Book Review: An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

I knew when I picked up An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson that I would enjoy it. The cover is gorgeous, it had my favorite elements (autumn princes and magic and fantasy), and I had heard good things about it already. But I honestly didn’t expect to like it this much.

When Isobel, an artist paints portraits for the fair folk, accidentally paints sorrow into the eyes of the autumn prince’s portrait, she is spirited away to the autumnlands to stand trial for her crime. But along the way, Isobel and the autumn prince, Rook, are waylaid and forced to depend on one another for survival. This alliance blossoms into a forbidden love, which can only be remedied if Isobel drinks from the Green Well and becomes a fae herself. But to do so would mean she loses everything she is, including her Craft.

Seriously, that cover is so pretty I can’t even.

The landscape of this book is absolutely gorgeous. Since most of it takes place in the autumn woodlands, the descriptions are rich with falling leaves, thick wooded lands, and a touch of autumn’s frost. To say I loved it would be an understatement. Autumn is my favorite season, and I felt like I was taking a waltz through the woods while reading it, breathing in the leaves and letting nature wrap around my heart.

This book was a slow kind of story. There was action, but only in bursts and spurts. A lot of it focuses on their journey through the woods and their journey into each other’s hearts. I was surprised that I enjoyed it so much because it did feel slow, though it moved quickly. (The book isn’t that long, so that’s probably why.)

In addition to the setting/tone, the fae were amazing. They were so deliciously despicable and eerie and frightening. I don’t know if I’ve read a book about fae that was this enjoyable because they weren’t good.

I almost can’t believe I took a library book outside to take pictures, but I needed aesthetics!

I liked Isobel’s characters because while she did fall into some female fantasy tropes, she also defied many of them as well. It’s was quite a relief, especially with that ending. Rook, however, was my absolute favorite. I mean, I knew going I was probably going to fall in love with him, but I didn’t realize how immediate it would be. He throws temper tantrums and can be his own sort of despicable, but gosh, I just love him so much. How he changes, how he valiantly fights for what he wants, how he protects his own. Where can I get my own Rook? And the ravens! Ahhh, the whole raven aspect was wonderful. I need more books about ravens.

Overall, An Enchantment of Ravens truly was an enchanting, gorgeous book with lovely descriptions, an exciting romance story, and swoon-worthy characters. If you want something that’s a little different than your typical faerie story, try this book. (And come sob with me over Rook because I need friends.) I honestly don’t know if I want 12 more books about these characters, a movie, a TV show, or a video game because all of those sounds epic!

Why yes I did have a pizza waffle picnic outside. Don’t judge me.

~I checked out a copy of An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson from my local library and chose to write a review of it from my own free will. All opinions are my own.~

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