Customer Reviews

Shadowheart (Legends of the Raven 3)

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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

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.

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.

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