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The White Raven
This is a new cover edition for ISBN 1947024019.
In her thirteenth life, Aven has settled into the now witchcraft-friendly Salem where she has found true happiness and friendship, maybe even love. Despite her contentment, the truth of Aven's existence haunts her. When she dies, her Spirit is forced from the Veil to live again in the body of a stranger.
Does the elusive white raven, who has shadowed Aven through each of her lives, hold the secret to her release--or is it the cause?
To make matters worse, an unrelenting, twisted evil from Aven's past lurks closely behind her. Sustained by his hatred of the witch, he won't give up until she's paid for what she did to him.
When the truth of Aven's connection to the white raven is revealed, it is more horrifying than she could ever have imagined.
Her freedom will come at a terrible price. And even then, will she truly be free?
"A heartfelt fantasy tale with a spirited plot. Magic and suspense abound in this moving debut fantasy novel about how far a witch will go to help a friend." -Kirkus Reviews
In her thirteenth life, Aven has settled into the now witchcraft-friendly Salem where she has found true happiness and friendship, maybe even love. Despite her contentment, the truth of Aven's existence haunts her. When she dies, her Spirit is forced from the Veil to live again in the body of a stranger.
Does the elusive white raven, who has shadowed Aven through each of her lives, hold the secret to her release--or is it the cause?
To make matters worse, an unrelenting, twisted evil from Aven's past lurks closely behind her. Sustained by his hatred of the witch, he won't give up until she's paid for what she did to him.
When the truth of Aven's connection to the white raven is revealed, it is more horrifying than she could ever have imagined.
Her freedom will come at a terrible price. And even then, will she truly be free?
"A heartfelt fantasy tale with a spirited plot. Magic and suspense abound in this moving debut fantasy novel about how far a witch will go to help a friend." -Kirkus Reviews
410 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2017
81 people are currently reading
974 people want to read
About the author
Carrie D. Miller
2 books77 followersCarrie D. Miller was born in Kansas on October 31. She credits her vivid imagination, as well as her sugar addiction, to being a Halloween baby. In a former life, she was an executive in the software industry for many years. Her career in the technology world included software product management, website design, training, and technical writing just to name a few. Although Carrie’s written a great deal over the decades which has been read by thousands of people, software documentation allows for about as much creativity as pouring cement. At the age of 45, she decided to chuck it all to become an author which had been a life-long dream.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
February 19, 2023
Q&A below review-
Aven is living the happiest life she’s ever had, and she’s had twelve others before. She lives with memories from her past lives and unfortunately her deaths too, including the remembrance of her murderer-Morris Stiles.
“This is the happiest I’ve ever been. I have been through so much pain and suffering in my previous lives, but here I feel like I’ve finally found a place where I belong and can thrive. When the recurring dread and despair that this life will end too soon creep into my mind, I pack them back down tightly. I’ve set aside all thoughts of my curse for now. I will make this a good life.”
Aven’s been cursed to continue living on Earth no matter how many times she dies. In this life, she’s settled down in Salem and owns a little shop where she does readings and sells magickal items. She has Jo- her very close and supportive friend who accepts her for who she is and has true power herself, Cal- a man who’s just come into the picture and might be just what Aven needs, and the white raven- who seems to follow her wherever she goes, but she cannot see it.
“He’s always around you, you know,” she says absently, looking off behind me again. “I know.” I don’t turn around; he won’t be there. “But he never shows himself. This has been going on for several lifetimes. I think almost all of them.” I can’t remember a time when the bird wasn’t there.”
Everything seems to be perfect until suddenly something haunts Aven from her past. Will she overcome it? How will she ever break this curse of living over and over again?
This book is written well and I thought the character development was perfect. The characters are memorable and I must say, Aven ended up being my favorite character in the book. She’s so strong-minded and doesn’t let anything stop her from using her magick. She has a strong and important message to be who YOU want to be. I loved Maggie – her canine companion, Jo, and Sylvia as well. I cherished all the details, descriptions and imagery that really pull you in and make you feel like you’re living the story. The author managed to add a little bit of everything here–romance, magick, jealousy, friendship, evil, and love. This is the perfect book to read this time of year, especially with all the magick and Halloween elements. I’m hoping there’s going to be a sequel and I’ll definitely be reading it if there is!
5*****
Q&A with Carrie D. Miller-
Can you tell readers something interesting about yourself?
Many people have commented on how authentic the magick feels in The White Raven. Well, truth be told, that’s because I really am a witch. :-)
Have you always wanted to be an author?
As far back as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a published author.
Did you enjoy reading as a child? What are some of your childhood favorites?
I loved to read. And before I could read, I loved my mother reading to me before I went to sleep.
My favorite as a kid was C.S. Lewis. I read the Chronicles of Narnia over and over.
Do you enjoy reading now? Who are some of your favorite authors?
I still love to read. Some of my favorites are James Rollins, the Preston & Child writing duo, and Marie Brennan.
Are there any authors that have inspired your writing?
My tastes change all the time and I take away a little something from every author I read. Who has affected me more recently is Paula Brackston (The Silver Witch, The Witch's Daughter). Her writing style is like a song in my head.
What have you written so far?
I’ve written many stories over the decades but only completed and published one, The White Raven.
What are some of your writing tactics? Do you outline?
I am a planner! I outline, research, and spreadsheet or diagram as much as I can about the story. I create character dossiers, also. The outline for TWR was 18 pages. I don’t treat the outline as gospel, though. I use it mostly as a guideline. If my writing veers off in other directions, I go with it. I scraped many pages of TWR’s outline because I loved the different directions it went.
Do you do all your own editing?
While I do revise and edit as much as I can, I know what my limitations are. I hire professionals for that kind of stuff.
Do you have a day job in addition to being a writer? If so, what do you do?
A year and a half ago, I quit my ‘day job’ to become a full-time writer. I was a vice president of a software company, and I just couldn’t do it anymore. I decided that it was time to take the leap, to take a shot at the dream I’ve had since I was a kid. I have zero regrets.
What do you love most about writing?
I love seeing the story build and grow. I love seeing the characters come alive, watching their unique personalities and behaviors take shape. I love the tingling feeling, the excitement flitting around in my chest as an amazing scene flies out of my fingers.
How do you publish and market your books?
I decided early on that I would self-publish. I am a bit of a control freak, so it made sense for me to go that route in the beginning. I initially published exclusively on Amazon, but in July I expanded to everywhere else - Nook, iTunes, Kobo, etc. I’m running ads on Amazon and Kobo right now.
Do you have any advice for others on publishing and marketing?
One word: RESEARCH. Don’t just do things blindly. Don’t wing it. Research, research,
research. Follow and observe what other authors are doing, read articles on best practices and the mistakes made by others, and ask questions. That will save you heartache, headaches, and embarrassment in the future. And for heaven’s sake, don’t create your own book cover or rely on only your own editing skills. Hire professionals!
What do you consider literary success?
I have discovered that my definition of literary success has a few levels. My initial success was that I actually published a book! Now that people are buying it and giving it great reviews, that’s a whole new level of success to me. The way that feels in my heart, knowing that people are sitting down on their couches or curled up in their beds with my book in their hands, giving me their precious time, gives me such a feeling of success that I couldn’t have imagined before. My next success will be when I can make my car payment without having to dip into my savings. :-D
What made you decide to write this book?
The creation of this book sprang out of frustration. At the time, years ago, I couldn't find any books featuring witches that weren't annoyingly cliche or that didn't perpetuate the Hollywood or Christian stereotype. I wanted to write the kind of book that I wanted to read. Since then, I've discovered several authors that pen wonderful stories featuring witches and magick that I just love, so I'm very happy with the shift that's taken place over the years.
Can you tell us about the covers for The White Raven and who designed them?
The original book cover was designed by an artist, Helen Lloyd (http://www.helenlloyd.com), from England who specializes in animals. I had seen an amazing pencil drawing of a crow and knew she would be the one to bring Ren to life. I kept the original cover for about 3 months.
After doing some more research on how book covers should be done, I decided to go a different route with it. The new design was done by Damonza (http://www.damonza.com) and I’m thrilled with it.
Are you working on anything now and what are your future writing plans?
I'm 23k words into a story involving copper pennies, dead criminals, a bad guy wanting to do bad things involving demons, an old woman's spirit held in a cracked crystal ball, and twin red-headed sisters who know nothing about magick but have to stop the bad guy from doing bad things with his own spell book they can't read. It’s set mostly in modern-day Prague and Boston but will venture back into the 1930s. I foresee these sisters becoming a series. Two or three books, I think.
Do you think your writing will remain in the fantasy genre?
Probably but I do have a science fiction idea in my head. Maybe one day I'll resurrect the high fantasy I started 15+ years ago. I even created a world map. It's pretty awesome if I do say so myself.
Is Halloween a special time for you and an inspiration for writing this magickal book with Halloween elements?
I absolutely love Halloween. Not just because it’s my birthday either. If I could dress in costume all the time and have my home decorated for Halloween all year long and not be looked at like a crazy person, I would totally do it.
Do you have a special connection with Salem or have you visited there?
I’ve visited it twice. Once because I was in Boston on business and the second time as research for the book.
How much research did you do for The White Raven and how long did it take you to write it?
As they say, write what you know! I didn’t do that much research for the witchcraft aspects of the book. I am a witch myself, so I knew much of this already. I needed help from my sisters in the Craft when it came to the past life rituals, of which I knew nothing, and the selection of a stone to shield energy. And I’m not very good with auras so I researched online what colors are associated with deep negative emotions. Although I had been to Salem before, I went back there to specifically research the area for the book. All-in-all, it took me about 3 months to write the whole thing, minus the few chapters I’d written over the years, which got mostly rewritten.
Is there a book trailer for The White Raven or do you intend on making one?
I’ve considered it but no, it’s not in my plan. It’s a costly endeavor, especially since I want movie-quality awesomeness.
What was the hardest part about writing this book?
The hardest part by far to write was the first sex scene, no pun intended. I ended up having to google how to do it! How much detail do I go into? How far do I go? What euphemisms do I use without sounding corny? I think that first one was rewritten three or four times, thanks to the help of my editor.
I loved the ending and have to ask, will there be a sequel to The White Raven and when can we expect it?
There will absolutely be a sequel. I hope to get it out sometime in late 2018.
Was anything edited out and did you have alternate endings for the book?
Honestly, I had the ending written years ago. I never had any other thoughts on how else it could end. It simply had to end like it did. As for what was edited out, the original manuscript was over 115k words. The final was about 107k. With the guidance of my amazing editor, she helped me streamline scenes and cull bits that did nothing to move the story along or build out a character.
Aven is living the happiest life she’s ever had, and she’s had twelve others before. She lives with memories from her past lives and unfortunately her deaths too, including the remembrance of her murderer-Morris Stiles.
“This is the happiest I’ve ever been. I have been through so much pain and suffering in my previous lives, but here I feel like I’ve finally found a place where I belong and can thrive. When the recurring dread and despair that this life will end too soon creep into my mind, I pack them back down tightly. I’ve set aside all thoughts of my curse for now. I will make this a good life.”
Aven’s been cursed to continue living on Earth no matter how many times she dies. In this life, she’s settled down in Salem and owns a little shop where she does readings and sells magickal items. She has Jo- her very close and supportive friend who accepts her for who she is and has true power herself, Cal- a man who’s just come into the picture and might be just what Aven needs, and the white raven- who seems to follow her wherever she goes, but she cannot see it.
“He’s always around you, you know,” she says absently, looking off behind me again. “I know.” I don’t turn around; he won’t be there. “But he never shows himself. This has been going on for several lifetimes. I think almost all of them.” I can’t remember a time when the bird wasn’t there.”
Everything seems to be perfect until suddenly something haunts Aven from her past. Will she overcome it? How will she ever break this curse of living over and over again?
This book is written well and I thought the character development was perfect. The characters are memorable and I must say, Aven ended up being my favorite character in the book. She’s so strong-minded and doesn’t let anything stop her from using her magick. She has a strong and important message to be who YOU want to be. I loved Maggie – her canine companion, Jo, and Sylvia as well. I cherished all the details, descriptions and imagery that really pull you in and make you feel like you’re living the story. The author managed to add a little bit of everything here–romance, magick, jealousy, friendship, evil, and love. This is the perfect book to read this time of year, especially with all the magick and Halloween elements. I’m hoping there’s going to be a sequel and I’ll definitely be reading it if there is!
5*****
Q&A with Carrie D. Miller-
Can you tell readers something interesting about yourself?
Many people have commented on how authentic the magick feels in The White Raven. Well, truth be told, that’s because I really am a witch. :-)
Have you always wanted to be an author?
As far back as I can remember, I’ve wanted to be a published author.
Did you enjoy reading as a child? What are some of your childhood favorites?
I loved to read. And before I could read, I loved my mother reading to me before I went to sleep.
My favorite as a kid was C.S. Lewis. I read the Chronicles of Narnia over and over.
Do you enjoy reading now? Who are some of your favorite authors?
I still love to read. Some of my favorites are James Rollins, the Preston & Child writing duo, and Marie Brennan.
Are there any authors that have inspired your writing?
My tastes change all the time and I take away a little something from every author I read. Who has affected me more recently is Paula Brackston (The Silver Witch, The Witch's Daughter). Her writing style is like a song in my head.
What have you written so far?
I’ve written many stories over the decades but only completed and published one, The White Raven.
What are some of your writing tactics? Do you outline?
I am a planner! I outline, research, and spreadsheet or diagram as much as I can about the story. I create character dossiers, also. The outline for TWR was 18 pages. I don’t treat the outline as gospel, though. I use it mostly as a guideline. If my writing veers off in other directions, I go with it. I scraped many pages of TWR’s outline because I loved the different directions it went.
Do you do all your own editing?
While I do revise and edit as much as I can, I know what my limitations are. I hire professionals for that kind of stuff.
Do you have a day job in addition to being a writer? If so, what do you do?
A year and a half ago, I quit my ‘day job’ to become a full-time writer. I was a vice president of a software company, and I just couldn’t do it anymore. I decided that it was time to take the leap, to take a shot at the dream I’ve had since I was a kid. I have zero regrets.
What do you love most about writing?
I love seeing the story build and grow. I love seeing the characters come alive, watching their unique personalities and behaviors take shape. I love the tingling feeling, the excitement flitting around in my chest as an amazing scene flies out of my fingers.
How do you publish and market your books?
I decided early on that I would self-publish. I am a bit of a control freak, so it made sense for me to go that route in the beginning. I initially published exclusively on Amazon, but in July I expanded to everywhere else - Nook, iTunes, Kobo, etc. I’m running ads on Amazon and Kobo right now.
Do you have any advice for others on publishing and marketing?
One word: RESEARCH. Don’t just do things blindly. Don’t wing it. Research, research,
research. Follow and observe what other authors are doing, read articles on best practices and the mistakes made by others, and ask questions. That will save you heartache, headaches, and embarrassment in the future. And for heaven’s sake, don’t create your own book cover or rely on only your own editing skills. Hire professionals!
What do you consider literary success?
I have discovered that my definition of literary success has a few levels. My initial success was that I actually published a book! Now that people are buying it and giving it great reviews, that’s a whole new level of success to me. The way that feels in my heart, knowing that people are sitting down on their couches or curled up in their beds with my book in their hands, giving me their precious time, gives me such a feeling of success that I couldn’t have imagined before. My next success will be when I can make my car payment without having to dip into my savings. :-D
What made you decide to write this book?
The creation of this book sprang out of frustration. At the time, years ago, I couldn't find any books featuring witches that weren't annoyingly cliche or that didn't perpetuate the Hollywood or Christian stereotype. I wanted to write the kind of book that I wanted to read. Since then, I've discovered several authors that pen wonderful stories featuring witches and magick that I just love, so I'm very happy with the shift that's taken place over the years.
Can you tell us about the covers for The White Raven and who designed them?
The original book cover was designed by an artist, Helen Lloyd (http://www.helenlloyd.com), from England who specializes in animals. I had seen an amazing pencil drawing of a crow and knew she would be the one to bring Ren to life. I kept the original cover for about 3 months.
After doing some more research on how book covers should be done, I decided to go a different route with it. The new design was done by Damonza (http://www.damonza.com) and I’m thrilled with it.
Are you working on anything now and what are your future writing plans?
I'm 23k words into a story involving copper pennies, dead criminals, a bad guy wanting to do bad things involving demons, an old woman's spirit held in a cracked crystal ball, and twin red-headed sisters who know nothing about magick but have to stop the bad guy from doing bad things with his own spell book they can't read. It’s set mostly in modern-day Prague and Boston but will venture back into the 1930s. I foresee these sisters becoming a series. Two or three books, I think.
Do you think your writing will remain in the fantasy genre?
Probably but I do have a science fiction idea in my head. Maybe one day I'll resurrect the high fantasy I started 15+ years ago. I even created a world map. It's pretty awesome if I do say so myself.
Is Halloween a special time for you and an inspiration for writing this magickal book with Halloween elements?
I absolutely love Halloween. Not just because it’s my birthday either. If I could dress in costume all the time and have my home decorated for Halloween all year long and not be looked at like a crazy person, I would totally do it.
Do you have a special connection with Salem or have you visited there?
I’ve visited it twice. Once because I was in Boston on business and the second time as research for the book.
How much research did you do for The White Raven and how long did it take you to write it?
As they say, write what you know! I didn’t do that much research for the witchcraft aspects of the book. I am a witch myself, so I knew much of this already. I needed help from my sisters in the Craft when it came to the past life rituals, of which I knew nothing, and the selection of a stone to shield energy. And I’m not very good with auras so I researched online what colors are associated with deep negative emotions. Although I had been to Salem before, I went back there to specifically research the area for the book. All-in-all, it took me about 3 months to write the whole thing, minus the few chapters I’d written over the years, which got mostly rewritten.
Is there a book trailer for The White Raven or do you intend on making one?
I’ve considered it but no, it’s not in my plan. It’s a costly endeavor, especially since I want movie-quality awesomeness.
What was the hardest part about writing this book?
The hardest part by far to write was the first sex scene, no pun intended. I ended up having to google how to do it! How much detail do I go into? How far do I go? What euphemisms do I use without sounding corny? I think that first one was rewritten three or four times, thanks to the help of my editor.
I loved the ending and have to ask, will there be a sequel to The White Raven and when can we expect it?
There will absolutely be a sequel. I hope to get it out sometime in late 2018.
Was anything edited out and did you have alternate endings for the book?
Honestly, I had the ending written years ago. I never had any other thoughts on how else it could end. It simply had to end like it did. As for what was edited out, the original manuscript was over 115k words. The final was about 107k. With the guidance of my amazing editor, she helped me streamline scenes and cull bits that did nothing to move the story along or build out a character.
September 15, 2017
This well-written and fast-paced story of witchcraft is filled with great characters, awesome magic, humor, romance, and lots of intense emotional action.
I really like Aven, the main character in this story. Her friends are more like family and her animal friends are extra special. I'm very happy for the wonderful romance she found with Cal. I'm also saddened about a devastating loss and about all the terrible pain and loss Aven has suffered throughout each of her lives. I believe there is more to be told of this story and hope the author is working on a sequel.
I really like Aven, the main character in this story. Her friends are more like family and her animal friends are extra special. I'm very happy for the wonderful romance she found with Cal. I'm also saddened about a devastating loss and about all the terrible pain and loss Aven has suffered throughout each of her lives. I believe there is more to be told of this story and hope the author is working on a sequel.
July 2, 2017
POSTING ON BEHALF OF Romuald Dzemo from Readers' Favorite (with permission).
I enjoy books with bold plots and quirky perspectives and The White Raven by Carrie D. Miller offered more than that. In some strange way, the author had me thinking about Sita, the lead character in Christopher Pike’s Thirst. Aven is living her thirteenth life, and she isn’t sure how many more lives she will have to live. It could have been easier for her to keep on living one life after another, except that her past lives catch up with her. Shadowed by a white raven, Aven isn’t sure if the raven has the key to her freedom or if she is the cause of the curse. Now she is settled in Salem, owns a shop, and explores the possibility of love. But then a shocking discovery disrupts everything. Can she survive the dark magic this time?
The narrative voice is captivating, and it comes across very strongly in the first person narrative. Written in the present tense, the author seems to have the unusual knack for drawing the reader irresistibly into the narrator’s viewpoint. The writing is excellent and it features a lot of insightful descriptions that capture the emotions of the characters in the minutest detail. I love the strong plot, the originality of the story and the great characters. The conflict is masterfully handled and it isn’t hard to love the characters, to feel their pain and frustration. The White Raven is a great story for fans of fantasy and anyone who loves reading about witches and magic. Carrie D. Miller was able to capture my heart throughout the entire story.
Source: https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...
I enjoy books with bold plots and quirky perspectives and The White Raven by Carrie D. Miller offered more than that. In some strange way, the author had me thinking about Sita, the lead character in Christopher Pike’s Thirst. Aven is living her thirteenth life, and she isn’t sure how many more lives she will have to live. It could have been easier for her to keep on living one life after another, except that her past lives catch up with her. Shadowed by a white raven, Aven isn’t sure if the raven has the key to her freedom or if she is the cause of the curse. Now she is settled in Salem, owns a shop, and explores the possibility of love. But then a shocking discovery disrupts everything. Can she survive the dark magic this time?
The narrative voice is captivating, and it comes across very strongly in the first person narrative. Written in the present tense, the author seems to have the unusual knack for drawing the reader irresistibly into the narrator’s viewpoint. The writing is excellent and it features a lot of insightful descriptions that capture the emotions of the characters in the minutest detail. I love the strong plot, the originality of the story and the great characters. The conflict is masterfully handled and it isn’t hard to love the characters, to feel their pain and frustration. The White Raven is a great story for fans of fantasy and anyone who loves reading about witches and magic. Carrie D. Miller was able to capture my heart throughout the entire story.
Source: https://readersfavorite.com/book-revi...
May 31, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book - once I started, it was really hard to stop. I loved the characters and how they interact with each other. Cannot wait to read the sequel!
June 11, 2017
Carrie Miller’s debut novel The White Raven is truly a magickal experience and journey. It is rare for a book to bring to me tears, but several times while reading, tears fell. The characters are full of heart, well rounded and feel like you have known them for years. They truly come alive in the book as I accompanied them through the adventures. It was a struggle to set the book down when real life was calling and I was sad when I finished the book wanting to continue the journey a little bit more.
I hope Carrie continues writing in the world of Aven and letting us readers experience more into her magickal daily life. I absolutely fell in love with the White Raven and I am betting you will too.
I hope Carrie continues writing in the world of Aven and letting us readers experience more into her magickal daily life. I absolutely fell in love with the White Raven and I am betting you will too.
September 10, 2017
Where to start? So I've always had a soft spot for books featuring witches, especially if they're in a contemporary setting, all stemming from my love of Cate Tiernan's Sweep series as a teenager. However, there actually isn't a huge selection in this category. Lots feature witches in entirely fictional settings, or are high fantasy, or are set in the past or alternate history, or are YA (not that I don't like it, just sometimes want something with adults) but not a ton in the modern day.
Anyway, I was browsing Amazon for magic-y books and came across this one. I'll admit, the striking cover caught my attention first. However, the summary sounded intriguing so I took the chance and dove right in. Thank goodness I did!
The writing is superb. It's fluid and captivating. I'm very impressed that this is a debut novel! I read over half of the book the first go. The author is also great at creating settings without that info-dump approach too many writers get trapped into. I feel like I can really 'see' and feel the inside of Aven's shop and home. The author's writing style feels similar to Ilona Andrew's or Anne Bishop's for fellow urban-fantasy lovers.
The approach to magic feels fresh and the mystery of the white raven is really fascinating. I also like that while there is some romance in the book that it is not the main focus of the novel. It's about Aven and her story and her magic, which I always appreciate, because while relationships are bound to occur that doesn't mean it has to take over a woman's life. The characters in the book are overall well rounded and each have their own story to tell. While the tale is centered around Aven, you come to like and care about many of the supporting characters just as much. I appreciate that there are multiple strong female characters that share bonds and more than pass the Bechdel test.
While this novel could stand on it's own, I hope there will be sequels because there is definitely more story that could be told. I can't wait to see where Miller will take this series and will be on the lookout for any other books she releases, because she has already made me an instant fan.
If you're looking for a compelling new fantasy, with strong female characters, and evocative writing - you're going to need to pick up The White Raven!
Anyway, I was browsing Amazon for magic-y books and came across this one. I'll admit, the striking cover caught my attention first. However, the summary sounded intriguing so I took the chance and dove right in. Thank goodness I did!
The writing is superb. It's fluid and captivating. I'm very impressed that this is a debut novel! I read over half of the book the first go. The author is also great at creating settings without that info-dump approach too many writers get trapped into. I feel like I can really 'see' and feel the inside of Aven's shop and home. The author's writing style feels similar to Ilona Andrew's or Anne Bishop's for fellow urban-fantasy lovers.
The approach to magic feels fresh and the mystery of the white raven is really fascinating. I also like that while there is some romance in the book that it is not the main focus of the novel. It's about Aven and her story and her magic, which I always appreciate, because while relationships are bound to occur that doesn't mean it has to take over a woman's life. The characters in the book are overall well rounded and each have their own story to tell. While the tale is centered around Aven, you come to like and care about many of the supporting characters just as much. I appreciate that there are multiple strong female characters that share bonds and more than pass the Bechdel test.
While this novel could stand on it's own, I hope there will be sequels because there is definitely more story that could be told. I can't wait to see where Miller will take this series and will be on the lookout for any other books she releases, because she has already made me an instant fan.
If you're looking for a compelling new fantasy, with strong female characters, and evocative writing - you're going to need to pick up The White Raven!
Read
June 22, 2018I never thought I would like reading a book about witches. Well, that’s the power of reading. You can end up liking something unexpected.
The White Raven by Carrie D. Miller is the story of Aven Dovenelle. Finally in her thirteenth life, she has found stability and happiness in the now witchcraft-friendly Salem, Massachusetts, where she has opened her own shop. But something threatens Aven’s stability and happiness by the presence of a dark magic connected to one of her past lives and a elusive white raven who has appeared throughout each life. Those elements from Aven’s past continues to haunt her until she finally confronts it in an intriguing display of supernatural power.
Miller creates an engaging protagonist in Aven and the supporting characters like her lover Cal, and best friend, Jo (who is also a witch). The story is about of power of love (in both romance and friendships) and what does living a good life mean. The White Raven has the potential to be an ongoing series but works well as a standalone. I read this novel in two settings and that’s a good sign for being one of my favorite reads in 2018. Recommended for fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
The White Raven by Carrie D. Miller is the story of Aven Dovenelle. Finally in her thirteenth life, she has found stability and happiness in the now witchcraft-friendly Salem, Massachusetts, where she has opened her own shop. But something threatens Aven’s stability and happiness by the presence of a dark magic connected to one of her past lives and a elusive white raven who has appeared throughout each life. Those elements from Aven’s past continues to haunt her until she finally confronts it in an intriguing display of supernatural power.
Miller creates an engaging protagonist in Aven and the supporting characters like her lover Cal, and best friend, Jo (who is also a witch). The story is about of power of love (in both romance and friendships) and what does living a good life mean. The White Raven has the potential to be an ongoing series but works well as a standalone. I read this novel in two settings and that’s a good sign for being one of my favorite reads in 2018. Recommended for fans of urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
July 19, 2017
The is not my normal genre to check out, but I love jumping out of the normal run of the mill, that normalcy box, easy to see the ending kind of reads. I tend to read mysteries ... but lately I've been reading lots of those Alpha male reads ...after a while ... it fun for me to check out new and totally different genres to break that mind and try something new ...if you are like me, you might enjoy ... Carrie did contact me for an honest review and thoughts ... In this book you will be transported into a totally different world full of magic, romance, mystery and lots of amazing wild so cool twists! I love the well developed characters and very unique well thought out plot. Carrie is a new author to me and I really look forward to reading more from her. Congrats Carrie on you debut novel, well done! Such a new fan. Thanks for the super awesome great read!! Who should read this book? Folks who will most definitely love and this read will be ones who like drama, fantasy and the super natural world ... Must read! ( ;
May 23, 2017
When reading this book, I found myself transported. The world that Ms. Miller has built her story into brings you into a new world. This book is an amazing mix of all my favorite things, Magic, romance, mystery, and twists! I would say this book is a great read for the adult that longed to go off to a magical school as a child. Or watched three sisters on tv, do magical things. I have read this book 5 times now and each time I find something new that is my favorite part!
Very beautifully written and you can feel every moment!
Very beautifully written and you can feel every moment!
June 20, 2018
(4.5 stars)
Carrie D. Miller weaves a lovely tale of fantasy and the violent power of hatred.
She has a great flow to her writing, and I’m feeling just shy of “5 stars” because I felt a tad jolted out of that flow with a few scenes towards the end. Basically when she changed from Aven’s POV to those of very minor characters.
I’m usually not a Wiccan-fantasy type of gal, but Miller draws you into Aven’s world quite easily, and leaves you feeling pleasantly full. I think there’s room for more from this cast, but it’s also a great stand-alone.
Carrie D. Miller weaves a lovely tale of fantasy and the violent power of hatred.
She has a great flow to her writing, and I’m feeling just shy of “5 stars” because I felt a tad jolted out of that flow with a few scenes towards the end. Basically when she changed from Aven’s POV to those of very minor characters.
I’m usually not a Wiccan-fantasy type of gal, but Miller draws you into Aven’s world quite easily, and leaves you feeling pleasantly full. I think there’s room for more from this cast, but it’s also a great stand-alone.
April 21, 2017
A great story featuring a witty, likable cast of strong women, magic, love, furred and feathered animal companions and lots of unexpected plot twists...
Treat yourself to a great escape. Looking forward to her next book and more of Aven!
Treat yourself to a great escape. Looking forward to her next book and more of Aven!
August 14, 2017
Amazing!
My first time reading something of this genre in first person, and I loved it. I loved the balance of characters, flashbacks, mythical aspects, and reality. So well written, and easy to delve into! Can't wait to read more!!
My first time reading something of this genre in first person, and I loved it. I loved the balance of characters, flashbacks, mythical aspects, and reality. So well written, and easy to delve into! Can't wait to read more!!
February 9, 2018
Excellent!
Could not put the book down for very long. Just had to keep reading, and now hoping that there is going to be another book. Great story, wonderful characters!
Could not put the book down for very long. Just had to keep reading, and now hoping that there is going to be another book. Great story, wonderful characters!
July 29, 2018
If you are really into Witch stories...get this one. It's also AWESOME! Another hard to put down book.
November 23, 2023
“Jealousy is never so ugly as when it’s worn like a second skin.”
January 4, 2018
Great read!
This book was fun and exciting to read. I loved the characters. Makes me wish I could wield a little witchcraft myself. I will definitely look for other books by this author.
This book was fun and exciting to read. I loved the characters. Makes me wish I could wield a little witchcraft myself. I will definitely look for other books by this author.
May 17, 2017
Before I even begin with my review of The White Raven I must admit to being very excited to read it (little kid at Christmas kind of excited) as this book follows a similar genre to one of my all-time favourite books! As soon as I started to read The White Raven, I couldn’t put it down. It captivated me right from the beginning (as if by magic) and all the way through I couldn’t stop smiling as I went on this amazing journey Carrie D. Miller provided!
Now, on with the review…
Firstly, we follow the life of Aven Dovenelle (a real witch) who is cursed to live life after life with all her memories of her previous lives (including her horrific deaths). Straight away Aven’s character is so intriguing, wanting to know more about her curse and her new life in Salem I didn’t have a problem in following her story word for word. In her thirteenth life she seems to have found some peace with her endless curse, having her own shop to sell magical items and true friends by her side, I loved reading about Aven’s journey and truly felt as if I knew her, understood her pain, her frustration, her love and friendships.
The prospect of this book turning into a romance genre wasn’t entirely a bad thing (who doesn’t love a good romance) but as it already has fantasy, magic, friendship and tragedy muddled within, it gave this book a perfect mixture to satisfy all readers. The relationships that Aven encounters (Calvin being one) really proves that love can be hard to come by when you are different, but Aven inspired me by proving everyone wrong that a strong independent woman (witch) can have happiness and I was swept up with the romance that blossomed between her and Cal (even if there were a few rocky patches!).
One part I thoroughly enjoyed throughout (it is very hard to pick just one!) was the chapters where the White Raven (Ren) had an inner monologue, it was a very unique writing style and quite frankly a brilliant way to tie up the relationship between Aven and the White Raven, showing a softer side to her as well as giving us some insight into how she felt about Aven and the struggle they both must go through! How there relationship whilst somewhat a mystery proved to be something much more powerful and inspiring. It broke up the usual narrative perfectly and really gave me a different side to the story that I was very grateful for!
Learning about the curse was a huge shock! Although a few twists were put in place which completely threw me. I honestly didn’t see it coming and I couldn’t imagine it being announced any better, no spoilers will be mentioned but I was completely in awe of how the whole book finished…
I think that the book was written beautifully and honestly I don’t think my words can do it justice, I do feel as if The White Raven is a perfect read if you wish to escape reality and enter a world of magic, curses and friendships. My only downside would be that it wasn’t longer (but fingers are crossed for a sequel). I will most definitely be looking out for any other books Carrie D. Miller brings out because her writing is truly wonderful!
I was provided an early release of The White Raven so that I can review it prior to it being released, this review was written completely honestly and based on my own thoughts and views.
Now, on with the review…
Firstly, we follow the life of Aven Dovenelle (a real witch) who is cursed to live life after life with all her memories of her previous lives (including her horrific deaths). Straight away Aven’s character is so intriguing, wanting to know more about her curse and her new life in Salem I didn’t have a problem in following her story word for word. In her thirteenth life she seems to have found some peace with her endless curse, having her own shop to sell magical items and true friends by her side, I loved reading about Aven’s journey and truly felt as if I knew her, understood her pain, her frustration, her love and friendships.
The prospect of this book turning into a romance genre wasn’t entirely a bad thing (who doesn’t love a good romance) but as it already has fantasy, magic, friendship and tragedy muddled within, it gave this book a perfect mixture to satisfy all readers. The relationships that Aven encounters (Calvin being one) really proves that love can be hard to come by when you are different, but Aven inspired me by proving everyone wrong that a strong independent woman (witch) can have happiness and I was swept up with the romance that blossomed between her and Cal (even if there were a few rocky patches!).
One part I thoroughly enjoyed throughout (it is very hard to pick just one!) was the chapters where the White Raven (Ren) had an inner monologue, it was a very unique writing style and quite frankly a brilliant way to tie up the relationship between Aven and the White Raven, showing a softer side to her as well as giving us some insight into how she felt about Aven and the struggle they both must go through! How there relationship whilst somewhat a mystery proved to be something much more powerful and inspiring. It broke up the usual narrative perfectly and really gave me a different side to the story that I was very grateful for!
Learning about the curse was a huge shock! Although a few twists were put in place which completely threw me. I honestly didn’t see it coming and I couldn’t imagine it being announced any better, no spoilers will be mentioned but I was completely in awe of how the whole book finished…
I think that the book was written beautifully and honestly I don’t think my words can do it justice, I do feel as if The White Raven is a perfect read if you wish to escape reality and enter a world of magic, curses and friendships. My only downside would be that it wasn’t longer (but fingers are crossed for a sequel). I will most definitely be looking out for any other books Carrie D. Miller brings out because her writing is truly wonderful!
I was provided an early release of The White Raven so that I can review it prior to it being released, this review was written completely honestly and based on my own thoughts and views.
June 20, 2017
The White Raven gave me literal chills. Not just once or twice, either. Several times.
How many more lives must Aven live through? She's on lucky number thirteen now. So lucky, in fact, that she settled in modern-day Salem, touting witchcraft freely. A fitting location for the mysteries of Aven's past lives to haunt her. And everything was off to a great start, too.
I could honestly go on about this plot for days, it was that good. The thematic continuity was crafted so well. Not only did the author tackle good versus evil in an excellent way, they tried their hand at karma, too. The subject of karma comes up several times throughout the novel. The way it's foreshadowed is brilliant. Key events and characters are placed at a point that the reader keeps them in the back of their mind. When the reveal happens, the message is pretty powerful.
Witchcraft has so many different renditions in the literary world. I loved the simplicity of magic in this novel. While it's used often, it never feels like the characters are overpowered. It serves important purpose to the plot, so spells aren't flashy or showy. The author took their time to make sure they did things right by modern witches, and it shows. The setting gave things a very traditional witchcraft aesthetic. However, modern Wicca makes a giant push for territory. The aesthetic really makes a difference in the tone of the novel. The way it's written is almost a spell in and of itself. It draws the reader in so far that they lose sight of their own surroundings.
Characters came crafted with an expert hand. They had incredible depth. The cast also featured a number of women. The author turned the tables on many common tropes. The women were the stars of the novel, and I loved it. They were the ones in control. This time, it was a guy's turn to be there as the love interest. I enjoyed the progression and the construction of the romantic subplot, something I don't say too often.
And the ending. Oh, the ending. It was so deliciously evil. I hate it and I love it so much. The most brilliant way to guarantee readership for follow-ups, if there are any.
I don't think I name one thing I dislike about this novel. I enjoyed everything about it--another rarity. This series is now on my watch list, and so is the author.
How many more lives must Aven live through? She's on lucky number thirteen now. So lucky, in fact, that she settled in modern-day Salem, touting witchcraft freely. A fitting location for the mysteries of Aven's past lives to haunt her. And everything was off to a great start, too.
I could honestly go on about this plot for days, it was that good. The thematic continuity was crafted so well. Not only did the author tackle good versus evil in an excellent way, they tried their hand at karma, too. The subject of karma comes up several times throughout the novel. The way it's foreshadowed is brilliant. Key events and characters are placed at a point that the reader keeps them in the back of their mind. When the reveal happens, the message is pretty powerful.
Witchcraft has so many different renditions in the literary world. I loved the simplicity of magic in this novel. While it's used often, it never feels like the characters are overpowered. It serves important purpose to the plot, so spells aren't flashy or showy. The author took their time to make sure they did things right by modern witches, and it shows. The setting gave things a very traditional witchcraft aesthetic. However, modern Wicca makes a giant push for territory. The aesthetic really makes a difference in the tone of the novel. The way it's written is almost a spell in and of itself. It draws the reader in so far that they lose sight of their own surroundings.
Characters came crafted with an expert hand. They had incredible depth. The cast also featured a number of women. The author turned the tables on many common tropes. The women were the stars of the novel, and I loved it. They were the ones in control. This time, it was a guy's turn to be there as the love interest. I enjoyed the progression and the construction of the romantic subplot, something I don't say too often.
And the ending. Oh, the ending. It was so deliciously evil. I hate it and I love it so much. The most brilliant way to guarantee readership for follow-ups, if there are any.
I don't think I name one thing I dislike about this novel. I enjoyed everything about it--another rarity. This series is now on my watch list, and so is the author.
January 27, 2019
I feel guilty. Why? I started reading The White Raven yesterday morning and finished it this evening. I admit I didn't do much else with my time and read every single word carefully but it is a reasonably long book and it would have taken Carrie Miller a really long time to write such an amazing novel and I greedily ate it all up in one weekend. Oh well, I will have to forgive myself for that.
Speaking of forgiveness, the author brings the reader so many opportunities to experience essential aspects of human traits that make them loveable, horrific, kind and cruel, all wrapped up in an incredibly exciting and magick filled story that my emotions were turned and flipped as often as were the pages of this book, finding numerous ways to forgive as the characters did so themselves.
The plot is astounding; the characters are deep and definitely not all human but possess qualities that reflect the best and worst of what we know of our fellow beings, whatever form they may take.
This is clearly a work of love, one that is born from an understanding of the power of relationship, of both personal and historical trauma and the immense anger that can result from experiencing ongoing trauma. It is a book that makes one proud to be a woman, reminds one of how many ways in which/witch women are turned against themselves and one another and sings to the bond between mother and daughter, nature and witch, goddess and devoted follower.
Carrie Miller describes what she wants you to see beautifully and powerfully. From the smallest light to the grandeur of the forest, from the quietest hint of joy to the resounding wails of grief, from the orderly nature of things as they should be to the great destruction of that same order, all are brought to life through her skillful use of language and choice of words.
And did I mention magick? So much magick and so much adventure!!!!
I moved about, called out at times in reaction to what was going on in the truly wonderful/awesome story of Aven and friends (and enemies) and was sorry to see the book come to an end.
I will let go of my guilt now as it was my great pleasure to spend these days reading The White Raven.
Thank you, Carrie.
Speaking of forgiveness, the author brings the reader so many opportunities to experience essential aspects of human traits that make them loveable, horrific, kind and cruel, all wrapped up in an incredibly exciting and magick filled story that my emotions were turned and flipped as often as were the pages of this book, finding numerous ways to forgive as the characters did so themselves.
The plot is astounding; the characters are deep and definitely not all human but possess qualities that reflect the best and worst of what we know of our fellow beings, whatever form they may take.
This is clearly a work of love, one that is born from an understanding of the power of relationship, of both personal and historical trauma and the immense anger that can result from experiencing ongoing trauma. It is a book that makes one proud to be a woman, reminds one of how many ways in which/witch women are turned against themselves and one another and sings to the bond between mother and daughter, nature and witch, goddess and devoted follower.
Carrie Miller describes what she wants you to see beautifully and powerfully. From the smallest light to the grandeur of the forest, from the quietest hint of joy to the resounding wails of grief, from the orderly nature of things as they should be to the great destruction of that same order, all are brought to life through her skillful use of language and choice of words.
And did I mention magick? So much magick and so much adventure!!!!
I moved about, called out at times in reaction to what was going on in the truly wonderful/awesome story of Aven and friends (and enemies) and was sorry to see the book come to an end.
I will let go of my guilt now as it was my great pleasure to spend these days reading The White Raven.
Thank you, Carrie.
September 15, 2018
There are so many wonderful reviews of this book and that's exactly how it should be. I'll keep my review short-but-sweet. This was a wonderful book and the storyline kept surprising me in terms of originality. I'm a major fan of superbly written witch-themed novels and "The White Raven" definitely rises to the top! Now I'm just crossing my fingers and toes that Carrie D. Miller might write a sequel or another witch-themed novel!!! All in all, a fantastic read.
February 24, 2019
This was a very satisfying story to read. It had been sitting on my kindle for a while, and when I finally got to it, I couldn't put it down because it has all the ingredients for an enjoyable ride: magic, adventure, romance and friendship, all wrapped up into an epic story.
The novel has huge potential for a sequel, and I'd gladly encourage it because Aven is a kickass heroine with plenty of stories to tell.
The novel has huge potential for a sequel, and I'd gladly encourage it because Aven is a kickass heroine with plenty of stories to tell.
April 26, 2020
I bought this book for my Kindle app, but when I saw it available on Audible, I decided to treat myself. This is the second Carrie D. Miller book I have indulged in. Yup, I know backwards order. It didn’t matter the books stand alone. I’m a big fan of Copper Pennies, but this story has found a place in my heart. The narration was well done and allowed me to sit back relax and see the story unfold in my mind’s eye. It is a beautiful story. The characters are so real, the good and the rotten ones popped into my head easily. The descriptions, dialog and action flow so nicely. I love that the story doesn’t apologize for it moments of raw emotion, love fear and horror alike. Buy a ticket, take the trip; you will not be disappointed!
January 18, 2018
Interesting read
Interesting read, the story was sweet and touching. One that I'll read again in the future just to see what I've missed in the first reading. I enjoyed the fantasy of it and the reality of the characters within the bonds of friendship.
Interesting read, the story was sweet and touching. One that I'll read again in the future just to see what I've missed in the first reading. I enjoyed the fantasy of it and the reality of the characters within the bonds of friendship.
October 15, 2018
Excellent Authorial Debut
What an emotional roller coaster! I laughed, I cried, I got angry and I cheered! I thought it was a good mix of action, emotional bonding between characters, vivid imagery and good character development. I can't wait for the sequel!
What an emotional roller coaster! I laughed, I cried, I got angry and I cheered! I thought it was a good mix of action, emotional bonding between characters, vivid imagery and good character development. I can't wait for the sequel!
December 18, 2018
I was addicted to this book instantly and refused to put it down. The story is beautiful. I absolutely adore Aven and Jo, their friendship warms my heart. Is it possible with the epilogue ending that a sequel could happen? Definitely in my top 3 books I've read this year!!
January 10, 2019
Such a great book.. now one of my all time favorites. It is the story of a witch that is cursed to reincarnate every time she dies. From 12th century to the present she has lived 12 harrowing lives. The story is mostly of her current life, with love, happiness, diabolical acts, revenge and an ending that is heart warming, utter devastation, and a plot twist I didn't even expect!!
April 1, 2017
Check out my review on http://fangirlnation.com/2017/04/01/t...
July 24, 2017
Great story!
I read this book in one sitting. The story draws you in. The characters are interesting and the magic is out of this world!
I read this book in one sitting. The story draws you in. The characters are interesting and the magic is out of this world!
August 12, 2018
Great story, good characters and well plotted (did not see the twists coming!) Left wanting more!
September 3, 2018
Entertaining with solid, believable characters.
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