NYT Strands Hints and Answers Today: October 29 Puzzle #605 Explained

Today’s NYT Strands puzzle for October 29, 2025 (#605) has the theme “Nevermore!” — a direct nod to Edgar Allan Poe’s famous poem “The Raven.” Fans of literature and wordplay found today’s edition both poetic and puzzling, with clever words inspired by the dark and mysterious tone of Poe’s writing.

The puzzle, published by The New York Times Games, challenges solvers to uncover theme words connected to the poem’s imagery. The spangram and clue structure make this one of the more memorable recent puzzles.

Theme and Key Details from NYT Strands #605

Today’s NYT Strands theme, “Nevermore!”, immediately evoked the gothic atmosphere of Poe’s work. The clue — “Poem by Edgar Allan Poe” — led many players to focus on words tied to ravens, feathers, and intelligence.

The non-spangram theme words hidden across the grid were:

• BLACK
• CLEVER
• WINGED
• FEATHERED
• OMNIVOROUS

The standout spangram for the day was THATSSORAVEN, a witty cultural twist referencing both the poem and the Disney Channel show of the same name. The path begins six letters down on the far-left column, stretching across the board in a winding pattern.

For players struggling with the grid, common clue words like MOVE, RAVE, NOVEL, and FEAT helped reveal letters of the hidden theme words through the Strands hint system. Each trio of clue words unlocked another glimpse of the literary mystery.

Solvers’ Reactions and Cultural Connections

Many solvers on social media praised today’s Strands for blending pop culture with classic literature. By weaving Poe’s timeless imagery with modern wordplay, the puzzle struck a balance between intellect and entertainment.

Players also noted that today’s set was slightly more challenging, requiring lateral thinking to connect “OMNIVOROUS” and “CLEVER” to ravens, which are known for their intelligence and adaptable diet — true to the spirit of Poe’s original symbolism.

For literature enthusiasts, today’s Strands was a small homage to one of America’s most haunting poems — offering a clever, modern-day puzzle built on the wings of classic gothic art.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What was today’s NYT Strands theme?

The theme was “Nevermore!”, referencing Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven.”

Q2: What was the spangram for Strands #605?

The spangram was THATSSORAVEN, connecting the literary and pop-culture references.

Q3: What were the theme words in today’s Strands?

BLACK, CLEVER, WINGED, FEATHERED, and OMNIVOROUS were the theme words.

Q4: Was today’s Strands considered difficult?

Yes, many players found it tricky due to longer theme words and abstract connections to the Poe theme.

Q5: What is Strands?

Strands is The New York Times’ daily word search-style puzzle that challenges players to find themed words across a letter grid.