The Black Raven

Deverry Cycle #10

by Katharine Kerr

The Black Raven is Book Two of The Dragon Mage and the 10th volume of the Deverry series, a fantasy epic consisting of three interrelated quartets. As Katherine Kerr says, the past and the present are woven together in these novels, and the final volume will link with the first to reveal an overall design akin to a Celtic knot threading back and forth upon itself. This is a strange, pseudo-Celtic world in which reincarnation is a reality and past lives forever affect the present in surprising and unexpected ways. So, while The Black Raven can stand alone, it is advisable that readers begin with the first book, Daggerspell.

In this complex novel of civil war, sacrifice, and power, what impresses most is that Kerr uses an epic canvas to tell a strongly characterized and very human tale of hatred and destructive evil, and of the consequences of past malevolence on both the heroine Lilli and the Prince Maryn. By keeping the narrative tightly focused around a small number of characters, and by maintaining strict limits on the rather elaborately conceived elements of magic and the supernatural, Katherine Kerr ensures that her fantastical history does not overwhelm the more personal and affecting dimensions of the tale. The result is a polished, emotionally involving, and powerful novel in which even the dreams of a dragon may come evocatively to life. --Gary S. Dalkin,

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Dragons, High Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy, Magic

391 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Born in Ohio, 1944. Moved to San Francisco Bay Area in 1962 and has lived there ever since. Katharine Kerr has read extensively in the fields of classical archeology, and medieval and dark ages history and literature, and these influences are clear in her work. Her epic Deverry series has won widespread praise and millions of fans around the world.

Reviews

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came very close to throwing this book into the trade-in box, right about the 70% mark. I just hate it when authors write characters who do stupid hurtful things and pretend that they just can't help themselves! The whole tangle of Prince Maryn, Lilli, Princess Bellyra, bard Maddyn, and Branoic the Silver Dagger makes this much worse than a love triangle. Maryn & Bellyra have a political marriage, but she has the bad fortune to fall in love with her husband and is wounded when he pursues Lilli. Lilli is betrothed to Branoic and is completely honest with him about what's going on, but the fact remains that she could have put a stop to it had she wanted to at the very beginning and Branoic can't reasonably avoid jealousy. Maddyn has the misfortune to adore Princess Bellyra, setting him up to be Lancelot to her Guinevere. This sounds like the set-up for another reincarnation tangle like the one which started the whole series in Daggerspell.

I remind myself how young Kerr has written these characters. Lilli is maybe 15 and sleeping with two men. She adores the prince, but knows that she needs her Silver Dagger betrothed in the long run, though she doesn't truly love him. How confusing is that for so young a woman? Maryn is using Bellyra, Lilli is using Branoic, they all know each other's motivations, but it still seems sad and sordid. People had big responsibilities at early ages back in these days.

Honestly, I have a difficult time caring about the other story lines. Raena and Niffa are very secondary, Salamander/Ebany almost forgotten, and the whole Evander story line can't be done soon enough!

At least this gets another book off of my shelves, making room for my new acquisitions, books which have a permanent home with me.

Book number 371 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Dragon Mage sequence from Katharine Kerr. Once again, we spend the majority of the book in the past, exploring Lillorigga's burgeoning dweomer power and her relationship to the various souls who she is destined to encounter again when she becomes Niffa in the future. At the moment it is fairly confusing trying to keep straight who is who in both the past and the current incarnations. The only person who I can really keep straight is Maddyn the bard (in the past) becoming Rhodry Maelwaedd (in the current), and this is due to the silver rose ring.

Once again I would urge anyone interested in this book to trek right back to the beginning of the books (starting with Daggerspell). Kerr herself has explained that her books should be seen almost as three acts in a play, or as a Celtic knot, whereby the complicated pattern will only become clear once you have seen the whole.

Although I adore spending time in the past - particularly with Lillorigga, who I believe to be one of Kerr's strongest characters - in this instance I became frustrated with the fact that Rhodry's story has not progressed AT ALL in two books. He is still sitting in Cengarn, waiting for the longest winter in the world to end so that his plot can move forward. The only times we ever visit Rhodry is so that we can be introduced to a particular storyline from the past, such as why Raena and Rhodry feel such enmity.

Saying this, the book is still worthy of four stars in my opinion, because Kerr writes the past so beautifully. In fact, barring the few outright mentions of dweomer or Wildfolk, this could be a very strong historical novel about Celtic times. She brings to life the politics, the in-fighting, the heraldry, the weaponry. It is very easy to enjoy all of the little details that she adds. One I would mention is the fact that the characters only know medicine and surgery as much as though living in those times for real would know. So, when the princess Bellyra is suffering from postnatal depression, Nevyn talks about her humours being out of balance. I also love how he ponders why some wounds fester, while others don't, and why blood can be different colours depending on where the body is cut in battle. This is all matters that you would expect chirurgeons of the time to be frustrated by.

Nevyn was also a deeply welcome return to the Deverry books, both in this novel and the previous. During the Westlands cycle he was absent and I found Jill unable to fill his shoes. Despite his massive dweomer power, he is wise and compassionate and enjoys the details of people's lives. He takes apprentices willingly and with patience. He is definitely one of the strongest parts of the Deverry series and it is a joy to read more of him.

All in all, really enjoyed this and cantered through the rather slight volume (in comparison to prior books in the series). Looking forward to the next.

[Jaime · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 37% (154 pages)

It didn't improve from book 1. This new set of characters felt even flatter and the plot with Gods and guardians didn't fill me enough to overpass that.

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 10th book in the Deverry series and the second novel in “The Dragon Mage” sequence is yet another high quality entry in this long set of epic fantasy novels. As in the previous novel (and I suspect perhaps may also be the case with all of the Dragon Mage sequence) this book is split into two separate timeframes. The majority of the novel occurs in the past and takes place in Dun Deverry near the end of the great civil war. It features one of my favorite characters in the entire series, Lillorigga (“Lilli”) who is now coming into her powers with the dweomer. There are some interesting and not very predictable romantic entanglements involving Lilli, the prince, and Branoic, a silver dagger who we know better as the reincarnated Jill in the future. It’s also nice to have the unnaturally long-lived Nevyn back as a major character, a sort of Gandalf/Obi-Wan guiding hand for events unfolding in multiple past and future timeframes.

The future part of the story is less thrilling for me right now because poor Rhodry’s plot line isn’t really advancing much at all. I sometimes get the sense that the author has to do more development of things in the past to set up what will eventually happen in the future. We’ll see soon.

[Kathi · Rating 4 out of 5]

9/10
This installment in the Deverry Cycle spends half the book in "current" time and half in the past at the end of the Civil Wars. Slowly, the stories from the past and connecting with the current storyline, answering seem riddles and setting new ones.

Kerr's characters are fairly well-developed and three-dimensional, so there are times the reader wants to wring their neck as and other times one wants to cheer them on. It is fascinating to compare the personalities of the characters from one incarnation to another.

And some characters remain ciphers--Evandar and the dragon, for me.

[Brita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inte så mycket drakar i den här, omslaget till trots.
Boken fortsätter direkt där den förra slutade. Jag fortsätter väl med nästa del.

[Jesslyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not enjoying this group as much as the previous one. Lilli is a bit mushy and Prince Merryn doesn't seem very likable.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I leave off reading a book for a reason that has nothing to do with the book - often it's ME-related - and when I do finally go back to it, I love it and race through to the end. That wa the case with this one.

I'm finding that I'm slow at starting the Deverry books as I work my way through the series, but they are all excellent once I get into reading them and I'm very much enjoying the books.

Again, this one, despite having sections in the "present", is more a book about the past and the continuation of the story of the Deverry Civil War. The actions of characters then will have huge ripples into the future, so I'm guessing the next book may be more matched in past and current storytellings as we end this arc of the series.

I don't know when I'll get to it, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it just as much as I did this one when I got back to reading it.

[Eric Gallagher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following on from the first book in tee Dragon Mage series, a little less confusing than the one before.
Used to the writing style and time jumps now, but still would have benefited from reading the earlier series.
Characters are starting to develop more and become more memorable.
A lot of boring fluff to slog through, but just enough of a hook in the overall plot to keep it interesting, like what is going to happen in Evandars land, and what is actually going on with that particular spirit that is looking for her child? And the bit about the cursed tablet all keep it interesting.
Worth a read if you've finished the first book at least.

[Catu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall, I loved the focus on the politics, the heraldry, the life of the men and the women in the dun of various levels. Katherine Kerr's writing feels so immersive and detailed, even Nevyn's pondering of why some wounds heal faster than others is fascinating. I have to say I love Nevyn so much, and his absence is something that made the last trilogy somewhat lacking. I have to admit I loved Jill, but I found the older version of her much harder to connect with. Loving the uptick on the romance hehehe but I really hope it doesn't get too tangled ;( Also nothing happened at all with Rhodry's storyline basically?

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh it was so wonderful to be back in Deverry again! I'll admit that it has been some years since I finished 'The Red Wyvern' and I had forgotten a lot of who is who reincarnation-wise because it had been so long since I'd been reading the whole series. I'm glad to be back in and I'm looking forward to the next installment. I did love the way I easily slipped back into the language and terminology, as if all those years since I read the books in the past had been mere months. Reading this reminded me how much I love your work and what an inspiration you are to me dear author. Thank you for this. I loved having Nevyn around again too :-D

[Derek Vice · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are this far into the Deverry series you obviously like Kerr and this novel lives up to the brand. As in the previous cycles, this book (being in the middle of the series) is low and character driven. The tensions and the relationships between the characters are well portrayed. The plot is very subtle and perhaps could have had a slightly clearer resolution. Her style is easy but feed the fantasy universe very well. Nothing spectacular in this novel but some solid groundwork has been laid for the broader plot lines.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2022/0...

This little sub series is a trilogy instead of a set of four, so there are a lot of pieces in motion in this book, but I have faith Kerr will bring it all together in the third volume. Lots of magic and interpersonal problems, fewer battles and grisly action scenes, so I enjoyed this one a lot. We're now getting backstory on important pieces of jewelry and honestly, I’m here for it. A-.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Lillirogga/Niffa storyline. It's just fantastic. The intrigue with Maryn and Bellyra is so tragic and sad. And very tangled. It does not make me think more highly of Maryn which is disappointing since Nevyn has placed so much stock in him, but I love that he's human. He is carrying a heavy weight on some very young shoulders, of course he has flaws and weaknesses.

This was a great installment in the series and I am definitely looking forward to the next one.

[Dion Cassidy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This time we explore more of the past with Lillorigga and Maryn and Bellyra.

A passionate affair and the long reaching consequences are brewing, plenty of dweommer.

Rhodry, Dallandra and Jahdo are waiting for the spring, Niffa and Raena are waiting as well both for what? I suspect we will find out in the next book.

It is fascinating how the past and present wind together.

[Kate Millin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much a book establishing the worlds in both time periods covered - not much moving on of the story, but a fleshing out of the characters met in the previous book. In the older period Prince Maryn is still consolidating his wins and is not king yet, in the more recent period we learn more of Niffa and her destiny

[Kes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Salamandar's story takes a turn for the worse. In the meantime, Evander continues his schemes and Rhodry and Dallendra remain cooped up in the castle over the winter. If anything, this is given me an appreciation for winters in times of low-technology. It's a good build-up for the next part.

[Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this one spends so much time back in the previous storyline with the King of all Deverry and fills in some gaps that at tines answer questions and often ask more.

The main story arch doesn't move the story on much so I am looking forward to seeing what happens next.

[Sara Pollet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it's the best one so far. I feel with the character of Lilly and most part of this book is about her live and her later reincarnation.
Also nevyn got a big part as well.
But still some questions are left to be answered.
Good book!

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suffers somewhat from 'middle book syndrome', but still enjoyable. Just not as interesting as the previous volume, and clearly waiting for a conclusion in both of the two major story lines which are being told in this series.

[Virginia Adi · Rating 4 out of 5]

good characters, too much plot overlay

[Patrickderaaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deze serie lijkt met ieder deel wel beter te worden. Katharina Kerr is in topvorm.

[Debby Kean · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's pretty good, rather nostalgic!

[Michael Vawser]

2P

[Fantastisk Fiktion · Rating 2 out of 5]

https://fantastiskfiktion.wordpress.c...

[Jenny Clifford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has followed me since I was about 12 years old, and I decided to read all of the books again now that I'm over 40. The books are still just as good as when I first picked them up. This is a really epic fantasy series, where both the world and the magic are completely unique. The way we get to follow the same souls through hundreds of years is mindboggling, and the characters are so very good and well written.
In this book the evil is rising during all the timelines we're following, and I love that even the "evil" characters are reincarnated and get a chance at redemption (even though not all characters choose to).

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been 16 years since I first picked up the first Deverry novel, DaggerSpell, and here in am, 16 years later, about to finish the fifteenth and final one.

Has the journey been worth it? Yes. Was the wait too long? Yes.

I would not recommend anyone starts reading the Deverry cycle unless they intend to read them all, as the macroscopic story is at least as important as the microscopic ones, and as such I am reviewing the books as a set.

I almost give them 4 stars (excellent) but in the end I am not enjoying them quite as much as I did in my early 20's and so I settled on 3 stars (good). As fantasy novels go the concepts and the writing are really excellent but for me the last couple of books haven't been as enjoyable as the early ones and it's a lot to expect people to read fifteen novels. That said I don't regret a single minute of the time I spent in Deverry. I even used to own a 'deverry' domain and use the handle of 'Rhodry' when t'internet was young.

Highly recommended IF you have the stomach for a lot of reading.

[Fantasy Literature · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Black Raven is the second book in the DRAGON MAGE sequence of DEVERRY from Katharine Kerr. Once again, we spend the majority of the book in the past, exploring Lillorigga's burgeoning dweomer power and her relationship to the various souls she is destined to encounter again when she becomes Niffa in the future. At the moment, it is fairly confusing trying to keep straight who is who in both the past and the current incarnations. The only person who I can really keep straight is Maddyn the bard (in the past) becoming Rhodry Maelwaedd (in the present), and this is due to the silver rose ring.

Once again, I would urge anyone interested in this book to start at the beginning of the series (starting with Daggerspell). Kerr has explained th... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...

[Broodingferret · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent mid-piece for "scene three". Kerr establishes an entertaining, though none too complex, level of interpersonal interaction between the characters and continues to give them a fairly believable depth, though she does tend to slip on small details, like remembering what color a characters eyes were in the last novel. She also has the irritating tendency to restate things that have already been well-established in previous books, but that's par for the course in fantasy. Not great literature, but I'm still enjoying it.

[Jsrott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story started in the Red Wyvern is continued, broadened, and deepened in a quite satisfying way. Kerr's characters have a strict code by which they act, and the politics, customs, and history in which they act serve to create a world as fully realized as the best fantasy around. Kerr is writing an Arthurian tragedy, but putting her own unique take on the unfolding of the inevitable downfall of the heroes and heroines. Best read as a binge, so that the multiple story lines and developments are easier to track.