What do you think?
Rate this book
Raven #1
Swordsmistress of Chaos
Raven --
She escaped the slavepens of Lyland--a beautiful girl with hair the color of summer sun, eyes as blue as the heavens, and a body that invited love.
Rescued by sorcerer priests, she was schooled in every art of weaponry and combat. Her sword stained by the blood of legions, no man could defeat her.
With her mysterious companion-mentor Spellbinder, and a great black bird to watch over them, Raven journeyed forth to her destiny--and the happy day of slaughtering Karl ir Donwayne, the cruel master who had tortured her mercilessly as a slave...
She escaped the slavepens of Lyland--a beautiful girl with hair the color of summer sun, eyes as blue as the heavens, and a body that invited love.
Rescued by sorcerer priests, she was schooled in every art of weaponry and combat. Her sword stained by the blood of legions, no man could defeat her.
With her mysterious companion-mentor Spellbinder, and a great black bird to watch over them, Raven journeyed forth to her destiny--and the happy day of slaughtering Karl ir Donwayne, the cruel master who had tortured her mercilessly as a slave...
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
4 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Richard Kirk
7 books10 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Pseudonym of Robert Holdstock and Angus Wells
Pseudonym of Robert Holdstock and Angus Wells
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 25 reviews
April 10, 2017
A long, long time ago, when I was a teenager, I discovered the Raven books. They were a strong influence on my early view of fantasy, and my early writing.
The unique thing, at least back then, was the strong female lead character. Raven makes Xena look like a wimp! At the same time, she comes across as vulnerable and very sensuous. There's also a host of interesting male characters in there, but they really revolve around Raven.
The world itself is complex and well developed, even if these books are often classified as "juvenile fiction." Overall I remember finding all the Raven books a satisfying and interesting read.
The unique thing, at least back then, was the strong female lead character. Raven makes Xena look like a wimp! At the same time, she comes across as vulnerable and very sensuous. There's also a host of interesting male characters in there, but they really revolve around Raven.
The world itself is complex and well developed, even if these books are often classified as "juvenile fiction." Overall I remember finding all the Raven books a satisfying and interesting read.
August 21, 2023
Freed from the bonds of slavery by her own hand this buxom, amorous warrior woman embarks on a revenge quest in a world of swords, sorcerers and awesome, rockin’ tits!
I know what you’re thinking, do they describe her breasts- yes they do! Not only do they describe them as jouncy on page one they describe how they move around, how they react to the goings on in the world and how they respond to muscular, oiled up swordsmen!
Other than that it’s a by the numbers fantasy quest that was pretty entertaining. But there’s quite a bit of graphic sex for a time before deodorant and toothbrushes were invented.
I know what you’re thinking, do they describe her breasts- yes they do! Not only do they describe them as jouncy on page one they describe how they move around, how they react to the goings on in the world and how they respond to muscular, oiled up swordsmen!
Other than that it’s a by the numbers fantasy quest that was pretty entertaining. But there’s quite a bit of graphic sex for a time before deodorant and toothbrushes were invented.
August 29, 2008
This is the first in a series of sword and sorcery novels featuring a female sword slinger named Raven. There are certainly elements of Red Sonja in this character, but I think she's generally more richly developed than has been done with the comic book Sonja character. The author, whose real name is not Richard Kirk, shows evidence of being influenced by Robert E. Howard, particularly his stories of Red Sonya, with a "Y" note, and of Dark Agnes. I've enjoyed the series.
November 4, 2013
You find a few sentences where the author(s) have done the intermittent Yoda-backwards-talk affectation to make it sound grand or archaic, and then you stumble over sentences like "He had omitted remembrance of the dogs"(p. 13) and finally say to yourself: "Oh, it's going to be one of those."
Despite the assurances of the framing narrative and the foreshadowing of the rest--that she is some kind of powerful, untamed Chosen One with tragic backstory, details to be revealed in some sequel--you get the impression that Raven is a passenger in her own story. Yes, she's questing for revenge, but that journey relies upon the direction or efforts of the older, more experienced men she travels with (and beds, because she's the Chosen One and can't be confined by petty notions of monogamy, and because this is a Certain Sort of story and we need two more sex scenes with different people before we can call it a day). Her needs provide the motivation for people who are actually directing this mission, and who are actually the viewpoint characters for the male readership.
Even given her Chosen One status it is clear that she is the pawn of external forces whose desires intersect her own. I'm not endeared to this aspect of the story and her character, although she is at some level aware of the manipulations and it may figure into the later novels (or not, who knows?)
Despite the assurances of the framing narrative and the foreshadowing of the rest--that she is some kind of powerful, untamed Chosen One with tragic backstory, details to be revealed in some sequel--you get the impression that Raven is a passenger in her own story. Yes, she's questing for revenge, but that journey relies upon the direction or efforts of the older, more experienced men she travels with (and beds, because she's the Chosen One and can't be confined by petty notions of monogamy, and because this is a Certain Sort of story and we need two more sex scenes with different people before we can call it a day). Her needs provide the motivation for people who are actually directing this mission, and who are actually the viewpoint characters for the male readership.
Even given her Chosen One status it is clear that she is the pawn of external forces whose desires intersect her own. I'm not endeared to this aspect of the story and her character, although she is at some level aware of the manipulations and it may figure into the later novels (or not, who knows?)
February 17, 2023
The first in the Raven series of 5 novels. If you enjoyed the Red Sonja or Silverglass novels you’ll probably enjoy this too! There’s plenty of action. I liked it well enough but the books can be very overpriced imo ⚔️
February 15, 2012
The only reason I gave it this many stars is because I sometimes enjoy reading trash. The writing is fairly mediocre, although the author did occasionally manage a few paragraphs or phrases that I liked. I almost didn't finish this book, because the f/f scene completely destroyed any respect I might have had for the author. I didn't bother with the sequels.
I would discourage any lesbian, or any self-respecting woman, really, from wasting her time reading this, because life's short and you have better authors to choose from. But if you're a straight guy who likes to think you like women, and reading is something you only do while you're waiting for your LARP to begin, then yeah, you'd probably enjoy it. At the very least, it will probably give you something new to picture in your head while you're whacking off.
I would discourage any lesbian, or any self-respecting woman, really, from wasting her time reading this, because life's short and you have better authors to choose from. But if you're a straight guy who likes to think you like women, and reading is something you only do while you're waiting for your LARP to begin, then yeah, you'd probably enjoy it. At the very least, it will probably give you something new to picture in your head while you're whacking off.
December 9, 2023
Too schlocky to be genuinely good but not schlocky enough to be fun for schlock's sake. The worst part is that there is a really good sword and sorcery story buried in here somewhere. The last quarter of the book is very fun and if this had been chopped down and rearranged a bit to make a short story then it might not be mostly forgotten today.
October 27, 2015
Trashy sword and sorcery romp, featuring a feisty female protagonist.
The writing is not particularly great and I noticed quite a few errors that a good editor should have picked up. The story is ok but not great and the characters are somewhat sketchy, but I think that's deliberate. For all its faults I couldn't put this down. It has an odd sort of fascinating quality.
We have Raven, a run away slave who's reason d'etre is to destroy her rapist master DonWayne. She gets rescued by an enigmatic wizard Spellbinder who becomes her lover and beloved companion even though he fails to tell her anything about himself and heck actually withholds information. He takes her to his friend and trains her in the mastery of the sword. Then they go on a quest to find a mystical skull which she can trade for permission to kill DonWayne from the ruler of the land. On the way they meet a lusty sailor whom Raven jumps into bed with and then leaves, before she allows herself to be seduced by the king's wife-sister. Raven uses her body and looks just as much as her sword to get what she wants.
It's a nice role reversal of the male love em & leave em attitude. Though I did find it unbelievable that powerful Spellbinder would just let Raven go off with Gondar without putting up a fight.
Not great, but enjoyable trashy fun. Will appeal to fans of J.F Rivkin's Silverglass series and of course Xena the Warrior Princess.
The writing is not particularly great and I noticed quite a few errors that a good editor should have picked up. The story is ok but not great and the characters are somewhat sketchy, but I think that's deliberate. For all its faults I couldn't put this down. It has an odd sort of fascinating quality.
We have Raven, a run away slave who's reason d'etre is to destroy her rapist master DonWayne. She gets rescued by an enigmatic wizard Spellbinder who becomes her lover and beloved companion even though he fails to tell her anything about himself and heck actually withholds information. He takes her to his friend and trains her in the mastery of the sword. Then they go on a quest to find a mystical skull which she can trade for permission to kill DonWayne from the ruler of the land. On the way they meet a lusty sailor whom Raven jumps into bed with and then leaves, before she allows herself to be seduced by the king's wife-sister. Raven uses her body and looks just as much as her sword to get what she wants.
It's a nice role reversal of the male love em & leave em attitude. Though I did find it unbelievable that powerful Spellbinder would just let Raven go off with Gondar without putting up a fight.
Not great, but enjoyable trashy fun. Will appeal to fans of J.F Rivkin's Silverglass series and of course Xena the Warrior Princess.
September 6, 2025
Really a 3 1/2. It's fun, solidly written does what it says on the cover. Now to find the sequels .....
February 8, 2016
Nice fantasy series. Quick easy reads. Recommended
September 4, 2019
Not normally the type of book I read but still found it enjoyable. I must have been drawn in by the cover.
June 29, 2025
This is the first of a series of 5 novels featuring Raven, a slave turned into a swordswoman. The protagonist having a lowly background is hardly unusual in sword & sorcery novels, but the main character being a woman is more unusual, particularly in the 70s, when this was written.
I first read this series around the time it was first released - so nearly 50 years ago - and I've always had a soft spot for it. I guess I've read the series 4 or 5 times during that period. The basic storyline is pretty interesting, although the characters are a bit cliched, and the final third of the novel is better than the first 2/3.
So, 4 stars is based more on my enjoyment of the series - a bit of a guilty pleasure - rather than its actual quality, which would probably be 3 stars.
I first read this series around the time it was first released - so nearly 50 years ago - and I've always had a soft spot for it. I guess I've read the series 4 or 5 times during that period. The basic storyline is pretty interesting, although the characters are a bit cliched, and the final third of the novel is better than the first 2/3.
So, 4 stars is based more on my enjoyment of the series - a bit of a guilty pleasure - rather than its actual quality, which would probably be 3 stars.
July 24, 2023
While this character certainly seems written for the male gaze (what can you expect from a book published in the '70s) and her heaving breasts were mentioned in the first paragraph of the first chapter I don't hate it. If you are a fan of typical Sword and Sorcery genre fantasy with mystical quests and epic duels this one just might be up your alley 😊
April 24, 2025
Une odyssée assez linéaire. Ca se laisse lire, mais ca frôle l'abandon par moment. Les personnages sont fade. L'histoire linéaire. Il n'y a pas vraiment d'intrigue, c'est juste une série d'évenements qui se suivent sur fond de vengeance (justifiée et compréhensible). J'ai commencé la suite, mais sans faim.
February 19, 2020
Dated one-dimensional fantasy. Possibly ground breaking at the time, but I'll stick to Angus' westerns in the future.
February 13, 2021
A wonderful book...
February 5, 2023
Way better sword and sorcery than I expected. It is a product of it's time so I mean, the cover should be an indicator of what one can expect.
April 3, 2024
Raven- swordsmistress
of softcore and sorcery.
Like a Cannon film.
of softcore and sorcery.
Like a Cannon film.
April 12, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️
February 13, 2025
Reads like Red Sonja with some extra spicy bits added. It's not high fantasy but pure pulp and if you're in the mood for some sword and sorcery fun, (as I was) it'll do.
September 3, 2015
So I gave up on this one, didn't finish reading it. Not because it was atrocious, although it wasn't anything to write home to either. I just didn't feel the need to continue with a book that was mediocre when there are so many other really good ones out there that I haven't read yet.
October 18, 2007
De la fantasy avec une héroïne... Ressemble beaucoup à Elrick et Co.
January 14, 2014
Raven: Swordsmistress of Chaos is a cupcake with way too much frosting.
January 31, 2014
it was everything I expected it to be.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 25 reviews