The Storm Crow is one of those books I couldn’t put down. Thia’s battle with her emotions and her enemies is powerful and captivating. The action in this novel is beautifully written and full of fantastical elements. I became so engrossed in the world and characters that there were times I forgot I was in the real world and not in Thia’s world.
The elemental crows were unique and fascinating and added a mystical touch to the story. Rhodaire’s crows are essential to their life and without them, the people have to learn how to perform simple tasks, such as growing crops. Life changes drastically for the people, and not just because the crows were lost; loved ones were lost, too, in the battle. To Thia, everything seems hopeless. All she sees is darkness and no light at the end; she doesn’t see how she can move on.
One aspect of The Storm Crow I highly enjoyed seeing was how depression was openly discussed. Thia realizes early on that the destruction of her world as she knew it threw her into a deep and potentially dark depression. Throughout the story, Thia’s depression helps shape her character and starts to give her the strength she needs to overcome the past and save her kingdom and people. Thia’s depression battles are detailed to where the reader could feel and/or see Thia openly struggling. Her depression felt real and raw. She becomes a master in hiding her depression behind a fake smile, but those closest to her can see the past is eating her alive. I haven’t read many YA fantasy books that openly mention/discuss depression, so I was surprised that this became a key point in The Storm Crow. There’s so many readers that battle depression, and I know to some it’s important to see depression depicted, especially in fantasy. How Josephson address depression in her book really lays it out for the world to see and for everyone to understand that depression is not something you can easily shake off. Her depiction of depression was, overall, one of the main reasons I loved The Storm Crow.
“I might be queen, but you were meant to be so much more. Crow or no crow, one way or another, you will fly. You were always meant to rule the sky.”
Thia is a strong and emotional person. She knows she has to go to Illucia, the kingdom that attacked hers, to try to bring peace and save her people. Thia, at first, believes everything is lost; the fight she once had in her is gone, left behind in the rubble of the battle. But that all changes when Thia finds an unhatched storm crow egg. To Thia, this changes everything. Thia has a newfound hope to fight for her kingdom and people, all from within the palace walls of her enemy. But there’s just one slight problem: Thia doesn’t know how to hatch a crow egg. Nevertheless, Thia refuses to give up hope; she refuses to give up.
The secondary characters in The Storm Crow were also what made this book a 5 star review for me. Her best friend and bodyguard, Kiva, share not just a best friend bond, but a sisterly bond. They’re relationship reminded me of my relationship with my best friend, and I love seeing those types of friendships depicted in fantasy stories. Kiva helps Thia battle her depression while staying in enemy territory. They’re not just best friends; they’re a team and both will do whatever it takes to see Queen Razel burn for her wrongdoings. Then there’s Caylus. Caylus is a soft yet incredibly smart and reliable friend to Thia; she trusts him so much that she relies on him to help her solve the hatching behind a crow egg.
And, of course, there’s Prince Ericen. At first, he’s a terrible, cold-heartless person; he’s basically everything that makes a villain. But he slowly starts to show Thia a side he’s never shown anyone, not even his mother, the ruthless Queen Razel. Ericen wants to build a trusting relationship with Thia but Thia doesn’t quite know how that’s possible when he’s the son of the woman that killed her mother. He’s a well described character with an interesting backstory.
“It was only you. Because I, like everyone, knew what you were.
A delinquent?
A storm. A tempest of lightning and thunder with the kind of heart found only in legends.”
Josephson’s writing is captivating and compelling. She weaves words together to bring a magical and powerful story to light. Her description of the kingdoms and the characters is wonderfully well-written and very descriptive. Josephson also knows how to depict feelings and relationships really well. There was phenomenal character growth with Thia and her companions; Thia really starts to come into her own and grow as a person and fighter.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed The Storm Crow. Josephson creates a world the reader can easily get lost in. If you enjoy an adventurous fantasy novel with lovable animals and relationships, then I definitely recommend reading The Storm Crow!
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Reviews with images
New favorite book!
**Trigger Warnings: depression, self harm (religious ceremonies) and being burnedI was really excited when I found out that this book would have actual crows that you can ride. Dragons are old news-crows are so much cooler! I loved the politics and the tension between the two countries we see the most of in this world. The details included to really explain the magic system and world was a nice touch, we get some myths and legends to help explain everything. I loved how integral the crows were to life in Rhodaire, to the point where it even influences their sayings which really helped to immerse me into this world.I absolutely ADORED Anthia. I loved the depression rep that we got through her character and it really resonated with me. She’s so strong but is also very human when it comes to her thoughts and feelings, and it was great to have a character who isn’t all-knowing and all-powerful which is part of the reason I really connected with her. I also really enjoyed her amazing friendship with Kiva, we need more strong female friendships like this one!And don’t even get me started on Ericen! His banter with Anthia was amazing and I honestly cannot wait for the next book because I just know it’ll get even better with the characters and their development. Plus there is a F/F romance and lots of interesting family dynamics and friendships to explore!I loved the world that we got to see and I’m hoping we see even more in the next book, because I need MORE. I loved the little touches like the fact that without Crows the climate in Rhodaire gets warmer, the different cultures and religions in each kingdom, and the differences between the people of each of said kingdoms. I do wish the magic of the crows was given more detail, but due to….certain circumstances I understand why we didn’t really get to focus much on them. I’m excited to learn more about the crows and the connection that they make with their rider, as well as the talents of the other countries and what (if any) magic they have.I always say that if the writing doesn’t distract me from enjoying the book then it gets a thumbs up from me. I am happy that I can say that the writing didn’t pull me out of the story! We have two perspectives (maybe three? I don’t remember if Caylus or Kiva have perspectives). Ya’ll know how much I love books with multiple POVs!I absolutely adored this book from beginning to end and I just need book 2 ASAP. Now I just need to figure out how to get my hands on an early copy of that when the time comes. If you think this sounds even REMOTELY interesting I suggest you pick it up because you won’t be disappointed.See more reviews at meltingpages.wordpress.com
Top reviews from other countries
Haley R Flores
The story is beautiful and raw and Josephson normalizes Thia’s depression
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 22, 2020
WW
Can’t wait to read the next book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 21, 2021