Elfsorrow: Legends of the Raven [Paperback]

James Barclay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 2003 | Series: Legends of the Raven 1

Barclay's Dawnthief was a huge bestseller. Now, this master of fantasy is back with another action-packed adventure featuring the Raven, a band of mercenaries consisting of six men and one elf. The rivalry between the four colleges of magic in the land of Balaia has done nothing but bring misery to the citizens. Now, the elves are dying by the thousands, struck down by a terrible and mysterious affliction. Ilkar, one of the Raven, knows he is in a unique position to discover the cause of the suffering and stop it. Over many years the group's prowess and sheer lethality have become legendary. But, even heroes, like elves, are mortal.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Trained as an actor James Barclay now works in the city as an advertising manager. Born in 1965 in Suffolk he went to Sheffield City Polytechnic to study Electrical Engineering but quickly realised his mistake and switched to communications studies. He then moved to London where he lives now.

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Gollancz (May 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0575073292
• ISBN-13: 978-0575073296
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,695,069 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Breed of Elf, November 14, 2008

By 

Daniel Corliss "Dcor" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elfsorrow (Legends of the Raven 1) (Paperback)

This is solid writing from an author that I was previously ignorant of. Barclay puts interesting twists on classic fantasy archtypes while combining vivid imagery during action sequences to create a thrilling read. Great detail is afforded to the uses and limitations of magic and melee combat in tactical situations. Each of the characters depicted is a hero, but the group is legend. Possibly the most enticing of the long list of positives is the elves introduced in this novel. They are, without doubt, the most hardcore BAMF'in version of an elf I have ever encountered. These folk would take Tolkein's and anyone else's, close call with Salvatore's Dark Elves,to school and then some. Worth the read just to see what the little buggers can do.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great series, October 24, 2010

By 

Eric D. Chavez - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Elfsorrow (Legends of the Raven 1) (Paperback)

After reading the previous books, I was ecstatic to find the legends of the raven series. Could not put them down!

5.0 out of 5 stars Elves in action: What could be better?, October 7, 2010

By 

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

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Elfsorrow (Legends of the Raven 1) (Paperback)

Elfsorrow certainly had its own rhythm compared to the first three books, but fabulous nonetheless. Barclay's elves totally rock, giving Tolkien's elves a run for their money. Yeah, the elves were in and out of the previous novels, but here we get to see them in their full glory: Armed to the teeth and ready to kick some serious butt while fighting along side the Raven mercenaries. Most of the times unwillingly, but in the end, the elves see value in the Raven's actions. (I can't wait to read Barclay's Elves series)

What a sad, sad, sad, ending. The title certainly lives up to it's name. I got teary eyed; one tear escaped and went rolling down my cheek. A little embarrassing considering I was in the waiting room of the dentist office at the time.

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, weather they be the Raven mercenaries themselves or other important figures in the epic tale: No mater what the time span between each book. A few authors could take a lesson in consistency from Barclay.