Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an unexpected sequel I didn't know I needed. I enjoyed When Among Crows, but didn't necessary feel invested in any of the characters, which To Clutch a Razor managed to change in the first 20% of the story. It made me feel like I actually got to know the characters despite them being immediately sucked into a whirlpool of events that made for a considerably faster pacing than I expected.

This was a very quick read that left me wanting for more. I would especially like to see more Elza in the next book, and I have a feeling we will. A pronunciation guide for some of the Polish used throughout the book would be helpful too. Maybe it would even help me remember Dymitr's mother's name to add here that I want her backstory as well.

I had a great time and can't wait to see how the events of the next book play out - the setup certainly sounds promising.

Dymitr, my sweet, soft-hearted boy you do not deserve the pain Miss Veronica Roth puts you through. Saying that, I thrive on pain and I enjoyed this immensely.

With only a few hundred pages, Roth expands on an already very solid and comprehensive magic system in this sequel to When Among Crows. Dymitr's incredibly nuanced relationships are given the right amount of attention and growth while not sacrificing the fast moving plot.

My only criticism is that the timespan of the novel felt a little too short. It happens over the course of a week which felt a little unbelievable.

So glad the author decided to make this a series and I can't wait to read the rest of them, especially after that ending! Thanks so much to Tor and netgalley for this arc of one of my most anticipated reads of 2025.

*To Clutch a Razor* is a razor-sharp, atmospheric novella steeped in dark folklore, simmering tension, and twisted family ties. Veronica Roth masterfully blends horror, heist, and heritage in a tale where every moment feels haunted and every relationship cuts deep. Dymitr is a magnetic protagonist—flawed, conflicted, and caught between blood ties and bargains with legendary forces like Baba Jaga. With vivid prose and a relentlessly eerie pace, Roth plunges readers into a night where curses, betrayals, and buried secrets threaten to consume everything. This is a brutal, beautifully crafted descent into familial horror and the cost of legacy—and it absolutely delivers.

I don't remember a lot about the first book other than I liked it while I was reading it but I LOVED this one. I loved all the characters and their dynamics and the plot was so good!

I really enjoyed When Among Crows when I read it last year, so I went into To Clutch a Razor expecting to also enjoy it. What I didn't expect was to be so thoroughly blown away by this book. To Clutch a Razor does everything that When Among Crows did--great worldbuilding, fleshed-out characters, memorable scenes--but considerably ups the ante in pretty much every way. The stakes have always been high, and here they are even higher. Where When Among Crows had to dedicate time to introduce the world and its characters to us, To Clutch a Razor picks up from where we left off and immediately gets going. There's a lot that's new here--new characters, new story, new places--but that's not to say that there's no development for the characters we already know, because there is: we learn so much more about Dymitr's family in particular, their dynamics and of course his complicated feelings growing up as a Knight alongside them. Dymitr has always been such a compelling character--still waters run deep, and his waters have long been still--and here he becomes all the more so. To see him with his family only makes his story more poignant, his development all the more earned.

When I first read it, what especially struck me about When Among Crows was Veronica Roth's ability to write these big, standout scenes, linchpin moments that the story leads up to and after which the characters are fundamentally changed. In To Clutch a Razor, Roth gives us more of these scenes, and let me tell you she spares no punches. The characters have always had to stare down the barrel of impossible situations without flinching, and so do we: Roth's writing makes sure of it. It's what make these novellas stand out to me, these unforgettable centerpiece scenes that are so viscerally striking that they just become etched into your memory.

I really was not expecting to be so blindsided by this novella. I always thought it was going to be good, but I didn't think it would be as emotional as it was, and move me as much as it did (I definitely cried). This novella series has been such a gem and I really hope a third book is coming because I would love to see where this story goes next.

To Clutch a Razor begins right where the last left off. Dymitr must now deal with the consequences of his choices and decide where his loyalties lie.

Just like the first book, this is another short novella type read. I highly enjoyed it as much as the first. It was wonderful seeing a bit more World Building in this one as well as more of the back story for our main characters. There were also some added point-of-views. Baba Jaga is definitely becoming one of my favorite characters from this series. The author has even left room for a 3rd book in the Curse Bearer series, so I am looking forward to seeing where it could go next.

Thank you so much to Tor Books for the NetGalley widget.

When Among Crows has become a comfort book that I often come back to when I want to experience masterful storytelling and beloved characters. This author has once again managed to not only continue the story in a meaningful way through To Clutch a Razor but has successfully made my love for the series grow even deeper. I am amazed at just how much this novella was able to pack such a punch in such a short time and without any wonky plot issues. The pacing is perfect, the emotion seeping from the pages was perfect, everything about this was perfect! I can't wait for more.

To Clutch A Razor by Veronica Roth is the compelling second installment in the Curse Bearer series, weaving Slavic folklore into an urban fantasy that explores the burdens of family, cultural expectations, and personal guilt. This time, Dymitr is summoned back to the old country following his grandfather’s death, setting the stage for a journey that tests his loyalties and forces him to confront difficult choices.

The mythology in this novel is richly detailed, and while I am not particularly familiar with Polish folklore, I found its integration into the story fascinating. Roth builds on the world and characters introduced in the first book, making it essential reading to fully appreciate the depth of this sequel. The narrative presents Dymitr with a formidable task set by Baba Jaga, leading him to wrestle with questions of morality, duty, and love.
The ending is deeply satisfying, and I continue to enjoy both the world Roth has crafted and the nuanced struggles her characters endure. To Clutch A Razor delivers a gripping, emotionally layered tale that reinforces the strength of this series, making it a rewarding read for those who appreciate folklore-infused fantasy.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Books for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

I like that duology a lot. Both sides are violent, and both sides want to survive. In this book, the monsters are not well defined because they depend on each one's goals. I always love an urban fantasy with supernatural characters in a setting recognizable like home. I do recommend reading the first book.

Sequels are usually only okay, so I was nervous when I picked this one up. I really loved When Among Crows, so my hopes were up. I was not disappointed. This story takes everything When Among Crows built and makes me fall even more in love with the characters. Learning more about the knights was excellent, fleshing out this world even more. Again, Veronica Roth reminds us (when are we all going to listen to her?!?) that the self-proclaimed good guys are never good, and the enemy are people, living, breathing, loving, dying people. The real monsters always show themselves eventually. Thanks again Veronica.

Veronica Roth is an author that I have enjoyed reading over the years. This book is descriptive in its violence and many of the characters are sadistic. I found the descriptions of cruelty to be off putting, but the story overall is well written. The world is well realized, and I did care about some of the characters. I would give it 2 stars for what I consider excessive descriptions of pain and violence and 4 stars for the world building and character development. I am splitting the difference and giving the story 3 stars.

Beautiful second installment to the Curse Bearer series. Reading To Clutch a Razor was like slowly seeping across the veil into a world so full of life and mysticism that every breath just makes you want to sink further in. Wonderful crossovers between slavic fantasy and modern fantasy, this entry to the series was a great sequel that almost outshines the first book.

I am feral after reading this. I cried through the whole thing, and once I finished it I had to sit with myself for a while and process it. I read it through two days, and only really stopped so I can work. I found myself looking up some terms, but others I was familiar with already. The entire book felt like a haze of nostalgia, and I found myself homesick for places I've never been. I will read anything Veronica Roth produces, but I really hope there's more in this series after this. I'm anxiously awaiting anything new.

Thanks Tor and Netgalley for this arc!

I loved the first book, When Among Crows, and I didn't think a sequel could live up to it. I am happy to have been wrong. To Clutch a Razor is a delightful read. I love the magic that Roth has created in this series, both what the Knights use and what the creatures create. There's so many different cultures represented in the various creatures mentioned throughout the story. And our three protagonists are well established with their own personalities and wants and needs. I enjoyed the shifting points of view as well, as it helped illustrate parts of the story better than if it had just stayed with our three protagonists. Overall a wonderful read, and I'm so excited to see if there's more in the future.

Expands upon the world and characters in the first book so well, loved it which isn't surprising I'm a huge fan of roth, the ending implies a third book (yay!)

Veronica Roth's To Clutch a Razor is the anticipated sequel to When Among Crows, continuing the Curse Bearer series with a compelling blend of Slavic folklore, urban fantasy, and introspective character development. Set against the backdrop of a perilous family gathering during the Empty Night funeral rite, the narrative follows Dymitr as he returns to his homeland with the intent of acquiring a cursed book to settle a debt with the legendary witch Baba Jaga. However, he must navigate the treacherous dynamics of his monster-hunting relatives, where the distinction between ally and adversary becomes increasingly blurred. Roth skillfully intertwines intense action sequences with poignant moments of character introspection, crafting a story that delves into themes of identity, redemption, and the essence of monstrosity. As Publishers Weekly notes, Roth "creates a fascinating magical world full of colorful mythical creatures," maintaining a narrative pace that keeps readers engaged throughout. With its rich mythological elements and emotionally resonant storytelling, To Clutch a Razor is a standout addition to contemporary fantasy literature, appealing to fans of dark folklore and character-driven narratives.

The feeling there was something I just didn't catch was so overwhelming I actually went back to check that I had read the first book. I did, it seems, but my biggest takeaway was "an indistict sense I was missing something." Points for consistency then...

This novel is the charming second entry of our entry into a modern day world of monsters and knights who are groomed to kill them. Roth's weaving of mythos and characters, like Baba Jaga, into our world makes for an interesting combination that you want to delve deeper into. Looking forward to a 3rd.

Just as good if not even better than the first one! You get a lot more insight into each of the characters with more POVs while also getting a lot more lore on the history and background of the world/ characters.
Leaves room for another sequel or a few more even and I am really hopeful and excited that we might get to see more of the characters!! I really love what Roth has done with these novellas and I hope she writes lots more of them!!

Something that would be kind of similar to these would be The Witcher series

Amazing sequel! I would love a whole series of these little novellas. The world building is outstanding: gritty and dark and urban. The relationship is sweet. I can't wait to see if Roth does anything more with these in the future.