Non-spoiler spoiler alert: The Crow Rider is brilliant. Just as brilliant as The Storm Crow. No, no, I take that back. It's even better. UGH. I'm in love.

The Crow Rider (The ​Storm Crow #2) 

by Kalyn Josephson

Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Release Date: July 7th 2020

Once again, the Spotify Play Button Widget won't embed. It's very frustrating. Until it allows me to do that, the playlist can be found here on my Spotify. My main goal for this playlist was to turn the music for The Crow Rider, and its predecessor, into something that was somehow subtle and electric. There's this feeling in this duology that is hard to explain without spoilers. The music I picked feels as though it would stand out and proudly tuck itself into the prose, and actions, of everything Kalyn Josephson has created.

As always, a copy of this book was provided by the author or publisher in exchange for my honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way.    

Brilliant. Showstopping. (Okay, okay, enough referencing that Lady Gaga GIF, Jessica.) Before I start to list said GIF word-for-word, let's get one thing out of the way: The Crow Rider is basically YA perfection and I'm in complete awe over Kalyn Josephson. This duology has been one of the best parts of my year so far due to its immensely indulgent, addictive, and imaginative, quality. It has truly left me breathless.

And, like all good series conclusions, I feel as though I'm saying a goodbye to longtime friends.

But, let's rewind: I adore this duology.

Something about it just instantly gives me the right amount of a mood boost. Something about it keeps me from focusing on anything else, until each book has finished. This is the kind of story-telling I can easily get lost in and Josephson mastered this early on during The Storm Crow. That same trait carries over and amplifies further throughout The Crow Rider.

Picking up immediately after The Storm Crow ended, Josephson takes readers on another journey. Her writing is as descriptive, smooth, delectable and action-packed as previously noted. This time, there's an extra kick of energy in everything. The stakes are high, so very high, and the writing is pulsing with both this knowledge and the intrigue of what comes next. Josephson's development, in terms of both worldbuilding and characters, hits all new levels with this installment.

We return to this world to see all of our beloved favourites/familiar faces; getting to the heart and soul of the story through these characters and all that they have, and will soon, endured. The good and bad conflict with one another. The romance stands out. (Ericen!!) The friendships ring strong. The crow, Res, proves to be one of the only birds I've ever truly loved--fictional or otherwise.

And, perhaps, most importantly: Thia is just as compelling, admirable, and realistic as ever and the depiction of her grief and depression; the fire of her determination and hope. Everything about characters like Thia stick out to me as a reader--she feels just as lively. (Again, I love everybody in this. Well, mostly everybody. Ahem.)

From revelations, personal victories, to the inclusion of more magic, to a fiery promise of true love and friendships, there is so much good to be found within The Crow Rider. I loved every single page and could scarcely bring myself to put it down. It was pure fun and emotionally charged--I found myself grinning in anticipation from start to finish, knowing that this book was destined to be a favourite.

You cannot miss this book. And if you haven't read The Storm Crow, yet, you are missing out on one hell of a duology.



Kalyn Josephson currently works as a Technical Writer in the tech industry, which leaves room for too many bad puns about technically being a writer. Though she grew up in San Luis Obispo, California, she graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in Biology and a degree in English (Creative Writing). Currently, she lives in the Bay Area with four awesome friends (because it’s the Bay Area and she’d like to be able to retire one day) and two black cats (who are more like a tiny dragon and an ever tinier owl). THE STORM CROW is her debut novel.