Flight of the Raven

Chronicles of the Cheysuli #7

by Jennifer Roberson

Aidan, only child of Brennan and Aileen, and the grandson of Niall, is heir to the Lion Throne of Homana and inheritor, too, of a prophecy carried down through the generations and finally on the verge of fulfillment.  But will Aidan, driven as he is by strange visions and portens, prove the weak link in the ages-old prophecy—the Cheysuli who fails to achieve his foretold destiny? For as Aidan prepares to set out for Erinn to claim his betrothed, he will become the focus of forces out of legend, visited by the ghosts of long-dead kinsmen, and by the Hunter, a mysteriouys being who may be a Cheysuli god incarnate.

Commanded by the Hunter to undertake a quest oclaim a series of "god-given" golden links, Aidan will find himself challenged by the Cheysuli's most deadly foe—Lochiel, the son of Strahan—who will use every trick of Ihlini sorcery to stop Aidan and destroy the promise of the prophecy once and for all...

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, High Fantasy, Epic Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Novels

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 5, 1990

About the author

Over a 40-year career (so far), Jennifer Roberson has published four fantasy series, including the Sword-Dancer Saga, Chronicles of the Cheysuli, the Karavans universe, and urban fantasy series Blood & Bone. Other novels include historicals LADY OF THE GLEN, plus two Robin Hood novels, LADY OF THE FOREST, and LADY OF SHERWOOD.

New novels are percolating in her always-active imagination.

Hobbies include showing dogs, and creating mosaic and resin artwork and jewelry.  She lives in Arizona with a collection of cats and Cardigan Welsh Corgis.

Reviews

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, I really enjoy the world that Jennifer Roberson has created. I still find the endings to come quickly and the resolutions are rather underwhelming.

For instance for almost the entire book we are following Aidan as he comes to grips with his abilities, finding a wife, having a child and the subsequent loss of the child to the Ilhini. But in a matter of one chapter, Aidan travels to the Ilhini stronghold, faces Lochiel and leaves the fortress to return home with his son.

It just happens so quickly with little effort. Why do the evil-doers after all their efforts and planning, just stand back?

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aidan is the son of Brennan and Aileen. Plagued by strange dreams since childhood, most feel he is bit crazy. But he's simply blessed by the gods--and talks to them and dead Mujhars. When it comes time to marry, Aidan chooses Shona, Keely's daughter, who shares his Erinnish empathy gift (kirvarna). She is killed by Lochiel, Strahan's son, who also kills Hart's son and steals Aidan's--ripping it out of Shona's body. Going to Valgaard to rescue his son, Aidan realizes that the Lion Throne isn't for him. He is destined to be shar tahl and prophet. He will restore the Crystal Isle. He and Teel, his raven lir. Preparing the way for Cynric, the Firstborn.

[James]

Aidan, heir to the Lion Throne of Homana and inheritor of a prophecy carried down through generations, is commanded by the Hunter to undertake a quest to claim a series of "god-given" golden links. He soon finds himself challenged by the Cheysuli's most deadly foe, Lochiel, who uses every trick of sorcery to stop Aidan and destroy the prophecy forever.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This seventh book in the series is one of the more “classic” fantasy novels in the series. Religion plays a large role here. Aidan, the book’s central character, also undergoes a quest. From reading this series over and over again as a child, this was never amongst my favorites, but re-reading it now, I think it is quite a riveting read! It is fast-paced and exciting. Because it wasn’t my favorite as a child, I had forgotten a lot about the plot here, and even new characters (how could I have forgotten about Shona?) and new magical talents (kirvana). But, in reading this book, it really functions more as a set up for the final novel in this unique and entrancing series. If it wasn’t so late, I would be beginning the last book now!

[Richard Houchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chronicles of the Cheysuli series is the first fantasy epic I read. In fact, it's one of the few series I read repeatedly, likely due to my young age and limited literary horizons.

Nevertheless, these books shaped my first views on philosophy, religion, sexuality, racism, and sexism. The responsible way Roberson handles these issues is inspiring and commendable.

On returning to read these books in later years, some of the characters and plot devices appear hackneyed and cliched, and some of themes aren't exactly as I remember them. But still, these stories provided the scaffolding on which I built my literary future.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another actually compelling story, after so many in the middle that were less personally interesting for me. Aidan, though, is actually intriguing, and his love story is one of the sweetest ones in the series, though tragic. A part of me wishes that this could have been the end of the series, so the bad guys could have been vanquished in time for there to be a happily ever after.

[Leslie Wiederspan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is also a very emotional book. Aiden is sent on a quest and has no idea how different he is. He goes off to search for a wife, and he finds one, but also finds himself. Very nice flow through the story and I felt bad for Aiden. It will be interesting to see how the last book ties it all together.

[Sunsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eine wundervolle Fantasy-Reihe. Wer sie noch nicht kennt, hat die Möglichkeit, sie in nur 4 Sammelbänden zu wirklich wenig Geld zu erstehen und wird es nicht bereuen, also zumindest, wer etwas für Magie und Gestaltwandel übrig hat :)

Ich gebe für Band 7 die volle Punktzahl: 10/10

http://sunsys-blog.blogspot.de/2015/0...

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently reread these to see if they were appropriate for Ian. I've decided that the best thing about this kind of sword and sorcery for young people, is that the characters have moral choices to make and they must accept the consequences of those choices.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a little bit of a departure from some of the more predictable outcomes of the previous books and I actually thought it worked pretty well. I wasn't really convinced of the ending, but still I thought this one of the better books in the set.

[Gosia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generally it is the only one I do not like in the whole story. Aidan is... I don't know... stiff? Paper-like character? Something doesn't fit me in this book.
Though it is necesarry for the whole story to continue...

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite in the Cheysuli series. I can't wait to read the next book to see how it all ends!

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, a series I was completely hesitant to take on...specially after having loved the Dragonlance charcters so much...I never thought I would care again...but there you go. Great series.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great diversion of the series, and shows another point of view of the main story

[Gregoire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Comme toute les séries, cela finit par être sans surprise et même ennuyeux même si on ne peut s'empêcher parce qu'on a aimé les premiers opus, l'univers décrit, de continuer à lire ...

[Penel Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aidan's story is very poignant. Many hard choices.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good world that Roberson builds here.

[Kate Millin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this tale the Ihlini took a lot longer to appear and start to cause problems. This time the main character who tells his story is Aiden, Brendan and Aileen's only son. He has had a sickly childhood, made more difficult by a repeating dream about a chain that keeps disappearing and breaking when he tries to pick it up. His story is about how he finds his place I think eh world and the future of his Grandfathers kingdom. This time the gods take a more active role. As usual there is sadness as Aidan and his family are attacked by the Ihlini.