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Before the Crow Flew
One Man’s Prophecy. One Ship’s Mission. Humanity’s Last Chance.Wrongfully imprisoned in a Russian gulag, Polku Tallus is given one impossible choice—become a pawn in a classified time-travel experiment or die. But when he arrives in the year 2094, the world is nothing like he expected. Earth is shrouded in darkness, civilization has collapsed, and his captors want him dead the moment he returns.
On the run across continents, hunted by Russian agents, and betrayed by the woman he loves, Polku’s story sparks a movement—one that will shape the fate of humanity long after he’s gone.
Sixty years later, his followers—the Polkus—cling to his warnings, believing the end is near. Jake Erlmutter, a devoted Polku, has his doubts—until war erupts and the world edges toward nuclear annihilation. Now, humanity’s last hope lies in Valhalla II, a secret space cruiser carrying the final survivors to a hidden colony on Enceladus, a distant moon of Saturn.
As missiles rain down and rival nations attempt to stop the launch, the fate of the mission—and the future of humankind—rests on one
Was Polku’s prophecy a warning… or a destiny no one can escape?
A gripping sci-fi thriller packed with conspiracy, survival, and the ultimate fight for the future.
This is the prequel to the Corvis Epic series.
On the run across continents, hunted by Russian agents, and betrayed by the woman he loves, Polku’s story sparks a movement—one that will shape the fate of humanity long after he’s gone.
Sixty years later, his followers—the Polkus—cling to his warnings, believing the end is near. Jake Erlmutter, a devoted Polku, has his doubts—until war erupts and the world edges toward nuclear annihilation. Now, humanity’s last hope lies in Valhalla II, a secret space cruiser carrying the final survivors to a hidden colony on Enceladus, a distant moon of Saturn.
As missiles rain down and rival nations attempt to stop the launch, the fate of the mission—and the future of humankind—rests on one
Was Polku’s prophecy a warning… or a destiny no one can escape?
A gripping sci-fi thriller packed with conspiracy, survival, and the ultimate fight for the future.
This is the prequel to the Corvis Epic series.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2025
4 people are currently reading
870 people want to read
About the author
R Cody Carver
2 booksR Cody Carver is the author of Fannie's First Xmas in the Oval Office, Another First; and the Corvis Epic: The Prequel: Before the Crow Flew, Book One: Black Bird from Blue Planet, Book Two: Crow on Ice Moon, Book Three: Raven Between the Stars, and the companion piece for Book Three, Tefu. He has been an Episcopal priest since 1971 and a Registered Nurse (retired) from 2006 to 2022. His main residence is in Seattle, WA, and he enjoys Hawai’i for a few months each year.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 8, 2025
First book of the year that made me feel bad for needing to review. I don't enjoy giving ratings under 3, I am sorry to the author, but it is my honest opinion.
This one flew over my head.
I can't, in good conscious, recommend this book.
From the summary, a imprisoned man given a choice between being a guinea pig for time travel or death, it seemed like it would be a interesting short read. However, there were enough things wrong with it, that I struggled to finish it.
At first, I felt it needed just an editor for small mistakes such as spacing issues. As far as story, the set up was a little rushed, but solid. Only that, I could have given a better rating. As I kept reading, I began to like the story less and less. It jumps so fast from one event to the next. There is no room, no breakdown or consideration by the main character in what just happened to him past the first section. Throwing in whatever seemed the most convenient to push ridiculouly forward. Like a farmer who understands advanced physics so that time travel doesn't need explained. An advantageous cousin that is there asap to help without question. Or a girl the main character becomes all dopey eyed over and spends his limited money (on although he has a girlfriend and is on the run), who just happens to be a spy. Secret agents hidden everywhere. All the characters may as well be agents for or against the main character. They all jumped in, no pressure. Just all one flat, almost emotionless, voice. There is hardly any thing to differentiate between who is speaking. No matter who they were, may as well been that first farmer.
It was robotic, convient, and then simply absurd. The story and writing needs completely reworked.
This one flew over my head.
I can't, in good conscious, recommend this book.
From the summary, a imprisoned man given a choice between being a guinea pig for time travel or death, it seemed like it would be a interesting short read. However, there were enough things wrong with it, that I struggled to finish it.
At first, I felt it needed just an editor for small mistakes such as spacing issues. As far as story, the set up was a little rushed, but solid. Only that, I could have given a better rating. As I kept reading, I began to like the story less and less. It jumps so fast from one event to the next. There is no room, no breakdown or consideration by the main character in what just happened to him past the first section. Throwing in whatever seemed the most convenient to push ridiculouly forward. Like a farmer who understands advanced physics so that time travel doesn't need explained. An advantageous cousin that is there asap to help without question. Or a girl the main character becomes all dopey eyed over and spends his limited money (on although he has a girlfriend and is on the run), who just happens to be a spy. Secret agents hidden everywhere. All the characters may as well be agents for or against the main character. They all jumped in, no pressure. Just all one flat, almost emotionless, voice. There is hardly any thing to differentiate between who is speaking. No matter who they were, may as well been that first farmer.
It was robotic, convient, and then simply absurd. The story and writing needs completely reworked.
July 4, 2025
Este libro me atrapó desde la primera página. Antes de que Vuele el Cuervo logra mezclar con destreza el suspenso político, los viajes en el tiempo y una crítica social profunda. La historia de Polku no es solo la de un fugitivo en el tiempo, sino la de un hombre obligado a enfrentar el impacto de las decisiones globales. Lo que más me impactó fue cómo el autor construye un mundo postapocalíptico que, aunque futurista, se siente extremadamente cercano. Hay una tensión constante, pero también momentos de introspección que invitan a reflexionar sobre el rumbo actual del mundo. El enfoque en las consecuencias de la guerra nuclear es inquietante, y a la vez necesario. Creo que no es solo ciencia ficción, más bien es una llamada de atención. Para quienes buscan una historia con contenido y tensión narrativa, este libro no decepciona.
August 12, 2025
Before the Crow Flew is a fast-paced mix of time travel, dystopia, and high-stakes survival. The premise is gripping—a wrongly imprisoned man flung into a dark future and swept into a desperate mission—but the emotional depth doesn’t always match the action. Still, if you like quick, cinematic sci-fi with big ideas and plenty of tension, it’s an entertaining ride.
June 2, 2025
Delightfully surprised. Quick read that engaged me.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews