Book Review 12: The Raven (The Florentine 1) by Sylvain Reynard

Title: The Raven

Author: Sylvain Reynard

Release Date: February 3. 2015

Raven Wood spends her days at Florence’s Uffizi gallery restoring Renaissance art. But an innocent walk home after an evening with friends changes her life forever. When she intervenes in the senseless beating of a homeless man, his attackers turn on her, dragging her into an alley. Raven is only semiconscious when their assault is interrupted by a cacophony of growls followed by her attackers’ screams. Mercifully, she blacks out, but not before catching a glimpse of a shadowy figure who whispers to her . . .

Cassita vulneratus.

When Raven awakes, she is inexplicably changed. Upon returning to the Uffizi, no one recognizes her. More disturbingly, she discovers that she’s been absent an entire week. With no recollection of her disappearance, Raven learns that her absence coincides with one of the largest robberies in Uffizi history—the theft of a set of priceless Botticelli illustrations. When the police identify her as their prime suspect, Raven is desperate to clear her name. She seeks out one of Florence’s wealthiest and most elusive men in an attempt to uncover the truth. Their encounter leads Raven to a dark underworld whose inhabitants kill to keep their secrets . . .

Rating: 5/5

Review:

After reading Sylvain Reynard’s The Prince (novella) I knew that The Raven was a must read.

The Prince of Florence has Florence under his control and he sees to it that his city runs according to his will. He’s hands on when he deals with trouble and he has a fondness for tearing the heads off of those who displease him greatly. Raven Wood works in the Uffizi Gallery as an art restorer. She’s a compassionate and merciful person despite the cards life has dealt her. She’s not the typical heroine which makes her more interesting and relatable. Their paths cross and things aren’t the same for them ever again.

With the ongoing investigation of the theft of the Boticelli illustrations, the Prince asks Raven to leave Florence for her own safety, but she stays anyway, forcing the Prince to watch over her. She gets to know the Prince’s feelings for her and the world underneath the Florence she loves, and both frighten her. Nevertheless, she sticks it out with the Prince. No one gets to tell the Prince what to do but Raven’s the exception. Had the Prince not had several centuries’ worth of practice in keeping calm, he could be easily pictured knocking his head against the wall of his palace – or Brunelleschi’s dome. Oh, the things love makes one do when the hearts starts beating (again).

The Raven is a compelling read that mixes vampire politics, compassion, mercy, romance, and justice. SR writes vividly and lyrically, giving the reader the feeling of being in a Florence that’s both exciting and dangerous.

SR does it again. Sorry, Professor Emerson but Florence belongs to the Prince.

So, when is the next book coming out?

Disclaimer: I received an eGalley of this book from the author/publisher for an honest review.

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