The Raven's Tale by Cat Winters. 362 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, April 16, 2019. 9781419733628. (Review of arc courtesy of publisher.)
The author imagines the master of the macabre as a teen who is eager to leave his foster father's house to attend the University of Virginia. The chapters alternate POV between Edgar Allan Poe and Lenore, his muse. Readers somewhat familiar with Poe's works and his life will get a kick out of the many Easter eggs sprinkled throughout; but such knowledge is not necessary to enjoy the story.
Winters does a great job of transporting readers back to the antebellum south and depicting Poe as a sensitive, angsty teen who has had a great deal of tragedy in his young life. Lenore's POV is eerie and mysterious. Is she real? Is she a figment of Poe's imagination? If so, how do the townsfolk see and fear her?
The Raven's Tale is atmospheric, vivid, compelling and intriguing. Impeccably researched with notes on Poe's life and works following the narrative. These notes put things nicely in context for young adult readers and might inspire further reading.
The cover is absolutely gorgeous. I'd be very interested in re-reading this as an audiobook. I wonder if there are plans for one. The Raven's Tale is a must-read for any fan of Poe's works, for fans of horror or gothic novels or for potential fans of the inventor of the mystery genre.
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