What do you think?
Rate this book
The Children Of Corvus #1
Blackbird
BLACKBIRD is book one in the compelling contemporary fantasy trilogy about a tribe of shapeshifters, deep within the inhospitable forest of northern Maine USA, in an alternate dimension known as Blackwater Hills.
Is she willing to risk everything for the man she loves? Alena is the only child of the Guardian of the Dead. Her safe, predictable life is turned upside-down when she meets Michael at the Solstice celebration. When Michael is accused of murdering the Captain of the Guard, Alena is forced to choose between obeying her instincts or the laws of her people.
An IHIBRP 5-Star Recommended Read!
Is she willing to risk everything for the man she loves? Alena is the only child of the Guardian of the Dead. Her safe, predictable life is turned upside-down when she meets Michael at the Solstice celebration. When Michael is accused of murdering the Captain of the Guard, Alena is forced to choose between obeying her instincts or the laws of her people.
An IHIBRP 5-Star Recommended Read!
- GenresFantasyParanormal
250 pages, ebook
Published March 6, 2016
20 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
L.E. Harrison
16 books64 followersL.E. Harrison lives in a 1860s farmhouse in rural Pennsylvania with her husband and a fourteen-year-old long-haired tortoiseshell cat named Mosi. She is the author of the award-winning contemporary fantasy trilogy The Children of Corvus (Blackbird, Merula, and Corvus), Jarren and Reyna (The New Order of Corvus), Julian Cato and the Four Immortals, From the Uncollected Thoughts of: L.E. Harrison, a collection of traditionally published poems and short stories, and Letters in the Attic, a collection of poetry and flash fiction. Two short stories, “The Time Guardian” and “Tony’s Monster,” are featured in More Lore From the Mythos Volumes 1 and 2.
She loves hearing from readers. To learn more and follow on social media: https://linktr.ee/leharrison
https://leharrisonauthor.substack.com/
She loves hearing from readers. To learn more and follow on social media: https://linktr.ee/leharrison
https://leharrisonauthor.substack.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 30, 2017
I'm so happy that I added L.E. Harrison's book to my autumn reading list. I fell in love with the characters and am really looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
July 28, 2018
L.E. Harrison leads us into the complex spiritual and metaphysical world of shifters and werewolves in her absorbing paranormal fantasy novel, “Blackbird (The Children of Corvus Book 1)”. Written as part diary and part third-person account, mostly on the behalf of her main characters—Alena, Michael, and Jonathan, this tale of an ancient inter-dimensional shifter civilization living a hidden life, obscured by The Great Shield, in the backwoods of Maine is as astonishing as it is unique.
In “Blackbird”, Author Harrison builds an entire world comprised of various paranormal beings that is based on constructed religious laws, folklore, and ancestral customs. The degree to which she evolves her characters, based on this premise, creates a whole new depth to shifter society—Something which I have not seen thus far in a novel of this genre.
From “Blackbird”’s heroic and impetuous female lead to her persecuted and brooding leading man, readers will find this novel more than satisfies one’s yen for romance and adventure as this pair and their cohorts uncover shocking secrets about their pasts that, perhaps, might best be left alone. In the end, this bittersweet tale is as shocking and revealing as can be.
Harrison’s story not only stands out in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy venue, it should serve as a model to other writers of how to develop a truly believable paranormal society. Mystery... Action... Romance... And much, much more are neatly tucked within the pages of this can’t-miss, astonishing tale.
In “Blackbird”, Author Harrison builds an entire world comprised of various paranormal beings that is based on constructed religious laws, folklore, and ancestral customs. The degree to which she evolves her characters, based on this premise, creates a whole new depth to shifter society—Something which I have not seen thus far in a novel of this genre.
From “Blackbird”’s heroic and impetuous female lead to her persecuted and brooding leading man, readers will find this novel more than satisfies one’s yen for romance and adventure as this pair and their cohorts uncover shocking secrets about their pasts that, perhaps, might best be left alone. In the end, this bittersweet tale is as shocking and revealing as can be.
Harrison’s story not only stands out in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy venue, it should serve as a model to other writers of how to develop a truly believable paranormal society. Mystery... Action... Romance... And much, much more are neatly tucked within the pages of this can’t-miss, astonishing tale.
July 10, 2018
WHAT I LIKED:
** Originality
Blackbird puts an original spin on the werewolf/shapeshifter genre that has become so popular these days. In it, you will not find the typical pack full of buff men and lithe women who strut around in the nude all the time because of magically induced wardrobe malfunctions. There is no snarky heroine who is reluctantly brought into the fold. There are power struggles, but not between alphas and betas where fur flies and blood spills. Instead, there are back room deals and betrayals. There's intimidation and manipulation. Magic is both part of religious worship and oppression.
** Mythos
The mythos is well thought out and plays a significant role in the book. It's not just window dressing.
"Sol and Luna, God and Goddess of the sun and the moon, Father and Mother of the heaves and the earth, joined as one and gave birth to four children. First born was Fatum, the god of Fate. Second born was Tempus, the god of Time. Third born was Venefica, the Witch of the Shadowlands, and last born was Corvus, The Beast of the Otherworld."
** Characters you can love and hate
Many of the characters feel like types to me rather than full-fledged people, but they are types that reliably push my buttons. Most of us can relate to the misunderstood and mistreated characters who operate on the margins of society. Both Alena and Michael fit the bill. We root for them because it's like rooting for ourselves. Then there's Donnal, the half brother who is power hungry, jealous, and abusive. He's just the kind of guy we love to hate.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
** The Beginnng
The opening lines of a novel should capture a reader's attention and should set things in motion. Why the author chose to start this novel with a conversation between two very young children and their father, I cannot fathom. First of all, the children are not even remotely important in The Raven. Secondly, writing dialog for young people is notoriously difficult. It almost always comes across as annoying and often the author misses the mark in replicating age appropriate linguistic features. What's charming in real life is sometimes impossible to capture on the page.
The first chapter is a hot mess. It starts out with the irritating children, moves on to Daddy's memories, many names are bandied about, then a package is delivered from some mysterious source and Daddy reads some obscure mythology that we don't yet have any reason to care about. If I were the editor, I would have cut out the first chapter entirely and instructed the author to work this backstory in throughout the rest of the book. It could have been done far more elegantly and allowed action to propel us through the book rather than burdening us with a recital of information. I almost put down the book in disgust, but am more of an intrepid reader than that, so I continued on.
The subsequent chapters are remarkably better, precisely because they are grounded in action and move the story forward. Each one is told by a different character. I enjoyed the different perspectives on the key events.
** Wimpy Heroine
The author drops some hints that she views Alena as a strong female lead: "Auburn hair and the face of a mischievous angel hid the soul of a warrior..." But time and time again, her heroic efforts fall flat and she ends up being the one who needs rescuing:
"I felt safe and secure for the first time since setting out on this journey to rescue Michael. He had ended up rescuing me instead."
I get it. It's supposed to be romantic and make us swoon. Unfortunately, it just makes Alena look weak and ineffective.
** Abuse
TRIGGER WARNING: Blackbird contains depictions of domestic abuse which may be triggering to survivors.
One of the pivotal moments in the book is a scene of domestic abuse. While it's advisable for anyone who might feel triggered by such a scene to avoid it, I don't object to its inclusion. I do, however, have some issues with how it's framed.
After this brutal scene of domestic abuse, an outsider reaches out to Alena, the victim. He says, "They've allowed him to abuse you, and have somehow convinced you that you deserve it for provoking him. You poor girl."
She tells him she knows things are different where he comes from, but in her home, they "live by the laws of Corvus." It's easy enough to frame her response as the natural one a victim might take, because she did not want someone's pity. It's the following exchange that gives me pause:
The outsider responds, "There's such a thing as moral law...Don't your people have a sense of right and wrong?"
She tells him, "A different one than your people have. That doesn't automatically make ours inferior."
I beg to differ. In this instance, yes, it does.
** Blood Purity
I don't think it was the conscious intention of the author to invoke the sort of philosophy endorsed by White Supremacists and other racist groups, but any time someone suggests that the purity of a person's blood is what makes them special, I cringe. It's this sort of thinking that leads to bullying of classes of people and even genocides.
CONCLUSION:
Genre fiction can be a lot of fun to read. Unfortunately, it hasn't received enough pressure to examine the problematic tropes / philosophies it employs. I know it's only fiction, but that doesn't mean it can't plant seeds in our minds. I want the leading ladies to demonstrate agency, abuse to be thoroughly reviled, and nascent racist ideologies to be stamped out.
If you decide you'd like to read this book, I strongly suggest ordering the omnibus edition, which contains all three books in the series. Blackbird ends abruptly. I wanted to understand what impact the characters' fates had on the two parallel societies.
** Originality
Blackbird puts an original spin on the werewolf/shapeshifter genre that has become so popular these days. In it, you will not find the typical pack full of buff men and lithe women who strut around in the nude all the time because of magically induced wardrobe malfunctions. There is no snarky heroine who is reluctantly brought into the fold. There are power struggles, but not between alphas and betas where fur flies and blood spills. Instead, there are back room deals and betrayals. There's intimidation and manipulation. Magic is both part of religious worship and oppression.
** Mythos
The mythos is well thought out and plays a significant role in the book. It's not just window dressing.
"Sol and Luna, God and Goddess of the sun and the moon, Father and Mother of the heaves and the earth, joined as one and gave birth to four children. First born was Fatum, the god of Fate. Second born was Tempus, the god of Time. Third born was Venefica, the Witch of the Shadowlands, and last born was Corvus, The Beast of the Otherworld."
** Characters you can love and hate
Many of the characters feel like types to me rather than full-fledged people, but they are types that reliably push my buttons. Most of us can relate to the misunderstood and mistreated characters who operate on the margins of society. Both Alena and Michael fit the bill. We root for them because it's like rooting for ourselves. Then there's Donnal, the half brother who is power hungry, jealous, and abusive. He's just the kind of guy we love to hate.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
** The Beginnng
The opening lines of a novel should capture a reader's attention and should set things in motion. Why the author chose to start this novel with a conversation between two very young children and their father, I cannot fathom. First of all, the children are not even remotely important in The Raven. Secondly, writing dialog for young people is notoriously difficult. It almost always comes across as annoying and often the author misses the mark in replicating age appropriate linguistic features. What's charming in real life is sometimes impossible to capture on the page.
The first chapter is a hot mess. It starts out with the irritating children, moves on to Daddy's memories, many names are bandied about, then a package is delivered from some mysterious source and Daddy reads some obscure mythology that we don't yet have any reason to care about. If I were the editor, I would have cut out the first chapter entirely and instructed the author to work this backstory in throughout the rest of the book. It could have been done far more elegantly and allowed action to propel us through the book rather than burdening us with a recital of information. I almost put down the book in disgust, but am more of an intrepid reader than that, so I continued on.
The subsequent chapters are remarkably better, precisely because they are grounded in action and move the story forward. Each one is told by a different character. I enjoyed the different perspectives on the key events.
** Wimpy Heroine
The author drops some hints that she views Alena as a strong female lead: "Auburn hair and the face of a mischievous angel hid the soul of a warrior..." But time and time again, her heroic efforts fall flat and she ends up being the one who needs rescuing:
"I felt safe and secure for the first time since setting out on this journey to rescue Michael. He had ended up rescuing me instead."
I get it. It's supposed to be romantic and make us swoon. Unfortunately, it just makes Alena look weak and ineffective.
** Abuse
TRIGGER WARNING: Blackbird contains depictions of domestic abuse which may be triggering to survivors.
One of the pivotal moments in the book is a scene of domestic abuse. While it's advisable for anyone who might feel triggered by such a scene to avoid it, I don't object to its inclusion. I do, however, have some issues with how it's framed.
After this brutal scene of domestic abuse, an outsider reaches out to Alena, the victim. He says, "They've allowed him to abuse you, and have somehow convinced you that you deserve it for provoking him. You poor girl."
She tells him she knows things are different where he comes from, but in her home, they "live by the laws of Corvus." It's easy enough to frame her response as the natural one a victim might take, because she did not want someone's pity. It's the following exchange that gives me pause:
The outsider responds, "There's such a thing as moral law...Don't your people have a sense of right and wrong?"
She tells him, "A different one than your people have. That doesn't automatically make ours inferior."
I beg to differ. In this instance, yes, it does.
** Blood Purity
I don't think it was the conscious intention of the author to invoke the sort of philosophy endorsed by White Supremacists and other racist groups, but any time someone suggests that the purity of a person's blood is what makes them special, I cringe. It's this sort of thinking that leads to bullying of classes of people and even genocides.
CONCLUSION:
Genre fiction can be a lot of fun to read. Unfortunately, it hasn't received enough pressure to examine the problematic tropes / philosophies it employs. I know it's only fiction, but that doesn't mean it can't plant seeds in our minds. I want the leading ladies to demonstrate agency, abuse to be thoroughly reviled, and nascent racist ideologies to be stamped out.
If you decide you'd like to read this book, I strongly suggest ordering the omnibus edition, which contains all three books in the series. Blackbird ends abruptly. I wanted to understand what impact the characters' fates had on the two parallel societies.
January 13, 2020
This is wonderful story where a parallel realm exists beyond the great veil found in the state of Maine. Alena is in training to take on the role of Guardian of the Dead but hasn’t learned all there is to know. She meets Michael and is immediately attracted to the beautiful man even though he carries the curse and is marked for execution. The children of Corvus have their own set of sacred laws which though Alena questions some of them; she is yet unable to change them.
Well-written with fantastic characters, the story moves at good pace. The details of the culture are sprinkled without bogging down the action. Highly Recommended.
Well-written with fantastic characters, the story moves at good pace. The details of the culture are sprinkled without bogging down the action. Highly Recommended.
May 9, 2020
Blackbird by L.e. Harrison is a wonderful story to read. This is the beginning of this series and writen by a brand new author for me to read and fall in love with. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about shifters and magical beings.
It is a combination of mystery, fantasy/paranormal and romance
This is a superbly written story with parallel compelling worlds with well developed and interesting characters.
I received a free copy of this book via StroryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review
It is a combination of mystery, fantasy/paranormal and romance
This is a superbly written story with parallel compelling worlds with well developed and interesting characters.
I received a free copy of this book via StroryOrigin and am voluntarily leaving a review
January 17, 2022
I really wish I hadn't waited so long to write this review so I could remember more details. I got a pit pup and she had really put a kabash on my reading/listening/reviewing. But I couldn't leave this book out. It was great. Fascinating characters, never knowing what is coming next, and I've never read a book quite like this one. Awesome. I definitely hope/plan to read the next one. So excited!
August 16, 2019
Audible:This was a really good first book to a new series! Alena's father is the Guardian of the Dead.No one but he is allowed to read or know certain things.Alena falls for the wrong man and she encounters scrolls which get her into trouble.I am looking forward to the next book. Winona Owen was a fine narrator.
January 17, 2023
Amazing!
The history of the Children of Corvus is rich and detailed and so mysterious that I want to know more. I did not see that ending coming. The story echoes some real-day machinations going on around us so it pushed me right into that world. This was a very well-written story and I'm looking forward to diving into the next one.
The history of the Children of Corvus is rich and detailed and so mysterious that I want to know more. I did not see that ending coming. The story echoes some real-day machinations going on around us so it pushed me right into that world. This was a very well-written story and I'm looking forward to diving into the next one.
April 29, 2019
I had the privilege of narrating the audible version of this book and absolutely fell in love with the story and the characters. An amazing story full of emotions, laughter, desire, struggles, betrayal, and love. The book ends with you wanting more! A great read for those who love the fantasy paranormal genre. Highly recommend!
July 23, 2021
Blackbird
I enjoyed Alena’s & Michael’s tragic tale. I hope that Michael finds his way through the door. I hope their son shred’s the Corvus followers.
I enjoyed Alena’s & Michael’s tragic tale. I hope that Michael finds his way through the door. I hope their son shred’s the Corvus followers.
March 31, 2023
Loved Michael and Alena's story and sets up the perfect background for the next installment.
Full of intrigue and angst, the two star crossed lovers find themselves in an impossible situation and need to find a way to make their love work or to be ripped apart forever.
Highly recommended!!
Full of intrigue and angst, the two star crossed lovers find themselves in an impossible situation and need to find a way to make their love work or to be ripped apart forever.
Highly recommended!!
Read
January 17, 2021The story is refreshing and something a little bit different from the your usual paranormal, which I appreciate. The characters are likable and concise. I did find the story hard to understand though, somethings felt disjointed and I had to come back more than one time to see If I missed something.
July 21, 2019
I enjoyed the premise and the creativity, the world building and character development. I even appreciated the plot complexity.
I found the “writing about a writer” trope trite and overdone, but I’ve always felt that way. I’d hate that if it were Shakespeare. My biggest problem was the narration, specifically the narrator’s interminable mispronunciation of multi syllabic words. She never stumbles, bless her; she’s just incorrect over and over. As a reader who relies on audiobooks for all input, I found it positively repellent. The errors make the use of these fancier words seem more pretentious than it probably is, at least more pretentious than it would seem in print.
I don’t want to discourage this narrator. I like the timbre of her voice, and her pacing is good. I hope she will study the vocabulary of future reads.
I’d give it four stars except for the narration.
I found the “writing about a writer” trope trite and overdone, but I’ve always felt that way. I’d hate that if it were Shakespeare. My biggest problem was the narration, specifically the narrator’s interminable mispronunciation of multi syllabic words. She never stumbles, bless her; she’s just incorrect over and over. As a reader who relies on audiobooks for all input, I found it positively repellent. The errors make the use of these fancier words seem more pretentious than it probably is, at least more pretentious than it would seem in print.
I don’t want to discourage this narrator. I like the timbre of her voice, and her pacing is good. I hope she will study the vocabulary of future reads.
I’d give it four stars except for the narration.
July 4, 2020
Blackbird is a fabulous fantasy that takes place in contemporary Northern Maine, in an alternate dimension known as Blackwater Hills. The worldbuilding is expansive and very original. I was immediately sucked into Alana and Michael’s story of magic, dangerous power struggles, a curse, and young love. Despite the large cast of characters and twisty interrelationships, I never felt lost or confused. I just dove in and enjoyed the action and emotional turmoil. Highly recommended.
February 25, 2020
Blackbird was an intriguing story. L.E. Harrison built a world in which religion and magic are intertwined and the shifting between human and bestiae (the non-human form) are tied to the religion itself. The pacing of the story kept me wanting to know what was next and how the Alena and Michael would get themselves out of the various situations they found themselves in.
The two lead characters are interesting. Alena Andrick is lovely and impulsive. She is also loyal. The daughter of one of the highest level priests, she trains to inherit his duties as Guardian of the Dead. Her defense of Michael puts that particular future and many other things about her life at risk.
Michael Singleton grew up outside the valley and returned to attempt to find a way to pass over to the afterlife and back. He is also a shifter, something that is seen as a curse and is punishable by death. Alena believes that he is not cursed and seeks to protect him and also learn the truth.
I found the love story hard to buy into and wished she hadn't fallen in love with him so quickly. I generally find love at first sight hard to believe, but in this particular tale, she seemed drawn to his appearance beyond anything else and I wasn't always certain if he cared for her or if he was using her. It was not the healthiest relationship in a lot of ways. But none of her relationships were healthy, so it could be argued that theirs was one of the better ones.
The ending does leave you hanging a bit, but the next two books have already been published, so that is easy to remedy, and I'm curious enough about how certain developments will be addressed, that I plan to pick them up and finish the story.
Trigger warnings: Quite a bit of domestic violence, slander, murder and death, one sex scene (which, while not my preference was necessary to the story).
I received a free copy of this book by the author and have reviewed it willingly.
The two lead characters are interesting. Alena Andrick is lovely and impulsive. She is also loyal. The daughter of one of the highest level priests, she trains to inherit his duties as Guardian of the Dead. Her defense of Michael puts that particular future and many other things about her life at risk.
Michael Singleton grew up outside the valley and returned to attempt to find a way to pass over to the afterlife and back. He is also a shifter, something that is seen as a curse and is punishable by death. Alena believes that he is not cursed and seeks to protect him and also learn the truth.
I found the love story hard to buy into and wished she hadn't fallen in love with him so quickly. I generally find love at first sight hard to believe, but in this particular tale, she seemed drawn to his appearance beyond anything else and I wasn't always certain if he cared for her or if he was using her. It was not the healthiest relationship in a lot of ways. But none of her relationships were healthy, so it could be argued that theirs was one of the better ones.
The ending does leave you hanging a bit, but the next two books have already been published, so that is easy to remedy, and I'm curious enough about how certain developments will be addressed, that I plan to pick them up and finish the story.
Trigger warnings: Quite a bit of domestic violence, slander, murder and death, one sex scene (which, while not my preference was necessary to the story).
I received a free copy of this book by the author and have reviewed it willingly.
August 26, 2019
First i got the audio free and then i read it less than 8 hrs. I am Alena and i have not become a witch and i do not not dress i am in field wearing pants and flannel shirt. I went to the house and then i have to change and mom was getting the meal ready,
the clan eat dinner it has all the guys on one side and women on left mate the men really dont marry but take women as mate dinner being brought out and then men are all eating and talking about the ceremonial chant.
The ceremonial chant is out side and then they drink the wine if you drink to much you might get sick and might die and i left the party and now Michael came over and follow me as the story being told i am only daughter of the Guardian of the dead.
We walk in the woods Michael and i found his small hut he built a long time ago and we fell a sleep and we wake Michael can not go near the castle or he be killed .You see Michael is deform and then he not like all.
Michael was banish to the other elm and now he will see if he dies now he in the other elm and then some one hypnosis on some one now no one tell me that Michael is monster and then
they can figure why Michael became a monster and now a tribe f witches and other is spreading a disease thru the genes.
But you see Michael and i mated and he does not want to be with me my brother has chain me up and will kill me i dont find Michael and now i got to do his bidding
the audio is good n the book is 3 parts
the clan eat dinner it has all the guys on one side and women on left mate the men really dont marry but take women as mate dinner being brought out and then men are all eating and talking about the ceremonial chant.
The ceremonial chant is out side and then they drink the wine if you drink to much you might get sick and might die and i left the party and now Michael came over and follow me as the story being told i am only daughter of the Guardian of the dead.
We walk in the woods Michael and i found his small hut he built a long time ago and we fell a sleep and we wake Michael can not go near the castle or he be killed .You see Michael is deform and then he not like all.
Michael was banish to the other elm and now he will see if he dies now he in the other elm and then some one hypnosis on some one now no one tell me that Michael is monster and then
they can figure why Michael became a monster and now a tribe f witches and other is spreading a disease thru the genes.
But you see Michael and i mated and he does not want to be with me my brother has chain me up and will kill me i dont find Michael and now i got to do his bidding
the audio is good n the book is 3 parts
September 8, 2022
I read this book like 7 or 8 months ago. I then realized I had books two and three in my audible library. (Although book 2 is never in my library, I have to re-search it whenever I want to listen to it. I think maybe book two is included in my amazon package. So perhaps I only really owned books 1 & 3. But regardless, I'm just happy to have all three books. The first book, Blackbird, was fantastic!!! I had to listen to it twice because when I started number two after 1/2 a year went by, I was so confused. Additionaly, the narrator for the first book was excellent. I had to slow everything down for book two with the heavy English accent. And all the characters were different. So I thought maybe I didn't read it. But once I started it again, it all came back to me. It reminded me that L.E Harrison is an amazing writer and the narrator (I really miss her in book two, no offense to the other guy. He's great, I'm just slow). lol.
I definitely recommend reading/listening to the books fairly quickly after eachother so you don't forget important details. The author has such an incredible imagination and is such a great writter, it would suck to miss anything.
I apologize for the long babbly review. Key take away: Awesome book, Great series (in the 1.5 books i've read), Narrator is fantasic in book one, and the author is a genus when it comes to writing fantasy. I highly recomend. I just wish I could get through book two faster. Im Dying to know what happpens! 5 Stars all the way baby! :)
I definitely recommend reading/listening to the books fairly quickly after eachother so you don't forget important details. The author has such an incredible imagination and is such a great writter, it would suck to miss anything.
I apologize for the long babbly review. Key take away: Awesome book, Great series (in the 1.5 books i've read), Narrator is fantasic in book one, and the author is a genus when it comes to writing fantasy. I highly recomend. I just wish I could get through book two faster. Im Dying to know what happpens! 5 Stars all the way baby! :)
November 17, 2025
L.E. Harrison's Blackbird brought so many things to the table - magic, mystery, romance, grief and trauma. The storytelling kept evolving throughout the book so while the beginning was a little Twilight, that teenage 'fish out of water' trope had morped into a more mature interpretation by the end.
I found it to be a darkly unique version of a werewolf story with strong and articulate writing where the author's skill made some pretty unpleasant things readable and important to the storyline. It was quite compelling reading, with complex characters that had me engrossed and unaware of how quickly I was turning pages.
The cult-like setting, traditional gender roles and accepted violence from some of the men towards their families were confronting at times. This definitely isn't a HEA story but it's book 1 in a trilogy and in the first and last chapters there were hints of transition and retribution.
I guess I'll have to read the next books in the series to see what this clever author has in store for her characters. This one is perfect for readers who want more than the buff alpha male werewolf stereotype and who are happy to have a spiritual take on the lore. Definitely not a run of the mill Pack story!
I found it to be a darkly unique version of a werewolf story with strong and articulate writing where the author's skill made some pretty unpleasant things readable and important to the storyline. It was quite compelling reading, with complex characters that had me engrossed and unaware of how quickly I was turning pages.
The cult-like setting, traditional gender roles and accepted violence from some of the men towards their families were confronting at times. This definitely isn't a HEA story but it's book 1 in a trilogy and in the first and last chapters there were hints of transition and retribution.
I guess I'll have to read the next books in the series to see what this clever author has in store for her characters. This one is perfect for readers who want more than the buff alpha male werewolf stereotype and who are happy to have a spiritual take on the lore. Definitely not a run of the mill Pack story!
February 23, 2022
Interesting World Building - A Group Led Entirely by Gods and Legends Hidden from the Mortal World
An invisible sphere hides the world of the Sons of Corvus from the human realm - the world of modern day - cars, electricity and medicine. On the other hand, the world of Corvus is where people never get sick. Sure they can die of injury, poison or old age. It's when one of them gets the blood madness and become a wolf - a Werewolf to us that is, that their Sacred laws and trials with punishments of death by fire that one wants to run screaming back to the world of mere mortals. Unfortunately, as good as the world building is, the story is disjunct in the telling of its tale. A cheat sheet or a reordering of some of the chapters would make this a lot easier to follow.
An invisible sphere hides the world of the Sons of Corvus from the human realm - the world of modern day - cars, electricity and medicine. On the other hand, the world of Corvus is where people never get sick. Sure they can die of injury, poison or old age. It's when one of them gets the blood madness and become a wolf - a Werewolf to us that is, that their Sacred laws and trials with punishments of death by fire that one wants to run screaming back to the world of mere mortals. Unfortunately, as good as the world building is, the story is disjunct in the telling of its tale. A cheat sheet or a reordering of some of the chapters would make this a lot easier to follow.
May 14, 2021
Blackbird (The Children of Corvus #1) was a good read by L.E Harrison. This book is about a tribe of shape shifters in the forest of northern Maine, called Blackwater Hills. Alena is the only child of the Guardian of the Dead. She meets Michael cat the solstice celebration and it turns her life upside down. Michael is accused of murdering the Captain of the Guard, and Alena must choose between obeying her instincts and the laws of her people. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by the author.
December 11, 2019
I’m not sure if it’s the way this story is written or the narration, but I kept getting confused and a little lost in the plot of this story. I do however have a curiosity that wants to know where this all leads in the Children of Corvus series.
🎧 Reviewed for Audiobook Obsession 🎧
🎧 Reviewed for Audiobook Obsession 🎧
September 9, 2025
Hmmmmmmmm
I don't know how I feel about this. A lot of unfair circumstances have happened, and they all rub me the wrong way. I may give book 2 a chance to see if any of these unfair circumstances correct themselves. If not, I'll be highly perturbed . . .
I don't know how I feel about this. A lot of unfair circumstances have happened, and they all rub me the wrong way. I may give book 2 a chance to see if any of these unfair circumstances correct themselves. If not, I'll be highly perturbed . . .
November 6, 2019
I found myself a little lost with this book. I think there is so much groundwork to lay for a series that I got lost as to who was who and what was happening. Hopefully all the work is done in this first book and the next one will have more of a current storyline rather than setting the scene. Good narration.
#audiobookobsessionreviewer
#audiobookobsessionreviewer
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews