The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson: A YA Fantasy Book with Elemental Crows and a Fallen Princess

- Who are the main characters? - Why did I choose to read it? H2: Plot Summary - How does the story begin? - What are the main events and conflicts? - How does the story end? H2: Worldbuilding and Magic System - What is the setting of the story? - What are the different kingdoms and cultures? - What are the elemental crows and how do they work? H2: Characters and Relationships - Who is Thia and what is her arc? - Who is Ericen and what is his role? - Who are Thia's friends and allies? - How do the characters interact and develop? H2: Themes and Messages - What are some of the themes explored in the book? - What are some of the messages conveyed by the author? - How do they relate to real-world issues and experiences? H2: Writing Style and Pacing - How is the book written and narrated? - What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of the writing style? - How is the pacing and structure of the book? H2: Conclusion - What are my overall thoughts and feelings about the book? - What are some of the highlights and lowlights of the book? - Would I recommend it to others and why? H2: FAQs - Q: Is The Storm Crow a standalone or a series? A: It is the first book in a duology, followed by The Crow Rider. - Q: Is The Storm Crow appropriate for younger readers? A: It is a YA fantasy book that contains some violence, death, and romance, but nothing too graphic or explicit. It also deals with themes such as depression, trauma, and oppression, so it may not be suitable for very young or sensitive readers. - Q: How does The Storm Crow compare to other YA fantasy books? A: It has been compared to books such as An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, And I Darken by Kiersten White, and Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. It has a similar mix of action, romance, politics, and magic, but with a unique twist of elemental crows. - Q: Where can I buy or borrow The Storm Crow? A: You can find it on Amazon, Goodreads, or your local library or bookstore. - Q: Where can I find more information about The Storm Crow and its author? A: You can visit the author's website at https://kalynjosephson.com/ or follow her on Twitter at @KalynJosephson. # Article with HTML formatting The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson: A Review

If you are looking for a YA fantasy book that has an intriguing plot, a captivating world, a diverse cast of characters, and a touch of magic, then you might want to check out The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson. In this review, I will tell you what this book is about, who are the main characters, why I chose to read it, and what I thought of it.

Read The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson

Introduction

The Storm Crow is the first book in a duology by Kalyn Josephson, a debut author who has created a fascinating world where magical elemental crows keep the kingdoms running. The story follows Princess Thia of Rhodaire, who was born to be a crow ridera warrior who bonds with a crow and uses its power to protect her people. But when the Illucian empire invades and destroys all the crows in a horrible fire that also kills her mother and mentor, Thia's life is shattered. She becomes depressed and hopeless, until she finds a crow egg hidden in the rubble of the rookery. With the help of her sister, the new queen of Rhodaire, and her friends, she decides to hatch the egg and use it to start a rebellion against Illucia. But to do that, she has to travel to the enemy city and marry the Illucian heir, Prince Ericen, who is rude and cruel and seems to hate her. Along the way, she discovers secrets, lies, and betrayals that will test her loyalty, courage, and love.

I chose to read this book because I was intrigued by the premise of elemental crows and how they affect the world and the characters. I also liked the cover, which shows a crow with different colors representing the elements. I was curious to see how the author would develop the magic system and the worldbuilding, as well as the characters and their relationships.

Plot Summary

The story begins with Thia preparing for her crow choosing ceremony, where she will bond with a crow and become a crow rider. She is nervous and excited, but also worried about her sister Caliza, who is about to become the queen of Rhodaire after their mother's death. Thia hopes that her crow will help her cope with her grief and support her sister's rule. She also hopes that her crow will be a storm crow, the rarest and most powerful kind of crow that can control the weather.

However, before she can choose her crow, Illucian airships attack the city and set fire to the rookery, killing all the crows and many people. Thia barely escapes with her life, but she is traumatized by what she saw and feels guilty for not being able to save anyone. She falls into a deep depression and isolates herself from everyone. She loses interest in everything and even contemplates suicide.

Months later, Caliza announces that she has agreed to a marriage alliance between Thia and Ericen, the Illucian heir, in order to save Rhodaire from further attacks. Thia is shocked and angry, but she has no choice but to obey. She hates Illucia for what they did to her people and her crows, and she hates Ericen for being their prince. She also fears that he will abuse her or kill her once they are married.

Before she leaves for Illucia, Thia finds a crow egg in the rubble of the rookery. She realizes that it is a storm crow egg and that it might be the last hope for Rhodaire. She decides to hatch it and use it to start a rebellion against Illucia. She hides it in a secret compartment in her luggage and takes it with her on the journey.

On the way to Illucia, Thia meets Ericen for the first time. He is cold and arrogant and mocks her for being weak and broken. He also warns her that he will not make their marriage easy for her. Thia tries to ignore him and focus on hatching her egg, but she also feels a strange attraction to him that confuses her.

Thia also makes some friends among the Illucians, such as Kiva, a guard who becomes her protector and confidante; Res, a stable boy who helps her care for her egg; and Caylus, a scholar who knows a lot about crows and magic. They help Thia hatch her egg and bond with her storm crow, which she names Resyries after Res.

Thia learns that Illucia is not as united as it seems. There are rebels who oppose the king's tyranny and want to overthrow him. There are also rumors of a secret weapon that the king is developing that could destroy all magic in the world. Thia decides to join forces with the rebels and use her storm crow to fight against the king.

However, things get complicated when Thia discovers that Ericen is not as evil as he pretends to be. He is actually working with the rebels as well and wants to change Illucia for the better. He also reveals that he has feelings for Thia and that he only acted cruelly to protect her from his father's wrath. Thia is torn between trusting him or not, between hating him or loving him.

The story ends with a climactic battle between the rebels and the king's forces at his palace. Thia uses her storm crow to unleash a powerful storm that destroys most of the palace and kills many soldiers. She also confronts the king and learns that he is behind the attack on Rhodaire and that he has been experimenting on crows to create his secret weapon: a dark crow that can control death. He tries to use it against Thia, but she manages to escape with Ericen's help.

Worldbuilding and Magic System

One of the most interesting aspects of The Storm Crow is the worldbuilding and the magic system. The story is set in a world where there are six kingdoms, each with its own culture, history, and elemental crow. The crows are magical creatures that can manipulate different elements, such as fire, water, earth, air, plants, and metal. They are also intelligent and have personalities and emotions. They bond with humans who can ride them and use their powers for various purposes, such as farming, mining, healing, fighting, and more.

The six kingdoms are:

Kingdom

Crow

Element

Culture

Rhodaire

Storm Crow

Weather

A warrior kingdom that values strength and honor. They have a matriarchal society where women rule and fight. They also have a close relationship with nature and animals.

Illucia

Sun Crow

Fire

A powerful empire that seeks to conquer and control other kingdoms. They have a patriarchal society where men dominate and oppress. They also have a rigid hierarchy and a strict code of law.

Sulucia

Rain Crow

Water

A peaceful kingdom that values harmony and balance. They have a democratic society where everyone has a voice and a vote. They also have a rich culture of art and music.

Lirea

Earth Crow

Earth

A prosperous kingdom that values wealth and innovation. They have a meritocratic society where people are rewarded for their skills and achievements. They also have a advanced technology and industry.

Pirea

Wind Crow

Air

A nomadic kingdom that values freedom and adventure. They have a communal society where people share and cooperate. They also have a strong sense of wanderlust and exploration.

Fedria

Flora Crow

Plants

A secluded kingdom that values knowledge and wisdom. They have a secretive society where people are cautious and reserved. They also have a vast library and a deep understanding of magic.

Characters and Relationships

Another important aspect of The Storm Crow is the characters and their relationships. The story has a diverse and dynamic cast of characters who have their own personalities, motivations, and arcs. They also have complex and realistic relationships that evolve and change throughout the book.

The main character is Thia, the princess of Rhodaire who becomes a storm crow rider. She is a brave and loyal person who loves her kingdom and her people. She is also a flawed and relatable person who struggles with depression, guilt, and self-doubt. She has to overcome her trauma and find her purpose and strength again. She also has to learn to trust herself and others, especially Ericen.

Ericen is the prince of Illucia who becomes Thia's fiancé. He is a cold and arrogant person who acts cruelly and mockingly towards Thia. He is also a conflicted and sympathetic person who hates his father and his empire. He has to hide his true feelings and intentions from everyone, including Thia. He also has to learn to open up and be honest, especially with Thia.

Thia and Ericen have a complicated and intriguing relationship that starts as enemies and evolves into allies and lovers. They have a lot of tension and conflict, but also a lot of chemistry and attraction. They have to overcome their prejudices and misunderstandings, as well as their external obstacles and enemies. They also have to support each other and grow together, as well as challenge each other and make each other better.

Thia also has other friends and allies who help her along the way, such as:

• Kiva, a Rhodairian guard who becomes Thia's protector and confidante. She is a fierce and loyal person who would do anything for Thia. She is also a sarcastic and humorous person who lightens up the mood with her jokes.

• Res, an Illucian stable boy who helps Thia care for her egg. He is a kind and gentle person who loves animals and nature. He is also a brave and selfless person who risks his life for Thia.

• Caylus, an Illucian scholar who knows a lot about crows and magic. He is a smart and curious person who loves learning and discovering new things. He is also a shy and awkward person who has trouble socializing with others.

These characters have their own stories and roles in the book, as well as their own interactions and dynamics with Thia. They add depth and diversity to the story, as well as humor and emotion.

Themes and Messages

to real-world issues and experiences. Some of the themes and messages are:

• Depression and mental health. The book portrays Thia's depression in a realistic and sensitive way, showing how it affects her thoughts, feelings, and actions. It also shows how she copes with it and seeks help from others. The book sends a message that depression is not a weakness or a flaw, but a valid and common condition that can be treated and overcome.

• Oppression and resistance. The book depicts Illucia's oppression of other kingdoms, especially Rhodaire, showing how it destroys their culture, resources, and people. It also depicts the resistance of the rebels, showing how they fight for their freedom, rights, and justice. The book sends a message that oppression is not inevitable or acceptable, but a cruel and unjust system that can be challenged and changed.

• Identity and choice. The book explores Thia's identity as a princess, a crow rider, a rebel, and a person, showing how it changes and develops throughout the book. It also explores her choices and their consequences, showing how they affect her and others. The book sends a message that identity is not fixed or predetermined, but a dynamic and personal process that can be shaped by one's choices.

Writing Style and Pacing

The Storm Crow is written in the first-person point of view of Thia, which allows the reader to experience her thoughts and emotions directly. The writing style is clear and engaging, with descriptive language and vivid imagery. The dialogue is realistic and witty, with some humor and banter. The tone is mostly dark and serious, but also has some light and hopeful moments.

The pacing of the book is fast and exciting, with plenty of action and twists. The book starts with a bang, with the attack on Rhodaire, and then keeps the reader hooked with the journey to Illucia, the hatching of the egg, the joining of the rebels, and the final battle. The book also has some slower and quieter moments, where the characters have time to reflect and bond.

Conclusion

and engaging, with a unique twist of elemental crows.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about The Storm Crow and their answers:

Q: Is The Storm Crow a standalone or a series?

• A: It is the first book in a duology, followed by The Crow Rider.

Q: Is The Storm Crow appropriate for younger readers?

• A: It is a YA fantasy book that contains some violence, death, and romance, but nothing too graphic or explicit. It also deals with themes such as depression, trauma, and oppression, so it may not be suitable for very young or sensitive readers.

Q: How does The Storm Crow compare to other YA fantasy books?

• A: It has been compared to books such as An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir, And I Darken by Kiersten White, and Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. It has a similar mix of action, romance, politics, and magic, but with a unique twist of elemental crows.

Q: Where can I buy or borrow The Storm Crow?

• A: You can find it on Amazon, Goodreads, or your local library or bookstore.

Q: Where can I find more information about The Storm Crow and its author?

• A: You can visit the author's website at https://kalynjosephson.com/ or follow her on Twitter at @KalynJosephson.

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