This book certainly aspires to blend epic fantasy with political intrigue and a murder mystery, but in my opinion, it ultimately falters under the weight of its own ambition. The world-building is undeniably vast with rich in history, lore, and complex systems but instead of drawing me in, it often felt dense, overwhelming, and felt like it didn’t make sense in some areas. The novel is packed with detailed backstories and intricately layered exposition, which, while impressive on their own, bog down the pacing significantly. At close to 700 pages, the journey felt far longer than it needs to be, and the narrative momentum struggled to keep up. Character development is where The Raven Scholar really lost me. Despite a large, diverse cast, very few of the characters felt fully realized. I found it difficult to connect emotionally with any of them, and at times, I wasn't even sure I cared about any of them. Although many are meant to be in their mid-thirties, their voices and choices rarely reflected that age or experience. The supposed romance subplot was so underdeveloped that I honestly forgot it existed until it was pointed out later, there’s little chemistry, buildup, or payoff, and it adds virtually nothing to the story’s emotional stakes. I know I seem to be in the minority here because The Raven Scholar has received glowing reviews so far, I have to chalk this up to the book simply not being for me. It's unfortunate, because there are some genuinely fascinating ideas and concepts at play here. Hodgson clearly put a great deal of care into crafting this world, and I especially appreciated the reveal of the narrator, which was one of the few moments that genuinely surprised and impressed me. All in all, The Raven Scholar offers a richly imagined setting brimming with potential, but its convoluted structure, slow pacing, and emotionally distant characters made it a difficult and ultimately unsatisfying read.