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!
Release Date: March 9, 2020
My Review:
When I saw the cover of this book, I knew I had to read it. The colors are striking, and the characters drew me in. A Tristan and Isolde retelling, The Raven and the Dove is a fantastic romantic fantasy! The characters that this story revolves around are Princess Lyana Aethionus, Cassi, Lysander, and Rafe. Lyana longs to be free of the societal rules that constrain her. She is strong, brave, and a bit frustrating at times because she acts impulsively. Cassi is Lyana’s friend, and she is fascinating! She is cunning and smart, and someone to watch out for. Lysander and Rafe are half-brothers. They are so different from each other but each shows strength and determination.
This is a character-driven book, and these protagonists, as well as the other characters, are the highlight of the novel. The story is written from different points of view so you get to understand the feelings and motivations of several characters, which I really liked. I feel like this gave the characters more depth since I could easily understand how they were feeling.
The world-building in this book is also incredible. From the first scenes, the author’s skillful use of imagery and sensory language creates a beautifully captivating world. Filled with dragons, people with powers and the ability to fly, and courtship trials, this world is original and defined.
This story also has strong and appealing messages about staying true to oneself, being brave enough to follow your heart, and fighting for what you believe in. It is a well-written and well-paced novel that I thoroughly enjoyed reading!
Thanks so much to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book!
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- impressively well-developed and interesting characters
- exceptional world-building
- great themes
Recommendations:
Readers who like young adult fantasies with well-developed and unique characters as well as dynamic world-building will enjoy this captivating story.
Have you read The Raven and the Dove? What did you think?
Omg I need this book even more now than I originally thought after reading your review!! Love character based books as well as fantasy romance and great world building !! Great review 😊
Thanks so much! It’s a good book. I think you’ll like it! 🙂