Absolutely loved it! Could not put it down. I’m a huge fan of retellings and I thought this was a super creative one.

I honestly have no idea how to start this review because it's just hard to describe with words how my soul left my body after this ending !

So what's this story about ?

There are several "houses" in a world full of magic, dragons, darkness and light ! Lyana is the daughter of the Doves, the "House of Peace" and this is by far the most respected house in her realm because of their God "Aethios". The God of Sun and the sky ( I know how cool it sounds, just wait,-it get's better!)

Different houses come together to choose mates for ruling different kingdoms but the participants have to pass some tests by achieving a few tasks. And Lyana being the strong and independent girl she is, chooses the prince of the "weakest" house, the "House of Whispers" ! But instead of a real prince, she gets the prince’s bastard brother.

And so this is where the real drama, the betrayal and the love triangle really begins !

The characters:
Lyana is the definition of hot tempered and also adventurous at the same time. She hates to just sit around, she wants to discover a lot of places and just fly in the sky. She is very impatient and a little outrageous, and I have to say that's how I like my heroine's ! I like heroine's who can express their own opinions and their freedom and snap back when necessary. However at some parts, she acted like an immature spoiled brat, and that made want to shake her incessantly several times.

Then we have Rafe, a bastard son of the Ravens, and he too possesses magic. Nobody knows about this apart from his brother Xander ! Rafe was the typical brooding, cold, distant warrior. He had a good heart, but it was hard to get through to him. Lyana was instantly attracted to him and we get this "insta-love" thrown in our faces. The thing is though, I was almost instantly Team Rafe ! So I liked that Lyana wanted him. But that could change any moment now, especially after this ending !

Xander, is a kind soul and a good prince. He cares deeply about his people and he adores Rafe, even though he is his bastard brother. He just wants happiness and though Lyana didn't mean to choose him, he wants to try and find happiness with her. A lot of people are Team Xander and I understand why. However, to me he was just boring, I like the more mysterious, hard to get through to, cold type ! ( That says a lot about my personal preference for guys xD )

The World Building and the Writing:
The world building was more than fantastic. It showed the real talent of the author and it is the highlight of the story. The setting sounded beautiful, you could imagine every single hill and every single waterfall.
I highly enjoyed the attention to details, whether it was in the world-building, or in the dialogues. The story had a good pace and nothing felt rushed. I loved the multiple POVs; it was necessary and very well executed. I feel like we really heard each of the characters’s voice through their POV.

So to sum it up, I absolutely loved this story, everything was so perfectly executed, I highly recommend it ! There were a lot of moment where Lyana's decisions disappointed me and the ending really had me in tears and screaming. That's why I'm deducting one star ! But I can't wait for the sequel ! You definitely do not want to miss out on this one.

Thank you to Kaitlyn and Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this beautiful book!!

This book was a bit slow for me to begin with and I wasn’t fully invested in the story... But this book deserved 5 stars because as I was completely hooked the moment the trials began right til the very end!! The world and politics/magic system was so interesting to read about and different to other stories which I loved. Most characters I adored while others I wouldn’t mind if they took an unfortunate end... Yes this book included forbidden romance but it’s not the cheesy Twilight kind that makes you cringe. It will keep you on the edge of your seat dying to find out what happens next!!
I need a moment to talk about the ending which absolutely killed me!! I swear it must be a trend for authors to give us brutal cliffhangers that leave us feeling empty while we wait impatiently for the sequel.

The Raven and the Dove comes out March 9th 2020!
I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

I could not put this down. I loved the world that was built with the different houses. This book is told in four different point of views and each character was interesting and well developed. I love the different conflicts we see and experience throughout the story. I just really loved this and am glad I was approved for this from Netgalley. So, thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read Raven and Dove-it was highly entertaining and worth the read. I need more and I’m glad to learn book two will be out this summer.

"The world will fracture, splinter in two,
One made of gray, the other of blue,
Beasts will emerge, filled with fury and scorn,
Fighting to recover what from their claws we have torn."

First of all thank you so much Netgalley and Kaitlyn Davis for this E-ARC. Secondly, thanks to my book buddy Mahnoor who asked me to get this book on netgalley so we could buddy read. I read this book way too slowly though.

Initially, when I started this book I felt intrigued by the story because of that mysterious atmosphere created by the author. The world building also felt so different that I kept reading it and I was kinda blown away by the descriptions of the characters and the world they lived in. There were different perspectives too, that I loved. The story is told by Cassi, Princess Lyanna, Rafe and Prince Xander's POVs.

I believe this was more of a character centric book with a mysterious world yet to be uncovered. But the thing I found lacking was that who were these people with wings? What are they called? Maybe more details will be revealed in the upcoming book though it should have been mentioned in this book.

Cassi's character seemed very supportive and protective at the beginning but as the story progressed something shady was revealed. Lyanna was that energetic and restless soul who not only wanted adventure but she craved it. The forbidden love between her and Rafe was interesting to read about. I really don't know how I feel about Xander. Oh by the way I hated the queen who was also his mother. Gosh, her attitude was too much, given that she went through a lot in her past but still she was discriminative and manipulative. Xander didn't even try to fight her much.

Apart from one or two things I found cliched, the book was very interesting to read. Obviously, there was a cliffhanger at the end and I had an inclination about it. I am giving four stars to this book because of a mysterious yet interesting world building, the thrill and that the book was very gripping even though I read it slowly.

It is always amazing when an author nails a retelling, and that is what happened here with Davis’s work. Lyana and Rafe are both great characters and it is evident from the setting that this is a Tristan and Iseult retelling. The fantastical element that has gone into writing this novel gives the novel a fresh new take on the story.
The beginning is a little jarring because it does not connect with the idea behind the novel or with the synopsis in any clear way. It is still a compelling opening, and the way the story alludes to the beginning before the reveal keeps readers on their toes.

The mythology in the story makes the characters and their dynamics fresh. Anyone familiar with the story already knows the characters and the parts they play, but in order to keep the story from feeling like a dull retelling, the fantasy gives it that edge to remain fresh. The added element of the opening sequence also allows the story to be different enough so that it does not feel repetitive. It flows at an incredible pace and keeps the story from losing its edge.

While this is an imaginative story, the characters are also engaging. There is much tension to the roles that they play, and the added aspect of magic and espionage, they make the characters rise to the challenge. Lyana is adventurous and spunky, and flawed in that respect. There are times, admittedly where she seems to perfect, but her need to be spontaneous, to be adventurous, it makes her more relatable. She is the living embodiment of a caged bird, trapped in her power, secrets, and desires. As for Rafe, he is the typical brooding character, but as the story goes along, revealing his past, the pain and turmoil he always feels makes him more than a cliche.

The Raven and the Dove is a unique retelling filled with compelling characters and a well-written story.

Amazing 5 out of 5 stars read. I loved every minute of this masterpiece. I already have a soft spot for books about winged people ( cough Maximum Ride), but this book is entirely on another level. It was such an adventure and there were so many twists and turns. It was like a combinations between A Court of Thorns and Roses and Furyborn. The characters worked well together and I cannot wait for the next book because that ending stole my breathe away.

*Will be posted on my blog and tumblr closer to the release date, and on Amazon and Barnes & Noble after it is released*

Overall: 4.5/5 Stars
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: The Raven and the Dove is full of loyalty, love, and betrayal. With a complex and fascinating world, this book will transport you into a classic tale of forbidden love and lies that just might tear your heart out. You’ve been warned.


“How fragile unbreakable bonds can be.”

// Content Warning: Violence, Death, War Themes, Mental Illness, PTSD, Kidnapping/Abduction //

The Raven and the Dove is a retelling of Tristan and Isolde, which is an amazing folk tale and honestly deserves way more retellings than it has. Thank God for Kaitlyn Davis, giving this story the recognition it deserves.
This book takes place in a fantasy world, where there are those who live on floating islands above the mist covering their planet and those who live below. Princess Lyana Aethionus lives above, the Dove princess of the House of Peace. On the dawn of her courtship trials, she saves a Raven, who she believes to be the prince of the House of Whispers.
Rafe is the bastard son of the dead Raven king. When his brother, Prince Xander, asks him to take his place in the courtship trials and bring back a mate for him deserving of their kingdom, he agrees. However, after an incident with a dragon, he is saved by a dove who has the same illegal magic as him. When the courtship trials begin, he must fight to prioritize his kingdom and his family over his heart.
Meanwhile, below, a king is desperate to save his people, no matter what the cost.

I didn’t know how to properly summarize this book, because there is quite a bit going on here, and every bit of it is important. This book reads like a proper epic, with interwoven plots and various character’s motivations competing, but ultimately leading to an astounding climax. Be prepared- this ending might kill you. Or, at least, have you dying to get your hands on the sequel. I’ll admit, while I liked the beginning, it was slower and was heavily focused on character dynamics and relationships that didn’t quite captivate me as much as I would like. But boy does that change. The second the courtship trials ended, the plot was in motion and I was swept away. There's action, betrayal, forbidden romance, and fascinating revelations. I couldn’t put it down!

Can I talk about this world for a second? Because I’m in love. Seriously. Kaitlyn Davis has crafted a unique world that feels both complex yet understandable. There is a lot put into this world- from the seven different houses, all paired with a bird and their own different attributes, to the interesting magic system that I really want to learn more about- but the information never feels overwhelming. That said, it can feel a bit exposition-heavy in the beginning, but it's crucial to understanding the plot moving forward. The writing itself is great- it’s easy to jump into while also balancing the lightness of the romance aspects and the darkness of the more brutal fantasy aspects.

So, these characters took me a minute to warm up to but I’m glad to say that I would die for them. Two of them especially. Lyana is our main female protagonist, and she probably took me the longest to come around to. At the beginning of the book, I wasn’t really a fan. She’s a little naive at times, immature and kinda spoiled, but ultimately she’s strong, dedicated, and caring, which are all character traits I can get behind. She was written well, but in the beginning, her personality just wasn’t my favorite. However, she grew a lot in this book, and she ended up becoming a character I did enjoy, and I really look forward to where she goes in the next book. Rafe is our male protagonist, and he also took a second to warm up to, but not quite as long as Lyana. He was a pretty run of the mill love interest, but what I found really admirable was his loyalty to his brother and his people. It’s what made his character stand out to me, and something I think will make him stand out in line up with other male protagonists. By the end of the book, these two characters really cemented themselves as strong protagonists. As for their relationship- it’s definitely a little insta-lovey, but given what it’s a retelling of, it makes a lot of sense. And, while they start to fall for each other a little fast, there is some explanation as to why that makes is slightly more believable.

And then there's Xander and Cassi. Oh my god, I loved them so much. Xander is Rafe's brother and he is too good for this world. I get why Rafe would do anything for him- I would too. I could go on for hours about how much I love him. He’s a bookworm, who wants to help his people and those he loves, and he is just Too Precious. Meanwhile, I wouldn’t call Cassi precious, but boy is her story great. She’s torn between worlds and lives, and caught up in a love that definitely isn’t good for her. Her growth throughout this book is iconic, and while she doesn’t always make the best decisions, they’re so thoroughly grounded in her character that I can completely see why she makes them. I really can’t wait to see what happens with her in book two!!


- Conclusion -
Pros- Cassi and Xander are amazing, absolutely stunning world
Cons- It may take a minute to warm up to our two main protagonists (but don’t worry, you will!)
Overall- 4.5/5 stars.
The Raven and the Dove has me hooked. This book is a fantastic first installment in a series I can’t wait to read more of!

The moment I read the synopsis for this book I knew I had to have it. Even though I also knew this book was totally gonna break my heart. Into a million little pieces. Or at least, I hoped the book would do so. I like it when books do that. And yet, when I started reading and felt the disaster in the air, for a long time I couldn't get myself to read on. I already felt the pain before the heartbreaking scenes had started happening!

And I'd say that's a huge compliment for the book. Within a few chapters I had already grown attached to these characters. They felt like old friends, as if I already knew them for years, as if they felt familiar and close to me. Watching their adventures, watching them grow and learn, watching them take charge and being strong, watching them breaking and shattering, it was as if it was all happening to me. My heart was breaking. I was shattering. I felt the triumphs and the losses. The love and the pain. The dreams and the failures.

On top of the awesome characters, who clearly carried the book, there was also this gripping plot. It stayed in the background for a long while, giving the characters the time to bond and to find their place in the story, but once the plot came into plain view the story exploded. The finale of this book was epic. So much was happening, so many elements came together, all the build up was paying off. Not that the build up was boring, far from it. The story was never boring, even though it was quite long. But the finale? The finale was breathtaking heartbreaking phenomenal.

And last but not least: The world in this story was beautiful and very well described. I could almost smell the ocean and feel the cold. Although we've only seen a relatively small part of the world, the part we did see came to life quite well. And considering the ending, I'm pretty sure we're gonna see more of the world in the next book(s)!

I personally can't wait to read them! I also can't wait to put this book on my shelves and for everyone in the US: There is a pre-order campaign you don't wanna miss if you love a heartbreaking romance, a vivid world and a slow plot with an epic finale! https://www.kaitlyndavisbooks.com/2019/11/the-raven-and-dove-cover-reveal-and-pre.html

I AM OBSESSED.
This book made me feel ALL THE FEELS!

This book is well written and unique. The world is one of the coolest I’ve encountered, and the fact that the author came up with bird/human combinations is just mindblowing.

I loved the plot twists even though they had me screaming, and the author really knows how to get her readers emotionally invested! I just finished this book and I am in shock.

I NEED A SEQUEL ASAP! I will definitely keep an eye out for any books written by Kaitlyn, this book has made her one of my auto-buy authors.

Special thanks to the author, Kaitlyn Davis and Netgalley for sending me an E-ARC of The Raven and the Dove in exchange for an honest review. Receiving this ARC did not affect my rating or review!

The Great: I’m a big fan of character-driven stories and the main characters; Lyana, Rafe, Xander, and Cassi are my absolute favorite parts of The Raven and the Dove. Although, I wasn’t a fan of everything they did, I felt a connection to them. Which I will admit, was easy because the story was mostly written from each of their point of views. Lyana, although a princess, has the spirit of adventure and curiosity, like regular folk. Cassi had honorable traits and for the most part was a good friend. Rafe was everything that I love in the love triangle trope, he was the one who made the most sense for Lyana. But Xander (Lysander) had my entire heart from the very beginning. His dedication to his people and his duty sincerely made me swoon. Getting to know each character made me feel that more connected to the story and pushed me to continue at the end of every chapter.

I also really enjoyed the pace of the story. Unlike most fantasy reads, it didn’t take long for me to understand the world. And each major and minor moment in the story was well executed. I lived for the tense moments when I had no idea what would happen. As well as those free moments where the story just moved along.

The Good: Although confusing in the beginning, the world-building was well flushed and well thought out. It’s my first time reading an avian-inspired fantasy and once I had a better understanding of the magic system, everything fell right into place.

I also enjoyed Davis’ writing style. When describing settings, places and different houses it felt cinematic. I could clearly envision where I was and who I’m supposed to see and what it all means. I also enjoyed the dialogue between all characters. Each character had a clear and distinct voice and I had many “that sounds like something he/she would say” moments.

The Not-so-good: The ending. Mostly because I need to read the next book in the series (which is a good thing) . But also because so many climactic things happen in the end and the cliffhanger was just a little too cliff-hanger-y, (if that makes any sense) and full of what ifs and what’s going to happen. And also because I believe in no spoilers, i'll just say something happens that I think went well with the story, that was then reversed in a few short chapters. And it just felt unnecessary.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Raven and the Dove! In fact, it's the first new fantasy read in a long time that had me completely enraptured. If you’re a fan of political intrigue, complex magic systems and avian storylines then this is the book for you.

This is a good beginner fantasy for people who enjoy love triangles (pretty stark parallels to Tristan and Isolde), angst, and royalty. It struck me as a baby sibling to Sarah J. Maas, in particular A Court of Thorns and Roses, at least where the romance is concerned.

The plot was intriguing and I enjoyed reading about a world where people have different bird wings and live in different sectors accordingly.

There's a great subplot woven through that will make the sequel even more exciting, I think, and I'm looking forward to seeing where it takes our characters. I'm ready for book #2!

A fun read! I didn't know what to expect when I started this one, but I liked the cover, and the blurb sounded fun. I really enjoyed it, though, and am glad I got the chance to read it! I enjoyed the characters, and the story was well written! Ah, I love this series, and am so excited I was able to read it early!

*I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions, ideas, and comments are my own.

I really enjoyed this fast-paced fantasy novel! The world concept is nothing I've ever read before and I really enjoyed every single bit of it. I was not expecting to like this book, but I was blown away at how much I enjoyed it.

Character:
Was there a character in this book I didn't like? There was one. The king below the mist. Without giving too much away he thinks he's doing the right thing, but he doesn't go about doing it in a very good way. What he does at the end of the book made me upset. Other than this king all the other characters were extremely likable. Even the overbearing mother of the raven prince. It was very easy to see bits of myself in each of them and that's what made me like them so much. Yes, they have wings, but I could relate to every single one of them.

World:
I have never read a book like this before. The concept of floating isles where the inhabitants fuse with birds is something else. It's an entirely original idea and I'm here for it.

Plot:
I wasn't sure entirely where the plot was going the whole time, but I try to read books without guessing the plot. I love letting the author lead me on the journey and experience everything at the same moment the character does. That being said, some of it was predictable for me, but not much. Much of the plot is disclosed throughout the book but the details are left out which makes it easy to read.

Writing Style:
I really enjoyed Kaitlyn's writing style. I loved all the life she gave the characters. It was so refreshing.

Enjoyment:
I enjoyed this book immensely and I can't wait for the next book in the series. I definitely recommend this book.

Rating:
I gave this book a 4.4/5 star rating based on my personal rating scale.

There was a lot a things I really liked about The Raven and the Dove but I think the world building is the absolutely top of the list. I loved the idea of these floating kingdoms and a race of people coming from humans but getting various bird wings. I thought the courtship trials were interesting and thankfully that happened earlier on because the middle felt like it dragged. BUT by the time I got there, I was invested in the characters a bit and wanted to know what happened next. Tag predictable but overall fun. My least favorite part is really a 'me' issue but I really don;t care for the love triangle (ish) thing going on. Lyana's fierceness and Rafe's broodiness definitely kept me engaged and had me rooting for them. I will definitely pick up the next book.

Full review on blog by 31 January at the link below.

http://www.readandwander.com/the-raven-and-the-dove-by-kaitlyn-davis-|-arc-review

I really enjoyed this book, and now I have to wait forever for the next one. As usual with multi POV narration, there was one POV I didn't enjoy. I found one character lackluster. I loved the author's writing though, and I will definitely continue on with the series. I love that this is a retelling of Tristan and Isolde.

I am conflicted.

I loved the worldbuilding in here. I thought it was excellently done and that alone makes me interested to read the sequel. While I have read books that had a similar plot, this one has just enough of a fresh take to make me interested. My main issue is the characters. Xander is by far the most well done character here, and reading his POV was my absolute favorite. I felt that he is underappreciated in the book by nearly all the surrounding characters. He has a lot of depth to him, and I feel that a lot that's done to him is just hurtful considering he's the strongest developed. Lyana I enjoyed for the most part, but she has her moments where I seriously just want to shake her and tell her to open her eyes! She can be downright annoying, especially in the middle, and by the end I found myself rolling my eyes often. Her "romance" with Rafael was more so lust and insta-love. There was nothing, and I mean nothing, in this book that gave the indication that these 2 had any sort of chemistry. Hell, she had more chemistry with Xander, who she tends to treat more as a duty and companion. Like, I'm interested in the next book but.... How am I supposed to care what happens next to the characters when the only person who I feel is genuine is the most underappreciated? So confusing for my emotions.

I've always wondered what life with wings would be like. To live in the clouds, free as a bird. This book encaptured my dreams so vividly, I absolutely felt like I lived there.

Fall in love with sulking bastards, over enthusiastic princesses hungry for adventure and a best friend with a crazy secret. Davis creates colorful characters that will leave you hungering for more story, more adventure and more romance. This book has everything - star crossed lovers, epic dragon battles and mystery kings with hidden agendas. Go on this epic journey with these unforgettable characters.

The writing captures from page one. I blazed through this book and will definitely be rereading this a few times. Colorful and descriptive language use will help submerge yourself in this story wholeheartedly. This unique narrative will find its place among the must reads for 2020 quickly.

Full review on my blog https://readingcaffienated.com/?p=1109

With an instantly gripping prologue, the book introduces some of my favorite themes: destiny and prophecy. They are always intriguing in fantasy such as this. As are the consequences.

The fairy tale feel to the writing is beautiful, tinged with melancholy, a world painted so vividly, making my imagination soar. Accordingly the mythology of this story is so enticing, the characters with their bird wings, the royal houses, the existence of different types of magic which is forbidden, and dragons!

The 3rd person perspective works amazingly for the narrative. Even though the POVs change every chapter, you hardly notice (that's a good thing) with how seamlessly the story continues.

As a Tristan & Isolde retelling, there is a proposes marriage of obligation and a doomed love. But this tale is so much more, soaring in its originality, with the 'villain' not being who you anticipate. Except maybe for the inevitable love story, which you not only expect but root for, this story is quite unpredictable. I love the author's intricate weaving of the threads, the foreseen and unforeseen difficulties for her characters, all the surprises.

And when the world explodes, it makes your heart seize, wanting to know everything at one. As you gobble up the pages of the last chapters, you want to scream for what happens and for what will commence in the book that follows.

This book has a magnificent concept and great ideas. A retelling of Tristan and Isolde with a twist. I loved many aspects of the worldbuilding. The execution pales in comparison a bit, but it is still an enjoyable book.