Review: The Raven Scholar, by Antonia Hodgson

About the book

From an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy comes The Raven Scholar, a masterfully woven and playfully inventive tale of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar’s quest to uncover the truth.

Let us fly now to the empire of Orrun, where after twenty-four years of peace, Bersun the Brusque must end his reign. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders compete to replace him. They are exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists—the best of the best.

Then one of them is murdered.

It falls to Neema Kraa, the emperor’s brilliant, idiosyncratic High Scholar, to find the killer before the trials end. To do so, she must untangle a web of deadly secrets that stretches back generations, all while competing against six warriors with their own dark histories and fierce ambitions. Neema believes she is alone. But we are here to help; all she has to do is let us in.

If she succeeds, she will win the throne. If she fails, death awaits her. But we won’t let that happen.

We are the Raven, and we are magnificent.

Format 672 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2025 by Orbit
ISBN 9780316577229

My Review

I picked this book up last year at FantasyCon. Someone left it lying around and unattended. Let this be a lesson to you all: do not leave ARCs lying about when a book wyrm is in the vicinity because it will be added to the hoard.

I don’t think I’ve read much ‘dark academia’, but I do love a bit of political fantasy. I’m not even really sure what ‘dark academia’ is to be honest, other than a marketing sub-genre. Does it have to take place in academia or can it just have an academic as a central character? Someone give me an idiot’s guide, please!

Neema is a scholar and an unwitting political actor. Her ability to research and her talents with calligraphy brings her to the attention of the Emperor. Her partner Cain disapproves and disappears into the night.

Neema is a member of the Ravens, while Cain is a Fox. Raven and Fox are two of the Eight Guardians, along with Ox, Bear, Monkey, Dragon, Tiger, and Hound. Each Guardian has a position in the social structure of the Empire, and almost everyone affiliates to a Temple.

The Ravens are scholars, lawyers, historians.

The Foxes are thieves, spies, assassins.

Oxen are strong and organised, farmers and engineers.

Bears are warriors with a strong tradition of asceticism, self-control and discipline.

Monkeys are artists, musicians, amd generally creatives.

Hounds are the police force of the Empire.

Tigers are the politicians, wealthy and influential, mostly from old, wealthy families.

The Dragons are different. They live mostly on the island of Helia, ruled by their leader, and not a part of the Empire. They have magic and are willing to use it to get what they want.

It’s a complicated story of political intrigue told from the perspective of Neema, as she organises and is then thrown into the contest for the throne. She doesn’t want to be a Contender, she wanted to spend the contest in the library, researching a new project. Instead she finds herself investigating a murder that she’s suspected of committing, while representing the Ravens. It doesn’t help that her ex, last seen climbing out of her bedroom window eight years before, is the Fox Contender.

And Raven wants her to become their avatar.

I loved this book, definitely going on my ‘best of’ list this year. I stayed up far past my bed time for two nights in a row. This was an intriguing, entertaining read. I didn’t bawl my eyes out once, but I did cheer on Neema and her friends as they negotiated their personal difficulties with each other, and the world around them.

Neema reads as very neurodivergent; she hyperfocuses, has to complete a thought and must say things even when she shouldn’t. Her friendships are limited but very strong and supportive. Cain especially, as her older friend and partner, knows when she needs to say something amd is trying not to. He knows that she loses time when she’s focused and encourages her to use that focus in thd competition. She feels like an outsider and is often accused of acting maliciously even when she tells the truth and acts with good intentions. People see her honesty and straightforwardness as deception.

Ah, now that is familiar…

Also, yeah, if a deity ever needs to get my attention, arrive as a magic book.

The world is fleshed out with a deep history and mythology. Hodgson has clearly spent a log of time building her world, thinking through the social and magical systems. I can’t wait to explore beyond the imperial island.

The characters are rounded and interesting, motivated by their experiences and interests, their goals and traditions. There’s the odd stereotypes – spoilt rich brats, aristocrat artists up their own arses, mean girls…but they actually work in the context of the story.

The mystery of why the first Raven Contender was murdered is gripping. Each twist and turn is signalled subtly, and the final reveal makes sense into the context.

I highly recommend this book and I’m waiting patiently for book two. If Hodderscape want to send me an ARC, they know how to get hold of me and I will not turn them down…

And yes, Raven is magnificent.