The Book:
Book Title: The Raven’s Tale
Book Author: Cat Winters
Genre: YA Historical Fiction/ Fantasy/ Paranormal
Publishing Date: April 16th, 2019
Publisher: Amulet Books
Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Edgar Poe counts down the days until he can escape his foster family—the wealthy Allans of Richmond, Virginia. He hungers for his upcoming life as a student at the prestigious new university, almost as much as he longs to marry his beloved Elmira Royster. However, on the brink of his departure, all his plans go awry when a macabre Muse named Lenore appears to him. Muses are frightful creatures that lead Artists down a path of ruin and disgrace, and no respectable person could possibly understand or accept them. But Lenore steps out of the shadows with one request: “Let them see me!”
The Raven’s Tale Sneak Peak!
The Review:
“I’m obsessed with death but terrified of dying.”
The Raven’s Tale is evocative of gothic beauty. Winters paints a picture of madness and creates vivid symbols of imagination and genius. It is a tale woven with darkness and prose that will send shivers down your spine.
This book fed my gothic soul and the Poe lover in me. It was everything I hoped it would be, and so much more! My mind was alight with images so clearly described by the beautiful writing found within, and my heart consistently beat like the Tell Tale Heart.
“…a blaze of poetry ignites in my mind as bright bursts of light flashing with lurid visions.”
I truly felt like I was in the mind of young Edgar Allan Poe. And putting a face and symbol to his muse was a stroke of genius. Lenore was macabre and beautiful. I loved envisioning what could have been going through his mind during this time, and what inspired him to write his famous works. I also really loved that I could tell that Winters did her homework on both Poe and the time period.
“Let us drink up beauty, sing out for all to hear, love like the gods…”
But, what I truly loved was the message that I got from the story. It wasn’t just about Edgar Poe’s early life and creative inspiration. It was about doing what you truly love and not letting others bring you down. It was about not being ashamed of who you are, even if others don’t understand.
The Raven’s Tale was deep, dark, and dangerous. It screamed Edgar Allan Poe. It was gothic perfection and it gave all the same feels as if I were watching a Vincent Price movie. It bordered gloriously on the side of horror while offering the intrigue and excitement of the paranormal.
“We’re all nothing more than beautiful young monsters.”
Thank you to Abrams Kids/ Amulet Books/Pique Beyond for providing me with this finished copy in exchange for my honest review, and as a #RavensTaleAmbassador.
All quotes used are from the book, written by the author.
Aesthetics:
Photos found on Pinterest.
About the Author:
Cat Winters is the author of the critically acclaimed young adult novels Odd & True, The Steep and Thorny Way, The Cure for Dreaming, and In the Shadow of Blackbirds, which collected three starred reviews and was a finalist for the William C. Morris Award for debut YA fiction. She lives in Portland, Oregon.
Other Books by Cat Winters:
Darque Dreamer
Blogger/ Punk Rocker / Quirky
Housewife
The Mermaid Behind the Books 
I am in love💕💕💕 I need to preorder that book! I love your review as always.
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You so need to pre-order it!! I hope you love it like I did! And you are so awesome. Thank you! <3<3<3
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This is one of my most anticipated reads of the spring. I LOVE Edgar Allan Poe and look forward to seeing Cat Winters’ take on his teen years. Great review!
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You are going to LOVE it!!! It was so good, and she really did her research! Check out her Instagram today because she is posting tidbits she learned about him while writing! ❤
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