We have a lot of eARC’s and we want to promote them a little bit more. So we decided to do some more Bookish Beginnings On Friday. Today I wanted to share the start of the Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson. This book has been released about a year ago and was pretty popular last year. I never got around to reading my eARC, but I think it could be one I really enjoy. So let’s take a look at the start of the book!
She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder.
After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him.
Trained at rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal – Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth – the Dragon proxy – will be revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists – the best of the best.
Then one of them is murdered.
It falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering.
If Neema succeeds, she could win the throne – whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence herself to death – and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the empire . . .
Once the made sacrifices here, to appease the Eight. This was many thousands of years ago, but the rock remembers. There as a modest temple on the hill, with views across the island, and worn stone steps leading up to a plain stone slab. Now there is a palace with golden halls and floors of white marble. Lustrous silk tapestries hang from the walls, telling intricate stories of love and war, and the death of tyrants. The air is lacquered with incense, rich and heady.
This is where my father died.
I will say, I wasn’t immediately drawn into the story, but that final sentence did peak my interest. After writing this post, I might just keep on reading a little bit more haha. I like the sound of this book for sure, a competition to the death for the throne, sign me up! But what mostly makes me want to read this one is all the raving reviews. Is this book truly that good? Does everybody actually love it? I must know!
There will be a sequel to this book, although I might not actually release this year, so I think this might be a great time to finally read this book. I have been wanting to read this one for at least a year now, let’s make this year the year I read The Raven Scholar. Have you read this one? Did you like it as much as everyone else seem to do? Let me know down below!
