The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson

The Raven Scholar

Antonia Hodgson

Orbit · Paperback · April 15, 2025

Finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Novel • Finalist for the Goodreads Best Fantasy Choice Award • Finalist for the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel Best of the Year at ELLE, Gizmodo, NPR, Publishers Weekly, and more! “A labyrinth of a book—vast and intricate, full of fiendish twists and clever traps—with a deeply human heart at its center.

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Who it’s for
A moody fantasy that leans into action, adventure, and a slightly wicked grin.
Themes
imperial intrigue, mystery, power struggle
Pacing
Mixed

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About this book

Finalist for the Hugo Award for Best Novel • Finalist for the Goodreads Best Fantasy Choice Award • Finalist for the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel Best of the Year at ELLE, Gizmodo, NPR, Publishers Weekly, and more! “A labyrinth of a book—vast and intricate, full of fiendish twists and clever traps—with a deeply human heart at its center.

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It's thrilling, romantic, often tragic, and always funny; I'm obsessed.” —Alix E. Harrow, New York Times bestselling author of Starling House The Raven Scholar is a masterfully woven tale of imperial intrigue from an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy. Let us fly now to the empire of Orrun, where after twenty-four years of peace, the reign of Bersun the Brusque has come to an end. In the dizzying heat of midsummer, seven exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists compete to replace him. When one of them is murdered, it falls to Neema Kraa, the emperor’s brilliant, idiosyncratic High Scholar, to find the killer and fight for the throne. Neema believes she is alone. But we are here to help; all she has to do is let us in. If she succeeds, we will win an empire. If she fails, death awaits her. But we won’t let that happen. We are the Raven, and we are magnificent. ★ "Sharply written and intricately plotted. A masterclass in storytelling!" —Ann Leckie, Hugo Award-winning author of Ancillary Justice ★ "Fiendishly charming and clever, this is a book you absolutely must devour." —Tasha Suri, World Fantasy Award-winning author of The Jasmine Throne ★ "The Raven Scholar is as clever as its namesake—each beloved character, each twist and each turn, is a shiny new gift. It is magnificent." —C. L. Clark, author of The Unbroken

Shadow and Spark

A moody fantasy that leans into action, adventure, and a slightly wicked grin.

Come here for

  • dark fantasy atmosphere
  • playful, page-turning momentum

Expect

  • dark YA / epic fantasy blend
  • romance-adjacent tension

Where it sits

Epic Fantasy94%
Fantasy Romance46%
Dark Fantasy30%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Epic Fantasy
  • Dark Fantasy
  • Fantasy Adventure
Authors
Antonia Hodgson
Publisher
Orbit
Published
April 15, 2025
Format
Paperback
Theme
imperial intrigue · mystery · power struggle
Reading lane
Epic Fantasy