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The Raven's Warrior
If Death takes a man it is called fate, when Death leaves a man it is called destiny. "I have heard the delirious ramblings of countless dying minds and I am amused by yours. Don't be afraid, I won't take you now. Your life sentence has just begun." Wounded in battle, a near dead Celtic warrior is taken by Viken raiders. He is sold into a Mid-East slave market and then dragged further east, through the desert, into the 'Middle Kingdom'. Destiny brings him into the hands of a warrior priest and his daughter. Hazy images of silk, herbs, needles, potions and steel, can lead him to only one conclusion, he has been purchased by a wizard and his witch. And Arkthar fears for his very soul. Under death's plotting eyes, a slave-warrior, a priest and a healer quest to save a kingdom. A new root of Arthurian legend takes hold.
342 pages, Paperback
First published March 29, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 19, 2013
1/5 ★
First of all, I'd like to thank Netgalley and YMMA Publication Center, Inc., for the ARC of The Raven's Warrior. Unfortunately, although I was very excited about it, I just didn't end up enjoying the book, and I'm sorry for that.
What I liked:
1. A fresh retelling of the Arthurian legends.
2. A Chinese Merlin.
3. The gorgeous cover.
What I didn't like:
1. The grammatical errors. There were a lot, and many would have been relatively simple to correct. For example, each new speaker is supposed to get a new paragraph. Instead, dialogue was jumbled together.
2. All the exposition! Come on, this is a book about swords and sorcery! It's supposed to be action-packed! Instead, we're told what happens from chapter to chapter, rather than shown in vivid detail.
3. Purple prose. I think this had to do, partly, with the time period of the setting, but some of the phrasing made me wince ("frothy white bounty" vs "milk").
4. The switching points of view! Okay, so we spend four chapters with our primary protagonist, Vincent. He's been captured by slavers and is on the verge of death, when he gets rescued by a mysterious father-daughter duo in a strange, new land. Cool. And then, the next twelve chapters are back-story on Mah Lin! It was interesting enough, I suppose, but the transition was clumsy, if at all there, and his background would have been better suited to subtle weaving into the existing story, rather than shoehorned in the way it was.
5. I ended up finding the characters two-dimensional, namely due to issue 2. They weren't properly fleshed out, as they could have been if we got actual scenes, rather than snippets of time passing in sentences and paragraphs and too-short chapters.
6. I just couldn't suspend my disbelief for a lot details. Two examples, both relating to Mah Lin: a) he's left for dead in the monastery long enough for the general who attacked him to grow a freaking beard, but somehow, survives long enough to be healed by his lover and daughter; b) the sword, the legendary sword for the making of which all the monks were killed, was left behind in the abbot's robes, which makes no sense to me, if the weapon was that coveted.
7. This one's a bit petty, but it amused me how the author and the protagonist are called Vincent. Alas, I suppose everyone deserves a little bit of wish-fulfillment.
I won't go on. I'm disappointed because I really loved the concept - it's all the things I adore - but the execution was so lackluster. I think it could probably see some improvement after another (long) round of editing, at least in regard to grammar, but I'm moving on to other books, myself.
First of all, I'd like to thank Netgalley and YMMA Publication Center, Inc., for the ARC of The Raven's Warrior. Unfortunately, although I was very excited about it, I just didn't end up enjoying the book, and I'm sorry for that.
What I liked:
1. A fresh retelling of the Arthurian legends.
2. A Chinese Merlin.
3. The gorgeous cover.
What I didn't like:
1. The grammatical errors. There were a lot, and many would have been relatively simple to correct. For example, each new speaker is supposed to get a new paragraph. Instead, dialogue was jumbled together.
2. All the exposition! Come on, this is a book about swords and sorcery! It's supposed to be action-packed! Instead, we're told what happens from chapter to chapter, rather than shown in vivid detail.
3. Purple prose. I think this had to do, partly, with the time period of the setting, but some of the phrasing made me wince ("frothy white bounty" vs "milk").
4. The switching points of view! Okay, so we spend four chapters with our primary protagonist, Vincent. He's been captured by slavers and is on the verge of death, when he gets rescued by a mysterious father-daughter duo in a strange, new land. Cool. And then, the next twelve chapters are back-story on Mah Lin! It was interesting enough, I suppose, but the transition was clumsy, if at all there, and his background would have been better suited to subtle weaving into the existing story, rather than shoehorned in the way it was.
5. I ended up finding the characters two-dimensional, namely due to issue 2. They weren't properly fleshed out, as they could have been if we got actual scenes, rather than snippets of time passing in sentences and paragraphs and too-short chapters.
6. I just couldn't suspend my disbelief for a lot details. Two examples, both relating to Mah Lin: a) he's left for dead in the monastery long enough for the general who attacked him to grow a freaking beard, but somehow, survives long enough to be healed by his lover and daughter; b) the sword, the legendary sword for the making of which all the monks were killed, was left behind in the abbot's robes, which makes no sense to me, if the weapon was that coveted.
7. This one's a bit petty, but it amused me how the author and the protagonist are called Vincent. Alas, I suppose everyone deserves a little bit of wish-fulfillment.
I won't go on. I'm disappointed because I really loved the concept - it's all the things I adore - but the execution was so lackluster. I think it could probably see some improvement after another (long) round of editing, at least in regard to grammar, but I'm moving on to other books, myself.
November 18, 2017
1 star
This review is based on an ARC ebook received for free from NetGalley. I am not being paid to review this book and what I write here is my own opinion. My rating scale is below.
brief
Taken as a thrall and sold east, a warrior is healed and trained by a mysterious monk and his daughter, who are part of a larger plot on which the future of the Middle Kingdom may hang. Some nods to Arthurian legend in that the warrior re-names himself Arkthar and the monk's name Mah Lin sounds a little like Merlin.
full review
Ordinarily I would lead with a synopsis, but I am still not sure what happened in this book because the timeline was so jumbled I'm uncertain which events took place when. I think a boy named Vincent was taken as a thrall to Viking raiders and sold to the Rus, where he (somehow) learned to fight. After one battle he was collected by a Chinese monk and his daughter, who took him to an island to heal him and train him in Eastern martial arts and smithing. Later the three of them work together to stop a plague, doing such a great service to the Emperor of China that he grants their random companion (a black-garbed beggar) permission to seek the head of a commander who is maybe evil and wears a bearskin. And they win. Maybe? There's a bit in there about the monk's history and how he has a daughter, and a few things told in the bearskin-wearing commander's point of view and, honestly it's a hugely confusing mess.
Reading this book actually gave me a physical headache. Keeping track of the characters with the constantly changing names and perspectives was enough of a challenge, but it also jumped around chronologically without indicating that it had done so in any way, except that a new chapter had begun. Truly, it was extremely difficult to follow the different narrators, particularly since many of them were never given names, or if they were, their involvement in the story was not apparent until much later. The bearskin commander is one such narrator. There is also the fact that one of the narrators spoke in the first person when none of the others did, and had conversations with Death and...something about a raven?
Several times it is implied that this is some sort of Eastern take on the Arthurian legend, but I saw very little of that except for Vincent's assumed name, Arkthar, and the fact that his mentor's name, Mah Lin, sounded like Merlin. There is actually a line in the book where Vincent learns Mah Lin's name and thinks of the name Merlin. That is the extent of it, and I confess that I was very disappointed. It's like the cover blurb was a bait-and-switch.
It bothers me to submit a review with all these maybes and question marks, because it makes me feel as if I was a careless reader, but I wasn't. I wanted to like this book a great deal, but it pretty much lost me as soon as I started reading the text. I don't even know what kind of reader I would recommend this to, or who the intended audience is.
rating scale
1 star - I was barely able to finish it. I didn't like it.
2 stars - It was okay. I didn't dislike it.
3 stars - I liked it. It was interesting.
4 stars - It was excellent. I really liked it.
5 stars - OMG I WANT TO STALK THIS AUTHOR!
This review is based on an ARC ebook received for free from NetGalley. I am not being paid to review this book and what I write here is my own opinion. My rating scale is below.
brief
Taken as a thrall and sold east, a warrior is healed and trained by a mysterious monk and his daughter, who are part of a larger plot on which the future of the Middle Kingdom may hang. Some nods to Arthurian legend in that the warrior re-names himself Arkthar and the monk's name Mah Lin sounds a little like Merlin.
full review
Ordinarily I would lead with a synopsis, but I am still not sure what happened in this book because the timeline was so jumbled I'm uncertain which events took place when. I think a boy named Vincent was taken as a thrall to Viking raiders and sold to the Rus, where he (somehow) learned to fight. After one battle he was collected by a Chinese monk and his daughter, who took him to an island to heal him and train him in Eastern martial arts and smithing. Later the three of them work together to stop a plague, doing such a great service to the Emperor of China that he grants their random companion (a black-garbed beggar) permission to seek the head of a commander who is maybe evil and wears a bearskin. And they win. Maybe? There's a bit in there about the monk's history and how he has a daughter, and a few things told in the bearskin-wearing commander's point of view and, honestly it's a hugely confusing mess.
Reading this book actually gave me a physical headache. Keeping track of the characters with the constantly changing names and perspectives was enough of a challenge, but it also jumped around chronologically without indicating that it had done so in any way, except that a new chapter had begun. Truly, it was extremely difficult to follow the different narrators, particularly since many of them were never given names, or if they were, their involvement in the story was not apparent until much later. The bearskin commander is one such narrator. There is also the fact that one of the narrators spoke in the first person when none of the others did, and had conversations with Death and...something about a raven?
Several times it is implied that this is some sort of Eastern take on the Arthurian legend, but I saw very little of that except for Vincent's assumed name, Arkthar, and the fact that his mentor's name, Mah Lin, sounded like Merlin. There is actually a line in the book where Vincent learns Mah Lin's name and thinks of the name Merlin. That is the extent of it, and I confess that I was very disappointed. It's like the cover blurb was a bait-and-switch.
It bothers me to submit a review with all these maybes and question marks, because it makes me feel as if I was a careless reader, but I wasn't. I wanted to like this book a great deal, but it pretty much lost me as soon as I started reading the text. I don't even know what kind of reader I would recommend this to, or who the intended audience is.
rating scale
1 star - I was barely able to finish it. I didn't like it.
2 stars - It was okay. I didn't dislike it.
3 stars - I liked it. It was interesting.
4 stars - It was excellent. I really liked it.
5 stars - OMG I WANT TO STALK THIS AUTHOR!
July 22, 2014
This book was a recommendation I saw somewhere that had all the right ingredients: Vikings, Arthurian legends, fantasy, and retellings. How can it be bad?
Hoo boy.
Let us start on page iv with the Editor’s note: Viken is a historical name in southwestern Norway, believed to derive from Old Norse word ‘vik’, meaning cove or inlet. Etymologists have suggested that the modern word "viking" may be derived from this place name , simply meaning "a person from Viken."
This little note is almost entirely lifted from Wikipedia page for viken. The etymology of the word “viken” is correct, but how it relates to Vikings is horribly incorrect.
So there's that.
The prologue which is a to give the book ambiance is lifted from Norse legend, except our bro dude here is Celtic (yes, there were some heavy influences but this is a very direct lifting of Norse mythology) and then we're told the protagonist's name is Vincent (Mary Sue much?). Vincent is kidnapped by Viken raiders who sell him at a market to a Chinese monk with a VERY mysterious past and then the story shifts to the monk's backstory for a zillion pages that had no bearing on the story itself.
The prose is terrible. It's written in mostly stream of consciousness with some dialog thrown in to make it a "story." And there is description of everything everywhere about everything, which just reinforces the stream of consciousness technique. You have no idea who is talking when, about what, or to whom. The jump in direction and sudden shifting in points of view were edited badly.
Other points to consider:
-- He claims to be the nephew of Terry Pratchett - who is an only child. Vincent also marks it pointedly that he is related on his book bio.
-- His publishing house, YMAA, publishes titles mainly in martial arts / spirituality, but rarely fiction.
-- He (or something) paid $69 to enter in the USA Best Book Awards, which after viewing their site just screams, "scam."
-- People have commented on GR and other places they were embarrassed to hand his book out for World Book Night
-- The misuse of plain/plane, their/they're/there, and other grammar and spelling atrocities.
I just can't. Nope. Not gonna even try.
Hoo boy.
Let us start on page iv with the Editor’s note: Viken is a historical name in southwestern Norway, believed to derive from Old Norse word ‘vik’, meaning cove or inlet. Etymologists have suggested that the modern word "viking" may be derived from this place name , simply meaning "a person from Viken."
This little note is almost entirely lifted from Wikipedia page for viken. The etymology of the word “viken” is correct, but how it relates to Vikings is horribly incorrect.
So there's that.
The prologue which is a to give the book ambiance is lifted from Norse legend, except our bro dude here is Celtic (yes, there were some heavy influences but this is a very direct lifting of Norse mythology) and then we're told the protagonist's name is Vincent (Mary Sue much?). Vincent is kidnapped by Viken raiders who sell him at a market to a Chinese monk with a VERY mysterious past and then the story shifts to the monk's backstory for a zillion pages that had no bearing on the story itself.
The prose is terrible. It's written in mostly stream of consciousness with some dialog thrown in to make it a "story." And there is description of everything everywhere about everything, which just reinforces the stream of consciousness technique. You have no idea who is talking when, about what, or to whom. The jump in direction and sudden shifting in points of view were edited badly.
Other points to consider:
-- He claims to be the nephew of Terry Pratchett - who is an only child. Vincent also marks it pointedly that he is related on his book bio.
-- His publishing house, YMAA, publishes titles mainly in martial arts / spirituality, but rarely fiction.
-- He (or something) paid $69 to enter in the USA Best Book Awards, which after viewing their site just screams, "scam."
-- People have commented on GR and other places they were embarrassed to hand his book out for World Book Night
-- The misuse of plain/plane, their/they're/there, and other grammar and spelling atrocities.
I just can't. Nope. Not gonna even try.
August 8, 2013
I really wanted to like this book, because the premise sounded so interesting. For whatever reason, I just could not get into it. Perhaps because I’m reading so much fantasy for work that I’m burnt out. But I also saw more issues than just the genre.
From the back synapsis, I thought “Arkthar” to be the main character. Except I don’t recall reading about him at all. Instead, it was some guy named “Vincent.” Unless Arkthar is Vincent’s last name? Add the fact that a few chapters would follow character X and then jump to Y, and I felt a bit confused. That made things disjointed for me. Maybe if the switch took place every chapter I’d find things more consistent. Or if each chapter was simply titled the name of the character it concentrated on. As it was, I scrambled to figure out what the hell was going on at the beginning of every few chapters.
And then the perspective changed from third suddenly to first. This was my stopping point. It just made no sense. Again, very inconsistent. Just too many changes Pratchett expects the reader to roll with. The only consistent thing is the very short chapters. They averaged 4 pages. I liked this simply because my lack of interest had me putting the book down after almost each chapter.
I would not recommend this. The fantasy genre is vast, and I can think of many titles preferable to this one. But I would not swear this is the worst book ever and no one should bother with it. Just didn’t do it for me.
From the back synapsis, I thought “Arkthar” to be the main character. Except I don’t recall reading about him at all. Instead, it was some guy named “Vincent.” Unless Arkthar is Vincent’s last name? Add the fact that a few chapters would follow character X and then jump to Y, and I felt a bit confused. That made things disjointed for me. Maybe if the switch took place every chapter I’d find things more consistent. Or if each chapter was simply titled the name of the character it concentrated on. As it was, I scrambled to figure out what the hell was going on at the beginning of every few chapters.
And then the perspective changed from third suddenly to first. This was my stopping point. It just made no sense. Again, very inconsistent. Just too many changes Pratchett expects the reader to roll with. The only consistent thing is the very short chapters. They averaged 4 pages. I liked this simply because my lack of interest had me putting the book down after almost each chapter.
I would not recommend this. The fantasy genre is vast, and I can think of many titles preferable to this one. But I would not swear this is the worst book ever and no one should bother with it. Just didn’t do it for me.
November 20, 2016
To anyone interested in reading this: run far and run fast.
I made it 10% through this book before I decided enough is enough, and that's hard for me to do. I honestly try to give books a chance and try to get at least 25% through before deciding if I want to continue, but here I simply couldn't. This was the first draft of a self insert fanfiction on Arthurian legends. The writing was pretentious and juvenile, and the plot jumped around too much in the little bit I did read.
Save yourself the time, don't be fooled by the catchy title and pretty cover, this is one to skip.
I made it 10% through this book before I decided enough is enough, and that's hard for me to do. I honestly try to give books a chance and try to get at least 25% through before deciding if I want to continue, but here I simply couldn't. This was the first draft of a self insert fanfiction on Arthurian legends. The writing was pretentious and juvenile, and the plot jumped around too much in the little bit I did read.
Save yourself the time, don't be fooled by the catchy title and pretty cover, this is one to skip.
April 4, 2013
After reading the description of this book, I was intrigued, and I am so glad I read it, what a great story. I loved the characters and the writing style. I read it cover to cover in a couple of days. It was a book that was easy to get lost in. I highly recommend it.
March 29, 2015
Excellent. I'll write a proper review soon.
December 22, 2025
Once I started this, I had trouble putting it down. A fast and engrossing read. Some may not care for the "mannerliness" of the writing, but I found it true to its origins. I look forward to reading the next book by Mr. Prachett.
July 28, 2018
I had no expectation when starting this novel, and found myself quickly meandering and enjoying this world. I do wish for another couple of chapters at the end!
800-899-literature
December 9, 2019813.6
December 5, 2022
The premise of this book was super interesting and I loved the tone, I just hoped it would go places it never did. I'd definitely check out other works by Vincent Pratchett though.
September 26, 2022
too misogynistic
October 1, 2013
From my book review blog at:
http://kickinbooks.wordpress.com/2013...
YMAA Publication Center was kind enough to provide me with a copy of this eGalley through NetGalley for the purposes of reading and reviewing it. Although I received it at no cost to myself, I am under no obligation to give a positive review.
Vincent is a Celtic warrior severely wounded in battle in the tenth century. He is then taken by Norse warriors on a long journey to the Middle East where he is sold as a slave. Near death, he is claimed by the Chinese monk Mah Lin and his daughter Selah. Vincent grows with them as he learns the way of the warrior-scholar, finding a new name, Arkthar, a new destiny, and even a new love.
The story shifts between the Arkthar’s story and the story of the Chinese Supreme Commander who, for whatever reason, goes unnamed in this book, as do several other non-incidental characters. The Supreme Commander has a grudge against Mah Lin as the latter was chosen to enter a monastery, when both were young boys, instead of the Supreme Commander. The destruction of Mah Lin and all he holds dear becomes a focal point of the Supreme Commander’s life.
The story builds as the parallel story lines eventually converge and then run concurrently to the climax. Along the way we have a year-long siege of a rebel outpost, Arkthar developing into a determined warrior-scholar, a countrywide outbreak of smallpox, and other smaller plot twists.
This book is a thinly veiled retelling or furthering of the Arthurian legends. Even the blurb on NetGalley says as much. In case you don’t get the similarities, Vincent, prior to his name change to Arkthar, refers to Mah Lin as Merlin. Of course, Arkthar is not coincidentally very similar to Arthur.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. The pacing could have been a bit better, but I like the creative spin on the Arthurian legends. Of course, as a lover of Asian culture, the majority of the book takes place in a realm I’m destined to enjoy, if done well. There were a fair amount grammatical or spelling mistakes, but I’m as apt to blame the editor for that as the author. Bottom line, it was a fun, easy read.
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
http://kickinbooks.wordpress.com/2013...
YMAA Publication Center was kind enough to provide me with a copy of this eGalley through NetGalley for the purposes of reading and reviewing it. Although I received it at no cost to myself, I am under no obligation to give a positive review.
Vincent is a Celtic warrior severely wounded in battle in the tenth century. He is then taken by Norse warriors on a long journey to the Middle East where he is sold as a slave. Near death, he is claimed by the Chinese monk Mah Lin and his daughter Selah. Vincent grows with them as he learns the way of the warrior-scholar, finding a new name, Arkthar, a new destiny, and even a new love.
The story shifts between the Arkthar’s story and the story of the Chinese Supreme Commander who, for whatever reason, goes unnamed in this book, as do several other non-incidental characters. The Supreme Commander has a grudge against Mah Lin as the latter was chosen to enter a monastery, when both were young boys, instead of the Supreme Commander. The destruction of Mah Lin and all he holds dear becomes a focal point of the Supreme Commander’s life.
The story builds as the parallel story lines eventually converge and then run concurrently to the climax. Along the way we have a year-long siege of a rebel outpost, Arkthar developing into a determined warrior-scholar, a countrywide outbreak of smallpox, and other smaller plot twists.
This book is a thinly veiled retelling or furthering of the Arthurian legends. Even the blurb on NetGalley says as much. In case you don’t get the similarities, Vincent, prior to his name change to Arkthar, refers to Mah Lin as Merlin. Of course, Arkthar is not coincidentally very similar to Arthur.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. The pacing could have been a bit better, but I like the creative spin on the Arthurian legends. Of course, as a lover of Asian culture, the majority of the book takes place in a realm I’m destined to enjoy, if done well. There were a fair amount grammatical or spelling mistakes, but I’m as apt to blame the editor for that as the author. Bottom line, it was a fun, easy read.
Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)
June 7, 2013
This is one of the most frustrating books I've read in some time.
The author Vincent Pratchett notes in his bio that he is a blood relation of Terry Pratchett, but don't expect similar writing. The only thing in common really is a strange fondness for lots (and lots) of very short chapters.
_The Raven's Warrior_ frustrates me because there are so many *good* ideas in the book. The author clearly has a passion and knowledge for the core material (martial arts and China) and the notion of combining this background with Arthurian legend is certainly an interesting one.
But as a reading experience the whole thing is just incredibly... passive.
There are maybe five characters in the book who get a name. Most are just referred to as "the rebel" or "the beggar". That sort of verbal distancing makes it hard to really connect with a character.
We dot around to many different view points, but one thing remains consistent. Everything is presented in a passive fashion. Things are happening, but we view them as we might history. There's no element of emotion here. We're not given a reason to care about anyone.
And while the Arthurian connections are made painfully obvious at the beginning, I'm left at the end not knowing what the point was.
Yes, stuff happened. Some characters may have been at least somewhat changed by it. But, there's really no clear character progression or development. Stuff happens and then... well we leave the characters but the implication is that more stuff will happen at some point.
Nothing is decided. Nothing is resolved. But then no clear questions or problems were raised in the first place.
It's all so unsatisfactory.
The author Vincent Pratchett notes in his bio that he is a blood relation of Terry Pratchett, but don't expect similar writing. The only thing in common really is a strange fondness for lots (and lots) of very short chapters.
_The Raven's Warrior_ frustrates me because there are so many *good* ideas in the book. The author clearly has a passion and knowledge for the core material (martial arts and China) and the notion of combining this background with Arthurian legend is certainly an interesting one.
But as a reading experience the whole thing is just incredibly... passive.
There are maybe five characters in the book who get a name. Most are just referred to as "the rebel" or "the beggar". That sort of verbal distancing makes it hard to really connect with a character.
We dot around to many different view points, but one thing remains consistent. Everything is presented in a passive fashion. Things are happening, but we view them as we might history. There's no element of emotion here. We're not given a reason to care about anyone.
And while the Arthurian connections are made painfully obvious at the beginning, I'm left at the end not knowing what the point was.
Yes, stuff happened. Some characters may have been at least somewhat changed by it. But, there's really no clear character progression or development. Stuff happens and then... well we leave the characters but the implication is that more stuff will happen at some point.
Nothing is decided. Nothing is resolved. But then no clear questions or problems were raised in the first place.
It's all so unsatisfactory.
May 19, 2013
The Raven's Warrior is a most fascinating and splendid read! The marvelous Vincent Pratchett has fashioned one of those great adventure novels that literally grab you with the first sentence and never lets go. What a truly wonderful literary ride it is!
The attention to detail, the sense of history and fantasy, the vivid characters who leap off the pages, are all seamlessly integrated to produce a most memorable read. Mr. Pratchett has a magnificent way with a sentence.It is as if there is not a single superfluous word..every word is integral to the whole.
The Raven's Warrior combines so many terrific elements..Celtic history, Arthurian Legend, the supernatural..and all fit in so well in the overall narrative. The adventures and startling life of Arkthar, from kidnapping by Viken raiders and descent into the Baghdad slave market is brought so vividly to life. When Arkthar arrives in the Middle Kingdom..the reader feels as if they have accompanied him on the remarkable journey. Everything a great book should be!
I must also applaud Mr. Pratchett for the immense amount of research that has obviously gone into THE RAVEN'S WARRIOR..there is quite a bit of fact mixed with fiction..together producing a rollicking adventure..and a must read!
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB - 7,150 MEMBERS
The attention to detail, the sense of history and fantasy, the vivid characters who leap off the pages, are all seamlessly integrated to produce a most memorable read. Mr. Pratchett has a magnificent way with a sentence.It is as if there is not a single superfluous word..every word is integral to the whole.
The Raven's Warrior combines so many terrific elements..Celtic history, Arthurian Legend, the supernatural..and all fit in so well in the overall narrative. The adventures and startling life of Arkthar, from kidnapping by Viken raiders and descent into the Baghdad slave market is brought so vividly to life. When Arkthar arrives in the Middle Kingdom..the reader feels as if they have accompanied him on the remarkable journey. Everything a great book should be!
I must also applaud Mr. Pratchett for the immense amount of research that has obviously gone into THE RAVEN'S WARRIOR..there is quite a bit of fact mixed with fiction..together producing a rollicking adventure..and a must read!
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB - 7,150 MEMBERS
August 7, 2013
Magic, mystery, love, even history about in this tale of a Celtic warrior taken in battle by Vikings, dragged half dead to a slave market in Baghdad, and then sold to a mystic monk and his beautiful (of course!) daughter. The writing is poetic, often lyrical, as Arkthur (the warrior) heals and becomes a new man under the tutelage of the monk, Mah Lin (which the warrior hears as Merlin) and his daughter Saleh, a healer.
The story opens with Arkthar (although that is not yet his name) viewing his wounded, dying self from afar, as he has a conversation with death. When the Vikings arrive at the slave market he is sold as a slave of little value to Mah Lin and Saleh. Nursed back to health, he begins to study "the way" and opens up his mind to a while new world.
Mah Lin has a mysterious story of his own. The only survivor of a fire which destroyed his monastery, Mah Lin has taken the books, secrets and treasure and safely hidden them from the emperor and his evil general.
Saleh is a gifted healer, beautiful and intelligent, the relationship between Arkthur and Saleh is no surprise.
The trio become a family, save the empire, and battle evil and injustice. In between there are encounters with oracles, beggers, brave warriors, and even Death. The Raven's Warrior is a good read, sometimes a little long, but always interesting and engaging.
The story opens with Arkthar (although that is not yet his name) viewing his wounded, dying self from afar, as he has a conversation with death. When the Vikings arrive at the slave market he is sold as a slave of little value to Mah Lin and Saleh. Nursed back to health, he begins to study "the way" and opens up his mind to a while new world.
Mah Lin has a mysterious story of his own. The only survivor of a fire which destroyed his monastery, Mah Lin has taken the books, secrets and treasure and safely hidden them from the emperor and his evil general.
Saleh is a gifted healer, beautiful and intelligent, the relationship between Arkthur and Saleh is no surprise.
The trio become a family, save the empire, and battle evil and injustice. In between there are encounters with oracles, beggers, brave warriors, and even Death. The Raven's Warrior is a good read, sometimes a little long, but always interesting and engaging.
August 26, 2016
NetGalley Free Book
Death decides to let Arkthar, a Celtic warrior, live. He is rescued and healed by priest wizard,Mah Lin and his daughter Saleh. A raven is all of their constant companion who directs them. Arkthar was once a warrior and was captured and tortured. Mah Lin was once a monastery priest who was the lone survivor when it was destroyed. The man who led the army to this destruction was rejected from learning at the monastery. Mah Lin was healed by the woman he loved and the daughter he never knew existed. The three come together to help rid the world of the man whose sole purpose is to finish what he started years ago, kill Mah Lin.
I really enjoyed this book. The first three chapters are so difficult to understand and to get into. Once you get to chapter 4 the story starts to really take shape. This book was a supernatural, philosophical and thriller all in one. Some sentences were allegorical and hard to interpret but well worth the time to explore. The author did a fantastic job because this book was not typical and took an actual effort to read and comprehend. It engaged the brain.
Death decides to let Arkthar, a Celtic warrior, live. He is rescued and healed by priest wizard,Mah Lin and his daughter Saleh. A raven is all of their constant companion who directs them. Arkthar was once a warrior and was captured and tortured. Mah Lin was once a monastery priest who was the lone survivor when it was destroyed. The man who led the army to this destruction was rejected from learning at the monastery. Mah Lin was healed by the woman he loved and the daughter he never knew existed. The three come together to help rid the world of the man whose sole purpose is to finish what he started years ago, kill Mah Lin.
I really enjoyed this book. The first three chapters are so difficult to understand and to get into. Once you get to chapter 4 the story starts to really take shape. This book was a supernatural, philosophical and thriller all in one. Some sentences were allegorical and hard to interpret but well worth the time to explore. The author did a fantastic job because this book was not typical and took an actual effort to read and comprehend. It engaged the brain.
April 27, 2014
Vincent Pratchett's THE RAVEN'S WARRIOR is a book that, I am sure, is a wonder for guys to read. As a woman, I liked it, but I am not typically drawn to war stories, and this is certainly a war story. The story is well told and the plot is definitely one to keep the attention of the audience, including someone like me. What bored me a little bit (made it a little difficult to get through) are the specific details about war as well as the training of the warrior. It's kind of like Herman Melville's MOBY DICK--a super great story and well worth the read once the reader gets through all the whaling information. Once I waded through the training information in THE RAVEN'S WARRIOR, I thoroughly enjoyed the story.
We gave away many copies of THE RAVEN'S WARRIOR this year at Catawba Valley Community College for World Book Night. I'm glad we did. I honestly think that anyone who received it as his/her book will enjoy it and that it will help him/her be excited about World Book Night 2015!
We gave away many copies of THE RAVEN'S WARRIOR this year at Catawba Valley Community College for World Book Night. I'm glad we did. I honestly think that anyone who received it as his/her book will enjoy it and that it will help him/her be excited about World Book Night 2015!
December 31, 2014
This just wasn't the book for me. It's a retelling of King Arthur (usually a safe bet), but the narration dragged, the dialogue was pretty much the same in tone and voice as the narration, and some of the characters didn't seem to make sense. On top of this, the plot jumps from one character to another without any way to really distinguish who was being talked about. The characters would often be referred to by pronoun without first making sure the reader knew who was being followed at the moment. The plot also didn't string together well (largely because of the character switches.
The characters were strange. Not in an ill-formed way, but for an unexplained reason the near eastern characters were supposed to speak Gaelic and though they almost invariably fluent (i.e. able to speak and philosophize without missing a beat) they would occasionally not know the word for "chains" or some equally mundane and simple noun.
The characters were strange. Not in an ill-formed way, but for an unexplained reason the near eastern characters were supposed to speak Gaelic and though they almost invariably fluent (i.e. able to speak and philosophize without missing a beat) they would occasionally not know the word for "chains" or some equally mundane and simple noun.
May 16, 2013
This was a review copy from YMAA Publication Center, Inc. via NetGalley I have always love the Arthurian Legends and delight in finding variations on it, but this one just blew my mind. It was such a wonderful read and held so much of Eastern mysticism that it gave the story a whole new outlook. Having spent some years in Hong Kong when young I learned a lot about Chinese theocracy and the use of it here was a lovely addition to the Arthurian legends I grew up with. The fighting, politics and medical information was given in such a way that I was never bored by it and the storyline was well executed. For a debut novel this was really good and I look forward to seeing Vincent Pratchett's name on another book soon.
May 13, 2014
I received a free copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this book, I was drawn in right from the very beginning. The storyline has a series of characters whose tales are beautifully woven together. Mah Lin and his daughter, Selah, Arkthur and the beggar and the Supreme Commander are all brought to life on the page and with a deft hand, you are pulled into their world.
The reader is lead, along with Arkthur, on a long journey of travel and self-discovery. The world that he moves through is brought to life on the pages and the resulting story is brilliant.
I don't want to go into details about the story as I don't want to give anything away but I highly recommend this book. It is definitely a must read.
I loved this book, I was drawn in right from the very beginning. The storyline has a series of characters whose tales are beautifully woven together. Mah Lin and his daughter, Selah, Arkthur and the beggar and the Supreme Commander are all brought to life on the page and with a deft hand, you are pulled into their world.
The reader is lead, along with Arkthur, on a long journey of travel and self-discovery. The world that he moves through is brought to life on the pages and the resulting story is brilliant.
I don't want to go into details about the story as I don't want to give anything away but I highly recommend this book. It is definitely a must read.
April 2, 2013
The plot has tremendous potential for an exciting read and thrilling ride but instead of a page-turner we get a story told without any enthusiasm. I found it nearly impossible to feel a connection with any of the characters. There were enough grammatical errors to further detract from the potential enjoyment of reading this one. I had a hard time keeping enough interest in the story to finish it. I was more than ready to pick up a different book by the time I managed to get through this one. Parts of it sounded like the retelling of a dream with the other parts added on to explain sights or thoughts to make it long enough to publish.
January 1, 2015
I got 75% done with this book before I started to enjoy it at all. The writing was at times beautiful and other times pretentious and unbearable. With an engaging story, it was less grating, but so much of the story is boring and ridiculous that the language then comes off as self-important. I intended to give up on the book a dozen times but I have a goal of reading 50 books this year and needed to just get this one under my belt, so I endured. Like I said, around 75% in it got more interesting but the ending was still unsatisfying. I wish the book had been edited way down to move more quickly. Overall, I don't really recommend it.
April 28, 2014
I give this one star because there are parts of this book that actually have merit. However, the connections between one part and another are weak, confusing, abrupt, or otherwise lacking in a sensical transition.
I requested this as my World Book Night title-3rd choice. I am so disappointed, I am considering sending back the free copies of it. I was to embarrased when I tried to give some of them away that I couldn't offe4r any kind words about it. I even found myself telling people that they didnt have to read it, they could pass it on to someone else. I have brought my readers advisory integrity into question by even giving away 3 copies. ugh.
I requested this as my World Book Night title-3rd choice. I am so disappointed, I am considering sending back the free copies of it. I was to embarrased when I tried to give some of them away that I couldn't offe4r any kind words about it. I even found myself telling people that they didnt have to read it, they could pass it on to someone else. I have brought my readers advisory integrity into question by even giving away 3 copies. ugh.
September 22, 2015
Vincent, the hero of this historical fantasy, is dragged from his Celtic homeland by Vikings to the Middle East where he falls into the hands of Mah Lin, a warrior monk, and his daughter, Selah. Selah and Mah Lin heal his woulds and train him to be a warrior, a scholar, and sword maker. A local raven gives him a new name - Arkthar, so that he can help them confront the villain of the piece, a nasty general who has sought to murder Mah Lin for years. The world is well though out and the story line flows well. Do enjoy this well-written tale.
April 4, 2013
I really loved this book. I found it thoroughly enjoyable to read and had a hard time putting it down.
As a martial artist and practitioner of Chinese medicine I was so excited to start reading, and I wasn't disappointed. This wonderfully woven story is a mix of Arthurian legend, Eastern philosophy, Chinese medicine, martial arts and Celtic wisdom. The story is beautifully written, the author using his words to paint vivid pictures as the story unfolds.
A truly unique story, full of ancient wisdom brought to life by the authors storytelling prowess. I highly recommend it.
As a martial artist and practitioner of Chinese medicine I was so excited to start reading, and I wasn't disappointed. This wonderfully woven story is a mix of Arthurian legend, Eastern philosophy, Chinese medicine, martial arts and Celtic wisdom. The story is beautifully written, the author using his words to paint vivid pictures as the story unfolds.
A truly unique story, full of ancient wisdom brought to life by the authors storytelling prowess. I highly recommend it.
June 7, 2013
I received a copy of this book from the Author.
I thought that the beginning of this book was abit slow but then I got into it and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it as a book. It is book about Arthurian legends but completely different from the normal versions put there. I liked how he blended two cultures, Celtic and Chinese,and made this a really great first book!! It is written really well, by painting the story in your minds view and the small touches of history like the "Cave of the Alders" brought the story to life and made it really interesting.
I thought that the beginning of this book was abit slow but then I got into it and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it and would recommend it as a book. It is book about Arthurian legends but completely different from the normal versions put there. I liked how he blended two cultures, Celtic and Chinese,and made this a really great first book!! It is written really well, by painting the story in your minds view and the small touches of history like the "Cave of the Alders" brought the story to life and made it really interesting.
April 26, 2013
Bought this on a whim, partially because the author's bio stated that he was related to Terry Pratchett. I was seriously surprised at how terrible the writing actually was. One would think that with such an illustrious and prolific relative, Vincent would be at least a mediocre writer. Instead, this book is full of long-winded, superfluous descriptions of, well, EVERYTHING. I would be unsurprised if Terry Pratchett disavowed all knowledge of said relative.
December 14, 2013
First this was a good book with an interesting storyline. Secondly I had high hopes that it sadly didn't measure up too. For those looking for another new take on the Arthurian legend then this is the appropriate (perhaps not perfect though) book, others may not be nearly as enthusiastic to read it. Decent at best it's not something that i'll greatly encourage friends to read.
ARC from Netgalley
ARC from Netgalley
January 7, 2014
I really enjoyed this book more than I ever thought I would. The premise is so interesting and I was really pleased with most of the writing. There were a few things here and there that were annoying but they didn't spoil the enjoyment. I loved the personification of death and the way the author used the raven. Yes there are errors and if you're not super interested in the premise you may not enjoy it as much as I did but I'd say give it a try.
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