The Raven and the Dove

** spoiler alert ** So..... I started this book on a whim and a really had a good time with it. Like I read it all in one sitting kind of good time. I love the story of Tristen and Isolde so when I saw this was a rewrite involving beautiful bird people Ink ew this was the book for me and I was right. While I wouldn't call myself an insta-love kind of gal, I liked that with Rafe and Lyana. I liked that he loved her and that she was meant to be mates to his brother, Xander. Angsty, tension. Love it. I liked Xander and Lyanas relationship and how it seemed to grow and I think they could have been good friends. For a book with a really short timespan, at most a month I though the pacing was fine. Would I have liked more Rafe and Ana time? Yes. I don't know how I feel about it changing perspectives.I Liked that it stayed in the third person. I feel like it was have been five stars if we didn't read from there perspective of Cassi or Xander and stuck to the main two. Kinda takes the mystery out and would have let us have more time with the couple to watch them fall in love. All in all. Would recommend :)

I'm excited to be a part of THE RAVEN AND THE DOVE blog tour with The Fantastic Flying Book Club from March 9th - March 15th, 2020! I received an ARC of this book from Amazon via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! In no way does this affect my rating or review. All included quotes have been taken from an ARC and may not match the finished publication. Content Warning: Injury, Attempted murder, Natural disaster (earthquake), Cheating Lyana was dying to see beneath the Sea of Mist. To fly through the impenetrable white and discover what lay beyond. But that wasn’t her future, no matter how she wished it could be. Lyana Aethionus is the princess of the doves. A life at court isn’t nearly as alluring for her as the skies above and the mist below. Strong-willed Lyana dreams of the fanciful, rather than forward to the upcoming courtship trials where she is to choose a mate. That is, until she happens upon an alluring prince of the ravens after he is injured fighting a rogue dragon. Lyana, possessing a special and forbidden magic, uses her ability to help mend the broken prince back to health--not expecting the surprising secret that the prince harbors himself. Rafe knew what people gossiped about in the dark halls of their castle. How the ravens had lost favor with the other gods, how their patron god was weakening, how they’d been cursed. Rafe is the bastard prince to a dead king. Despite his origins, his relationship with his half-brother and prince has always remained strong. The two have looked out for one another since they were young; Lysander making sure Rafe remained in the palace even though his mother disliked him, and Rafe with his loyalty to protecting his appointed brother. With the upcoming event that will secure a mate for the young prince, they both know that the forever-injured Lysander cannot compete in the trials with only one hand. Scheming with his look-alike half brother to stand in his place in the courtship trials, Rafe will do anything to help his brother and his people. As the ravens, the Court of Whisperings, have been rumored to have lost favor with their dying god, a match must be sealed for Prince Lysander. With Lysander’s injury, Rafe must take his place in disguise in order to make that happen. The plans between the brothers are perfect until the dragon attacks, and Rafe disappears. Having a special magical ability as well, Lysander expects that his brother is alright, but must locate him before the ceremony. He searches, and finds Rafe alive and on the mend--just in time for the trials. Lyana and Rafe both know about each other's magic--which is a secret to all as magic is forbidden in the floating isles. With new determination, Lyana goes into the trials knowing who she will choose as her forever mate, only to find that what she expects turns out to be a rouse. Full of turmoil, betrayal, and heartache, The Raven and the Dove builds an enchanting story based around entangled lovers and forbidden magic. Written in 3rd person point-of-view, the reader often knows more about the characters than they do, but not by much. What is most intriguing about this story is how it is structured, and that even at the end, only part of the entire plot is shared. There is certainly much more to come in future installments, and a much broader world to discover. Forbidden magic, secret alliances, beautiful world-building, diverse characters and unique plot-lines gives The Raven and the Dove a poignant voice in the Young Adult Fantasy scene. Not to mention, forbidden romance loosely retelling the romance between Tristan and Iseult. The Raven and the Dove is compared to the works of Sarah J. Maas, but it is certainly much more structured, better-written, focused, and more Young Adult reader friendly, as it doesn't include scenes that are certainly paralleled to erotica. With unique world building and a tale that intricately weaves characters on strategic paths, it is a very promising start to a fresh and exciting series. Vulgarity: Minimal, if any. Sexual content: Kissing. Nothing explicit, but two characters do cheat with one another. Violence: Minimal to moderate. My Rating: ★★★★ My Blog ¦ Bookstagram ¦ Twitter ¦ Pinterest ¦ Facebook

This is the first book in a fantasy series and I don't know how to feel about it. In all honesty, it fell kind of flat for me. I wanted more from the characters, the magic system, the romance, and more world-building. Because it was the first book I am taking that into account, so I will be reading the next book to see where it goes. Most of the book I felt like there was nothing happening. It wasn't until the end of the book that I got more invested because of the ending. I would recommend giving it a try, I would love to hear your thoughts and discuss the book.

Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher on netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own. Book: The Raven and the Dove Author: Kaitlyn Davis Book Series: The Raven and the Dove Book 1 Rating: 1/5 Publication Date: March 9, 2020 Genre: YA Fantasy Recommended Age: can’t recommend, DNF-ed Publisher: Amazon Services Pages: 506 Amazon Link Synopsis: A princess longing to be free... On the dawn of her courtship trials, Princess Lyana Aethionus knows she should be focused on winning her perfect mate, yet her thoughts wander to the open sky waiting at the edge of her floating kingdom. One final adventure calls. Upon fleeing the palace, the last thing she expects to find is a raven prince locked in a death match with a dragon. A bastard aching to belong... Reviled son of a dead king, Rafe would do anything for his beloved half-brother, Prince Lysander Taetanus, including posing as him in the upcoming courtship trials. When a dragon interrupts their secret exchange, he orders his studious sibling to run. After suffering a fatal blow, Rafe is saved by a beautiful dove who possesses forbidden magic, just like him. Fate brought them together, now destiny will tear them apart... Unknown to the world above, on the foggy sea ten thousand feet below, a young king fights a forgotten war. He believes Lyana is the queen prophesied to save the world, and with the help of his favored spy, hidden deep in the highest ranks of the dove royal house, he will stop at nothing to have her. Three shocking betrayals. Two star-crossed lovers. One unforgettable journey. If you like fierce heroines, brooding heroes, forbidden romance, and action-packed magical adventures with twists you'll never see coming, don't miss The Raven and the Dove! Review: I had to DNF this book. I felt like I had read this same story before. I am NOT saying that this book is plagiarizing another work but I feel like this book is just a rehashing of the same plot points in a different manner. I’m aware it’s a Tristian and Isolde retelling, but for some reason this book just feels so old to me. The characters aren’t appealing to me and the world building is everywhere. Stuff just feels like it’s thrown into your face without warning. It’s a bit of a chaotic read and it was really slow. I made it about 38% through before I had to quit reading. Verdict: Not for me, but might be for you!

I think I should start this review with a fan fact. I just found out that this book is a retelling of one of my favorite childhood stories, Tristan and Isolde! It all makes sense now! How could I not see it before? The world created in the story is focused on royal houses that were blessed and saved by Gods. Each house is called by the different type of a bird and blessed by different God. The book tells the story of Lyana, the princess of the doves and Rafe, the bastard of the king of ravens. Lyana dreams about being free, travel and explore the unknown, however, as a princess she has her obligation like choosing a mate and become a queen and wife. She understands the need to sacrifice all her dreams for a good cause. On the last night before the trials and ceremony, she sneaks out of the castle so she can be free for the last night. That’s where she crossed her ways with Rafe. He got attacked and injured by a dragon. If she and her friend wouldn’t help him, he would die. Lyana has a gift, she can cure people with magic. To save him she takes him to the cave to heal him there. That’s the moment I really like it because they are getting to know each other but they both lie about who they are. Lyana thinks he’s the prince of ravens and Rafe thinks she’s just a normal girl. Rafe doesn’t correct her because he came here to win a mate for his brother pretending, he is the prince. They look almost the same, however, Xander isn’t as physically gifted so he asked his brother to take part in the trials instead of him. Xander and Rafe are very close to each other and they would do everything for each other. I couldn’t decide which one of them I felt worse because they both have problematic lives. I love their relationship because even if their past could mess up things between them, they remained to be brothers and best friends. It makes me so sad knowing that trials and their switch of personalities make everything complicated and destroy their brotherhood step by step. This book includes so much hope for finding someone the characters will be finally understood and free with. Lysandra was looking for someone she wouldn’t need to hide her secrets from, however, Xander was looking for someone he would spend days in the library, someone who would understand him. They almost got what they were looking for but as it always happens in life, everything got much more complicated for everyone. I felt so bad for these three main characters. Lyana after trials and travel to her new homeland she felt like in a cage. Xander wished just this one time to be loved and learn what true love is like but his mate’s heart couldn’t be one by him. However, Rafe just wished to change his past, he was a black sheep in the kingdom, not welcome but anyone but his brother. I honestly wish this book would change differently. I felt so much pain for every single thing that happened at the end. I think Rafe’s case was the most painful of all. I cannot believe that after everything that happened the only thing that he loved so much was taken away from him. His life was already crushed by all that happened the day before and now this. I don’t know if I will be able to read a sequel and find in what condition he is. This book had some parts I didn’t like that much but despite it, I can say it was a good read. I enjoyed the story and the characters. As tragic as this story was for its characters, I still enjoyed it. I hope the second book will be even better than this one. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kaitlyn Davis for providing me this copy. I enjoyed this book a lot and I can’t wait to read another book in this series.

I received an eARC of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I genuinely enjoyed this book and I thought that the tag line was definitely accurate. If you are a fan of Sarah J Maas and Leigh Bardugo you are going to love this book! I didn’t find anything that I disliked about the story and thought it was engaging, interesting, and well written from the start. I am excited that I can preorder the second novel already and can’t wait to read what comes next!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Fantastic Flying Book Club, Netgalley, and Amazon Digital Services, LLC for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication. Okay what?!?!? Seriously this book just kept breaking my heart left and right. How was I even able to get through this book without crying every so often? Well that’s not true because I was crying every so often. I was crying in the beginning when I was hearing about Rafe’s parents, then the battle with the dragon in the very beginning, then Lyana and Cassi and how they became sisters in arms basically. Ugh I’m just really emotional honestly. I was really into this book the entire time I was reading it and then I was like… really, really sad that it was over and just wow. Clearly I have no control over my words and thoughts right now but I was just way into this novel. Like, way into it. When we first meet Rafe and Xander, I was so into their brotherhood for one another, and then hearing the backstory on them and why Rafe still belongs in the kingdom despite everyone else really wanting him dead or exiled was insane. Like, I’m so freaking proud of Xander sticking up for his baby brother like he did. Then I was really happy with the friendship between Lyana and Cassi, and again there was that introduction on how Lyana and Cassi became friends – more like sisters – and that just warmed my heart too. I can’t believe the next three books are coming out so quickly though?! I’m just really excited, okay????

I loved reading this book because it was romance, fantasy, and action all in one setting. Those three things are my favorite themes of the books I read and this book did a great job at balancing them throughout it. I really didn’t know if I would like the semi love triangle in the book since that is my most hated trope, BUT it was way different then I thought it would be. . . . Lyana was very impulsive and didn’t always think through her decisions, but I loved how she always followed her heart no matter what anyone said. Rafe was so selfless and loyal even though he acted like a grump and I tended to feel bad for the sad and lonely life he had to live. Even though he did make mistakes towards the end of the book, I couldn’t be completely mad because his actions are from a boy who has never been loved by his family or people and that’s something he wanted so badly. On the other hand, his brother Xander was a funny and charismatic character and let’s just say he was not done justice in the end no matter how much I like Rafe. . . . I almost gave this book four stars, but the ending was so shocking and crazy I couldn’t help but give it the five full stars. Towards the end, I couldn’t stop thinking, “OMG, did they really do that? What‘s going to happen next??!!” And of course, this book ended on a cliff hanger and now I’m upset that I read this book so early because now I have to wait even longer to read the second one! *Thanks @netgalley for my advanced copy*

I received an eARC of this book for my participation in the instagram cover reveal tour organized by MTMC Tours When I read that this was a retelling of Tristan and Isolde perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, I was immediately sold and signed up for the Instagram tour. Now that I’ve read it, I’m happy I followed that impulse, because I really enjoyed this story. The worldbuilding was interesting and never info-dumped. I was immediately drawn to the world and had no trouble following the dynamics that governed it. The characters quickly got under my skin—so much so that by the time the drama starts to unfold, I was suffering for all parties involved. I should have been prepared, since I love the forbidden romance in the tale of Tristan and Isolde, but alas, I wasn’t. I wanted everyone to be happy and it wasn’t happening any time soon. Can I pinpoint who my favorite character is? Maybe Xander, or Cassi? But then again Rafe is the brooding, misunderstood hero and Lyana is a ray of sunshine with whom I could see myself being friends with. I was so invested that even though I rooted for Lyana and Rafe, I couldn’t help but suffer for Xander. As for Cassi, who has nothing to do with the romantic dynamic, I thought she was an interesting character—perhaps the most interesting and complex of them all. I enjoyed her POVs very much. The ending, though, was brutal. I shouldn’t have been allowed to read this so soon, because now I must know how things will unfold and the wait will be too long! *cries forever* AND I WANT THE ARTWORK WITH ALL OF THE CHARACTERS! *cries even more*

3.5-4 STARS I enjoyed this new series starter from Kaitlyn Davis. I liked the story and the characters, and the writing was really immersive, and pulled me in. The characters were really great! I love our MC Lyana, she is very similar to me and I connected with her. She is independent and kind of strong-willed, but she is always trying to do the right thing. Rafe was also a really great broody leading man. I really enjoyed the connection that they share in the book through their secret magic. The only thing I had slight difficulty with was the world-building. I didn’t quite understand it for the first half of the book. This might have just been a total “me” issue, but I just couldn’t grasp onto it easily. If you dive into this one, be prepared for a HUGE cliffhanger at the end. Like, I couldn’t wrap my mind around the way it ended, and I HAVE to have the second book! Overall, I really enjoyed it, and look forward to the rest of the series, and anything else that Davis will put out. Special thanks to the author and NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange only for my honest thoughts and review! Follow Me! IG | Alicia Reads It - Blog | Twitter

For the full review visit my blog: http://shelflifechronicles.com/2020/0... Deceit, dragons, hidden magic and star-crossed lovers. The Raven and the Dove has all of that and more. Set in a world divided into two, those above and those below, it delivered a story beyond two people fighting fate for love. It’s about a princess who dreams of a higher calling, a prince who longs for approval, a bastard who wants to be accepted and an owl who hides the darkest secrets of them all.

4.5 stars. OH MY GOSH THAT WAS INTENSE. I really loved this gorgeous retelling of Tristan & Isolde - the characters (morally grey! sweet and sensitive! a little erratic!), the setting, the fantasy elements, the twists and turns, the relationships, everything! I cannot wait for book 2. HUGE thank you to the author and Netgalley for the eARC.

I really liked The Raven and the Dove and I can't wait for the next book! What I loved the most was the world building and the magic system! Even though we learnt a lot of things about some characters, the magic and the world, there's still so much we don't really know! It's so interesting to read something different, very refreshing! I have to say that the little glimpses we got from the world down the mist, made it even more fascinated! I can't wait to read the next installment, because from the twists in the end of the first book, I am pretty sure that the second will be split between the two worlds! What I didn't get was the retelling aspect, but that's probably because I don't really know the story of Tristan and Isolde that well... Rafe and Lyanna were amazing and I loved them both! Xander on the other hand, was a good character and very likeable, but in the end I wasn't really interested in him.. ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The raven and the dove is a magical retelling of Tristan and Isolde. It's a story of duty, betrayal and star-crossed love. I really enjoyed it! One thing i really loved about this book was the world-building. The world and the magic system were really interesting and unique! However, there is still lots that the reader doesn't know from book one which makes me really excited to pick up the second book and learn more! The characters in this one were also fantastic. From the first page they felt so real to me so when the drama starts to unfold I was so emotionally invested! I really understood all their motives and felt their emotions through the page. Some moments were just so heartbreaking because I just felt so torn for the characters! (Xander :(((). This book also ends on a super big cliffhanger and I just cannot wait to pick up the second book and dive back into this world! Overall I really enjoyed this book! The world Kaitlyn Davis created is fantastic and the characters are raw and loveable. I can't wait to read more from this series<3