Sign in with Facebook
Lucia's Reviews > The Raven
The Raven (The Florentine, #1)
by
Vampire novels always bring this special kind of excitement with them. Because even though there are general rules about vampires (drinking blood and supernatural abilities), every author brings something new in his/her portrayal of these paranormal creatures. And I was very excited to discover Sylvain Reynard's unique take at vampires. Will he present sparkling vampires (Twilight), traditional ones who cannot enter house until they are invited (Sookie Stackhouse) or complex troubled and family oriented ones (All Souls Trilogy)? I am not going to spoil this for you but I have to say that result was very satisfying.
It's not a secret that I'm huge fan of Sylvain Reynard's writing based on my love for his Gabriel's Inferno series. His writing style is distinctive, flawless and lyrical. And it was all proved once again in this novel.
Even within paranormal genre, Sylvain Reynard pursues profound topics and offers his readers plenty of things to think about. This is exactly what distinguishes Sylvain Reynard's novels from other novels and what makes him one of my favorite authors.
However, I didn't end up being connected to and touched by these characters as I hoped I would. Author didn't provide enough information about nature of main protagonists so some actions and decisions made by the Prince and Raven seemed to be out of their character and disrupted the flow of the story. Overall, characters development felt somehow unnatural and never properly explained. Worst of all, second part of the book focused heavily on romance and I just found it weak and unsatisfactory. It lacked chemistry and the kind of intensity that would make me cheer for the couple.
But all my issues aside, I liked mysterious and supernatural aspects of this book. It was enjoyable read and I definitely plan on reading the sequel.
WARNING: The Raven contains HUGE spoilers from Gabriel's Inferno series. So if you haven't read this series yet and plan to do so in the future, I would suggest staying away from The Florentine series for now.
*ARC provided by publisher as an exchange for honest review*
MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG
by
Vampire novels always bring this special kind of excitement with them. Because even though there are general rules about vampires (drinking blood and supernatural abilities), every author brings something new in his/her portrayal of these paranormal creatures. And I was very excited to discover Sylvain Reynard's unique take at vampires. Will he present sparkling vampires (Twilight), traditional ones who cannot enter house until they are invited (Sookie Stackhouse) or complex troubled and family oriented ones (All Souls Trilogy)? I am not going to spoil this for you but I have to say that result was very satisfying.
It's not a secret that I'm huge fan of Sylvain Reynard's writing based on my love for his Gabriel's Inferno series. His writing style is distinctive, flawless and lyrical. And it was all proved once again in this novel.
"No one deserves mercy. Not deserving it is what makes it mercy."
Even within paranormal genre, Sylvain Reynard pursues profound topics and offers his readers plenty of things to think about. This is exactly what distinguishes Sylvain Reynard's novels from other novels and what makes him one of my favorite authors.
However, I didn't end up being connected to and touched by these characters as I hoped I would. Author didn't provide enough information about nature of main protagonists so some actions and decisions made by the Prince and Raven seemed to be out of their character and disrupted the flow of the story. Overall, characters development felt somehow unnatural and never properly explained. Worst of all, second part of the book focused heavily on romance and I just found it weak and unsatisfactory. It lacked chemistry and the kind of intensity that would make me cheer for the couple.
But all my issues aside, I liked mysterious and supernatural aspects of this book. It was enjoyable read and I definitely plan on reading the sequel.
WARNING: The Raven contains HUGE spoilers from Gabriel's Inferno series. So if you haven't read this series yet and plan to do so in the future, I would suggest staying away from The Florentine series for now.
*ARC provided by publisher as an exchange for honest review*
MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG
Sign into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to see if any of your friends have read
The Raven.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
November 26, 2013
– Shelved as:
to-read
November 26, 2013
– Shelved
November 26, 2013
– Shelved as:
paranormal
January 23, 2015
–
Started Reading
January 25, 2015
–
32.0%
""You modern people live in your own version of the Dark Ages, dismissing anything you can't understand.""
January 26, 2015
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-42 of 42 (42 new)
date
newest »
newest »
Maria wrote: "Me too Lucia!It's going to be so good because it's SR. Love his works & him!!!"
I have no doubt writing will be spectacular, it is story I am really curious about :)
Great pic!! Very mysterious!!
Maggie wrote: "Great pic!! Very mysterious!!"LOL thanks :) I was re-reading Gabriels Redemption the other day and thats how I picture that mysterious man that is supposed to be featured in The Raven
I should do another re-read too! I miss G and J the moment I finished.
Maggie wrote: "I should do another re-read too! I miss G and J the moment I finished."I know how you feel. I pick up my paperback copies very often and just re-read couple of pages here and there :)
Yes!!! I do that too : )
Maggie wrote: "Yes!!! I do that too : )"LOL we are such addicts ;)
I'm very curious about this one, do you know release date? The man on the picture is charming!
Lucia wrote: "I'm very curious about this one, do you know release date? The man on the picture is charming!"I have no idea about release date. It hasnt been announced yet. I hope it will be in 2014 :)
Hopefully, it will come out soon and do you know, if it's part of series or just standalone?
Lucia wrote: "Hopefully, it will come out soon and do you know, if it's part of series or just standalone?"It is series. Here is what SR said about it: "My next novel is the first in a new series, and it will be entitled The Raven. With this novel, I'm asking you to pack your bags and travel with me to the city of Florence. The Gabriel Series showed you the city during the day. This time, I'll show you Florence's underworld, which is ruled by creatures of the night �"
Lucia wrote: "Nice! When is it coming out?"Early 2015, it seems so far away now. But I cannot wait!
Lucia wrote: "Lucia wrote: "Nice! When is it coming out?"Early 2015, it seems so far away now. But I cannot
wait!"
What?! It's too looong! Thank you anyway:)
Lucia, that seems like forever!! : (Thank you for keeping us informed.
I know, it is almost whole year of waiting.But good things come to those who wait :)
Lucia, who is the model in the photo you used?
Nina "Enn" wrote: "Lucia, who is the model in the photo you used?"I have his name and photos archived at my home computer, I will check it after work and let you know :)
Ooh! That guy you used is perfection! <3
✿k²¹·É±ð³ó¾±.°ù±ð±¹¾±±ð·É²õ wrote: "Ooh! That guy you used is perfection! <3"I know, right? :) Cannot wait to read this book!
Amy, this sounds amazing, but I haven't read the Gabriel's Inferno Trilogy. Do you know if its necessary to an understanding of this series?
I think it is not necessary. Main characters from Gabriel's Inferno series appears in prequel to this series - The Prince. But otherwise, this is supposed to be a new series not a spin-off to Gabriel's Inferno.
Love this graphic and looking forward to your review
Amy (Foxy) wrote: "Love this graphic and looking forward to your review"Thanks Amy! I already have review written but I am not supposed to share it until release day...
so this is related to gabriel's inferno??
Very honest review Lucia! Great job! : )
Yes Razan. Gabriel and Julia make an appearance in couple of chapters. Their role is not very big but The Raven takes place couple of months after the end of Gabriel's Redemption so it is spoilery for those who haven't read Gabriel's trilogy yet.
great review, Lucia! �Will you continue in the series?
Amy (Foxy) wrote: "great review, Lucia! �Will you continue in the series?"
Thanks Amy! Yes I think I will. I enjoy SR's writing style. There is a lot of place for plot and character grow so I hope it will all pick up in second book.
Spectacular review, Lucia! Love your graphics! :))
ღSophie� wrote: "Spectacular review, Lucia! Love your graphics! :))"Aww, thank you so much Sophie :)
Maggie wrote: "Very honest review Lucia! Great job! : )"Thanks Maggie :) I am curious about your final verdict!
Etnik wrote: "greatly done review my friend:)"Thank you, Etnik :)
Great review! And thanks for the heads up about Gabriel's Inferno, good to know! :)
Brenna wrote: "Great review! And thanks for the heads up about Gabriel's Inferno, good to know! :)"Thank you Brenna :) And I am glad I could be of help. Gabriel's Trilogy is beautiful series and I would hate if poeple were spoiled in The Raven and decided not to read Gabriel's Inferno after all.
It is too bad I didn't read the Gabriel series first! Oh well, thing is I just picked up this book in the store and was immediately hooked. I ended up looking at a sample of the Gabriel series and planned to read it next. Sadly I had no idea the stories mixed and now know the outcome. I might still read it anyway lol
Melissa wrote: "It is too bad I didn't read the Gabriel series first! Oh well, thing is I just picked up this book in the store and was immediately hooked. I ended up looking at a sample of the Gabriel series an..."Bummer :( I think The Raven should have had some warning for those who haven't read Gabriel's Inferno series. It is amazing series and it is sad to think that many readers would never pick it up now when they know the outcome of Gabriel's and Julia's story from The Raven. I would suggest to wait some time until you forget the details and than you can start Gabriel's Inferno.
It's going to be so good because it's SR. Love his works & him!!!