Gabriel Finley and the Raven's Riddle

By: George Hagen

Narrated by: Michael Goldstrom

“A first-rate fantasy for middle-grade readers,” declares Booklist in a starred review, comparing Gabriel Finley to Harry Potter, Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series, and The Mysterious Benedict Society.

A tangle of ingenious riddles, a malevolent necklace called a torc, and flocks of menacing birds: these are just some of the obstacles that stand between Gabriel and his father, Adam Finley, who has vanished from their Brooklyn brownstone. When Gabriel rescues an orphaned baby raven named Paladin, he discovers a family secret: Finleys can bond with ravens in extraordinary ways. Along with Paladin and three valiant friends, Gabriel sets out to bring his father home. They soon discover that Adam is being held captive by the evil demon Corax—half man, half raven, and Adam’s very own disgraced brother—in a foreboding netherworld of birds called Aviopolis. With help from his army of ghoulish minions, the valravens, Corax is plotting to take over the land above, and now only Gabriel stands in his way.

“A vivid, compelling fantasy that sends you off to a world you will not soon forget.” —Norton Juster, author of The Phantom Tollbooth

“A great read for fantasy lovers who have worn out their copies of Harry Potter.” —School Library Journal, Starred

“Brimful of antic energy and inventive flair, like the best middle-grade fantasies; readers, like baby birds, will devour it and clamor for future installments.” —Kirkus Reviews

Critic reviews

“A first-rate fantasy for middle-grade readers. Like Harry Potter,... Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series,... and Trenton Lee Stewart’s Mysterious Benedict Society books.” —Booklist, Starred

"A great read for fantasy lovers who have worn out their copies of Harry Potter.” —School Library Journal, Starred

"...brimful of antic energy and inventive flair, like the best middle-grade fantasies; readers, like baby birds, will devour it and clamor for future installments." —Kirkus Reviews

“Adult author Hagen (The Laments) makes his children's debut with a fantasy adventure touched with whimsy, satire, and the quirky love of urban fauna that characterizes New Yorkers.” — Publishers Weekly, Starred

“Both startling and moving—a vivid, compelling fantasy that sends you off to a world you will not soon forget.” —Norton Juster, author of The Phantom Tollbooth

it was okay but it was hard to focus on.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would not change points of views too much.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Abby because she is very witty and a fun person to be around.

Have you listened to any of Michael Goldstrom’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Could you see Gabriel Finley and the Raven's Riddle being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

yes. i think Daniel Radcliffe could play Gabriel.