The Raven Scholar

I didn’t expect to like this book based on the blurb, but I found it incredibly entertaining.  It’s loaded with backstabbing and court politics, not unlike most competition reality shows.  Normally, not my cup of tea.  This book gripped me, with readable prose, an incredibly complex magic and religion, and very well-developed characters.  I loved that they are mostly adults in their 20’s or so, rather than teens.  It’s a doorstopper of a book but enough action to keep the pace pretty high.  This book was nominated for both the 2025 Nebula and 2026 Hugo Awards.  It has a lot of love in the online review arena, but also several loud detractors.  I can see the argument of the detractors, but I align with those who loved it.  

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