The Sign of the Raven Book Review and Summary
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Irina Ivanova - 23 Aug, 2026 18:02
Author: Pippa Dunn
Page Count: Unknown
Publication Date: Expected publication 2026-11-10 APL
The YA historical fantasy genre has been done to death, but I suppose The Sign of the Raven might have something new to offer — or at least, that’s what I’m hoping. Set in 19th century London, this book follows Ashlyn Threadneedle, a government messenger by day and a lucid dreamer by night. Her ability to control her dreams, which she calls the Stream, is certainly an interesting concept, but I’m not entirely sold on the execution.
The premise is familiar: a secret society, the Corvi Signum, is fighting to protect the Stream from some unknown enemy. I’m reminded of V.E. Schwab’s Shades of Magic series, which also deals with multiple worlds and the blurring of reality and fantasy. But whereas Schwab’s series is known for its complexity and depth, The Sign of the Raven’s synopsis feels a bit… simplistic. The idea of a powerful enemy manipulating people’s thoughts and seizing control of London is certainly ominous, but it’s not exactly original.
What does pique my interest, however, is Ashlyn’s character. Her double life as a messenger and a dreamer raises questions about identity and the nature of reality. Is she more herself in the Stream or in the waking world? And what does her long-dead mother’s appearance in her dreams mean for her sense of self? These are the kinds of questions that could lead to some fascinating character development and thematic exploration.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. The synopsis is frustratingly vague about the specifics of the plot, which makes it difficult to say much more about the book’s potential themes and character arcs. I’m left wondering what kind of world-building we can expect from Pippa Dunn, and how she’ll balance the fantastical elements with the historical setting.
And yet, despite my reservations, I’m willing to give The Sign of the Raven a chance. There’s something about the idea of a world within a world that’s always captivated me, and I’m hoping Dunn will bring a fresh perspective to the genre. Maybe she’ll surprise me with some clever twists and turns, or perhaps she’ll delve deeper into the psychological implications of Ashlyn’s abilities.
Or maybe I’m just desperate for something new and exciting in the YA fantasy genre. Either way, I’ll be keeping an eye on The Sign of the Raven when it’s released in November.
Ugh, I’m already over my word count and I still have to write a conclusion. Can I just be done with this review already? I swear, sometimes I feel like I’m just regurgitating the same old criticisms and praises without actually saying anything meaningful.
Oh well, I suppose that’s what I get for being a freelance editor. Time to go sit on a park bench and aggressively people-watch. Maybe I’ll get some inspiration for my next review.
#YAFantasy #HistoricalFiction #LucidDreaming
