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The Blackwing Cycle #1
By Raven's Call
Faced with increasing pressure from rebels, the tyrant king of Dargenn must force a war with the rival nation of Relan to unite the country behind him. To help create chaos, he turns to the most feared assassin in the world, the Raven, a man cursed by ancient demons and forced to kill at their whim; if he fails, he dies. Using his knowledge of the Raven's masters, the king forces the assassin into a contract to kill the only individual who might threaten his plans, a powerful sorcerer and scholar named Enias.But the king may have just handed the Raven the key to breaking his curse once and for all.
- GenresFantasy
435 pages, Paperback
Published April 11, 2018
27 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Devenport
1 book23 followersJ. A. Devenport was forged from the wilds of Alaska, a true cross between polar bear and man. After obtaining an education from BYU, Devenport began the long journey of making a career from writing. He now resides in Utah where he writes, works out, and chills with his two cats Buddy, and Lulu.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 23, 2019
4.5 stars
Every time you fail, we shall tear off a piece of your soul until all that is left is us.
-Sychoral, Aengannai
The Raven is as much a rumour as a man, tall tales of daring and assassination that couldn’t possibly be true. They say he killed the last king, but nobody knows why. Actually, there’s a lot they don’t know. Who he is or where he might be. Or even if he’s real at all. In any case, he’s not the only one with a reputation. There’s Valora Silverface, masked and menacing, with a thousand silver rings hanging from her waist, each a prison for a powerful spirit; Badriyn, leader of the Uprising, always two steps ahead; Enias, sorcerer and scholar, rumoured to be building a weapon the likes of which the world has never seen. What kind of truths are there to be found around such legendary figures? And what happens when they are pitted against each other? Deyn, the Dargenn king, wants Enias dead, fearing his influence and power, and he’s prepared to use whatever tactics necessary to get it done, including the best assassin if he can find him. Because once the Raven is in on the board, there’s only one outcome: the death of target. All the King must do is ensure he’s aimed at Enias and the man’s days will surely be numbered. Yet Enias may be the one man able to give the Raven the thing he wants most: a way out. The end might seem inevitable, but in this game, there’s everything to play for.
What’s immediately clear is the freshness and vibrancy of this world. Whatever else I felt during the read, it wasn’t overfamiliarity, and while there were slower parts, it was never dull. In fact, it’s only the second book (after Symphony of the Wind by Steve McKinnon) that has ever made me enjoy airships. Probably because both authors meld magic and tech in innovative and pragmatic ways, creating extensive, multilayered worlds that are real enough to touch. The power is in the detail, the author’s creative energy crackling through every aspect of the novel, always there ahead of you answering questions you hadn’t thought to ask. Yet it’s never force fed, flowing through the narrative in a way that adds to each scene rather than overwhelming it, and effectively assisted by the humour that runs though it all. This is a story with dark themes, but it doesn’t stop it being a fun read.
Now that I think about it, there’s an interesting lightness to the story despite high action scenes of bloody violence, Lust-Hunters and sexual slavery, and really, really bad guys like Malice. Not because of any minimising of its inherent repugnance, more like a focused practicality that underlines the main POV. There are lots of issues in this place that need to be tackled, but they can’t all be rectified right now. It follows a pretty simple philosophy: first, sort this immediate thing and then we’ll deal with that.. but we’re never going to be able to fix everything, that’s just not possible. It’s so much a part of the narrative that I hadn’t really noticed until now but it adds a realism the ‘save the world’ ‘happily ever after’ plots never achieve. And it’s underscored by the characterisations. These people are flawed, with grudges or pain or various other obsessions/experiences/limitations that direct their thoughts and actions beyond what they can control. There’s a fascinating interplay between who they think they are, who they’re trying to be, and how others see them. It makes for great interactions between genuinely original characters, though there’s a good deal left to be explored in the future. It’s not just men either, I’d argue that the most interesting characters are female. Save the Raven. Maybe.
Most impressive is the creation and depiction of the Spirit Dancers, humans with abilities powered by Aenmai spirits. How it all works isn’t as important as where it all comes from. There’s a real sense of history underlining this form of magic, the usual questions about the end of empires and peoples given a darker bent by the way its magical remnants are lending their aid to those in the present. But why? A question only partly answered here, leaving some intriguing avenues open for the next instalment. There are darker forces too, the brutal demands of Sychoral and her cohort, ostensibly ravens themselves but much more besides, driving the assassin to act against his will. A slave of a different type, though no less desperate to gain freedom. Yet people have other, more scientific means of enhancement, ‘augments’ in the form of pills/powders/potions used to improve various capabilities or senses. It reflects the other side of the book, the way the natural world is incorporated and utilised. From the everyday to the brutal wars fought over godmetals like aerite (used to power some airships), it’s all cleverly interconnected. And it’s just another proof that the author put in the time to think about how this whole system works, from government to economics, tech and magic, international relations and war, and rulers to the little people dealing with the daily grind. It’s comprehensive and completely believable, a place I could picture with ease, even with all the fantastical elements added in. And it never ceases to be surprising. The finale was explosive but still dared to be quiet, the power of one character’s sacrifice more affecting than any battle. If nothing before had convinced me of the need to continue, this final moment made sure of it.
This is a story about the differences between what is and what is said, who people are and what others try to make them. Nothing is quite what it seems, both people and plots are labyrinthine, with secrets at their heart. It’s amusing and unexpected, a real treat of a story that I can’t wait to continue. It’s yet another example of a SPFBO book that has me jonesing hard for the follow up, a quality read with an ending that sinks its hooks in deep. A real favourite from this year, it hasn’t yet received the kind of readership it deserves. Give it a go, it’s a worthy addition to your TBR.
ARC via SPFBO
Every time you fail, we shall tear off a piece of your soul until all that is left is us.
-Sychoral, Aengannai
The Raven is as much a rumour as a man, tall tales of daring and assassination that couldn’t possibly be true. They say he killed the last king, but nobody knows why. Actually, there’s a lot they don’t know. Who he is or where he might be. Or even if he’s real at all. In any case, he’s not the only one with a reputation. There’s Valora Silverface, masked and menacing, with a thousand silver rings hanging from her waist, each a prison for a powerful spirit; Badriyn, leader of the Uprising, always two steps ahead; Enias, sorcerer and scholar, rumoured to be building a weapon the likes of which the world has never seen. What kind of truths are there to be found around such legendary figures? And what happens when they are pitted against each other? Deyn, the Dargenn king, wants Enias dead, fearing his influence and power, and he’s prepared to use whatever tactics necessary to get it done, including the best assassin if he can find him. Because once the Raven is in on the board, there’s only one outcome: the death of target. All the King must do is ensure he’s aimed at Enias and the man’s days will surely be numbered. Yet Enias may be the one man able to give the Raven the thing he wants most: a way out. The end might seem inevitable, but in this game, there’s everything to play for.
What’s immediately clear is the freshness and vibrancy of this world. Whatever else I felt during the read, it wasn’t overfamiliarity, and while there were slower parts, it was never dull. In fact, it’s only the second book (after Symphony of the Wind by Steve McKinnon) that has ever made me enjoy airships. Probably because both authors meld magic and tech in innovative and pragmatic ways, creating extensive, multilayered worlds that are real enough to touch. The power is in the detail, the author’s creative energy crackling through every aspect of the novel, always there ahead of you answering questions you hadn’t thought to ask. Yet it’s never force fed, flowing through the narrative in a way that adds to each scene rather than overwhelming it, and effectively assisted by the humour that runs though it all. This is a story with dark themes, but it doesn’t stop it being a fun read.
Now that I think about it, there’s an interesting lightness to the story despite high action scenes of bloody violence, Lust-Hunters and sexual slavery, and really, really bad guys like Malice. Not because of any minimising of its inherent repugnance, more like a focused practicality that underlines the main POV. There are lots of issues in this place that need to be tackled, but they can’t all be rectified right now. It follows a pretty simple philosophy: first, sort this immediate thing and then we’ll deal with that.. but we’re never going to be able to fix everything, that’s just not possible. It’s so much a part of the narrative that I hadn’t really noticed until now but it adds a realism the ‘save the world’ ‘happily ever after’ plots never achieve. And it’s underscored by the characterisations. These people are flawed, with grudges or pain or various other obsessions/experiences/limitations that direct their thoughts and actions beyond what they can control. There’s a fascinating interplay between who they think they are, who they’re trying to be, and how others see them. It makes for great interactions between genuinely original characters, though there’s a good deal left to be explored in the future. It’s not just men either, I’d argue that the most interesting characters are female. Save the Raven. Maybe.
Most impressive is the creation and depiction of the Spirit Dancers, humans with abilities powered by Aenmai spirits. How it all works isn’t as important as where it all comes from. There’s a real sense of history underlining this form of magic, the usual questions about the end of empires and peoples given a darker bent by the way its magical remnants are lending their aid to those in the present. But why? A question only partly answered here, leaving some intriguing avenues open for the next instalment. There are darker forces too, the brutal demands of Sychoral and her cohort, ostensibly ravens themselves but much more besides, driving the assassin to act against his will. A slave of a different type, though no less desperate to gain freedom. Yet people have other, more scientific means of enhancement, ‘augments’ in the form of pills/powders/potions used to improve various capabilities or senses. It reflects the other side of the book, the way the natural world is incorporated and utilised. From the everyday to the brutal wars fought over godmetals like aerite (used to power some airships), it’s all cleverly interconnected. And it’s just another proof that the author put in the time to think about how this whole system works, from government to economics, tech and magic, international relations and war, and rulers to the little people dealing with the daily grind. It’s comprehensive and completely believable, a place I could picture with ease, even with all the fantastical elements added in. And it never ceases to be surprising. The finale was explosive but still dared to be quiet, the power of one character’s sacrifice more affecting than any battle. If nothing before had convinced me of the need to continue, this final moment made sure of it.
This is a story about the differences between what is and what is said, who people are and what others try to make them. Nothing is quite what it seems, both people and plots are labyrinthine, with secrets at their heart. It’s amusing and unexpected, a real treat of a story that I can’t wait to continue. It’s yet another example of a SPFBO book that has me jonesing hard for the follow up, a quality read with an ending that sinks its hooks in deep. A real favourite from this year, it hasn’t yet received the kind of readership it deserves. Give it a go, it’s a worthy addition to your TBR.
ARC via SPFBO
August 15, 2018
By Raven's Call is an interesting fantasy book that has a number of twists and turns.
I read this book due to SPFBO.
So how do I feel? I love this book. Though there are a number of predictable plot points, the overall plot is still quite fresh and interesting. If I had to find parallels (which I do regardless), By Raven’s call is like a Mission Impossible type movie (or even Where Eagles Dare) in a fantasy setting.
The characters are fun and there are shades of Gemmel/Abercrombie in some of them. The world building is decent with a number of unique elements - some of them steampunk.
Best of all, I am all agog (and magog :P ) to read the sequel.
Great book. Read it.
I read this book due to SPFBO.
So how do I feel? I love this book. Though there are a number of predictable plot points, the overall plot is still quite fresh and interesting. If I had to find parallels (which I do regardless), By Raven’s call is like a Mission Impossible type movie (or even Where Eagles Dare) in a fantasy setting.
The characters are fun and there are shades of Gemmel/Abercrombie in some of them. The world building is decent with a number of unique elements - some of them steampunk.
Best of all, I am all agog (and magog :P ) to read the sequel.
Great book. Read it.
August 10, 2018
The Raven is an unstoppable killing machine. He's more of a weapon than a human being. Rumour has it that he killed thousands of people, including the old king. Unfortunately, the new one is even worse. To put it mildly, the tyrant king is a despicable and greedy individual who doesn't care about the kingdom or its people.
The Uprising lead by a mysterious leader works to overthrow the ruler. It seems The Raven may be involved, but it's tricky to be sure when no one knows who The Raven is and if he exists at all.
As it's a plot-driven story with multiple narrative twists and turns, I won't get into more details. Suffice to say it gets better, deeper and more surprising the further we go. By Raven's Call's pacing is brisk, and it takes place in a fascinating world riddled with mysteries. The world-building is impressive and deep.
The setting starts out routine enough, but soon magic (sort of), airships, flying machines, drugs enhancing strength make their appearance. The story takes more than a few unexpected turns. Things explode. Stoned warriors jump from the airships. Characters aren't who they seem to be.
Well, yes. We've seen it before. But here it's done very well. I enjoyed the inclusion of alchemically powered airships a lot. They're powered by three god-metals (each with different properties, thanks to them airships can levitate, navigate and generate light). It turns out there may be one more, a much more sinister ingredient necessary to fuel King's fleet.
If only killing the bastard was easy. But it's not. He's guarded by a powerful Spirit Dancer - Valora. Spirit Dancers summon the spirits called aenmai who give them preternatural skills (ungodly strength, almost Flash-like speed, control over the matter and many others; each aenmai shares a unique set of skills with a human it bonded with).
Regular people can increase their chances of survival by using augments - potions like aceta or ciraj that can reduce fear and make impossible feats (like single-handedly devastating a garrison of trained soldiers) possible.
And that's just a start. I'm thoroughly impressed by the rich world-building and parts of aenmai mythos introduced in this novel. They give plenty of exciting possibilities for future developments.
Both plot and world-building are intriguing and enjoyable. What about characters?
And therein lies the rub.
To be fair, I reread parts of the book. My opinion didn't change. Characters are... decent. And I prefer them spectacular. Sure, each of them has a backstory and some distinct defining traits, but they don't feel fully fleshed out. There's a bear of a man wanting nothing more than to find his daughter, a woman who changes from prey to predator, a mysterious assassin hearing voices in his head. They're enjoyable, but none of them really stayed with me after I finished the book.
While it was entertaining to read slow-motion action-scenes involving The Raven, his statements like “I’m a weapon, I’m hardly safe” grow old fast. Yes, he's not in control of himself. He's ruled by Raven's voices in his head, and it's a fascinating concept. On the other hand, his internalisations and ramblings that he can't love or be loved are tiring and make me think about B-grade action movies of the 80s. He's a character with great potential but somehow remains unmemorable as a person I could relate to.
The same is true for others. Their motivations are believable, but somewhere along the line, they start to be defined by the need for revenge, berserk rage, blind devotion and stuff.
My other issue with the book is its cinematic panache. On the one hand, it's fantastic as the scenes are explosive, strong and easy to visualise. On the other hand, when you think about them they're over the top:
I think it's a great action scene. It contains plenty of embellishments, though. There's also one crucial and dramatic scene in which loyal royalists/mercenaries turn into insurgents seconds after witnessing the King cruelty. I'm not saying it wouldn't happen. I just don't think it would happen that fast and that unequivocally. To be fair, though, it reads very well.
While not fully satisfying in certain regards, rough with its characterisation, there is a sound concept, and enough plot hooks to keep readers flipping the pages with growing excitement. Fresh and unique world-building deserves high praise.
I'll definitely read the sequel.
Actual rating: 3.75/5
The Uprising lead by a mysterious leader works to overthrow the ruler. It seems The Raven may be involved, but it's tricky to be sure when no one knows who The Raven is and if he exists at all.
As it's a plot-driven story with multiple narrative twists and turns, I won't get into more details. Suffice to say it gets better, deeper and more surprising the further we go. By Raven's Call's pacing is brisk, and it takes place in a fascinating world riddled with mysteries. The world-building is impressive and deep.
The setting starts out routine enough, but soon magic (sort of), airships, flying machines, drugs enhancing strength make their appearance. The story takes more than a few unexpected turns. Things explode. Stoned warriors jump from the airships. Characters aren't who they seem to be.
Well, yes. We've seen it before. But here it's done very well. I enjoyed the inclusion of alchemically powered airships a lot. They're powered by three god-metals (each with different properties, thanks to them airships can levitate, navigate and generate light). It turns out there may be one more, a much more sinister ingredient necessary to fuel King's fleet.
If only killing the bastard was easy. But it's not. He's guarded by a powerful Spirit Dancer - Valora. Spirit Dancers summon the spirits called aenmai who give them preternatural skills (ungodly strength, almost Flash-like speed, control over the matter and many others; each aenmai shares a unique set of skills with a human it bonded with).
Regular people can increase their chances of survival by using augments - potions like aceta or ciraj that can reduce fear and make impossible feats (like single-handedly devastating a garrison of trained soldiers) possible.
And that's just a start. I'm thoroughly impressed by the rich world-building and parts of aenmai mythos introduced in this novel. They give plenty of exciting possibilities for future developments.
Both plot and world-building are intriguing and enjoyable. What about characters?
And therein lies the rub.
To be fair, I reread parts of the book. My opinion didn't change. Characters are... decent. And I prefer them spectacular. Sure, each of them has a backstory and some distinct defining traits, but they don't feel fully fleshed out. There's a bear of a man wanting nothing more than to find his daughter, a woman who changes from prey to predator, a mysterious assassin hearing voices in his head. They're enjoyable, but none of them really stayed with me after I finished the book.
While it was entertaining to read slow-motion action-scenes involving The Raven, his statements like “I’m a weapon, I’m hardly safe” grow old fast. Yes, he's not in control of himself. He's ruled by Raven's voices in his head, and it's a fascinating concept. On the other hand, his internalisations and ramblings that he can't love or be loved are tiring and make me think about B-grade action movies of the 80s. He's a character with great potential but somehow remains unmemorable as a person I could relate to.
The same is true for others. Their motivations are believable, but somewhere along the line, they start to be defined by the need for revenge, berserk rage, blind devotion and stuff.
My other issue with the book is its cinematic panache. On the one hand, it's fantastic as the scenes are explosive, strong and easy to visualise. On the other hand, when you think about them they're over the top:
Uncertainty and awe crossed the man’s face as he felt the sheer weight of power emanating from her. Valora raised her arms, and the man turned and fled. With one leap he was twenty feet away, dust swirling into the air from the force of his passage. He ran, twice as fast as a normal man, leaving curling spirals of smoke in his wake, diving over the burning remains of buildings and flipping in the air before landing on his feet and sprinting onward.
I think it's a great action scene. It contains plenty of embellishments, though. There's also one crucial and dramatic scene in which loyal royalists/mercenaries turn into insurgents seconds after witnessing the King cruelty. I'm not saying it wouldn't happen. I just don't think it would happen that fast and that unequivocally. To be fair, though, it reads very well.
While not fully satisfying in certain regards, rough with its characterisation, there is a sound concept, and enough plot hooks to keep readers flipping the pages with growing excitement. Fresh and unique world-building deserves high praise.
I'll definitely read the sequel.
Actual rating: 3.75/5
September 19, 2019
By Ravens Call has been the first fantasy novel I’ve read in the past few years that has made me want a sequel. While two of the twists were figured out early on, that didn’t stop me from enjoying the characters seeing these twists unfold for themselves. A very interesting take on magical properties in the universe the book is set in as well. Looking forward to part 2!
Want to read
April 14, 2020-----
4/14/20—From a comment on a r/fantasy post about lesser-known indie authors being high quality too. Apparently it was in Mark Lawrence's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off competition a couple years ago. I wasn't sold on it after seeing the cover and description (demons? seemingly plenty of gratuitous violence?), but then I glanced at the author's bio. This dude lives in Utah and hangs out with his two cats, Buddy and Lulu? Sold. It's at least worth a look anyway, even if it ends up not being my thing. If I ever make money again, it might be fun to buy the kindle version or something.
4/14/20—From a comment on a r/fantasy post about lesser-known indie authors being high quality too. Apparently it was in Mark Lawrence's Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off competition a couple years ago. I wasn't sold on it after seeing the cover and description (demons? seemingly plenty of gratuitous violence?), but then I glanced at the author's bio. This dude lives in Utah and hangs out with his two cats, Buddy and Lulu? Sold. It's at least worth a look anyway, even if it ends up not being my thing. If I ever make money again, it might be fun to buy the kindle version or something.
September 2, 2019
Incredible book! Wonderful plot and character development that will keep the book in your hands until you get to the very last page!
This book has an amazing story that is very easy to visualize. Many different turns and a world of new powers and factions that keeps every page different.
I highly recommend it to anyone! A must read!
This book has an amazing story that is very easy to visualize. Many different turns and a world of new powers and factions that keeps every page different.
I highly recommend it to anyone! A must read!
May 28, 2019
What a pleasant surprise! Well written, interesting plot and characters, and a good ending for an ongoing series.
February 4, 2024
Fantastic book! An epic adventure with a memorable cast of characters, interesting magic and world building, and a plot that draws you in with mystery and keeps you with action. Can't wait for the next one!
November 15, 2018
Great book . I hope we get the second part soon.
July 1, 2021
It's more of a 4.5 but that's all Goodreads will let me do.
So, this book is the book that will renew your faith in fantasy authors again.
Devenport from page 1 will throw you into this world without rest. While a lot of authors do this poorly thinking that the reader will gradually step into this world and be immersed, no. When you do that approach, more often than not, readers will drop the book because it's about some boring political agenda no one cares about or doesn't even have the knowledge to grasp so many foreign names at once.
I judge the book based on the first 100 pages and Devenport uses all those pages well without missing a beat. He uses it to build the world but also, the world isn't stopping to hold your hand like most books do. He doesn't go on for like 50 pages that Gannon, the protagonist, is some lonely dude that rides on a nice horse. He goes on for 50 pages that Gannon is a lonely dude on a horse while also moving the plot well along and leaving the reader to wonder about the world.
Devenport won't take no for an answer and grabs hold of you by the throat and drags you in. But he does so knowing you don't know anything about this world and feeds you information just enough to survive and understand this world, but also telling you everything about it.
This was so close to being a 5 star review, my only caveat is there were too many names that began with the same letter that the reader could be easily confused who's who. Malice, Mariene, Melania. I feel if he gave them different names would have been fine.
The plot was a tad bit predictable in certain places, the great plot twist near the end was something I saw a mile away. But I don't think this book was about the plot, but more of prepping the reader of what is to come next and I'm fully OK with that.
Anyway, if you like "Dark Souls" but don't want to dive into the madness of Steven Erikson just yet, start here. It's a really enticing world, that holds your hand just enough, and then leaves you to wonder about the world in your own time. I'm eager to see where Devenport will lead me to next. Keep it up!
So, this book is the book that will renew your faith in fantasy authors again.
Devenport from page 1 will throw you into this world without rest. While a lot of authors do this poorly thinking that the reader will gradually step into this world and be immersed, no. When you do that approach, more often than not, readers will drop the book because it's about some boring political agenda no one cares about or doesn't even have the knowledge to grasp so many foreign names at once.
I judge the book based on the first 100 pages and Devenport uses all those pages well without missing a beat. He uses it to build the world but also, the world isn't stopping to hold your hand like most books do. He doesn't go on for like 50 pages that Gannon, the protagonist, is some lonely dude that rides on a nice horse. He goes on for 50 pages that Gannon is a lonely dude on a horse while also moving the plot well along and leaving the reader to wonder about the world.
Devenport won't take no for an answer and grabs hold of you by the throat and drags you in. But he does so knowing you don't know anything about this world and feeds you information just enough to survive and understand this world, but also telling you everything about it.
This was so close to being a 5 star review, my only caveat is there were too many names that began with the same letter that the reader could be easily confused who's who. Malice, Mariene, Melania. I feel if he gave them different names would have been fine.
The plot was a tad bit predictable in certain places, the great plot twist near the end was something I saw a mile away. But I don't think this book was about the plot, but more of prepping the reader of what is to come next and I'm fully OK with that.
Anyway, if you like "Dark Souls" but don't want to dive into the madness of Steven Erikson just yet, start here. It's a really enticing world, that holds your hand just enough, and then leaves you to wonder about the world in your own time. I'm eager to see where Devenport will lead me to next. Keep it up!
December 11, 2021
What an imagination
I am amazed at this story. A little hard to get started but my oh my, impossible to put down. This could be as big as Star Wars. I highly recommend.
I am amazed at this story. A little hard to get started but my oh my, impossible to put down. This could be as big as Star Wars. I highly recommend.
October 6, 2022
I enjoyed this! I'm ready to read the next one. :) There were a lot of unique ideas and the story was fun. What a fun thing to find at the farmer's market.
March 17, 2024
This book is awesome! If anyone is a fan of fantasy it’s definitely for you. I really hope there’s a sequel. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews