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Arravan #3
A Bird of Sorrow
War is coming on several fronts.
Darrius Durand and the Princess Jessa, her lover, wait for their moment in the northern territories of Arravan, both determined to make a difference in the coming war. While eager to champion the truth against her brother’s treachery, Darry finds the unexpected respite from a life spent trying to prove herself, a seduction unlike anything she has yet encountered. And as Jessa’s homeland slides into the throes of a civil war, the lure of an ancient majik may be her people’s only hope for survival. Meanwhile, the call of the Great Loom weaves a powerful shadow over the land, and a mysterious spell will send one lover spinning back along the threads of time.
Cover Artist: Shea Godfrey
Genres: Fantasy / Romance
Tags: Other Worlds, Magic, Royalty
Darrius Durand and the Princess Jessa, her lover, wait for their moment in the northern territories of Arravan, both determined to make a difference in the coming war. While eager to champion the truth against her brother’s treachery, Darry finds the unexpected respite from a life spent trying to prove herself, a seduction unlike anything she has yet encountered. And as Jessa’s homeland slides into the throes of a civil war, the lure of an ancient majik may be her people’s only hope for survival. Meanwhile, the call of the Great Loom weaves a powerful shadow over the land, and a mysterious spell will send one lover spinning back along the threads of time.
Cover Artist: Shea Godfrey
Genres: Fantasy / Romance
Tags: Other Worlds, Magic, Royalty
290 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2019
11 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Shea Godfrey
4 books77 followersShea Godfrey is an artist and writer working and living in the Midwest. While her formal education is in journalism and photography, she has spent most of her career thus far in 3D Animation and Design.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 15, 2019
3.75 Stars. I enjoyed this, I thought it was a good read, but I am disappointed that I didn’t love this book. This is the third book in the epic fantasy series of Arravan. I love this series. The first two books were both 5 stars for me. That’s why even though I liked this book, I was bummed I could not put another full 5 star rating up. This is another series that I highly, highly recommend reading in order. Since reading book 2 of this series, I have read over a thousand books before I read this one. I found my memory to be a bit stuffed and I was a little lost in the beginning of this book. It took a while for my memory to kick in and remember all the characters and important plot points. If I was a little lost having read all three books, I just think it would be pretty confusing for someone new to start the series here.
I think one of the reasons I’m a little disappointed is because I expected this to be the end of the series. Book 2 was written almost five years ago. I was actually almost giving of hope of ever reading a book 3. I wrongly assumed that Godfrey came back to the series, after all this time, to give us a grand finale. Instead this book wasn’t the end, and it felt like a lot of filler. Yes, some important things did happen, but this felt like Godfrey had written one big final book and it got cut into two and this was part one. While there was a little excitement towards the end, this book felt much slower than the previous one. I kept waiting for more to happen but it didn’t. It was also very mystical, diving into the Darry’s magic, which was important but it dragged on too long for me.
I even found myself thinking there were too many sex scenes. I mean how often do I make that complaint? Not bloody often at all! But I just felt this book was almost all talk, understanding magic, and Darry and Jessa getting it on. It was nice to see two main characters I care about having sexy times, I just was anticipating so much more.
Even with my complaints, I still enjoyed this. Godfrey is an underrated and very talented writer. She has an excellent imagination and it really showed in this book. If my expectations weren’t so high expecting much action and a final showdown, I think I would have enjoyed this even more. I’m just keeping every finger and toe crossed that Godfrey does not make us wait five more years for book 4. I would still absolutely recommend this series to fantasy fans, but definitely start at book 1.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
I think one of the reasons I’m a little disappointed is because I expected this to be the end of the series. Book 2 was written almost five years ago. I was actually almost giving of hope of ever reading a book 3. I wrongly assumed that Godfrey came back to the series, after all this time, to give us a grand finale. Instead this book wasn’t the end, and it felt like a lot of filler. Yes, some important things did happen, but this felt like Godfrey had written one big final book and it got cut into two and this was part one. While there was a little excitement towards the end, this book felt much slower than the previous one. I kept waiting for more to happen but it didn’t. It was also very mystical, diving into the Darry’s magic, which was important but it dragged on too long for me.
I even found myself thinking there were too many sex scenes. I mean how often do I make that complaint? Not bloody often at all! But I just felt this book was almost all talk, understanding magic, and Darry and Jessa getting it on. It was nice to see two main characters I care about having sexy times, I just was anticipating so much more.
Even with my complaints, I still enjoyed this. Godfrey is an underrated and very talented writer. She has an excellent imagination and it really showed in this book. If my expectations weren’t so high expecting much action and a final showdown, I think I would have enjoyed this even more. I’m just keeping every finger and toe crossed that Godfrey does not make us wait five more years for book 4. I would still absolutely recommend this series to fantasy fans, but definitely start at book 1.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
July 2, 2022
Quite possibly my favorite fantasy series out there. This novel however is a bridge novel between Blackstone and what will most definitely be book4. This is a coming of age in the sense that the MC's come into their spirituality/majic and their full potential. It would have been decidedly difficult to enter into a huge battle novel that book 4 will probably be having jumped from book 2 to 4 as fledglings to adepts. I'm glad I started over in the series and re read books 1 and 2 because I think there would have been a lot lost if I hadn't. And if Godfrey takes *another* 5 years till we see book 4 then I'll re read them all again before hand :) And I'll gladly do it :)
The amount of care that went into the world building is nothing less than awesome. All the sub and secondary characters get plenty of page time to get you to root for them (or in many cases revile them). You can tell when an author takes the time to do that because the world feels 'full' and fleshed out. Not shallow and brushed over. World building is more than landscape descriptions. It's the politics of the lands. The vernacular. It's nuance. Sometimes it's subtle sometimes it's in your face but when you read it. You *know* it.
Brilliant series so far. Hopefully it's award winning. IMO it deserves it.
The amount of care that went into the world building is nothing less than awesome. All the sub and secondary characters get plenty of page time to get you to root for them (or in many cases revile them). You can tell when an author takes the time to do that because the world feels 'full' and fleshed out. Not shallow and brushed over. World building is more than landscape descriptions. It's the politics of the lands. The vernacular. It's nuance. Sometimes it's subtle sometimes it's in your face but when you read it. You *know* it.
Brilliant series so far. Hopefully it's award winning. IMO it deserves it.
July 18, 2022
I got lost when Darry fell into the loom
May 5, 2019
5 big stars
I read and very much enjoyed the first two books in the Arravan series by Godfrey so I was looking forward to this third book in the series and hoping for more to come. I was glad to find that my expectations were fully realized by this book. It seamlessly blended the intriguing and intense plot from the first two books and kept me on the edge, wanting more and more. The characters continued to be excellent, the writing brilliant. The next book can't come soon enough!
eARC via NetGalley
I read and very much enjoyed the first two books in the Arravan series by Godfrey so I was looking forward to this third book in the series and hoping for more to come. I was glad to find that my expectations were fully realized by this book. It seamlessly blended the intriguing and intense plot from the first two books and kept me on the edge, wanting more and more. The characters continued to be excellent, the writing brilliant. The next book can't come soon enough!
eARC via NetGalley
March 3, 2024
I absolutely love this series. I’ve read the first 3 books several times. I’m completely addicted to Jessa and Darry and their tale. Fingers crossed that book four will be coming soon. I can’t wait for Darry, Jessa, and the boys to return to Blackstone to back Emmalyn’s fight with Malcom for the thorn. To prove their innocence and have the blame of crimes committed placed at the correct feet.
I loved learning more of Darry’s majik. It does not just come to her from her Cha-Diah mother Hinsa. She is of the Ancient Fox People.
The passion Jessa and Darry have for one another in this book burns hot and of so sweet. They both have a chance to truly be free in their place of refuge. They don’t have to hide. The boys and the people of the estate accept them and their love, and they are safe to be together. I love it. I love them. I can to wait for more.
I loved learning more of Darry’s majik. It does not just come to her from her Cha-Diah mother Hinsa. She is of the Ancient Fox People.
The passion Jessa and Darry have for one another in this book burns hot and of so sweet. They both have a chance to truly be free in their place of refuge. They don’t have to hide. The boys and the people of the estate accept them and their love, and they are safe to be together. I love it. I love them. I can to wait for more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2019
Can not wait for the next book of the series to come out. With each book I’ve read this world has drawn me in farther and farther. Grab this series and a cup of tea or three and have a couple days of good reading.
September 7, 2019
Liked this but didn't love it like I did the first in this series. One thing to be aware of is there are lots of references to the previous 2 books so best to read in order.
January 22, 2021
I love this series. Excellent fantasy saga and one of the best in lesbian books. I only wish the author would hurry up between books. This really needs a finale.
April 6, 2020
I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review
I expected more of the story line in the Arravan series to develop in this book. Sadly that was not the case, and while it was entertaining to read, It felt way too slow.
Birds of sorrow seemed to focus more on the physicality of the relationship between Darry and Jessa. I would have liked to see more progression in the story.
I liked this book but preferred the previous 2 books in the series
I expected more of the story line in the Arravan series to develop in this book. Sadly that was not the case, and while it was entertaining to read, It felt way too slow.
Birds of sorrow seemed to focus more on the physicality of the relationship between Darry and Jessa. I would have liked to see more progression in the story.
I liked this book but preferred the previous 2 books in the series
April 21, 2020
Insanely good book, much like the rest. Off to wait 5 more years for the next book in the series.
May 6, 2019
I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.
This was a enjoyable read.
I'm new to this author and I like the writing style it had great characters and a good plot that I have to get the two first books of this series to enjoy it more.
This was a enjoyable read.
I'm new to this author and I like the writing style it had great characters and a good plot that I have to get the two first books of this series to enjoy it more.
May 13, 2019
Action, adventure, friendship, love, betrayal. This book is truly one of a kind, romance fantasy is such a difficult genre to do well. I loved every twist and turn in this wonderful book. I am going to read everything by this author ASAP.
May 30, 2019
After a far too long wait, I was so pleased to see The Bird of Sorrow, the third novel of Arravan.
Darrius Durand is the openly “backwards” (but beautiful, butch, loveable, caring, and multi-talented) princess of Arravan. After the events of book 2 (Blackstone) Darry retreats with her comrades and her lover, the Princess Jessa-Sirrah of Lyoness, to recuperate. Ancient secrets and unpredictable “majiks” are revealed as war approaches.
I love this book. I love the series. This is a top-class high fantasy series but with powerful, beautiful, and all-together wonderful “backwards” women. The writing is great, the story is engaging, and world-building is thorough. The love scenes are plentiful, appropriate, and hot.
I do wonder if this novel has been chopped to fit a target word count. This book, enjoyable as it is, still feels like Book 3 Part 1. The end comes at a logical point, but even so… I hope Part 2 is coming without too long a wait. Highly recommended – but please read books 1 and 2 first. You won’t regret it.
Darrius Durand is the openly “backwards” (but beautiful, butch, loveable, caring, and multi-talented) princess of Arravan. After the events of book 2 (Blackstone) Darry retreats with her comrades and her lover, the Princess Jessa-Sirrah of Lyoness, to recuperate. Ancient secrets and unpredictable “majiks” are revealed as war approaches.
I love this book. I love the series. This is a top-class high fantasy series but with powerful, beautiful, and all-together wonderful “backwards” women. The writing is great, the story is engaging, and world-building is thorough. The love scenes are plentiful, appropriate, and hot.
I do wonder if this novel has been chopped to fit a target word count. This book, enjoyable as it is, still feels like Book 3 Part 1. The end comes at a logical point, but even so… I hope Part 2 is coming without too long a wait. Highly recommended – but please read books 1 and 2 first. You won’t regret it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews