Review – The Raven and the Dove by Kaitlyn Davis

**Disclaimer: I was given a free e-book in exchange for an honest review from the author via NetGalley.**

Title The Raven and the Dove

Author Kaitlyn Davis

Release Date March 9, 2020

Description from Amazon

A princess longing to be free…

On the dawn of her courtship trials, Princess Lyana Aethionus knows she should be focused on winning her perfect mate, yet her thoughts wander to the open sky at the edge of her floating kingdom. One final adventure calls. Upon fleeing the palace, the last thing she expects to find is a raven prince locked in a death match with a dragon.

A bastard aching to belong…

Reviled son of a dead king, Rafe would do anything for his beloved half-brother, Prince Lysander Taetanus, including posing as him in the upcoming courtship trials. When a dragon interrupts their secret exchange, he orders his studious sibling to run. After suffering a fatal blow, Rafe is saved by a beautiful dove who possesses forbidden magic, just like him.

Fate brought them together, now destiny will tear them apart…

Unknown to the world above, on the foggy sea ten thousand feet below, a young king fights a forgotten war. He believes Lyana is the queen prophesied to save the world, and with the help of his favored spy, hidden deep in the highest ranks of the dove royal house, he will stop at nothing to have her.

Initial Thoughts

I saw this book on Kaitlyn Davis’s Instagram page (@kaitlyndavisbooks) and it sounded really interesting! While I was at YALLFEST, I saw that she was looking for ARC readers and wanted to give her followers a chance to get this book on NetGalley. I jumped at the chance!

Some Things I Liked

• Tristan and Isolde. Ok, full disclosure, the first thing I think of when I think of Tristan and Isolde is that movie that came out years ago with Alexis Bledel (who will always be Rory Gilmore to me) and I just loved that movie. It was so sad and perfect and I cry every time I watch it – and I still watch it pretty frequently. I loved that this was a retelling of that story. Also, I have this secret hope that one of these days, I’ll find a Tristan and Isolde retelling with a happy ending. I loved the adaptation of that story in The Raven and the Dove.
• Multiple POVs. I loved all of the points of view used here and especially the ending with some extra POVs that I hope we can see more of in the sequels.
• World building and naming conventions. The avian-inspired world as well as all of the names were so thoughtfully crafted. I loved everything about the way everything was set up and the inspiration behind each piece was very clear to me. For example, I loved that the Doves were from the House of Peace.
• Complex issues. This story is filled with so many complex personal issues that each character has to work through. Examples include, Rafe and Xander not understanding love because of their father’s relationships with each of their mothers and Cassi’s relationship with Luka which she admits, is not love.

Series Value

I’m OBSESSED with this series. Kaitlyn Davis, if you’re reading this, I need the next book in this series! So many amazing things were set up in this book and there are so many dynamic characters that I am desperate to know more about.

Final Thoughts

This book sounded interesting when I read the synopsis. It totally caught my eye and totally caught me off guard with how much I loved it. I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series when it comes out and I definitely want to read more of Kaitlyn Davis’s books!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️️

Preorder Campaign (US Only)

I have some awesome news! If this book sounds up your alley, Kaitlyn Davis is running an amazing preorder campaign! If you preorder the physical book (paperback or hardcover) and follow the instructions in the link below, you will receive a double sided art print with character art and a map as well as a signed bookplate and a bookmark. If you preorder the e-book (and follow those same instructions), you will receive the same art print detailed above.

I love that she’s offering preorder goodies for any type of preorder. I’m a physical book reader (unless it’s an ARC) but some people prefer to read electronically these days. It’s so great that everyone can be a part of the preorder fun!

https://www.kaitlyndavisbooks.com/p/pre-order-giveaway.html

Recommendations for Further Reading

• The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White – if you liked the betrayals, plot twists, and retelling vibes, give this new release by Kiersten White a try.
• A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy – if you liked the magic system and the idea of forbidden or secret magic, give this book by Amanda Joy a try.
• The Hundredth Queen by Emily R. King – if you liked the ideas of forbidden romance and crazy plot twists, give this series a try.