The Raven’s Tale – Book Review

Title: The Raven’s Tale

Author: Cat Winters

Publishers: Amulet Books

Format: Hardback

Pages:368

Genres: Young Adult, Horror, Historical, retelling

Rating: 4/5

Goodreads

Release Date: 16th April 2019

Where To Buy: Amazon UK, Amazon USA, Wordery, Book Depository

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Edgar Poe counts down the days until he can escape his foster family—the wealthy Allans of Richmond, Virginia. He hungers for his upcoming life as a student at the prestigious new university, almost as much as he longs to marry his beloved Elmira Royster. However, on the brink of his departure, all his plans go awry when a macabre Muse named Lenore appears to him. Muses are frightful creatures that lead Artists down a path of ruin and disgrace, and no respectable person could possibly understand or accept them. But Lenore steps out of the shadows with one request: “Let them see me!”

Review: This story was enrapturing, I loved being in this world with Poe and seeing his career blossoming due to Lenore and faltering in his weakness of his Pa.

This story certainly wasn’t what I expected at all, but I did enjoy reading it. Poe’s poetry has been something I admired since I was a little girl and came across them one day. And this book is wonderful for showcasing the situation in which these pieces of work may have come to be.

The story is split into 3 sections his life in Richmond where he was brought up and in which he creates his muse Lenore who I utterly adored for she is so dark, eerie, creepy but you fall for her character instantly as she is introduced and wait with baited breath the whole time for the inevitable to arise.

The 2nd section in which Poe is in college stifling his muse, struggling to make his ends meet but can never quite escape what his heart and his sole long for him to be doing. Trying to fit in with the other lads at the school, making friends, learning all he can for the blessed time he’s given at the school. Lenore and Garland both fighting for him to write, both longing to be his chosen muse and to encourage and stop his stifling. This section was thrilling I enjoyed this much more than the first section of the story.

The 3rd section is the one I devoured quickest, it was so good and I just had to finish it. Within this section he finds himself back in Boston where he was born after some time and events occur, he’s alone, finding whatever work he can get, ready to join the army with no muse to inspire him. But things change and his life is changed forevermore.

There were parts of this story I didn’t like, such as some of the language spoken would not have been used back in that era, it bugged me while reading as I’m a stickler for things like that in books; however now reflecting back on the story these issues are insignificant as the book and story itself was so tantalising and well told and I would certainly read it again in my future.

About Author: Cat Winters is an award-winning, critically acclaimed author of fiction that blends history with the supernatural. Her young adult works include IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS, THE CURE FOR DREAMING, THE STEEP AND THORNY WAY, ODD & TRUE, and a new novel about Edgar Allan Poe’s teen years, THE RAVEN’S TALE. She is also the author of two adult novels, THE UNINVITED and YESTERNIGHT. She has been named a Morris Award finalist, a Bram Stoker Award nominee, and an Oregon Spirit Book Award winner, and her books have appeared on numerous state and “best of” lists.

Winters was born and raised in Southern California, just a short drive down the freeway from Disneyland, which may explain her love of haunted mansions, bygone eras, and fantasylands. She now lives in a suburb outside of Portland, Oregon, surrounded by forests that offer ample inspiration for her Gothic, atmospheric tales. Visit her online at www.catwinters.com.

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