Raven Song (Inoki's Games) by I.A.Ashcroft | Book Review

11:14 PM Ally M.G. 0 Comments

I was given this book for an honest review.

A century ago, the world burned. Even now, though rebuilt and defiant, civilization is still choking on the ashes.

Jackson, a smuggler, lives in the shadows, once a boy with no memory, no name, and no future. Ravens followed him, long-extinct birds only he could see, and nightmares flew in their wake. Once, Jackson thought himself to be one of the lucky few touched by magic, a candidate for the Order of Mages. He is a man now, and that dream has died. But, the ravens still follow. The nightmares still whisper in his ear.

Anna’s life was under the sun, her future bright, her scientific work promising. She knew nothing of The Bombings, the poisoned world, or the occult. One day, she went to work, and the next, she awoke in a box over a hundred years in the future, screaming, fighting to breathe, and looking up into the eyes of a smuggler. Anna fears she’s gone crazy, unable to fill the massive hole in her memories, and terrified of the strange abilities she now possesses.

The Coalition government has turned its watchful eyes towards them. The secret factions of the city move to collect them first. And, old gods stir in the darkness, shifting their pawns on the playing field. If Anna and Jackson wish to stay free, they must learn what they are and why they exist. Unfortunately, even if they do, it may be too late.

Raven Song is the first of a four book adult-oriented dystopian fantasy series, a story of intrigue, love, violence, and the old spirits in the shadows who wait for us to notice them again. Readers of Neil Gaiman, Holly Black, and Charlie Human will enjoy this dark magic-laced tale rooted on the bones of what our world could become.

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A short way to describe this book is x-men with magic in a future dystopian world where nuclear bombs damaged America.

It has been 100 years since a massive bombing, and New York (and other major cities) now have a dome that protects them from radiation. In this world lives Jackson a businessman who isn't entirely normal. Jackson is trying to keep his father's business running while dealing with nightmares that plague his mind. Then on a job he runs into (finds) a girl by the name of Anna, who seems to have been displaced from her timeline. Together they find out about the mysteries of themselves, their government and the monster who lives underground.

Raven Song is a well-written book, with amazing characters who go through amazing character development from the first moment we meet them to the very last page. Raven Song is an urban fantasy dystopian book, filled with concepts you wouldn't think work well...but they do! It is so unusual.

The plot has you engaged and hooked from the beginning, keeping you guessing and full of questions. The whole time I read the book, questions where fluttering through my mind and I connected the dots as we slowly received more information about the world. Why it happened, how it happened, and who these characters are. This book was driven both by its characters and its plot which lets you know that the author knows how to flesh out characters and bring a world to life.

I am just so blown away how so many genres fit so nicely together. (A lot like This Savage Song by V.E Schwab), but this book had more magical magic unexplainable stuff.

Science. Magic. Broken world. Crazy lizard people.

Aschcroft starts the story nice and steady until it picks up and you are sucked in unto the world. He gives you small details that you think is unimportant and then later in the book it is like BAM MASSIVE PLOT DEVICE SUCKER.

You guys really need to read this book! And it is only 290 pages long! (Super short)

It is a super refreshing books for those who have fallen into a book slump, and it will end with you wanting to read more and itching for the next book.