Jemma and the Raven by B.D. Reeves

This early review copy was gifted to me by author B.D. Reeves through R&R Book Tours. This in no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: Jemma and the Raven

Author: B.D. Reeves

Narrator: Kim Heron

Release Date: June 6, 2024

Publisher: Junedog Audio

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult

Source: audiobook, R&R Book Tours

TW: violence, injury/injury detail

Synopsis

A girl. A raven. A luminous adventure.

To everyone else, Jemma is nothing but a Wharf-thief. She scavenges for tokens in the wrestling dens and parades along the market lanes with a raven, Edgar, on her shoulder.

But she and Edgar have a secret. In a land where memories fade into the Shadows without the love of a Keeper, they scour the ruins of ancient memory palaces, searching for treasure that will buy them a passage to the great city of Adocentyn.

When Jemma steals a map and a golden blade, she sets in motion a chain of events that will tie her destiny to the survival of all who live in the light of Memory.

Can Jemma defeat the darkness she has unleashed, without losing herself? And who is the voice she hears, guiding her along the way?

I am with you. Follow the lights.

Jemma and the Raven is a massive feat of storytelling, a work of fabulous imagination, a fantasy inspired by historical realities. It will convey its readers on an epic journey that will both captivate and exhilarate them.

Thoughts

I found Jemma and the Raven to be a gorgeous story and a wonderfully written tale. The writing is rich and poetic, and the plot is incredibly well-paced and thoughtfully plotted out. The vibes felt extremely reminiscent of C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, making it a perfect, fantastical children’s tale.

One of the standout elements for me was the friendship between Jemma and Edgar. Their bond was beautifully depicted, and so many of their moments really warmed my heart. I felt a deep connection to their journey, and it was easy to fall in love with all of the characters introduced to help Jemma along the way, especially Soren and Arlen. Each character brought something unique to the story, making it feel both fresh and deeply engaging.

The world-building in this book is exceptional. B.D. Reeves has crafted a vivid and imaginative setting that feels both magical and grounded in historical realities. The descriptions of the ancient memory palaces and the great city of Adocentyn were so detailed that I could picture them clearly in my mind. This added an extra layer of depth to the story, making Jemma's adventure all the more immersive.

Another aspect that stood out to me was the pacing. The story moved at a perfect pace, keeping me hooked from beginning to end. There were no dull moments, and each chapter seamlessly flowed into the next, maintaining a sense of excitement and anticipation throughout.

The narrator, Kim Heron, deserves special mention for her incredible performance. She brought the tale to life with her diverse range of voices and accents, adding an extra dimension to the characters and enhancing my overall experience of the audiobook.

In conclusion, Jemma and the Raven is a fresh and unique tale that captivated me from start to finish. It’s a massive feat of storytelling and a work of fabulous imagination. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a rich, poetic, and wonderfully paced fantasy adventure.