The Last Raven

I recently finished “The Last Raven” by Helen Glynn Jones, and it was a good, interesting take on vampire fantasy/romance. The novel follows Emelia, a human born into a powerful vampire family, destined to rule over a world of immortals who would eat her in a heartbeat. This book is solidly in the YA/NA category. Some people would categorise this under romantasy, but I would categorise it as a fantasy with heavy romantic elements.

Jones does an excellent job of building tension throughout the story. The plot moves pretty fast with a couple of unexpected twists. I was impressed by the ending, which was genuinely surprising and well-executed. I found myself wanting more details about the vampire society and its history. However, the fast-paced plot largely made up for this little shortcoming.

The relationship between Emelia and Kyle, her new human empathiser guard, adds an interesting dynamic to the story. Their interactions are charged with tension, providing a nice balance to the more serious political elements of the plot. While Emelia's character can be frustrating at times due to her childishness, it's understandable given her sheltered upbringing. Her struggle to reconcile her human nature with her vampire destiny is well-portrayed and adds depth to her character.

Overall, “The Last Raven” offers a new angle on vampire lore, blending elements of political intrigue, a coming-of-age drama, and romance. It did give me some “Twilight” vibes (but without some of the more problematic aspects), making it an enjoyable read for both young adult and new adult audiences. I'm looking forward to seeing how the series develops in future!