The Raven Scholar

Bookseller recommendation

“I am obsessed with the world of The Raven Scholar, and Dauphne Kouma's narration of the audiobook is exceptional. Neema is a commoner, part of a first generation allowed into the previously aristocratic religious orders of the Eight. She’s an outcast among the Ravens due to both her roots and an inborn inability to play social games. She is also the emperor’s favored scholar, but she earned that position by scribing an imperial decree that cost her her only friend. On the eve of the festival to select the next emperor, the Raven contender for the throne tells Neema that she will expose secrets that would cost Neema everything - except the contender is found dead the next morning. Neema is thrown into an investigation to prove her own innocence and uncover the murderer - while competing in the deadly imperial festival in her rival’s place, confronting her feelings towards the friend she lost, and dealing with the discovery that the Eight are real deities, rather than the useful social constructs she’d always assumed, and that the Raven has taken a particular interest in her. But having visited Neema’s world seven times to save it, should the Eight return from the Hidden World again, they will destroy it. No pressure.”

— Ginger • Quail Ridge Books

Bookseller recommendation

“It's been a while since I've read such an excellent fantasy of this quality! Fantasy courtroom drama meets a locked room mystery with a charming cast of characters and a competition for the throne. It is darkly funny and sparkling with wit while also exploring deep levels of corruption, long-rooted bitterness, and conniving, deceitful characters. I LOVE the ravens and their magic! But Sol completely stole my heart, and Fox is the perfect touch of chaos. I don't often have time to continue reading past book one in a series (always reading more new books as a bookseller!), but this is a series I simply MUST continue. It is elaborate and breathtaking, and I am thoroughly invested in Neema and Cain's story. Also! The audio production of this book is FANTASTIC. Again - LOVE the Ravens and the cool theme music between parts is a fun little break that helps you get in the fantasy mood. Daphne Kouma did an incredible job. ”

— Anna Rose • The Well-Read Moose

Bookseller recommendation

“Such a fun mix of murder mystery and fantasy! Darkly humorous and intriguing. Daphne Kouma brings these characters to life with her narration ”

— Gennys • Maria's Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“This novel delivers a lively, intelligent romp through a world teeming with ambition, invention, and intrigue. At its heart is a formidable female protagonist whose audacity and brilliance lead her to create an invention far more dangerous—and far more influential—than she ever anticipated. Her journey is as much about resilience and resourcefulness as it is about learning the perils of unchecked ambition. Set against a vibrant contest for rulership, the novel masterfully captures the chaos of competing factions, each with their own secret agendas. The political landscape crackles with tension, yet the author maintains a deft hand with humor, ensuring the stakes never feel overly oppressive. Instead, the novel sparkles with wit, balancing sharp dialogue and genuinely funny moments alongside the scheming and betrayal. The prose is crisp, the pacing energetic, and the world-building immersive without being overwhelming. Most impressively, the narrative blends sharp social commentary with an unmistakable sense of fun, making it both intellectually satisfying and irresistibly readable. Ultimately, this novel succeeds by giving readers a heroine they can root for, a story they can lose themselves in, and a world that feels at once wildly imaginative and deeply familiar. It’s clever, charming, and absolutely worth the ride.”

— Inklings bookshop Bartow • Inklings Book Shoppe

Bookseller recommendation

“I loved listening to this book so much I also bought the physical copy. Great start to a new fantasy series!”

— Veronica • River Bend Bookshop