Book Review: The Ravenstone by Diane Solomon and Mark Carey

Last Updated: 14 September 2021

AD* | Imagine a raven appearing out of thin air and guiding you to an exquisitely carved stone artefact that glows with magical light. This is how the adventure begins for Nadia and Aidan Shaw, thirteen-year-old twins. Armed with the power of the Ravenstone and their own special gifts, they embark on a harrowing quest across centuries, at the bidding of a mysterious old shaman. They must depend on their courage, their faith in their friends, and luck. Or is it destiny?

I had the pleasure of hosting an insightful guest post from Diane Solomon on The Writing Greyhound back in 2016, so I was thrilled to finally get a chance to read some of her work! I'd highly recommend checking out Diane's fab guest post about creative ideas for a unique insight into her writing process.

The Ravenstone is a fun-filled, action-packed, fantastical children's book.

The story focuses on a pair of twins - Nadia and Aidan - who discover a mysterious object hidden away in their attic. What follows is a whirlwind tale of adventure, spanning thousands of years and countless generations of their family.

This book is a brilliant children's story, featuring all the elements you would expect from a story of this type. Kids are sure to love the fast pace, the suspense, and the fantasy storytelling, yet The Ravenstone is also a well-written and beautifully crafted book. It's clear that the authors really have a gift for storytelling!

Another point I particularly liked about the book is the fact that the world-building is so strong. Featuring real-world locations, it's obvious that a lot of research must have gone into this book. The end result is a world that is fully fleshed out and described perfectly, allowing readers young and old alike to picture it in their mind's eye.

My one flaw with The Ravenstone is the fact that at times the pacing felt a little off. Important events seemed to be rather rushed, while extra time was taken with other things that had no direct relevance to the plot. However, this certainly didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of the book - it simply meant a four-star instead of a five-star rating.

The Ravenstone would make a brilliant addition to any child's bookcase and is the perfect book to spark creativity in young minds.

Rating: 4 stars

The Ravenstone is available to buy now. 

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* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Will you be reading The Ravenstone? Let me know in the comments below!