This is a brilliant follow-up that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. It’s dark, gripping, and rich in folklore that pulls you into a world where family is both a refuge and a battlefield. The exploration of family duty and what it means to be a monster resonates so deeply. Roth does an amazing job of weaving in the Slavic folklore. The pacing is relentless, and the nightmarish family gathering adds a touch of both dark humor and horror; every page turned, I was left wondering what Dymitr would do next. The writing style pulls you into the chaos and keeps you questioning who’s friend and who’s foe. It’s a perfect mix of tension, family drama, and challenges. Undoubtedly perfect for book lovers who are into darker fantasy with emotional depth and complex characters.

The second the sequel to the absolutely wonderful When Among Crows Was announced, I’ve been counting down the days until it was in my hands! Likes it’s predecessor, I read it in one feverish sitting. Rich with Slavic folklore and colored with a Shakespearean level of drama, To Clutch a Razor was the perfect follow up that left me dying for another instalment. And the dynamic between Dymitr and Niko - j love it beyond words. With tons more backstory and a plot that just kept building and building, it’s the perfect set up for what (I hope!) will be a culmination to the riveting story that began in When Among Crows and continued masterfully in To Clutch and Razor.

When Among Crows was one of my favorite reads of 2024.

When I heard there was going to be a sequel, I was thrilled.

I knew it was going to be good. I had no idea it was going to be this good.

I loved the first book because it delved so deep into Eastern European Mythology and created characters that were flawed and 'human' and made me care so deeply for them.

All of that is true about this book too. But what I loved most was the underlying question of what really makes a monster?

The Knights would have you believe that monsters are anything that isn't human. But throughout this book we see the love, kindness and care that is shown by Ala and Niko, creatures not considered human. And then we see the hatred and harm caused by Dymitr's grandmother and mother, humans, but with none of the compassion humanity should be known by.

And then about halfway through you think: 'The Knights are the monsters.' And then we are kindly reminded by Dymitr that "Knights, like the creatures they hunt, are people.'

'Humanity' has nothing to do with how human you are or aren't. It has everything to do with how you treat those around you. A lesson more people could take to heart in our day and age.

Thank you for writing such an incredible book. It's one that I won't quickly forget.