This week I chose “A Conjuring of Ravens” by Azalea Ellis. It is subtitled “A Practical Guide to Sorcery” and is best described as a tome rather than a book.
The only backstory is an archaeological expedition recovers an ancient book of spells and an amulet. The artifacts are taken to a special university in Gilbratha. Before the professors can begin an examination, the book and an amulet are stolen.
The culprit is Ennis Naught, and he gives them to his daughter, Siobhan. He’s an old con artist, but she is a burgeoning sorceress taught by her powerful grandfather. They were wandering the countryside with no real destination until Ennis’s impulsive theft. Now they are fugitives.
Siobhan finds herself cornered when a masked man offers to help her. With little choice, she follows him to the The Verdant Stag, a large inn with rooms and offices upstairs. The proprietor, Katerin, knows that Siobhan’s dream is to become a licensed sorcerer, but to do so, she must attend the very expensive university.
Katerin and Dryden offer to loan the girl the enormous tuition at high interest rates and the promise of future “assistance.” She reluctantly agrees.
We do learn that The Crown is the ruling government. They are more concerned with making themselves wealthier than caring for their citizens.
The city is semi-controlled by two gangs. The Morrows ruthlessly pursue control of more neighborhoods while the Verdant Stags do their best to protect the area. The Stags want The Crown to do more to support the needs of the citizens and do their best to offer what The Crown refuses to do. Sadly, their resources are limited, making them rely on illegal magic and bribery to do their work.
Soon, Siobhan is taken to Dryden’s mansion, where they store the book in a chest sealed with protective spells. She is introduced to the fine things in life and schooled in additional spells. She is determined and learns fast. With a little help, she learns the spell to change her gender. Becoming Sebastian Liverly allows her to take the exams and enter the university.
Once there, she encounters all the ugly behaviors that make up society’s class distinctions. Her temper wants to right wrongs, but common sense forces her to keep a low profile.
Most of the book recounts various classes and the questions they pose for discussion. All the classes require lots of reading and even more practice of a wide array of skills, so there is very little leisure time for serious students. As a confident young man, Sebastian makes a few friends along with a few rivals/enemies. He also attracts the attention of a few more discerning professors. Sebastian has always carried pockets full of potions for healing and amulets for protection as well as her personal conduit for casting spells. One night she is alerted to danger that eventually leads to a climactic showdown.
Book two takes up this very tangled story.
AT A GLANCE
Book: A Conjuring of Ravens (A Practical Guide to Sorcery, Book 1)
Author: Azalea Ellis
Publisher: Azalea Ellis
Year published: 2020
Number of pages: 350
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