An engaging blend of mythology, fiction and history. Jinny, a young crippled Celtic slave, overcomes her fears and physical handicap to rise as the new Queen of Dragons. I liked the imagination and care for the details. At the same time, though, I've found the pacing uneven and parts of the novel dragged.
Overall, a good book.

Antler Jinny and the Raven
by Chris Dews
Aengus Press
Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles
Historical Fiction , Sci Fi & Fantasy
I was delighted about the amount of Scottish Celtic lore in this book and it was a good one. Naturally some of the points were a bit debatable with both Deities and the people that served them but really enjoyed it and would recommend it to others.

I loved this novel, which captivatingly incorporates Celtic history and mythology into an epic coming-of-age fantasy. This is the second book in the Druid Lailoken series, but it works fine as a stand-alone. Epic fantasy isn’t one of my preferred genres, but I really enjoyed spending time in this world, despite its frequent violence and brutality.

At first, I wasn’t sure I was going to like the characters, but they quickly grew on me. Our main character, Jinny, has a very satisfying story arc. I like books where we witness characters discovering their strengths, and I’m particularly fond of books where we get to see a disabled character learning how to live well with their disability. Jinny’s friends were also well developed, interesting, flawed yet likeable characters. Even the antagonists, whose actions are quite monstrous at times, are developed in such a way that we understand why they behave the way they do and they become somewhat sympathetic.

I was so drawn into this story, that more than once I found myself distracted from tasks that needed my attention, or staying up too late when I ought to be getting some sleep. I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys fantasy and won’t be too disturbed by the violence and brutality or discussion of rape.

I was provided an ARC through NetGalley that I volunteered to review. Because I have not seen the final published version, I cannot comment on the final editing and formatting. The ARC was well-written and neatly formatted; I don’t recall noticing any proofreading errors.

Story
Antler Jinny and the Raven is a YA coming-of-age fantasy story. What I love most about this book is the amazing mystical world building. Fairies, druids, forgotten gods, dragons, and magic are integrated thoroughly into the historical setting. Be prepared for a visually imaginative treat.

Writing
This YA novel is 533 pages. Most YA novels range from 300-400 pages. So we know right off there is a lot of words between the covers and, unfortunately, length isn't always good for a fast-paced fantasy adventure story. Personally, I feel that while the visual details are spot on, it's the presentation of the story that could be more tightly edited. For example, the entire historical prologue could have been gradually fed into the story here and there as background information.

Characters
Jinny starts off in the book as a very unhappy girl, bottom of her society without any means to better her situation. I find her story beautiful and inspirational. Be aware that many characters in this story suffer from some form of trauma and there are some instances of sexual assault and rape related to the Roman conquest and the effects of the Fomors.

Enjoyability
There are some minor issues I mentioned with regards to length and its effects on the intensity and impact of the novel. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Antler Jinny and the Raven. It is a rare treat for your imagination.

Rating
Story: 4 Stars
Writing: 4 Stars
Characters: 4 Stars
Enjoyability: 4 Stars

Notes: Many thanks to Netgalley and Aengus Press for providing a copy of this book.

A good fantasy book that keep you hooked since the beginning. It's well written, full of positive values and charming characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC