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The Sun Thief #2
CROWTOWER
All things must die. If death will come regardless, then we do not need to fear it or to run from it. We can live instead.
The priests of Vatu are locked in an endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Their constant reincarnations are defined by service to the dark spirit, hatred for each other, and ruling the world of eternal night in which they live, broken only by a single day each year when Vatu releases the Sun. They have suffered and enjoyed this existence for millennia, for an eternity... until now.
In the Tower of the Sun at the centre of the world, the reborn Utas returns to fulfill his destiny to become High Priest. He has scarcely completed his education, however, when a shocking secret of his resurrection emerges. Now questioning everything he knows, he takes a path never before followed in his long existence. Yet darkness and pain still shadow everything he does, and all his attempts at freedom seem only to lead back to Vatu.
Can Utas ever escape hatred and death, or will darkness forever rule his heart as it does the shadowed land?
Content warnings: Abuse (child/sexual), death, gore (medical/graphic injuries)
The priests of Vatu are locked in an endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Their constant reincarnations are defined by service to the dark spirit, hatred for each other, and ruling the world of eternal night in which they live, broken only by a single day each year when Vatu releases the Sun. They have suffered and enjoyed this existence for millennia, for an eternity... until now.
In the Tower of the Sun at the centre of the world, the reborn Utas returns to fulfill his destiny to become High Priest. He has scarcely completed his education, however, when a shocking secret of his resurrection emerges. Now questioning everything he knows, he takes a path never before followed in his long existence. Yet darkness and pain still shadow everything he does, and all his attempts at freedom seem only to lead back to Vatu.
Can Utas ever escape hatred and death, or will darkness forever rule his heart as it does the shadowed land?
Content warnings: Abuse (child/sexual), death, gore (medical/graphic injuries)
250 pages, Paperback
Published June 10, 2021
1 person is currently reading
848 people want to read
About the author
David Rae
6 books32 followersDavid Rae lives in the West of Scotland. He lives in a world of his own; a world of wonder, a world where hoards of workers spill out of factories, a world were fog and smoke shroud all kinds of creatures, a world where ruined castles, factories and houses were haunted by ghosts, gangs and memories. He lives in world where witches have been burned at the cross and martyrs have been hung on the Gallowgreen. He writes poetry and short stories and reads every trashy novel, every children's book and every comic that comes his way.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 17, 2021
A prequel of sorts to Crowman (or is it?), Crowtower focuses on the priests of Vatu who live in the sun tower of their dark god. They are a happy bunch, filled with hatred and constantly plotting ways to control, betray and overpower each other.
This is the quintessential lockdown novel. The characters are introspective, spend most of their time in prison, and muse on the meaning of life and the existence of a higher power.
The narrative is more accessible than its predecessor, and I enjoyed learning more about Vatu and the priests.
I found the pacing a bit slow in the second half of the novel, hence the 4 stars. It’s an enjoyable, thought provoking novel set in an original world and I look forward to reading Crowbait.
Thank you to the publisher and the author for giving me an ARC of this book. I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
This is the quintessential lockdown novel. The characters are introspective, spend most of their time in prison, and muse on the meaning of life and the existence of a higher power.
The narrative is more accessible than its predecessor, and I enjoyed learning more about Vatu and the priests.
I found the pacing a bit slow in the second half of the novel, hence the 4 stars. It’s an enjoyable, thought provoking novel set in an original world and I look forward to reading Crowbait.
Thank you to the publisher and the author for giving me an ARC of this book. I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
July 8, 2021
Darkness seeks like a questing marauder through the pages of this complex second installment of this unique trilogy. The story and its unforgettable characters is filled with lust, hatred and memory. Memory of past lives and new beginnings. Memory that drives our main character, Utas, to change everything he’s done before in his many past lives in order to escape.
Escape the Darkness. The Dark Lord, Vatu, but escape may or may not be possible. As Utas transforms himself, the realm into which he has been reborn is also transformed; yet some things are as immutable as the Darkness itself. The priests of Vatu, for example, are beyond change. They exist to consume darkness and dispel whatever flickers of light Utas attempts to ignite. They take twisted pleasure in betrayal and domination…and in this way they were a stark parallel of our own darkness.
This complex series comes to life through elaborate characterizations and timeless themes. It whisks readers away into the unfamiliar, then surrounds them with masterfully woven tangles of well-known concepts and mythological reinventions. Like it’s predecessor, CrowMan, the story is carried by dialog, but there are still times when I had to pause in wonder (and sometimes in revulsion!) Lush whispers of ethereal landscapes tease the reader into tranquility while hint of the grotesque taint the placid waters. Meals of warm milk and blood, for example, which our main character seems to relish, sent shivers down my spine!
Labyrinthine, magical, and engrossing, Dave Rae has once again filled each page with mesmerizing imagery, elegant beauty and chilling corruptions. If you long to lose yourself in a truly spell-binding read, look no further. The Sun Thief trilogy delivers!
Escape the Darkness. The Dark Lord, Vatu, but escape may or may not be possible. As Utas transforms himself, the realm into which he has been reborn is also transformed; yet some things are as immutable as the Darkness itself. The priests of Vatu, for example, are beyond change. They exist to consume darkness and dispel whatever flickers of light Utas attempts to ignite. They take twisted pleasure in betrayal and domination…and in this way they were a stark parallel of our own darkness.
This complex series comes to life through elaborate characterizations and timeless themes. It whisks readers away into the unfamiliar, then surrounds them with masterfully woven tangles of well-known concepts and mythological reinventions. Like it’s predecessor, CrowMan, the story is carried by dialog, but there are still times when I had to pause in wonder (and sometimes in revulsion!) Lush whispers of ethereal landscapes tease the reader into tranquility while hint of the grotesque taint the placid waters. Meals of warm milk and blood, for example, which our main character seems to relish, sent shivers down my spine!
Labyrinthine, magical, and engrossing, Dave Rae has once again filled each page with mesmerizing imagery, elegant beauty and chilling corruptions. If you long to lose yourself in a truly spell-binding read, look no further. The Sun Thief trilogy delivers!
July 1, 2022
David Rae has done it again. I honestly thought Crowman was a masterpiece and nothing in this genre could top it, and yet here we are with Crowtower, a very different experience to the first book but just as intriguing.
I really liked the idea of the priests locked in the tower of Utas, and found their treatment of each other both cruel and terrifying. I get where they are coming from and why they do what they do - they have nothing in life but darkness, fear, and pain, and this is what drives their actions. I found it interesting how they responded to Utas, their High Priest and ruler, and how their seemingly unwavering devotion was misplaced. It was also interesting exploring the background to Utas and it was great to get his side of the story so we can truly understand him.
In terms of world-building and background, this book builds on it in a great way, offering us a prequel of the events of the first book but something that can stand on its own in a world full of symbolism and fascinating rituals. The themes are dark, very dark, and it weaves in and out of each page. It is unrelenting but in a way that pulls you in, and the imagery is really well described with some lovely phrases which really hone the lore.
A slow burn book, dialogue heavy, and full of some amazing characters. This is a world I am really beginning to love and I cannot praise this book enough.
I really liked the idea of the priests locked in the tower of Utas, and found their treatment of each other both cruel and terrifying. I get where they are coming from and why they do what they do - they have nothing in life but darkness, fear, and pain, and this is what drives their actions. I found it interesting how they responded to Utas, their High Priest and ruler, and how their seemingly unwavering devotion was misplaced. It was also interesting exploring the background to Utas and it was great to get his side of the story so we can truly understand him.
In terms of world-building and background, this book builds on it in a great way, offering us a prequel of the events of the first book but something that can stand on its own in a world full of symbolism and fascinating rituals. The themes are dark, very dark, and it weaves in and out of each page. It is unrelenting but in a way that pulls you in, and the imagery is really well described with some lovely phrases which really hone the lore.
A slow burn book, dialogue heavy, and full of some amazing characters. This is a world I am really beginning to love and I cannot praise this book enough.
June 15, 2021
David Rae once again mesmerises and enthrals with his second instalment in The Sun Thief trilogy. Crowtower reveals the dark history of the priests of Vatu and presents us with Utas’ tale and his life in the Tower of the Sun.
Just as in Crowman, the incredible prose draws the reader in, and holds him spellbound in a place filled with light and dark, exquisite beauty and bleak depravity. We see the deep complexities that make up the man Utas. How he grapples with his destiny, his place in the world.
Crowtower expands on the mythos and inner workings of Tower of the Sun, treating the reader to a journey of discovery, despair and forgiveness.
Personally, I absolutely loved it! Dare I say that it’s even better than Crowman? I think I do. It is denser and richer in lore. Absolutely glorious.
Just as in Crowman, the incredible prose draws the reader in, and holds him spellbound in a place filled with light and dark, exquisite beauty and bleak depravity. We see the deep complexities that make up the man Utas. How he grapples with his destiny, his place in the world.
Crowtower expands on the mythos and inner workings of Tower of the Sun, treating the reader to a journey of discovery, despair and forgiveness.
Personally, I absolutely loved it! Dare I say that it’s even better than Crowman? I think I do. It is denser and richer in lore. Absolutely glorious.
December 7, 2021
The second installment in an engaging trilogy!
I will admit that with everything going on in this story, it can get a bit confusing. But I'm always cheering for the main character.
This world is fascinating and the characters are compelling. It was interesting to figure out where this story fit after the first one - and I'm curious to see where Utas will go from here.
I will admit that with everything going on in this story, it can get a bit confusing. But I'm always cheering for the main character.
This world is fascinating and the characters are compelling. It was interesting to figure out where this story fit after the first one - and I'm curious to see where Utas will go from here.
July 21, 2021
A powerful, dark fantasy not to be missed.
I read Crowman some time ago and was struck by the author’s lyrical, almost mesmerising prose, the originality of the world, the engaging secondary characters, and the original story. Crowtower is a prequel, and I wondered if the author could possibly live up to the first book. I am happy to say he did.
Crowtower is the story of Utas in the tower in the service of Vatu, the lord of darkness. In Crowman, we learn that Vatu is darkness – the epitome of despair, cruelty, hopelessness. In Crowtower we see this first-hand through the daily life of Utas his high priest. As this is Utas’s backstory, we learn of the events that led to his later flight from Vatu. I don’t want to give spoilers, so suffice to say that this story had a completely unexpected twist, which I loved. Like Crowman, the prose is lyrical, the secondary characters endearing, the story gripping, the darkness almost overwhelming.
Highly recommend.
I read Crowman some time ago and was struck by the author’s lyrical, almost mesmerising prose, the originality of the world, the engaging secondary characters, and the original story. Crowtower is a prequel, and I wondered if the author could possibly live up to the first book. I am happy to say he did.
Crowtower is the story of Utas in the tower in the service of Vatu, the lord of darkness. In Crowman, we learn that Vatu is darkness – the epitome of despair, cruelty, hopelessness. In Crowtower we see this first-hand through the daily life of Utas his high priest. As this is Utas’s backstory, we learn of the events that led to his later flight from Vatu. I don’t want to give spoilers, so suffice to say that this story had a completely unexpected twist, which I loved. Like Crowman, the prose is lyrical, the secondary characters endearing, the story gripping, the darkness almost overwhelming.
Highly recommend.
June 12, 2023
I was so excited to read Book 2 of this series and it really delivered (now I can't wait to read Book 3)! I stand behind what I said about the first book - the concept and story is weird and interesting and very, very unique. I honestly can't really compare it to another book out there. Other reviewers have mentioned the inherent issues with the story being written in first person, and I will agree that sometimes it can make reading challenging, but I appreciate the skill it takes from a writer (and why you don't see a lot of writers taking this on)! I particularly liked the notion of past lives (and there are many cultures that today believe this to be true) and how that changes (and sometimes doesn't) the decisions that the main character, Utas, ultimately makes. I also loved the concept of even though he has memory of decisions he previously made and he can make different ones, there are other characters (notably Vatu) who makes the same (dark) decisions that he always makes, no matter which life he is in. Fascinating the concept that dark forces will make the same choices knowing the outcome will be the same no matter what life they end up in. The writing and world-building is great (sometimes graphic, but to make a point, not gratuitous) and of course the symbolism is very compelling. Just a great continuation of the series!
February 27, 2022
A slow burn dark fantasy that's thoroughly enjoyable. There are a few parts that can get a little confusing, I think this was intentional but sometimes I felt a little lost - this certainly didn't put me off reading! As usual, David Rae brings a descriptive, imaginative narrative with 3-dimensional characters.
I really enjoyed reading and loved the end.
I really enjoyed reading and loved the end.
May 19, 2021
The priests of Vatu are locked in an endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Their constant reincarnations are defined by service to the dark spirit, hatred for each other, and ruling the world of eternal night in which they live, broken only by a single day each year when Vatu releases the Sun. They have suffered and enjoyed this existence for millennia, for an eternity... until now.
In the Tower of the Sun at the centre of the world, the reborn Utas returns to fulfill his destiny to become High Priest. He has scarcely completed his education, however, when a shocking secret of his resurrection emerges. Now questioning everything he knows, he takes a path never before followed in his long existence. Yet darkness and pain still shadow everything he does, and all his attempts at freedom seem only to lead back to Vatu.
In the Tower of the Sun at the centre of the world, the reborn Utas returns to fulfill his destiny to become High Priest. He has scarcely completed his education, however, when a shocking secret of his resurrection emerges. Now questioning everything he knows, he takes a path never before followed in his long existence. Yet darkness and pain still shadow everything he does, and all his attempts at freedom seem only to lead back to Vatu.
February 25, 2023
Crowtower, for me, was 3 and 1/2 stars that I rounded up to 4. It begins with repetitive statements describing the unnamed main character's plight and projecting the plot of the story. This claustrophobic tale takes place, for the most part, in a tower where the main character is forced to remain. He will spend a year living with twelve people in turn, but we learn he may gone through this process before; There is no telling how many times before. He cannot be certain because he has also died and come back to life many times and he does not remember previous lives. It is also revealed in the beginning that the main character hates "the twelve," as he calls them, and wants to kill them. The twelve may or may not also want to kill him, but they all hate him, as stated in a matter-of-fact manner by the first of the twelve whom we meet.
The story, competently told in first person, present tense, has a lot of dialogue, but it is not particularly compelling. The cover made me hope for a suspenseful, creepy tale, but although this was odd and unusual, it never quite attained creepy or suspenseful for me. There is plenty of gruesomeness: murder, rape, mutilation, etc., but we are told of them in a matter-of-fact way, without emotion, so the reader does not feel emotion when reading it. Also, the main characters, especially for the first 25% or so of the book, is made up of despicable people who lack sympathy. None are likeable or charismatic, so there is no one to root for, especially when they are going to be reborn if they die anyway. Eventually, a few other innocent people are introduced, but can they survive when they are at the mercy of those who would kill them without remorse? Crowtower will appeal to readers who like a cryptic, unusual story that keeps them guessing.
The story, competently told in first person, present tense, has a lot of dialogue, but it is not particularly compelling. The cover made me hope for a suspenseful, creepy tale, but although this was odd and unusual, it never quite attained creepy or suspenseful for me. There is plenty of gruesomeness: murder, rape, mutilation, etc., but we are told of them in a matter-of-fact way, without emotion, so the reader does not feel emotion when reading it. Also, the main characters, especially for the first 25% or so of the book, is made up of despicable people who lack sympathy. None are likeable or charismatic, so there is no one to root for, especially when they are going to be reborn if they die anyway. Eventually, a few other innocent people are introduced, but can they survive when they are at the mercy of those who would kill them without remorse? Crowtower will appeal to readers who like a cryptic, unusual story that keeps them guessing.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews