Review of Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove by Rati Mehrotra
Rati Mehrotra’s Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove (Wednesday Books, 2022) is a gorgeously crafted story of a young woman learning the truth of her background and family while also discovering important things about herself and those she loves.
Katyani, the protagonist, has been bound to the Queen of Chandela for as long as she can remember. Though the bond is the result of a life debt, the royal family has always treated her like she’s part of the family, and not a servant. She and two other family members journey to a monastic school for training, and it seems that the more she learns, the more about her life and what she knows of her past unravels. Before she gets too far, however, the royal family suffers a tragedy, leaving Katyani confused, unmoored, and the only one who can save herself.
The skillful weaving of magic and legend into an amazing Indian-inspired setting really makes this book sing. So too does the characterization, particularly of Katyani. Her dedication is admirable, but she also possesses a quick wit and sense of humor that shines through even in her darkest moments. Perhaps it’s because I read and watch too much Regency-centered material, but there’s almost a Pride and Prejudice feel to some aspects of this book. The novel is written with a young adult audience in mind, but I think readers from young adults on up will truly love this book. It will be released October 18, 2022, but you can pre-order Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove now!
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for review consideration.
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