Book Review: An Enchantment Of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

‘An Enchantment Of Ravens’ by Margaret Rogerson was released in 2017. It was Rogerson’s debut novel.

The book follows Isobel, an esteemed portrait artist, who is commissioned by wealthy and influential fairfolk in her home, Whimsy, which lies in the spring court. Upon completing a commission for Rook, the prince of the autumn court, and inadvertently becoming enamoured with him, Isobel’s artwork reflects a sense of longing, loneliness and vulnerability that proves insulting. Rook intends to have her punished for humiliating him before his court and escorts her to stand trial for her transgressions.

This was my first conscious venture into the sub genre of cosy fantasy. I knew it consisted on characters going through their heroes journeys in significantly less stressful scenarios. However, I’d argue that Isobel ought to have been more stressed out about the circumstances she was in – her mortal life was at the mercy of a prince! A prince she’d insulted! I certainly didn’t relate to her lack of panic.

I think, in all honesty, that that was one of the main aspects of the book that threw me off. But I was determined to see what came of this predicament Isobel found herself in.

I did really enjoy the world building and the potential that Robertson had to expand upon this universe. Her blend of common faerie folklore, like their inability to lie, immense lifespans and insurmountable vanity, with new ideas like their inability to make things. From the get-go it is made clear that the fairfolk in this world cannot harness their supposed immortal lifespans to create or forge new things. This is a mortal art and considered Craft, and they are naturally wary of doing it. With good reason, as we later learn.

I did like how Rogerson used the concept of love and the ways it manifested as a plot device. Love between humans and the fair folk is forbidden, as commanded by the Alder King, a cursed tyrannical ruler that hasn’t been unseated from power in centuries. He is supposedly omnipotent, but he certainly knows everything. How else would he know when his laws have been broken. There are only two outcomes: the human must find, and drink from the Green Well, which is imbued with dubious otherworldly magic that can transform human into one of the fair folk. Or, if the human will not drink, both of them will die. Though, from the narration, it seems only masters of their mortal crafts are deigned with the right to drink from the well and be blessed with immortality.

What Isobel quickly learns the true horrors of being human in a world of magic, she realises how sad and devoid of emotion the frivolity of the courts are.

I wasn’t necessarily a fan of the pacing of this book, but I really hope Robertson’s other books are set in this same world, I’d love to read more about it in the future. Regardless of this not being my favourite read, the world has piqued my interest. I don’t know whether this particular book was for me. But, just because I’m not singing my praises, doesn’t mean that it might not be up your street. Who knows, you might have just discovered your new favourite!