Silver Ravens by Jane Fletcher
- Publisher: Bold Strokes Books, 2020
- Genre: Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQ+
- Format: Paperback (eARC)
- Page Count: 314 pages
- My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Lori has just lost her job as a video game engineer along with her girlfriend. Desperately in need of a new job, she comes across a series of magazine puzzles. The final solution leads her to Dorstanley and supplies her with odd instructions. Maybe it is a recruitment.
Surprisingly, it is, but not anything close to what she has imagined. In fact, she thinks the recruiters are out of their minds for believing in a mythical world. But as Tamsin, one of the recruiters Lori finds especially attractive, leads her deeper into the world of fays, Lori no longer knows who is right and who is wrong.
I always wondered how I would fare if I found myself somewhere without modern technology. Do I possess the raw survival skills to stay alive and fight my way out? Probably not.
As Lori ventures into Annwyn, she loses access to most modern technology and has to fend for herself when it comes to encrypted messages and magical illusions. Though a software professional, Lori has an amazing skill set that covers basic survival. I even thought that Lori is a little too, in gaming terms, OP. She knows a lot about ciphers because of her profession and can also do a lot with her body partly because of her rather unusual childhood of globetrotting.
Okay, maybe I am just jealous, sharing an engineering background with her and all but not any physical skills. Interestingly, I have never felt so connected with a character than with Lori when she mentions “IEEE standards.” I think that is nerdiness at its finest.
I really enjoyed the detailed descriptions of Lori’s surroundings and was able to picture what she saw. Fletcher also took care in describing clothes and weaponry. Who doesn’t love badass women in medieval warrior garments?
Despite initial mutual attractions, Lori and Tamsin’s relationship development is very slow. In fact, even if the romance between them were completely absent, Silver Ravens would be just as good. Plus, Lori forming a bond with the Silver Ravens and their sense of camaraderie are more important.
Throughout the story, both humans and fays make many questionable decisions no one seems to find odd. The biggest one is to have a newcomer, Lori, roam about with little supervision. Also, I felt that the plot was mostly developed as it progressed since there was not much referencing to previous events. Though this uncomplicated storytelling does not take any enjoyment away, I still wonder about the unfinished boggart storyline.
Overall, Silver Ravens flows nicely and Lori’s adventures have kept me deeply engaged. Though my first try at Fletcher’s works, I am now convinced I have to read more of her novels. [13 Jun 2020]
I received an e-ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
