Gabriel Finley and the Raven’s Riddle by George Hagen (review)

Gabriel’s father has long been missing, much to Gabriel’s sorrow. When his aunt gives him Dad’s old notebooks, Gabriel dives in to figure out the mysterious connection between ravens and his father and uncle (also missing) and to find out what has become of both men. He soon learns of a complex tale dating back hundreds of years involving valravens (avian zombies, who can be spotted by their absolute lack of a sense of humor), an evil magical necklace, and his own family’s rare ability to connect with ravens and form a magical bond. Luckily, Gabriel has a couple of good friends, two girls who are staunch allies, as he tries to determine his place in the raven-centered world, even while he is being threatened at every turn. The birds, some tormenters and others friends, are surprisingly engaging; like the humans that surround them, they easily emerge as memorable characters, particularly the flesh-eating but ultimately not really villainous valravens. Puzzle and riddle fans will delight in the genuine attention paid to these elements—there are plenty sprinkled throughout in ways that actually move the story toward the (for now) conclusion.