Reviews
I’m pleasantly surprised at how intricately Roth managed to craft a rich, magically gothic world and complex characters in such a short time. At only 163 pages, this was a quick read chock-full of monsters, dangerous quests, curses, and sacrifice with deeper themes of family loyalty, redemption, and atonement. I’m not familiar with Slavic folklore so all the creatures and lore was fascinating to me and it felt like reading a modern day Grimms fairytale. Rounding up to 5 stars simply because I am so impressed with how fleshed out this story is and how Roth did so much in so little pages. Also, the cover!
3.5 stars ★i picked this up because it was relatively short, so believe me, i see how ironic it is when i say it needed to be longer.it gave very much leigh bardugo / ve schwab vibes which, if you know me, you know that i LOVE. i love complex characters and complicated dynamics and the exploration of these things (along with notable themes that promise to stick with you). dymitr, ala, and niko were compelling characters with intricate pasts, whose impacts were clear in the way they acted. seeing their growth, the way the trio came together despite significant differences, was (for lack of a better word) beautiful to read.with that being said, i feel like we only knew the characters at about a 3 foot depth in a 6 foot deep pool. everything we learn about their pasts is really concise, not necessarily rushed, but certainly not explored the way i think it needed to be. i could’ve been feeling soul-crushing things for them, but alas, was not quite to that extent. the same goes for the lore – it’s based on slavic mythology if i’m not mistaken? so the information is quite literally at the author’s fingertips, and i just feel like it wasn’t ever truly dove into. no, it wasn’t confusing or left out, but again, there could’ve – and should’ve – been more information and deeper exploration of the lore.this is a great, quick (albeit, too quick) read, with memorable characters and captivating writing. i’m hooked, and absolutely looking forward to the sequel, but it is a bit of a let down that this didn’t quite live up to the potential that it could have had.── .✦ pre-readjust reading something to hold me over until i go out this weekend and buy accomplice to the villain honestly 🙂↔️
This is going to be an unpopular opinion review. The only books from Veronica Roth that I have read have been the Divergent series. I ate that series up! I loved the characters, the plot, the world building was not a mess of confusion, I could actually envision what I was reading, I can not say the same about When Among Crows. The world building or lack there of, had me re reading the same page to figure out what was happening, the characters lack the background knowledge for the reader to not only understand what they are, but I ended up not caring about them. Once I was able to figure out what was actually happening, the book was almost done. I have seen other reviews where readers didn't enjoy her other books that were YA, so I can understand the want from Veronica to move more towards an adult book. But this was so juvenile with the writing and don't get me wrong I am not offended by adult language in a book, but there has to be a reason for it. Not just oh I am going to have my character swear so the reader knows they are adult... I really think that if this book was not a novella, if it was longer and Veronica Roth took the time to write more of a background the reader would have a better grasp on the world which the story was taken place. We'd understand better the conflict between the different characters and why they have conflict. I think Veronica has a good start, but she could do with a better execution. The cover though... that was my only favorite thing about the whole When Among Crows experience.