Winters’ writing style must also be mentioned it is vividly descriptive, just on the edge of flowery: It is one of the most atmospheric tales I have ever read – I felt absolutely transported to Virginia in the 1800s. In The Raven’s Tale, Cat Winters writes a heady study of Edgar Allen Poe that is thoughtful, entertaining, and inspiring. Although the undertone of this story was dark, and I definitely felt the creepy vibes more than once, this fear drew me in like Edgar, I, the reader, could not get enough. Winters weaves in various notes and little tidbits of Poe’s poetry that makes the reader appreciate how much thought and care went into every chapter. It was heartbreaking to read about the struggles Edgar went through, and he found solace within poetry. The implications behind her character, and what she meant for Edgar, left me wondering for days afterward about my own adolescence. However, as the book went on, their relationship’s development, and how their dynamic was explored, made her grow on me. The idea of Edgar Allen Poe’s muse being anthropomorphized is a fascinating concept and adds an edge to this historical fiction story. I was expecting him to be addicted to her and what she brought out in him, but the first part of the book is very much the opposite.

The first chapter introduces her as an eerie character that responds whenever Edgar seeks her out, whether or not he wants to.

I thought her petulant, almost child-like, throwing tantrums whenever Edgar would not do exactly as she wanted. Lenore is a fascinating character (and muse), but I did not enjoy her chapters in the beginning. It fits the slow-paced and sleepy setting, and how Edgar reacts to his muse that changes his world – shocked, disbelieving – is made even more apparent because of this. The book itself is drawn-out, but that only works to benefit it. His journey throughout the book draws you in you simply have to find out what happens. Her characterization of Edgar is careful, sensible, unsettling, yet deeply revealing – almost exactly like his works. The setting is impeccable and carefully designed to fit the story, and it’s truly a testament to how much love Winters must have for Edgar Allen Poe and his works. You are transported to the snowy landscape of Richmond, Virginia, to a point where you feel the smoke from their antique fireplaces suffocating you. The Raven’s Tale, by Cat Winters, is an incredibly intoxicating book.

The Raven's Tale by Cat Winters