The Seventh Raven by David Elliott #bookreview #fantasy #YA #fairytales #retelling #poetry

Title: The Seventh Raven

Author: David Elliott

Publisher:  HMH Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: March 16, 2021

Page Count:  170

My rating: 2 1/2 stars

About the book:

Best-selling author David Elliott examines the timeless themes of balance, transformation, and restoration in this evocative tale about a girl who will stop at nothing to reverse a curse that turned her seven brothers into ravens. 

And these are the sons
Of good Jack and good Jane
The eldest is Jack
And the next one is Jack
And the third one’s called Jack
And the fourth’s known as Jack
And the fifth says he’s Jack
And they call the sixth Jack
But the seventh’s not Jack
The seventh is Robyn

And this is his story

When Robyn and his brothers are turned into ravens through the work of an unlucky curse, a sister is their only hope to become human again. Though she’s never met her brothers, April will stop at nothing to restore their humanity. But what about Robyn, who always felt a greater affinity to the air than to the earth-bound lives of his family?

David Elliott’s latest novel in verse explores the unintended consequences of our actions, no matter our intentions, and is filled with powerful messages teased from a Grimms’ fairy tale. Stunning black-and-white illustrations throughout by Rovina Cai.

The Seventh Raven by David Elliott is a young adult fantasy retelling that is told in verse. The story is based on The Seven Ravens that is in The Brothers Grimm about the only daughter of the family trying to save her seven brothers from a curse that will turn them into ravens.

I’m sure my problem with this one that ended up with my rating at two and a half stars will not be a problem for others in the fact that I’m not usually a fan of poetry. At the time I picked this one up it wasn’t clear that the entire book was written in verse so that alone had me as not a huge fan. While this one wasn’t for me simply based on the style of writing I’m sure others out there may enjoy it as it did seem sort of a cute story just the poetry aspect made it rather repetitive to me.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Find this book online: 

Goodreads  /   Amazon

About the author:

David Elliott is a NY Times bestselling children’s author. His many titles include: And Here’s to You!, The Transmogrification of Roscoe Wizzle, The Evangeline Mudd books, Finn Throws a Fit!, Jeremy Cabbage and the Living Museum, and most recently the picture book, In the Wild. Born in Ohio, David has worked as a singer, a cucumber washer, and a popsicle stick maker. Currently, he lives in New Hampshire with his wife and a three-footed dog. If you’d like to know more about David and his books, visit his blog/website at davidelliottbooks.com