When Among Crows by Veronica Roth book review. It’s good!

Summary

In this review of *When Among Crows* by Veronica Roth, the story is highlighted as a modern fairy tale set in Chicago, drawing from Polish folklore. The protagonist, Demer, is part of a group called the Holy Order, tasked with hunting magical creatures, including the fear-feeding Zora. He forms an uneasy alliance with Aya, a cursed Zora, to complete his mysterious quest. The book's strengths lie in its rich world-building, concise writing style, and immersive sensory details. Despite its short length, it offers deep character development, emotional depth, and a fresh take on fantasy, blending folklore and modern urban life effectively.

Takeaways

• 😀 Veronica Roth's new book, *When Among Crows*, is a modern fairy tale based on Polish folklore and set in contemporary Chicago.
• 😀 The protagonist, Demer, is part of the Holy Order, a group that hunts magical creatures like the Zora, which feed on human fear.
• 😀 Demer’s quest is initially unclear, but he seeks help from Aya, a cursed Zora, in exchange for a magical flower that may cure her.
• 😀 The book explores themes of pain, suffering, and unlikely alliances, as Demer and Aya must work together despite their opposing roles.
• 😀 The setting of Chicago is modern, though not tied to a specific time period, which gives the book a timeless feel.
• 😀 Roth integrates Polish folklore by introducing unique creatures like Zora (fear-feeders) and Stga (anger-feeders), setting it apart from typical fantasy tropes.
• 😀 The characters' emotional struggles are central to the plot, with Demer and Aya both facing their own personal pain.
• 😀 The book is well-researched, especially in terms of Polish folklore, and gives a fresh perspective on magical creatures.
• 😀 Roth’s writing style is sensory-driven, using brief but vivid details about color, texture, and light to immerse readers in each location.
• 😀 At only 160 pages, *When Among Crows* is concise and tightly plotted, providing enough backstory and character development without unnecessary fluff.
• 😀 The romantic tension involving a third character is minimal and serves as a subplot, adding depth to the main character arcs without distracting from the core story.

Q & A

What is *When Among Crows* by Veronica Roth about?

It is a modern fairy tale set in Chicago, inspired by Polish folklore. The story follows Demeter, a member of the Holy Order, and Aya, a Zora creature, as they embark on a quest that intertwines their fates. Demeter seeks Aya's help in finding a powerful witch while Aya struggles with a curse.

Who are the main characters in *When Among Crows*?

The main characters are Demeter, a member of the Holy Order who hunts magical creatures, and Aya, a Zora who feeds on human emotions and has been cursed. Their relationship forms the central dynamic of the story.

What is the Holy Order, and what do they do?

The Holy Order is an organization that hunts and kills magical creatures. They specifically target beings known as Zora, which feed on human emotions like fear. The Order views these creatures as demons or monsters.

What are Zora, and what role do they play in the story?

Zora are human-like fairy creatures that feed on human emotions, with each type feeding on a different emotion. In the story, Aya is a Zora who feeds on fear. She has been cursed and is slowly losing her mind, which sets her on a path to collaborate with Demeter.

What is unique about Demeter’s ability?

Demeter has the ability to pull a sword from his own spine, which is a painful process. This sword is made of bone and represents a split in his soul, which is a distinctive and painful characteristic of the Holy Order members.

What is the quest that Demeter is on?

The exact nature of Demeter's quest is unclear at first, as he is reluctant to reveal its details. He needs Aya's help to find a powerful witch, and in exchange, he offers her a magical flower that might cure her curse.

How is the setting of *When Among Crows* described?

The story is set in modern-day Chicago, though the exact time period is not specified. The setting has a blend of urban life with Polish folklore elements, as the main characters are either from Poland or descendants of Polish immigrants.

What kind of folklore influences are present in the book?

The book draws on Polish folklore, introducing unique fairy creatures like the Zora and others that feed on different human emotions such as anger and sorrow. This helps create a fresh take on traditional fantasy creatures.

What is the tone and style of Veronica Roth’s writing in this book?

The writing is described as streamlined and immersive, focusing on sensory details to enhance the atmosphere. Roth avoids lengthy descriptions, instead providing concise sensory cues (colors, smells, textures) to evoke a strong sense of place.

How does *When Among Crows* compare to Veronica Roth's other works, like *Arch Conspirator*?

While both books are written by Roth, *When Among Crows* is considered a more original and well-developed story, especially as it’s based on her own ideas rather than an adaptation of existing works. The reviewer felt it was a more cohesive narrative compared to *Arch Conspirator*, which is a future dystopian sci-fi.