Demonstorm (Legends of the Raven) [Paperback]

James Barclay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2004

THIS IS THE END ...The dragons have gone home, the elves are safe. The Raven have kept their promises. But fate has not finished with them. As the war between the colleges rages on an old enemy senses that his chance to revenge a bitter defeat has come. Tessaya, Lord of the Paleon Tribes has waited patiently for his moment and now, with Balaia in flames, he makes his move and unleashes the Wesmen hordes. In Xetesk, his forces scattered, Dystran, Lord of the Mount faces certain defeat by the Wesmen unless he unleashes the horrfying power of dimensional magics. And Dystran has not come this far to be beaten at the last by a rabble of ignorant tribesmen. And so the veil between dimensions is torn ...And beyond, a predatory evil stirs. Demons catch the scent of countless souls in Balaia. Can even the Raven prevail when the world is coming to an end? A fantasy milestone is reached. James Barclay brings his sensational saga of The Raven to a heartstopping conclusion.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The author continues to consistently produce high-quality dark fantasy with a strong and well-handled admixture of classic Tolkein elements. This concluding volume of Legends of the Raven is a case in point. The Raven has saved the elves from the dragons, and the future appears bright. But a greedy hostile warlord covets pretty much everything that is not his, and sends a horde of marauding tribal warriors into the lands under the Raven�s protection. This is more than the Raven can handle; aid must be sought from other dimensions. But opening an interdimensional pathway also opens it to the Demons, who sense their opportunity and swarm into civilization on the heels of the barbarians. The action rises to a thunderous climax, which will rivet readers to the second half of the book�if Barclay has not already won their undivided attention. Classic fantasy themes handled with great skill. --Roland Green --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

'Demonstorm brings James Barclay's Legends of the Raven to a rip-roaing close. If non-stop action, blood and guts is your thing, look no further.' -- STARBURST "Domonstorm shatters the concept of 'comfort fantasy'. It's an intense, unsettling story. The strength of the human spirit and the dangers of self-doubt feature most prominently, adding a welcome depth to so much death and destruction." -- Sandy Auden SFX magazine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 438 pages
• Publisher: Gollancz (2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 057507633X
• ISBN-13: 978-0575076334
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,978,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A Bloody Grim Tale, January 12, 2011

By 

SoCalMom (Lakewood, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Demonstorm (Legends of the Raven 3) (Paperback)

On the edge of your seat, nail biting, gut wrenching, nonstop action. There are no breathers, breaks, or quiet moments of reflection for The Raven mercenaries in Demonstorm. Once the ball starts rolling in this one it just keeps on going.



To save their home, their world, their loved ones, and the soles of their friends in the afterlife, The Raven must make one last stand that ultimately ends in a decision to go on a suicide mission. But this time, it's not a suicide mission from hell; it's a suicide mission to hell. Or rather, from one hell to another.

It's a heartbreaking tale. I was absolutely shocked at Barcklay's decision of who lives and who dies. His verdict, while sad, always seems to be the right choice. I'm not going to give anything away, no hint at what happens: You'll just have to read the serial for yourself.

If you like, military fantasy, with a bit of magic and political intrigue, I highly recommend this series. And make no bones about it; it's a bloody grim tale.

Yes, yes, I've said this before, but it's worth repeating : The one thing I love most about the Raven serial is character uniformity. From book one of the Chronicles of the Ravens and throughout the Legacy of the Ravens the characters stayed true. The author never falters in the personalities and distinctive qualities of each of the characters, whether they be the Raven mercenaries themselves or other important figures in the epic tale: no matter what the time span was between each book. A few authors could take a lesson in consistency from Barclay.

4.0 out of 5 stars Other Books, September 3, 2007

By 

Blue Tyson "- Research Finished" (Legion clubhouse) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Demonstorm (Legend of the Raven 4) (Hardcover)

What is worse than a wizard war and invasion by a barbarian horde? Yep, all Hell breaking loose.


With the magic necessary to prevent the Wesmen from taking over anything those reckless magic types of Balaia have again ripped a big ol' new one where they should not have. In this case, the hole allows demons access to their world, and a desperate, sacrificial holding action has to be maintained by what magical leaders are left to give the Raven a chance to get out and do something about it. Tense and exciting action to be had, yet again.

Whoever came up with this title should give lessons to the Elfsorrow person.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story teller, November 10, 2005

By 

Bernard J. D. Polarski (Brussels) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Demonstorm (Legend of the Raven 4) (Hardcover)

James Barclay is definetly a good story teller with a lot of imagination. If you loved RR.martin, you will love Barclay. I did not regret any cent that I spent on his books. I cannot say the same thing about the lasts of D.Edding, F.Feist or R.Jordan. There is a new generation of Fantasy author like Greg Keyes, James Barclay that deserved to be followed.