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A School for Sorcery #3
When the Beast Ravens
The thrilling conclusion to the award-winning fantasy trilogy that began with A School for Sorcery.. .
As Gray Becq is about to discover, there are fates worse than death. It has been a full year since his escape from the Dire Realm. A year since a fellow student--having used his powers of sorcery to league himself with dark forces--betrayed him. Locked him away in a world beyond time, a world of unspeakable evil and unbearable tortures. Had it not been for Tria Tesserell and her extraordinary powers, he surely would have died. Now he almost wishes he had.
For no sooner has Becq adjusted himself to the familiar surroundings of The Lesley Simonton School for the Magically Gifted than a series of horrible accidents occur. Suspicion falls on Gray. Could he have brought a demon back with him from the Dire Realm? To find the truth, Gray will have to confront the most powerful demon he has ever the demon that lies within.
As Gray Becq is about to discover, there are fates worse than death. It has been a full year since his escape from the Dire Realm. A year since a fellow student--having used his powers of sorcery to league himself with dark forces--betrayed him. Locked him away in a world beyond time, a world of unspeakable evil and unbearable tortures. Had it not been for Tria Tesserell and her extraordinary powers, he surely would have died. Now he almost wishes he had.
For no sooner has Becq adjusted himself to the familiar surroundings of The Lesley Simonton School for the Magically Gifted than a series of horrible accidents occur. Suspicion falls on Gray. Could he have brought a demon back with him from the Dire Realm? To find the truth, Gray will have to confront the most powerful demon he has ever the demon that lies within.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2005
205 people want to read
About the author
E. Rose Sabin
27 books69 followersAlthough born in Pennsylvania, I have lived in Florida since I was five years old. Attended schools in Pinellas County and later taught Spanish and English in the Pinellas County Public Schools.
Although I've always written for my own pleasure, I became serious about writing for publication rather late. I'm now retired from teaching and devoting my time to my writing. Oh, and also to my two dogs, Juliet, a pit bull mix, and Pixie. Juliet I adopted from Animal Control after someone dumped her on the street. She's young, boisterous, and loves everybody. As for Pixie, I agreed to foster to save her from being euthanized. By the time she became adoptable, I realized I couldn't give her up. She's a very pretty dog, a mix of many breeds. She and Juliet love to play together and provide me with great entertainment.
Four of my published books are for teens, and form the Arucadi series, for the country in which they are set. I love hearing from teen readers. I also have a fantasy novel for older teens and adults, three Arucadi novels taking place long before the first four books. Then I have a an adult science fiction trilogy, and I do hope to hear from adult readers about it. I have four stand-alone fantasies for adults One of them, Seduction of the Scepter, is set in Eastern Europe in the mid-1700s. It's light on fantasy, and if you don't like series or trilogies, this might be the book for you. And finally I have a children's chapter book for ages 6-9 titled Grandy's Grand Inventions, which has elements of both fantasy and science fiction.
Although I've always written for my own pleasure, I became serious about writing for publication rather late. I'm now retired from teaching and devoting my time to my writing. Oh, and also to my two dogs, Juliet, a pit bull mix, and Pixie. Juliet I adopted from Animal Control after someone dumped her on the street. She's young, boisterous, and loves everybody. As for Pixie, I agreed to foster to save her from being euthanized. By the time she became adoptable, I realized I couldn't give her up. She's a very pretty dog, a mix of many breeds. She and Juliet love to play together and provide me with great entertainment.
Four of my published books are for teens, and form the Arucadi series, for the country in which they are set. I love hearing from teen readers. I also have a fantasy novel for older teens and adults, three Arucadi novels taking place long before the first four books. Then I have a an adult science fiction trilogy, and I do hope to hear from adult readers about it. I have four stand-alone fantasies for adults One of them, Seduction of the Scepter, is set in Eastern Europe in the mid-1700s. It's light on fantasy, and if you don't like series or trilogies, this might be the book for you. And finally I have a children's chapter book for ages 6-9 titled Grandy's Grand Inventions, which has elements of both fantasy and science fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 17, 2019
I loved A School for Sorcery. I have read it so many times, and I still can't put it down whenever I pick it up. So I was very happy to find this sequel. I read both in the dutch translation.
Unfortunately, the second book was translated by a different translator. She did a bad job, spoiling much of the reading pleasure.
Moreover, my favorite character Tria hardly plays a role, and my second favorite Aletheia is never even mentioned. Instead, there are too many new characters that all seem interchangeable. The plot is overloaded with all those characters, more and more demons and time dimensions, and all those magic talents that keep popping up just when they might come in handy.
Unfortunately, the second book was translated by a different translator. She did a bad job, spoiling much of the reading pleasure.
Moreover, my favorite character Tria hardly plays a role, and my second favorite Aletheia is never even mentioned. Instead, there are too many new characters that all seem interchangeable. The plot is overloaded with all those characters, more and more demons and time dimensions, and all those magic talents that keep popping up just when they might come in handy.
December 25, 2012
I liked it, but I couldn't stop thinking about Harry Potter. It's not the same, I know, but still :D Anyway. The book was nice, and I read it in less than a day. The demons, the struggle, the sacrifice, the power.. yeah, it was a really nice book. That rate, because it was no description. I mean, I don't even know how the main character looked like, or any other character. Beside the fact that Oryon was always wearing black and that one of Rehanne friends was brunette, I don't know anything else :)
November 19, 2008
I thought this book exceeded 'A School for Sorcery', it provided thought provoking questions, and it was an excellent read. 'When the Beast Ravens' combines mystery with sorcery, with each chapter getting more exciting than the last.
In conclusion, I feel this book is worth reading, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys magical novels with a hint of mystery.
In conclusion, I feel this book is worth reading, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys magical novels with a hint of mystery.
November 24, 2021
Rehanne era entuziasmată şi nerăbdătoare să-l întâlnească pe Gray. Vacanţa de vară se sfârşise şi un nou an şcolar urma să înceapă. Ultimul ei an de şcoală, unul bun pentru ea – cel puţin aşa se aştepta. Şi spera că va fi la fel de bun şi pentru Gray. Anul trecut el fusese atât de capricios, adesea deprimat, dar acum Rehanne era hotărâtă să facă tot ce-i va sta în puteri pentru a-l ajuta să-şi regăsească obişnuita sa fire veselă – şi va începe prin a-l saluta bucuroasă imediat ce îl va vedea coborând din autobuz, în mai puţin de o oră.
Ea venise cu o zi mai devreme ca să-şi aranjeze camera, să-şi întâlnească prietenii şi să schimbe noutăţi cu ei şi mai ales pentru a se relaxa puţin înainte de a intra în rutina cursurilor. Noua ei colegă de cameră, Chantal Navarese, sosise în această dimineaţă. Rehanne se aşteptase să împartă camera cu Petra Stratigeas, aşa cum făcuse anul trecut. Cu Petra se înţelesese bine, dar pe Chantal abia dacă o cunoştea. Aflase însă că fiecare elevă din anul al treilea fusese repartizată în cameră cu una din anul al doilea.
Rehanne îşi văzuse noua colegă doar în treacăt. Când aceasta sosise, o lăsase să-şi despacheteze şi să-şi aşeze lucrurile, iar ea se dusese la Petra, să petreacă puţin timp împreună.
Se apropia însă ora la care urma să vină autobuzul lui Gray, şi Rehanne se întoarse în camera ei pentru a se aranja puţin înainte de a-l întâlni. Când intră, noua ei colegă stătea în patru labe, cu fundul în sus şi cu faţa aproape lipită de podea.
— Ce faci acolo, Chantal?
Fata se răsuci şi o privi printre buclele lungi şi blonde care i se revărsaseră pe obraji.
— Mi-am pierdut un cercel cu diamant. Trebuie să mă ajuţi să-l găsesc.
— Îmi pare rău, dar n-am timp. Vine Gray şi trebuie să-l aştept la autobuz.
Spunând aceasta, Rehanne se apropie de măsuţa de toaletă şi îşi luă pieptănul. Chantal se ridică şi îşi dădu la o parte părul de pe ochi.
— Fii atentă pe unde păşeşti! se răţoi ea. Poţi să calci pe el şi să-l spargi. Trebuie neapărat să-l găsesc. E foarte valoros… şi nu-i al meu.
— Al cui e? întrebă Rehanne, care nu era curioasă deloc, dar voia să se arate cât de cât interesată aşa, din politeţe; gândurile nu-i stăteau la necazurile colegei de cameră, ci la Gray.
— E al mamei, o moştenire de familie. Şi ea… ea nu ştie că l-am luat.
Lacrimi începură să se prelingă din ochii chihlimbarii ai lui Chantal. Genele ei lungi tremurară ca aripile unui fluture.
— Te rog, te rog să mă ajuţi! insistă ea.
Ea venise cu o zi mai devreme ca să-şi aranjeze camera, să-şi întâlnească prietenii şi să schimbe noutăţi cu ei şi mai ales pentru a se relaxa puţin înainte de a intra în rutina cursurilor. Noua ei colegă de cameră, Chantal Navarese, sosise în această dimineaţă. Rehanne se aşteptase să împartă camera cu Petra Stratigeas, aşa cum făcuse anul trecut. Cu Petra se înţelesese bine, dar pe Chantal abia dacă o cunoştea. Aflase însă că fiecare elevă din anul al treilea fusese repartizată în cameră cu una din anul al doilea.
Rehanne îşi văzuse noua colegă doar în treacăt. Când aceasta sosise, o lăsase să-şi despacheteze şi să-şi aşeze lucrurile, iar ea se dusese la Petra, să petreacă puţin timp împreună.
Se apropia însă ora la care urma să vină autobuzul lui Gray, şi Rehanne se întoarse în camera ei pentru a se aranja puţin înainte de a-l întâlni. Când intră, noua ei colegă stătea în patru labe, cu fundul în sus şi cu faţa aproape lipită de podea.
— Ce faci acolo, Chantal?
Fata se răsuci şi o privi printre buclele lungi şi blonde care i se revărsaseră pe obraji.
— Mi-am pierdut un cercel cu diamant. Trebuie să mă ajuţi să-l găsesc.
— Îmi pare rău, dar n-am timp. Vine Gray şi trebuie să-l aştept la autobuz.
Spunând aceasta, Rehanne se apropie de măsuţa de toaletă şi îşi luă pieptănul. Chantal se ridică şi îşi dădu la o parte părul de pe ochi.
— Fii atentă pe unde păşeşti! se răţoi ea. Poţi să calci pe el şi să-l spargi. Trebuie neapărat să-l găsesc. E foarte valoros… şi nu-i al meu.
— Al cui e? întrebă Rehanne, care nu era curioasă deloc, dar voia să se arate cât de cât interesată aşa, din politeţe; gândurile nu-i stăteau la necazurile colegei de cameră, ci la Gray.
— E al mamei, o moştenire de familie. Şi ea… ea nu ştie că l-am luat.
Lacrimi începură să se prelingă din ochii chihlimbarii ai lui Chantal. Genele ei lungi tremurară ca aripile unui fluture.
— Te rog, te rog să mă ajuţi! insistă ea.
April 4, 2021
Aparte fantasy, maar handig is wel om de voorgaande delen te lezen. Want dat loopt wel als een draad door het verhaal. Daarnaast zie je daarmee de groei en gedachten van de hoofdpersonen.
Maar wat het boek en mogelijk de serie wel mooi maakt, is de achterliggende gedachten die je eruit zou kunnen halen.
Maar dat laat ik aan de lezers zelf.
De verhaallijnen ziin heel goed en de personages groeien.
Maar wat het boek en mogelijk de serie wel mooi maakt, is de achterliggende gedachten die je eruit zou kunnen halen.
Maar dat laat ik aan de lezers zelf.
De verhaallijnen ziin heel goed en de personages groeien.
April 23, 2020
Can the students of The Lesley Simonton School for the Magically Gifted unite to uncover the culprit and defeat the demons that have entered from the Dire Realm?
September 11, 2011
This is a sequel to A School for Sorcery, and takes place a couple of years after the events in that book. Gray Becq is a third-year student (his last year) in the training of his magical gifts and has a bad feeling about returning to the Simonton School. He was one of the students who was abducted by Dire Women (demons) his first year, and he’s still recovering from the experience. As it turns out, Gray is right to feel apprehensive – the year gets off to a bad start as students’ valuable magical possessions go missing and students are possessed and attacked by demons. The school’s faculty seems at times to be as helpless (and clueless) about the mysterious demonic invasion as are the students. Gray and his classmates (Rehanne, Lina, Oryon, and others) are left to their own devices to overcome the evil and save themselves before everyone is enslaved or dead. Meddling local authorities (who are suspicious of anyone with magical gifts) make matters worse as they conduct their investigation.
Confusing powers and a continuous flow of red herrings make it difficult for the reader to solve this mystery. Although there are some clues, there’s no conclusive evidence until it all comes pouring out at the end. The endless back and forth is both tedious and frustrating – they can’t figure it out! You can’t figure it out! E. Rose Sabin also has a tendency to give her characters magical powers/skills that conveniently allow them accomplish whatever tasks are set before them. And the school’s administration (Headmistress in particular) is unforgivably irresponsible – kids are dying and no one is stepping in to take charge of the situation? It’s hard to believe (unless the students’ families have no love for them). I liked a lot of the ideas and the magical skills, but found that this, like Sabin’s other novels was kind of a hot mess – not bad, but all over the place.
Confusing powers and a continuous flow of red herrings make it difficult for the reader to solve this mystery. Although there are some clues, there’s no conclusive evidence until it all comes pouring out at the end. The endless back and forth is both tedious and frustrating – they can’t figure it out! You can’t figure it out! E. Rose Sabin also has a tendency to give her characters magical powers/skills that conveniently allow them accomplish whatever tasks are set before them. And the school’s administration (Headmistress in particular) is unforgivably irresponsible – kids are dying and no one is stepping in to take charge of the situation? It’s hard to believe (unless the students’ families have no love for them). I liked a lot of the ideas and the magical skills, but found that this, like Sabin’s other novels was kind of a hot mess – not bad, but all over the place.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2012
Although it finally pulls together the first and second books in the trilogy, it never really soars. It was interesting, plenty was going on as characters wandered between realities and scary creatures seem to show up. But I still didn't care at all about the cardboard characters. I've finished the trilogy and I'm ready to move on.
March 2, 2008
the third in a series? trilogy?, it focuses on a group of students in a magic school.
an interesting read, with human characters, this was a magic school mystery/thriller with intelligence and a knowing glint.
an interesting read, with human characters, this was a magic school mystery/thriller with intelligence and a knowing glint.
June 3, 2008
The sequel to A School for Sorcery. Interesting and nice to read, but in no way as good as A School for Sorcery.
September 20, 2008
i love it but i miss walice,
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews