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Riftborn #1
The Last Raven
Lucas is a riftborn fighter bent on vengeance in this thrilling urban fantasy/detective noir series from the bestselling author of the Hellequin Chronicles.
The peace between the rift and humanity has always been tenuous. It’s up to the Guilds to protect it, removing whomever—or whatever—poses a threat, whether human or rift-fused. Lucas Rurik used to be part of the Raven Guild. That is, until someone murdered all of its members—except for him.
That was seven years ago. Now, Lucas keeps to himself, avoiding getting too close to anyone lest they become targets themselves. But when one of his oldest friends at the Rift-Crime Unit calls upon him for help with a case that’s already taken down people who mean a lot to him, Lucas can’t resist stepping back into the fray.
Something is killing FBI and RCU agents alike—something unlike anything Lucas has ever seen before, on Earth or in the Rift. Even more concerning, the gruesome assaults seem to be linked to Dr. Callie Mitchell, a depraved and disturbed individual who treats the rift-fused like her own personal lab rats.
And when someone Lucas thought he could trust turns on him, he realizes these killings aren’t just the random attacks of some terrifying new kind of fiend. They’re connected to whoever killed off his Guild all those years ago—and that’s something Lucas just can’t let lie . . .
The peace between the rift and humanity has always been tenuous. It’s up to the Guilds to protect it, removing whomever—or whatever—poses a threat, whether human or rift-fused. Lucas Rurik used to be part of the Raven Guild. That is, until someone murdered all of its members—except for him.
That was seven years ago. Now, Lucas keeps to himself, avoiding getting too close to anyone lest they become targets themselves. But when one of his oldest friends at the Rift-Crime Unit calls upon him for help with a case that’s already taken down people who mean a lot to him, Lucas can’t resist stepping back into the fray.
Something is killing FBI and RCU agents alike—something unlike anything Lucas has ever seen before, on Earth or in the Rift. Even more concerning, the gruesome assaults seem to be linked to Dr. Callie Mitchell, a depraved and disturbed individual who treats the rift-fused like her own personal lab rats.
And when someone Lucas thought he could trust turns on him, he realizes these killings aren’t just the random attacks of some terrifying new kind of fiend. They’re connected to whoever killed off his Guild all those years ago—and that’s something Lucas just can’t let lie . . .
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2022
406 people are currently reading
744 people want to read
About the author
Steve McHugh
35 books1,901 followersSteve is a bestselling author of Urban Fantasy. His book, Scorched Shadows, was shortlisted for a Gemmell Award for best novel.
Steve was born in a small village called Mexborough, South Yorkshire, but now lives with his wife and three young daughters in Southampton
Steve was born in a small village called Mexborough, South Yorkshire, but now lives with his wife and three young daughters in Southampton
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
November 13, 2022
This is the first book in a new Urban Fantasy series. It come out of the gate fast-paced, and maintains that momentum to the end. It's dramatic and gorey and has just the right amount of feeling bad for our characters.
The Last Raven follows Lucas. The book isn't shy about telling you right away that Lucas has recently seen all of his friends murdered, and he isn't feeling too good about that. in the middle of him struggling to get back on his feet, he's called in to help with a suspicious magical investigation.
While the book does dump onto you that the character is angsty, it takes its delicate time introducing you to the world and magic system. The information is fed to the reader at a manageable pace. This also provides some anticipation, as we don't get to find out what our protagonist's powers are until later in the book, once we're already comfy with the system. It's a solid world, and I'm excited to see more of it in future books.
A video review including this book will be on my Youtube channel in the coming weeks, at https://www.youtube.com/c/ChloeFrizzle
Thanks to Podium and Netgalley for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
The Last Raven follows Lucas. The book isn't shy about telling you right away that Lucas has recently seen all of his friends murdered, and he isn't feeling too good about that. in the middle of him struggling to get back on his feet, he's called in to help with a suspicious magical investigation.
While the book does dump onto you that the character is angsty, it takes its delicate time introducing you to the world and magic system. The information is fed to the reader at a manageable pace. This also provides some anticipation, as we don't get to find out what our protagonist's powers are until later in the book, once we're already comfy with the system. It's a solid world, and I'm excited to see more of it in future books.
A video review including this book will be on my Youtube channel in the coming weeks, at https://www.youtube.com/c/ChloeFrizzle
Thanks to Podium and Netgalley for a copy of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
November 12, 2022
4.5 Stars 🌟
I was excited to see that there was a new series out by Mr. McHugh. I've read all of the books in his Hellequin series and while I've kind of fallen in love with Nate Garrett over the years, I was curious to see what was next. I have to admit, the beginning of the book took me a while to settle in to. I think that part of the issue was that I was listening completely on audio. For some reason, I've found that with books in the fantasy genre, it is easier for my mind to build the new world if I'm reading versus listening. Weird? Yeah, I know, but for some reason it just is.
This was the type of beginning where the reader is being told a story, but it is unfolding in different time periods and we are not really sure what the complete story is until much farther in. We are introduced to a new world. In this world, there is a rift, or a kind of tear in the fabric of this world. This rift has power/magic that can bring both human and animals back from the dead if the timing is right, but they come back different. There are the rift fused, which come back no longer human, but .......extra. They have different abilities, different appendages, and are much, much stronger than they were before (for animals - I think they become fiends - same concept). Then there are the Riftborn. These people wake up in the rift and spend the next 100 years in the rift before coming back to earth. They are the REALLY powerful ones who obviously gain... almost immortality, but also have amazing abilities and can heal and regain strength by returning to their "embers" in the rift. I know I didn't really explain that well, but I think I understood it when I was reading it.
This book is focused on our MC Lucas Rurik. I'm not going to go into much detail about him because a lot of the book was spent SLOWLY giving us his back story. I think the pay out was much greater when we FINALLY began to understand who and what Lucas was. I will admit to being a bit frustrated at the time, but I do think it was worth it.
We also are introduced to a new organization, the RCU (think of the FBI but for the Rift Fused and Rift Born). Things begin happening and several FBI and RCU agents are brutally murdered. It becomes apparent that someone is trying to manipulate the situation and things are not what they seem.
Bottom line, I enjoyed this new world. I really liked Lucas and I am looking forward to seeing where this is going next and seeing more of him in the future. I think Matthew Wolf did a great job with the narration - I always enjoy hearing a book with a narrator in a British accent. I love the fact that Mr. McHugh is British and you see that in the phrasing and English words like car park and boot.
So, another winner. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
There is still a psychopath to catch....
I was excited to see that there was a new series out by Mr. McHugh. I've read all of the books in his Hellequin series and while I've kind of fallen in love with Nate Garrett over the years, I was curious to see what was next. I have to admit, the beginning of the book took me a while to settle in to. I think that part of the issue was that I was listening completely on audio. For some reason, I've found that with books in the fantasy genre, it is easier for my mind to build the new world if I'm reading versus listening. Weird? Yeah, I know, but for some reason it just is.
This was the type of beginning where the reader is being told a story, but it is unfolding in different time periods and we are not really sure what the complete story is until much farther in. We are introduced to a new world. In this world, there is a rift, or a kind of tear in the fabric of this world. This rift has power/magic that can bring both human and animals back from the dead if the timing is right, but they come back different. There are the rift fused, which come back no longer human, but .......extra. They have different abilities, different appendages, and are much, much stronger than they were before (for animals - I think they become fiends - same concept). Then there are the Riftborn. These people wake up in the rift and spend the next 100 years in the rift before coming back to earth. They are the REALLY powerful ones who obviously gain... almost immortality, but also have amazing abilities and can heal and regain strength by returning to their "embers" in the rift. I know I didn't really explain that well, but I think I understood it when I was reading it.
This book is focused on our MC Lucas Rurik. I'm not going to go into much detail about him because a lot of the book was spent SLOWLY giving us his back story. I think the pay out was much greater when we FINALLY began to understand who and what Lucas was. I will admit to being a bit frustrated at the time, but I do think it was worth it.
We also are introduced to a new organization, the RCU (think of the FBI but for the Rift Fused and Rift Born). Things begin happening and several FBI and RCU agents are brutally murdered. It becomes apparent that someone is trying to manipulate the situation and things are not what they seem.
Bottom line, I enjoyed this new world. I really liked Lucas and I am looking forward to seeing where this is going next and seeing more of him in the future. I think Matthew Wolf did a great job with the narration - I always enjoy hearing a book with a narrator in a British accent. I love the fact that Mr. McHugh is British and you see that in the phrasing and English words like car park and boot.
So, another winner. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
There is still a psychopath to catch....
November 14, 2022
If you loved the Hellequin Chronicles, you'll probably love this as well.
While I still miss Nate and his friends, I'm happy to have an all new series with new characters. Lucas was similar enough in personality to scratch my itch, while being different enough to stand on his own two feet.
A lot of action, plenty of mysteries and secrets in the past, a whole new sort of magic and mythology to be discovered, mixed in with some science and what almost felt like a thriller - I was hooked from the first to the last page.
As always the cast is the major strength in McHugh's books, and I can never get enough of his no nonsense attitudes. The good at heart, willing to sacrifice for friends, family, or even complete strangers, but on the other hand quite happy to mow through the bad guys? Yes, I sometimes need exactly that to brighten my day, while also being well entertained. Beating up some Nazis definitely is a high in my book.
The inclusive cast, with people of all walks of life, just makes it feel smoother and more real. They all have their own motivations and quirks, and I just love how everyone is allowed to be who they are. Lucas has an amazing circle of friends, and is love to go for a drink with them all.
I have no idea how he manages to make everyone just feel so real in such a short time, but I love (or hate) these charactets already, after just the one book. I definitely can't wait for more, luckily the wait won't be too long!
My only, really slight, niggle is just how overpowered Lucas already feels here - with Hellequin that just stacked up ever more over the course of the books. Here we start at such a high level, I've no idea how insane stakes are supposed to go in later books. As I enjoyed the full on battle mode. I didn't mind it much, I just think some scenes almost lost a bit of their stakes and suspense due to it.
While I still miss Nate and his friends, I'm happy to have an all new series with new characters. Lucas was similar enough in personality to scratch my itch, while being different enough to stand on his own two feet.
A lot of action, plenty of mysteries and secrets in the past, a whole new sort of magic and mythology to be discovered, mixed in with some science and what almost felt like a thriller - I was hooked from the first to the last page.
As always the cast is the major strength in McHugh's books, and I can never get enough of his no nonsense attitudes. The good at heart, willing to sacrifice for friends, family, or even complete strangers, but on the other hand quite happy to mow through the bad guys? Yes, I sometimes need exactly that to brighten my day, while also being well entertained. Beating up some Nazis definitely is a high in my book.
The inclusive cast, with people of all walks of life, just makes it feel smoother and more real. They all have their own motivations and quirks, and I just love how everyone is allowed to be who they are. Lucas has an amazing circle of friends, and is love to go for a drink with them all.
I have no idea how he manages to make everyone just feel so real in such a short time, but I love (or hate) these charactets already, after just the one book. I definitely can't wait for more, luckily the wait won't be too long!
My only, really slight, niggle is just how overpowered Lucas already feels here - with Hellequin that just stacked up ever more over the course of the books. Here we start at such a high level, I've no idea how insane stakes are supposed to go in later books. As I enjoyed the full on battle mode. I didn't mind it much, I just think some scenes almost lost a bit of their stakes and suspense due to it.
March 11, 2023
DNF 69% after I lost the will to live. This reads less like a novel and more like a pitch for a Jason Statham action flick.
What to say about this collection of words? Well, firstly, this book is in two distinct halves. The first is where the protagonist interacts with the other cardboard cut-out characters, and the author makes some juvenile attempts at fantasy writing. That, at least, is better than what comes after, which is the storyboarding for the shoot-em-up. This is clearly where the author’s heart lies as it’s where the product placement (cars, guns, watches) ramps up.
It bills itself as an urban fantasy noir except there’s nothing noir-ish about it. Less skulking about in the dark underbelly of the City, more Bad Boys style, screaming along in the – what was it? – oh yes, the ‘Audi R8 V10 Spyder Performance Carbon Black.’ Jeez.
We’re asked to believe that the protagonist is 2000 years old and is some kind of super- assassin. Trouble is, he comes across like any other John Wick clone. He doesn’t appear to have any motives and no credible risk of dying because (fanfare) he can escape to the Rift and his ‘embers’! Speaking of the Rift, because I suppose I must, the description is risible. ChatGPT could do better.
Lastly, despite this being an existential threat to humanity, no-one but a bunch of Americans appears to be doing anything about it. And doing so with that peculiar exceptionalism where, free from self-doubt, there isn’t a problem that can’t be solved with a dose of the right stuff and an HK45 compact tactical.
Send for John McClane. At least he'll have better dialogue.
What to say about this collection of words? Well, firstly, this book is in two distinct halves. The first is where the protagonist interacts with the other cardboard cut-out characters, and the author makes some juvenile attempts at fantasy writing. That, at least, is better than what comes after, which is the storyboarding for the shoot-em-up. This is clearly where the author’s heart lies as it’s where the product placement (cars, guns, watches) ramps up.
It bills itself as an urban fantasy noir except there’s nothing noir-ish about it. Less skulking about in the dark underbelly of the City, more Bad Boys style, screaming along in the – what was it? – oh yes, the ‘Audi R8 V10 Spyder Performance Carbon Black.’ Jeez.
We’re asked to believe that the protagonist is 2000 years old and is some kind of super- assassin. Trouble is, he comes across like any other John Wick clone. He doesn’t appear to have any motives and no credible risk of dying because (fanfare) he can escape to the Rift and his ‘embers’! Speaking of the Rift, because I suppose I must, the description is risible. ChatGPT could do better.
Lastly, despite this being an existential threat to humanity, no-one but a bunch of Americans appears to be doing anything about it. And doing so with that peculiar exceptionalism where, free from self-doubt, there isn’t a problem that can’t be solved with a dose of the right stuff and an HK45 compact tactical.
Send for John McClane. At least he'll have better dialogue.
December 26, 2022
Unusual premise gets lost in too many unbridled ideas
The setting is interesting and works for the first 30 pages. The problem, however, is that the author keeps adding on to the rules, that he has already established. You end up with consepts that are not only new but keeps getting more and more complicated, and may I add, rediculous. It goes something like this: There is a parallel universe where I went when I died and got superpowers. My superpower is that I can fly....... By the way I can turn myself invisible too....... And I can shoot laser beams out of my eyes.... Oh, I can run 100 miles an hour.... Did I forget to mention that I don't have to eat..... I can go without sleep to and turn hay into gold.... Every time the main character is in a situation where he uses his powers, some new ability comes along. Just to make everything even more complicated, every other superhuman gets add-on-power every time we hear about them too.
In the end you simply can't be bothered to invest yourself in the story. If nothing else, it is the limits of power and the human flaws that make a great superhero.
The auther keeps writing sentences with odd constructions like; 'A table had been stod in a corner of the room', or 'She had been sat at the table' . There are a lot of these sentences, and personally I found them massively annoying.
The setting is interesting and works for the first 30 pages. The problem, however, is that the author keeps adding on to the rules, that he has already established. You end up with consepts that are not only new but keeps getting more and more complicated, and may I add, rediculous. It goes something like this: There is a parallel universe where I went when I died and got superpowers. My superpower is that I can fly....... By the way I can turn myself invisible too....... And I can shoot laser beams out of my eyes.... Oh, I can run 100 miles an hour.... Did I forget to mention that I don't have to eat..... I can go without sleep to and turn hay into gold.... Every time the main character is in a situation where he uses his powers, some new ability comes along. Just to make everything even more complicated, every other superhuman gets add-on-power every time we hear about them too.
In the end you simply can't be bothered to invest yourself in the story. If nothing else, it is the limits of power and the human flaws that make a great superhero.
The auther keeps writing sentences with odd constructions like; 'A table had been stod in a corner of the room', or 'She had been sat at the table' . There are a lot of these sentences, and personally I found them massively annoying.
April 6, 2023
Infodump
So much infodumping. Very difficult to get into a story when the dialog stops for the POV to explain what they all said. The time jumps didn't help either.
So much infodumping. Very difficult to get into a story when the dialog stops for the POV to explain what they all said. The time jumps didn't help either.
November 16, 2022
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
The Last Raven is the first installment in author Steve McHugh's Riftborn series. Once upon a time, a dimensional tear opened and poured energy from the rift which changed people forever. This rift has power/magic that can bring both human and animals back from the dead if the timing is right, but they come back different. The peace between the rift and humanity has always been tenuous. It’s up to the Guilds to protect it, removing whomever—or whatever—poses a threat, whether human or rift-fused.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Urban Fantasy
*Rating* 4.0
*Thoughts*
The Last Raven is the first installment in author Steve McHugh's Riftborn series. Once upon a time, a dimensional tear opened and poured energy from the rift which changed people forever. This rift has power/magic that can bring both human and animals back from the dead if the timing is right, but they come back different. The peace between the rift and humanity has always been tenuous. It’s up to the Guilds to protect it, removing whomever—or whatever—poses a threat, whether human or rift-fused.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
August 22, 2023
Urban fantasy and I have a tricky relationship. It’s usually not quite my cup of tea. That’s a ‘me’ thing, by the way. I like fantasy worlds that are completely different or historical fiction novels that are set hundreds of years ago. Escapism probably.
However, as with everything, quality always shines through.
Steve McHugh is an author I’ve read before. No Gods, Only Monsters, was a mythological fantasy featuring the Roman Goddess Diana, which, as you’ll have guessed from the first paragraph, is very much my thing. Despite the fact I had read a lot of mythological retellings, this novel struck me as different to most of the others. This story was pacey. Full of battles. Fun. Not literary like Circe or The Silence of the Girls, rather a Marvel-esque story that almost turned the pages itself. (I loved Circe and The Silence of the Girls by the way – but I enjoy variety too.)
Needless to say, I put Steve McHugh on my author watchlist and thought I’d try out the next series he wrote. This was The Last Raven.
And it’s absolutely brilliant. As I said, urban fantasy isn’t overly my thing, but when you have a writer this good, a story this pacey, a world building and setting that is very different to anything I’ve read before, and a brilliant lead character, then something magical awaits.
I found the whole concept of ‘the rift’ really cool. There are a variety of people and animals affected by the rift. There are riftborn, fiends, and rift-walkers, to name a few. It’s quite complex, and I enjoyed finding more about it as the novel progressed. The older mystery around the assassination of the Raven Guild was also very intriguing, and Steve McHugh was able to weave a current murder investigation with this older mystery really well. The main character, Lucas, is also very easy to follow. The death of his friends in the Raven Guild (of which he is the only surviving member) has weighed down on him for a long time, and it was a delight to see him rediscover himself as he realises that he may be able to discover who was behind it.
I’d highly recommend this for fans of urban fantasy, but also to anyone who is looking to read something a bit different. It gave me X-Men vibes, so if you like those comics/movies, I feel this will also be an entertaining read for you.
However, as with everything, quality always shines through.
Steve McHugh is an author I’ve read before. No Gods, Only Monsters, was a mythological fantasy featuring the Roman Goddess Diana, which, as you’ll have guessed from the first paragraph, is very much my thing. Despite the fact I had read a lot of mythological retellings, this novel struck me as different to most of the others. This story was pacey. Full of battles. Fun. Not literary like Circe or The Silence of the Girls, rather a Marvel-esque story that almost turned the pages itself. (I loved Circe and The Silence of the Girls by the way – but I enjoy variety too.)
Needless to say, I put Steve McHugh on my author watchlist and thought I’d try out the next series he wrote. This was The Last Raven.
And it’s absolutely brilliant. As I said, urban fantasy isn’t overly my thing, but when you have a writer this good, a story this pacey, a world building and setting that is very different to anything I’ve read before, and a brilliant lead character, then something magical awaits.
I found the whole concept of ‘the rift’ really cool. There are a variety of people and animals affected by the rift. There are riftborn, fiends, and rift-walkers, to name a few. It’s quite complex, and I enjoyed finding more about it as the novel progressed. The older mystery around the assassination of the Raven Guild was also very intriguing, and Steve McHugh was able to weave a current murder investigation with this older mystery really well. The main character, Lucas, is also very easy to follow. The death of his friends in the Raven Guild (of which he is the only surviving member) has weighed down on him for a long time, and it was a delight to see him rediscover himself as he realises that he may be able to discover who was behind it.
I’d highly recommend this for fans of urban fantasy, but also to anyone who is looking to read something a bit different. It gave me X-Men vibes, so if you like those comics/movies, I feel this will also be an entertaining read for you.
November 10, 2022
The Last Raven by Steve McHugh
Riftborn #1
Exciting, action-packed, intriguing introduction to a splendid new series set in a world we know but one that is so much different than we now know it now. The Riftborn are unique, lethal, varied entities with a complex history, mythology, abilities, laws, realities, and more that completely captured my imagination. Well done indeed!
What I liked:
* Lucas Rurik: ancient, lethal, powerful, Tallon of his guild, seeks vengeance, capable of cruelty but on the side of right – really liked him
* The world created with the Rift, Embers, Tempest and all it entailed
* The cast of supporting characters – humans and Riftborn – and the parts they played: Isaac, Gabriel, Bill, George, Hannah, Nadia, Ji-hyun, Emily,Booker, Zita, Dave, and any others I might have forgotten
* The guild idea and wondering how it and those that belong to the guilds will play a part as the series progresses – great idea that the guilds all have bird names
* The wide variety of Riftborn and their differences
* Being able to hate the bad guys…do hope they ALL will be dealt with ruthlessly…eventually
* Reading a new-to-me author that I really enjoyed
* The plot, pacing, writing, being drawn in, feeling a part of the story, and caring about the outcome
* Wondering who is behind the evil that Lucas is facing and who he will face next
* Knowing that there is another book to read coming – hopefully soon
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The death of some good characters
* Having to say goodbye to the characters while waiting for the next book to be ready
Did I enjoy this book – Yes
Would I read more in this series – Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Podium Publishing for the ARC – this is my honest review.
5 stars
Riftborn #1
Exciting, action-packed, intriguing introduction to a splendid new series set in a world we know but one that is so much different than we now know it now. The Riftborn are unique, lethal, varied entities with a complex history, mythology, abilities, laws, realities, and more that completely captured my imagination. Well done indeed!
What I liked:
* Lucas Rurik: ancient, lethal, powerful, Tallon of his guild, seeks vengeance, capable of cruelty but on the side of right – really liked him
* The world created with the Rift, Embers, Tempest and all it entailed
* The cast of supporting characters – humans and Riftborn – and the parts they played: Isaac, Gabriel, Bill, George, Hannah, Nadia, Ji-hyun, Emily,Booker, Zita, Dave, and any others I might have forgotten
* The guild idea and wondering how it and those that belong to the guilds will play a part as the series progresses – great idea that the guilds all have bird names
* The wide variety of Riftborn and their differences
* Being able to hate the bad guys…do hope they ALL will be dealt with ruthlessly…eventually
* Reading a new-to-me author that I really enjoyed
* The plot, pacing, writing, being drawn in, feeling a part of the story, and caring about the outcome
* Wondering who is behind the evil that Lucas is facing and who he will face next
* Knowing that there is another book to read coming – hopefully soon
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* The death of some good characters
* Having to say goodbye to the characters while waiting for the next book to be ready
Did I enjoy this book – Yes
Would I read more in this series – Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Podium Publishing for the ARC – this is my honest review.
5 stars
November 21, 2022
I loved Mchugh's Hellequin series so was really looking forward to his new one.
This is set in a quite different version of modern Earth. Those who have powers have received them from something called the rift and in different ways for each individual which will be clarified upon reading the book.
It's a lot more visceral than the Hellequin books, with more gore. We're just getting to know the characters in the debut and I am sure we'll find out more in future volumes.
This is set in a quite different version of modern Earth. Those who have powers have received them from something called the rift and in different ways for each individual which will be clarified upon reading the book.
It's a lot more visceral than the Hellequin books, with more gore. We're just getting to know the characters in the debut and I am sure we'll find out more in future volumes.
August 24, 2023
Enjoyed the first book of a new series. But it's missing the spark that made The Hellequin Chronicles a huge hit for me. There is loads of world building which is fair since it's the first book and the author is establishing the world of Rift Born. At times it drags the story. Also I thought Lucas character was not developed enough. I found him one dimensional compared to Nate Garrett. I hope the next book gets better. I'm a huge fan of Steve McHugh.
November 16, 2022
Fantastic new series from one of my favorite authors
Steve McHugh has created a great new universe for his readers to explore, and it was a delight to read it. Solid characters that I’m now very invested in, and a solid ending that left me wanting more time with them. I can’t wait for the next installment to see what happens next.
Steve McHugh has created a great new universe for his readers to explore, and it was a delight to read it. Solid characters that I’m now very invested in, and a solid ending that left me wanting more time with them. I can’t wait for the next installment to see what happens next.
November 17, 2022
Epic!
This gave me definite Hellequin vibes! Steve is great as these stories, always keeping you coming back for more!
Can't wait for the next one!
This gave me definite Hellequin vibes! Steve is great as these stories, always keeping you coming back for more!
Can't wait for the next one!
December 28, 2022
A fun and fast read
I had a reading lull for about a month and this was the first book I picked up. I finished it a couple of days. I am looking forward to the next with anticipation.
I had a reading lull for about a month and this was the first book I picked up. I finished it a couple of days. I am looking forward to the next with anticipation.
September 23, 2024
Great narration on Audible and a great book!
November 14, 2022
This is the start of a different series and characters for Steve McHugh. It hits all the right marks for me and I'm looking forward to the next book.
November 28, 2022
Another world, another great story.
Steve McHugh does it again. His worlds come alive so quickly that you are immersed for the entire book. As similar as Lucas and Nate (from the Hellequin Chronicles) are, they are definitely two distinct characters. This world is going to be so much fun. 😁 I can’t wait for the next one but at least it’s only another three months.
Steve McHugh does it again. His worlds come alive so quickly that you are immersed for the entire book. As similar as Lucas and Nate (from the Hellequin Chronicles) are, they are definitely two distinct characters. This world is going to be so much fun. 😁 I can’t wait for the next one but at least it’s only another three months.
November 29, 2022
Great
What an awesome read. I didn't know what to expect as this was different from previous storylines. Well done. Thanks.
What an awesome read. I didn't know what to expect as this was different from previous storylines. Well done. Thanks.
November 10, 2022
I've been reading Steve ever since Crimes Against Magic. I loved the whole journey through Nate's world. I loved the new world created in Blackcoats. I approached The Last Raven and the world of the Riftborn with great excitement, and a little trepidation. After all how long could a writer continue to improve with every story...
Well, spoiler alert, he does. This new world is intriguing, fascinating and not a little scary..
Get a copy as soon as you can. You won't regret it.
Well, spoiler alert, he does. This new world is intriguing, fascinating and not a little scary..
Get a copy as soon as you can. You won't regret it.
October 31, 2022
The unrelenting pace of the book delivers a bloody and deliciously gory telling of the last guild member of the Ravens. This is everything I love about the genre. Fast paced, vengeful hero, dastardly villains, and all the spectacular characters spot on delivered in an engrossing and action filled bomb of a book. Otherworldly magic and monsters are icing on the cake. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book from Netgalley.
June 24, 2023
Disappointing
DNF
I didn't get very far... and even that little bit was tough to get through... It did most certainly not read like the same writer who wrote Nathan and the gang (I read the whole series more than once)...
What little I did read of this one was a non-stop info dump, a stilted, awkward, filled with really incredibly odd phrasing info dump
So yeah, I don't know what happened, it almost felt like this was the debut, you know, like maybe he dusted of an old manuscript, not book number 15 or something... or maybe it was simply rush job...
Gonna have to re-read the Hellequin series soon to better compare... :)
DNF
I didn't get very far... and even that little bit was tough to get through... It did most certainly not read like the same writer who wrote Nathan and the gang (I read the whole series more than once)...
What little I did read of this one was a non-stop info dump, a stilted, awkward, filled with really incredibly odd phrasing info dump
So yeah, I don't know what happened, it almost felt like this was the debut, you know, like maybe he dusted of an old manuscript, not book number 15 or something... or maybe it was simply rush job...
Gonna have to re-read the Hellequin series soon to better compare... :)
December 26, 2022
I love when I discover an urban fantasy novel that has solid world building. The Last Raven is one of those books. The protagonist is wonderfully flawed, and I enjoyed watching him recover from rock bottom. The author even made jumping from the present to flashbacks work. A writing style choice that 90% of the time annoys me. If you want solid character development with a fast moving plot then this is for you. I am excited to read the next book in the series.
February 13, 2025
Please fix the grammar
Enjoyed this writing immensely. But every time I read was stood, was sat, and other errors it stopped me and I had to reboot my head. I know it is a small thing but it kept throwing me off.
Enjoyed this writing immensely. But every time I read was stood, was sat, and other errors it stopped me and I had to reboot my head. I know it is a small thing but it kept throwing me off.
November 6, 2022
This is my first-ever ARC. A marketer reached out to me and asked if I would be interested in reading The Last Raven, and while it didn’t sound like something I would necessarily put on my reading list, I wasn’t about to turn down the opportunity to read a free fantasy novel. It’s possible that I am inordinately pleased to be receiving these sorts of offers; it was never an opportunity I really contemplated for myself. Anyway, consider this my obligatory disclaimer that I did not purchase the book, but I was not compensated for the review, and the opinions expressed here are my own, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
This was a good book, and I am pleased by that – especially for my first solicited review, I would feel guilty rating it too poorly. I have my gripes with it, weaknesses I noticed, characterizations that didn’t quite work for me, but the headline is that this is a good book which I enjoyed more than I expected to enjoy it, considering that I generally struggle to engage with urban fantasies. McHugh integrates several intriguing elements that kept me searching for the clues throughout the story, more about the magic system and the world-building aspects than the mystery of the main plot.
Something I have been dwelling upon recently, and which I mentioned briefly in my author’s note for Dragon’s Hoard, is the portrayal of immortality in fiction. It is never made clear whether or not The Last Raven’s ‘revenants’ are functionally immortal, but we do eventually learn that the protagonist is more than two thousand years old. Hints are dropped of this fact earlier in the story, and I found it jarring and unbelievable – not because I am unprepared to suspend my disbelief while reading a fantasy story involving a parallel world, but because the characterization didn’t align. For someone born before the fall of Rome, he speaks, acts, and most importantly thinks like someone from the late twentieth century.
That’s a shame, because there is enormous potential in his character, and I am therefore hopeful that McHugh will be able to lean into those opportunities in subsequent installments. The Last Raven got a slow start, hindered by a flashback sequence that was somewhat superfluous (the information communicated therein was just as effectively communicated in the main storyline), but once it picked up enough steam, it was nonstop action straight through to the end. Given my fondness for epic pacing, I wouldn’t have minded if the book slowed down in places, but that is a matter of personal taste, and most people would probably consider this a well-executed escalation and maintenance of tension at almost thriller pacing.
The story will feel derivative at the start, especially if you’ve read notable urban fantasy works like Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files (of which I read a couple), but it becomes more interesting and unique as the story progresses, especially in the way it incorporates its supernatural elements, which again, become far more interesting and unique as the story progresses after somewhat banal beginnings. There are fewer of the mystery genre overtones that permeate most other urban fantasy I’ve read; this leans more heavily into the fantasy side of the genre, which is part of why I enjoyed it more than I expected, since mysteries are far from my favorite genre.
Is this a magnum opus, a classic that will endure for two thousand years and lay down concepts that will define entire civilizations? No. But that’s not what it’s supposed to be. If you’re looking for a light fantasy novel that doesn’t require a major investment in exposition and world-building and half a million words, The Last Raven might have a place on your reading list.
December 30, 2022
Book Summary:
Fantasy meets noir in this thrilling new series by Steve McHugh. Here we have a world torn apart by prejudice and rifts. The rift-fused didn't ask to be the way they are, yet they certainly are doing their best in this strange new world.
Enter Lucas, a riftborn fighter with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. When FBI and RCU agents begin getting murdered by the dozen – many of them his friends – Lucas is unable to stay out of the fray any longer. It is time to tackle this head-on, which means putting himself in the path of a killer (or worse).
My Review:
I love diving into new series, especially ones I haven't heard much about. I adore that there are zero expectations, just a fresh start, and a whole new experience. The journey The Last Raven set me upon was no disappointment. This was a thrilling read from start to finish. Also, it feels like it's been far too long since I read an urban fantasy series (read: no more than a few weeks), so I was happy to come home.
Lucas is what we call a tortured soul. He's been through hell and back – much of that was before the novel began. It almost feels like salt in the wound after a time. Yet he's the perfect protagonist for this series, as he is clearly invested in the outcome.
The world itself is fascinating. I have so many questions, enough to keep me looking forward to the next novel in this series. Readers are introduced to the world relatively slowly, but it's enough to paint a picture over time.
Overall, I enjoyed the vibes and themes of The Last Raven. It really did feel like a merger between fantasy and thriller, with a dash of noir thrown in for good measure. It's a perfect balance, and I would love to see more of it.
Highlights
Urban Fantasy
Unique magical system
Detective vibes
Trigger Warnings
Prejudice
Gore/violence
Thanks to Podium for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
Fantasy meets noir in this thrilling new series by Steve McHugh. Here we have a world torn apart by prejudice and rifts. The rift-fused didn't ask to be the way they are, yet they certainly are doing their best in this strange new world.
Enter Lucas, a riftborn fighter with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. When FBI and RCU agents begin getting murdered by the dozen – many of them his friends – Lucas is unable to stay out of the fray any longer. It is time to tackle this head-on, which means putting himself in the path of a killer (or worse).
My Review:
I love diving into new series, especially ones I haven't heard much about. I adore that there are zero expectations, just a fresh start, and a whole new experience. The journey The Last Raven set me upon was no disappointment. This was a thrilling read from start to finish. Also, it feels like it's been far too long since I read an urban fantasy series (read: no more than a few weeks), so I was happy to come home.
Lucas is what we call a tortured soul. He's been through hell and back – much of that was before the novel began. It almost feels like salt in the wound after a time. Yet he's the perfect protagonist for this series, as he is clearly invested in the outcome.
The world itself is fascinating. I have so many questions, enough to keep me looking forward to the next novel in this series. Readers are introduced to the world relatively slowly, but it's enough to paint a picture over time.
Overall, I enjoyed the vibes and themes of The Last Raven. It really did feel like a merger between fantasy and thriller, with a dash of noir thrown in for good measure. It's a perfect balance, and I would love to see more of it.
Highlights
Urban Fantasy
Unique magical system
Detective vibes
Trigger Warnings
Prejudice
Gore/violence
Thanks to Podium for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
February 13, 2023
People will call this "woke"
Here we have a familiar theme from the author, of an extraordinary main character who has been brought low in that he has lost access to the abilities that make him extraordinary. He is not as magical as Nate is in the Hellequinn series, but has access to a magical place that is both source of strength and terror. That is not what I want to write about.
This novel is almost disturbingly current, as mentions of the still ongoing pandemic attest to, and there is one other current set of issues running through the author's homeland that he addresses. Others will undoubtedly take issue with this, and I imagine a flurry of negative evaluations for being too "woke" will soon crop up in the reviews. At best. Others filled with vitriol will hopefully get filtered out by moderators. Mine, this one, will not be amongst them.
Being a member of one of the most prominently targeted and marginalized communities in the author's country, it is with much gratitude that I commend the author on his very evident stand on our plight. Showing how easy it is to be inclusive (sometimes to the point of being a bit heavy-handed, but you'll not hear me complaining) in writing urban fantasy, this new world the author builds is exciting in the author's unique way of storytelling. At the same time, easily recognizable themes prominent within my community are dealt with as being completely normal. No characters "other" those who have no real choice in being anything than exactly who they are. The parallels of those transformed by magic to those in our current reality who transform themselves in order to be their more authentic selves is unmistakeable. I found myself smiling out loud at many points as I happened across them.
Others may criticize that the inclusion is too prominent -- unrealistic, as after all -- my community comprises a tiny fraction of the general populace. I say it is a refreshing counter to the very ill will often expressed "in real life" as the saying goes.
Thank you, Mr. McHugh, from the bottom of my heart. You didn't have to write us into this new series for it to be successful, in fact it may contribute towards what might make it not. Thank you for your courage, your heart being in the right place, and an author of great talent.
p.s. You may want to send this back to your editor/proofreader(s) for a re-going over, as I caught typos that I don't normally encounter in your work. Did not detract at all, but I feel you might be disappointed that they were not caught before publication.
Mahalo nui,
Skye Kahoali'i
Here we have a familiar theme from the author, of an extraordinary main character who has been brought low in that he has lost access to the abilities that make him extraordinary. He is not as magical as Nate is in the Hellequinn series, but has access to a magical place that is both source of strength and terror. That is not what I want to write about.
This novel is almost disturbingly current, as mentions of the still ongoing pandemic attest to, and there is one other current set of issues running through the author's homeland that he addresses. Others will undoubtedly take issue with this, and I imagine a flurry of negative evaluations for being too "woke" will soon crop up in the reviews. At best. Others filled with vitriol will hopefully get filtered out by moderators. Mine, this one, will not be amongst them.
Being a member of one of the most prominently targeted and marginalized communities in the author's country, it is with much gratitude that I commend the author on his very evident stand on our plight. Showing how easy it is to be inclusive (sometimes to the point of being a bit heavy-handed, but you'll not hear me complaining) in writing urban fantasy, this new world the author builds is exciting in the author's unique way of storytelling. At the same time, easily recognizable themes prominent within my community are dealt with as being completely normal. No characters "other" those who have no real choice in being anything than exactly who they are. The parallels of those transformed by magic to those in our current reality who transform themselves in order to be their more authentic selves is unmistakeable. I found myself smiling out loud at many points as I happened across them.
Others may criticize that the inclusion is too prominent -- unrealistic, as after all -- my community comprises a tiny fraction of the general populace. I say it is a refreshing counter to the very ill will often expressed "in real life" as the saying goes.
Thank you, Mr. McHugh, from the bottom of my heart. You didn't have to write us into this new series for it to be successful, in fact it may contribute towards what might make it not. Thank you for your courage, your heart being in the right place, and an author of great talent.
p.s. You may want to send this back to your editor/proofreader(s) for a re-going over, as I caught typos that I don't normally encounter in your work. Did not detract at all, but I feel you might be disappointed that they were not caught before publication.
Mahalo nui,
Skye Kahoali'i
November 20, 2022
4.5/5 stars
The Last Raven was not at all what I was expecting when I went in knowing it’s an urban fantasy. It reads so much like a police/military thriller with its guns, cars, and watches, just with the addition of major fantasy elements. Different from the usual urban fantasies I prefer, but definitely not unwelcome.
The Rift is an alternate dimension that occasionally breaks through onto earth, changing animals and humans and giving them fantastical powers. In modern day America, Lucas is a riftborn warrior and the last surviving member of the Raven Guild after a massacre. He has left that life and struggles with survivor’s guilt. But when an old friend from the Rift Crime Unit comes to him for help when some FBI and RCU agents are ambushed and killed, he returns to find betrayal and links to the mystery of what happened to his old Guild.
The Last Raven is intense and action-packed
with prompt pacing and a light-handed touch on world-building. Steve McHugh wisely chose not to do a massive exposition dump right at the beginning, but instead parceled out the mythology of the world he crafted and the background of Lucas throughout the book just when it becomes relevant. This made for a thrilling ride with big bloody action set pieces and a steady unravelling of the mystery.
I really liked Lucas as our main protagonist, who is the typical action hero but with more depth and the added dimension of some fantastical latent powers. I particularly appreciated the brand of friendship and brotherhood he had with the men and women he had to leave behind when he left. The book also injected the story with some social commentary on racism and immigration, although it did not have much time to dig deeper.
The Last Raven is an action-packed urban fantasy thriller and a great opener to what could be a serial series.
The Last Raven was not at all what I was expecting when I went in knowing it’s an urban fantasy. It reads so much like a police/military thriller with its guns, cars, and watches, just with the addition of major fantasy elements. Different from the usual urban fantasies I prefer, but definitely not unwelcome.
The Rift is an alternate dimension that occasionally breaks through onto earth, changing animals and humans and giving them fantastical powers. In modern day America, Lucas is a riftborn warrior and the last surviving member of the Raven Guild after a massacre. He has left that life and struggles with survivor’s guilt. But when an old friend from the Rift Crime Unit comes to him for help when some FBI and RCU agents are ambushed and killed, he returns to find betrayal and links to the mystery of what happened to his old Guild.
The Last Raven is intense and action-packed
with prompt pacing and a light-handed touch on world-building. Steve McHugh wisely chose not to do a massive exposition dump right at the beginning, but instead parceled out the mythology of the world he crafted and the background of Lucas throughout the book just when it becomes relevant. This made for a thrilling ride with big bloody action set pieces and a steady unravelling of the mystery.
I really liked Lucas as our main protagonist, who is the typical action hero but with more depth and the added dimension of some fantastical latent powers. I particularly appreciated the brand of friendship and brotherhood he had with the men and women he had to leave behind when he left. The book also injected the story with some social commentary on racism and immigration, although it did not have much time to dig deeper.
The Last Raven is an action-packed urban fantasy thriller and a great opener to what could be a serial series.
March 25, 2024
What an incredible, awe-inspiring concept! Lucas is. . .amazing, a perfect hero.
I am in a little shock. The seemingly fathomless depths of McHugh's range of inspired imagination is truly fabulous. I don't usually enjoy bloodied questing vengeance. I finally picked up this book after constantly running across advertisements chronicling his various hit sagas - the idea of a man as the last raven intrigued, hooked me.
This author has a perfect hero in Lucas, seemingly detached, hiding an inner turmoil of anguish, borne of his bonded friendship and real camaraderie that he formed over centuries of hunting, fulfilling their missions. He has an innate sense of honor, and while his moral compass gets slightly blurred under the blood and gore of his reaping hell on those who've violated that line with him, he's soft, kind, gentle and supportive to the survivors, as well as the very people he risks his all for. In the next breath, he turns into a literal tsunami of brutal horror for those he's set his unwavering sights upon, as his betrayed discovered. I cannot wait to begin the next installment, but I need sleep first. So. Good. Why did I pass over McHugh's writing again? I highly recommend this series - the fighting for past wrongs, maintaining balance outweighs the violence (It does get bloody; however, I never lost sight of the mix of reality and fantasy, tempered by that beguiling sense that justice was done, in the end). Brilliantly executed! 5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I am in a little shock. The seemingly fathomless depths of McHugh's range of inspired imagination is truly fabulous. I don't usually enjoy bloodied questing vengeance. I finally picked up this book after constantly running across advertisements chronicling his various hit sagas - the idea of a man as the last raven intrigued, hooked me.
This author has a perfect hero in Lucas, seemingly detached, hiding an inner turmoil of anguish, borne of his bonded friendship and real camaraderie that he formed over centuries of hunting, fulfilling their missions. He has an innate sense of honor, and while his moral compass gets slightly blurred under the blood and gore of his reaping hell on those who've violated that line with him, he's soft, kind, gentle and supportive to the survivors, as well as the very people he risks his all for. In the next breath, he turns into a literal tsunami of brutal horror for those he's set his unwavering sights upon, as his betrayed discovered. I cannot wait to begin the next installment, but I need sleep first. So. Good. Why did I pass over McHugh's writing again? I highly recommend this series - the fighting for past wrongs, maintaining balance outweighs the violence (It does get bloody; however, I never lost sight of the mix of reality and fantasy, tempered by that beguiling sense that justice was done, in the end). Brilliantly executed! 5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
June 7, 2024
Reading this book was just depressing. Evil people murder and torture as much as they like, abusing the ever loving sht out of the MC who is missing his powers for way too long of the book, and then when he eventually regains them, the bad guys are basically killed off without giving the us reader much satisfaction, based on just how much of the abuse we were forced to sit through. They each have a second of panic and/or regret and then they die. That's it.
Also, the MC going on and on about his mental health just felt irritating. It was as if this was a love letter to either those suffering from poor mental health, or to those who like to baby those who suffer from poor mental health, since I've never heard those terms from anyone but those who use their poor mental health to excuse anything and everything they do, and those who enable them.
Last, but not least, the 2 spirit animals are non-binary "they"s, and while I don't really care what letter of spectrum they identify with, using they in the singular term just made it confusing to figure out who was doing what. Wasn't even consistent either, since sometimes the bird one was referred to as "she", making it pretty clear they probably both DID have a male or female designation and were later shoe-horned in as non-binary, but the editing to fix it all wasn't 100% thorough.
Not for me. Left me feeling too angry, both at the MC and the author.
Also, the MC going on and on about his mental health just felt irritating. It was as if this was a love letter to either those suffering from poor mental health, or to those who like to baby those who suffer from poor mental health, since I've never heard those terms from anyone but those who use their poor mental health to excuse anything and everything they do, and those who enable them.
Last, but not least, the 2 spirit animals are non-binary "they"s, and while I don't really care what letter of spectrum they identify with, using they in the singular term just made it confusing to figure out who was doing what. Wasn't even consistent either, since sometimes the bird one was referred to as "she", making it pretty clear they probably both DID have a male or female designation and were later shoe-horned in as non-binary, but the editing to fix it all wasn't 100% thorough.
Not for me. Left me feeling too angry, both at the MC and the author.
November 23, 2023
The last raven
Within the first few chapters I was getting a sense of a more six of crows meets the Jim butchers novels but unfortunately those first few chapters is where my enjoyment ended.
First things first. This is a vegnece novel. This becomes extremely apparent from the jump and just in case you didn't get that obvious point, don't worry, you'll be reminded in every conversation the characters have. It's exhausting.
On top of that every character is introduced uniquely but the dialogue isn't unique. I found myself starting to skip chunks of dialogue either because the main character was explaining the same thing to another character or the characters blended together.
There are moments the author leads us into these larger reveals but without setting the context for why it's so important the dramatic emphasis is completely lost on us.
The villain also seems to shift between a myriad of characters so when one passes it's hard to determine who truly is the main antagonist.
The author also explains in medium to no detail for the magic of those who are rift-touched so there are moments where you have to accept that something is silly and move on.
In credit for the author I liked the idea a lot, but it fell apart when everything started to blend together.
Within the first few chapters I was getting a sense of a more six of crows meets the Jim butchers novels but unfortunately those first few chapters is where my enjoyment ended.
First things first. This is a vegnece novel. This becomes extremely apparent from the jump and just in case you didn't get that obvious point, don't worry, you'll be reminded in every conversation the characters have. It's exhausting.
On top of that every character is introduced uniquely but the dialogue isn't unique. I found myself starting to skip chunks of dialogue either because the main character was explaining the same thing to another character or the characters blended together.
There are moments the author leads us into these larger reveals but without setting the context for why it's so important the dramatic emphasis is completely lost on us.
The villain also seems to shift between a myriad of characters so when one passes it's hard to determine who truly is the main antagonist.
The author also explains in medium to no detail for the magic of those who are rift-touched so there are moments where you have to accept that something is silly and move on.
In credit for the author I liked the idea a lot, but it fell apart when everything started to blend together.
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