which seems weird if she was homeless, right? She just gets this tragic background so people feel sorry for her, while also making her every macho housewife dream because she can cook, keeps meticulously clean and loves kids. Oh, aaaaaaand her time as a homeless beggar, a hidden magician and a fugitive has not made her jaded at all. She remains wonderfully innocent, naive and hopeful.
Apart from their individual issues, these two did not work as a pair at all. They have no chemistry, no interesting interaction, nothing. It's Gharek insulting Siora, Siora taking the insult with her head hanging low and just accepting her fate. Sometimes one or the other thinks the other one is hot.
Anyway, moving on to my issues with the plot:
First, there were massive issues with pacing (though to be fair this might be because Gharek and Siora have no chemistry, so every interaction felt incredibly boring). But still, the plot was all over the place. Within the first few chapters, we get Siora fleeing from Gharek, then rescuing him from some supernatural creature to her fleeing the Nunari to Gharek rescuing her only for both of them to be caught by Kraeleg soldier. I mean, holy moly, that's a lot for very few pages. Should we get some more background on ANY of these instances? Naw, not important dawg. Let's just jump right into the next part of the story, which is Gharek and Siora having to work together. For the next few chapters, we get seemingly endless chapters about them posing as a married couple, eating together, bathing, sleeping in the same bed, and so on. This should not have gotten the attention it received, especially considering it did nothing to move the plot or their relationship along.
Anyway, there is some strange scene in the Maesor which is, once again, incredibly rushed with no background whatsoever. Instead of focusing on that, we get an endless scene with the heroes of the second instalment of this series - Malachus and Halani. Look, I didn't like these characters, so I'm partial to their appearance, but this scene was completely useless.
Why do they just happen to appear? No idea. Serendipity. Are they moving the plot along, at least? Nope. But we can be reminded that they both still hate Gharek. And Asil, everyone's favorite annoying side character can make another appearance.
Look I understand that the main purpose of this book was to get a romance between Gharek and Siora going, but this book brings in so many aspects of fantasy and supernatural beings so this needs to be elaborated more. It's not good enough to speed through essential scenes that could be incredibly interesting from a fantasy-world perspective only to come to a stall for the most boring and done-to-death romance tropes. I mean, two haters having to pose as a married couple at an inn? Come on, that is literally the most unoriginal and done-to-death romance setting there is. Why would you dedicate more pages to them eating dinner and bathing than to their frantic escape from the Maesor, a place no one has left alive in a long time?
Also, the plot had another major issue for me: it had, apart from the appearance of Malacchus and Halani, nothing to do with the Fallen Empire series. And that's something that, in retrospect, I have to say is true for the second instalment as well. Yes, Halani appeared in the first book, but story wise this series speeds through one fantasy world after the other and they don't fit together.
The first book introduced us to the evil Empire and fire magic and nomad-like tribes that took down the Empire after Azarion escaped his life as a gladiator and came back with a vengeance. The second book does include the evil Empire, but suddenly it's all about the draga, mysterious creatures thought to be extinct. There's nothing else left of the world of the first book. And this one continues. Because fire magic and dragons are done - we now need some ghost hauntings and supernatural monsters who eat souls. They are all cool ideas, but this is a series, so the world you built should be continuous for the entire series.
Anyway, I feel like three pages worth of ranting is enough for now. I just want to add that I don’t know what happened here? Maybe I just really don’t care for these characetrs, which is totally fine, it happens. But before the Fallen Empire series I have usually loved everything Grace Draven has written. And don’t get me wrong, her writing is still superb. But everything else was a let down this time around. I don’t know if this is a new editor, a new publisher or what but I sincerely think that these works as inferior to her previous work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2022
I discovered Grace Draven’s indie books, particularly Radiance and Eidolon and all of the short stories in the Wraith Kings world as well, in the past couple of years. Draven’s writing so lulled me into the world and hypnotized me with its descriptive, thematic prose I thought without hesitation that the Phoenix Unbound series would be the same in terms of style if not content. I was not correct. While the Phoenix Unbound series sweeps across a new world and entrances me with its prose, it feels more than a little flat compared to Draven’s indie writing. The plots have pacing issues, usually bogging down in the middle with a stagnant setting so the characters have time to bond, and romance in them does not read as organically as I’ve come to expect from Draven’s writing. If a reader has picked these books up and read them as initial samplings of Draven’s writing and found them to be lacking, please head over to a bookseller and pick up an indie from this author. The writing is top notch.
See my full review on my blog!
Blog / Instagram / Literal / BookBub
See my full review on my blog!
Blog / Instagram / Literal / BookBub
November 11, 2022
I adore this series from Grace Draven! A great series for someone who reads a lot of fantasy, wanting to add a little more romance to their stories!
Draven's fantasy worlds are so rich and beautiful!!! This third installment in the series was no exception. The way that Draven comes at an enemies to lovers story is such a joy to read for me. This one is a bit tougher than some, because our hero holds on to his antagonism a little more than I usually prefer.
I really enjoyed the chemistry between the couple. They were truly charming, and I love how they were woven into the overall plot of the series. It is weaving together beautifully, and I am so excited! I hope Grace has more to tell us in this world!
If you are primarily a romance reader, do know that this one is going to be more fantasy heavy, and it truly does rely on the world building a lot. Would definitely recommend this one. I really adore this series, and can't get enough of Grace Draven's writing.
If you are a big fan of Radiance, this series may not work as well for you, as it is more conventionally fantasy as well, so just know that before you go into this series.
Draven's fantasy worlds are so rich and beautiful!!! This third installment in the series was no exception. The way that Draven comes at an enemies to lovers story is such a joy to read for me. This one is a bit tougher than some, because our hero holds on to his antagonism a little more than I usually prefer.
I really enjoyed the chemistry between the couple. They were truly charming, and I love how they were woven into the overall plot of the series. It is weaving together beautifully, and I am so excited! I hope Grace has more to tell us in this world!
If you are primarily a romance reader, do know that this one is going to be more fantasy heavy, and it truly does rely on the world building a lot. Would definitely recommend this one. I really adore this series, and can't get enough of Grace Draven's writing.
If you are a big fan of Radiance, this series may not work as well for you, as it is more conventionally fantasy as well, so just know that before you go into this series.
August 14, 2023
I did like this one, even really liked it, but it took a bit to get into because of Gharek's stubbornness.
The Raven is a ghost whisperer and the fact Siora can see and talk to Ghosts has kept her alive while her former lord chases her across the land presumably to kill her for a "betrayal" he hangs on to for far too long. (More of slight imo, but the circumstances reveal much about both characters.)
For much of the book, the full strength of Siora's gift had yet to be explored, because its powers can get very dark very fast and she was not a dark character.
However, it does unveil itself by the end of the story and it's pretty fuckin powerful. The big bad was fairly nebulous and not fully formed , and I felt its looming presence which only revealed itself at times Gharek and Siora were not busy on their side quest, felt a tad deus ex machina. This was why I vacillated between ratings of 3 and 4 stars but in the end,
I just loved their journey to love so I rated it higher.
Grace Draven is a fully realized writer. There was not once I felt it was immature or nascent and that is something I cant say about many writers of romance who arent AI anymore.
The Raven is a ghost whisperer and the fact Siora can see and talk to Ghosts has kept her alive while her former lord chases her across the land presumably to kill her for a "betrayal" he hangs on to for far too long. (More of slight imo, but the circumstances reveal much about both characters.)
For much of the book, the full strength of Siora's gift had yet to be explored, because its powers can get very dark very fast and she was not a dark character.
However, it does unveil itself by the end of the story and it's pretty fuckin powerful. The big bad was fairly nebulous and not fully formed , and I felt its looming presence which only revealed itself at times Gharek and Siora were not busy on their side quest, felt a tad deus ex machina. This was why I vacillated between ratings of 3 and 4 stars but in the end,
I just loved their journey to love so I rated it higher.
Grace Draven is a fully realized writer. There was not once I felt it was immature or nascent and that is something I cant say about many writers of romance who arent AI anymore.
January 5, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for providing an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I have picked up this book and started reading it about eight million times. I've gotten to about 25%, and I can honestly say that I am dreading picking it up again. So I'm just going to DNF it, life's too short, yadayada. The plot is set at an absolute snail's pace. Nothing really happens, and when it DOES happen it's only for a few pages before we're back to doing nothing. And not to mention that I don't really understand why Gharek is so upset with her? Siora was doing her best to help them, and all she gets in return is chased across country like a criminal. I don't see how they're going to fall in love, and I'm really not all that invested, either. So I'm putting this down at around 25%, a shame because I really love Draven's Wraith King's series.
I have picked up this book and started reading it about eight million times. I've gotten to about 25%, and I can honestly say that I am dreading picking it up again. So I'm just going to DNF it, life's too short, yadayada. The plot is set at an absolute snail's pace. Nothing really happens, and when it DOES happen it's only for a few pages before we're back to doing nothing. And not to mention that I don't really understand why Gharek is so upset with her? Siora was doing her best to help them, and all she gets in return is chased across country like a criminal. I don't see how they're going to fall in love, and I'm really not all that invested, either. So I'm putting this down at around 25%, a shame because I really love Draven's Wraith King's series.
November 21, 2022
Grace Draven is good at fantasy romance noveling. That is all.
If you haven’t read her Wraith Kings series, go do that. It starts with Radiance.
If you haven’t read her Wraith Kings series, go do that. It starts with Radiance.
November 28, 2022
My least favorite of the series. I thought the whole setup was sort of unbelievable. He was hunting her down so she could apologize to his daughter instead of just taking the daughter and running? I didn't really feel the romance either. The action part of the story was just okay.
December 12, 2024
no thoughts just bad fantasy pt.3
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