Review: The Raven in Spring

The Raven in Spring by Bekah Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you’ve read The Hawk In Winter, I’m positive you will end with one single feeling prominent above all others – the need to read the second book. If you have yet to read the first book, go back and do so now. This is one of those fantasy series where you need to read each book in order to understand what is going on, to truly appreciate the development occurring throughout. If you have read the first book, try not to wait too long before picking up the second book – there is so much to this series, and if you wait too long to read the second book you may well forget some of the important details.

Picking up following the events of The Hawk In Winter, The Raven In Spring throws us straight back into the story. As with the first book, this has the vibe of many of the big fantasy books out there – the continuation of revenge, intrigue, war, and deceit, along with new elements being added as we dive deeper into the world. I will be honest and say I enjoyed the first book more, but this is for one simple reason. The first book had more action, whereas this second book went at a slower pace to weave us deeper into the broader elements of the world. This is not a bad thing – I loved the way things developed even more in this one, and I cannot wait to see where some of the new elements will lead us – but I am a lover of big action scenes, and such is my preference when reading a fantasy novel.

As I have found through reading a few Bekah Clark books, what is done really well in the author’s fantasy books is the political element. It’s not a case of political views being thrown at you, rather we have a deep and well thought out world. We come to understand the system, and there is so much going on surrounding it. Think the politics behind the Iron Throne, all the dirty deeds going on because people want to sit on the uncomfortable seat. Such is the case here – we have so many individuals all vying for power, so many secrets and lies, every character having some kind of agenda. It is quite clear how some of the elements will weave together throughout the series, with some coming together in this one, but there is plenty left open for the future.

The thing I enjoyed most about this one, though, was the development of some of the characters. When I finished The Hawk In Winter I really wanted more of the Second House, and this one full delivered. We found out so much more about the houses, were introduced to new characters, and those we’d gotten to know briefly developed into so much more. For those who enjoyed the subtle romance throughout the first one, it’s even stronger in this book.

There is no doubt I need to dive into book three, The Peacock In Summer, soon to find out what happens from here on out!

View all my reviews