The Crow Rider

It’s a good book, I haven’t actually read it yet as I am re-reading the storm crow to familiarize myself with the storyline and characters.. but excited to read it!

Kalyn Josephson has done it again! The Crow Rider is one heck of a ride. Bustling with countless action scenes, gripping emotional character interactions, and beautiful relationships, it's a sequel that truly outdoes its predecessor. And The Storm Crow was one of my favorite reads of 2019, one I didn't think many fantasy reads could top, but the sequel is absolutely breathtaking. This sequel is overflowing with emotion and magic and exquisite writing.In The Storm Crow, Thia dealt with a deep depression and a lingering hopelessness. She didn't know how to move on from tragedy. But then she grew, she fought her darkness and found the light she needed to fight her demons. And now Thia knows her life, her world, is worth fighting for and she will stop at nothing until the one who hurt her kingdom is dead. She still faces challenges with her mental health (and so do many side characters), and that's what helps make her character feel so real. Thia's character development is so strong and beyond relatable. She's no longer afraid to speak her mind and fight battles. She knows she can rely on those closest to her for support, even when there are downfalls and hard decisions. And that knowledge is part of what makes her one of my all-time favorite book characters.Of course, her relationship with Res is the absolute best. They remind me of my relationship with my dog, which gave me a new love for this story. Res is brave, courageous, willing to protect those he loves, outspoken, and also has just a little bit of a sweet tooth. I constantly caught myself smiling and reminiscing during these scenes; Thia and Res's relationship is so similar to mine with my dog that it made this story extra meaningful and special. I could relate to just about everything and everyone in Thia's life in some type of way and that was something I truly loved about this story.On the villain side, Razel is a notable opponent. She is every bit the monster people fear, and Thia will stop at nothing until her reign ends. Josephson brought a power-hungry villain to life within these pages. She is, without a doubt, an equal foe for Thia. The battles were intense and had me gripping the book and my eyes glued to Josephson's words. Razel is a villain that believes friends and love are a weakness, but Thia is set on proving her wrong; Thia knows that it's not a weakness, it's a strength. And that strength is what will hopefully change the tide of the war.Josephson's writing is poetic and lyrical, her story filled to the brim with lush world building and phenomenal character development. Josephson has created an intricate world with a wonderful magic aspect. What I liked is that Josephson further explores the magical elements of this world. I loved the new information on the elemental crows and the captivating storytelling behind the Sellas. This world, this story, is remarkable and stunning and everything I love about fantasy books.The Storm Crow duology is by far one of my top favorite series. There's not a single thing I do not love about this series. It's a duology I will continue to support and recommend to anyone looking for a great fantasy. And I cannot wait for Josephson's next story!

Anthia is on her way to the meeting of rulers to gain their help in defeating Razel, the Illucian queen. She has companions with her, Res, Caylus and Kiva. On the trip, the ship stops at retired crow riders’ ports so Res and Anthia can receive training to help him develop and hone his powers. Razel attacks their ship with Malkin‘s crew, putting Caylus in Malkin’s sight once again. Anthia grows as she continues to pull herself out of the pit of depression that almost consumed her after her mother died. Res is fun and fantastic with his attitude and magic abilities. He adds bits of humor throughout the story. It’s going to take everything to defeat Razel, including teamwork. This is a wonderful read and perfect ending to The Storm Crow duology with it’s intense intrigue and strong characters, 5 stars!

A great conclusion to this duology. The story is fast paced and easy to read. The cover is STUNNING. This successfully balanced the world building, the war, the character growth, and the humor. Like the first book, there is a fantastic amount of mental health representation here. Along with it, the writing is superb. Res is my favorite character and it's not even close.What to expect:🐦 an epic battle🐦 magic🐦 mental health representation🐦 healthy friendships🐦 enemies to lovers🐦 adorable magical creatures🐦 action and suspense🐦 HEAAge Rating: YASpice: Just kissesOverall Duology Rating: 4/5⭐️🚨[Slight spoilers ahead, stop reading here to avoid!!]While I am happy there was not a love triangle situation, the ending of Thia's first relationship felt a little too convenient to make way for the next. Honestly, I question if it was necessary to have that relationship as part of the story at all. I loved her dynamic with Ericen, though. They had great chemistry! I wish we had more of them and had more details about thier future.

This book was everything I hoped it would be. I adored The Storm Crow and couldn't wait to see how Kalyn Josephson wrapped up all of the threads she set in motion in book 1. I won't spoil anything, but this book gave my heart the feeling of soaring--which is so perfect for a book about crow riders. I can't wait to read all of her future books!I want a storm crow of my very own. Res is the best.