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The Gathering Storm: The Chronicles of the Raven, Book I
Protect the Tor!
The highlands of Daffyd are known as the Green Mount. It is a land of peaceful, hard-working people, gentle and loving, but stalwart and fierce when forced to defend their homes. At its center is the Tor, a mystical mount of power and goodness. The legendary warlord and peerless swordsman, Corvus Corax—the Raven—guards these lands with his faithful sons, Cailean and Ligulf. Together, they gather their forces to face the savage hordes of the Barbárs and the foul blood sorcery of the immortal Angor shamans in an epic battle to protect the Tor.
An unlikely collection of heroes must come together to stop the powerful, dark forces that are in Corvus’ longtime companion Yazid, the mystical priestess Mama Warad from a far-off land, her three votaries, Yadira, Lupe, and Amina, and the unusual child of destiny that accompany them.
The battle cry goes out as swords are drawn…
“Protect the Tor!”
The highlands of Daffyd are known as the Green Mount. It is a land of peaceful, hard-working people, gentle and loving, but stalwart and fierce when forced to defend their homes. At its center is the Tor, a mystical mount of power and goodness. The legendary warlord and peerless swordsman, Corvus Corax—the Raven—guards these lands with his faithful sons, Cailean and Ligulf. Together, they gather their forces to face the savage hordes of the Barbárs and the foul blood sorcery of the immortal Angor shamans in an epic battle to protect the Tor.
An unlikely collection of heroes must come together to stop the powerful, dark forces that are in Corvus’ longtime companion Yazid, the mystical priestess Mama Warad from a far-off land, her three votaries, Yadira, Lupe, and Amina, and the unusual child of destiny that accompany them.
The battle cry goes out as swords are drawn…
“Protect the Tor!”
520 pages, Paperback
Published April 12, 2023
11 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 26, 2023
Thank you Reedsy Discovery for the ARC
This author knows how to write a fight scene. That is what I want to start this review of "The Gathering Storm" with, because it honestly impressed me. Expecially one on one fights are brilliant, each being unique and creative with the stakes high and present at all times. There is a lot of them, so this becomes very important in carrying the book!
Sadly, the rest of the book did not pull nearly as much weight for me. Character development felt a bit shallow, even if it was clear that the author intended for a cast of diverse and interesting individuals. Due to the many shifts between perspectives, the book failed in getting me particularly involved with either of the characters, which was a shame! There were various instances where I really wanted to feel for the characters, like poor Dallin or Argent, but I did not get a chance to really do so as either the point of view would shift or a new challenge would present itself. This seems to improve further into the book however, for which I am thankful.
What did not improve however, and I need to point this out, is the worldbuilding. Sadly, the only real word I have for it is "haphazard": various cultures clash in a way that does not shed much light on any. In fact, it appears that in an attempt to include more diverse influences different groups have been created that feel awkward and disjointed when interacting with one another. It is unclear how these peoples influence one another, do they have trading relations? Do their paths cross at all? if they do, them being this distinct and different seems weird... on top of that this feels incredibly clunky to those familiar with the source culture (I found myself yelling at the book that a "barra" is a wheelbarrow, and not a child...)
If you can look past that though, this is an engaging story, featuring a diverse cast of people fighting for their lives, their homes and their loved ones. It is quite well done! And those fight scenes...I might recommend the book just for those.
This author knows how to write a fight scene. That is what I want to start this review of "The Gathering Storm" with, because it honestly impressed me. Expecially one on one fights are brilliant, each being unique and creative with the stakes high and present at all times. There is a lot of them, so this becomes very important in carrying the book!
Sadly, the rest of the book did not pull nearly as much weight for me. Character development felt a bit shallow, even if it was clear that the author intended for a cast of diverse and interesting individuals. Due to the many shifts between perspectives, the book failed in getting me particularly involved with either of the characters, which was a shame! There were various instances where I really wanted to feel for the characters, like poor Dallin or Argent, but I did not get a chance to really do so as either the point of view would shift or a new challenge would present itself. This seems to improve further into the book however, for which I am thankful.
What did not improve however, and I need to point this out, is the worldbuilding. Sadly, the only real word I have for it is "haphazard": various cultures clash in a way that does not shed much light on any. In fact, it appears that in an attempt to include more diverse influences different groups have been created that feel awkward and disjointed when interacting with one another. It is unclear how these peoples influence one another, do they have trading relations? Do their paths cross at all? if they do, them being this distinct and different seems weird... on top of that this feels incredibly clunky to those familiar with the source culture (I found myself yelling at the book that a "barra" is a wheelbarrow, and not a child...)
If you can look past that though, this is an engaging story, featuring a diverse cast of people fighting for their lives, their homes and their loved ones. It is quite well done! And those fight scenes...I might recommend the book just for those.
August 4, 2024
I am sorry, but that was so cringe.
I could not reconcile with some of the terms, beginning with the enemy, the Barbars and their elite squads, the Räubers (maybe this is orthographically wrong, bear with me, please, I listened to the audiobook and could not find the expression online).
As with any work, there are constituents that are well done. For instance, I liked the Fool, who is licensed to speak in riddles but to whom it is advisable to listen, what the protagonist got to experience poignantly.
Then, I also liked his (the Fool's) telling of the origin story of the mythology that plays a central role in the society of the Green Mount.
Though, returning to my critique, even the name of the titular character, Corvus Corax, is ridiculous. All of the denotations I have listed so far caused me to feel as if the author was trying too hard to be edgy and / creative.
Moreover, the narrative in its entirety is very much callow and unformed at times. There is not enough background to the characters. What did Corvus' wife die from, and why has the fact any relevance to the rest of the story? Sure, now we know why the boys do not have a mother, but apart from that I don't understand -- why include it at all?
- Why are Ligulf and Ligulf's best friends (Danella?), well, best friends?
- in at least one instance, the interactions between Corvus and Cailean does not seem natural, i.e. his son kills a man before his eyes, and they both react with smiling to each other? In what world is that not creepy???
Plus, there is one inconsistency:
I could not reconcile with some of the terms, beginning with the enemy, the Barbars and their elite squads, the Räubers (maybe this is orthographically wrong, bear with me, please, I listened to the audiobook and could not find the expression online).
As with any work, there are constituents that are well done. For instance, I liked the Fool, who is licensed to speak in riddles but to whom it is advisable to listen, what the protagonist got to experience poignantly.
Then, I also liked his (the Fool's) telling of the origin story of the mythology that plays a central role in the society of the Green Mount.
Though, returning to my critique, even the name of the titular character, Corvus Corax, is ridiculous. All of the denotations I have listed so far caused me to feel as if the author was trying too hard to be edgy and / creative.
Moreover, the narrative in its entirety is very much callow and unformed at times. There is not enough background to the characters. What did Corvus' wife die from, and why has the fact any relevance to the rest of the story? Sure, now we know why the boys do not have a mother, but apart from that I don't understand -- why include it at all?
- Why are Ligulf and Ligulf's best friends (Danella?), well, best friends?
- in at least one instance, the interactions between Corvus and Cailean does not seem natural, i.e. his son kills a man before his eyes, and they both react with smiling to each other? In what world is that not creepy???
Plus, there is one inconsistency:
August 1, 2023
David Doersch’s debut novel The Gathering Storm, the first book of his Chronicles of the Raven series, is a masterful weaving together of multiple plot threads for several key character groups. With the descriptive prowess of Tolkien, Follett, and Rutherford, Doersch creates a world reminiscent of their historical and mythical realms. The primary character, Corvus Corax, strives to rally the people of Green Mount to band together to fight off the Barbar invaders at Eagle’s Gate, similar to Gandalf rallying the denizens of Middle Earth to defeat the army of Saron at the Battle of Helm’s Deep. The key adversary is the horde of Barbar warriors, an interesting amalgam of Viking raiders and Orcs. An additional subplot follows the machinations of the duplicitous Archbishop of the “church” trying to get a foothold in the realm, who reeks of the corrupt practices and political maneuverings of one of Follett’s archbishops, versus the indigenous polytheistic faiths. While Doersch’s plots and characters may call to mind elements from medieval history or plots of other works, he has created his own distinct world here. His battle scenes flow like a choreographed danced, the movements of the combatants, both male and female, so fluid they are almost poetic. Time is taken to carefully structure the different realms, cultures, and mores of diverse people readers can readily recognize. Through his detailed descriptions, he creates in the reader’s mind’s eye a new world fully peopled with characters readers can easily root for and hiss at during exciting battle scenes as defense of homelands clash with invasion and conquest. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
June 10, 2023
If you are looking for a diverse cultural mixture, action, spectacular fight scenes and an overall interesting plotline to carry it all? Look no further..
I enjoyed the adventure and high-stakes scenes in this book a lot, the references to different cultures and how they need to work together to achieve a greater goal, protect all they hold dear.. There are multiple POV's throughout the story and if you are not used to that (which is common in fantasy lately) it might get confusing at first, but you'll pick up the pace soon enough... because that's another great thing about this story. Its pacing has a steady rhythm and it doesn't let down the reader.
However, I do have one or maybe two complaints ... I loved having so much diversity in the main cast, but I felt that they could have been a little more developed... a bit more back story and background setting for them would have made it great for me, but still it didn't hurt at all the story I'm just nitpicking.
The other thing that bothered me was world building. There could have been a bit more cohesion because there were so many different cultures to mix... Then again, it doesn't hurt the story either unless you are really getting into the grit of it.
If you want an action-packed fantasy to read for the summer, I would suggest giving this
I enjoyed the adventure and high-stakes scenes in this book a lot, the references to different cultures and how they need to work together to achieve a greater goal, protect all they hold dear.. There are multiple POV's throughout the story and if you are not used to that (which is common in fantasy lately) it might get confusing at first, but you'll pick up the pace soon enough... because that's another great thing about this story. Its pacing has a steady rhythm and it doesn't let down the reader.
However, I do have one or maybe two complaints ... I loved having so much diversity in the main cast, but I felt that they could have been a little more developed... a bit more back story and background setting for them would have made it great for me, but still it didn't hurt at all the story I'm just nitpicking.
The other thing that bothered me was world building. There could have been a bit more cohesion because there were so many different cultures to mix... Then again, it doesn't hurt the story either unless you are really getting into the grit of it.
If you want an action-packed fantasy to read for the summer, I would suggest giving this
January 20, 2026
This story is a classic, well-built fantasy adventure centered on a high-stakes mission. A mystical priestess, Mama Nabila Warad, is entrusted with a powerful artifact, a Lost Key to the Four Gates. She and her three followers must make a long, dangerous journey across a war-torn continent to deliver it to the legendary swordsman Corvus Corax by a strict deadline.
The action unfolds on two fronts. As Mama Nabila travels, Corvus learns that a savage enemy, the Barbárs, plans to invade his homeland to seize a magical site called the Equinox Tor. He must rally the armies of allied nations to stop them.
The two stories are destined to collide, bringing together a priestess, a warrior, and other unlikely heroes. They’ll have to face not just swords and monsters, but dark blood magic, to protect their world from conquest and the misuse of ancient power.
If you love big fantasy quests with detailed worlds, clear villains, and a race against time, this book offers a satisfying adventure.
The action unfolds on two fronts. As Mama Nabila travels, Corvus learns that a savage enemy, the Barbárs, plans to invade his homeland to seize a magical site called the Equinox Tor. He must rally the armies of allied nations to stop them.
The two stories are destined to collide, bringing together a priestess, a warrior, and other unlikely heroes. They’ll have to face not just swords and monsters, but dark blood magic, to protect their world from conquest and the misuse of ancient power.
If you love big fantasy quests with detailed worlds, clear villains, and a race against time, this book offers a satisfying adventure.
July 20, 2023
Excellent book!I did not want to put it down.The storyline,with Highlanders,monsters and bare breasted warriors was terrific.Narration by the author and Elizabeth Wiley was wonderful.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews