Ravenswolde (An Enchanters Novel #2)

She was sent to a convent to learn virtue. Now she must master the art of assassination.

Elspeth Dumont has a dangerous secret: she can sense death. Raised in the quiet halls of an abbey, she has been taught that all life is sacred. But her carefully constructed world shatters when her mother sends her to Ravenswolde, a remote and sinister castle shrouded in ancient magic. This is no ordinary finishing school; it is a secret academy for Europe’s most elite assassins, where students learn the deadly arts of deception, seduction, and murder.

Forced to navigate a world where morality is a weakness and every classmate is a potential rival, Elspeth must confront the darkness growing within the school… and within herself. She is an anomaly, a girl of faith in a place of sin, and her unique gift makes her both a target and an asset. To survive, she must learn to play their deadly games, but each lesson in poison and shape-shifting threatens to corrupt the very soul she is trying to protect.

Her greatest challenge comes in the form of Lucian Graystoke, the enigmatic and ruthless son of the headmistress. A master of death who commands the school’s restless spirits, Lucian is as alluring as he is lethal. He sees the rare power Elspeth possesses and is determined to mold it for his own dark purposes. Caught in a web of ancient secrets, ghostly whispers, and political intrigue that stretches all the way to Napoleon’s court, Elspeth must make an impossible choice. Will she embrace the shadows to survive, or will holding onto her beliefs be her ultimate downfall?

Read the Character Compendium!

Included Tropes

The Chosen One: Elspeth possesses a rare and powerful ability (Banshee scream, foresight of death) that marks her as unique and destined for a significant role in the unfolding events, often against her will. She is repeatedly told her purpose is greater than her initial understanding.

Dark Academy / Boarding School: Ravenswolde is a secretive, dangerous institution that trains individuals in deadly arts, such as assassination, poison, illusion, and seduction, rather than traditional academic subjects. The atmosphere is oppressive and morally ambiguous.

Abusive Authority Figure: Lady Graystoke, the headmistress, is a cold, manipulative, and ruthless leader who prioritizes the school’s goals and the Graystoke legacy over individual student well-being or moral concerns. She uses threats and emotional detachment to control.

Enemies to Lovers (Forced/Arranged): Elspeth and Lucian begin with intense mutual dislike and moral opposition. Their marriage is forced upon them for strategic reasons, leading to a complex relationship where their initial antagonism gradually transforms into a powerful, albeit conflicted, bond.

Mysterious Mentor / Ally: Professor Hayes initially appears as a philosophical antagonist, challenging Elspeth’s faith and morality. He is later revealed to be a secret protector and guide, working to empower Elspeth for a greater purpose.

Supernatural Powers / Magic System: The narrative features a well-defined system of inherited and learned magical abilities, including Elspeth’s Banshee foresight and scream, illusion casting, elemental control (fire drops), mind-reading/connection, and Lucian’s unique control over spirits and music.

Foreboding Setting: Ravenswolde castle and its surrounding environment are depicted as dark, isolated, and inherently dangerous. The gothic architecture, haunted woods, and constant sense of death contribute to an oppressive atmosphere.

Ghostly Apparition / Spirit Guide: A young, innocent-looking child ghost frequently appears to Elspeth, offering cryptic warnings and guidance, distinct from the malevolent “Wanderers.” She is later revealed to be a “harbinger of the future.”

The MacGuffin (Book of Sins/Life): A magical book (or collection of books in a secret library) that records the life story and ultimate fate of every assassin, binding their souls to Ravenswolde. It symbolizes destiny and hidden knowledge.

Defiant Protagonist: Elspeth consistently rebels against the school’s teachings, the authority figures, and her predetermined path. She maintains her moral convictions despite immense pressure and personal danger.

Villainous Relative: André, Lucian’s cousin, is a recurring antagonist who is openly sadistic, power-hungry, and constantly seeks to undermine or harm Lucian and other students, embodying a dark family legacy.

Resurrection / Conditional Immortality: Students who die within the magical confines of Ravenswolde may be brought back to life, though this is unpredictable and sometimes used as a teaching tool.

Mind Palace / Mental Landscape: Lucian’s mind is a literal “house” that Elspeth can enter through their shared magical connection, allowing her to explore his memories, emotions, and hidden secrets.

Dark Lord / Aspiring Conqueror: Napoleon Bonaparte, a historical figure, is presented as a powerful, cunning, and ambitious leader who desires to harness the supernatural forces of Ravenswolde to create an immortal ghost army and conquer Europe.

Redemption Arc: Lucian, initially portrayed as a cold, ruthless “Master of Death,” gradually begins to question his path and desires, influenced by Elspeth’s love and faith. He ultimately makes choices that demonstrate a shift towards mercy and a different use of his powers.

The Grand Reveal: Multiple significant revelations regarding the true identities and hidden connections of key characters, dramatically altering Elspeth’s understanding of her world and her past.

Secret Parentage / Parental Abandonment: Elspeth’s mother intentionally sent her away and later brought her to Ravenswolde for a secret, long-term plan. The identity of Elspeth’s biological father is also a closely guarded secret, later revealed to be Professor Laurent.

Love-Hate Dynamic: The intense and conflicted emotional relationship between Elspeth and Lucian, characterized by powerful attraction alongside deep moral disagreements and personal struggles.

Manipulative Mastermind: Several characters, including Lady Graystoke, Elspeth’s mother, and Napoleon, exhibit exceptional cunning and strategic planning, orchestrating events and manipulating others to achieve their complex, often hidden, objectives.

The Call to Adventure (Forced): Elspeth is unwillingly removed from her innocent life at a convent and thrust into the dangerous, morally compromised world of Ravenswolde, a path she vehemently resists.

The Hero’s Journey: Elspeth’s narrative arc follows the classic structure of a protagonist undergoing a profound transformation. She leaves her ordinary world, faces numerous trials, gains allies, experiences death and rebirth, and ultimately returns to confront the central conflict, fundamentally changed.

Magical Music: Lucian’s innate ability to play music is not merely artistic but a powerful magical force, capable of influencing spirits, healing, banishing evil, and profoundly affecting emotions. It is closely tied to his soul and destiny.

Forbidden Knowledge / Secret History: Ravenswolde holds many dark secrets about its past, its founders, and the true nature of the “darkness” within its walls. This knowledge is actively suppressed or hidden, and its discovery is crucial to the plot.

The Greater Good Justification: Characters rationalize committing morally reprehensible acts (like murder and manipulation) by claiming they are necessary for a larger, benevolent purpose, often to prevent a greater evil.

Deus ex Machina / Divine Intervention (Ambiguous): While not a literal “God from the machine,” the presence and actions of the Gatekeeper, and Byron’s consistent belief in God’s plan, serve as a form of divine intervention or guidance that helps resolve seemingly impossible situations and reinforces Elspeth’s faith.

Similar Novels

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik (The Scholomance series)

Similar Tropes: Dark Academy, Supernatural Powers, Chosen One (with dangerous powers), Morally Ambiguous Protagonist, Peer Antagonism.

Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin

Similar Tropes: Forced Marriage, Enemies to Lovers, Supernatural Powers (magic vs. religion), Defiant Protagonist, Dark Fantasy Setting.

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Similar Tropes: The Chosen One, Enemies to Lovers, Supernatural Powers (ancient magic, vampires), Forbidden Love, Destiny.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (The Empyrean series)

Similar Tropes: Dark Academy (war college), Enemies to Lovers, Defiant Protagonist, Supernatural Powers (dragon bonding), High Stakes, World-Ending Calamity.

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black (The Folk of the Air series)

Similar Tropes: Enemies to Lovers, Defiant Protagonist, Manipulative Mastermind, Supernatural Powers (Fae magic), Political Intrigue, Hidden Identity.

Prominant Themes

Morality vs. Pragmatism: The constant struggle between Elspeth’s inherent sense of right and wrong and the ruthless, results-oriented philosophy of Ravenswolde.

The Nature of Evil: Exploring different forms of evil—inherent sadism, ambition, and evil justified by a “greater good.”

Faith and Doubt: The enduring strength of religious faith when challenged by suffering, manipulation, and seemingly contradictory divine actions.

Destiny and Free Will: The tension between a predetermined fate (Elspeth’s banshee gift, names in the book) and the choices characters make to defy or embrace it.

Love and Sacrifice: The transformative and redemptive power of love, particularly Elspeth’s love for Lucian, and the sacrifices made for others.

Power and Control: The corrupting influence of power, the desire to dominate others, and the struggle for personal agency within a controlling environment.

Identity and Illusion: The theme of deception, hidden identities, and how perception can create or obscure reality, forcing characters to question what is truly real.

Redemption and Forgiveness: The possibility of redemption for characters with dark pasts (Lucian) and the importance of forgiveness (Elspeth’s for her mother).

The Cycle of Violence and Trauma: The generational legacy of violence and cruelty within the Graystoke family and Ravenswolde, and the effort to break this cycle.

Memory and History: How past events, personal and institutional, haunt the present and the importance of uncovering hidden truths.

The Price of Ambition: The destructive consequences of unchecked ambition, exemplified by Napoleon and André, leading to death and moral decay.

The Power of Music/Art: Music as a profound magical force, a direct expression of the soul, capable of influencing spirits, offering peace, and catalyzing change.