Raven

Carver's World #2

by Dean Whitlock

It has been four years since Raven fled Baron Cutter’s estate – four years since her mother, Roxaine, failed to show at their rendezvous. They were bond servants then, trapped in a system that never paid enough wage to cover the ever-growing bond fee. Now Raven is an outlaw and a rising mage – she can change into a bird at will. But at fifteen, Raven is haunted by the past: Did her mother abandon her, or did Raven desert Roxaine in her hour of need? Driven by a desire to know what happened that night, Raven seeks out the mother she left behind. What she discovers is beyond her imagining, and Raven is left with a choice: escape a second time or help the mother whose will is as strong as her own.

With unexpected help from Fireboy’s little brother – the aptly nicknamed Hero – Raven must face down the minions of two Barons, cross over highlands warded by magical traps, and learn to control her own erratic talent and temper on an unwanted heroine’s quest. Vivid details and amusing characters are skillfully woven into this fast-paced novel about a girl who must look beyond magic – and herself – to save what is most important.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 11, 2007

About the author

Vermont author Dean Whitlock writes fantasy and science fiction for young and not-so-young adults. His stories have appeared in Asimov’s, Fantasy & Science Fiction, and Aboriginal SF, as well as in anthologies in the US and abroad. His two YA fantasy novels were published by Clarion Books, but now he publishes independently under the Boatman Press imprint. An Air Force brat, Dean has lived in a dozen states and three foreign countries, a life of travel that gave him plenty of time to read in the car and now enriches his writing.

Reviews

[Becky Loader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice teen fantasy story.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has always been one of my favorite books. There's no pathetic romance, no sniveling girl. Just a pissed off bird mage trying to get her sister back. This must take place in Scotland, because a lot of the vocab was a bit foreign (I looked up the origins of some of the words). Don't let the book size fool you, either. The print is rather teensy.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly riveting young adult fiction novel. I wish author had gone more in-depth into who the characters were, but I think this might be a sequel and I haven't read the first book. Defintealy setting up for a series.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

well written and very good.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

While there was nothing extraordinary about this setting, the simplicity of it made it feel all the more real. The story was all chase, and I could barely put it down!

[Critter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very exciting and difficult to put down.