Ravensong

RAVENSONG is an intriguing YA fantasy about family, duty, and being human. Neve is the youngest of three sisters, and she is not yet eighteen, the age when she will get all the memories from her reincarnations and come into her powers. Together, they are the Morrigan with the duty of keeping the world safe from the underworld and the demons that have been escaping. Her current job is to embrace her humanity, so that she can understand what she is protecting, until she turns eighteen - something that has come much easier to her sisters than to her.

Everything begins to change when Alexandria moves to town. Though Neve would be happier without knowing anything about Alexandria, their paths continue to cross, particularly as the underworld has taken a particular interest in her. As she connects with Alexandria, she begins to understand and embrace her humanity - in time to find out that the interest of the underworld has a deeper and darker thread that only she and her sisters can stop.

What I loved: This story had some great themes about what it means to be human and the power and beauty of humanity, as well as its pitfalls. Neve has had trouble connecting with humans, despite living as one - until she meets Alexandria and begins to understand the magic of friendship, romance, and belonging. Through their experiences, the power of connection and what it means to become human bring the story to life.

There are some really interesting twists in the plot that come later. Neve knows that she is missing a lot of the knowledge which her sisters have already obtained when they turned eighteen. They also have a lot more power and ability as they have come into their inheritance. The reader sees the world through Neve's eyes, and thus, the twists and plot really deepen as the story continues, and these really added to the interest and mythology along the way.

Neve is a compelling character, as a teen who wishes they had more power than they do, something readers will relate to. The book begins with feelings of powerlessness and frustration over her lack of freedom and the literal power/knowledge she will gain when she reaches adulthood. While teens may not experience the magical elements in their own lives, many will recognize these elements/feelings. The relationship with Alexandria adds a lot to the story, as it builds from reluctant acquaintance to friend to more. Alexandria is another great character who has dealt with much loss and tragedy in her life, much of which she could not understand, but along with Neve, she begins to understand better the truth of her own past and the part she has to play in the coming changes.

Final verdict: RAVENSONG is an intriguing YA fantasy about sisterhood, what it means to be human, and falling in love with a strong infusion of mythology and magic.