The Raven Scholar

The Sunday Times bestseller from an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy - a masterfully woven tale of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar's quest to uncover the truth. 'IT'S THRILLING, ROMANTIC, OFTEN TRAGIC, AND ALWAYS FUNNY' ALIX E. HARROW 'A MASTERCLASS IN CRAFT AND TENSION' V.L. BOVALINO 'FIENDISHLY CHARMING AND CLEVER' TASHA SURI Win the throne or destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder. After twenty-four years, the Emperor of Orrun's reign is at an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven exceptional warriors, trained at rival monasteries, will compete to replace him. Then one of them is murdered. It falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic scholar Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering . . . PRAISE FOR THE RAVEN SCHOLAR ' The Raven Scholar is an intricately plotted historical mystery steeped in gothic charm and intellectual intrigue' ' Truly one of the best epic fantasy books I've read in a long time ' 'I have NEVER rooted a romance more' 'This book is simply "Magnificent" ' 'Mature and sensible, but still idealistic, emotional, passion-driven [characters]'

The Sunday Times bestseller from an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy - a masterfully woven tale of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar's quest to uncover the truth. 'IT'S THRILLING, ROMANTIC, OFTEN TRAGIC, AND ALWAYS FUNNY' ALIX E. HARROW 'A MASTERCLASS IN CRAFT AND TENSION' V.L. BOVALINO 'FIENDISHLY CHARMING AND CLEVER' TASHA SURI Win the throne or destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder. After twenty-four years, the Emperor of Orrun's reign is at an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven exceptional warriors, trained at rival monasteries, will compete to replace him. Then one of them is murdered. It falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic scholar Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering . . . PRAISE FOR THE RAVEN SCHOLAR ' The Raven Scholar is an intricately plotted historical mystery steeped in gothic charm and intellectual intrigue' ' Truly one of the best epic fantasy books I've read in a long time ' 'I have NEVER rooted a romance more' 'This book is simply "Magnificent" ' 'Mature and sensible, but still idealistic, emotional, passion-driven [characters]'

She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder. After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him. Trained at rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal - Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth - the Dragon proxy - will be revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists - the best of the best. Then one of them is murdered. It falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering. If Neema succeeds, she could win the throne - whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence herself to death - and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the empire . . .

She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder. After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him. Trained at rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal - Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth - the Dragon proxy - will be revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists - the best of the best. Then one of them is murdered. It falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering. If Neema succeeds, she could win the throne - whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence herself to death - and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the empire . . .

★ A Goodreads Best Fantasy Choice Award Nominee ★ 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. 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

★ A Goodreads Best Fantasy Choice Award Nominee ★ 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. 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

The Sunday Times bestseller from an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy - a masterfully woven tale of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar's quest to uncover the truth. 'IT'S THRILLING, ROMANTIC, OFTEN TRAGIC, AND ALWAYS FUNNY' ALIX E. HARROW 'SIMPLY GLORIOUS!' GEORGIA SUMMERS 'FIENDISHLY CHARMING AND CLEVER' TASHA SURI She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder. After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him. Trained at rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal - Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth - the Dragon proxy - will be revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists - the best of the best. Then one of them is murdered. It falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering. If Neema succeeds, she could win the throne - whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence herself to death - and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the empire . . . PRAISE FOR THE RAVEN SCHOLAR ' The Raven Scholar is an intricately plotted historical mystery steeped in gothic charm and intellectual intrigue' ' It [ The Raven Scholar ] is truly one of the best epic fantasy books I've read in a long time ' 'I have NEVER rooted a romance more' 'This book is simply "Magnificent" ' 'Mature and sensible, but still idealistic, emotional, passion-driven [characters]'

The Sunday Times bestseller from an electrifying new voice in epic fantasy - a masterfully woven tale of imperial intrigue, cutthroat competition, and one scholar's quest to uncover the truth. 'IT'S THRILLING, ROMANTIC, OFTEN TRAGIC, AND ALWAYS FUNNY' ALIX E. HARROW 'SIMPLY GLORIOUS!' GEORGIA SUMMERS 'FIENDISHLY CHARMING AND CLEVER' TASHA SURI She might win the throne. She might destroy an empire. Either way, it begins with murder. After twenty-four years on the throne, it is time for Bersun the Brusque, emperor of Orrun, to bring his reign to an end. In the dizzying heat of mid-summer, seven contenders will compete to replace him. Trained at rival monasteries, each contender is inspired by a sacred animal - Fox, Raven, Tiger, Ox, Bear, Monkey, and Hound. An eighth - the Dragon proxy - will be revealed only once the trials have begun. Eight exceptional warriors, thinkers, strategists - the best of the best. Then one of them is murdered. It falls to the brilliant but idiosyncratic Neema Kraa to investigate. But as she hunts for a killer, darker forces are gathering. If Neema succeeds, she could win the throne - whether she wants it or not. But if she fails, she will sentence herself to death - and set in motion a sequence of events that could doom the empire . . . PRAISE FOR THE RAVEN SCHOLAR ' The Raven Scholar is an intricately plotted historical mystery steeped in gothic charm and intellectual intrigue' ' It [ The Raven Scholar ] is truly one of the best epic fantasy books I've read in a long time ' 'I have NEVER rooted a romance more' 'This book is simply "Magnificent" ' 'Mature and sensible, but still idealistic, emotional, passion-driven [characters]'