Raven

The Balance #2

by Nick Shamhart

Raven is the second book in The Balance series - a collection of paranormal thrillers dealing with the unseen world of balancing powers. Too often life is viewed in terms of good and evil, black or white, and the balance point tipping in either direction is ignored. Why should the afterlife be any different? We are given a choice when we die to move on to the Source, stay on earth and slowly evolve into more of what we were (good people become angels and bad people become demons), or a chosen few can work to keep the Balance between them. The title character Raven is such a warrior who works to maintain that balance.Malign, the demon responsible for most of the world’s cataclysmic wars, has come to the United States with an army of vampires or, more specifically, demons she has convinced to act as those fabled creatures of the night to sow discord and social unrest. Raven and the other Balance soldiers must track Malign down and in their spare time try to convince the ancient angel Metatron that he is doing more harm than good with his participation in mortal affairs. Tagging along for the ride are a motorcycle gang of millionaire philanthropists, Raven’s fellow Balance warrior Zeus’ younger angelic brother, and the demon Lucifer with his babysitter Gabriel. The novel is written in two styles. Each chapter begins in a soliloquy from the title character Raven, where she tells pieces of her back-story intertwined with philosophical musings on her family life and dealing with loss, with the following bulk of the chapter told in a third person narrative.

Genres: Humor, Paranormal, Horror, Ghosts, Supernatural

350 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 6, 2012

About the author

Nick Shamhart was born in Sandusky, Ohio on the winter solstice in the years before Americans started electing actors as President. He still lives in that mostly vowel state under protest from half of the voices in his head. The other half could care less where they reside, because they are too busy yammering on endlessly about everything from Sit-Com theme songs to theology and metaphysics.

Articles and short stories written by Nick have appeared in such magazines as: National Geographic and National Geographic Adventure, Rolling Stone, Better Homes and Gardens, Family Circle, Men’s Journal, Esquire, Sci Fi, Men’s Health, Blender, Vibe, Outdoor, and more.

Nick Shamhart is not a genre writer. His novels are character based. The result is whatever the story becomes, from romantic comedy to drama or thriller. He is the author of the theologically and psychologically driven series based on the afterlife called the Balance Books. The romantic comedy, “The Knight’s Wife” is based on the concept of how often women are actually the ones who perform the hero’s work and then some. “The Fog Within” is Nick’s bestselling and highly acclaimed dramatic look into the mind of a severely autistic woman. He lives in Cleveland with his wife and two daughters.

Reviews

[Iris Donner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Shamhart is proving to be one of the quickest wits in modern fiction. I loved both of the Balance books, but "Raven" being told from a woman's perspective really sucked me in. Most male authors just can't do it. Mr. Shamhart is brilliant at it. I really believed I was reading a book written by a woman. To be honest I've read books by women with a lead female character that were less believable than "Raven". I love her, she is a great character and a great book!

[Latika Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is for the series as a whole, but I'm putting it on "Raven" because it is my favorite to date. The Balance books are everything modern fiction should be...and rarely is. The story has action and wonderful description and dialouge, plus the narrative isn't dumbed down. I'm a big girl, I can admit that I had to look up a word or two, but you know what? I think that makes for a better story. The depth of the Balance characters and story is amazing. Fiction with thought behind it.

[Daniel Morway · Rating 5 out of 5]

You may have heard people call Shamhart the Twain of his generation. That isn't too far off. His descriptions are second to none. Shamhart can give you in one sentence what it would take any other modern author a paragraph to do. If you are one of those readers who complains about there never being anything new or fresh in fiction, then try the Balance books, that will shut you right up.

[Karren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Balance books. There is nothing else like them on the market. The best description I can come up with for Mr. Shamhart's writting style is it feels like the spirits of Twain, Tolkien, and George Carlin all channelled their efforts through his words!

[Janice McGraw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clever and funny. I love vampires no matter how over done they are in pop culture. This book is full of jibes and psychological rational as to why women like me love vampires, and it is brilliant!

[Jill Bellamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I love these books! No other series has me crying one minute and laughing the next as the Balance does. You really need to read these books!

[Cammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shamhart is a very clever story teller. What at first sounds like a cross-over is really a very clever poke at a fad blown out of proportions. The "Vampires" are really demons taking advantage of that currently sexy girly fad, and using that cover to suit their own twisted fantasies, or one demon's, and of course the ultimate devil is a woman. There are nice touches of humor and emotion all through the story and the series shift to the point-of-view of another main character "Raven" instead of rehashing "Grey" is absolutely brilliant!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raven kept me intrigued and I could not wait to finish it. The character Raven was facinating since she was complex and seemed to find her emotions pulling her in several directions. I enjoyed reading about many of the 'supporting' characters too, they really developed the story and gave it depth. I enjoyed being suprised by some of their actions too! A must read on my shelf!

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I was really leary because the first book was outside of what you expect in paranormal. Plus when I read the synopsis that the second book had vampires I was really really worried, because I love vampires but didn't see how they would fit into the Balance series. But though it wasn't what I expected it was absolutely amazing! Funny and tear jerking at the same time.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book of the Balance series is even more exciting and fast-paced than the first. The characters are complex and facinating. It is the type of book you can read over and over, finding something new about the story each time you read it.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shamhart is living proof that not all American writers have sold out, pandering for sex and violence. You just have to look really hard to find them. The Balance books are a great read and I am looking forward to the next installment!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever and witty, you will never look at fads like vampires the same way after reading this book. The Balance books are like an entertaining psych course where the professor cracks jokes and you actually want to go to class!

[Sarah T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very clever look at life and death. And how and why we like the things we do. I will never look at the vampire mythology the same after reading this book. Anybody that loves or hates the current vampire fad really needs to read this book, both sides will get something out of it.

[Jennifer Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better than "Grey"!!!!

[Madaline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every vampire fan should read this book! I really don't care either way, but the author makes some great observations on pop culture that even the most devoute fang fan should like.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful and emotional, The Balance books make you stop, place your bookmark, think about what you just read, and then pick it back up because you want to know what comes next!

[Debbie Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and exciting!!!!

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever beyond description!