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Elves #3
Beyond the Mists of Katura
Thousands of years ago the elves were enslaved by men and murdered in their thousands. Auum and Takaar united their people against men, freed their nation and now Calaius is at peace... but that doesn't mean they are safe.
Men need their help.
One of the mages has created a spell, called Dawnthief, which has the potential to destory every living thing. All four magical colleges are fighting for it and, whoever seizes the spell, the elves are in tremendous danger. But can Auum and Takaar overcome their differences and work together &mdash and with men — to save Calaius? Even if they can, is it not already too late...?
Men need their help.
One of the mages has created a spell, called Dawnthief, which has the potential to destory every living thing. All four magical colleges are fighting for it and, whoever seizes the spell, the elves are in tremendous danger. But can Auum and Takaar overcome their differences and work together &mdash and with men — to save Calaius? Even if they can, is it not already too late...?
- GenresFantasyElvesEpic Fantasy
358 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2013
11 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 29, 2013
I have been a fan of James Barclays work since 1999 when Dawnthief first hit the book shelves. His style so reminiscent of my then favourite author David Gemmell. The characters flawed but heroic, larger than life yet down to earth. The action fast and furious and the body count high. And yet despite that there has been something that has niggled at me since Once walked with Gods, a feeling that he had strayed from his earlier writing prowess.
With Beyond the Mists of Katura I think I have finally nailed the problem, The characters are still great, the writing fast yet sparse where needed and powerful and emotional where required. The plot pushes ahead at a furious pace and the body count leaves me wondering if there will be anyone left alive.
The niggle i fnally figured out is with the Elves themselves, whilst they are not unbeatable, despite their near immortality and their legendary fighting prowess. Its the constant description of an elf in fighting mode, there are only so many times you need to read about what part of what hand or foot or throwing knife did what damage. The action is too intimate, it needs to be pulled back to the broader picture sometimes, and have more of the emotional depth of the scenes at the end. The finale with Auum is simply excellent. Takaar is also such an excellent character, so flawed so damaged by his long life and so dangerous no one can predict his next action, perfect fodder for a great story. The book brings the whole series plot full circle back to Dawnthief, and ends the cycle. I think this is a good thing, I'd like to see James break away again as his did with the blooming excellent Ascendants of Estorea.
Would I recommend?
Yes to all existing fans of James Barclay, for newbies, i think you need to start at the beginning, I would have been a little lost and overcome by the battles if not for the back story.
overall a 4/5 for the end of a series
(Parm)
With Beyond the Mists of Katura I think I have finally nailed the problem, The characters are still great, the writing fast yet sparse where needed and powerful and emotional where required. The plot pushes ahead at a furious pace and the body count leaves me wondering if there will be anyone left alive.
The niggle i fnally figured out is with the Elves themselves, whilst they are not unbeatable, despite their near immortality and their legendary fighting prowess. Its the constant description of an elf in fighting mode, there are only so many times you need to read about what part of what hand or foot or throwing knife did what damage. The action is too intimate, it needs to be pulled back to the broader picture sometimes, and have more of the emotional depth of the scenes at the end. The finale with Auum is simply excellent. Takaar is also such an excellent character, so flawed so damaged by his long life and so dangerous no one can predict his next action, perfect fodder for a great story. The book brings the whole series plot full circle back to Dawnthief, and ends the cycle. I think this is a good thing, I'd like to see James break away again as his did with the blooming excellent Ascendants of Estorea.
Would I recommend?
Yes to all existing fans of James Barclay, for newbies, i think you need to start at the beginning, I would have been a little lost and overcome by the battles if not for the back story.
overall a 4/5 for the end of a series
(Parm)
June 12, 2013
I am sorry this is the last book but it was a great finale. If you have not read Chronicles of the Raven your in for a treat.
January 17, 2021
My respect to our Arch Auum
July 22, 2013
The elves, led by Auum and Takaar, have been summoned to save their kin at the besieged college of Julatsa. A journey taken reluctantly by Auum and his cells - as it means leaving behind their beloved rainforest. The threat, however, is very real as the powerful (but bickering) Wytch Lords have made a pact with the rival college of Xetesk and the trophy they seek, the Dawnthief, could destroy all life.
This well written stonker of a book takes you on an emotional voyage of highs and lows, the fight scenes are breath-taking, the character building is superb as you enter the insanity of Takaar and feel the abiding comradeship of Auum and Ulysan..all in all, a thoroughly good read!
Excellent
This well written stonker of a book takes you on an emotional voyage of highs and lows, the fight scenes are breath-taking, the character building is superb as you enter the insanity of Takaar and feel the abiding comradeship of Auum and Ulysan..all in all, a thoroughly good read!
Excellent
April 24, 2019
Beyond the Mists of Katura (Elves, #3) – James Barclay
And so, it ends, years after reading the seven books of The Raven I have finished the trilogy of the Elves and a fitting finale/beginning for Auum, Duele and Evunn it is as well.
A fantastic story concluding the series bringing an end to The Wytch Lords battle with the Elves, it is brimming with heroics and battles and sacrifice and as always with James Barclay, your favourites characters are going to come to a sticky end along the way.
In this book Auum, Ulysan and the TaiGethen take the fight to Ystormun in the Wesmen nation, with some unlikely allies, some new found brothers in arms and all the while dealing with madness and unpredictableness of Takaar. The action is always unrelenting, and the fight scenes described in the minuteness of detail. The conclusion of this book links nicely to Dawnthief (the first of The Raven series, some 3000 years later) and there in lies my one and only issue.
We know what happens to Auum eventually, though he changes personality a fair bit in the next 3000 years, however I am now invested in Grafyrre, Marack, Faleen, Stein, Tilman and Merke as well. Mr Barclay needs to write stories encompassing the next 3000 years as well or else my imagination is just going to go into overtime and that won’t leave me anytime to read anything else! (All said in the hope that he might read this on Goodreads and be inspired to put pen to paper on new Elves stories – it’s a long shot but why not take it anyway!).
Another great series by James Barclay and I still have his Blood and Fire series to start whilst I wait for more Elves books – hint hint!
And so, it ends, years after reading the seven books of The Raven I have finished the trilogy of the Elves and a fitting finale/beginning for Auum, Duele and Evunn it is as well.
A fantastic story concluding the series bringing an end to The Wytch Lords battle with the Elves, it is brimming with heroics and battles and sacrifice and as always with James Barclay, your favourites characters are going to come to a sticky end along the way.
In this book Auum, Ulysan and the TaiGethen take the fight to Ystormun in the Wesmen nation, with some unlikely allies, some new found brothers in arms and all the while dealing with madness and unpredictableness of Takaar. The action is always unrelenting, and the fight scenes described in the minuteness of detail. The conclusion of this book links nicely to Dawnthief (the first of The Raven series, some 3000 years later) and there in lies my one and only issue.
We know what happens to Auum eventually, though he changes personality a fair bit in the next 3000 years, however I am now invested in Grafyrre, Marack, Faleen, Stein, Tilman and Merke as well. Mr Barclay needs to write stories encompassing the next 3000 years as well or else my imagination is just going to go into overtime and that won’t leave me anytime to read anything else! (All said in the hope that he might read this on Goodreads and be inspired to put pen to paper on new Elves stories – it’s a long shot but why not take it anyway!).
Another great series by James Barclay and I still have his Blood and Fire series to start whilst I wait for more Elves books – hint hint!
July 24, 2017
I tried more than once to start this series, urged on by a friend who also enjoys fantasy. Took me a couple of tries to get into it but then really enjoyed Books 1 and 2. Really bad bad-guys, ass-kicking good-guys. But I have been stuck more than halfway through the 3rd book for weeks now and I just realised: I'm never going to finish it.
It's not that it's bad. If you enjoyed Books 1 and 2 then there is no reason you shouldn't enjoy Book 3. The problem is, there really is no difference between Books 1, 2 and 3. Yes, the story progresses and a few new characters are added or killed, but essentially it's still exactly the same story and exactly the same action sequences repeated over and over and over again.
And I just don't care anymore. I won't give it a 1-star, because it's not a bad book, but I won't give it more than 2 because I just can't honestly say that I enjoyed it.
It's not that it's bad. If you enjoyed Books 1 and 2 then there is no reason you shouldn't enjoy Book 3. The problem is, there really is no difference between Books 1, 2 and 3. Yes, the story progresses and a few new characters are added or killed, but essentially it's still exactly the same story and exactly the same action sequences repeated over and over and over again.
And I just don't care anymore. I won't give it a 1-star, because it's not a bad book, but I won't give it more than 2 because I just can't honestly say that I enjoyed it.
July 20, 2019
I feel like this had a lot of nothing in it. Maybe it was the rate I was reading at but I didn't feel like there was that high of stakes in it.
The funeral at the end was great and Auum not getting over someones death well to the point where he says he's dead inside. A subtle thing where he goes to mention them as if they were still there and motion to them but they're gone.
One character death was completely glossed over which disappointed me, especially since they were fairly pivotal to the trilogy as a whole.
Tilman and Stein were great and I mean as a whole it wasn't bad... just it didn't have the same stakes as the last two.
The funeral at the end was great and Auum not getting over someones death well to the point where he says he's dead inside. A subtle thing where he goes to mention them as if they were still there and motion to them but they're gone.
One character death was completely glossed over which disappointed me, especially since they were fairly pivotal to the trilogy as a whole.
Tilman and Stein were great and I mean as a whole it wasn't bad... just it didn't have the same stakes as the last two.
March 4, 2021
This series is a compelling read. The unfolding of the conflict both within a society and the reaction to external threats invokes all the horror of inter-racial discrimination and the devastating effects of slavery. Hope clings on throughout the gripping and often visceral action (and yes, there is plenty of that) in the form of characters that you can't help but have faith in.
August 9, 2023
While the story and the plot were good, I found the main character Auum, so unlikeable. He was constantly corrected and everyone but the antagonists liked him. As the story went on, I found him more and more annoying until it robbed all my enjoyment of the story.
July 26, 2015
The concluding volume of this series is what we have come to expect from James Barclay, no gratuitous sex, no ridiculous romance, no story padding just cover to cover action and a helluva story. A quick read because you just cannot put the damned thing down - 5 stars. Recommended to anyone who can read, although if you have a weak heart you may want to check with your doctor first.
James - another series please!
James - another series please!
November 11, 2013
Fantastic! need I say more? As a long time lover of The Chronicles and Legends of the Raven, the Elves books were always going to be something I enjoyed.
This is a great conclusion to the story and I can't fault it. The battles were exciting and the emotions ran high. Planning to now go back and read the Raven books again, since the end of this book leads onto them :)
This is a great conclusion to the story and I can't fault it. The battles were exciting and the emotions ran high. Planning to now go back and read the Raven books again, since the end of this book leads onto them :)
July 20, 2013
finished this heartbreaking but wonderful book and enjoyed every minute of it!!!
February 28, 2014
definitely my favourite book from the trilogy.. loving the bromance, a warm reminder of hirad and my favourite elf ilkar.. ^.^
not liking the heartbreak though i know it's inevitable..
not liking the heartbreak though i know it's inevitable..
April 9, 2017
A great conclusion to the Elves Trilogy. I would definitely recommend this trilogy to fans of Fantasy.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews