Tag: veronica roth

Book Review: To Clutch a Razor – Veronica Roth

Book Review: To Clutch a Razor – Veronica Roth

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Series: Curse Bearer #2
Release date: September 16th 2025
Publisher: Titan Books
Pages: 229
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Synopsis

A funeral. A heist. A desperate mission.

When Dymitr is called back to the old country for the empty night, a funeral rite intended to keep evil at bay, it’s the perfect opportunity for him to get his hands on his family’s most guarded relic—a book of curses that could satisfy the debt he owes legendary witch Baba Jaga. But first he’ll have to survive a night with his dangerous, monster-hunting kin.

As the sun sets, the line between enemies and allies becomes razor-thin, and Dymitr’s new loyalties are pushed to their breaking point.

Family gatherings can be brutal. Dymitr’s might just be fatal.

Review

To Clutch a Razor is the second instalment in Veronica Roth’s Curse Bearer series. Following on from the events of book one, the story follows Dymitir as he travels back to his family home in search of a book of curses that he can use to barter with Baba Jaga and get his sword back. To get the book Dymitir must not reveal his true nature to his monster killing family. Meanwhile Niko has been sent on a mission to kill the razor, one of the most legendary Knights there is. Will the two succeed in their tasks, and at what cost?

This might be a short novella at just over 200 pages, but my god did it pack a punch. I completely devoured this story, and I still think about it weeks after finishing it. The plot was gripping, the characters complex and flawed and the writing beautiful and lyrical. I thought the Slavic folklore was absolutely fascinating, and Roth created such a brilliant sense of atmosphere in this story. This instalment felt much darker than When Among Crows and I am so excited to see where Roth is going to take the story in the final chapter.

To Clutch a Razor is a perfectly executed novella. If anything, I loved this one even more than book one, so if you’ve been considering picking this one up, I would highly recommend it. This would make absolutely perfect reading for a dark autumn evening, and I am very much looking forward to reading more from Veronica Roth.

Book Review: When Among Crows – Veronica Roth

Book Review: When Among Crows – Veronica Roth

by Nicole Sweeney ♥ 0 Leave a Comment


Release date: 20th May 2024
Publisher: Titan Books
Pages: 166
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 4/5 stars

Synopsis

When Among Crows is swift and striking, drawing from the deep well of Slavic folklore and asking if redemption and atonement can be found in embracing what we most fear.

We bear the sword, and we bear the pain of the sword.

Pain is Dymitr’s calling. His family is one in a long line of hunters who sacrifice their souls to slay monsters. Now he’s tasked with a deadly mission: find the legendary witch Baba Jaga. To reach her, Dymitr must ally with the ones he’s sworn to kill.

Pain is Ala’s inheritance. A fear-eating zmora with little left to lose, Ala awaits death from the curse she carries. When Dymitr offers her a cure in exchange for her help, she has no choice but to agree.

Together they must fight against time and the wrath of the Chicago underworld. But Dymitr’s secrets—and his true motives—may be the thing that actually destroys them.

Review

When Among Crows is the newest release from Divergent author Veronica Roth and boy does this novella pack a punch! At just under two hundred pages, I completely devoured this book because it was so captivating.

The story follows our two main characters Ala and Dymitr as they embark on a quest to find Baba Jaga. Ala is suffering from a blood curse and Dymitr offers her the chance of a cure in exchange for help finding the legendary witch. Will the two find what they’re looking for and at what cost?

This is my first time reading a Veronica Roth book since the Divergent series and I absolutely loved it. Roth has created such a fascinating world and I loved the way she mixed in Slavic folklore in a modern Chicago setting. The characters were well crafted and I really enjoyed seeing the relationships between Ala, Dymitr and Niko develop as the story progresses. When Among Crows is a beautifully written story and one that kept me hooked till the very final page. I highly recommend this one and can’t wait to see what Veronica Roth does next!