Post contributed by Catherine Lowe
Lovers of young adult fantasy novels may expect Kass Morgan’s and Danielle Paige’s The Ravens to follow the lines of other YA fantasy novels in the genre. However, readers will be pleasantly surprised that this thrilling young adult is much more than a story of sorority sisters that happen to be witches. The Ravens proves to be a heart-racing tale of love, sisterhood, friendship, and betrayal.
The first in The Ravens series, the novel follows the stories of Vivian Deveraux and Scarlett Winters as they navigate a new semester at Westerly College in Savannah, Georgia. Vivi, a freshman who has been stuck fleeing from an unseen enemy with her seemingly deranged mother, is happy to begin a new life away from the chaos at home. However, once Vivi crosses the threshold of the elusive Kappa Rho Nu sorority house everything changes. For Scarlett, this semester is one in the same with only one major difference—Kappa’s search for who will replace their current president, Dahlia, when she graduates from Westerly in the spring. Becoming president of Kappa is everything that Scarlett has been working toward, especially since her sister and mother were both presidents of the sorority when they went to Westerly years before. When Scarlett’s and Vivi’s worlds collide when Vivi is given a bid to the Kappa sorority, strange things start happening to each of the girls and an unknown entity lurks in the darkness waiting to snatch each of the Kappa witches up.
There are many enjoyable aspects to The Ravens, one of them being the spitfire character that Vivi is through her sarcastic humour and headstrong personality. Vivi carries much of the novel through the different predicaments the finds herself in including fooling around with a boy that is particularly off limits. Scarlett, on the other hand, provides much insight to the values and traditions that Kappa Rho Nu believes in and prides themselves on. Another strength that is present are the descriptions of the scenery. From Westerly’s campus to the elaborate parties at Kappa House, Morgan and Paige are able to paint a whimsical picture of the magic that The Ravens has to offer.
There are many aspects that readers may enjoy, one of them being the diversity among the novel’s characters. From Scarlett being an African American main character, to other people of colour from across the world being included in this novel pushes the fact that anyone could pick up this book and find someone they can relate to. Several secondary characters represent minorities as well, especially two witches, Juliet and Jess, who are in a committed relationship. The way these people from different walks of life are represented and accepted in the Kappa Rho Nu sorority is so important for young readers to be aware of and the different events that happen to all of the characters in The Ravens will push readers to continue turning the pages.
While the majority of the novel was fast-paced and filled with the mystery surrounding Westerly’s campus, some scenes leave more to be desired. The magic that comes to the sisters of Kappa Rho Nu is merely explained through generations of witches and tarot cards, which may leave readers questioning how a witch may discover her powers. Additionally, it is mentioned several times throughout the novel that the Kappa sorority is the most exclusive on Westerly’s campus. With knowing that, it would be helpful for readers to know what the other students thought of the Kappa sisters for some perspective of their life on campus.
Overall, The Ravens is a spectacular read for those looking to find a novel with good representation, humour, magic, and just the right amount of horror during the fall and winter seasons.
The Ravens is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
From New York Times best-selling authors Kass Morgan and Danielle Paige comes a thrilling, dark contemporary fantasy about a prestigious sorority of witches and two girls caught up in its world of sinister magic and betrayals.
At first glance, the sisters of ultra-exclusive Kappa Rho Nu—the Ravens—seem like typical sorority girls. Ambitious, beautiful, and smart, they’re the most powerful girls on Westerly College’s Savannah, Georgia, campus.
But the Ravens aren’t just regular sorority girls. They’re witches.
Scarlett Winter has always known she’s a witch—and she’s determined to be the sorority’s president, just like her mother and sister before her. But if a painful secret from her past ever comes to light, she could lose absolutely everything . . .
Vivi Devereaux has no idea she’s a witch and she’s never lived in one place long enough to make a friend. So when she gets a coveted bid to pledge the Ravens, she vows to do whatever it takes to be part of the magical sisterhood. The only thing standing in her way is Scarlett, who doesn’t think Vivi is Ravens material.
But when a dark power rises on campus, the girls will have to put their rivalry aside to save their fellow sisters. Someone has discovered the Ravens’ secret. And that someone will do anything to see these witches burn . . .
