Ravensong by Cayla Fay

Abstract

Reviewed by: Ravensong by Cayla Fay Aaren Tucker Fay, Cayla Ravensong. Simon, 2023 [368p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781665905299 $19.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781665905312 $10.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 7-12 As a divine reincarnation and one third of the goddess called the Morrigan, surly seventeen-year-old Neve Morgan struggles with loneliness—she’s obviously different from her classmates in school, but she’s also different from her two sisters, who have already turned eighteen and thus regained the memories of their past lives as the Morrigan. They’re also both intent on keeping her safe, since the cycle of reincarnation will end forever if Neve dies before she turns eighteen, but Neve chafes at their coddling. An act of rebellion leads Neve to rescue and fall for a stray human, Alexandria, whose irrepressible nature and cutting wit has Neve crushing hard, despite such a romance being forbidden. Neve can’t seem to let go of their connection, even as her family life becomes increasingly strained from all the secrets she’s keeping. This story is familiar on its surface: the new girl in town is very special and falls for a mysterious local who turns out to be a supernatural being, but that tried-and-true narrative is flipped here as it is the supernatural being telling the story. The style and self-referential humor is a clear nod to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the novel’s pacing is also fittingly television-esque. The rise and fall of action scenes intercut with everyday moments and scenes of quiet intimacy all lead to a surprising climax that upends the world as the characters know it. A cliffhanger ending will bring readers back for the next book. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois