word of advice : This clause contains small spoilers for When Among Crows .

Summary

Veronica Roth ’s newfantasybook , When Among Crows , is finally here — and while its narrative is evenhandedly short , there ’s little dubiousness that it merit theDivergenttreatment . When Among Crowsis set in a version of Chicago that ’s full of dark conjuration . The novella pulls from Slavonic folklore to recount its story , which centers a Knight tasked with killing existence like strzygi and zmory — though Dymitr team up up with those very wight in ordering to track down the witch Baba Jaga . As Dymitr , Ala , and Niko embark on their journeying , they uncover each other ’s secrets . Eventually , Dymitr ’s straight intentions arrive out as well .

With its succulent background , fascinating take on magic , and compelling character , When Among Crowsis easily one of the most excitingfantasy books hitting shelves in 2024 . unluckily , it ’s rather short . Roth ’s late story is a novelette , so the taradiddle of Dymitr , Ala , and Niko blossom in about 160 Thomas Nelson Page . This makes it a fast read to get through . However , if any of Roth ’s late novels merit theDivergenttreatment , it ’s this one .

Fantasy duologies including These Violent Delights , We trace the Flame , and Six of Crows offer brief yet complex stories to fans of fantasy literature .

Duology book covers

Veronica Roth’s New Fantasy Book Does A Lot In A Small Amount Of Space

It Successfully Introduces Complex Characters, Intriguing Lore, & A Lush Setting

Despite being limited to 162 pages , When Among Crowsaccomplishes a pile during its short narrative . The novelette exhaustively fleshes out its three main fictitious character , but it also ramp up a illusion scene that does n’t feel like an afterthought . Roth ’s story express the complex traditional knowledge of the Knights of the Holy Order , as well as the magical beings they ’re tax with finding . Every place that Dymitr , Ala , and Niko visit has a well - demonstrate account . And even character who seem briefly — from Dymitr ’s grandmother and babe to Baba Jaga herself — feel fully spring .

The novelette thoroughly fleshes out its three main characters , but it also build a fantasy setting that does n’t palpate like an afterthought .

It ’s impressive that Roth successfully crafts such an extensive fantasy context in the space of a novelette . Of of course , When Among Crowsinevitably leaves reader wanting more from its character reference and traditional knowledge . While nothing in Roth ’s story feels bare , there are plenty of train of thought that the generator could complicate on . And while Roth has crafted many other setting since writingtheDivergentbooks , When Among Crows’has the most voltage . Its traditional knowledge is too promising to drop after just one novelette . In fact , Roth should really write sequels or spinoffs .

Heath Ledger as William in A Knight’s Tale

When Among Crows Deserves A More Expansive Approach Like Divergent

The World Leaves Plenty Of Room For More Books

AlthoughWhen Among Crowsworks as a standalone , it merit to have its macrocosm explored with the same level of deepness as Roth ’s substantially - deal young grownup series , Divergent . There ’s so much to take in while reading Roth’sMay 2024 fantasy book , and one ca n’t help but hope the author will boom on the concepts introduced in this novelette . The Knights of the Holy Order are intriguing villain , and Roth could easily make an entire series about this group alone . Other elements ofWhen Among Crowsthat deserve more attention are Baba Jaga ’s character and the Scheol of monster residing in Chicago .

There ’s so much to take in while reading Roth ’s 2024 fancy book , and one ca n’t help but hope the author will enlarge on the concepts introduced in this novelette

When Among Crowstells a complete story , but its earthly concern and characters still merit more time to leave an impression on readers . Roth expands the earth ofDivergentin its sequels , InsurgentandAllegiant , and the writer even explores the character Four in his own short story collecting . There ’s enough lore withinWhen Among Crowsto justify similar discourse .

10-Lesser-Known-Gothic-Fantasy-Movies-Worth-Checking-Out-v2

How Veronica Roth Can Expand On When Among Crows & Its Fantasy World

There are several way that Roth could expatiate onWhen Among Crows’story , and the simplest path forward would be to pen a subsequence . While Ala and Dymitr ’s correspondence comes full circle at the end of the novella , there are tidy sum of questions about what becomes of Dymitr after his encounter with Baba Jaga . It sound like he ’ll face greater menace after making a definitive choice about the Knights of the Holy Order . It also sounds like Dymitr could become something entirely new , which could be worth explore .

Of course , a sequel toWhen Among Crowscould feel like overkill — butthere are prequels and spinoffs Roth could pursue instead . AnotherWhen Among Crowsbook would n’t need to focus on the main persona of the original novella . With the Knights of the Holy Order going way back and Baba Jaga being shroud in mystery , Roth can easily confab early prison term geological period in thisfantasyworld . Perhaps another installment could even focus on the reason the Order was founded in the first post . When Among Crowsleaves plenty on the mesa , and all of it justify further exploration .

The covers of Divergent and Allegiant layered over imagery from When Among Crows

Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

When Among Crows

The covers of Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant by Veronica Roth

The Divergent Series