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The Raven and the Crow: The Gray Throne
Marked for death by a powerful demon mage,
brother swordsman Kildare and Zedaine make their way toward the volatile city of Gallanse. When their journey takes a turn for the worst, they are left with no recourse but to trust in a wayward Triton of the Crystalline Sea in the hope he can lead them to their destination in time.
Locked in a cell atop the Gray Spire, Princess Lydia stands accused of murder. Abandoned by her lover, the princess rises to the challenge and embarks on a desperate plan to win back her freedom. Hiding in the shadows of the lower city, Macklore, ambassador of Brisbane, works frenetically to prove his innocence and that of the princess. Hounded on all sides, Macklore must choose between saving his love, or fulfilling his duties as ambassador of the realm.
Unknown to them all, a great evil stirs. Chameleon, a tribeswoman and descendent of the doomed people of the Alo-Shen, holds the key to halting the return of an ancient enemy. Demons, banished some four millennia past, strive to make their way back to the only world to thwart their power. Along with the mysterious psychic Ty, Chameleon must convince her xenophobic leaders to unlock the secrets of their past in order to defeat the demons yet to come.
In a world of swords and sorcery, a city of blood and chaos, only one can rise and command the great city of Gallanse. Only one can claim the title as the High Lord of Shaara. Only one can ascend the blood-soaked granite of the Gray Throne.
***Winner of the 2023 Imadjinn awards for Best Fantasy novel***
brother swordsman Kildare and Zedaine make their way toward the volatile city of Gallanse. When their journey takes a turn for the worst, they are left with no recourse but to trust in a wayward Triton of the Crystalline Sea in the hope he can lead them to their destination in time.
Locked in a cell atop the Gray Spire, Princess Lydia stands accused of murder. Abandoned by her lover, the princess rises to the challenge and embarks on a desperate plan to win back her freedom. Hiding in the shadows of the lower city, Macklore, ambassador of Brisbane, works frenetically to prove his innocence and that of the princess. Hounded on all sides, Macklore must choose between saving his love, or fulfilling his duties as ambassador of the realm.
Unknown to them all, a great evil stirs. Chameleon, a tribeswoman and descendent of the doomed people of the Alo-Shen, holds the key to halting the return of an ancient enemy. Demons, banished some four millennia past, strive to make their way back to the only world to thwart their power. Along with the mysterious psychic Ty, Chameleon must convince her xenophobic leaders to unlock the secrets of their past in order to defeat the demons yet to come.
In a world of swords and sorcery, a city of blood and chaos, only one can rise and command the great city of Gallanse. Only one can claim the title as the High Lord of Shaara. Only one can ascend the blood-soaked granite of the Gray Throne.
***Winner of the 2023 Imadjinn awards for Best Fantasy novel***
- GenresFantasy
515 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2022
14 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Michael K. Falciani
17 books73 followersI grew up in upstate New York and I've been interested in writing since I was in grade school. I published my first novel in April of 2020. I have been an educator for the last 22 years teaching and coaching many different topics and sports. When I'm not working I greatly enjoy the outdoors, whether it's hiking near Lake Tahoe, or snowshoeing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Autumn is my favorite season and walking among the fallen leaves early in the morning makes getting up everyday worthwhile.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 10, 2022
Another epic adventure
The Gray Throne is another epic adventure. The book starts where the first stopped and immediately whisks the reader onto the high seas and into the center of an unforgettable trial. I love the world that Falciani has created along with the majestic beasts in the series. Little morsels of information are sprinkled throughout that had me guessing what was going to happen and acts as a stepping stone into the third book. I can’t wait to continue reading about The Raven and The Crow.
The Gray Throne is another epic adventure. The book starts where the first stopped and immediately whisks the reader onto the high seas and into the center of an unforgettable trial. I love the world that Falciani has created along with the majestic beasts in the series. Little morsels of information are sprinkled throughout that had me guessing what was going to happen and acts as a stepping stone into the third book. I can’t wait to continue reading about The Raven and The Crow.
March 16, 2022
I just finished the Raven and the Crow-the Gray Throne. I like lengthy books and this one had plenty of adventures and world building all fitting into thirty six well written chapters. The first book (Raven and the Crow) was fine, and this part two was a good followup. It also acts as a stand-alone novel. My favorite chapter was thirteen, where Zedaine, Chameleon, and Kildare travelled on seahorses. I really felt caught up in the scene. When they had to take a well-deserved rest break, I was there with them eating those black shelled mussels! And when they came upon the deserted ghost ship, it was a good ending to the chapter. I highly recommend this Michael Falciani book to all readers!
March 4, 2022
Extremely Powerful Second Book!
Michael K. Falciani's writing is refreshing and intense.
You find yourself engulfed by his world and the lives
of the characters, making it difficult to put the book
down.
At times I find myself reminded of the writings of Mr.
Tolkien in the fact he has such richly developed
cultures, fully developed language, diverse personas and
the vastness of the society. However, it's invigorating
that Falciani accomplishes this with fewer words but
retains the core message.
The first two books have surpassed my highest
expectations and offered so much more than anticipated.
Michael K. Falciani's writing is refreshing and intense.
You find yourself engulfed by his world and the lives
of the characters, making it difficult to put the book
down.
At times I find myself reminded of the writings of Mr.
Tolkien in the fact he has such richly developed
cultures, fully developed language, diverse personas and
the vastness of the society. However, it's invigorating
that Falciani accomplishes this with fewer words but
retains the core message.
The first two books have surpassed my highest
expectations and offered so much more than anticipated.
March 13, 2025
We rejoin Falciani’s fantasy world in the second installment of The Raven and The Crow series, The Gray Throne. Even though Falciani excelled at building his world in the first book, he continues with lyrical world building with immense imagery, viewed through the eyes of each character leading to the same place but multiple reactions and responses.
With multiple POV switches, we follow each player in the book like a well structured chess game, yet Falciani is still able to surprise the reader with twists and betrayals that you just don’t see coming. There are some plot lines left unanswered or without a satisfying end, which I assume will be finished in book three. However I will not be continuing the series nor will I be championing Falciani as an author moving forward.
Falciani originally contacted me at the tail end of 2024 to review the first book ‘Dark Storm Rising’ which I did here I originally fell in love with this book, and it was set to be my book of the year, even though I read it in the early days of January. However, just like Icarus flying too close to the sun, Falciani is about to get burnt.
Imagine my surprise when reading this book and I stumbled across an outdated, ableist slur being used against a character with partial blindness, deafness and a facial scar. The R-word, used multiple times in the book, was removed from official federation and health providers in the 2010’s due to its offensive meaning. Using Slurs/hate speech in a fantasy book of all things is pure laziness.
Having the audacity to use slurs in your writing and publish it like it’s not an issue shows us that you are comfortable using these words in your day to day vocabulary.
You are choosing to make disabled folk your punching bag.
You are choosing to alienate disabled folk from your community.
You are showing that you don’t care for or don’t think of the disabled community.
You are showing that you think being disabled is something to be ashamed of.
But don’t just take it from me:
“What’s wrong with "retard"? I can only tell you what it means to me and people like me when we hear it. It means that the rest of you are excluding us from your group. We are something that is not like you and something that none of you would ever want to be. We are something outside the "in" group. We are someone that is not your kind. I want you to know that it hurts to be left out here, alone.”
– John Franklin Stephens, Special Olympics Virginia athlete and Global Messenger
“The word retard is considered hate speech because it offends people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as the people that care for and support them. It alienates and excludes them. It also emphasizes the negative stereotypes surrounding people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; the common belief that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities should be segregated, hidden away from society, which, in my opinion, is really old fashioned.”
– Karleigh Jones, Special Olympics New Zealand athlete
“I don’t think you understand how much you hurt others when you hate. And maybe you don’t realize that you hate. But that’s what it is; your pre-emptive dismissal of them [people with intellectual disabilities], your dehumanization of them, your mockery of them, it’s nothing but another form of hate. It’s more hateful than racism, more hateful than sexism, more hateful than anything.”
– Soeren Palumbo, student, advocate, brother to a sister with an intellectual disability.
With multiple POV switches, we follow each player in the book like a well structured chess game, yet Falciani is still able to surprise the reader with twists and betrayals that you just don’t see coming. There are some plot lines left unanswered or without a satisfying end, which I assume will be finished in book three. However I will not be continuing the series nor will I be championing Falciani as an author moving forward.
Falciani originally contacted me at the tail end of 2024 to review the first book ‘Dark Storm Rising’ which I did here I originally fell in love with this book, and it was set to be my book of the year, even though I read it in the early days of January. However, just like Icarus flying too close to the sun, Falciani is about to get burnt.
Imagine my surprise when reading this book and I stumbled across an outdated, ableist slur being used against a character with partial blindness, deafness and a facial scar. The R-word, used multiple times in the book, was removed from official federation and health providers in the 2010’s due to its offensive meaning. Using Slurs/hate speech in a fantasy book of all things is pure laziness.
Having the audacity to use slurs in your writing and publish it like it’s not an issue shows us that you are comfortable using these words in your day to day vocabulary.
You are choosing to make disabled folk your punching bag.
You are choosing to alienate disabled folk from your community.
You are showing that you don’t care for or don’t think of the disabled community.
You are showing that you think being disabled is something to be ashamed of.
But don’t just take it from me:
“What’s wrong with "retard"? I can only tell you what it means to me and people like me when we hear it. It means that the rest of you are excluding us from your group. We are something that is not like you and something that none of you would ever want to be. We are something outside the "in" group. We are someone that is not your kind. I want you to know that it hurts to be left out here, alone.”
– John Franklin Stephens, Special Olympics Virginia athlete and Global Messenger
“The word retard is considered hate speech because it offends people with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as the people that care for and support them. It alienates and excludes them. It also emphasizes the negative stereotypes surrounding people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; the common belief that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities should be segregated, hidden away from society, which, in my opinion, is really old fashioned.”
– Karleigh Jones, Special Olympics New Zealand athlete
“I don’t think you understand how much you hurt others when you hate. And maybe you don’t realize that you hate. But that’s what it is; your pre-emptive dismissal of them [people with intellectual disabilities], your dehumanization of them, your mockery of them, it’s nothing but another form of hate. It’s more hateful than racism, more hateful than sexism, more hateful than anything.”
– Soeren Palumbo, student, advocate, brother to a sister with an intellectual disability.
September 4, 2024
Marked for death by a powerful demon mage,
brother swordsman Kildare and Zedaine make their way toward the volatile city of Gallanse. When their journey takes a turn for the worst, they are left with no recourse but to trust in a wayward Triton of the Crystalline Sea in the hope he can lead them to their destination in time.
With Princess Lydia held prisoner in the Grey Spire and her lover Macklore escaped and hiding in the city both accused of murder, Macklore must use all his magic and all his tricks just to stay ahead of his pursuers, while trying to prove their innocence.
All the while a great evil is on the move and soon no one will be safe.
This is truly a fantastic read, it grabs you from the start and doesn't let go until the very end. The plot is clever and well thought out, the action is simply breathtaking, the set pieces amazing. The real win is the characters, there quite simply isn't a dud in the story, the bad guys are well rounded, and with motivations that make sense, even seemingly side characters feel real. The best is definitely like the first book the brothers Kildare and Zedaine, both feel so real, truly nuanced characters that can astound you and then frustrate you. Their brotherly dynamics work so so well. My favourite had to be the serving girl Terran, she was simply amazing and so well written. All in all definitely one of the best books I've read this year and I am really looking forward to book three.
brother swordsman Kildare and Zedaine make their way toward the volatile city of Gallanse. When their journey takes a turn for the worst, they are left with no recourse but to trust in a wayward Triton of the Crystalline Sea in the hope he can lead them to their destination in time.
With Princess Lydia held prisoner in the Grey Spire and her lover Macklore escaped and hiding in the city both accused of murder, Macklore must use all his magic and all his tricks just to stay ahead of his pursuers, while trying to prove their innocence.
All the while a great evil is on the move and soon no one will be safe.
This is truly a fantastic read, it grabs you from the start and doesn't let go until the very end. The plot is clever and well thought out, the action is simply breathtaking, the set pieces amazing. The real win is the characters, there quite simply isn't a dud in the story, the bad guys are well rounded, and with motivations that make sense, even seemingly side characters feel real. The best is definitely like the first book the brothers Kildare and Zedaine, both feel so real, truly nuanced characters that can astound you and then frustrate you. Their brotherly dynamics work so so well. My favourite had to be the serving girl Terran, she was simply amazing and so well written. All in all definitely one of the best books I've read this year and I am really looking forward to book three.
October 23, 2022
Gripping adventure, action, and intrigue continue in this second installment of the Raven and the Crow series. This time there are new elements, dynamic characters, more magic, more suspense, and exquisite and dastardly creatures. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling with each character as they braved new worlds- on sea and land- and fought their way to fulfill their destiny. I could feel everyone’s own personal power grow stronger, as well as their bond with each other. Reminiscent of the friendship bonds in Harry Potter, or Lord of the Rings, they stuck together and fought together to survive, outwit, and bring down their enemies. Another extremely well-executed story with an infallible plot by Falciani.
April 5, 2022
I absolutely was on the edge of my seat for this book. I can’t believe a living writer is capable of this level of fantasy.
Reason 1: the characters are all easy to identify with but grow emotionally throughout both books.
Reason 2: the world created is so believable and has so much depth within each characters’ homes
Reason 3: both characters and storyline grow and build through action and emotion
Reason 4: the fantastical parts are still logical to believe and fit within the confines of the world created
I could probably go on for awhile but I don’t want to add any spoilers because they are the basis for my excitement over this story.
❤️❤️
Reason 1: the characters are all easy to identify with but grow emotionally throughout both books.
Reason 2: the world created is so believable and has so much depth within each characters’ homes
Reason 3: both characters and storyline grow and build through action and emotion
Reason 4: the fantastical parts are still logical to believe and fit within the confines of the world created
I could probably go on for awhile but I don’t want to add any spoilers because they are the basis for my excitement over this story.
❤️❤️
August 27, 2025
A fantastic second book!
This second in the series continues to be a masterpiece. The story keeps getting deeper and the characters richer. While the first part of this saga wraps up in this the second book, there is more coming. I’m eagerly excited for the next installment. Plus the twists and turns in this one leads to you not being able to put it down and keep turning the pages! I read this from start to finish in one day, and can’t wait to start the next one!
This second in the series continues to be a masterpiece. The story keeps getting deeper and the characters richer. While the first part of this saga wraps up in this the second book, there is more coming. I’m eagerly excited for the next installment. Plus the twists and turns in this one leads to you not being able to put it down and keep turning the pages! I read this from start to finish in one day, and can’t wait to start the next one!
March 2, 2022
The followup to the intrepid heroes' introduction picks up where the author left off, with Kildare and Zedaine having to make a reluctant transition from mysterious sellswords back to champions and world-defenders. The fun of learning more about the cast through their butting-of-heads, and in learning about the world and the great conflict on the horizon.
It'll be tough to wait for more.
It'll be tough to wait for more.
March 14, 2022
A Well-Crafted Follow-up
The second book in The Raven and the Crow series continues to delight! Michael K. Falciani weaves adventure, political intrigue, mystery, magic, and even courtroom theatrics into a cohesive story that will leave you asking for more.
The second book in The Raven and the Crow series continues to delight! Michael K. Falciani weaves adventure, political intrigue, mystery, magic, and even courtroom theatrics into a cohesive story that will leave you asking for more.
July 31, 2022
Even better than the first book!
The scene at the end of the last chapter was fantastic. Perfect ending to this second book in the series. Waited some time for the second book -WELL worth the wait. Best ever!
The scene at the end of the last chapter was fantastic. Perfect ending to this second book in the series. Waited some time for the second book -WELL worth the wait. Best ever!
August 23, 2022
This sequel did not fail to deliver! I loved all the action, twists and turns and parts I was not expecting. I can’t wait for the 3rd book in this series. I highly recommend this as well as the first book.
February 1, 2024
A great read
The second book builds on the first, and matures the characters and builds the plotline. I've found this book like the first very hard to put down. I would thoroughly recommend it as the author unknown to me a few weeks ago, has written two very good books.
The second book builds on the first, and matures the characters and builds the plotline. I've found this book like the first very hard to put down. I would thoroughly recommend it as the author unknown to me a few weeks ago, has written two very good books.
April 4, 2023
Another great book by this author has me on the edge of my seat for the next one!
February 29, 2024
An excellent sequel with great further characterization, twists, and drama. I liked how the story followed two different groups that eventually came together, very satisfying.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews