My book review of When Among Crows by Veronica Roth. When Among Crows marks a bold new direction for the author, blending dystopian elements with a dark, atmospheric fantasy world. This novel showcases Roth’s ability to craft complex, morally ambiguous characters while keeping readers hooked with sharp plot twists and immersive world-building.
Title: When Among Crows
By: Veronica Roth
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 166
Release Date: May 14th, 2024
Publisher: Tor Books
Rating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:
Step into a city where monsters feast on human emotions, knights split their souls to make their weapons, and witches always take more than they give.
Pain is Dymitr's calling. To slay the monsters he's been raised to kill, he had to split his soul in half to make a sword from his own spine. Every time he draws it, he gets blood on his hands.
Pain is Ala's inheritance. When her mother died, a family curse to witness horrors committed by the Holy Order was passed onto her. The curse will claim her life, as it did her mother's, unless she can find a cure.
One fateful night in Chicago, Dymitr comes to Ala with a her help in finding the legendary witch Baba Jaga in exchange for an enchanted flower that just might cure her. Desperate, and unaware of what Dymitr really is, Ala agrees.
But they only have one day before the flower dies, and Ala's hopes of breaking the curse along with it.
Review:
The story follows Kira, a young woman caught in the heart of a decaying world ruled by a mysterious, ruthless group known as the Crows. Roth excels at creating tension as Kira navigates a society on the brink of collapse, where survival often means sacrificing one's morals. Kira’s character is deeply layered—flawed yet determined, she faces hard choices that leave readers questioning right from wrong along with her. The internal conflict within her adds emotional depth, making her more relatable even as she battles external threats.
Roth’s world-building is one of the novel’s standout features. The setting is gritty and harsh, with elements of decay and danger at every turn. From the eerie landscapes to the terrifying Crows who control them, the environment feels like a character in itself. The oppressive atmosphere draws readers in, making them feel the weight of the world Kira inhabits. Roth’s use of dark magic and twisted power dynamics adds to the tension, creating a sense of constant unease.
However, while the plot is gripping, it occasionally feels slow-paced in the middle. Roth takes time to explore the intricacies of the power structures and Kira’s personal struggles, which adds depth but can also drag down the momentum. The action-packed ending, however, more than makes up for the slower moments, delivering a heart-pounding conclusion that sets the stage for future books in the series.
Roth’s prose is both evocative and concise, maintaining a balance between vivid descriptions and snappy dialogue. Her signature ability to write morally complex characters shines through, particularly with the secondary characters, many of whom challenge Kira’s beliefs and force her to question the world around her.
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