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Chronicles of the Raven #2
Noonshade
The enthralling sequel to DAWNTHIEF takes the adventure into a new dimension. The Raven must fight to help the dragons of the Brood Kan defend the dimensional rip opened in the skies of Balaia by the casting of Dawnthief. And then they must somehow close the rip. And all the time the Wesmen are rampaging through Balaia, laying waste to its cities and besieging the mages of Julatsa in Dordova.
484 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
July 28, 2018
RTC after reading the series....so awesome !
October 23, 2016
Entertaining fantasy read as I remember it. Great, quirky characters and lots of action.
(Read this years ago).
(Read this years ago).
March 3, 2021
In questo secondo libro della trilogia troviamo pure i draghi, cosa che nel primo si era trovato solo all'inizio con un'applicazione fugace.
Dopo che l'incantesimo RUBA AURORA è stato lanciano, si è formato un buco in cielo che è il passaggio per un altra dimensione, la dimensione dove vivono i draghi.
Il Corvo questa volta, per salvare Balaia dall'invasione dei draghi, dovrà leggere gli scritti di Septern che si trovano sparsi nei college per poter chiudere il passaggio tra i due mondi.
Riuscirà quindi il Corvo a salvare nuovamente Balaia???
*
*
*
Ho apprezzato molto anche questo secondo libro, amo come Barclay descrive ogni momento ed ogni azione, ma soprattutto conoscere i dettagli di ogni drago e della loro dimensione è stata un avventura fantastica.
Una cosa diversa è che il Corvo è cambiato, non ci sono più tutti i componenti originali per il fatto che sono morti nel primo, ma il nuovo gruppo mi piace comunque.
E inoltre qui è stato dato il giusto spazio ai draghi, cosa che nel primo libro si è vista solo un apparizione veloce di sha-kaan.
Non vedo l'ora di leggere e di raccontarvi l'ultimo.
😭😭😭
Piango... Mi resta solo il terzo ed ultimo libro
🥺🥺🥺
Dopo che l'incantesimo RUBA AURORA è stato lanciano, si è formato un buco in cielo che è il passaggio per un altra dimensione, la dimensione dove vivono i draghi.
Il Corvo questa volta, per salvare Balaia dall'invasione dei draghi, dovrà leggere gli scritti di Septern che si trovano sparsi nei college per poter chiudere il passaggio tra i due mondi.
Riuscirà quindi il Corvo a salvare nuovamente Balaia???
*
*
*
Ho apprezzato molto anche questo secondo libro, amo come Barclay descrive ogni momento ed ogni azione, ma soprattutto conoscere i dettagli di ogni drago e della loro dimensione è stata un avventura fantastica.
Una cosa diversa è che il Corvo è cambiato, non ci sono più tutti i componenti originali per il fatto che sono morti nel primo, ma il nuovo gruppo mi piace comunque.
E inoltre qui è stato dato il giusto spazio ai draghi, cosa che nel primo libro si è vista solo un apparizione veloce di sha-kaan.
Non vedo l'ora di leggere e di raccontarvi l'ultimo.
😭😭😭
Piango... Mi resta solo il terzo ed ultimo libro
🥺🥺🥺
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2024
Wow! Thrilling from start to finish! There was never even a moment where I thought it was boring or slow. There was adventure on every single page. I could not put it down
February 13, 2017
Very nice, fast paced fantasy novel. Good action and plot throughout. I an very impressed with the writer's interpretation and detailed description of the magic used by the characters. If you are looking for a new fantasy read then I think this could be in for you. Very recommended.
July 13, 2017
Ikka veel äärmiselt meeldiv lugemisvara. Epic fantasy on ilmselgelt üsna eepiline magamisaja röövija ning ma ei kahetse seda grammigi.
January 26, 2013
This story picks up right where Dawnthief left off. The great Eldritch Evil has been defeated, but the war is far from won. And now there is a whole in the sky to boot, one that happens to link directly to a dimension full of dragons.
Compared to its predecessor, Noonshade feels...lacking. Where in Dawnthief, the Raven had to kill the Witch Lords to cut off the Wesman from their magic and save their own world, in Noonshade the urgency feels artificial. The Raven must find a way to close the rip that Dawnthief has left in the sky. They have eight days. But it is the dragons, the Kaan, who suck any feel of importance from this task. Because they flatly refuse to help in anyway, and at times are actively harmful to the process, while saying that their own lives depend on the outcome.
There seems to be some history, where a dragon who carries a human is a great shame. But this issue should have been addressed far earlier in the story. Not even the Raven, who have every reason to make such a request, never broach the topic until the very end. And it is a practical solution, and a one I kept looking to come up. Now I recognize that throwing a dragon at this problem would solve it easily and undermine the story. But you cannot leave that large of a elephant in the room, and not address it in some way.
As for the dragon’s deminsion, I have to wonder, what do they eat? There are apparently thousands of dragons, many over 100 feet long, living in a world that they have all but burned to the ground. They eat lots of flamegrass (again, why?), and I think one ate a goat at one point. But how does that sustain a dragon?
As a whole, the world does feel more fleshed out, with the characters visiting now areas. It was interesting to see how the Colleges worked. The battles were great, and it is clear a lot of research was done to keep them realistic with the technological level of the world. The only question I have is in the magic system, for a four College system that does not like the share, all the mages share no more then five offensive spells, regardless of their College of study.
Overall, not as exciting as Dawntheif, but still a good book.
Compared to its predecessor, Noonshade feels...lacking. Where in Dawnthief, the Raven had to kill the Witch Lords to cut off the Wesman from their magic and save their own world, in Noonshade the urgency feels artificial. The Raven must find a way to close the rip that Dawnthief has left in the sky. They have eight days. But it is the dragons, the Kaan, who suck any feel of importance from this task. Because they flatly refuse to help in anyway, and at times are actively harmful to the process, while saying that their own lives depend on the outcome.
There seems to be some history, where a dragon who carries a human is a great shame. But this issue should have been addressed far earlier in the story. Not even the Raven, who have every reason to make such a request, never broach the topic until the very end. And it is a practical solution, and a one I kept looking to come up. Now I recognize that throwing a dragon at this problem would solve it easily and undermine the story. But you cannot leave that large of a elephant in the room, and not address it in some way.
As for the dragon’s deminsion, I have to wonder, what do they eat? There are apparently thousands of dragons, many over 100 feet long, living in a world that they have all but burned to the ground. They eat lots of flamegrass (again, why?), and I think one ate a goat at one point. But how does that sustain a dragon?
As a whole, the world does feel more fleshed out, with the characters visiting now areas. It was interesting to see how the Colleges worked. The battles were great, and it is clear a lot of research was done to keep them realistic with the technological level of the world. The only question I have is in the magic system, for a four College system that does not like the share, all the mages share no more then five offensive spells, regardless of their College of study.
Overall, not as exciting as Dawntheif, but still a good book.
January 19, 2013
It took me an absolute age to read this. Not because i struggled with it, but because while i did enjoy Dawnthief, it didn't blow me away, and other books that i have been waiting for kept coming along.
Noonshade was an enjoyable read and i did want to find out what happened to the Raven. Not that was necessary because although each book is in a series and Noonshade follows on immediately from Dawnthief, each book does come to a satisfactory conclusion. It shows perhaps that Barclay is confident enough with his characters and storytelling that he doesn't need a cliff-hanger to pull people back for more.
In some ways these books are fairly typical 'party of heroes with a magical quest' fodder but it is the way that Barclay writes, the attention to his characters and his original way of dealing with his action scenes that sets these books apart from much in the marketplace.
Where this differs from many fantasy books i have read is that it would be immediately recognisable to anybody that is or was a gamer. The way his characters are set up with their back stories reminded me very much of evening sat around a table doing character generation. Also the magic system is described and the way spells are utilised is very reminiscent of the magic systems used by many of the major fantasy games i played in my teens, right down to the spell names and the way spells are learned and deployed. Where Barclay really comes into his own are in the battles. I've never yet seen magic used i such a way in other works. Magicians are deployed in units or defensive (armour) and offensive (artillery) units working in conjunction with standard cavalry and infantry units is refreshing and somehow completely realistic.
I have the 3rd in the series and will read it. I've not been compelled by the series but i have certainly enjoyed what i have read. At least enough to finish the trilogy.
Noonshade was an enjoyable read and i did want to find out what happened to the Raven. Not that was necessary because although each book is in a series and Noonshade follows on immediately from Dawnthief, each book does come to a satisfactory conclusion. It shows perhaps that Barclay is confident enough with his characters and storytelling that he doesn't need a cliff-hanger to pull people back for more.
In some ways these books are fairly typical 'party of heroes with a magical quest' fodder but it is the way that Barclay writes, the attention to his characters and his original way of dealing with his action scenes that sets these books apart from much in the marketplace.
Where this differs from many fantasy books i have read is that it would be immediately recognisable to anybody that is or was a gamer. The way his characters are set up with their back stories reminded me very much of evening sat around a table doing character generation. Also the magic system is described and the way spells are utilised is very reminiscent of the magic systems used by many of the major fantasy games i played in my teens, right down to the spell names and the way spells are learned and deployed. Where Barclay really comes into his own are in the battles. I've never yet seen magic used i such a way in other works. Magicians are deployed in units or defensive (armour) and offensive (artillery) units working in conjunction with standard cavalry and infantry units is refreshing and somehow completely realistic.
I have the 3rd in the series and will read it. I've not been compelled by the series but i have certainly enjoyed what i have read. At least enough to finish the trilogy.
March 10, 2011
In the second installment of the Chronicles of the Raven, it shows the mercernaries mending the rip in their dimension caused from casting Dawnthief. This rip leads to the Dragon dimension, and if the Raven don't mend the rip in time the whol Balaia will be overrun with dragons intent on their dimensions destruction. Mean while the Wesman are still on thier mission to conquer the East, and bring downn the Mage Colleges, with their numbers so vast, even without the Wytch Lords help victory seems certain, but the forces of Balaia will not give up their homes without a fight.
I really enjoyed this book it was a great continuation from Dawnthief, and take off from where Dawnthief ended. The story bounces mainly from The Raven to General Darrick, the Barons and the key figures in the Wesman army as well as a few others. I found that cut to other POV's less intrusive this time, even though he did it just as much in this book as he did in the previous one, maybe I was used to it and didn't notice it so much, but regardless I found this a much easier read.
What I really like about these books is the characters particularly those of the Raven, and I am glad to see the continuing build of their characters, each member of the Raven distinct from the other and I look forward to reading further to see if this remains the same. The story it self was epic and it kept me gripped and involved with what was going on, and although I enjoyed the Raven part of the story I found that I was more interested in other parts of the story, and other characters, which is both good as it means that I liked all parts, not just one segment and bad in teh sense that these are the Chronicles of the Raven, not of other people. However, I did enjoy this book and I look forward to reading on to the next.
I really enjoyed this book it was a great continuation from Dawnthief, and take off from where Dawnthief ended. The story bounces mainly from The Raven to General Darrick, the Barons and the key figures in the Wesman army as well as a few others. I found that cut to other POV's less intrusive this time, even though he did it just as much in this book as he did in the previous one, maybe I was used to it and didn't notice it so much, but regardless I found this a much easier read.
What I really like about these books is the characters particularly those of the Raven, and I am glad to see the continuing build of their characters, each member of the Raven distinct from the other and I look forward to reading further to see if this remains the same. The story it self was epic and it kept me gripped and involved with what was going on, and although I enjoyed the Raven part of the story I found that I was more interested in other parts of the story, and other characters, which is both good as it means that I liked all parts, not just one segment and bad in teh sense that these are the Chronicles of the Raven, not of other people. However, I did enjoy this book and I look forward to reading on to the next.
March 24, 2024
The story just keeps getting more epic! The only parts I wasn't super keen on was the descriptions of the dragon world and the siege of Julatsa.
I think the dragon world was a little over-detailed. I kept wanting the story to go back to Balaian characters.
I also expected that the siege of Julatsa would be a chapter or two. And was disappointed when I realised it was going to be a majority of the book. But saying that, I ultimately loved the whole siege story and the way it developed. I think I was just expecting that the invasion would spread further through the colleges or perhaps down to Trivern lake. It felt like the story got held up perhaps. But it made sense in the end. I think on a second read I'll enjoy that part more.
I think the dragon world was a little over-detailed. I kept wanting the story to go back to Balaian characters.
I also expected that the siege of Julatsa would be a chapter or two. And was disappointed when I realised it was going to be a majority of the book. But saying that, I ultimately loved the whole siege story and the way it developed. I think I was just expecting that the invasion would spread further through the colleges or perhaps down to Trivern lake. It felt like the story got held up perhaps. But it made sense in the end. I think on a second read I'll enjoy that part more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2025
Beautiful written descriptions especially of Beshara.
I find Barclay leaves a lot to be tied up and all the big events down to the final chapter, yet he always manages to close up any gaps and make a satisfying ending that makes you want to read the next book. Every page is either filled with action packed sequences or gorgeous flowing world painting.
The ending of Noonshade in particular ties up the specific events of the book, but there is a bittersweet ending.
I find Barclay leaves a lot to be tied up and all the big events down to the final chapter, yet he always manages to close up any gaps and make a satisfying ending that makes you want to read the next book. Every page is either filled with action packed sequences or gorgeous flowing world painting.
The ending of Noonshade in particular ties up the specific events of the book, but there is a bittersweet ending.
December 20, 2017
Follows on directly from Dawnthief.
It doesn't spend any time on a refresher, so if it's been a while since reading that book then it might be an idea to re-read that first.
Even saying that, you soon get up to speed on who's who, and what their roles re.
Following the casting of the Dawnthief spell, there is now a rip to the dragon dimension in the sky above Balaia. The Raven (a mixed group of fighters and wizards) have to travel there to fix it, or else the land will be invaded by dragons. The only problem is the various Wesmen armies betwen them and where they need to be.
Lots of action, and interesting characters. Well written and the pace keeps everything moving along.
It doesn't spend any time on a refresher, so if it's been a while since reading that book then it might be an idea to re-read that first.
Even saying that, you soon get up to speed on who's who, and what their roles re.
Following the casting of the Dawnthief spell, there is now a rip to the dragon dimension in the sky above Balaia. The Raven (a mixed group of fighters and wizards) have to travel there to fix it, or else the land will be invaded by dragons. The only problem is the various Wesmen armies betwen them and where they need to be.
Lots of action, and interesting characters. Well written and the pace keeps everything moving along.
March 17, 2021
anche in questo volume l'autore ne ammazza/elimina più di G.R.R.Martin!!!!
quel che resta della banda salva il mondo dai draghi cattivi aiutando i draghi buoni
non mi piace la scrittura, deve essere quello, perchè gli elementi per piacermi ci sono tutti e invece leggerlo è talmente una fatica che a volte salto pagina
quel che resta della banda salva il mondo dai draghi cattivi aiutando i draghi buoni
non mi piace la scrittura, deve essere quello, perchè gli elementi per piacermi ci sono tutti e invece leggerlo è talmente una fatica che a volte salto pagina
May 16, 2017
Will review in full when I get around to it - sorry for the delay.
January 8, 2020
Fast entertaining book. The entire series is like watching an action movie. It is gory.
March 13, 2023
A truly excellent story
March 4, 2024
Pretty good reading
Enjoyed reading and I am Definitely going to download the next book! Hopefully it’s as good as this one is
Enjoyed reading and I am Definitely going to download the next book! Hopefully it’s as good as this one is
Read
April 4, 20253.5*
September 18, 2025
A really good book, full of adventure, dragons and a wee bit of humour thrown in.
December 17, 2023
I expected this book to suck but it really surpassed my worst expectations. The first book was very much a case of so bad its good but in this book every element I was enjoyed was carefully removed and everything I didn't like in book one expanded on. Really the only reason I finished it was spite and I will not be continuing the series. Literally the only nice thing I have to say about this book is that I think the title is cool and fits well.
The main thing that kept me interested in this series after book 1 despite it being a disaster from the beginning was the characters - in particular Denser - but this book is the Hirad show and Hirad is a giant manchild who struggles to find a brain cell on a good day. I am once again asking why anyone thought he was a good choice to be the leader. To make things worse Denser is now depressed because he has completed his life's goal (casting the world ending spell Dawnthief) and now has nothing to live for (an opinion that his pregnant girlfriend is unsurprisingly not very chuffed about!). Not only is this a stupid reason to be depressed (may I remind you that the complete success of the spell would have ended the world!? Why is he depressed about failing to end the world????) but the way Denser's depression was portrayed was bad and was made even worse by Erienne basically asking if he has tried not being depressed and then getting upset when he takes this poorly. Wow, this is definitely how mental health works!
Another thing that I found annoying is that while this book is about stopping a world ending event there is a subplot (which takes up a full half of the book) which is handled in the least satisfying way possible. We spend literally HUNDREDS of pages trying to resolve the situation and every possible option is explored and in the end It is presented as a victory ultimately because 'at least the Raven get out' but I don't like the raven particularly and seeing them get a happy ending at the cost of was depressing. I also found it incredibly insensitive how when faced with all these desperate people wanting their help they refuse to provide the information others require unless it is on their terms because it is 'raven business'. Like guys you do realise we are in a potentially world ending situation here that is kind of everyone's business? The audacity!
I haven't even gotten to the dragon dimension nonsense yet! While there were some interesting worldbuilding ideas in this part of the book there were some weird pro-slavery things going on. There are people in the dragon dimension (who are described as being shorter and less intelligent than regular humans) who are basically slaves of the dragons. This in itself is alright as a worldbuilding thing but why does Hirad have multiple moments where he admires a fancy building that the slaves have built and thinks to himself that his own world could do with being more like the dragon dimension? I'm sorry what was that??? You think the world would be a better place if most of the population lived in fear and spent all their efforts making mansions for the 1%? Also the author may think he has made the people in the dragon dimension sound not like humans enough that them being enslaved is OK but that just sounds like racism to me. Like does he not realise this is how slavery was justified historically?? I found it bizarre how the Kaan dragons were portrayed as good and nice and all the other dragons were nasty but they are literally no different! Also also the author still has not managed to clear up my confusion from the last book about whether the Wesmen are supposed to be intrinsically evil or the 'good guys' are just very racist sooooo this book is not giving off good vibes.
To summarise: don't bother reading this book, there is nothing enjoyable here and it is too long.
February 19, 2013
Un buon seguito...
Il problema principale di questa saga che si porta dietro dal libro uno è la mancanza totale di background dei personaggi.
La storia prosegue da dove si era interrotta e la situazione per il mio gruppo di mercenari preferito (Il Corvo), non è affatto rosea. I terribili lord stregoni sono stati sconfitti MA, a causa del Ruba Aurora, si è aperto uno squarcio interdimensionale che collega Balaia con la Terra dei Draghi.
Il mondo dei draghi viene approfondito molto bene: ci sono diverse stirpi di draghi in lotta tra loro per la supremazia. I Kaan vogliono proteggere Balaia mentre i loro nemici vogliono attraversare lo squarcio nel cielo e distruggere Balaia.
Quindi i problemi presenti nel romanzo sono due: 1) richiudere lo squarcio dimensionale
2) fermare gli occadi.
Anche se i lord Stregoni sono morti, gli occadi sono vivi e vegeti (anche se privi di magia e quindi meno letali). Insomma non è che, quanto fatto nel primo libro, si sia rivelato inutile ma ha solo rallentato l'avanzata degli invasori.
Il punto di vista diventa quintuplo mostrando tutte le parti in causa nella guerra e nelle vicende di Balaia.
Da un lato c'è Darrick che guida la cavalleria dei College, i baroni Gresse e Blacktornhe da me chiamati "la strana coppia" e dal lato degli occadi Tessaya e Senedai.
I nemici non sono certo benevoli e si lasciano terra bruciata intorno. Senedai tuttavia è molto meno lungimerante di Tessaya.
Nel libro viene evidenziata molto bene la differenza tra i due schieramenti. Gli occadi sono molto numerosi ma divisi tra loro, mentre i balaiani sono in netta inferiorità ma uniti contro un nemico comune.
Anche questa volta tocca ai maghi del corvo: Erienne, Ilkar e Denser sistemare le cose, usare la magia per richiudere lo squarcio e trovare l'incantesimo giusto si rivela più difficile del previsto. La morte di Will mi ha lasciata abbastanza indifferente mi è spiaciuto di più per Thraun anche se, verso la fine, era evidente che si sarebbe lasciato dominare dal lupo.
Mi sono piaciuti tutti i capitoli dedicati a Julatsa e al manto demoniaco. L'assedio è descritto molto bene come anche la situazione degli ostaggi e dei maghi del consiglio. L'idea stessa del manto è geniale.
Il viaggio nella terra dei draghi l'ho apprezzato moltissimo, anche se non posso dire lo stesso della brusca fine di Styliann.
Sui personaggi: amo Denser e il suo sconforto iniziale per l'esito del ruba aurora mi pare perfettamente plausibile. In effetti, forse gli altri membri del Corvo potevano essere più comprensivi...
Ilkar, Erienne e Hirad vengono subito dopo e l'Ignoto ... mah! Lo apprezzo come personaggio ma non è "facile" comprendere la sua situazione così a metà tra la sua condizione precedente di Protettore e la nuova "vita" che ha adesso.
Nel complesso il libro mi è piaciuto e prenderò sicuramente il terzo volume della saga.
Il problema principale di questa saga che si porta dietro dal libro uno è la mancanza totale di background dei personaggi.
La storia prosegue da dove si era interrotta e la situazione per il mio gruppo di mercenari preferito (Il Corvo), non è affatto rosea. I terribili lord stregoni sono stati sconfitti MA, a causa del Ruba Aurora, si è aperto uno squarcio interdimensionale che collega Balaia con la Terra dei Draghi.
Il mondo dei draghi viene approfondito molto bene: ci sono diverse stirpi di draghi in lotta tra loro per la supremazia. I Kaan vogliono proteggere Balaia mentre i loro nemici vogliono attraversare lo squarcio nel cielo e distruggere Balaia.
Quindi i problemi presenti nel romanzo sono due: 1) richiudere lo squarcio dimensionale
2) fermare gli occadi.
Anche se i lord Stregoni sono morti, gli occadi sono vivi e vegeti (anche se privi di magia e quindi meno letali). Insomma non è che, quanto fatto nel primo libro, si sia rivelato inutile ma ha solo rallentato l'avanzata degli invasori.
Il punto di vista diventa quintuplo mostrando tutte le parti in causa nella guerra e nelle vicende di Balaia.
Da un lato c'è Darrick che guida la cavalleria dei College, i baroni Gresse e Blacktornhe da me chiamati "la strana coppia" e dal lato degli occadi Tessaya e Senedai.
I nemici non sono certo benevoli e si lasciano terra bruciata intorno. Senedai tuttavia è molto meno lungimerante di Tessaya.
Nel libro viene evidenziata molto bene la differenza tra i due schieramenti. Gli occadi sono molto numerosi ma divisi tra loro, mentre i balaiani sono in netta inferiorità ma uniti contro un nemico comune.
Anche questa volta tocca ai maghi del corvo: Erienne, Ilkar e Denser sistemare le cose, usare la magia per richiudere lo squarcio e trovare l'incantesimo giusto si rivela più difficile del previsto. La morte di Will mi ha lasciata abbastanza indifferente mi è spiaciuto di più per Thraun anche se, verso la fine, era evidente che si sarebbe lasciato dominare dal lupo.
Mi sono piaciuti tutti i capitoli dedicati a Julatsa e al manto demoniaco. L'assedio è descritto molto bene come anche la situazione degli ostaggi e dei maghi del consiglio. L'idea stessa del manto è geniale.
Il viaggio nella terra dei draghi l'ho apprezzato moltissimo, anche se non posso dire lo stesso della brusca fine di Styliann.
Sui personaggi: amo Denser e il suo sconforto iniziale per l'esito del ruba aurora mi pare perfettamente plausibile. In effetti, forse gli altri membri del Corvo potevano essere più comprensivi...
Ilkar, Erienne e Hirad vengono subito dopo e l'Ignoto ... mah! Lo apprezzo come personaggio ma non è "facile" comprendere la sua situazione così a metà tra la sua condizione precedente di Protettore e la nuova "vita" che ha adesso.
Nel complesso il libro mi è piaciuto e prenderò sicuramente il terzo volume della saga.
August 11, 2011
Good, but not as good as the first book. There were a couple parts in this one where the plot seemed to slow down (the first one was action-packed the whole way through), and the author seemed more prone to ending the chapters and such with overly dramatic phrases and exclamations by the characters (sometimes I caught myself mockingly thinking "dun dun dun..." in my head after reading those lines).
However, the plot was still amazing, and if you can get past the graphic, gory, and violent descriptions in the book, its great. While we're on the topic of descriptions, I feel that I should add that I was really impressed with the author's ability to really bring scenes, people, and emotions to life with amazing word imagery that make the scenes very memorable. He would take little things and just bring them to life to make you feel the emotions felt by the people in various situations. The one I found particularly memorable was the toddler screaming in terror as he and the other Julatsan prisoners were rescued by the Raven while under attack. I mean its all well and good to imagine fleeing through the street while under attack after recently being freed (yeah, thats scary, right?), but you never stop to think how utterly terrifying it would be to be fleeing for your life while your friends and family are falling all around you. Somehow, the author managed to bring that abject terror home with the image of that screaming/crying child. It was impressive, and artfully done so as to not be like "hey i'm using imagery to improve the story" it simply augmented the story without disrupting the flow. The more I'm reading by this author, the more impressed I find myself with his writing style.
Looking forward to the next book.
However, the plot was still amazing, and if you can get past the graphic, gory, and violent descriptions in the book, its great. While we're on the topic of descriptions, I feel that I should add that I was really impressed with the author's ability to really bring scenes, people, and emotions to life with amazing word imagery that make the scenes very memorable. He would take little things and just bring them to life to make you feel the emotions felt by the people in various situations. The one I found particularly memorable was the toddler screaming in terror as he and the other Julatsan prisoners were rescued by the Raven while under attack. I mean its all well and good to imagine fleeing through the street while under attack after recently being freed (yeah, thats scary, right?), but you never stop to think how utterly terrifying it would be to be fleeing for your life while your friends and family are falling all around you. Somehow, the author managed to bring that abject terror home with the image of that screaming/crying child. It was impressive, and artfully done so as to not be like "hey i'm using imagery to improve the story" it simply augmented the story without disrupting the flow. The more I'm reading by this author, the more impressed I find myself with his writing style.
Looking forward to the next book.
March 21, 2011
While I'm not always one for "fighting" fantasy, I have enjoyed both of the Barclay books I've read. They're very action-heavy. It's been some time since I'd read Dawnthief, and this may have hurt my read of Noonshade just a bit. The characters were in no way fresh in my mind, and Noonshade picks up exactly where Dawnthief left off, with very little in the way of refresher. It took me a good third of the book to piece together some of who these people were and what had happened in the previous book.
It's possible to say the characters were a little thin, but I think they were given more depth in the first book. It's not the author's fault I read it so far back as to forget a lot of detail.
All in all, this one is full of fun maneuverings. It's in no way political, which I would usually count as a minus, but in this case it works. Lots of battles, hacking at people with swords, and shooting them in the face with fireballs.
In some ways the peripheral characters worked better for me, particularly the mages in their individual college struggles and the struggle on the dragon homeworld. They somehow ended up being slightly more interesting to me than the sections with The Raven, but, again, that could come back to my not recalling too much of who the individual members really were.
It's possible to say the characters were a little thin, but I think they were given more depth in the first book. It's not the author's fault I read it so far back as to forget a lot of detail.
All in all, this one is full of fun maneuverings. It's in no way political, which I would usually count as a minus, but in this case it works. Lots of battles, hacking at people with swords, and shooting them in the face with fireballs.
In some ways the peripheral characters worked better for me, particularly the mages in their individual college struggles and the struggle on the dragon homeworld. They somehow ended up being slightly more interesting to me than the sections with The Raven, but, again, that could come back to my not recalling too much of who the individual members really were.
September 16, 2010
This was an absolutely wonderful follow up to Dawnthief. It’s filled with plenty of fast paced, steel flying, blood spewing, magic slinging battles to keep the pages turning.
I wanted to give this book five stars, but I could only give it four. While The Raven are the central point in the story, I found the other characters and their situations much more interesting: The Barrons Greese and Blackthorne; Stillian and the Protectors; General Darrick; and the Wesman Army. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Raven mercenaries. It’s a great story line, but they just seemed to take a back seat on this one for me.
But all in all, it was a damn good read. Two thumbs up!
A third time: The one thing I love most about the Raven serial is character uniformity. From book one of the Chronicles of the Ravens and throughout the Legacy of the Ravens the characters stayed true. The author never falters in the personalities and distinctive qualities of each of the characters, whether they be the Raven mercenaries themselves or other important figures in the epic tale: no mater what the time was span between each book. A few authors could take a lesson in consistency from Barclay.
September 29, 2012
No, možná i o něco míň než 3*. Není to úplně špatná kniha, ale mě prostě nesedl styl, jakým je napsaná. Časté nezáživné popisy, ne moc vydařené dialogy, systém a popisy kouzlení připomínali RPG hry... Nemohla jsem ji dočíst, později jsem přeskakovala stránky, až jsem dospěla k tomu, že jsem vždycky dvojstránku jenom proletěla očima, jestli se tam stalo něco zajímavého. Prostě mě to nechtlo a to přitom zápletka nebyla nijak špatná. Na scéně se objevili draci (moje oblíbené bytosti), takže děj byl i zajímavějš než u prvního dílu. Ale nevím, něco na tom stylu bylo, co mi hrozně vadilo, ještě si budu muset promyslet, co to vlastně bylo... Taky mi hrozně vadily dialogy, které vůbec nepůsbily přirozeně, naopak. Autor se rozhodl s jejich pomocí čtenáři všechno vysvětlovat a to i věci, které přirozeně vyplývají z příběhu a to mi dost vadilo. Ty dialogy pak byly nepřirozené a nucené. Ale Havrany mám ráda, to zase jo - příjemná a sympatická partička :)Ovšem zda sáhnu po pokračování si nejsem vůbec jistá.
February 3, 2014
Per fermare l'imponente esercito dei Lord Stregoni, la compagnia di mercenari conosciuta come il Corvo ha lanciato Ruba Aurora, un incantesimo potentissimo ma impossibile da controllare. E ora deve far fronte alle conseguenze di quel gesto estremo: Ruba Aurora ha infatti squarciato i cieli sopra la città di Parve, aprendo un portale d'accesso a una dimensione parallela dominata dai draghi, che da secoli aspettano un'occasione per invadere i regni degli uomini. Il passaggio è ancora troppo stretto, però è solo questione di tempo: ben presto si allargherà e uno stormo d'invincibili draghi-guerrieri si riverserà su Balaia, portando morte e distruzione e sconvolgendo l'equilibrio dell'universo. Per avere almeno una possibilità di scongiurare l'apocalisse, il Corvo è costretto a rimettersi in viaggio attraverso una terra dilaniata da guerre, rivalità e lotte intestine, nella speranza di trovare gli antichi manoscritti del mago Septern, colui che ha creato l'unico sortilegio in grado di annullare gli effetti di Ruba Aurora...
February 18, 2014
The story begins right where the last book ended, with little reminders throughout the book of what happened previously. If you don't really remember the plot of DawnThief, better re-reading it first.
Otherwise, as often with Barclay, you get lots of action, though the characters are not fully developped they are not completely shalow and while the book is a complete story, the cliché cliffhanger makes it easy to imagine what will be the mission in the third volume. Yet, even if those can be weak points, when the rythm is good, it can actually be enjoyable.
If you are looking for something easy to read, basic heroic fantasy with each and every archetype you can think of, the Ravens series are more than OK.
I read it in French (which explains my poor English), but the translation by Bragelonne is way too litteral for my taste (which is seldom, they normally do a pretty good job). Too bad I already bought the following books in French too.
Otherwise, as often with Barclay, you get lots of action, though the characters are not fully developped they are not completely shalow and while the book is a complete story, the cliché cliffhanger makes it easy to imagine what will be the mission in the third volume. Yet, even if those can be weak points, when the rythm is good, it can actually be enjoyable.
If you are looking for something easy to read, basic heroic fantasy with each and every archetype you can think of, the Ravens series are more than OK.
I read it in French (which explains my poor English), but the translation by Bragelonne is way too litteral for my taste (which is seldom, they normally do a pretty good job). Too bad I already bought the following books in French too.
June 20, 2014
Pieno di speranze...infrante !
Trovare dei nuovi fantasy non è semplice ma per fortuna tra Il trono di Spade e i Malazan ci sono ancora grandi romanzi e ottimi autori. La trilogia del corvo non è tra questi.
Semplicemente non sono riuscito a finire il secondo libro che, pur con un ottimo inizio, si arena in situazioni ripetitive, in passaggi troppo scontati, in personaggi che non riescono a diventare "tuoi" , che non riesci a sentire.
Qualcuno ha scritto che sembra un gioco di ruolo, dadi e mossa , dadi e mossa, senza una trama, senza cuore.
Peccato perché i draghi mi piacciono sempre molto ma la distanza da Dragolance è abissale !
Trovare dei nuovi fantasy non è semplice ma per fortuna tra Il trono di Spade e i Malazan ci sono ancora grandi romanzi e ottimi autori. La trilogia del corvo non è tra questi.
Semplicemente non sono riuscito a finire il secondo libro che, pur con un ottimo inizio, si arena in situazioni ripetitive, in passaggi troppo scontati, in personaggi che non riescono a diventare "tuoi" , che non riesci a sentire.
Qualcuno ha scritto che sembra un gioco di ruolo, dadi e mossa , dadi e mossa, senza una trama, senza cuore.
Peccato perché i draghi mi piacciono sempre molto ma la distanza da Dragolance è abissale !
November 6, 2008
Het tweede deel van deze kronieken las een stuk vlotter. Hierin worden de karakters meer uitgediept. Het gaat verder waar deel 1 eindigde. Een spreuk is door Denser gebruikt om de Hekschenmeesters te verslaan. Wat hij echter niet had verwacht, is dat hierdoor een dimensiescheur zou ontstaan. Deze scheur leidt naar de wereld waar de draken leven (Sja-Kaan is de leider van een van de nesten daar, hij kwam ook al kort in deel 1 voor). De scheur blijkt langzaam te groeien en de Raven moeten samen met het nest van Sja-Kaan samenwerken om hem te dichten. Dit nest beschermt de scheur zodat niet andere nesten naar de andere dimensie kunnen gaan. Dit zou namelijk catastrofaal zijn voor alle leven op Balaia; die draken zouden alles vernietigen. Het boek eindigt met een enorme climax, Ik heb de laatste hoofdstukken ademloos uitgelezen.
Nu ben ik erg benieuwd naar deel 3 Nachtkind.
Nu ben ik erg benieuwd naar deel 3 Nachtkind.
April 25, 2010
Les Ravens sont de retour, ajustant leurs fourreaux comme on enfonce un jack dans sa Les Paul…
Qui aime bien châtie bien : la partie « multivers » et plans astraux est intéressante mais quelquefois confuse. Le style est comme pour le premier épisode, souvent malhabile, même si les scènes d’action contiennent de la fougue et quelques morceaux de bravoure.
Tel un coup de mâchoire dans un cheeseburger dégoulinant de ketchup, Noirzénith c’est épées & fireballs à donf’ pour éviter la fin du monde. C’est si bon que lundi, c’est décidé, je me remets à Donjons & Dragons !
Qui aime bien châtie bien : la partie « multivers » et plans astraux est intéressante mais quelquefois confuse. Le style est comme pour le premier épisode, souvent malhabile, même si les scènes d’action contiennent de la fougue et quelques morceaux de bravoure.
Tel un coup de mâchoire dans un cheeseburger dégoulinant de ketchup, Noirzénith c’est épées & fireballs à donf’ pour éviter la fin du monde. C’est si bon que lundi, c’est décidé, je me remets à Donjons & Dragons !
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