Voice of Crow

Aspect of Crow #2

by Jeri Smith-Ready

In pain, in fear, and in longing—with every passing Rhia hears the cries of the departed. This "gift" from the ancient and mysterious Crow gives Rhia an intimate connection to death. One that holds her soul hostage to the Other Side-even as her people are threatened by the enemies they call Descendants. But a new prophecy offers hope: Rhia's infant son may hold the key to freedom.

And then he is stolen from her.

To save her family, protect her home, and reclaim her soul, Rhia will travel as far as she must. To the Descendants’ towering white city...even to the Land of the Dead itself.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Ebooks, Magic, High Fantasy, Post Apocalyptic

464 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2007

About the author

Jeri Smith-Ready has been writing fiction since the night she had her first double espresso. A steady stream of caffeine has produced twelve published novels for teens and adults since 2001.

Jeri lives in Maryland with her husband and two cats, who often play tag-team "sit in the author's lap and keep her from writing." (The cats, that is, not the husband. Though, actually...)

Reviews

[Literary Lusts · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the first book in this series but for some reason I wasn't very exited for it's sequel. I got around halfway through and ended up giving up. I couldn't get reconnected to the characters and it kept switching POVs, sometimes to characters I'm unfamiliar with. I did like the previous book though so I'll probably try other books by the author sometime later.

[Trista Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might have been a five star if the pov was handled better. The writing style takes the enjoyment of the story down a notch. Overall great story though!

[Aisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voice of Crow picks up where Eyes of Crow left off. Unlike the first book in this trilogy, Voice of Crow is told from multiple perspectives; those of Rhia, Marek, Alanka, and Filip. The multiple perspectives enhance the story and make it more robust. Looking forward to reading the last book in this trilogy.

[Marie-Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sie besitzt die dunkle Gabe der Krähe, sie spürt die Nähe des Todes.Schmerz, Verzweiflung, Sehnsucht Nacht für Nacht hört Rhia die Rufe der Verstorbenen. Und diese neue Dimension ihrer Gabe als Krähenfrau ist gefährlich: Rhias Seele droht im Jenseits gefangen genommen zu werden!
In Asermos herrscht Krieg. Nur eine Vision gibt Rhia Hoffnung: Ihr Sohn, erst wenige Wochen alt, wird dem Land Frieden bringen! Doch das scheinen ihre Feinde zu ahnen. Sie entführen das Kind. Wenig später verschwindet auch ihr Mann Marek, Seelenträger des Wolfes. Verzweifelt macht Rhia sich auf die Suche. Um sich selbst, ihre Familie und ihr Volk zu retten, muss sie Kräfte entwickeln, die sie sich zuvor nicht einmal hätte vorstellen können! Denn ihr Weg führt sie in die Stadt der Abtrünnigen und in das Reich der Toten.

"Die Totenhüterin" ist der zweite Band der "Im Zeichen der Krähe"- Trilogie von Jeri Smith-Ready.
Um die Geschichte zu verstehen, empfehle ich, den ersten Band "Die Seelenwächterin" gelesen zu haben, um die Hintergründe besser nachvollziehen zu können.
Nachdem die ersten etwas zäh zu lesenden Seiten gelesen sind, wird der Leser mit einer spannenden und dramatischen Story belohnt, die sehr viel mythologische Aspekte besitzt und sich mit den Fragen des Lebens befasst. Sobald ein Punkt in diesem Buch überschritten ist, liest sich "Die Totenhüterin" spannend und mitreißend und beschert ein einmaliges Lesevergnügen.
Die Story wird von Mal zu Mal tiefschürfender und dramatischer; sie bekommt eine gewisse Lebendigkeit, die das Lesen zu einem echten Abenteuer werden lässt.
Am Ende wird seitens der Autorin noch einmal alles aufgefahren und bietet einen finalen Showdown, der neugierig auf den letzten Band macht.

Die Protagonisten dieser Geschichte werden immer facettenreicher. Sie durchleiden einiges an Bedrohungen und Schicksalsschlägen wodurch ihr Charakter stetig reift und wichtige Charakterzüge herausgearbeitet werden. Neben Rhia und Marek, spielen nun auch Filip und Alanka eine wichtige Rolle, denn aus diesen vier verschiedenen Sichtweisen wird die Story erzählt und nimmt Einfluss auf den Leser in der Art die Geschichte nachzuempfinden.

Sprachlich glänzt dieses Buch durch viel Lebendigkeit und Tiefe. Leider kommt der Leser stets etwas schwerer in die Story hinein, aber ab einen gewissen Punkt beweist die Autorin ihr volles Können. Flüssig zu lesen und mit philosophischen und mythologischen Aspekten gespickt, mutet diese Trilogie ein wenig wie alte Sagen der Indianer an.

[Dorri · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Eyes of Crow we are presented with one viewpoint, Rhia's. In Voice of Crow Rhia is not the focus character, we are given the deep and fulfilling voices of Marek, Alanka, Arcas and others as they tell us the tale of the kidnappings, enslavement and ultimately the battle for freedom for the people of the Spirits.

Of all the people we know and meet in Voice of Crow I found myself drawn to the person I most wanted to hate, Filip. We first meet Filip, once a proud soldier of Ilion, as a wounded prisoner of war contemplating his sudden change in fate. He wishes for the honorable death he should have found in battle, but instead he is left with the loss of a leg and a homeland he cannot return to for the shame his disability will bring to his family. As such, the longer he stays with the people of Spirit, the more odd things begin happening to him. It began with the mutterings of a dog, one he could suddenly understand speaking plaining to him. Then came the annoying birds. It's only when he learns that he is gaining the gifts of the Spirits does he begin to have a crisis of faith. One that bends him towards the quiet contemplation of death, until love steps in and gives him another path.

Yes, Rhia and Marek feature heavily into this novel as well, but it's so much richer for the added viewpoints. I loved this novel, even as the war began to wear on our spirits.

[Barbara ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my younger years, everything Native American fascinated me. I had Native American art and sculptures all over the place. I read anything about Native Americans. Heck I even had a coffee table book devoted to Native Americans. And I read more romances with Native American heroes than even I can believe (now of course, they hold no appeal at all). Hmmm how times change.

Anyway, I liked this installment more than the first. I think it's because of the changing POVs. Though Rhia and Marek play an important role in this story, they aren't the main focus. That belongs to Filip and Alanka. I really enjoyed their courtship and the visible growth of both characters throughout the story. There were also POVs from other characters as well which greatly enhanced the reading experience. This book was heart-breaking for everyone but especially Rhia and Marek.

I particularly like the Native American-like spirit animals mixed with mythology and the world building is spectacular though it does take some getting used to. I will definitely be reading the conclusion to see how (if) the Spirits prevail over the Gods and how these various tribes overcome their differences and combine to fight a common enemy.

[Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was truly heartbreaking! After all they had been through in the first book, Marek and Rhia had loads of more heartache coming their way. The first time they left their tiny son, Nilik, with other pepole in order to get some adult-time, he was kidnapped by Descendants. And Marek decided to go with him when he caught up with the kidnappers and they wouldn't let him have his son back.

Alanka had a hard time believing she still deserved Wolf's spirit, and only felt more or less complete when she was with Filip, the Descendant who stayed after the battle, having decided he would not dishonour his family by coming back home crippled.

Even more excitement and fights than in the first book, and a allover more sad feel to it as well. However, JS-R is such an awesome writer I still truly loved it all. Even the hard and complicated parts of the plot were beautifully written, and really made sense in view of the story she was telling.

This is becoming one of my all-time favourite series!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

(warnings for spoilers ahead, so if you haven't read it yet,avert your gaze now!!! don't say I didn't warn you...)

so this one started off slow. although I'll admit that I didn't enjoy Voice of Crow as much as Eyes of Crow, it had its own special aspects. New characters are introduced and the deeper look into the Descendants' lives left readers with a new sense of the world that this series takes place in. but let me tell you; I've read a lot of books in my time, and I've never hated a character more than I hate Basha. Kudos, Ms. Smith-Ready, for creating such a despicable character who literally had me balling my fists whenever I so much as read her name. This installment to the series was heartbreaking and I could not put the book down. I'm really sad to know that the next book will be the last, but I look forward to reading it!!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sequel to Eyes of Crow is just as good as the first book. Smith-Ready has created an appealing world, and in this second book, several of the supporting characters come into their own. I especially appreciated the introduction of new characters who are Descendants, adding depth to the conflict and avoiding the pitfall of making them faceless enemies. These are people who both envy and fear the people of the villages, and some of whom must face the possibility of acquiring animal powers themselves. The Aspect of Crow series is entertaining and very readable, and also important questions about our relationship to the natural world.

[Angelique · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I still adore the mythology related to the animal spirits, I found Rhia slightly more annoying due to the whole "special prophecy baby" storyline. The addition of a second crow (Damon) didn't really add a lot to the story, plus I found the entire storyline with Bashka to be icky. Same for the plot with the soldiers and the taken Kalindon/Aesermon women. I get that war has this occur BUT I just really don't like it. Also, I loved the concept of soul thieves and how they got them back so I can't take too many stars away despite Rhia's clingy nature.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! It had been a while since I had read the first one in the series (eyes of crow) and was worried that I may not be able to pick this one up real well, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was easy to get into the story straight up and it helped that it got into the action almost from the get go and held my attention all the way through. definitely a series I would love to see turned into movies.

[Christine Manzari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't stop reading. Everything that made Eyes of Crow great was even 10x better in this book. I still loved Rhia and Marek, but I really enjoyed getting to know Filip and seeing his relationship with Alanka grow. I seriously couldn't put this book down. The only complaint I have is that the cover was even worse than the first book. Thankfully, the cover for the third book looks pretty awesome and I expect the book to be just as fantastic as the first two.

[Grainne Rhuad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This, second in Smith-Ready's Aspect of Crow series. An attention grabbing follow up to her first book, Voice of Crow. This book introduces a different culture and the collision that results from the two meeting. The idea of Smith-Ready's post apocalyptic world which is lead by Native American Like spirit animals in intriguing and beguiling.

[:) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made the mistake of reading the Author's Note before starting the book and it said something to the effect that "things will never stay perfect- not in real life, and certainly not in the world of Reawakened." So the book started off with a "bad feeling". It was not all wine and roses but it was exciting and had a cliffhanger ending. I am eagerly awaiting book 3.

[Unboutdailleurs · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai redécouvert pas mal de chose dans ce second tome. Un volume plein d'aventures, beaucoup de révélations et de remise en question pour tous les protagonistes. Jai adoré retrouver Rhia et Marek (Ce dernier vit des choses difficiles), j'ai un gros faible pour Filip et Alanka. Ils sont parfait l'un pour l'autre. Je suis toujours aussi fan de l'univers et de l'écriture.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong blend of personal as the action encompasses wider themes and issues. And she does address the lack of homosexuality from the previous book - not extremely well, but in pretty much the only was she could considering how the magic system is devised. Really enjoyable - jumping right in to the final book!

[Sianne Morrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Struggled starting this one. Have put it aside and will try again later...not sure about the style of writing for me, at this stage.

Update - I couldn't get through this one. Found it difficult to read, having to go back over pages, then getting lost again.

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one more than the first, however more broad the point of view changes. The story has a bigger picture and meaning and I felt it stayed true to the characters. The conflict felt really natural, which I think is an issue in a lot of stories, so that really stood out.

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

weak

[Lynn Calvin]

Amazon received

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok but the main protagonist isn't likeable making this story hard work for me. Some cool supernatural ideas but the lack of character development ruins this series for me.

[roulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series was beautiful and gripping. A total page-turner, and I had to read all of them as quickly as possible. I was at a loss when it ended.

[Jax O · Rating 1 out of 5]

Supernatural

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't stop. Have to read The Reawakened NOW.....

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great follow-up to Eyes of Crow. Characters kept growing and story stayed enjoyable.

[Sweetkan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked this sequel a bit intense though. Can't wait for the next one.