Customer Reviews

Noonshade (Chronicles of the Raven 2)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As ever, no spoilers.

The story of NOONSHADE picks up literally minutes after the first book, DAWNTHIEF, ends and throws us right back into the exploits of the mercenary band, The Raven. In the first few pages we are given a brief, "Hey, look! There's a freaking-huge hole in the sky as a consequence for saving the world in a dangerous way in the last book" summary. Then, BAM! We get right into the events of the current book. Salvation brings its own can-of-worms in this novel. Actually it isn't a can of worms, so much, as a rift in the sky through which all manner of destruction is manifest. By, "all manner of destruction" I mean interdimensional dragons that want nothing more than to obliterate everything, and kick your dog. Twice.

Yes I know what you are thinking. It's not an entirely unique premise, and if it sounds familiar, it should. The creation of new problems by the method of solving the old is a well-used mechanism for fantasy stories. However Barclay takes this trope and does it right (unlike Terry Goodkind...you know what I mean).

Hold on, you say? Dragons? Yes well, let's address that. One of the first things that hit me while reading NOONSHADE, was that within the first few pages there are elves and a dragon (actually more than one), and they weren't obtrusive in the slightest. In fact they are really cool.

A very good friend of mine--you may have heard of him--Brandon Sanderson, once wrote an article entitled "Kill the Elves." While Dark Fantasy (AKA Gritty or 'Realistic' Fantasy) is certainly trendy right now, it has been around for decades, though previouslyit was overshadowed by the more traditional High Fantasy. You know, the fantasy we all grew up with that had Dwarves, Elves, Mages, dragons, etc.

Well, back to the point at hand... In the "Kill the Elves" article Brandon Sanderson talks about how the time of these fantasy tropes has passed, and the genre is in search of the new successor to the throne. I agree with him, and not just because he is my friend.

However, James Barclay shows us in his Chronicles of The Raven series that perhaps Brandon's depiction of the death of the elves is not always correct. For me to be saying this, it means that Barclay's elves were done very well. It's not about their pointy ears, or arrogant attitudes, or even their ubiquitous racism. They are characters just like everyone else.

This leads us to perhaps the most important part of the review. While completely full of action, (seriously, I was well-sated on the action aspect of this novel.) James didn't forget that Fantasy stories are about the characters and character growth. The emotions, ambitions, concerns, and thoughts of each of the characters were as tangible to me as the book in my hands. As readers, we know and understand what each of the characters are feeling. No small accomplishment in a book with dragons, eh? Oh, speaking of dragons--as if making elves cool again wasn't enough--James does it with the dragons who are strong characters themselves!

Multiple plots are detailed and woven together in an incredible fashion. The story yanked me along, and I loved every page of the story...all the way up to, and including, the satisfying conclusion. Remember, this IS the second book of a trilogy. So let me repeat this: There is a satisfying conclusion. Awesome.

Typically when you read the middle novel of any series (especially trilogies), the first half of the book is telling you what happened in book 1 while the last half tells you what will be important in book 3. It gets real old, real quick, and I figure that is why many authors are getting away from traditional trilogy set-ups. You know why Barclay is swiftly becoming one of my favorite authors? His novel doesn't suffer "middle-book syndrome." It doesn't have a stand-alone feel by any means, but it certainly doesn't ride on the coat-tails of its predecessor and the promise of its successor.

I'll admit that I was worried about how this book would read. Would the style get old? Would NOONSHADE suffer the 2nd Book Slump?

The answer to all those questions is a resounding, "No!"

In NOONSHADE, we are given everything that made DAWNTHIEF incredible, with added layers of detail of the world and its characters. I'm positively thrilled that these novels are finally here in the US!

Whatever it is that draws us all to stories about the exploits of mercenary bands, James Barclay knows what it is. This is a group of mercenaries that I don't see myself getting tiring of.

Recommended Age: 16 and up.
Language: Nothing explicit.
Violence: This book is action packed. With swordplay aplenty, this is a definite yes.
Sex: Nothing of note.

The Raven mercenary band has no time to celebrate the victory over the Wytch Lords, who they banished with the DAWNTHIEF spell. Instead they have learned the spell tore a hole in the dimensional walls.

Deadly dragons have started to cause havoc so the Raven team must find answers fast to close the hole and destroy those creatures that have entered through the gap. Dimensional traveler Septern has left hints how to fix the growing gulf so the Raven seeks him at the same time the Wesmen barbarian horde invade the eastern lands on the ground while the dragons assault both sides from the sky.

There is plenty of action, both mundane and arcane, as NOONSHADE with its fantastic spin from DAWNTHIEF is a super fantasy. The sword and sorcery story line is fast-paced from the onset, but the key to James Barclay's strong tale is the cast. The Raven team comes across as individuals instead of a Borg like collective though they fight as one. Although the villains are stereotypical of the genre, fans will enjoy this terrific thriller as the Raven learns the lesson of unintended consequences.

Harriet Klausner

This was an absolutely wonderful follow up to Dawnthief. It's filled with plenty of fast paced, steel flying, blood spewing, magic slinging battles to keep the pages turning.

I wanted to give this book five stars, but I could only give it four. While The Raven are the central point in the story, I found the other characters and their situations much more interesting: The Barrons Greese and Blackthorne; Stillian and the Protectors; General Darrick; and the Wesman Army. Don't get me wrong, I love the Raven mercenaries. It's a great story line, but they just seemed to take a back seat on this one for me.

But all in all, it was a damn good read. Two thumbs up!

This is a pretty solid follow up to Dawnthief. It's a bit slow getting started, and doesn't feel as polished as the previous book. Once the Raven charactors take center stage the book does become more satisfying.

Too many dragons is very, very bad.


After defeating the nasty bad guys in the first book, the Raven have another large problem. They have opened a rift which will allow a whole bunch of interdimensional dragons through to do a lot more than trash the joint and eat a few cows.

To help stop this they must develop a relationship with a powerful dragon clan and come to some sort of arrangement. This leads Hirad Coldheart into a personal relationship with the dragon leader. These dragons are actually pretty interesting characters, with their own politics and society. Not to see there isn't a bunch of mercenary band swordplay, etc., as per the first book.

a really good sequel to the first book in the Raven Chronicals. Barclay keeps the pace hot and his characters deliver. Great read. Keep ther series coming.

The results of the events that helped to close the previous volume in the Chronicles of the Raven are the impetus for the story in Noonshade. The super-spell Dawnthief was cast, eradicating the Wytch Lords, but leaving open a gate, or rather a tear in the sky of Balaia to neighboring dimensions. In particular, the Dragon dimension, which could mean devastation for the land of Balaia.

When Denser stole the amulet back in the beginning of Dawnthief, he unwillingly and as the Dragons say, small thinking, broke a bond between the Dragons and people of Balaia. The Kaan dragons, rulers of the dragon dimension, bonded and formed a symbiotic partnership with the great, near-mythic mage Septern of Balaia. As a result of this bond, the Kaan keep other dragons from invading and destroying the dimension of Balaia, as other dragons have done to other dimensions.

Along with trying to close the rift in the sky, there is a backdrop of war between the magic-hating Wesmen and the colleges of Magic. The Wesmen have made it their ultimate goal to abolish magic and let men rule the world, rather than the mysterious mages.

Barclay has improved his skill with this volume. His crafting of the Dragon dimension is full of life and their history resonates with believability. Nooneshade doesn't miss a beat in terms of the action and continuing build of the Raven as a wonderful, memorable team of characters. The core of the Raven is still strong.

We also learn more about the Protectors, the ultimate fighting troop of the Xeteskian college of magic. They are an unstoppable force, not dissimilar to the Blood Guard of Donaldson Covenant books. Again, Barclay has taken a fantasy commonality and turned his own spin on it, making it fresh and new.

Barclay masterfully weaves the differing storylines together, revealing a great story that comes to a satisfying conclusion, while knowing there is more in store for the Raven.

Noonshade is an excellent continuation of The Chronicles of the Raven.

With Noonshade, Barclay continues the developments in Dawnthief, and gives further insight to the world and history of Balaia, and other dimensions which interact with it. Noonshade is as action packed as Dawnthief, yet Barclay shows an even better skill at clearly and concicely outlining character thoughts and feelings. He also masterfully brings together all the subplots of the novel for another strong finish leaving the reader wanting more of The Raven.

I just started Nightchild after finishing Noonshade, and Barclay seems to have improved yet more, which didn't seem possible after reading Noonshade. All in all, this is a great fantasy series, and there is another series about The Raven, The Legend Of The Raven, with two books published so far. I look forward to reading them all, and reading any book by Barclay.

With Noonshade, Barclay continues the developments in Dawnthief, and gives further insight to the world and history of Balaia, and other dimensions which interact with it. Noonshade is as action packed as Dawnthief, yet Barclay shows an even better skill at clearly and concicely outlining character thoughts and feelings. He also masterfully brings together all the subplots of the novel for another strong finish leaving the reader wanting more of The Raven.

I just started Nightchild after finishing Noonshade, and Barclay seems to have improved yet more, which didn't seem possible after reading Noonshade. All in all, this is a great fantasy series, and there is another series about The Raven, The Legend Of The Raven, with two books published so far. I look forward to reading them all, and reading any book by Barclay.

With Noonshade, Barclay continues the developments in Dawnthief, and gives further insight to the world and history of Balaia, and other dimensions which interact with it. Noonshade is as action packed as Dawnthief, yet Barclay shows an even better skill at clearly and concicely outlining character thoughts and feelings. He also masterfully brings together all the subplots of the novel for another strong finish leaving the reader wanting more of The Raven.

I just started Nightchild after finishing Noonshade, and Barclay seems to have improved yet more, which didn't seem possible after reading Noonshade. All in all, this is a great fantasy series, and there is another series about The Raven, The Legend Of The Raven, with two books published so far. I look forward to reading them all, and reading any book by Barclay.