Shadowheart: Legends of the Raven [Paperback]

James Barclay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2003 | Series: Legends of the Raven

"Heroic fantasy at its best."--SFX


James Barclay has rapidly established himself as one of the leading lights of the fantasy genre, and with 175,000 of his Raven books in print, this fifth entry in the series is sure to become a hit.
As we once again meet the Raven--a band of swords for hire made up of six men and an elf--they are being tested to the point of destruction. A savage war breaks out across the world as the magical colleges of Balaia tear apart the land in a struggle for supremacy. Can the Raven even survive, much less triumph?
Barclay has never been afraid of killing off favorite characters, which has given his works a unique edge; now he's threatening their entire universe. Fans will definitely find this adventure a thrilling, unforgettable ride.


James Barclay is the most successful UK fantasy writer of his generation. His previous titles include Dawnthief, Noonshade, Nightchild, and Elfsorrow.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Picking up where he left off in November 2010's Elfsorrow, Barclay has no qualms about heaping more misery and catastrophe on his devastated creation. The world includes a complex and rational system of magic that requires the cooperation of mages. One of the colleges of magic uses the near-destruction of a rival as the impetus for a war that brings in all four colleges and leaves the world even more battered and chaotic than it already was thanks to a series of political wars. The Raven, a group of heroes trying to stop the destruction, is battered and damaged as well, its numbers greatly reduced. Frequent perspective shifts give a sense of urgency at the expense of allowing the reader to get fully invested in any single character. Battle scenes are well realized and varied, vital in a book consisting almost entirely of epic conflict. (Dec.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

EVENTS James will be appearing at Borders Oxford Street to sign copies of his book and read extracts from his novel on 14th July. He will be appearing inCrewe for the Barclay's Bank SF talk on 23rd July. And will be doing an event at Ottakar's in Milton Keynes on 24th July. Stock signings and requests have been requested by Ottakar's High Wycombe and Greenwich who will also be doing window display. Waterstones Leadenhall have also requested signed stock. INTERVIEWS BBC GLR have approached me re: interviewing James. Further radio interviews are being organised.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Gollancz (October 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0575073314
• ISBN-13: 978-0575073319
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,101,218 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 terrific middle tale, November 29, 2010

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadowheart (Legends of the Raven 2) (Paperback)

The hostile debate between the four colleges of magic finally explodes into open warfare as Xetesk seizes the opportunity to take the first rung on their vision of dominion with an assault on the depleted Julatsa, who sacrificed so much in the Wesmen wars (see Chronicles of the Raven trilogy). The Julatsa know they must find a way to survive the invaders, but to do so they will need the interred Heart of Julatsan.

The other two colleges Lystern and Dordover discuss what to do when a somewhat depleted Xetesk turns to them and how to control what is left of the Raven. They forge an alliance with a plan to invade Xetesk after it wastes much of its magic, but to do so they must lock away or assassinate the Raven survivors. However, way to the west, a power is surfacing whose vision is that of a Balaian continent with no magic or eastern mage-rulers. In a ploy to conquer the other three colleges and thereby the continent, Xetesk has turned to the Balaian as an ally especially with the alliance and Raven in the way of their manifest destiny.

The second Legends of the Raven fantasy (see Elf Sorrow) is a terrific middle tale as the hostilities that remained outward towards the anti-magical Black Wings (their mass grave as described in this thriller is simply grim and eerie) turns inward between the colleges. Readers will appreciate the continual saga of the Raven as the exhilarating story line is filled with action, but it is the political intrigue that makes for another great entry by James Barclay.

Harriet Klausner

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Other Books, September 2, 2007

By 

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

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

If you are really busy killing each other off, someone might notice.


While the magic war between the colleges goes on, those that live elsewhere and don't like such annoying wizardly overlords see a rather large opportunity to help them with the whole killing each other off bit. As usual, the Raven, a levelheaded bunch running out of original members with the death of Ilkar the Elf do what they can to prevent the continent being destroyed.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magic, April 1, 2004

By 

"singapore_matt" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

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

I found myself nervous about moving into a new authour, as occassionally they are too childish and almost "made for TV". Barclay has not disappointed. All the reviews I have read about the "Legends" and it's predecessor have been spot on and this book certainly doesn't let him down, in fact it gets better.

For anyone who is a fan of George R.R. Martin, Robin Hobb, I can't suggest the entire series too much. The characters are alive and you feel their humour and emotion.

I can't wait for the next one.