Ratings50
Average rating4.1
3.5 stars!!!
I was a bit confused at the start of this because I didn't realize the whole book would follow Gordo, and I thought we would go back to following Ox at some point. The confusion was completely my fault, but it did lower my excitment for this book. This book is heartbreaking but somehow wholesome at the same time, which is something T.J. Klune does so well. I think the thing that lowered my rating so much is the fact that I had read too many books in between the first book and this one so it took me a while to become familiar with the characters again. The book kind of just throws you into what's happening and doesn't do much to remind the readers of where things left off in the previous book so it took me a while to get back into it. The “big bad” of this book was super interesting and I would be interested in reading more about them but I do think this book was a good set up for the future books. Not saying that it suffers from “middle book syndrome” because the action in this book was exciting, but it does have other things going on outside of the main plot (which would be spoilers to talk about). Overall, I love T.J. Klune's writing and I love the world and characters he crafts. It was cool to read the story from another character's perspective and I hope the rest of the series follows that.
Thank you to Tor Books and NetGalley for providing me with an eBook copy to review.
Ok I really wanted to like this book as much as the first one, but I couldn't. It starts out pretty good but it has so many issues that ended up making reading it such a chore. Also, can Elijah just please shut the fuck up?
This book may have taken me a bit to work through but that truly is no reflection on the content of the book and more so reflects the time I have had to dedicate to reading as of late. In fact, there were parts of this book that I liked even more than the first in the series which is one of my favorite reads of the year. I just absolutely adore the world that TJ Klune has created in the Green Creek series and I truly never want it to end. I would read 10+ more books in this series focusing on different characters and their love stories. Living in the head of Gordo Livingstone for this one was particularly fun for me as I can certainly relate to who he is and how he presents himself as a very guarded and lonely man with a jaded demeanor. I loved the narrative device of switching off every other chapter with telling stories from the past and the present until the meet in the middle and then continue the story. It was a fantastic way to learn the background and origin story of Gordo and the other characters while still being able to further the story that was established in the first novel. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series, but truly I never want this to end.
☆☆☆☆⁵
me gusto bastante pero me costó horrores terminarlo. Los últimos capítulos tho
Gordo & Mark's story. A magical werewolf infection, created by Gordo's evil father, is spreading towards Green Creek. Also, the hunters are back.
Contains spoilers
Rating Description:
1.0 - DNF/Despise
1.5 - Almost DNFed and wish I had
2.0 - Almost DNFed but had redeeming qualities/just boring
2.5 - Alright with lots of notes
3.0 - Alright with notes but I'm not raving about it
3.5 - Technically good but I'm not raving about it
4.0 - Love but with notes
4.5 - Love it so much I want to highlight the book but still with notes
5.0 - Love it so much I want to highlight the book and notes are very positive
I don't round up if half stars are not allowed.
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(Review Edited)
Most of my critiques of Wolfsong, regarding lack of description, apply here as well. However it was a little bit better here. At least now I confirmed that Tanner is white. And while the setting and his name should be a give away, 1 can never be too sure.
I enjoyed reading about Gordo. He’s flawed and unrepentant about it. Good for him.
I sometimes did get confused about how much time had passed because of Thomas. There were times when Thomas seemed like he’s in his late 20s when, in fact, he’s 19. It made me think a lot more time has passed than it actually did.
Thomas was acting far more father like to Gordo than I would expect given that they have just a 6 year difference. This is around the same age difference between Ox and Joe but their dynamic to each other was totally different.
While I don’t begrudge Mark anything I don’t see why Gordo fell for him.
He’s handsome, sure. But beyond that, what is there? He was just this dude who followed Gordo around.
Was he charming? Funny? Witty? Did they have common interests?
No idea.
For a book that was supposed to be a love story, it was devoid of the falling in love build up.
The small bad, Elijah, was very 1 note to me. Sure, an outright zealot does evoke a stronger feeling of hate towards the character but it was just so cliche.
But not all is lost in this book. I did like how the omega plot was handled. The logic behind it is fuzzy to me but then again it’s supposed to be fuzzy. The characters really don’t know anything for certain and just took an educated guess that seemed to be right. On top of that, the concept of their resolution is new to me.
I also appreciated that this book didn’t shy away from doing damage to the main characters. It wouldn’t be realistic if they always came out unscathed or just dead.
Review about how the book looked: Given how the word “blue” was used so much in this book, I’m surprised the book is red. Also, the book is about Gordo and titled “Ravensong”, why is the raven so small in the cover? Yes, the series is about wolves, but making the raven a bit more prominent wouldn’t have taken away from that.
I just finished RavenSong By TJ Klune @tjklunebooks and here is my review.
The Bennetts have secrets they keep. The fact they aren't just a family but they are also a pack.
Ravensong is Gordo Livingstone's story.
Gordo was their witch, a Bennett witch. The one they tethered too but then they left him and didn't look back. He was just a boy and all alone... left by the love of his life. He vowed never to let the wolves come back to his town again.
After the events of Wolfsong, Gordo finds himself once again their witch, ignoring the ache he feels now his love has returned. Something dangerous is coming and now the pack is split.... No one knows what that means for the town of Green Creek.
I didn't think it was possible but I liked this book better than the first. Gordo is that grumpy lovable character that you know has a heart of gold under that frosty exterior. You can really see why he was so protective of Ox and why he was so angry at the Bennetts. The whole concept of the witches being needed in a pack and how they enhance the magic was fascinating. I loved all the descriptive night scenes and the beautiful way the characters all meld together as the kind of protective family anyone would dream of.
The timeline weaves from current day and Gordo's past which really gave Gordo more depth and made him my favorite character in the series. If witches could lead, he would be the leader to me. I am so glad there are two more books and I will get my hands on them as soon as I can.
TJ Klune has fast become one of my favorite authors and this series is in my top 10 series ever!
4.5 stars. Thank you @netgalley and @torbooks for my gifted copy
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“Because it was the only part of you that's ever been mine”
Ravensong follows the story of Gordo, the Benedict's witch. Gordo is one of my favourite characters and I was very curious about what happened between him and Mark and how would they fix everything.
The story is told interspersing the past and the present, picking immediately after Wolfsong events. I loved to read Gordo's back story and to understand how he ended up the way he did. Gordo's past was difficult and my heart was aching for him.
The romance took a less central role in this book which left me disappointed as, for me, T. J. Klune writing shines while building relationships and writing love and angst. Don't get me wrong, this book is full of angst... Gordo and Mark were really stubborn and sometimes I just wanted to scream at them to stop being stupid and be together. However, as the romance felt backstage, and I feel the main plot has too many holes, I couldn't connect as much to the story as I wanted to.
I wished we learned more about the witches, Gordo's tattoos (are they necessary? Are they what makes Gordo special?), is there any function for Abel and Thomas role in tattooing process? Is there blood used in the process?
Overall, I was left with more questions than answers, and uncertain if continuing the series will get me the answers I want.
If you loved Wolfsong, you'll probably love this one too.
Ravensong is an unmarked treasure that initially suffers from a bit of second book syndrome. The world that felt fresh and new in the first book now lacks that sense of novelty, making the beginning a bit slower. But TJ Klune quickly surpasses this hurdle with his mastery of complex and in-depth character development. His ability to depict raw emotions—loss, anger, and hurt—makes the characters leap off the page, drawing you deeper into their world and struggles.
This book shifts its focus to the witches and their integral role within the pack, adding new layers to the lore and expanding the reader's understanding of the world. The dynamics between the wolves and witches are explored in a way that feels both essential and fascinating, showing just how interconnected their fates are. The story is packed with plot twists and betrayals that even the most seasoned fantasy reader wouldn't expect, keeping you on the edge of your seat.
However, compared to the previous book, the smut doesn't quite hit the same high notes and is less frequent. Despite this, Ravensong is a compelling continuation of the series, rich in character and emotional depth, and a must-read for fans of intense, character-driven fantasy.