Okaaaay, so I definitely wasn’t prepared to care about this book by the end, but holy crap, it was so GOOD. I care. And I definitely will be reading the rest of this series, no questions.

Basically different houses (different courts) come together and chose mates who will rule the different kingdoms through a showing of strength and other various tasks. After meeting each other under dangerous but memorable circumstances, Lyana is set out to chose the prince of the House of a Whispers during the ceremony. What she doesn’t realize is, her prince has is own secrets. He’s not the Prince, but the Princes bastard brother.

The characters were so well-crafted. Each had a distinct personality that was easily defined. Lyana craved her freedom and sought happiness which paved the way for a stubborn protagonist. I loved it. Rafe allowed grief to consume him, thus granting him the title of complete asshole. Cassi was led by duty and blinded by love. And Xander was....he was just the cinnamon roll.

Every single one had their own unique story in which I was interested. Whether it was a stubborn princess with a knack for trouble, a bastard born son who went the extra mile to stay out of the way, a soldier worn to her king, or a boy trying to find the good in everyone around him, I was here for it. All of it.

The world building was quite interesting. Above, the people have wings and don’t possess magic. If they do, they’re killed for it. Below the mist, the people HAVE magic but have one wing or no wings, because they were shunned from above.

It’s funny because I didn’t actually care during those first one hundred pages of Lyana preparing to chose a mate. It wasn’t that it was poorly written, or boring, I just went in with the idea that it wouldn’t wow me. Kaitlyn, however, had different plans for me.

Let’s just go ahead and skip to that ending. (Spoilers)

Through the book, Cassi visits her King Malek who she reports to about Rafe and Lyana. By the time that wicked climax comes to pass, the King comes to the world above and he and Cassi cause quite a bit of trouble for Xander and Lyana during their ceremony. It ends with Rafe losing a wing and being what we assume-but-don’t-really-assume is killed, Xander being stabbed and revived, and Lyana being captured by King Malek who cuts her wing as well 😭.

It’s funny, this book did not seem capable of reaching such dark depths, but it DID. I thought it was too delicate of a book, but it wasn’t! My god was I slapped in the face with that ending. Loved it. Need more.

I do have one it’s-probably-just-me complaint though. The moment Rafe decides to play along with Lyana and actually be with her for one night. That was rushed. It felt super rushed. It’s a romance so give me those details to some degree! I get that we needed to get to Xander walking in on them, but like have one of them remember the night. Go back to it. Do something. I wanted more from their ONE romantic night together.

**Disclaimer: I was given a free e-book in exchange for an honest review from the author via NetGalley.**

Title The Raven and the Dove

Author Kaitlyn Davis

Release Date March 9, 2020

Description from Amazon

A princess longing to be free…

On the dawn of her courtship trials, Princess Lyana Aethionus knows she should be focused on winning her perfect mate, yet her thoughts wander to the open sky at the edge of her floating kingdom. One final adventure calls. Upon fleeing the palace, the last thing she expects to find is a raven prince locked in a death match with a dragon.

A bastard aching to belong…

Reviled son of a dead king, Rafe would do anything for his beloved half-brother, Prince Lysander Taetanus, including posing as him in the upcoming courtship trials. When a dragon interrupts their secret exchange, he orders his studious sibling to run. After suffering a fatal blow, Rafe is saved by a beautiful dove who possesses forbidden magic, just like him.

Fate brought them together, now destiny will tear them apart…

Unknown to the world above, on the foggy sea ten thousand feet below, a young king fights a forgotten war. He believes Lyana is the queen prophesied to save the world, and with the help of his favored spy, hidden deep in the highest ranks of the dove royal house, he will stop at nothing to have her.

Initial Thoughts

I saw this book on Kaitlyn Davis’s Instagram page (@kaitlyndavisbooks) and it sounded really interesting! While I was at YALLFEST, I saw that she was looking for ARC readers and wanted to give her followers a chance to get this book on NetGalley. I jumped at the chance!

Some Things I Liked

Tristan and Isolde. Ok, full disclosure, the first thing I think of when I think of Tristan and Isolde is that movie that came out years ago with Alexis Bledel (who will always be Rory Gilmore to me) and I just loved that movie. It was so sad and perfect and I cry every time I watch it – and I still watch it pretty frequently. I loved that this was a retelling of that story. Also, I have this secret hope that one of these days, I’ll find a Tristan and Isolde retelling with a happy ending. I loved the adaptation of that story in The Raven and the Dove.
Multiple POVs. I loved all of the points of view used here and especially the ending with some extra POVs that I hope we can see more of in the sequels.
World building and naming conventions. The avian-inspired world as well as all of the names were so thoughtfully crafted. I loved everything about the way everything was set up and the inspiration behind each piece was very clear to me. For example, I loved that the Doves were from the House of Peace.
Complex issues. This story is filled with so many complex personal issues that each character has to work through. Examples include, Rafe and Xander not understanding love because of their father’s relationships with each of their mothers and Cassi’s relationship with Luka which she admits, is not love.

Series Value

I’m OBSESSED with this series. Kaitlyn Davis, if you’re reading this, I need the next book in this series! So many amazing things were set up in this book and there are so many dynamic characters that I am desperate to know more about.

Final Thoughts

This book sounded interesting when I read the synopsis. It totally caught my eye and totally caught me off guard with how much I loved it. I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series when it comes out and I definitely want to read more of Kaitlyn Davis’s books!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️️

Preorder Campaign (US Only)

I have some awesome news! If this book sounds up your alley, Kaitlyn Davis is running an amazing preorder campaign! If you preorder the physical book (paperback or hardcover) and follow the instructions in the link below, you will receive a double sided art print with character art and a map as well as a signed bookplate and a bookmark. If you preorder the e-book (and follow those same instructions), you will receive the same art print detailed above.

I love that she’s offering preorder goodies for any type of preorder. I’m a physical book reader (unless it’s an ARC) but some people prefer to read electronically these days. It’s so great that everyone can be a part of the preorder fun!

https://www.kaitlyndavisbooks.com/p/pre-order-giveaway.html

Recommendations for Further Reading

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White – if you liked the betrayals, plot twists, and retelling vibes, give this new release by Kiersten White a try.
A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy – if you liked the magic system and the idea of forbidden or secret magic, give this book by Amanda Joy a try.
The Hundredth Queen by Emily R. King – if you liked the ideas of forbidden romance and crazy plot twists, give this series a try.

I really enjoyed this book! I flew through the pages and finished it in a day. I will be purchasing this book for my library. I know my teens will love this.

Reading this book is like racing towards the edge of a cliff, every chapter pushing you faster until you're hurtling towards your own demise, completely unstoppable. Everything about this book is gripping. I fell in love with each character and felt my heart tear as I realised they couldn't all have their happy endings. I was mesmerised by the world Kaitlyn Davis has created in such exquisite detail and curious to understand more. I was enthralled by the writing, furiously racing through chapters to dispel the tension that gradually intensified as I was sucked in deeper and deeper into the lives and relationships of the characters.

I'm devastated that I will have to wait so long to read the sequel, but I will definitely be purchasing this book for my libraries when it is released.

First of all, PLEASE tell me these is another book coming? Because it cannot end like that!

The Raven and the Dove is interesting as we get the point of view of all four main characters:
Lyana (Princess of House of Peace), Lysander/Xander (Prince of House of Whispers) Cassi, Lyana's best friend and Rafe, Xander's half-brother.

I really loved how The Raven and the Dove basically begins with action. Often in fantasy novels, there's a lot of world-building at the start before anything happens with the plot. The story starts on the day of the courtship trials where the heirs from each of the seven houses compete in a series of trials during which matches - basically, arranged marriages - are made.

As a favour to his brother, Rafe agrees to pose as his brother Lysander in the courtship trials. The plan is to swap on the last day when the matches get made so that no one will ever find out. This gets more complicated when Lyana ends up saving Rafe's life, establishes a kindred spirit connection and spends the rest of the courtship trials determined to match with the raven prince.

Can I also just add that I loved the concept of the trials and specifically the fact that BOTH the young men and women get to compete and have the chance to pick their match, rather than just the old Prince chooses the Princess trope. This felt like such a fresh take on arranged marriage scenarios that often play out in fantasy novels.

If you are looking for a series (it has to be a series!) that has a beautiful avian-inspired world with interesting characters, shocking betrayals, forbidden romance and fiery dragons, The Raven & The Dove is for you.

WOW HOW GOOD WAS THIS?!
I don’t even have any bad things to say. Great world building, characterization, atmosphere, povs, all of it! Excellent. I liked the nods to the T & I legend without it being too much. Enough was revealed to the reader that I’m satisfied and not frustrated that things moved too slowly. Im sure we’ll learn more about the world as we get more books but WOW not disappointed at all. I can’t believe how long until this is released because I need book two immediately. More coherent review to come when I’m not shell shocked by that ended. Geez.

Magic is seen as evil and those who have it are killed or keep it hidden. Love between mates does not usually exist, for it is mostly an arrangement even though the trials dictate who gets first choice, but things are always predetermined behind closed doors. Princess Lyana Aethionus of the Dove House, always does what she wants and cannot help but recognize a kindred spirit in the Raven prince, who is more than he seems, After healing him from a dragon, Lyana knows he is the one for her, yet it is a lie. Rafe is the bastard half-brother of Prince Lysander Taetanus. Rafe is dedicated to his brother and feels like he owes him. Rafe is looked upon with distrust and hatred for something that was not of his doing. Rafe and Lyana fall in love with each other. However, Lyana is hurt when she discovers his deception. Yet, she cannot stay away from Rafe. Rafe hurts Lyana, with his actions and words, for she is his brother's mate, regardless of how he feels for her. Xander lets his brother fight in the trials due to his own handicap, showing his own lack of self-confidence. Lyana cares for Xander, but does not love him as a mate should. However, there is one plotting the demise of them all, believing it is all for the greater good, regardless of the damage inflicted. Looking forward to the next novel in the series!

Holy Shizznet!!!! My mind is spinning right now! I read this in one sitting I couldn't put it down! This is a must must read!!! I already can't wait for the next one!!!

I was so excited to see this listed on NetGalley. I had added it to my tbr on Goodreads solely based on the premise. Little did I know that an artist I absolutely love would end up creating the cover. It was meant to be! I had high hopes, I mean they were through the roof. I tried to reel it in as much as I could and although I did, it didn't stop me from picking up my kindle right away to dive in.I'm happy to say that I really enjoyed this.

Let's talk about the characters. There are four main characters that are the driving force for the plot. Each one gets their own point-of-view. This always makes me happy when I come across it in a book. It helps to understand what is going through their minds and connects the dots of the plot in a lot of ways.

Lyana is a girl who wants to be free. A bird that is caged, although that's quite ironic since she has wings. Her family is always trying to set her on the right course but she is determined to make one decision solely hers. She is brave, loyal, and kind. Sometimes her heart gets in the way and it causes for some interesting plot twists. Her actions were quite childish at times but all of it makes her human.

Cassi, Lyana's friend and guard, is a real piece of work! I can't say too much about her without giving anything away but, dang! She is strong, calculating, and will do anything to make sure everything goes as planned. Such a morally grey character and it was great!

Rafe and Lysander, the half brothers. If you don't already know, I love brothers in books. It makes for an interesting dynamic and this particular one didn't disappoint. Each from the same father but completely different. I loved getting to know each one and honestly, I don't think I would be able to pick a favorite. Each has their own struggles and although its hard to lean on one another sometimes, I hope they can pull through.

The world this author created was unique and a joy to read about. The avian-inspired theme really added to the uniqueness of the world and the people in it. Each House is represented by a different god and have wings that associate with a bird. Each isle is unique to that House as well. There is forbidden magic and although that has been done before, I think that because of this new world I didn't mind. It felt fresh. 

As for the plot, it was full of betrayal, forbidden love, and political games. Although it was clear from the beginning how one plot point would go, I still didn't fully grasp what was to come. The plot twists were intense and that ending was brutal!

Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot! I am invested in this world and these characters. I don't know what book 2 has in store for me and my emotions will be all over the place but I am ready! This is definitely a series you don't want to miss.