An Enchantment of Ravens

An Enchantment of Ravens 

Title: An Enchantment of Ravens  

Author: Margaret Rogerson 

Publishing Company: Simon & Schuster Audio 

Copyright: 2017.  

Genre: Young Adult Fiction 

Awards or Honors:This book is a New York Times bestseller. Also, a Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Winner and Indies Next Top Ten Children’s Books of Fall 2017.   

Reading Level: Young adult reading level and interest level  

Plot Summary: The audiobook follows the adventures of Isobel, a human mortal, after being meeting the fairy Prince Rook in Whimsy. After being paid to paint a portrait of him, she paints his eyes in a way that shows human emotions and angers him. Isobel then goes with Rook to his homeland to stand trial. During the long journey back to Rook’s land, they go through adventures together, meeting friends and avoiding danger. She discovers Rook’s true appearance, and things begin to start trouble when they kiss each other and eventually fall in love with each other. However, this breaks fair folk laws between them. After reaching the fair folk court and meeting nobles and having feasts and masquerades, she must stand trial. Isobel and Rook try to escape but are captured by the fair folk and taken to the Green Well, which turns mortals into fair folk. They see the Alder King, and they escape. Before he tries to kill them, Isobel paints a portrait that causes the Alder King to feel an emotion and die. Isobel and Rook marry and become Queen and King.   

Author Background: Margaret Rogerson is an author of An Enchantment of Ravens (2017) and Sorcery of Thorns (2019). Enchantment of Ravens went on to become a New York Times Bestseller and win numerous awards. Sorcery of Thorns follows a young girl who works in a library who seeks help from a sorcerer to show her innocence in a crime she didn’t commit.   

Rogerson has worked as an author, marketing assistant, and graphic designer. She graduated from Miami University in Ohio. In her spare time, she likes to draw, read, and be outside studying animals. She spent parts of her childhood exploring the outside world. She lives north of Cincinnati, Ohio (About Margaret, 2020). Julia Whelan is the audiobook’s voice, and she is an actress and a well-known audiobook reader.   

Critical Evaluation: This audiobook is a fast-paced and creative book that follows previous works involving fantasy magic. The work is told from the first person of Isobel, and the audiobook creates an atmosphere that takes the reader to a magical world where humans and fair folk live together. The audiobook features aspects of love, friendship, adventure, and choices that will appeal to teenagers and young adults who might be making those same decisions for the first time. The audiobook is well organized and includes multiple plot twists. There could be time for some more character development and backstory for some of the secondary characters to give the reader more context. The plot also leaves an opening for a continuation of the series with more books, and it is the type of series that could get on television or become a movie. The series is overall enjoyable and resonates with teenagers who are entering a new world with many choices.   

Creative Use: I think that there could be an audiobook listening group where teenagers got a chance to come in and listen to the book while doing other activities. An audiobook gives teenagers a chance to do art, draw something, relax, or completing some chore or activity. Many people like to multitask while listening to podcasts or music, and I think this could be something to relax and listen to a good book while completing another activity. It could be an afterschool activity and a biweekly or monthly program. Some teens like audio rather than reading, and it could be enjoyable for them.  

Speed Talk: Isobel is a 17-year-old human girl with a unique gift; she can paint portraits that make even the fair folk feel emotions. When the aloof Prince Rook is upset with his honest portrait, they go on a journey back to his homeland so she can explain her misbehavior. On the way, she faces adventures, dangers, betrayal, and epic love that changes her life forever. Will her decisions hurt the people around her, or can she overcome dangers and begin a new life?   

Potential Challenges: There are no potential challenges currently to the audiobook or the book. The only potential challenges in the future could be for some kissing scenes and swearing, but it seems unlikely.   

Reason for Inclusion: I included this audiobook because it is a popular book aimed at teens. Many other teens have read the book, and it has the potential for further interest through television and movies. It is a fun and readable book that will get teens excited about adventures and getting to know different people and ideas.    

About Margaret. (2020). Margaret Rogerson. Retrieved October 6, 2020 from  http://www.margaretrogerson.com/about/