Shadowheart (Legends of the Raven 2) [Paperback]

James Barclay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2008 | Series: Legends of the Raven 2

James Barclay has rapidly established himself as one of the leading lights of the genre with his two linked trilogies starring fantasy's most popular new heroes in many years: The Raven. The first trilogy was the Chronicles of The Raven and introduced the heroes and the world of Balaia. The second trilogy, The Legends of The Raven, began with Elfsorrow which served as an introduction for new readers. Now, with his fifth book, he tests The Raven to the point of destruction and unleashes a savage war across his world as the magical colleges of Balaia tear the land apart in their struggle for supremacy. Barclay has never been scared of killing off favourite characters, and this has given his books their unique edge. Now he threatens to destroy everything they have known. Can The Raven even survive, let alone triumph?

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

"...a wonderful continuation of a story that I fell deeply in love with...Entertaining reading to say the least...Barclay's writing doesn't stray, and his characters are just as believable and deserving of our attention as always. If you like yourself some high fantasy and haven't read James Barclay, you are doing yourself a disservice." --Fantasy Book Review

"...we may have found the guy who tops our Heroic Fantasy list of favorite authors...Whatever it is that draws us all to stories about the exploits of mercenary bands, James Barclay knows what it is." --Elitist Book Reviews --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Gollancz (November 13, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0575082801
• ISBN-13: 978-0575082809
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 1.1 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,465,340 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)    (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.