The Ravening is an atmospheric and gripping horror novel written by Daniel Church, and published by Angry Robot Books. A woman, Jenna Mcknight, whose past was marked by the strange disappearance of her mother when she was 15, who is trying to get her life back on track 15 years later after a breakup with an abusive ex; in a novel that explores themes such as body autonomy, the right to choose, and the impact of trauma many years after.

Jenna is seeking to rebuild her life with her new girlfriend, Holly, but it's still haunted by her past; nightmares are constant, feeding on that trauma provoked fifteen years ago, in a sort of experience that Jenna can't be sure if it's real or just sheer trauma. To make things worse, Jenna discovers she's pregnant, possibly by her ex, putting her between the stone and the wall, as she doesn't desire to be a mother; however, before she can't do anything about it, she's kidnapped and held hostage in the woods, where their captors pretend her to take her pregnancy to a term.

With this premise, Church creates a heavy atmospherical experience, diving into Jenna's traumas, and how that night when her mother disappeared is still coming to hurt her. She's not only having to confront her own traumas, but also a new wave of them, which slowly reveals more about the creature that has haunted her since that night. Through really vivid images, we share Jenna's experience, while the author plays with the fine line between reality and the power of fear.

The Ravening is a book that shines, especially due to how smartly the setting is used, how the woods are drawn as the base for Jenna's trauma, exploring them while we are also introduced to the creature that has haunted her. As a result, we have a really atmospherical experience that is mixed with some folk horror elements.
The novel is excellently paced, despite the challenge the own plot presents; the only problem is towards the end, as it feels a bit rushed.

If you are looking for a horror novel with a great atmosphere and that discusses themes such as body autonomy and the freedom to choose, The Ravening is one you will love. Daniel Church consolidates his voice as an excellent writer with this sophomore novel, and you can be sure that he's an author we will cover in the future.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

The book description hooked my interest, with the plot being described as a claustrophobic horror. I immediately wanted to know what that meant, and hoped the journey would be thrilling. It was, until it wasn’t.

The book starts out with the night Jenna’s trauma begins. The death of her mother was obscure, spooky, and very atmospheric. It left me wandering how the author would blend magical realism with the plot. But then the book skips 15 years ahead, and the mood the first chapter set vanished. The magic gone because the writer loosely ties it to Ancient Greek and Roman history. It becomes a folktale instead of a horror/thriller. And a boring one at that.

The characters remain flat the entire time, and show very little character growth. Sure Jenna lets Holly in, but she still runs in the end like she does with every other relationship. Holly and the internal voice of Holly is terrible. I don’t think a book has ever used the word “babe” more. I hate this pet name and find it devoid of all emotion. It became annoying to read, and then it grating. Every time it made me cringe because it’s derogatory, empty, and sort of a male projection onto a female lesbian relationship. I don’t think the author captured the way women think, feel, or express literally anything. Jenna is very guarded and very emotionally distant — stereotypical of most male characters with trauma, The women lack depth in this novel, because the writer does not know how to write from a female perspective.

Also the sex scene in this book was so poorly placed. It felt like it was jammed in there just to say there is romance, to tick a box. But gosh it was cliche and didn’t flow with what was going on in the Greylands. Like if I was being haunted and tracked by evil in both my waking and dreaming states, the LAST thing I’d want is to have shower sex in a cramped, dinky trailer. Jenna is exhausted. Why would she waste her time, energy, and safety for a quickie? Again, seems like a male fantasy, rather than an intimate eureka moment for Jenna. So cheap and so unnecessary.

The plot also drags. Like this book could have been 100 pages shorter because it just lingers on descriptions that aren’t contributing to the story or plot at all. The greylands were detailed in a way that still came off as confusing. So much random description only slowed the pace and made the scenes harder to picture rather than crisper. The voice she keeps hearing is also just incredibly disruptive to the flow. If it is supposed to be Holly leading her to safety, I don’t understand how she knows what’s happening. If it’s Jenna inventing a version of Holly, then it seems like she’s in love with the idea of Holly and not the actual person, which sucks actually.

I wish the author leaned more into the horror side of things. I wish the bonewalker wasn’t a flat misogynistic prick. I wish the metaphor of Jenna’s trauma wasn’t so heavy handed and unresolved. It was not the book for me, and it did not live up to expectation based on the description.

The Ravening by Daniel Church took me in a totally different direction then I was originally expecting, and in the end, it left me feeling sort of neutral on if I'd recommend this book in the future. I think if it followed more closely to the prologue I would have really enjoyed this book but I felt the idea that the beginning of this book lead me to a totally different story line left me wanting more from it.

Thankl you Netgalley, Angry Robot and Daniel Couch for the E audio of The Ravening.
Narrated by Emma Powell.

The Ravening had a really good premise and started off strong following our MC who's Mum tragically died on a country road, switches to a controlling BF and the dramatic events thereafter. I felt that somewhere along the line, the pacing started to feel a little off and I lost interest. I did listen to it all because there was enough atmosphere to keep ticking along.

Emma Powell who narrated this book, had a wonderful way of keeping all the characters individual and built in lots of atmosphere with her voice.

3 stars

This was deliciously creepy. However, it also was a struggle for me to really get sucked into and I found myself going several days without picking up the book.

Daniel Church is one of my favorite writers now. He does tense, atmospheric horror so well. The Ravening is no exception to his ability to craft a creepy, wild ride.

After the masterpiece of The Hollows, I was kind of concerned how Daniel Church would top himself. That novel is massive, an epic of horror. The answer was simple: he didn’t try. Instead, he’s adopted a more intimate scope, telling the story of one woman trying to cope with an evil that is specifically targeting her. And it works beautifully. Jenna is such a likeable and appealing character, and watching her struggle and cope and grow is wonderful. This is another masterful performance. I have some quibbles (the dialogue can be a little much, and I found the sex scene kind of cringey), but overall, it’s astounding.

Unfortunately not the story for me. I could see it be the story for someone else, though. But unfortunately I didn't fully enjoy it myself.

Unfortunately I didnt enjoy the book. The first chapter was intrigueing but as the story progressed I got more annoyed. The characters were immature. Their behavior was annoying.

This book started so well. Lots of tension, a good setup for a nice creepy generational horror.

Sadly it then turned into something I really hadn't expected, and which was a personal trigger for me. I tried to power on through, but it was uncomfortable to the point of having to put the book down (forced pregnancy).

I've absolutely no doubt that this will hit the spot for many readers, as it certainly is a powerful horror tale! But I couldn't finish it due to personal reasons, huge apologies.

Trigger warnings would be appreciated in future editions.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book to review!

This is another case where the cover and the blurb got me! I truly thought that I would enjoy this much more than I did. It truly felt like Church had NO CLUE how to write female characters, especially lesbians, and the language he used seemed very off when it came to the main characters speaking together.

And the plot? There was a good plot in there somewhere, but Church decided to focus on the weaker character and the weaker plot rather than focusing on what could have been a brilliant story of a doctor trying to discover the secrets of immortality from the "old god", and instead focused on the body horror of forced impregnation and all the disgust that comes along with that.

Daniel Church's The Ravening is a chilling horror novel that delves into ancient curses, cult rituals, and the depths of human depravity. The story follows Jenna, a woman haunted by a tragic past, as she becomes entangled in a terrifying conspiracy involving a monstrous entity.

Key elements of the novel:

Intense atmosphere: Church masterfully creates a sense of dread and unease throughout the narrative, drawing readers into the dark and unsettling world he has crafted.
Compelling characters: Jenna is a relatable and sympathetic protagonist, her struggles and fears making her a compelling figure to root for. The supporting characters, while often morally ambiguous, add depth and complexity to the story.
Engaging plot: The plot is well-paced and filled with twists and turns that keep readers guessing. The exploration of ancient myths and rituals adds a fascinating layer to the narrative.
Shocking revelations: The Ravening does not shy away from disturbing content, and the revelations about the nature of the evil force at work are both horrifying and thought-provoking.
Overall, The Ravening is a gripping and unsettling horror novel that will leave a lasting impression on readers. If you enjoy dark, atmospheric tales with a supernatural twist, this book is definitely worth checking out.

What starting out as a 5-star promising read for me, started to lose me around the halfway mark. The pacing seemed to be a little off, and the plot went in a different direction that I'm not sure I really enjoyed. But, I did love the overall creepy dark theme. I would read another book by this author!

The Ravening by Daniel church is a book I was looking so forward to reading having loved the hollows but sadly around 30 or 40% I just wasn’t as into the book as I had been in the beginning. When everything happened with Jennas mom I was like oh this is going to be good and then the camping trip with Holly now I thought this is getting even better but then her ex boyfriend comes in to play every time I thought I got a handle on the plot it seems the playing field an atmosphere would change and then the big shebang and I was just no longer into the book I was so over it I am so tired of Summeries not having a good description of the book it is like someone told them about the book and they made the summary on that that never works out. It is so sad that these people get paid to write the summaries and I could do a better job. I’m not gonna waste your time with a long review I thought I was going to love it but did not. #NetGalley, #AngryRobot, #DanielChurch, #TheRavening,

The Ravening by Daniel Church starts off with an intriguing premise but ultimately fell short of expectations for me. The story follows Jenna, who has been haunted by her mother’s mysterious disappearance in the forest years ago. As an adult, she grapples with trauma and trust issues while navigating a new relationship with Holly. The book had some gripping moments, particularly when an ancient evil is revealed, but overall the horror and characters didn’t quite hit the mark. I found it hard to connect with Jenna, and her relationship with Holly felt flat. The use of dream sequences and some repetitive dialogue made the story drag in parts.

While I appreciated the creepy atmosphere and the tension in certain scenes, the pacing was uneven, and the blurb was a bit misleading. It advertised one type of horror, but much of the plot focused on darker, more unsettling themes like isolation and forced confinement, which weren’t mentioned in the description.

The Ravening is a gripping, claustrophobic horror story that explores both real and paranormal threats, leaving a lasting impact on the reader. It offers a bizarre, thought-provoking horror experience that would be perfect for a Jordan Peele-style horror film.

Detailed Breakdown:
Characters: 6/10
I never expect to get attached to any characters in a horror novel. However, Jenna, the protagonist, stood out as a fun, hard-edged character shaped by her tough upbringing. I found her compelling to read about and really enjoyed her witty zingers.

Atmosphere/Setting: 8/10
The setting was one of the most horrifying aspects of the novel. It added depth to the mood, acting both as an enigma and a symbol of safety at different times.

Writing Style: 7/10
Initially, I struggled with the writing but eventually grew to appreciate it. I spent the entirety of the book trying to determine what was really happening and felt there were significant plot holes, but the style won me over.

Plot: 8/10
The plot was intriguing, keeping me questioning what was real and what was a figment of the protagonist’s imagination. The story unfolded like a fever dream, raising doubts about whether the events were real or the result of Jenna’s hallucinations.

Intrigue: 7/10
I found myself thinking about the story even when I wasn’t reading, particularly curious about Jenna’s fate.

Logic: 6/10
The plot had some unexplained elements, and at times, the events felt too convenient. However, most loose ends were tied up by the end. The story’s reliance on superstition and lore meant that some knowledge was intentionally left ambiguous.

Overall Enjoyment: 7/10
I’m glad I picked up The Ravening and enjoyed it overall, despite a few minor issues. It left a lasting impression, earning 4 stars.

A modern reiteration of the myth of Kronos: the rite of Cronus stopped, overturned by an iron willed woman, fulled by self belief and what else: love... I am afraid I've really struggled with the narrative, which I found ludicrous. Full of stereotypes like: the rich wanting immortality, the overly rich manipulating anything and everything for their own gains; secret medical clinics conducting all sorts of experiments, conspiracies around the Knights Templar Order and so on...I really couldn't put up with everything mixed in, to make The Ravening even remotely believable!

Like other reviewers, I must say this doesn't hold a candle to Church's previous novel. While the horror elements where a bit much for me, overall it was a pleasant novel that I've truly enjoyed. Sadly I cannot say the same about The Ravening(I think the only enjoyable bit was that it was based in Manchester, Salford even hahaha, I really love that Church writes about where I live!), but hopefully the next one is going to be a good one!

Daniel Church's *The Ravening* is a chilling, atmospheric horror novel that grips readers from the very first page, immersing them in a world where ancient evil and personal trauma collide. The story follows Jenna, a woman whose life has been marked by tragedy and abuse, as she battles not only the demons of her past but also a far more sinister, supernatural threat.

At its core, *The Ravening* is a tale of survival—both physical and emotional. Jenna, haunted by the mysterious disappearance of her mother on a shadowy woodland road when she was a teenager, has grown into a tough, wary woman who has learned that trust often leads to betrayal. Escaping an abusive relationship, she finds solace in a new romance with her girlfriend, Holly, and hopes for a brighter future. But as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that the darkness Jenna has been fleeing isn’t just metaphorical. There are forces at work—ancient, malevolent, and terrifying—that refuse to let her find peace.

Church masterfully weaves together Jenna’s inner turmoil with the creeping dread of the supernatural. The claustrophobic tension in the novel is palpable, as Jenna’s personal struggles mirror the mounting horror she faces. The pacing is relentless, with the sense of doom intensifying as Jenna is drawn deeper into the mystery surrounding her mother’s death and the evil that haunts her.

What makes *The Ravening* stand out in the horror genre is its deep character work. Jenna is a fully realized protagonist whose pain, resilience, and hope feel incredibly real. Her relationship with Holly provides moments of tenderness and relief, but the novel never lets readers forget that darkness is lurking around every corner. Church portrays Jenna’s struggle to believe in love and goodness as a powerful emotional arc, making her journey as much about reclaiming her sense of self as it is about battling external threats.

The horror elements in *The Ravening* are masterfully handled. Church draws on classic Gothic tropes—dark forests, mysterious disappearances, ancient evil—but infuses them with a modern edge, keeping the reader on edge with unpredictable twists and genuinely terrifying moments. The novel’s villains, both human and supernatural, are unnerving in their cruelty and persistence, creating a sense of inescapable menace.

The setting plays a crucial role in amplifying the tension. Church’s depiction of the isolated, ominous landscapes Jenna must navigate adds a sense of dread and claustrophobia to the narrative. The novel feels like it is closing in on the reader, much like the forces that close in on Jenna.

However, amidst the terror, *The Ravening* is ultimately a story about hope and the possibility of finding light even in the darkest of times. Jenna’s strength, her will to fight, and her love for Holly anchor the novel, offering moments of redemption and resilience in the face of overwhelming evil.

*The Ravening* is a must-read for fans of psychological and supernatural horror. Daniel Church has crafted a gripping, haunting tale that explores the darkness within and around us, all while delivering a powerful, emotional story of one woman’s fight for survival and belief in the possibility of love.

This book was a journey, and I have mixed feelings about it.

I actually ended up quite enjoying it. I found it gripping, albeit a bit slow in some parts, however I was really thrown because in my opinion, the blurb is not conducive to this book.

I applied for this ARC after reading the blurb, and was expecting a folk and/or eco horror with some monsters from the forest. While yes, we got that, a significant part of this story line revolved around stealthing, kidnapping, confinement, isolation, and forced pregnancy. Despite the fact that I ended up enjoying this book, if that had been clear in the blurb, I likely wouldn't have applied for it. Further, there were no content warnings for these triggering topics.

As such, my rating is indicative of this missing information, despite the fact that I enjoyed the book.

This was a gripping, visceral read that was well written and I could be interested in reading the authors other works.

I really enjoyed The Hollows. However, this one was not for me. The publisher description was so completely different from the actual book that it seemed like it was done on purpose,, but not in a good way. Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book.