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Master of Crows #2
The Brush of Black Wings
During a foray into the woods of Neith, Martise stumbles upon a ruined temple and reawakens not only a power she thought lost, but also something far more malevolent. An ancient darkness, imprisoned in an eternal cage, sees a chance at freedom in a woman once held in bondage.
Desperate to save her, the Master of Crows will break the barriers of time and worlds to challenge an entity born of forgotten magic and the remnants of souls - a demon king who once led hordes of the damned across the face of the world.
The destroyer of gods will battle the destroyer of men to reclaim his wife and discover a truth the keepers of history once conspired to conceal.
A tale of revelation and redemption.
Desperate to save her, the Master of Crows will break the barriers of time and worlds to challenge an entity born of forgotten magic and the remnants of souls - a demon king who once led hordes of the damned across the face of the world.
The destroyer of gods will battle the destroyer of men to reclaim his wife and discover a truth the keepers of history once conspired to conceal.
A tale of revelation and redemption.
135 pages, ebook
First published July 13, 2015
202 people are currently reading
4532 people want to read
About the author
Grace Draven
53 books7,682 followersI'm an author and Louisiana native living in Texas with my husband, three smalls and a big doofus dog. I have lived in Spain, hiked the Teton Mountains, honeymooned in Scotland, ridden in competition rodeo and am the great great granddaughter of a Nicaraguan president. I also hate doing laundry and refuse to iron anything.
I've loved storytelling since forever. I published my first short story with Amber Quill Press and have since written several other tales. A love of the bad boy in fiction always inspires me.
I've loved storytelling since forever. I published my first short story with Amber Quill Press and have since written several other tales. A love of the bad boy in fiction always inspires me.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 350 reviews
March 9, 2016
The first thought that came into my mind after reading this book is:
I WANT MORE.
The Brush of Black Wings is the sequel to the Master of Crows and let me tell you, if you loved Silhara's snappy comebacks and shades, then you will enjoy this novella.
The story takes place after a few years of being married. I just want to say that Silhara and Martise are one of the best married couples ever. It's sweet to see a guy openly shows his devotion to his wife and Silhara is a 10 out 10 in the husband department.
This book is a novella so of course I find it too short. Some new characters are introduced in this book and they must have a book of their own or there would be consequences.
If you haven't read Master of Crows yet and you like heroes who are irritable (and that reminds us of Benedict's Sherlock) then dafuq are you waiting for? Read this. ASAP.
December 18, 2024
OK, I came in from a hard day's work and after cleaning up I thought "I will just read a few pages before bed", sadly that was NOT going to happen for several hours, curse you Grace Draven.
I started in on the story at about the 20% mark from a previous day's reading that I was forced to abandon because I am married (and have a desire to remain that way). It seems that windows have to be cleaned every 5 years or so I have been told and it was my turn (actually it is always "my turn" for this task from She Who Must Be Obeyed) but I digress.
I read the original story in the lives of these characters years ago in the epic Master of Crows and this story felt like visiting old friends as its sequel. The shortness of novellas prevent me from revealing too much in my reviews and this is the case here as well. At only about 100 pages it seems to read much longer and told a very detailed story which is where novellas usually fall short with me, not the case here. The seemingly innocent beginning to this story quickly evolves into a life or death situation with a light touch of "I can't live without her" although the slight vibe from the Master of Crows that indicate he considers himself above such things lends a nice touch to the obvious falsehood of that idea along with a statement that he would "never listen to her again". The quickness with which the stress level was ratcheted up indicates good writing along with the inability to put it down once you pass a certain point (see sentence #1).
While I don't do spoilers of any kind if I can help it, this was a wonderful continuation of the characters I have wondered about for about 4 years, pretty much all expectations were met and the story was riveting (see sentence #1) and as usual, things did not happen as I expected. I hope I don't have to wait 4 more years to get another story in the Master of Crows world but I have to say it was worth the wait, I just don't have to enjoy being patient, it's not my strong suit. Some teasers that might tie this story into a future book in her Wraith Kings series add a bit of mystery to the ending and means I will probably keep this story handy to refer back to when/if that occurs.
After mulling over only a couple of very minor complaints (so minor I did not even mention them) I have to give it 4.5 Stars which gets rounded to 5 Stars in most places I post reviews. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I started in on the story at about the 20% mark from a previous day's reading that I was forced to abandon because I am married (and have a desire to remain that way). It seems that windows have to be cleaned every 5 years or so I have been told and it was my turn (actually it is always "my turn" for this task from She Who Must Be Obeyed) but I digress.
I read the original story in the lives of these characters years ago in the epic Master of Crows and this story felt like visiting old friends as its sequel. The shortness of novellas prevent me from revealing too much in my reviews and this is the case here as well. At only about 100 pages it seems to read much longer and told a very detailed story which is where novellas usually fall short with me, not the case here. The seemingly innocent beginning to this story quickly evolves into a life or death situation with a light touch of "I can't live without her" although the slight vibe from the Master of Crows that indicate he considers himself above such things lends a nice touch to the obvious falsehood of that idea along with a statement that he would "never listen to her again". The quickness with which the stress level was ratcheted up indicates good writing along with the inability to put it down once you pass a certain point (see sentence #1).
While I don't do spoilers of any kind if I can help it, this was a wonderful continuation of the characters I have wondered about for about 4 years, pretty much all expectations were met and the story was riveting (see sentence #1) and as usual, things did not happen as I expected. I hope I don't have to wait 4 more years to get another story in the Master of Crows world but I have to say it was worth the wait, I just don't have to enjoy being patient, it's not my strong suit. Some teasers that might tie this story into a future book in her Wraith Kings series add a bit of mystery to the ending and means I will probably keep this story handy to refer back to when/if that occurs.
After mulling over only a couple of very minor complaints (so minor I did not even mention them) I have to give it 4.5 Stars which gets rounded to 5 Stars in most places I post reviews. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
November 15, 2015
Silhara: “Do you trust me?”
Martise: Always.
Silhara: You know that isn’t true.
Martise: I trust you when it counts most.
Ever since I read Master of Crows early this year, I have pretty much picked up every Draven’s book I can get. This sequel only has 102 kindle pages, but there is no shortage of humor, twist, and magic. The plot presents a great potential for the future installments. Fingers crossed this is not the last book for Silhara and Martise because I have become attached to these beloved characters.
# Not to be read as a stand-alone
October 7, 2019
I'm a bit confused by this story. It was published a year prior to "Eidolon" but it contains part of the story of the "Wraith Kings" after what happened in "Eidolon". Without wanting to spoil things, if you've read "Eidolon" and anxiously are waiting for "Ippos King" pick this up. It doesn't spoil things too much for "Master Of Crows" if you haven't read it yet (but please do if you haven't already, you're missing on a great book) and answers to the question
I just love how Grace Draven likes to mix her stories. What, in first glance, appears to be different worlds, is in fact the same world just in different eras... But I'll let you discover all this for yourself...
As for the story, it is a great addition to the "Master Of Crows" series, I love how even after living together for many years, Martise still keeps Silhara on his toes and doesn't take bullshit from him, I love that Anya is still a part of Gurn's life and things are pretty much the same...
January 19, 2016
I'm always pleased with Grace Draven's work.
I'm slowly but surely working my way through all her novellas and books. Yeah!!! ♥ ♥
I'm slowly but surely working my way through all her novellas and books. Yeah!!! ♥ ♥
August 18, 2015
A novella set perhaps a few years after the ending of Master of Crows, Martise finds herself falling upon some long dormant old world magic while on a mushroom hunt for their beloved silent man servant. Not only does she awaken what appears to be an ancient demon- she awakens her own magic, thought drained and gone.
Sucked into a realm out of space and time, Silhara must rescue his wife and solve the mystery she happened upon if either of them are to survive.
Fast read, of course, and though I’m more about relationship than epic battles- which fantasy settings are reliant on and were indeed present in Brush of Black Wings- I still adored it, because this author knows this about us nerd girls and included enough a peek at Martise and Silhara being domestic in the beginning to satisfy even me.
This one's all about a side adventure, but the important part to glean is that Martise’s gift is back and it scares the crap out of her husband because he knows people will stop at nothing to get at it. By the end of the novella, it’s in hiding and I have my suspicions why. . I hope GD continues on in the world, but first? I want the next Wraith King!!!
Sucked into a realm out of space and time, Silhara must rescue his wife and solve the mystery she happened upon if either of them are to survive.
Fast read, of course, and though I’m more about relationship than epic battles- which fantasy settings are reliant on and were indeed present in Brush of Black Wings- I still adored it, because this author knows this about us nerd girls and included enough a peek at Martise and Silhara being domestic in the beginning to satisfy even me.
This one's all about a side adventure, but the important part to glean is that Martise’s gift is back and it scares the crap out of her husband because he knows people will stop at nothing to get at it. By the end of the novella, it’s in hiding and I have my suspicions why. . I hope GD continues on in the world, but first? I want the next Wraith King!!!
March 5, 2022
This book.
This thing with words and letters.
This book is what Master of Crows should have been.
Master of Crows is a standalone fantasy, but this short story follows Silhara and Martise four/five years after the events of the first book. Martise, now living at Neith, stumbles upon a ruined, abandoned temple in the middle of the forest when foraging for mushrooms and what greets her there sets off a chain of event that leaves you mind blown.
Although The Brush of Black Wings happens centuries after and acts as a prelude to Radiance and Eidolon, I highly, HIGHLY, recommend that to fully appreciate and understand this book, you must read Radiance and Eidolon as the events in those books play a great deal in the unfurling of the events in this masterpiece.
I loved everything about this! The fluff, the domesticated life, the sorcery and magic that is unique and different from Radiance and Eidolon, the PACING! It was so quick but with such gorgeous detail that it felt like a fully fledged novel in the short 135 pages that was written.
Most importantly, the thing that resonated most was the exploration of written history and the unreliability of the written word. Draven magnificently brings about the inquiry of whether history, written by the victors, have an agenda of their own. The reliance of historical fact is spat out when Silhara postulates that we trust the tomes too much sometimes . I especially loved this inkling of doubt that Draven feeds to her audience and to think critically about the things we read and the histories of the world we are taught.
I can't give too much away about this book without spoiling it but this was MILES better than the first. Partly because of the first but mostly because of the way Draven connected the characters of her other works and entwined them to flow so heartachingly well! It's one thing to read a fantasy standalone and duology by the same author and another when she uses her writing skills to connect her stories together. I don't know if any of that makes sense but I love that so much, especially because Eidolon is now one of my favourite books of all time.
A few things get cleared up, one of them being why Silhara loves his orange grove so much yet loathes the fruit with such passion. But with that came along a lot more questions than answers. Such as, what happened to Martise after the events on the tor. The ending that leaves off open ended on her health. It leaves you hoping with the utmost of hopes that Megiddo, a humble monk first, Wraith King second, finally finds his way home at long last but we are not told if he does and this aches most of all, not knowing whether the man who sacrificed so much is finally returned home.
This review made no sense but just know that this was bittersweet and left a gaping hole in my chest where my heart should be.
This thing with words and letters.
This book is what Master of Crows should have been.
Master of Crows is a standalone fantasy, but this short story follows Silhara and Martise four/five years after the events of the first book. Martise, now living at Neith, stumbles upon a ruined, abandoned temple in the middle of the forest when foraging for mushrooms and what greets her there sets off a chain of event that leaves you mind blown.
Although The Brush of Black Wings happens centuries after and acts as a prelude to Radiance and Eidolon, I highly, HIGHLY, recommend that to fully appreciate and understand this book, you must read Radiance and Eidolon as the events in those books play a great deal in the unfurling of the events in this masterpiece.
I loved everything about this! The fluff, the domesticated life, the sorcery and magic that is unique and different from Radiance and Eidolon, the PACING! It was so quick but with such gorgeous detail that it felt like a fully fledged novel in the short 135 pages that was written.
Most importantly, the thing that resonated most was the exploration of written history and the unreliability of the written word. Draven magnificently brings about the inquiry of whether history, written by the victors, have an agenda of their own. The reliance of historical fact is spat out when Silhara postulates that we trust the tomes too much sometimes . I especially loved this inkling of doubt that Draven feeds to her audience and to think critically about the things we read and the histories of the world we are taught.
I can't give too much away about this book without spoiling it but this was MILES better than the first. Partly because of the first but mostly because of the way Draven connected the characters of her other works and entwined them to flow so heartachingly well! It's one thing to read a fantasy standalone and duology by the same author and another when she uses her writing skills to connect her stories together. I don't know if any of that makes sense but I love that so much, especially because Eidolon is now one of my favourite books of all time.
A few things get cleared up, one of them being why Silhara loves his orange grove so much yet loathes the fruit with such passion. But with that came along a lot more questions than answers. Such as, what happened to Martise after the events on the tor. The ending that leaves off open ended on her health. It leaves you hoping with the utmost of hopes that Megiddo, a humble monk first, Wraith King second, finally finds his way home at long last but we are not told if he does and this aches most of all, not knowing whether the man who sacrificed so much is finally returned home.
This review made no sense but just know that this was bittersweet and left a gaping hole in my chest where my heart should be.
September 26, 2016
I was going to give it 4 but in all honesty, I really enjoyed it. I was bummed that the ending was abrupt, IMO, and that a thread was left hanging to be resolved in a short story to be purchased later. That feels a little like I'm being taken advantage of as a reader.
And it's not like I didn't know what was up with that thread anyway. So ... yeah, that left me with a bad taste.
But everything else that I love about this author is right on in this story. I wish it had been a full novel, but maybe there just isn't all that much left to tell about these characters and they should be allowed to live a quiet life without the drama that new story lines would require.
This story has Martise in mortal danger with Silhara at a very strong disadvantage. As with the first book, nothing is quite what it seems and it's a pleasure to watch it all unfold.
After finishing this book I went to Amazon and bought everything with Grace Draven's name on it. Yes, even though I was bummed about the ending. I love her writing and she's quickly becoming one of my favorite, must-buy authors.
And it's not like I didn't know what was up with that thread anyway. So ... yeah, that left me with a bad taste.
But everything else that I love about this author is right on in this story. I wish it had been a full novel, but maybe there just isn't all that much left to tell about these characters and they should be allowed to live a quiet life without the drama that new story lines would require.
This story has Martise in mortal danger with Silhara at a very strong disadvantage. As with the first book, nothing is quite what it seems and it's a pleasure to watch it all unfold.
After finishing this book I went to Amazon and bought everything with Grace Draven's name on it. Yes, even though I was bummed about the ending. I love her writing and she's quickly becoming one of my favorite, must-buy authors.
December 31, 2015
4.5 stars - Novella length, Brush of Black Wings brings us back to the Master of Crows world of Crow Mage Silhara and his former apprentice, now wife, Martise. I really enjoyed this but the ending felt unfinished until I realised that it looks like this story will tie to Draven's Wraith King series -(and I was wondering how she was going to follow up Radiance and now we have an inkling.)
As always, I love Silhara and Martise, him grouchy and her beautiful to him because of his love for her. I also enjoyed seeing Gunn again, and watching him give Silhara a hard time. And I liked the promise of the new characters introduced and I hope that we will get a chance to find out the rest of their stories.
As always, I love Silhara and Martise, him grouchy and her beautiful to him because of his love for her. I also enjoyed seeing Gunn again, and watching him give Silhara a hard time. And I liked the promise of the new characters introduced and I hope that we will get a chance to find out the rest of their stories.
February 5, 2016
The Brush of Black Wings starts out almost like this lovely little epilogue to Master of Crows, albeit five years later. It's a cold, winter morning and Silhara doesn't want Martise to get out of bed. They have an adorably sweet snuggle, but Martise must be on her way to pick mushrooms for servant/friend Gurn. Voiceless Gurn somehow brings comic relief to this oh-so-normal morning with flippant gestures about his Holy Laziness lolling about in bed. Even smelly hound Cael hasn't died and accompanies Martise on her foray into the woods.
With her incredible, lyrical prose, Grave Draven pulls you into this beautifully domestic setting, but soon we learn there is something dark and dangerous lurking in the woods. How this malevolence manages to grasp Martise is reminiscent of the scariest horror films. It is the unknown that paralyzes your senses, makes you hold your breath, and forces you to turn the pages as fast as possible.
Silhara has graduated from anti-hero to actual hero in this sequel. I love how he just knows that Martise is in trouble and comes charging into the woods to her defense from his work in the distillery "more bedraggled peasant than infamous god-killer." His hurried weapon of choice is a simple kitchen knife. "What he couldn't obliterate with magic, he'd cheerfully butcher."
But soon Draven leaves these lighthearted moments behind because Silhara must bring forth the formidable Master of Crows to again do his work. He treasures his humble and simple love for Martise above all else and she is threatened. Draven takes the reader to new places and new mythologies in this sequel, but the magic is still violent and explosive and based in power, humanity and love.
With her incredible, lyrical prose, Grave Draven pulls you into this beautifully domestic setting, but soon we learn there is something dark and dangerous lurking in the woods. How this malevolence manages to grasp Martise is reminiscent of the scariest horror films. It is the unknown that paralyzes your senses, makes you hold your breath, and forces you to turn the pages as fast as possible.
Silhara has graduated from anti-hero to actual hero in this sequel. I love how he just knows that Martise is in trouble and comes charging into the woods to her defense from his work in the distillery "more bedraggled peasant than infamous god-killer." His hurried weapon of choice is a simple kitchen knife. "What he couldn't obliterate with magic, he'd cheerfully butcher."
But soon Draven leaves these lighthearted moments behind because Silhara must bring forth the formidable Master of Crows to again do his work. He treasures his humble and simple love for Martise above all else and she is threatened. Draven takes the reader to new places and new mythologies in this sequel, but the magic is still violent and explosive and based in power, humanity and love.
March 2, 2022
I read this a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, I forgot to write a review at the time and can’t remember all the particulars now. I do remember it had an extremely interesting storyline and that I thoroughly enjoyed it, however.
wish-list
August 26, 2016You can take a sneak peak snippet of chapter 1 here:
http://gracedraven.com/the-brush-of-b...
http://gracedraven.com/the-brush-of-b...
November 25, 2018
“His eyes, usually as black and hard as obsidian were softer now, with the sheen of a crow’s wing in sunlight. “You love me anyway,” she teased.
“That’s true,” he said softly.
“Your weakness,” she replied in equally quiet tones.
“No. My strength.” They made love, this time without the power of their combined Gifts flowing hot between them, yet Martise would argue with anyone that its absence made no difference. There was sorcery aplenty in loving the one you held most dear.”
I’m absolutely obsessed with this characters and I need more😭
3.75/5★★★★
“That’s true,” he said softly.
“Your weakness,” she replied in equally quiet tones.
“No. My strength.” They made love, this time without the power of their combined Gifts flowing hot between them, yet Martise would argue with anyone that its absence made no difference. There was sorcery aplenty in loving the one you held most dear.”
I’m absolutely obsessed with this characters and I need more😭
3.75/5★★★★
October 24, 2015
ITS ONLY A NOVELLLAAAAA
I didn’t know that…I loved it but I seriously want to cry. I love Silhara and Martise sooooo much! And I think I know whats going on with her at the end of the book too. But from the patterns of Grace Dravens writing….my suspicions might not be proved correct for a few years….GGAAAHHH!!!
The Brush of Black Wings is a nice short story that takes place a few years after Silhara of Neith, Master of Crows defeats the God of Corruption with his wife Martises help and her very unique Gift. Life for the small family of four, Gurn and Cael included, is pretty normal and domestic. Until Martises gift awakens a demon Wraith King who wants to use her to return to the world of the living. A Demon Wraith King who will do any and everything in his power to be free, including kidnapping Martise in the middle of the night, bringing her to a world where time means nothing.
Although it was short and only JUST began to sate my increasing hunger for these two, I loved it and it almost didn’t even feel like a novella because it’s such a full story. I got to get more of Martise and Silhara and their very intense and passionate relationship. More of Gurn and Silharas brash and sarcastic friendship. More of everything!
One of the things I really love about reading Grace Dravens books is that they hit all of my favorite points. I love medieval books, I love Romance, fantasy, action, world/relationship building, intense love, passion, danger, sacrifice. Her books have it all! So instead of picking one aspect that I love and finding a book that focuses on just that, I can read a Grace Draven book and be pleased and satisfied on all fronts. I want MORE!!!!
I didn’t know that…I loved it but I seriously want to cry. I love Silhara and Martise sooooo much! And I think I know whats going on with her at the end of the book too. But from the patterns of Grace Dravens writing….my suspicions might not be proved correct for a few years….GGAAAHHH!!!
The Brush of Black Wings is a nice short story that takes place a few years after Silhara of Neith, Master of Crows defeats the God of Corruption with his wife Martises help and her very unique Gift. Life for the small family of four, Gurn and Cael included, is pretty normal and domestic. Until Martises gift awakens a demon Wraith King who wants to use her to return to the world of the living. A Demon Wraith King who will do any and everything in his power to be free, including kidnapping Martise in the middle of the night, bringing her to a world where time means nothing.
Although it was short and only JUST began to sate my increasing hunger for these two, I loved it and it almost didn’t even feel like a novella because it’s such a full story. I got to get more of Martise and Silhara and their very intense and passionate relationship. More of Gurn and Silharas brash and sarcastic friendship. More of everything!
One of the things I really love about reading Grace Dravens books is that they hit all of my favorite points. I love medieval books, I love Romance, fantasy, action, world/relationship building, intense love, passion, danger, sacrifice. Her books have it all! So instead of picking one aspect that I love and finding a book that focuses on just that, I can read a Grace Draven book and be pleased and satisfied on all fronts. I want MORE!!!!
April 3, 2017
I feel so conflicted about this one. It's more or less a given that I really like, if not love, everything Draven writes. This couple especially has just been so wonderful to experience. I find everything the author conjures up to be fascinating and interesting, dark and hopeful, funny and sexy. But THE BRUSH OF BLACK WINGS, even though it had all of those elements, didn't really do it for me.
I liked seeing the tie-in to the Wraith Kings series. I loved the banter between Martise and Silhara. And that ending, though feeling a little rushed and purposefully vague (though I mean, we know what isn't being revealed), was sweet. But it just felt like something was missing.
I would give five stars alone for that cover. I just wish the inside matched the extraordinary brilliance of the outside.
3.5 "if she came to any harm he'd wreak a vengeance that would make a god's execution look like child's play" stars
I liked seeing the tie-in to the Wraith Kings series. I loved the banter between Martise and Silhara. And that ending, though feeling a little rushed and purposefully vague (though I mean, we know what isn't being revealed), was sweet. But it just felt like something was missing.
I would give five stars alone for that cover. I just wish the inside matched the extraordinary brilliance of the outside.
3.5 "if she came to any harm he'd wreak a vengeance that would make a god's execution look like child's play" stars
July 11, 2015
Shhhh....I have an ARC!!!! I have to reread MoC because I am obsessive like that. *totally awkward nerd dancing*
First, I loved TBoBW, but I don't want to spoil anything, so this review will be very vague....mwah hah hah hah.
The story is set almost 5 years after Master of Crows. Martise goes out in the first snowfall to harvest mushrooms and finds more than mushrooms at one of the ruins in Neith's cursed woods.
Draven's deft touch for romantic fantasy with a chilly breath of horror shines in this novella featuring two of my favorite characters....yes, I love all of her characters, but I have a special love for plain, smart Martise and her blunt crow mage. Gurn and Cael are back, and Neith remains its ramshackle, fantastic self. Silhara is reminded in a horrific way that history can become terribly twisted in the retelling, as he fights to regain the thing he loves most.
First, I loved TBoBW, but I don't want to spoil anything, so this review will be very vague....mwah hah hah hah.
The story is set almost 5 years after Master of Crows. Martise goes out in the first snowfall to harvest mushrooms and finds more than mushrooms at one of the ruins in Neith's cursed woods.
Draven's deft touch for romantic fantasy with a chilly breath of horror shines in this novella featuring two of my favorite characters....yes, I love all of her characters, but I have a special love for plain, smart Martise and her blunt crow mage. Gurn and Cael are back, and Neith remains its ramshackle, fantastic self. Silhara is reminded in a horrific way that history can become terribly twisted in the retelling, as he fights to regain the thing he loves most.
September 4, 2019
There are so many unanswered plot holes but I’ll let it slide for now.
It’s always like I’m seeing only the top layer of a much deeper world. It was alright though for a ‘light’ read...
It’s always like I’m seeing only the top layer of a much deeper world. It was alright though for a ‘light’ read...
August 21, 2015
Grace Draven is so talented and this 2nd story with Silhara and Martise and it was just as good as the first one. Martise is kidnapped by what she thinks is a demon, via a portal that is opened on their property. Silhara wastes no time in going after his wife. Once he gets to the dark place, all is not as it seems. I do hope that we get another story, because I want to know what is going on with Martise and her "Gift". I think I know and if it is, yea!! I also would like to know what ends up happening to The Wraith King once Silhara gets them back where they are supposed to be. Wonderful read!!
July 27, 2015
It was lovely to get back into relationship between Silhara and Martise five years into their marriage. My only complaint is that as a novella this book is a bad tease of things to come as it crosses path with the world of Radiance in a very peculiar way. Silhara is as usual unapologetic, forceful and rude, and I loved this about him. The Brush of Black Wings is full of secrets and promises, and I demand some sort of continuation of the story now!
Want to read
February 10, 2016
February 4, 2017
2'5★
Me ha gustado ver algo más de los personajes, pero la trama ha quedado un poco inacabada. Ha valido la pena por verlos a ellos otra vez, pero poco más.
Me ha gustado ver algo más de los personajes, pero la trama ha quedado un poco inacabada. Ha valido la pena por verlos a ellos otra vez, pero poco más.
October 22, 2024
If only it was longer! We ended it on such an abrupt note.
May 16, 2021
Louisa Gallie created this gorgeous cover. You can find her work here. It made me smile to picture Martise gently running her fingers through Silhara's hair after seeing this art.I fell head over heels with this couple after reading Master of Crows. Silhara is such a grump, but it's hard not to love him anyway.
The Master of Crows was a caustic, temperamental man with a razor tongue and no hesitation in using it to flay someone bloody. Sometimes though, he blunted its edge a little, offering a sharp wit instead that encouraged a laugh and made a day such as this one less frightening.The depth of love and trust they have for each other is written with such tenderness.
His eyes, usually as black and hard as obsidian were softer now, with the sheen of a crow’s wing in sunlight.The book ends a little abruptly, but ties into Grace Draven’s other series, Eidolon. Another favorite of mine.
“You love me anyway,” she teased.
“That’s true,” he said softly.
“Your weakness,” she replied in equally quiet tones.
“No. My strength.”
December 24, 2017
Grace Draven writes so beautifully. I am always left in awe of her word choices. They paint such pleasant, magnificent imagery. Even in the moments when I think the writing is overwrought, I cannot help but marvel - she does it so well. She's an amazing wordsmith and I am in awe.
As for the story you can imagine my pleasure and surprise when I finally realized that Meggido is (was?) the monk left behind when Brishen and Serovek and the other guys from the Wraith Kings series, well, became Wraith Kings. I was so pleased to find myself in the same world that Brishen and Ildiko once inhabited, even if it is centuries and millenia later.
This lil novella left me wanting to know more - but not about Silhara and Martise. I wanted to see more of my Wraith Kings, and watch Meggido get back to his own time and get his own happy ending. Because if ever there was a character that deserves only good things, it is Meggido.
As for the story you can imagine my pleasure and surprise when I finally realized that Meggido is (was?) the monk left behind when Brishen and Serovek and the other guys from the Wraith Kings series, well, became Wraith Kings. I was so pleased to find myself in the same world that Brishen and Ildiko once inhabited, even if it is centuries and millenia later.
This lil novella left me wanting to know more - but not about Silhara and Martise. I wanted to see more of my Wraith Kings, and watch Meggido get back to his own time and get his own happy ending. Because if ever there was a character that deserves only good things, it is Meggido.
August 13, 2015
2.5 stars
Idk. I had really high hopes for this book, and I found the preview interesting, but all in all, I found the book really disappointing. Tbh, I read it a week ago, and let me tell you.... I don't actually remember the story anymore.
First of all, I thought this was going to be a longer book and not a novella. That was the way that it seemed like pre-release... also what the hell, the release just snuck up! It was like no release date...no release date... no release date... BAM! Its out.
There was just nothing wrong with this, and tbh I liked it, but I expected more of a complex plot and a longer story. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either.
Idk. I had really high hopes for this book, and I found the preview interesting, but all in all, I found the book really disappointing. Tbh, I read it a week ago, and let me tell you.... I don't actually remember the story anymore.
First of all, I thought this was going to be a longer book and not a novella. That was the way that it seemed like pre-release... also what the hell, the release just snuck up! It was like no release date...no release date... no release date... BAM! Its out.
There was just nothing wrong with this, and tbh I liked it, but I expected more of a complex plot and a longer story. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either.
October 9, 2015
5 stars!!!!!
Wow wow woooowwww!!!! Ms. Draven has a way of storytelling!! She's phenomenal! How can someone incorporate an epic love story (2 stories), an intense villain, and such great humour!?? I don't know how but Grace Draven does it! I have a seriousl love for Silhara and Martise and even Gurn. I loved revisiting these characters and the magic. Grace Draven's writing is a gift to behold and she must never stop writing!
Wow wow woooowwww!!!! Ms. Draven has a way of storytelling!! She's phenomenal! How can someone incorporate an epic love story (2 stories), an intense villain, and such great humour!?? I don't know how but Grace Draven does it! I have a seriousl love for Silhara and Martise and even Gurn. I loved revisiting these characters and the magic. Grace Draven's writing is a gift to behold and she must never stop writing!
July 20, 2015
Wow...this is the way fantasy should be written. So wonderful to be back in Martise and Silhara's lives. The gray world of Megiddo was so real you could feel it. So much more to know about Megiddo and Acseh when Draven writes more in the 'Wraith King' series. I cannot wait for that...so much more to their story.
Wonderful fantasy, absolutely fantastic read. Highly recommended!!
Wonderful fantasy, absolutely fantastic read. Highly recommended!!
April 29, 2016
Update: 4/29/16
The Wraith King did get to be in another book. Read the series "Wraith Kings" before Mater of Crows.
The wraith king really deserves his own book.
This is five years after book one. And in the end, we get a little surprise (you have to understand the symptoms to understand what the author is getting at without actually saying it).
The Wraith King did get to be in another book. Read the series "Wraith Kings" before Mater of Crows.
The wraith king really deserves his own book.
This is five years after book one. And in the end, we get a little surprise (you have to understand the symptoms to understand what the author is getting at without actually saying it).
May 20, 2016
4-4.5 brilliant stars
review to be posted
August 3, 2015
Is there anything that Grace Draven writes that I wont immediately love? She's like some fiendish word wizard that keeps me enthralled for hours at a time, ceaselessly reading until there is nothing left but the bittersweet emotion of a beloved story come to its inevitable conclusion.
A part of me wishes this had been longer simply because I didn't want it to end, but honestly it's exactly the length it should have been to avoid becoming unnecessarily dragging or too short to embroider extra detail and texture to the narrative. Such as glowing mushrooms that only emerge during the first snows of winter. Completely irrelevant beyond the means to get Martise traipsing through the forest falling over ruins, but a lovely touch that helps bring the world alive regardless.
The plot was rather precisely focused in scope and scale, befitting the novella format. I'm not sure what else to say about it that isn't already stated in the blurb and wouldn't ultimately end up giving away everything that happens. By the end I was both satisfied with the resolution and yet left yearning for more.
If there was one negative about this book then I would have to say that the story did have quite a significant feel of being more of a set up to open new possibilities and plot hooks in subsequent novels than a truly standalone installment, though it was adequately self-contained to act as such.
I truly hope that a third book is already forming in Ms Draven's imagination and we wont be left to wait too long for it. Though if I'm honest I love her worlds, characters and writing style so much that even if I had to wait a decade I'd probably still throw my money at her.
A part of me wishes this had been longer simply because I didn't want it to end, but honestly it's exactly the length it should have been to avoid becoming unnecessarily dragging or too short to embroider extra detail and texture to the narrative. Such as glowing mushrooms that only emerge during the first snows of winter. Completely irrelevant beyond the means to get Martise traipsing through the forest falling over ruins, but a lovely touch that helps bring the world alive regardless.
The plot was rather precisely focused in scope and scale, befitting the novella format. I'm not sure what else to say about it that isn't already stated in the blurb and wouldn't ultimately end up giving away everything that happens. By the end I was both satisfied with the resolution and yet left yearning for more.
If there was one negative about this book then I would have to say that the story did have quite a significant feel of being more of a set up to open new possibilities and plot hooks in subsequent novels than a truly standalone installment, though it was adequately self-contained to act as such.
I truly hope that a third book is already forming in Ms Draven's imagination and we wont be left to wait too long for it. Though if I'm honest I love her worlds, characters and writing style so much that even if I had to wait a decade I'd probably still throw my money at her.
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