Crowbait

by David Rae

I am the whisperer and the words I speak echo within you. I am the whisperer and my words do not fade, they endure to the end.
Everything changed when the high priest defied the dark spirit Vatu. One man split into two, now one is a ghost and the other is free. But while Utas, the high priest, is released from his shackles, Vatu still commands the world, the Sun, and the twelve priests below him.
Alaba, the girl who shines like the moon, is alive and in danger. A heretic priest, follower of the Author of All Things, sends her away from the Valley of the Sun for her safety, only for her and her caretakers to be captured by bandits. They make a reluctant home among the bandits, but even in this village of outcasts, rivalries and secrets threaten their safety and their lives.
While the other priests of Vatu set out on their own dark quests, famine spreads across the dark lands. Hunger turns to desperation and war looms over the struggle for what little food remains. Utas finds purpose when he finally reunites with his daughter, but how can he keep her safe when death closes in on all sides?

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2023

About the author

David Rae lives in the West of Scotland. He lives in a world of his own; a world of wonder, a world where hoards of workers spill out of factories, a world were fog and smoke shroud all kinds of creatures, a world where ruined castles, factories and houses were haunted by ghosts, gangs and memories. He lives in world where witches have been burned at the cross and martyrs have been hung on the Gallowgreen. He writes poetry and short stories and reads every trashy novel, every children's book and every comic that comes his way.

Reviews

[Dixie Tuffington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book and I'm honestly sad that this is the third book in a series of three. A few things that made this book a standout for me - the map in the beginning is easier to read and understand than previous maps, I really loved how this time the writer created chapters written from others' points of views and labeled with their names, and finally, the concept of main characters being split in two and one becomes a ghost?! That's awesome! And of course there's a whole conversation about not believing in ghosts...so let's call it the person's "imagination." Or maybe let's talk about this conversation that Erroi has with "his" ghost, who says, "I am a ghost and a man and the Whisperer all at the same time. Which am I? I am all." Just like the other two books, the world-building is inspiring and the writing is just fantastic - not an error to be found! Just a well-produced series (great covers, will look great on a shelf all together), that actually functions as a series that takes readers from one book to the next and so on. I would love to see a fourth book (I'm not sure that would work?) or maybe more detail into each of the main characters (I bet they could each have their own series). Whatever the future holds for these characters, I would love more of them!

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crowbait is the third installment in the series, and I would advice anyone to read the first two to get a grasp onthe main idea and how thinga came to be this way. Some novels or movies you dont really have to, but this one, I would advise it. The map in this installment is easier to understand (you will know what I mean after reading the first two) and by far mt favorite. The tone that is set in this one is different to me, but in a good way

There is a heroic element to this novel, and one ablut saving his daughter while the world around them crumbles. There is actuallt a lot happening at the same time, however the author does a great job at keeping you engaged and notified of different things when they happen so you dont forget and have that, "oh yeah...that" type of moment. So that was a big plus for.me or any other reader who likes to read about mulitple things happening so they arent bored with the story line that isnt so linear.

The tone is kind of dark, and to me end of the world type of scenario with the famine going on. We all.know what hunger does to people, thoughts turn to desperation which turns into unthinkable actions. I als enkoyed the names and titles that were given to each of the characters.

If you are looking for a great read on a stormy night, then this is it. If you are looking for a great read for a week, but the whole series by this author. I think it would fit perfectly with anyone into drama.and action, who like to have their heart racing in and out of segments. Cover art is simple, but yet still.had me drawn to it. Kudos to the author and thr cover artist. 5 out.of 5 stars from me because the story was great, the characters were relatable, atmosphere was dark (which I liked) and overall just a great series. Check it out if you can! Good job!!!

[Valinora Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third visit into the sunless and twisted world of Vatu, and like the other two books in the series, ‘Crowman’ and ‘Crowtower’, it’s a gripping and immersive read. In ‘Crowman’ we meet Utas and his desperate attempt to save his daughter and escape Vatu and his encounter with the enigmatic Erroi. In ‘Crowtower’ we step back in time to a younger Utas growing up in the tower as one of Vatu’s priests (the high priest in fact). Vatu’s twelve priests are locked in an endless cycle of hatred and fear, death and rebirth, and there is a parallel story of another young man, a sort of shadow twin of Utas. ‘Crowbait’ then picks up immediately after ‘Crowtower’. This time the narrator is one of the gods, and a merciful god, who leads us through the world as we follow a number of different characters through this dark landscape of this brutal world. ‘Crowbait’ doesn’t take us right up to ‘Crowman’ (Utas’ daughter is only a young child) but it left me with an urge to dive straight into ‘Crowman’ and a sense that the three books mirror Utas and the priests’ lives, being cyclical rather than linear, which I thought was very clever.
The lyrical prose, imagination and originality of the first two books are also present in ‘Crowbait’. The author does a fantastic job of portraying a merciful god, and the very typical human reaction (doubt, denial, gratitude, anger, etc). There are a lot of characters in ‘Crowbait’, and as it has been some time since I read the first two books, I wish I had re-read them because I had forgotten who some of the people were, and didn’t make the connections to the other stories until afterwards. Other than that, I really enjoyed ‘Crowbait’, and if you like delving into unusual, dark fantasies, then I highly recommend this series.

[Eduardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Crowbait" is book 3 of the "The Sun Thief" series. It is a dark, mysterious, fast-paced and engaging fantasy novel that follows Utas, a high priest who defies the dark spirit Vatu, causing a split into two. While Utas is released from his shackles, Vatu still holds power over the world and its twelve priests. Alaba, a girl who is in danger, is sent away from the Valley of the Sun for her safety, only to be captured by bandits, leading to a reluctant home among the outcasts where rivalries and secrets threaten their lives. Meanwhile, famine and war loom over the struggle for food, and Utas tries to keep his daughter safe while death closes in on all sides. The book's plot is filled with action, suspense, and conflict. The characters face numerous challenges and threats, including a dark spirit, bandits, and famine. The story also explores themes such as power, survival, and family. Overall, it is a thrilling and complex fantasy novel that fans of the genre will find particularly interesting.

[Nicolin Odel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this gripping novel, witness a father's unwavering determination to save his daughter against all odds as the world they know falls apart around them. Join him on his heroic journey and experience the heart-wrenching emotions that come with every challenge he faces.

As the story unfolds, the characters are thrust into a series of perilous situations that put their lives on the line. They confront a malevolent spirit that seeks to destroy them, confront merciless bandits who will stop at nothing to seize their possessions, and endure periods of severe famine that test their endurance. With each new obstacle, the characters must draw upon their wits, courage, and resourcefulness to overcome the odds and emerge victorious.

If you're someone who enjoys adrenaline-packed action and nerve-wracking suspense, then this is the perfect choice for you. It promises to keep you thoroughly engaged as you embark on an enthralling journey through its gripping segments. The series is an absolute must-watch and I highly recommend you don't miss out on it!