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Emotional Free Fall
The Scald Crow follows a Canadian news anchor who loses her job and the last of her family, leading her to move to Ireland to claim an inheritance from a man she has never met. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I knew I wanted the story to be set in Ireland—it’s a place that pulses with history, myth, and an atmosphere that feels almost otherworldly. But I also wanted a protagonist who had a compelling reason to go there and never look back. That’s where Calla came in. She’s a Canadian news anchor who loses not just her job, but the last of her family. That kind of emotional free fall gave her the perfect motivation to uproot her life and start fresh. The idea of her inheriting something mysterious from a stranger in Ireland just clicked—it opened the door to secrets, magic, and self-discovery. It was the setup I needed to launch her into a world where reality and myth collide.
In many contemporary coming-of-age fiction novels, authors often add their own life experiences to the story. Are there any bits of you in this story?
Absolutely. I spent ten days in Ireland with my family, and every location mentioned in The Scald Crow is a place I actually stood. The cliffs, the pubs, the winding roads—all of it left an imprint on me. But it wasn’t just the landscape. It was the people. Bits and pieces of the locals—their warmth, wit, and mystery—found their way into my characters and dialogue. So yes, there’s quite a bit of me in this story. It’s woven with real moments, real places, and the kind of magic you can only feel when you’re truly present somewhere that stirs your soul.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
One of the most important themes for me was bringing to life the magic of the land, the folklore, and the people. Ireland is rich with stories that feel older than time, and I wanted that deep-rooted sense of myth and wonder to pulse through every page. I was drawn to the idea that the land itself holds memory and mystery and that the people—whether mortal or magical—are deeply connected to it. Exploring how place shapes identity, and how folklore can both haunt and heal, was at the heart of writing The Scald Crow.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
In the next book, Resurrection, Calla journeys into the otherworld and meets the magical family she never knew she had—including twin sisters who are opposites in every way and a father with a dangerous glint in his eye. As old powers awaken and a ruthless prince threatens the realm, Calla discovers abilities she never imagined—shifting into other beings in moments of fear. Meanwhile, Colm must reach back through bloodlines and legend to save her, even if it costs him everything.
The future of the series? Let’s just say the veil between worlds is growing thinner… and not everyone who crosses it will return the same.
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Colm fled from Clonmara seven long years ago, but now it’s his father’s birthday, and the clan has gathered to celebrate the ould one. Each day brings back the memories that ruined him.
Saoirse dwells in the shadows of a lost love, unwilling to move on and unable to forget. The crystals say one thing, but the cold, hard truth tells another.
Ciarán walked away from the woman he loved for the fun, for the craic. He didn’t realize that one rash decision would impact the lives of so many, least of all his own.
Four broken hearts, brought together by the thread of love.
The Scald Crow
The Scald Crow doesn’t waste time with hand-holding. Author Hanna Park kicks you straight into the Irish bogs, car troubles, and uncanny vibes before you can even unpack your suitcase. It’s a ride—mud-splattered, magical, and way more emotional than you’d expect.
The story follows Calla Sweet, a Canadian news anchor who crashes—literally and figuratively—into the Irish countryside. She’s reeling from a career implosion, haunted by a mysterious ability to foresee death, and tangled up in an inheritance from a man she’s never met. What follows is a trippy, slow-burn unraveling of secrets, fae folklore, and personal reckoning, all soaked in atmosphere thicker than a pint of Guinness.
Calla’s voice is hilarious, sharp, and often heartbreaking. One minute she’s cracking jokes about bog stench and bees, the next she’s reliving trauma or spiraling into a vision. The tone swings wildly—and that’s the beauty of it. Hanna Park writes like she’s sitting across from you at a pub, telling ghost stories between pints. Sometimes poetic, sometimes blunt, always immersive.
Then there’s Colm O’Donnell. Former military, current tree farmer (ish), and the brooding mystery man you didn’t ask for but definitely needed. He’s got secrets. Big ones. The tension between him and Calla hums through the pages—not in a cheesy rom-com way, but in a “this could get really messy” kind of way. And it does.
What makes this book stand out isn’t just the Irish folklore—it’s the way Park blends it into the everyday. Faerie beliefs, ancestral ties, and supernatural tinges creep in slowly, almost casually. You’re never sure if you’re in a fantasy or just reading the most magical slice-of-life novel ever written. Either way, it works.
The pacing’s a little uneven at times. Some scenes go on longer than they probably should, especially in the quieter middle sections. But the dialogue sparkles, the emotional weight lands, and the sense of place is absolutely nailed. By the time the last page rolls around, you’re left wanting more—in a good way. It’s the first in the Beyond the Faerie Rath series, and you’ll be itching to follow Calla deeper into the rabbit hole.
The Scald Crow is a moody, magical, and wonderfully weird debut that sneaks up on you. It’s not about saving the world—it’s about finding your place in it, even if that place happens to be at the edge of two worlds.
Pages: 260 | ASIN : B0DS3TKLDM
LITERARY TITAN 