Selwyn’s dreams have flown far beyond his father’s castle. Larissa’s dreams are circumscribed by the limits of her small village and broken family. But life has a way of breaking our dreams and changing our horizons. J. Wesley Bush’s Heir to the Raven deftly creates classic high fantasy. Its large array of characters tread disparate paths, nations and armies tangle together, and abundant detail builds up the world’s complexity without cluttering the story. Religion is defined by an established church devoted to the High King, but the supernatural prove more spirited. The novel’s refined craftsmanship is roughened by coarse and brutal moments. Yet Heir to the Raven masterfully weaves history, politics, and myth into a breathing world.

Best For: Adults, fans of Tolkien and high fantasy.

Discern: Considerable violence that occasionally targets minors; some characters die gruesome deaths; sexual allusions, including discreet references to prostitution and rape, and one joking reference to bestiality; moderate language, including vulgar sexual slang.