An Enchantment of Ravens

Starred review from July 17, 2017
Seventeen-year-old Isobel is a master of her “Craft”—painting portraits—in the town of Whimsy, where it is always summer and which borders the forest where the “fair folk” have their kingdoms. When the fairies’ autumn prince, Rook, requests a portrait, Isobel’s world is upended. Petulant and beautiful Rook, whose eyes hold “sorrow, as raw as an open wound,” frightens and beguiles Isobel; when he is upset by what his portrait reveals to his kingdom, he abducts her so that she might stand trial for the affront. Rogerson’s moody debut novel is suffused with an intoxicating and palpable romantic longing. As Isobel and Rook break the “Good Law” by falling for each other, Rogerson turns forbidden love into fresh adventure with danger, chases, a glorious ball, and unexpected narrative turns. Readers will delight in her interpretation of classic fairy themes and lore, and in the humor laced into the story (Isobel’s rowdy younger sisters began life as goats, before being ensorcelled by a drunk fairy). An ideal pick for fans of Holly Black, Maggie Stiefvater, and Laini Taylor. Ages 14–up. Agent: Sara Megibow, KT Literary.

Julia Whelan's skillful narration intensifies the drama in this stirring debut novel. Using pitch and deliberate pacing to full advantage, Whelan draws listeners into a romantic fantasy world of faeries who covet the creative abilities of humans, using enchantment as currency. Isobel, a talented portrait painter, runs afoul of Rook, the Autumn Prince, and is drawn into the dangerous faerie lands where nothing is as it seems and horrors lurk at every turn. Whelan's energetic performance creates a perfect balance between fae and natural worlds; she sounds as comfortable voicing the fearsome Alder King as she does Isobel's sensible, loving aunt. Whelan deftly develops the growing attachment between Isobel and Rook, capturing alternating moments of humor and melancholy and producing an altogether delightful listening experience. S.G. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine