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Legends of the Raven #4
Ravensoul
The unknown warrior thought his days with the Raven were long behind him, until Hirad Coldheart, dead for ten years knocks on his door ...The dead are not at rest. Something has travelled from far beyond the dimension which has Balaia and Calaius at its heart. It feeds off Manna. And without Manna all of Balaia and the spirit realms that surround it will collapse into nothing taking the living and the spirits of the dead with it into the void. This new threat cannot be reasoned with, it is heedless to threats or entreaties. Ethereal and so advanced it barely registers its prey as sentient it is bringing doom with it. Balaia, barely recovered from the demon onslaught is thrown into chaos as the dead walk the streets and hope fails. It is left to the Raven, both dead and alive to take their courage and their faith in each other into the spirit realms for one last fight. James Barclayt has returned to the landmark series that made his name - this is the book that all his fans will have been waiting for.
488 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2008
9 people are currently reading
716 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 4, 2020
Overall this has been a very good Fantasy series to read. The first 6 books, broken into 2 trilogies are well plotted and nicely written. However when it comes to the last, seemingly an afterthought book, I think the series drags. Much like Operation Market Garden in WWII that went "A bridge to far" this series went "a book to many". Still good overall characters but the story seemed unneeded and just an add on for the overall storyline. The thing that saved it for me was the description of the detailed complex magic system that is a main part of the story. Recommended if you just want to read the complete set.
February 5, 2009
Never say never again….
At the end of the last Legends of the Raven book (Demonstorm) in 2004, things had got to a fairly satisfactory ending: though most of the Raven were dead (a Barclay trademark!), the world of Balaia was at peace, the multidimensional rift (which had been the cause of much of the previous disturbance) healed and the survivors of the Demonstorm had settled into relatively peaceful post-conflict occupations. Sol, the Unknown Warrior (and coincidentally First King of Balaia) was the landlord of The Raven’s Rest, raising his family, whilst Denser was the Lord of the Mount, principal of the magic college of Xetesk. And so it closed, with the losses mourned yet accepted, as something that had to happen for the sake of the future. It was widely accepted that this was as far as things were going to go.
Therefore, this is a book that many thought they would never see. For James Barclay has returned to the world of his extremely popular Raven series, revisiting the place that made him a genre bestseller and, more enticingly, characters that fans never realised they would meet again.
Here you can return again to read about the mercenaries they call the Raven, past and present. For, a decade later than Demonstorm, the dead are returning, and they need something from the living. Their souls and those of the living are at risk, and it is up to the Raven to sort it out.
Thus the book begins strikingly, with the return of old characters in new bodies. The souls of the dead, under threat, are drawn to those they knew best. Removed from their place of rest, they are being hunted by a new enemy travelling across dimensions, the Garonin. These seemingly unstoppable opponents appear from nowhere in Balaia, mining mana, the magical force that drives this world. Any attack on them means they vanish to other dimensions in the blink of an eye. When engaged in combat, their speed is phenomenal, their weaponry awesome and their battle-skills are ferociously scary.
And so the Raven return, fighting not only for their own futures, but also for Balaia.
For many fans, this book is what they’ve needed for a while: the world-in-peril, the return of beloved characters, and more importantly the interaction between them that made The Raven so memorable. There are chances here to make amends for earlier mistakes, to reinforce friendships and sort out misunderstandings.
As well as the camaraderie’s of old, James has also addressed other issues here. Perhaps most importantly, this novel is about death. The book examines the necessity of death and its value in life, as well as touching issues which are the foundations of Epic Fantasy. Heroism, loyalty, bravery, family values, comradeship and betrayal – all are here. As you might expect, such eventful change is not always easily expected, or earned. Ultimately, it is a tale perhaps not only of death but of redemption, though with major prices to pay.
In some author’s hands, revisiting old favourites could be seen as a cop-out, a safety net, writing to satisfy the desires of a baying fan-base without actually anything new to say. Not the case here - James here has used the skills honed on the Ascendants series to produce a taut, fast-paced novel, in my opinion, the best of the Raven books so far.
There is always the risk for a writer that a book written later in a series can be seen by demanding readers as being of lesser quality, and this will adversely affect the good feeling generated by earlier books. I’m pleased to write that this is not the case here. This is not a book written ‘just to satisfy fans’, with characters given cameos to satisfy the faithful. Though many will appreciate the return of favourite characters, there is, pleasingly, a new tale to tell that is worth reading. It is perhaps not a book to read without reading the previous novels, though there’s enough backplot to do so without too much trouble.
It is a fast read and an engrossing one. I’m pleased to type that the writing is still strong, the characterisations both familiar and memorable, the dialogue and the action as good as ever. It is very much an homage to David Gemmell, with all the attributes of the best of his work.
Reading Ravensoul is the literary equivalent of meeting old friends you haven’t seen for a long time, and picking things up as if you’ve never been away from each other. Fans will love this, though the journey is not easy and events rarely simple, as you should expect from a Barclay novel. There were moments here that made my jaw drop, battles that made me wince and moments that were touchingly emotional. There are acts of love and sacrifice here, of faith and redemption. If dealing with death is hard the first time, James here shows you that it can be harder.
The Raven live on. A bittersweet experience, but one well worth it.
Raven! Raven with me!
At the end of the last Legends of the Raven book (Demonstorm) in 2004, things had got to a fairly satisfactory ending: though most of the Raven were dead (a Barclay trademark!), the world of Balaia was at peace, the multidimensional rift (which had been the cause of much of the previous disturbance) healed and the survivors of the Demonstorm had settled into relatively peaceful post-conflict occupations. Sol, the Unknown Warrior (and coincidentally First King of Balaia) was the landlord of The Raven’s Rest, raising his family, whilst Denser was the Lord of the Mount, principal of the magic college of Xetesk. And so it closed, with the losses mourned yet accepted, as something that had to happen for the sake of the future. It was widely accepted that this was as far as things were going to go.
Therefore, this is a book that many thought they would never see. For James Barclay has returned to the world of his extremely popular Raven series, revisiting the place that made him a genre bestseller and, more enticingly, characters that fans never realised they would meet again.
Here you can return again to read about the mercenaries they call the Raven, past and present. For, a decade later than Demonstorm, the dead are returning, and they need something from the living. Their souls and those of the living are at risk, and it is up to the Raven to sort it out.
Thus the book begins strikingly, with the return of old characters in new bodies. The souls of the dead, under threat, are drawn to those they knew best. Removed from their place of rest, they are being hunted by a new enemy travelling across dimensions, the Garonin. These seemingly unstoppable opponents appear from nowhere in Balaia, mining mana, the magical force that drives this world. Any attack on them means they vanish to other dimensions in the blink of an eye. When engaged in combat, their speed is phenomenal, their weaponry awesome and their battle-skills are ferociously scary.
And so the Raven return, fighting not only for their own futures, but also for Balaia.
For many fans, this book is what they’ve needed for a while: the world-in-peril, the return of beloved characters, and more importantly the interaction between them that made The Raven so memorable. There are chances here to make amends for earlier mistakes, to reinforce friendships and sort out misunderstandings.
As well as the camaraderie’s of old, James has also addressed other issues here. Perhaps most importantly, this novel is about death. The book examines the necessity of death and its value in life, as well as touching issues which are the foundations of Epic Fantasy. Heroism, loyalty, bravery, family values, comradeship and betrayal – all are here. As you might expect, such eventful change is not always easily expected, or earned. Ultimately, it is a tale perhaps not only of death but of redemption, though with major prices to pay.
In some author’s hands, revisiting old favourites could be seen as a cop-out, a safety net, writing to satisfy the desires of a baying fan-base without actually anything new to say. Not the case here - James here has used the skills honed on the Ascendants series to produce a taut, fast-paced novel, in my opinion, the best of the Raven books so far.
There is always the risk for a writer that a book written later in a series can be seen by demanding readers as being of lesser quality, and this will adversely affect the good feeling generated by earlier books. I’m pleased to write that this is not the case here. This is not a book written ‘just to satisfy fans’, with characters given cameos to satisfy the faithful. Though many will appreciate the return of favourite characters, there is, pleasingly, a new tale to tell that is worth reading. It is perhaps not a book to read without reading the previous novels, though there’s enough backplot to do so without too much trouble.
It is a fast read and an engrossing one. I’m pleased to type that the writing is still strong, the characterisations both familiar and memorable, the dialogue and the action as good as ever. It is very much an homage to David Gemmell, with all the attributes of the best of his work.
Reading Ravensoul is the literary equivalent of meeting old friends you haven’t seen for a long time, and picking things up as if you’ve never been away from each other. Fans will love this, though the journey is not easy and events rarely simple, as you should expect from a Barclay novel. There were moments here that made my jaw drop, battles that made me wince and moments that were touchingly emotional. There are acts of love and sacrifice here, of faith and redemption. If dealing with death is hard the first time, James here shows you that it can be harder.
The Raven live on. A bittersweet experience, but one well worth it.
Raven! Raven with me!
October 9, 2010
I adore the Chronicles of, and Legends of the Raven series. They were the first series of books, other than Discworld, that really got me into the fantasy genre.
Without giving away any endings to the stories, I was *very* annoyed with the ending of Demonstorm. So annoyed, in fact, that I'd thrown the book across the room in anger (which resulted in my other half laughing at me, and advising me to read the ending again once I'd calmed down).
So I decided to take my other half's advise, and re-read the ending some days later, and I have to say I did agree with it more the second time around, regardless of how harrowing it was.
I sent an email to James Barclay congratulating him on the Raven series, and asked him why he'd make some decisions that had been made in the last book, to which he'd replied along the lines of he didn't want to be seen as just being able to write Raven stories. Now imagine my surprise when I see Ravensoul announced..
Don't get me wrong, though this review will probably sound negative, I didn't dislike the book. It sparked in me the love I felt for the original books by James Barclay, however I'm marking it down because I just don't feel it was needed. True, it's a nice, fitting ending, but.. I just don't think an additional plot was needed to take the Raven where they ended up.
I love James Barclay's storytelling. I love the horror of the battle. I love the action. I love the emotion. The storyline and characters in this are played out beautifully, and are really moving, but I just don't agree with this book ever being written. I think this book was purely a stop-gap between Demonstorm and Elves (not that I've read Elves yet, but from reading the synopsis, this is what I'm guessing).
Without giving away any endings to the stories, I was *very* annoyed with the ending of Demonstorm. So annoyed, in fact, that I'd thrown the book across the room in anger (which resulted in my other half laughing at me, and advising me to read the ending again once I'd calmed down).
So I decided to take my other half's advise, and re-read the ending some days later, and I have to say I did agree with it more the second time around, regardless of how harrowing it was.
I sent an email to James Barclay congratulating him on the Raven series, and asked him why he'd make some decisions that had been made in the last book, to which he'd replied along the lines of he didn't want to be seen as just being able to write Raven stories. Now imagine my surprise when I see Ravensoul announced..
Don't get me wrong, though this review will probably sound negative, I didn't dislike the book. It sparked in me the love I felt for the original books by James Barclay, however I'm marking it down because I just don't feel it was needed. True, it's a nice, fitting ending, but.. I just don't think an additional plot was needed to take the Raven where they ended up.
I love James Barclay's storytelling. I love the horror of the battle. I love the action. I love the emotion. The storyline and characters in this are played out beautifully, and are really moving, but I just don't agree with this book ever being written. I think this book was purely a stop-gap between Demonstorm and Elves (not that I've read Elves yet, but from reading the synopsis, this is what I'm guessing).
Read
October 16, 2012If you're reading this review, I'm assuming you've read the other 6 books in James Barclay's Raven series. This one is kind of an afterthought—we all thought we were done with the Raven after the seeming finality of DemonStorm.
RavenSoul doesn't retroactively change any of that, it just continues where DemonStorm left off, and brings us to a whole new conclusion. I think it takes a certain expertise to pull off a book of this calibre and make it not seem like just a spin-off or an attempted cash-in on the franchise. It's still a really good book, and it gives us a link to Barclay's new Elves series as well as a better overall ending, and almost anyone who read the previous books would only be ecstatic to discover that there's yet another book in the series to read.
RavenSoul doesn't retroactively change any of that, it just continues where DemonStorm left off, and brings us to a whole new conclusion. I think it takes a certain expertise to pull off a book of this calibre and make it not seem like just a spin-off or an attempted cash-in on the franchise. It's still a really good book, and it gives us a link to Barclay's new Elves series as well as a better overall ending, and almost anyone who read the previous books would only be ecstatic to discover that there's yet another book in the series to read.
May 27, 2019
There’s something about Barclays writing that has always got to me: fantasy books about mages, barbarians, and dragons are meant to cheap thrills to kill a few hours; not something that brings a grown man to tears whilst reading.
Yet THAT sacrifice in Dawnthief broke the seal 20yrs ago, re-reading both knowing it’s coming AND knowing what came after still has the same effect.
And Ravensoul did the same, at many points throughout.
Was it the greatest addition to the series? Probably not.
Would I have been perfectly happy had the story arc remained concluded following second trilogy? Probably.
But did I enjoy Ravensoul? Absolutely! I laughed, cried (see above), and thanks to Hirad’ sarcastic streak when the chips are down, often both on the same line.
And achieved all of that in the presence of friends I’ve been following for as long as I can remember. Echoing Barclay’ own end note, it was great to see the Raven ride one last time - and I’ll raise a glass in their memory tonight.
Yet THAT sacrifice in Dawnthief broke the seal 20yrs ago, re-reading both knowing it’s coming AND knowing what came after still has the same effect.
And Ravensoul did the same, at many points throughout.
Was it the greatest addition to the series? Probably not.
Would I have been perfectly happy had the story arc remained concluded following second trilogy? Probably.
But did I enjoy Ravensoul? Absolutely! I laughed, cried (see above), and thanks to Hirad’ sarcastic streak when the chips are down, often both on the same line.
And achieved all of that in the presence of friends I’ve been following for as long as I can remember. Echoing Barclay’ own end note, it was great to see the Raven ride one last time - and I’ll raise a glass in their memory tonight.
January 6, 2023
Not the end i was expecting and honestly a bit lame. I will say this book was a bit slower and less action packed than the last three books but it's understandable. I loved the series as a whole and a little sad it's over now.
In my opinion, it would have been a much more impactful ending if it ended where jonas had just read his letter to kaan, right after kaan said "They will have you." That should have been the end.
All in all, a decent book and good series. 7.5/10 would recommend and I give this book and the series as a whole 4/5 stars.
In my opinion, it would have been a much more impactful ending if it ended where jonas had just read his letter to kaan, right after kaan said "They will have you." That should have been the end.
All in all, a decent book and good series. 7.5/10 would recommend and I give this book and the series as a whole 4/5 stars.
November 6, 2024
An emotional ending to the Legends of the Raven quartet.
The series started with a plague, then went on to a war of magic, this was then superseded by a demon invasion and then finally we have the dead returning to help the living move dimensions.
Don't get attached to any characters as most perish in the numerous very graphic battles. However some old favourites do return.
The ending however was beautifully written and masterfully crafted. It was very fitting for the group.
'This must be the perfect eternity for you, mustn't it... Knowing the Raven will go on forever.' - Thraun.
The series started with a plague, then went on to a war of magic, this was then superseded by a demon invasion and then finally we have the dead returning to help the living move dimensions.
Don't get attached to any characters as most perish in the numerous very graphic battles. However some old favourites do return.
The ending however was beautifully written and masterfully crafted. It was very fitting for the group.
'This must be the perfect eternity for you, mustn't it... Knowing the Raven will go on forever.' - Thraun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2019
If you have not read any of the previous books about The Raven, then do not bother picking this one up. Prior knowledge of the characters seems to be required. Otherwise, it is slow going. You also need to appreciate unending close quarter combat where the heroes are always outnumbered.
August 25, 2025
This was a great end to a great series. Loved that the whole of The Raven was back together. The high stakes and action kept me engaged and the concept was actually pretty neat, and I think well executed. An overall great conclusion to a series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2012
My bookshelf is filling up with books by the author James Barclay ever since i read 'Ravensoul' and apsolutely fell in love with his creative fantasy series, that is stunningly beautiful and captivating. It is a series that is in two seperate parts being 1). the chronicles of the raven and 2). the legends of the raven, which is an epic fantasy masterpiece that is completely origional and totally unique that really raises the standards for other authors of this particular genre to aspire to. Packed to the brim of non-stop action, gore and bloodshed it certainly was a pacey read that was just excellent heroic fantasy at its very best. I loved the author's fluid style that was character-driven with much emphasis drawn to each indavidual, distinctive character that made you feel as though you were actually standing right thier in the middle of the action; one could almost smell the leather and sweat. I had such an enjoyable time reading this particular book that sparked a passion for this author and an apreciation of his writing style and kind of work, and as a concequence i shall continue to read other novels within this series as they are truely fantastic examples of brilliant fantasy fiction. Anyone who is an avid reader that likes books to really 'stick thier teeth into' and be able to engross yourself in a thrilling and detailed plot, then i can not praise James Barclay enough for this type of work. A really thrilling, exciting and gripping read that will have you on the edge of your seat with anticipation and i cannot recomend this particular book more so to any reader who enjoys fantasy fiction at its very best. It is really, really great!
January 21, 2016
A little bit self indulgent and not really accessible to anyone who hasn't read the other raven books. That said there are some good moments where the classic raven are reformed. My two major critisims are that the Garonin feel a little Sci-Fi rather than fantasy and that the book almost throws out the shock fact of random characters being killed by giving them all life after death. This sometimes feels a little uneasy as if it has been done just to evoke memories and introduce old characters just when you think there is no hope. At times Barclay slips into not explaining things clearly and sometimes it feels as if things have just appeared in the scene or he has forgetten to mention then earlier. All in all a decent read, if not a little poor by Barclay's usual standards, although I actually loved the section in Ulanderneth where the logic of dead vs alive in the afterlife actual worked. Good if your raven fan but avoid if not, better still read the others firsts. The ending also reads SPIN-OFF (Balaia and the new world!)
December 15, 2011
mmmm.... for any Drawn togheter fans, out there... This book is like the DT movie. it brings back everyone... and kind of make sure the franchise can't go anywhere else. And I can't help thinking that if we didn't have the 6 books to make each character so strong and defined, this book would be really disappointing. I didn't like the whole Fantasy vs Sci-Fi; didn't buy it at all. That being said, the book got me a few times teared eyes. Barclay was able to really get us attached to Hirad, Sol, Denser and Erienne... So, to see them very emotional gets me. But all in all, the book didn't give me a sense of enjoyment, but of frustration while reading it. The 3 stars are for the characters, not the storyline...
April 23, 2012
Like many reviewers that I've read, I do not think this was the best of the series. It took me a while to get back into the Raven considering the end of he previous book. That being said, by about 100 pages in I was hooked again and loving another instalment of the Raven. The pace is breathtaking. Knowing Barclay's past, the destiny of every character was in doubt. A satisfying end. Also one of the most emotional of the entire series. Great to read another, if final chapter of the Raven.
May 28, 2012
A book too far. A very fitting end to the story of the Raven but it felt tacked on. Demonstorm left Balaia at an appropriate end. The addition of the Garonin and the return of previous raven members just felt like a way to squeeze a little bit more from the story as a whole. The ending however was very satisfying, but I feel it could have been worked into the ending of Demonstorm.
August 13, 2016
I loved all the Raven books and this is unmistakably a Raven book with its non stop action BUT this was really not the book for the definitive end of the Raven series. I loved the Raven actionbut just could not warm to the book, I can't really elaborate much more on this without spoilers but read it and if you are a Raven fan you will know what I mean
October 5, 2010
A book too far really - I love the Raven but this just seemed like an afterthought. I did like the ending though - almost as as good as the ending of the previous book - but he should have picked one or the other.
April 12, 2011
Oh Yes !! such a run-away conclusion to the Raven.
So very much like David Gemmell, it's no wonder that Barclay has taken up the mantle.
Page-turning, on the edge-of-your-seat novel; never letting up; satisfying to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
So very much like David Gemmell, it's no wonder that Barclay has taken up the mantle.
Page-turning, on the edge-of-your-seat novel; never letting up; satisfying to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
November 23, 2012
Another triumph for both Barclay and the Raven. This tale I found to be emotive, but again a book I had trouble putting down. Wanting to be absorbed in his world and the battles the Raven faced and torn between not wanting the story to end.
For me that's the mark of an incredible piece of writing.
For me that's the mark of an incredible piece of writing.
January 8, 2009
i cant really say much - i'm a total Raven fangirl, and this new book made me SQUEE.
a fitting conclusion - although i hope not the end.
a fitting conclusion - although i hope not the end.
June 27, 2011
a suitable conclusion to the Raven series. Full of action. Some plot points were telegraphed ahead of time, but all loose ends tied up.
February 24, 2013
Well written but a little "this is the last scene of the musical let's bring everybody back on stage".
May 4, 2013
Great last book for the Raven series and tying in very nicely with the Elf series.
April 1, 2013
Was a bit of a strange way to keep the story going. Should have had some of the old raven (Richmond, Talan and Hirad's old besty)
August 13, 2013
perfect ending for the raven.. ^.^
i'm glad i didn't have to go through the phase where the readers thought demonstorm was the last book..
i'm glad i didn't have to go through the phase where the readers thought demonstorm was the last book..
July 29, 2014
An end which is so perfectly suited to the series that it had me in tears.
February 9, 2012
Great ending to the Raven saga! Very much enjoyed!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews