Elfsorrow (Legends of the Raven 1) [Paperback]

James Barclay (Author)

Book Description

Series: Legends of the Raven 1 | Publication Date: July 10, 2003

Another action-packed adventure from the new master of fantasy launches Legends of The Raven, a new trilogy starring the cult heroes made famous in Chronicles of The Raven. The Raven travel to a new continent in search of mages to help the ruined college of Julatsa rebuild ...and find themselves in the midst of an ancient curse - a curse that has unleashed a plague that threatens to wipe out the elven race. Barclay excels with another tale that pitches The Raven against the clock and unseen foes. Full of desperate fights and secret betrayals the story also fills in more of Balaia's history and delves deeper into the ancient emnities between the colleges. Barclay has created a wonderfully appealing group of heroes and with every book their history grows and the land they live in becomes wider and richer. This is landmark fantasy in the making.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Barclay is our most successful UK fantasy author. Born in 1965 in Felixstowe he works as an advertising manager for a leading investment house in the city.

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Gollancz (July 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0575073985
• ISBN-13: 978-0575073982
• Product Dimensions: 4.4 x 1.1 x 7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,745,530 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.