Feather and Bone: The Crow Chronicles

Lore & Background

Clem Martini became interested in writing about crows after observing a large number of them cawing while waiting for his daughter's school bus. He considered the poor public image of crows and wanted to show how smart and helpful they really are. He wrote the novels for preteens, with his daughters in mind. Despite being a playwright, Martini did not see himself as a novelist until he got the inspiration for the first book, The Mob.

The trilogy is written in first person minor point of view. The first book is from the point of view of Kalum, while the second and third are from Katakata's point of view. Almost all crow names start with K, except Erkala, because of the 'Kaw' sound crows make. Martini had a rough idea that The Mob would become a trilogy and a general outline, but he later discarded it when unexpected characters began speaking in the second book.

Reader's Guide

Feather and Bone: The Crow Chronicles stands out in young adult fantasy for its unusual protagonists—crows with human intelligence but not anthropomorphized—and its incorporation of Native American mythology into their culture and religion. The trilogy's themes share similarities with a lesser-known novel, The Crow Chronicles, by Indian author Ranjit Lal, published in 1996. The optioning by Nelvana, known for children's animation, indicates early commercial interest. The novels explore survival, leadership, and the tension between tradition and change, as seen in the plots of The Mob, The Plague, and The Judgment. The series' significance lies in its unique perspective and its attempt to elevate the public perception of crows through storytelling.

Did You Know?

• Clem Martini was inspired to write the trilogy after seeing a large number of crows cawing while waiting for his daughter's school bus.
• The first book, The Mob, was published in 2004, followed by The Plague in 2005 and The Judgment in 2006.