The Raven Heir

by Stephanie Burgis

Overview

Perfect for fans of Robert Beatty and Shannon Hale comes a magical new middle grade fantasy series about a young shapeshifter trying to save her family.

Deep within an enchanted forest lies a castle where a set of triplets and their sorceress mother have lived for years—safe from the decades-long war for the Raven Throne that rages in the kingdom. Cordelia, one of the triplets, has the power to become any animal with just a thought, and she yearns to discover more about the world outside her castle.

But one day, the world comes to her, when the eldest of the triplets becomes the newest heir to the throne. Knowing that being named heir means certain death, Cordelia's mother hid the truth about which child is the eldest when she hid them in the forest. When her family is captured, it's up to Cordelia to use her powers to keep her siblings hidden and discover the truth about the Raven Heir—before it's too late.

From the author of The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart comes a thrilling new fantasy full of magic, adventure, and the power of family.

Acclaim for The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart

A Kids' Indie Next List Pick

An Amazon Best Book of the Month

A Mighty Girl Best Book of the Year

A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year

A VOYA Top Shelf Pick

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781547606375
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	09/14/2021
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

About the Author

Stephanie Burgis is a dual citizen of the US and the UK and lives in South Wales (land of dragons) with her husband, the author Patrick Samphire, and their children. The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart is Stephanie's first (delicious) novel for Bloombsury.

Editorial Reviews

Brimming with magic, The Raven Heir is thrilling, enchanting, and delightful, with a beautiful message about what family means and an irresistible shapeshifting heroine. Absolutely magnificent!” —Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of Spark

“From the first page to the last, you won't be able to set down this enthralling tale of magic, mystery, and political intrigue!” —bestselling author Jessica Day George

“A captivating, timeless tale that runs, burrows, and soars! I read the whole thing as if under a spell. The Raven Heir is destined to become a classic.” —Jenn Reese, author of A Game of Fox & Squirrels

“Chaotic, heartwarming, and emotionally satisfying with high stakes that keep readers invested.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Burgis weaves a tale that inspires readers to harness the magic within themselves, even during challenging times. This title would appeal to fans of Chris Colfer's “Land of Stories” series and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon.” —School Library Journal

“Burgis's focus on how the land influences the closely knit family . . . results in a vividly described setting and a strong, shifting sibling dynamic.” —Publishers Weekly

“[An] eventful, enjoyable adventure story.” —Booklist

“Burgis weaves a tale that inspires readers to harness the magic within themselves, even during challenging times. This title would appeal to fans of Chris Colfer's “Land of Stories” series and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon.” —School Library Journal Online

“Like sipping hot cocoa on a cold day, reading this book was an absolute delight.” —Sheila Grau, author of the Dr. Critchlore's School for Minions series on THE DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART

“This story is a delightfully delicious blend of magic spiced with adventure and a heart as sweet and warm as molten chocolate. I completely adored this book!” —Sarah Prineas, author of THE MAGIC THIEF and Winterling series on THE DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART

“The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart is a perfect confection: rich, satisfying, and remarkably delicious.” —Caroline Carlson, author of the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series on THE DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART

“Black-presenting Silke's an entirely believable character; supporting characters are equally well-drawn, and Burgis' world is a robustly diverse one. As with the first book, the fantasy hijinks are tempered with depth for a story that's sweet but not saccharine.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON HEART

“A gloriously fresh story to be read with a steaming cup of chocolate at hand.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on THE DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART

“A rousing adventure story with convincing characters and a colorful setting.” —Booklist on THE PRINCESS WHO FLEW WITH DRAGONS

From the Publisher

2021-07-08
Isn’t it supposed to be a good thing to learn you’re the lost heir?

Cordelia adores her family—her fellow triplets, Giles and Rosalind; their older half brother, Connall; her mother; and her mother’s friend who looks after the goats—but their secret castle in the woods is claustrophobic. She longs to turn into an animal and explore, but she’s promised her overprotective mother that she won’t wander off without supervision. Rosalind has her mock sword fighting, and Giles has his music, but Cordelia has only the desperate urge to fly free with her animal shape-shifting powers. Her dream of freedom twists into a nightmare when angry people bearing arms arrive at the castle demanding the war-torn kingdom’s heir. The triplets escape into the woods when the others are taken captive, shocked by uncovered family secrets. Cordelia, learning more of her past, now has her own secrets. It’s one thing to squabble with Giles and Rosalind, but will they forgive her for being as parsimonious with the truth as their mother has been? Ultimately, saving the world requires an unbearable sacrifice and reveals that even loving family members make dreadful mistakes. Though Cordelia and her siblings are primarily sketched in lightly around their traits and hobbies, their emotional journeys are rich, believable, and fulfilling. The triplets are light-skinned, Connall is brown, and the world is racially diverse and has a mixed-gender military.

Chaotic, heartwarming, and emotionally satisfying with high stakes that keep readers invested. (Fantasy. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews