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The Omen of Crows Nest
No blood. No body. No murder.
That’s what the police found after Penelope spun her bizarre tale. In a hysterical state, she said her father was butchered and eaten by a mob of birds ~ in her bedroom.
They claim she’s crazy.
That she suffers from delusions.
Penelope is dead set on proving them wrong.
After being institutionalized for eight months, Penelope is out and more determined than ever to find answers to her so-called hallucinations. With her father’s untimely disappearance, she’s convinced her family is hiding something sinister.
THE OMEN OF CROWS NEST is the latest masterpiece by the award-winning author Cathrina Constantine, and is sure to leave fans of fantasy gasping!
That’s what the police found after Penelope spun her bizarre tale. In a hysterical state, she said her father was butchered and eaten by a mob of birds ~ in her bedroom.
They claim she’s crazy.
That she suffers from delusions.
Penelope is dead set on proving them wrong.
After being institutionalized for eight months, Penelope is out and more determined than ever to find answers to her so-called hallucinations. With her father’s untimely disappearance, she’s convinced her family is hiding something sinister.
THE OMEN OF CROWS NEST is the latest masterpiece by the award-winning author Cathrina Constantine, and is sure to leave fans of fantasy gasping!
Unknown Binding
Published May 4, 2022
6 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Cathrina Constantine
23 books375 followersI am blessed with a loving family and forever friends. My world revolves around them.
I grew up in the small village of Lancaster, NY, where I married my sweetheart. I'm devoted to raising 5 cherished children, and now my grandchildren.
I love to immerse myself in great books of every kind of genre, which helps me to write purely for entertainment, and hopefully to inspire readers. When not stationed at my computer you can find me in the woods taking long walks with my dog.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 30, 2022
Penelope swears he father was attacked by a flock of birds. Her family shipped her off to a mental institute because they believe she is suffering from delusions. After Penelope is brought back she isn't allowed to go home quite yet, they want to reintroduce her slowly so she won't have anymore setbacks. Penelope seems to believe that something more is going on in her life, other than her father being attached by crows. As Penelope's life gets back to her new normal after this whole ordeal, she still questions the attack and why she can't go home. Penelope also slowly starts to question other things as the story goes one.
This is a slow burning fantasy/mystery book that is just waiting for you to unfold all the secrets it has to offer!
I was give this book in return for an honest review.
This is a slow burning fantasy/mystery book that is just waiting for you to unfold all the secrets it has to offer!
I was give this book in return for an honest review.
May 30, 2022
Eerie whispers and dark secrets haunt from every page in an original tale, which is hard to put down.
Penelope witnessed her father torn to death and eaten by giant, black birds in her own bedroom as a young teen. Everyone says she's crazy, and her psychiatrists even try to convince her she killed her own father...although there is not murder scene, no body, and her father is even overseas, according to her mother and grandma. Penelope is doing her best to follow her family's advice and shove the unrealistic nightmare from her head, but it won't disappear, especially when the ghosts and birds begin to haunt her more and more.
Gothic fans will adore this read, especially since it's well-written and hard to put down. This is a dark tale with a main character, who dances on the edge of insanity. It taunts at ghosts, plays with magic, harbors more than a few dark secrets, and sings with murder. And all of this in a deliciously twisted manner, which still builds in first-love, inspiring sibling bonds, and teen troubles.
Penelope is an interesting character, who thinks little about her own future or aspirations, since she is tightly captured by a disturbing past. She wants to fight and break-free but is limited on what she can do. Her concern for her siblings is heart-warming and inspiring, as she never looses their well-being from her focus. So, while some of her decisions aren't the wisest, it's more than understandable and makes her a character to root for until the end...and what an ending it is.
Rounded up, this was an uniquely, twisted tale, which flows in a direction of its own. Some things were easy to see coming, but it's exactly this balance between predictable and hard-to-guess, which made it hard to put the book down. Romance is also there but falls subtle against the darker plot, leaving secrets and a dark agenda as the driving force. It's a gripping tale, which has been tightly woven, and takes the reader on a very different ride.
Penelope witnessed her father torn to death and eaten by giant, black birds in her own bedroom as a young teen. Everyone says she's crazy, and her psychiatrists even try to convince her she killed her own father...although there is not murder scene, no body, and her father is even overseas, according to her mother and grandma. Penelope is doing her best to follow her family's advice and shove the unrealistic nightmare from her head, but it won't disappear, especially when the ghosts and birds begin to haunt her more and more.
Gothic fans will adore this read, especially since it's well-written and hard to put down. This is a dark tale with a main character, who dances on the edge of insanity. It taunts at ghosts, plays with magic, harbors more than a few dark secrets, and sings with murder. And all of this in a deliciously twisted manner, which still builds in first-love, inspiring sibling bonds, and teen troubles.
Penelope is an interesting character, who thinks little about her own future or aspirations, since she is tightly captured by a disturbing past. She wants to fight and break-free but is limited on what she can do. Her concern for her siblings is heart-warming and inspiring, as she never looses their well-being from her focus. So, while some of her decisions aren't the wisest, it's more than understandable and makes her a character to root for until the end...and what an ending it is.
Rounded up, this was an uniquely, twisted tale, which flows in a direction of its own. Some things were easy to see coming, but it's exactly this balance between predictable and hard-to-guess, which made it hard to put the book down. Romance is also there but falls subtle against the darker plot, leaving secrets and a dark agenda as the driving force. It's a gripping tale, which has been tightly woven, and takes the reader on a very different ride.
May 9, 2022
Penelope Cordae swears she saw her father torn apart by a fearsome flock of birds, but when her family ships her off to a psychiatric institution, it could be that she was imagining it. Yet she doesn't believe she's crazy. When Penelope finally gets home, she wants nothing more than to prove she wasn't insane, but there are bigger secrets her family is hiding. As she pokes into them, she puts not only those she loves in jeopardy but herself as well.
This was a fantastic YA paranormal read. It begins with Penelope witnessing a horrifying murder, but is it real? It's easy to be pulled back and forth between wondering if what she saw was true or if her mind was using it to cover up her trauma or, even worse, if it's something else that is far more frightening. The Cordaes are not a picturesque family. The grandmother rules with an iron fist. Yet Penelope's younger siblings are totally adorable. They hadn't suffered the horrors she did. Dean is Penelope's best friend and secret crush who lives next door, but will he believe her? I love how tangled everything is and how it unwinds in the most unexpected ways. A great gothic atmosphere at the Cordae family home, the Crows Nest.
This was a fantastic YA paranormal read. It begins with Penelope witnessing a horrifying murder, but is it real? It's easy to be pulled back and forth between wondering if what she saw was true or if her mind was using it to cover up her trauma or, even worse, if it's something else that is far more frightening. The Cordaes are not a picturesque family. The grandmother rules with an iron fist. Yet Penelope's younger siblings are totally adorable. They hadn't suffered the horrors she did. Dean is Penelope's best friend and secret crush who lives next door, but will he believe her? I love how tangled everything is and how it unwinds in the most unexpected ways. A great gothic atmosphere at the Cordae family home, the Crows Nest.
May 9, 2022
Loved this!
It's one of those books, once you start reading, you can't stop. The twists and turns in The Omen of Crows Nest is a nail-biting ride and kept me glued to the unfolding story, needing to know what the heck really happened. Did those crows truly kill her father?
There are a few characters who could have... ah, you have to read this to find out! You won't be disappointed. Loved the red herrings thrown in, and kept me guessing, especially about the Rainers. Never saw that one coming.
Aw, Dean. Love him! He's way hot and so supportive of Pen, and she's been through a lot with all the secrets, being locked up. Yes, she puts the people she loves in danger at times, trying to find out the truth, but caught in nightmares that haunt her, one cannot blame her.
As for the Gramma? Ugh, she was awful.
An excellent YA/speculative fantasy story, with a great ending! <3
It's one of those books, once you start reading, you can't stop. The twists and turns in The Omen of Crows Nest is a nail-biting ride and kept me glued to the unfolding story, needing to know what the heck really happened. Did those crows truly kill her father?
There are a few characters who could have... ah, you have to read this to find out! You won't be disappointed. Loved the red herrings thrown in, and kept me guessing, especially about the Rainers. Never saw that one coming.
Aw, Dean. Love him! He's way hot and so supportive of Pen, and she's been through a lot with all the secrets, being locked up. Yes, she puts the people she loves in danger at times, trying to find out the truth, but caught in nightmares that haunt her, one cannot blame her.
As for the Gramma? Ugh, she was awful.
An excellent YA/speculative fantasy story, with a great ending! <3
June 1, 2022
I just love it when covers draw my eyes and when the description is just as interesting; we got a winner! I just adore that red swirls and purple silhouettes and seriously, that mystery behind Penelope's breakdown really needed to be explored.
The novel opens as Penelope is at the end of her time at the institution. She is determined to return home as she has missed her brother and sister terribly. But even more so, she is determined to find out just what it is her family is hiding from her. Because of her fears of being institutionalised again, she could trust no one. Not even the best-friend-boy-next-door she's fallen for. In the meantime, she's got to face society (school!) where everyone knew where she's been the last few months.
It's an easy novel to read, language-wise, and fairly easy to dive into. Characters were mostly likeable though the mystery behind their motivations made some questionable. However, I did feel like it was a really long read because there was just nothing happening in the middle and the end was rather swift. I did like the action & reveal at the end but I do wish there was a bit more action in the middle and more romance(!) as I happen to like this trope.
My thanks to Xpresso Tours for ecopy of book in exchange of my honest thoughts
The novel opens as Penelope is at the end of her time at the institution. She is determined to return home as she has missed her brother and sister terribly. But even more so, she is determined to find out just what it is her family is hiding from her. Because of her fears of being institutionalised again, she could trust no one. Not even the best-friend-boy-next-door she's fallen for. In the meantime, she's got to face society (school!) where everyone knew where she's been the last few months.
It's an easy novel to read, language-wise, and fairly easy to dive into. Characters were mostly likeable though the mystery behind their motivations made some questionable. However, I did feel like it was a really long read because there was just nothing happening in the middle and the end was rather swift. I did like the action & reveal at the end but I do wish there was a bit more action in the middle and more romance(!) as I happen to like this trope.
My thanks to Xpresso Tours for ecopy of book in exchange of my honest thoughts
May 17, 2022
A great YA story which can be enjoyed by older adults (I’m in my 60’s.) Since I love crows and crow lore I was immediately drawn to this book because of its title. I was captivated by the storyline and lingered over it alongside the main character Penelope as I tried to determine the cause of my sense of foreboding. Secrets abound in the storyline and the lengths that people will go to keep them and how even with good reasons for keeping them the secrets can wreak terrible havoc on peoples lives. What at first seems like a crazy girl in an institutional setting turns into a story of malice and plain old cruelty - all for sake of a huge secret. Fortunately for Penelope the books main character she has her own strength of spirit which initially she isn’t aware of and she also has the love of her mother, her two adorable siblings and some family friends to sustain her. Penelopes grandmother is a truly frightening scary old bird whose evil just gave me the creeps. Crows among other qualities symbolize metamorphism and change and as the story unravels Penelope discovers the truth of what lies behind her psychoses and finally is able to spread her wings and begin to embrace her heritage.
June 9, 2022
One stormy night, and one fateful 911 call, that ended up with Penelope being institutionalised. She is absolutely certain that her father was torn apart by birds, in her bedroom, and that she witnessed the horrific scene. And yet, there is no evidence that her father is even dead, let alone that there were ever any birds in her room. Not, that is, that anyone seems to know exactly where her father is.
After eight months, Penelope is finally back home, or rather, as close to home as she can get. Her mother has arranged for her to stay with the neighbours, the Raniers, and slowly get reintroduced to her real home at Crows Nest, especially after Penelope saw her bedroom again for the first time and passed out. The one plus is that Dean Ranier has been Penelope’s best friend since childhood, and she has had a crush on him forever – and she is now living with him.
But, Penelope is certain something is going on, and not just inside her head. She overhears conversations that make no sense, and she isn’t allowed to go home when she wants to. Her younger brother and sister are being kept from her, and she can’t figure out why her Gramma won’t let her come home.
On top of everything happening with Penelope having to live with the Raniers, and her mother wanting to move away with Penelope, Penelope has to deal with the outside world as well. She is enrolled in school for the first time in her life, for she has always been homeschooled, which puts her in the centre of a society that only know her as the girl who was institutionalised. She has to deal with bullies and people claiming she murdered her father. The only real friend she has throughout everything is Dean, and it’s difficult to act like brother and sister when she wants their relationship to be so much more.
I felt incredibly sorry for Penelope’s siblings, Hazel and Sam. While Penelope is the focus of the story, and they are not featured much, they were always in the back of my mind. They live at Crows Nest with their Gramma, and Gramma is not a character I could stomach very easily. She is an absolutely horrible woman, and the stories Hazel and Sam have to tell Penelope in the small amount of time they spend alone together are awful. While I wanted Penelope to figure out the truth, and for her life to find some semblance of normalcy, I was overly aware that in the time that passes, Hazel and Sam were in a situation that they couldn’t escape from.
This book is labeled as fantasy, so you know immediately that there is going to be some supernatural elements, especially with how the book starts, and the whole situation with Penelope’s father. However, if you didn’t know this was a fantasy book, it might take a while to figure it out. Things seem almost normal for the vast majority of this book, which makes you wonder whether Penelope really did hallucinate the birds, or not. This means that, while Penelope is questioning whether or not she really saw what she thinks she did, you are also questioning the same things as you read.
Something I especially liked about this book is that it very clearly stands alone. I am not sure whether it is part of a series, or if there are future books to come following Penelope, but this book comes to a very clear end, rather than leaving you on a cliffhanger, or waiting for a conclusion. If you are after a book that does not mean you are entering a commitment to buy a series worth of books, this is the one to go for!
I really enjoyed Penelope’s story. She is a character I could sympathise with, and I really wanted to be able to give her a big hug at times. Unfortunately, I could not enter the book to do so, so instead, I rooted for her as she worked to try and figure out who was hiding things from her, what the secrets were, and why they were being hidden. This was a fantastic read, and I will definitely be checking out this author in the future.
After eight months, Penelope is finally back home, or rather, as close to home as she can get. Her mother has arranged for her to stay with the neighbours, the Raniers, and slowly get reintroduced to her real home at Crows Nest, especially after Penelope saw her bedroom again for the first time and passed out. The one plus is that Dean Ranier has been Penelope’s best friend since childhood, and she has had a crush on him forever – and she is now living with him.
But, Penelope is certain something is going on, and not just inside her head. She overhears conversations that make no sense, and she isn’t allowed to go home when she wants to. Her younger brother and sister are being kept from her, and she can’t figure out why her Gramma won’t let her come home.
On top of everything happening with Penelope having to live with the Raniers, and her mother wanting to move away with Penelope, Penelope has to deal with the outside world as well. She is enrolled in school for the first time in her life, for she has always been homeschooled, which puts her in the centre of a society that only know her as the girl who was institutionalised. She has to deal with bullies and people claiming she murdered her father. The only real friend she has throughout everything is Dean, and it’s difficult to act like brother and sister when she wants their relationship to be so much more.
I felt incredibly sorry for Penelope’s siblings, Hazel and Sam. While Penelope is the focus of the story, and they are not featured much, they were always in the back of my mind. They live at Crows Nest with their Gramma, and Gramma is not a character I could stomach very easily. She is an absolutely horrible woman, and the stories Hazel and Sam have to tell Penelope in the small amount of time they spend alone together are awful. While I wanted Penelope to figure out the truth, and for her life to find some semblance of normalcy, I was overly aware that in the time that passes, Hazel and Sam were in a situation that they couldn’t escape from.
This book is labeled as fantasy, so you know immediately that there is going to be some supernatural elements, especially with how the book starts, and the whole situation with Penelope’s father. However, if you didn’t know this was a fantasy book, it might take a while to figure it out. Things seem almost normal for the vast majority of this book, which makes you wonder whether Penelope really did hallucinate the birds, or not. This means that, while Penelope is questioning whether or not she really saw what she thinks she did, you are also questioning the same things as you read.
Something I especially liked about this book is that it very clearly stands alone. I am not sure whether it is part of a series, or if there are future books to come following Penelope, but this book comes to a very clear end, rather than leaving you on a cliffhanger, or waiting for a conclusion. If you are after a book that does not mean you are entering a commitment to buy a series worth of books, this is the one to go for!
I really enjoyed Penelope’s story. She is a character I could sympathise with, and I really wanted to be able to give her a big hug at times. Unfortunately, I could not enter the book to do so, so instead, I rooted for her as she worked to try and figure out who was hiding things from her, what the secrets were, and why they were being hidden. This was a fantastic read, and I will definitely be checking out this author in the future.
July 3, 2022
It’s a very intriguing story about humans and crows. Can you imagine what it’ll be like seeing a big black bird tearing into a human? It can loose some strings in the mind of a normal human being; that’s what happened with the MC Penelope. Everybody, including her, thought that everything is hallucination, a fickle of the mind, and that took some ugly turns in her life. She’s a very determined character who wants to unravel the truth behind every mystery, every clue, every hint that she’s getting or hearing.
The timeline of the events should have been more accurately told, it jumbled up a little bit of the story at many points. The plot is nice but it’s not explained as it should have been. The story should have unravelled in a better way than being all jumbled up. Pen’s friend, Dean is the best mate a person can get. Knowing all the in’s and out’s of a person is fantastic. He’s the constant support for her to hold onto her stability.
The timeline of the events should have been more accurately told, it jumbled up a little bit of the story at many points. The plot is nice but it’s not explained as it should have been. The story should have unravelled in a better way than being all jumbled up. Pen’s friend, Dean is the best mate a person can get. Knowing all the in’s and out’s of a person is fantastic. He’s the constant support for her to hold onto her stability.
November 6, 2022
Cathrina Constantine has created a mysterious young adult adventure full of twists and turns that will keep readers guessing!
Read full review in the 2022 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2022 November issue of InD'tale Magazine.
June 11, 2022
"Crows are inherently clever and intelligent. Pay attention, they bring messages. they're a symbol of magic, mystery and destiny."
This book is definitely for you if you like-
-Gothic Atmosphere
-Best Friend To Crush
-Sibling Bonds
-Slow Revealing Mystery
-Big Secret kept hidden through generations
The world building, the characters, the story and everything about this book is solely spectacular. I dearly hate the Gramma and Love Dean and Penelope!
Penelope is such a strong character, I'm in awe for real!
~ Secrets, lies, and sorrow are lurking in the shadows of Crows Nest... ~
This book is definitely for you if you like-
-Gothic Atmosphere
-Best Friend To Crush
-Sibling Bonds
-Slow Revealing Mystery
-Big Secret kept hidden through generations
The world building, the characters, the story and everything about this book is solely spectacular. I dearly hate the Gramma and Love Dean and Penelope!
Penelope is such a strong character, I'm in awe for real!
~ Secrets, lies, and sorrow are lurking in the shadows of Crows Nest... ~
July 5, 2022
(ENGLISH REVIEW BELOW)
Une lecture sombre qui m'a finalement emportée malgré quelques difficultés.
¤
Dans ce roman, nous suivons Penelope, qui est déterminée à comprendre comment et pourquoi son père est mort. Tous la croient folle et malgré son internement, la jeune femme ne change pas sa version des faits : son père est mort, mangé par des oiseaux. L'autrice nous emmène donc au fil d'une quête vers la vérité et dans les réflexions de la jeune femme entre réalité et folie.
Au début, j'ai eu du mal à entrer dans l'histoire. Je dois l'avouer, je ne me suis pas spécialement attachée à Penelope. Outre mon détachement, je n'étais pas convaincue par la psychologie et les comportements du personnages. Certaines actions m'ont paru irréalistes et je ne comprenais la logique des événements.
Cela dit, passé le premier tiers de ma lecture, j'ai fini par être entraînée par la détermination de Penelope. L'autrice laisse beaucoup de suspens autour de cette vérité que cherche Penelope. J'ai beaucoup aimé le côté sombre, presque gothique de l'histoire. L'autrice malmène son lecteur entre réalité et folie et c'était quand même une bonne lecture.
---------
ENGLISH REVIEW
A dark reading that finally carried me away despite some difficulties.
¤
In this book, we follow Penelope, who is determined to find out how and why her father died. Everyone thinks she's crazy and despite her confinement, the young woman doesn't change her version of the facts: her father is dead, eaten by birds. The author therefore takes us on a quest for the truth and in the reflections of the young woman between reality and madness.
At first, I had a hard time getting into the story. I have to admit, I didn't particularly like Penelope. Besides my detachment, I was not convinced by the psychology and behavior of the characters. Some actions seemed unrealistic to me and I didn't understand the logic of events.
That said, after the first third of my reading, I ended up being swept away by Penelope's determination. The author leaves a lot of suspense around this truth that Penelope is looking for. I really liked the dark, almost gothic side of the story. The author mishandles her reader between reality and madness and it was still a good reading.
Une lecture sombre qui m'a finalement emportée malgré quelques difficultés.
¤
Dans ce roman, nous suivons Penelope, qui est déterminée à comprendre comment et pourquoi son père est mort. Tous la croient folle et malgré son internement, la jeune femme ne change pas sa version des faits : son père est mort, mangé par des oiseaux. L'autrice nous emmène donc au fil d'une quête vers la vérité et dans les réflexions de la jeune femme entre réalité et folie.
Au début, j'ai eu du mal à entrer dans l'histoire. Je dois l'avouer, je ne me suis pas spécialement attachée à Penelope. Outre mon détachement, je n'étais pas convaincue par la psychologie et les comportements du personnages. Certaines actions m'ont paru irréalistes et je ne comprenais la logique des événements.
Cela dit, passé le premier tiers de ma lecture, j'ai fini par être entraînée par la détermination de Penelope. L'autrice laisse beaucoup de suspens autour de cette vérité que cherche Penelope. J'ai beaucoup aimé le côté sombre, presque gothique de l'histoire. L'autrice malmène son lecteur entre réalité et folie et c'était quand même une bonne lecture.
---------
ENGLISH REVIEW
A dark reading that finally carried me away despite some difficulties.
¤
In this book, we follow Penelope, who is determined to find out how and why her father died. Everyone thinks she's crazy and despite her confinement, the young woman doesn't change her version of the facts: her father is dead, eaten by birds. The author therefore takes us on a quest for the truth and in the reflections of the young woman between reality and madness.
At first, I had a hard time getting into the story. I have to admit, I didn't particularly like Penelope. Besides my detachment, I was not convinced by the psychology and behavior of the characters. Some actions seemed unrealistic to me and I didn't understand the logic of events.
That said, after the first third of my reading, I ended up being swept away by Penelope's determination. The author leaves a lot of suspense around this truth that Penelope is looking for. I really liked the dark, almost gothic side of the story. The author mishandles her reader between reality and madness and it was still a good reading.
July 5, 2022
This was interesting, really thought this was gonna be more phycological than it really was.
Penelope seemed like she could have been certifiably insane if it weren't for how shady her grandma was and her siblings mentioning things that they "couldn't say". So I saw the, I guess you could call it a twist, coming and wasn't really surprised by it. I was surprised by the one concerning another family but should've guesses since they mention witches existing in this world at one point, thought it was only a passing mention. Actually the end also has an aspect I didn't expect of Crows Nest inhabitants possessing so that was a surprise. (One of these days I'll just release reviews with spoilers so I'm not entirely vague)
I think I like the beginning and the end but felt the middle was a little confusing at least time wise, cuz I think this all spanned around a year or more but there were a lot of time jumps that happens after big revelation that threw me off.
I did enjoy it overall though. Penelope seeming insane was my favorite part. Her siblings were adorable. Dean wasn't bad, just a surprise romance where I thought there wouldn't be any. The Ranier's we're nicer than I thought they would be in the end. Kind expected they would make her want to move back home by being worse instead of her deciding to go back cuz of her siblings and comfort. So overall a ⭐⭐⭐.8 or about 4 stars
Penelope seemed like she could have been certifiably insane if it weren't for how shady her grandma was and her siblings mentioning things that they "couldn't say". So I saw the, I guess you could call it a twist, coming and wasn't really surprised by it. I was surprised by the one concerning another family but should've guesses since they mention witches existing in this world at one point, thought it was only a passing mention. Actually the end also has an aspect I didn't expect of Crows Nest inhabitants possessing so that was a surprise. (One of these days I'll just release reviews with spoilers so I'm not entirely vague)
I think I like the beginning and the end but felt the middle was a little confusing at least time wise, cuz I think this all spanned around a year or more but there were a lot of time jumps that happens after big revelation that threw me off.
I did enjoy it overall though. Penelope seeming insane was my favorite part. Her siblings were adorable. Dean wasn't bad, just a surprise romance where I thought there wouldn't be any. The Ranier's we're nicer than I thought they would be in the end. Kind expected they would make her want to move back home by being worse instead of her deciding to go back cuz of her siblings and comfort. So overall a ⭐⭐⭐.8 or about 4 stars
June 30, 2022
THE OMEN OF CROWS NEST was a fantastic YA paranormal mystery about a girl searching to uncover the truth of her father’s disappearance. She’a convinced she saw him torn apart and killed by birds, but no one else saw it. Institutionalized because of what she believes she witnessed, she vows to prove to the world that her father was indeed murdered. But that’s hard to do when there’s no body and no evidence, and the only witness is one who’s viewed as mentally unstable.
Fast-paced with plenty of twists and turns, this was such an immersive book that I couldn’t put down. Penelope was such a fantastic and sympathetic character, and I loved the unreliability on her part — did she truly see her father’s murder, or is it all a mental fabrication, some sort of hallucination that she believes is real? Unreliable narrators are my favorite sort, and I found myself questioning Penelope on more than one occasion.
Bottom line — an atmosphere and gothic blend of fantasy and mystery that’s sure to satisfy lovers of both. 4 stars, and I will certainly be picking up whatever this author gives us next.
Many thanks to @bookofmatchesmedia and @cathrinaconstantine6004 for having me on the arc tour and gifting me a copy of the book.
Fast-paced with plenty of twists and turns, this was such an immersive book that I couldn’t put down. Penelope was such a fantastic and sympathetic character, and I loved the unreliability on her part — did she truly see her father’s murder, or is it all a mental fabrication, some sort of hallucination that she believes is real? Unreliable narrators are my favorite sort, and I found myself questioning Penelope on more than one occasion.
Bottom line — an atmosphere and gothic blend of fantasy and mystery that’s sure to satisfy lovers of both. 4 stars, and I will certainly be picking up whatever this author gives us next.
Many thanks to @bookofmatchesmedia and @cathrinaconstantine6004 for having me on the arc tour and gifting me a copy of the book.
June 29, 2022
This story is filled with intrigue. So many mysteries and secrets people are dying to protect and ones Penelope is dead set on unearthing. Everyone around Penelope is hiding something and things are set in motion when her father is attacked by a mob of birds in front of her and her mother. But everyone denies it happened and Penelope is institutionalised. Her family says her father is out of town when Penelope is adamant he was murdered.
There is a lot going on behind the scenes with people pulling strings to keep their secret from the world. With Penelope out to figure out the truth behind her family, she becomes a liability.
The story felt a bit chaotic to me with Penelope going back and forth on her emotions and her actions. I wish there was more clarity and the pace was a bit faster since it was written like a thriller.
It was a worthwhile read that could’ve been a lot better.
There is a lot going on behind the scenes with people pulling strings to keep their secret from the world. With Penelope out to figure out the truth behind her family, she becomes a liability.
The story felt a bit chaotic to me with Penelope going back and forth on her emotions and her actions. I wish there was more clarity and the pace was a bit faster since it was written like a thriller.
It was a worthwhile read that could’ve been a lot better.
September 28, 2023
This is my first book to read by Cathrina Constantine. The title and cover of the book hint that crows are a big part of the story. I got drawn into this book very quickly. I kept turning the pages to see what would happen next. Penelope's life changes forever when she swears she saw a scene like Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds attack and kill her father. She believes that there are secrets in her family's home, the Crows Nest and she wants to find out what they are. The one steady in her life is her childhood friend, Dean Ranier. He doesn't treat her like a freak. I thought this book was well written, I liked the descriptions of the characters which made them easy to visualize, and I liked the surprises.
July 1, 2022
This one just wasn't for me and that's totally personal preference. I didn't enjoy the writing style. It was hard to read all the abuse Penelope endured.
This has a dark, creepy vibe and Crows Nest sounds like this interesting house! It's gothic and twisty! There's a secret society that we don't know much about and it's hard to tell who to trust. The narrator (Penelope) is unreliable in that she's not sure what she saw and what she imagined which definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat suspense. It's a fast read with a little first love romance sprinkled in. I really loved the sibling relationships - they're so solid and tight!!
This has a dark, creepy vibe and Crows Nest sounds like this interesting house! It's gothic and twisty! There's a secret society that we don't know much about and it's hard to tell who to trust. The narrator (Penelope) is unreliable in that she's not sure what she saw and what she imagined which definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat suspense. It's a fast read with a little first love romance sprinkled in. I really loved the sibling relationships - they're so solid and tight!!
May 14, 2023
It starts with electrodes in the brain, jumps back to what happened before, jumps to talking to a shrink (which somehow ends in group therapy?) to talking with her mum and then getting paroled from the psychiatric facility for rich people. Yet she tells of her house needing repairs, her mother being sick in bed and then suddenly having her committed to wanting her free.
I like the cover. I like the title. I find the blurb intriguing. But the clear insanity of this MC scratched at parts of my mind better left alone. Not for me. But perhaps someone without my triggers might enjoy it.
DNF 6%
I like the cover. I like the title. I find the blurb intriguing. But the clear insanity of this MC scratched at parts of my mind better left alone. Not for me. But perhaps someone without my triggers might enjoy it.
DNF 6%
March 20, 2023
Audible:This was an excellent read. A teenager who has been mistreated by her father sees him die in a flurry of feathers,in her room.She tells the cops the truth and her nightmare begins.A secret society. A grandmother with so many secreets. A weird relationship with neighbors.It all ends,or begins with her.Amy Hull was a fine narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
July 3, 2022
If you like books where you question if the narrator is unreliable and slow built mystery then you'll like the Omen of Crows Nest. I really enjoyed the atmosphere of Crows Nest (Penelope's family home) and the things revealed at the end of the book were very promising for even cooler elaberation on the world building in the next book!
August 17, 2023
Mysterious, twisty and full of secrets and surprises.
November 3, 2025
5 Stars - Congratulations on your 5-star review
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favorite
The Omen of Crows Nest by Cathrina Constantine is a unique tale of secrets, lies, and murder. The Omen of Crows Nest is a deliciously dark, twisty story that you won’t be able to put down. It’s one of the most original tales I’ve ever read, full of sinister secrets and twists that take you places you would never dream of going. This coming-of-age YA mystery has everything you need to keep you hooked – magic, fantasy, history, murder, and even a little romance along the way, not to mention a ton of suspense. Penny is incredibly well developed, a complex character with plenty of depth. You’ll get to know her very well throughout the story, and you’ll be rooting for her all the way to a stunning ending. This is one of those books where you’ll struggle to guess what’s going to happen; just when you think you’ve got it, the plot runs off in a different direction. If you’re looking for something different, this book is well worth the read, no matter your age or preferred genre.
Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers’ Favorite
The Omen of Crows Nest by Cathrina Constantine is a unique tale of secrets, lies, and murder. The Omen of Crows Nest is a deliciously dark, twisty story that you won’t be able to put down. It’s one of the most original tales I’ve ever read, full of sinister secrets and twists that take you places you would never dream of going. This coming-of-age YA mystery has everything you need to keep you hooked – magic, fantasy, history, murder, and even a little romance along the way, not to mention a ton of suspense. Penny is incredibly well developed, a complex character with plenty of depth. You’ll get to know her very well throughout the story, and you’ll be rooting for her all the way to a stunning ending. This is one of those books where you’ll struggle to guess what’s going to happen; just when you think you’ve got it, the plot runs off in a different direction. If you’re looking for something different, this book is well worth the read, no matter your age or preferred genre.
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