Thank you to the publisher, St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books, for this eARC to review.

I own a copy of this book and plan to read it, but I fear I've gotten too deep to get to this immediately and I know the title is archived. I've loved every title I've read from Wednesday, so I know I'll love this as well.

One thing I really liked is how well the story was plotted and had me guessing until the end. But I disliked how the ending felt rushed compared to the slower pace of the rest of the book. This book would be great for readers who enjoy books about action and mystery, but also romance as it comes up throughout the entire book.

This seems like a case of it being me not the book bc based on other reviews I should have liked this? But the sassy romance vibes just really didn’t land for me, and I didn’t feel any sense of connection to the characters which lead to me putting it down for ages before circling back to it. I’m sure it will land for lots of readers!

Wednesday Books

DNF @ 20%

I was so intrigued by this book! I found the worldbuilding to be unique, easy to follow, and described in a way where I could picture everything. I think other readers who enjoy a lot of plotting and descriptions will enjoy this one.

For me, I felt like the pacing was pretty slow, the stakes weren’t well developed, and our main character didn’t have a clear motivation for herself, besides protecting the princes. I like a little more intimate understanding of a main character, whether it’s through their inner monologue or their conversations and relationships with others.

Again, I would recommend this to someone who enjoys a unique fantasy world they get to explore.

It's rare to find a YA fantasy novel that I'd go through in a few days, but this might be the one. It was so hard to put down! The story drew me in and keep me engaged in all parts. It's also the first fantasy novel I've read set in alternate medieval India. I hope it'll be the first of many from this author. Strongly recommend for fantasy enthusiasts

A Thrilling Blend of Action, Intrigue, and Indian Folklore

Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove is a captivating fantasy adventure set in an alternate medieval India, infused with political intrigue, deadly creatures, and an intense journey of self-discovery.

The story follows Katyani, a fiercely loyal and skilled bodyguard sworn to protect the queen and prince of Chandela. But when betrayal shatters her world, she’s thrust into an academy of monster hunters, where she must unravel dark secrets about her past while navigating dangerous enemies and an unexpected romance.

Mehrotra’s worldbuilding is rich and immersive, drawing heavily from Indian mythology and history. The settings—from royal courts to eerie forests—are vividly described, making the world feel alive. Katyani is a strong, fiery protagonist, and her struggles with duty, identity, and trust make her journey emotionally gripping. The political tensions and supernatural elements are well-balanced, keeping the story engaging.

My only critique is that the pacing occasionally slows with exposition, and some side characters could have been more developed. However, the action, lush setting, and compelling romance make up for it.

If you love fast-paced fantasy with fierce heroines, deadly conspiracies, and a touch of slow-burn romance, Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove is a must-read!

Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove by Rati Mehrotra is a captivating and beautifully written novel that blends rich world-building with complex, layered characters. I would highly recommend this to other fans of epic fantasy with romance subplot.

early dnf because the writing style wasn't for me. please take my review with a grain of salt because i am above the ya age range.

I found it hard to put this gorgeous book down, even carrying it to and from work each day. It’s that good. Put it on your TBR!

I enjoyed this book so much, I am a sucker for books with court politics and all that sort of stuff! I loved the world building and the characters, although I will say it did drag on for me towards the middle, but I was able to push through and I enjoyed it very much!

I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

✨ PRINCEMAN REVIEW ✨

📝 Katyani's life purpose is to protect Prince Ayan from harm. But tragedy strikes when assanassions take place in Chandela. Needing to protect him, they are sent on a journey to help him and his cousin grow their leadership abilities. Katyani is annoyed being stuck in a forest with monsters. But there's one person who makes her time worth while.


What I 🤍:
🌎 Immense World building
👿 Monsters and Magic
🇮🇳 Indian Culture
💪 Strong FMC
💕 Romantic Tension

This was such a fantastic fantasy read. I really enjoyed how it took place in ancient India, which I felt is different than other fantasy settings. (Please bring us more stories like this one!) I also was here for the romance! It didn't overtake the story, BUT it did keep me turning the pages. Daksh was such a handsome grump, and I loved Katyani interact with him.

Why did I wait so long to actually read this!!!
Thank you St. Martins press for a early copy. So sorry that I'm getting to it just now!

But this book was fantastic!
At first I wasn't so sure if this was going to be a book for me. but all the twists and turns captivated me. The author really knew how to tell a compelling story and keep the reader interested.

personally I would have liked a little epilogue at the end a few years later to see where our main characters end up.
I loved their forbidden loved slow burn romance! It keep me wanting more each time the characters were together.
I hope for a sequel to this book or even a novella.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

Rati Mehrotra's <i>Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove</i> is a breathtaking fantasy novel that transports readers to a world of magic, mystery, and adventure. Set against the backdrop of a richly imagined kingdom teetering on the brink of war, this epic tale follows the intertwining fates of two unlikely heroes as they navigate a web of intrigue and betrayal.

<h4>The Details</h4>

From the very first page, Mehrotra's lush prose draws readers into the heart of her fantastical world, immersing them in its sights, sounds, and smells. The vividly depicted landscapes of the novel serve as the perfect backdrop for its larger-than-life characters and epic conflicts.

<i>Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove</i> features a diverse cast of heroes and villains who leap off the page with their depth and complexity.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove</i> is a triumph of epic fantasy storytelling, combining breathtaking world-building, richly drawn characters, and a gripping plot to create an unforgettable reading experience. This is fantasy at its finest, and a must-read for fans of the genre

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's been out for ages, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

Fast paced fantasies are literally my favorite and this South Asian fantasy really delivered! Also, so glad that this is a standalone book. I feel like I just needed a good stand alone fantasy read and this one certainly fits the criteria! I really liked the premise of this book. Katyani has grown up in the royal family of Chandela and has become a guardswoman for the family. When a series of assassination attempts against the crown prince cause panic, the prince (Ayan), his cousin (Bhairav), and Katyani are sent to a famous gurukul to learn, train, and be kept safe. The plot itself was really interesting. I liked how the story unfolds and I liked how as the reader, we follow along as Katyani unravels everything that is going on. The political intrigue is written so well and I like reading about the court politics and all the manipulations. I really liked the way this book ended as well, it was a satisfying ending and I had all my questions answered.

I really liked the characters in this book! Katyani is the main character and I think she is developed really well. In the beginning I found her to have a one track mind, but I felt that throughout the book, she continues to grow, especially as the plot of the book unravels. I liked the ensemble characters as well and felt like they were developed well. Of course, my romance loving self enjoyed the budding romance between Katyani and Daksh. The banter was well done and I really liked their interactions with each other. I really felt for these characters as they went through everything and reeled from betrayal after betrayal.

Overall, I really enjoyed this YA fantasy! This was a great debut. I would definitely recommend this book and I cannot wait to read more from Rati Mehrotra. Also, I would love to read more Desi fantasy for sure!!

I really enjoyed this read! I thought the characters and world were really well drawn, and the the court intrigue kept me on the edge of my seat. I will definitely be picking up whatever Mehrotra writes from now on!

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a right book wrong time situation for me. It didn't hold my attention enough to finish so I dnf'd but I think many people will love this one and I could likely enjoy and finish it myself another time!

Thank you to the author and netgalley for the eARC!

Received an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and its publisher <3

Could not finish unfortunately. I just couldn't get in to it and continue reading so I had to quit. I think I will try again as the premise sounds so interesting to me. I think the quote, "Right person, wrong time" fits this book the most for me. I did like what I read, I just don't think I was in much of a reading mood.

I really enjoyed the world building and the characters. The court intrigue and politics kept me interested and turning the page. Cant wait to read more from this author!

"Sometimes, we must be shaken out of our comfort to question the things we've been told."

Deals, betrayal, and intrigue are three words that I'd use to describe Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove. In a world where gods and monsters walk among humans, this is a lush and epic story that kept me enraptured from start to finish.

I love how the world and story is effortlessly crafted, building on itself in a way that never leaves the reader confused or wanting for more. It's a delicate balance that is executed well. Poetic and lyrical writing that paints not only a vivid scene but evokes the feelings and emotions of the characters on the page, all with a fast-paced narrative

Love the dynamic between the characters, they feel so real and make me so invested in the story / their wellbeing.

This book is amazing and has my whole entire heart, it deserves a lot more attention and praise than it's received.