The Lord Collector

Raven's Shadow #1.5

by Anthony Ryan

Author's note: The following story takes place in the same world as my novel Blood Song, the first volume in the Raven's Shadow trilogy. I wrote it because I wanted to more fully explore characters who appear in Blood Song and the sequels Tower Lord and Queen of Fire. Readers familiar with my work are sure to recognize a certain pale-eyed, raspy-voiced Sword Master of the Sixth Order, and those curious as to the origins of the Tower Lord of the Southern Shore will find answers here.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Audiobook, High Fantasy, Novella

Audible Audio

First published June 30, 2015

About the author

Anthony Ryan was born in Scotland in 1970 but spent much of his adult life living and working in London. After a long career in the British Civil Service he took up writing full time after the success of his first novel Blood Song, Book One of the Raven’s Shadow trilogy. He has a degree in history, and his interests include art, science and the unending quest for the perfect pint of real ale.

For news and general wittering about stuff he likes, check out Anthony's blog at: http://anthonystuff.wordpress.com

Reviews

[Armina]

This was an action-packed novella and definitely worth the reading but nothing crucial plot wise concerning the series.

The main character is Jehrid Al Bera, lately known as Tower Lord of the Southern Shore. We met him for the briefest of moments in Tower Lord when Frentis and the woman failed to kill him.

The tale here takes place at the mid-point of the timeline described in Blood Song. We learn more about Jehrid's origins and meet several other interesting characters, including Master Sollis, but contrary to my believe when I started the novella, this is not a story about the famous Sword Master. He is present the entire time but as a secondary character.

All in all, a good read which I recommend to all fans of the series but you won't lose anything if you don't read it.

[Alina]

I maintain the opinion from the first time I read it, I copy below the 'review' from September 2019; I was right to want to read this series, it is good 😀

Rather complex story that stands well on its own, with smugglers, and religious magic guilds, and complicated family relashionships. After reading it, I am looking forward to reading Raven Shadow’s trilogy.

[Claudia]

Another great story, featuring Jehrid Al Bera, known to readers of the series from the Tower Lord, and also involving brother Sollis. It's set roughly between the events from the first two volume of the main series. Can be read as a standalone, doesn't impact the series in any way, it just brings light on Jehrid's past and upbringing, and of course, follows an intriguing quest.

[Jody]

It was fun to delve into the Raven's Shadow world again if only briefly. This was an exciting novella about The Lord Collector Jehrid Al Bera, and his investigation into the heist and destruction of a freighter ship. Plenty of action and interesting characters made this a fast and enjoyable read. It has been a while since I read the Raven's Shadow trilogy, so I was a little rusty on some of the terminology and references, but that didn't make it any less enjoyable. A must read for all those who have read the trilogy.

3 stars ***

[Gavin]

This was an interesting novella set in Anthony Ryan's Raven's Shadow series. The story takes place between the happenings in Blood Song and Tower Lord. It is a time when King Janus is tightening his grip on the Unified Realm.

Originally featured in the Blackguards: Tales of Assassins, Mercenaries, and Rogues anthology this tale takes place in the domain of the Southern Tower Lord and follows the regions Lord Collector as he seeks to bring a group of pirates and outlaws to justice. The story was an engaging one as the Lord Collector soon finds himself caught up in issues from his own past as well as some other problems that will effect the whole Realm. This novella introduced us to a few interesting new characters and also featured an appearance by a few familiar ones. Most notably Brother Sollis of the Sixth Order.

This was a short story that was fairly self contained and definitely worth the reading.

Rating: 4.5 stars.

Audio Note: Narrated by Steven Brand who gives a similar performance here as he does with the main series.

[Daniel]

Jedna lepa mini prica smestana u ovaj svet. Kolko mi se cini nema puno veze sa glavnom pricom ali opet malo povecava zacin sve ukupne price sto je uvek plus.

Sada na trecu knjigu pa da zavrsim serijal.

[Dannii Elle]

This is a short story inserted between the first and second full-length instalments in the Raven's Shadow series.

The origins of the Tower Lord of the Southern Shore are explained here but much of this story felt distinctly different to the other inclusions, both full-length and otherwise, within this world. Perhaps it was the alternative setting. I did not dislike it but I did not feel quite as much at home as I had with other creations.

Despite this, the tension was high, the plot fast-paced, and the characters authentically crafted. It is impossible for me to dislike anything Ryan crafts and I did not find that my primary emotion here. A slight confusion, maybe, and some initial hesitancy, going in, but eager for more, at the conclusion, and in awe of the mind that conjures these stories, throughout.

[Elena Rodríguez]

+3
“Silence is the only law. ”

Relato que se sitúa entre el primer y segundo libro de la trilogía. Se nos presenta a personajes antiguos y otros nuevos que serán pertinentes en las siguientes entregas y la verdad que ha sido bastante interesante. Me ha encantado, la verdad. Tengo ganas de seguir con la saga, pero no sin antes releerme los capítulos finales del primer libro.

[Marcos]

Silence is the only law.
Blood pays for blood.

A nice short story where we can see some of the elements that made The Raven's Shadow such a great series. Tension, thrilling fight scenes and blood songs!

[Bart]

Actual rating: 3.50

[Tanabrus]

Racconto che si pone tra il primo e il secondo libro de L'Ombra del Corvo.

Non compare Vaelin Al Sorna, ma compare Sollis, che qui vediamo in azione, alle prese con quanto poi troverà anche Vaelin.
E il protagonista è Jehrid Al Bera, Lord Collector sulla spiaggia meridionale, di cui scopriamo il passato e intuiamo quale possa essere il futuro.

Immagino possa comparire e avere un certo peso nel secondo libro della serie, Il Signore della Torre, dato che questo titolo è il titolo che pare possa ricevere in futuro (e si spiegherebbe così il suo essere protagonista del racconto).

Un racconto piacevole, che però a parte riportarci nel mondo di Vaelin non ci fornisce nuovi dettagli o anticipazioni sul futuro.

[Tnkw01]

I only have one criticism of this tale. It is way too short.

[Sissy]

Great storytelling... a short novella.
Really enjoyed.

[Matthijs van Soest]

3.5 stars. A fun short story.

[Phil A]

"The Lord Collector" was a cool & quick read. It seems to take place before Ryan's "Raven Shadow" series. There is a single reference that foreshadows Vaelin al Sorna. It was like the prize in a box of Cracker Jacks. If you are a fan of Anthony Ryan, then this novella should be on your list.

[Whitney Jamimah]

A nice little look at Brother Sollis’ life prior to being the sword master for Vaelin and his brothers. Brother Sollis was always a very trusted brother as he knew of the seventh order well before the truth came out and never said a peep. Good little read, makes me appreciate Sollis more.

[Lils]

❗️This review contains minor spoilers for Blood Song, Tower Lord and Many are the Dead AND major spoilers for the novella itself❗️

I kinda read this novella not in the right order I think (I read it pretty much just after I reached the Test of the Sword in my Blood Song re-read, so chronologically I’m right in time!), because doing so made the Lord of the South Tower’s appearance in Tower Lord a bit underwhelming!

The novella is very thrilling on its own but I definitely recommend to read it after Blood Song at least. The MC, Jehrid Al Bera, is a really interesting and new perspective! The story itself has a fast-paced plot, which is an adventure at the Southern Shore featuring smugglers, secret Order missions, daddy issues (because, who in this world doesn’t have them except maybe Darenah) and my personal favorite: ancient prophecies of doom.

Most characters, as our MC as well, are minor characters from the trilogy, which we get to meet here in a different light. Also, I like that Ryan chooses Sollis as a regular character with a major role in his novellas, which excuses a bit the criminal side lining the Sixth Order and it’s (former) members go through in the Blood Song sequels:’) (Or Aspect Arlyn thought the guy needs vacation after the whole Test of Sword thing and set him off to a mission somewhere near a beach) Also, I really enjoyed the small reference to Many Are the Dead in Jehrid’s recognition.

His POV was pretty funny, all grim, sarcastic and done with this shit, while burying emotions a bit too deep. I don’t know if it ever gets specifically stated in the books, but I’m pretty sure Meriva becomes the future Lady of the South Tower, which gives Jehrid and her the price for the best get together story of the Unified Realm with nearly getting killed of by the Seventh Order, having the highly important mission of passing a one word message, forming an unexpected alliance with a Sixth Order brother and lastly, bounding with your future husband in killing his father for him at the ‘happy’ end. I WISH she had more spotlight in the books or like… ANY!

Same with Jahrid, all he gets is getting a little stabbed and later plot side-lined because Lyrna knows he’s to clever to just obey to all her doing.

I really found it interesting, that the ending of Blood Song was known years before the show down, which is briefly implied in the books, but a nice touch and reason to underline why the Orders got into that useless war against the Alpiran Empire and later even Lyrna's whole mission of war... kind of!

Since I procrastinate finishing the third book, there are a few open questions for me, like who the thing is, they discover in the cave (but I’m pretty sure it is the same thing as in Many are the Dead, since it showed some recognition when it saw Sollis, which probably makes it the Younger Sister, but not so sure!)

It was a nice visit to the word Anthony Ryan has crafted, I would definitely recommend it, especially if you seek some escape from the tragedies that happen in the sequels.

[Theresa]

The lord collector (raven's shadow # 1.5)
A Raven's Shadow Novella, Book 1.5
By: Anthony Ryan
Narrated by: Steven Brand
Series: Raven's Shadow, Book 1.5
Length: 1 hr and 37 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-30-15
Language: English
Publisher: Podium Audio
This book shows the nature of the battle between father and son. Its a great story of personal struggle. the reader has the ability to add mystery to the text

[Reader Rick]

Way Too Short

The Lord Collector, had the potential to be a longer book. It was over before I got into it. One of the things that I like about Ryan's writing is his strong character development and their depth and backgrounds. I did enjoy this story, but it was a bit wham, bam, thank you, ma'am, for my tastes. Good for the fans and that includes me.

[Amanda F]

3.5 Stars
This was a nice little novella that gives us a little more into about some side characters in the series. This doesn't really have anything to do with the plot of the main story, and isn't meant to. I really enjoyed the first book and am excited to continue with the main characters in this world.

[Christine Ku]

I like this novella overall and the ¾ mark has me interested in the trilogy potentially. Except my local library doesn’t have an electronic copy and I’m not that enticed by it to actually look up an alternative method to read the trilogy. Still a good novella if you want tight quick-paced adventure and a potentially interesting fantasy world to partake of.

[Kerri]

This would be an excellent book to read directly following Blood Song. I didn't discover this book until after reading the full Shadow of the Raven Series. While this novella is great, it is a little beside the point if read at the end.

[Ronnieabbey]

Another Masterpiece

I really enjoyed this short story it is in the same genre of his Dragonborn’s trilogy Anthony Ryan is a writer of masterpiece after masterpiece May this long continue as I will never tire of reading his books

[Cory]

Collecting dust

3/5

Anthony Ryan created a fantastically compelling world in the Raven's Shadow series. "Bloodsong" is still one of the best debuts of all time & whenever I read Ryan's work, it reinforces how much he could do in that world.

[Shonipamp]

I really enjoyed this novella, in fact I enjoy all the Ravens Shadow Novellas. It’s like a satisfying side quest with characters you get the privilege of following for a time.

An excellent story teller.

[Henry Keen]

Surprisingly


Surprisingly a good read. I loved Anthony Ryan's Blood Song. And this short story has that feel to it. I wish he had not strayed .

[C Phil]

Only worth reading if the trilogy is fresh in your mind, otherwise it adds little.

[Andrew]

This was a fun read, but didn't really contribute anything to the main story.

[roy douglas lynch]

Robuster

Very good work. I like the way the story flows. I wished it had been ten to fifteen pages longer. A little background would have helped.
I hope to see more of this.

[Lloyd]

Format: Audiobook

An interesting introduction to a couple of characters I have no doubt will feature in book 2. Nice to see (hear) some familiar characters too.