The Crow Rider

May 1, 2020
The follow-up to the debut duology that began with The Storm Crow (2019). The titular magical crows, large enough to ride, were once the cornerstone of Rhodaire's power until they were all killed in the violent attack that launched the war and nearly destroyed Princess Thia. But now Thia has successfully hatched one of the few remaining crow eggs, fled evil queen Razel's grip, and fought free of her own depression, leaving behind Razel's son Prince Ericen, the enemy and fiance Thia can't forget. Uneven pacing with a glacial opening eventually giving way to a rushed climax and some striking tonal shifts (especially scenes with the smirking, bantering Ericen) detract from notable original details, particularly the way mental health is deeply interwoven in the characters of Thia and her crow, Res. Thia must constantly grapple with the cost of violence, trying to choose mercy but finding it backfires on her, which conveniently propels significant plot movement. Overreliance on trite similes and centrally cast side characters, like the vaguely Asian Auma, who dispenses sage advice over steaming tea, are somewhat balanced by the generally diverse world, with named characters of varied skin tones and sexual orientations and gender identities (Thia is brown-skinned and straight). Not a highflyer but fans will flock to it regardless. (map, guide to characters/setting) (Fantasy. 12-18)

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April 24, 2020

Gr 6-10-In the closing volume of the duology that began with 2019's Storm Crow, Thia is a princess of Rhodaire, a kingdom broken and under attack by the rival kingdom of Illucia. She has succeeded in hatching a storm crow-a member of a magical race of crows that can be ridden, and that once anchored the kingdom and gave it its power-until they were obliterated in a fire that also killed Thia's mother. Now it is up to Thia and her crow, Resyries, to gather supporters and defend Rhodaire. But Res is young and untrained in crow magic-not the inspiring symbol that Thia needs him to be. Nevertheless, with the help of Thia's friends, family, and some unexpected allies-who all have their own agendas-they rally for a final confrontation. As magic and revenge collide, Thia must decide who to protect, and at what cost. The complex cast of characters allows for exploration of love, loyalty, and trauma, with motivations explored on all sides. VERDICT In tension-filled scenes, themes of friendship and trust shine through, making this a satisfying conclusion to a fantasy duology with appeal for younger teenagers beginning to explore the genre.-Zo� McLaughlin, Michigan State University, East Lansing

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