Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Book Reviews

Book Review-The Raven

By Sandy Amazeen Apr 14, 2008, 16:08 GMT

Lawson continues his saga begun in Witch Ember by focusing on Sir Guiromélans, a Medianist Knight and a Raven of the Seven Kingdoms. The defeat he suffered at the hands of a witch has left him shaken to his core and questioning his faith, an activity unworthy of a Paladin of God. Seeking answers and penitence, Raven begins a crusade against heresy in the Southern Territories where he encounters an array of strange creatures and characters including ghouls, sorcerers, shades and demons. Despite trying to hold himself aloof from those around him Raven is taken by Balen, an innocent young boy who sees the knight as a possible father figure. Inner turmoil continually haunts Raven even as he battles evil in the name of the church and struggles to come to terms with a world that is anything but fair.

This is an almost overwhelming dark adult fantasy steeped in a wealth of different cultures and well-imagined creatures. Understanding the complex language requires the helpful glossary to sort out the terminology and while it does add an additional layer to the story, it can slow the pace. Speaking of which, the pace tends to alternate between periods of intense fighting action and introspection making for an uneven yet interesting read. The author’s illustrations are surprisingly well done and those portraying his creatures make one wonder what sort of childhood or demented dreams were responsible for such bizarre beasties. Although it helps to have read Witch Ember first in order to have a feel for the Seven Kingdoms, The Raven can be enjoyed on its own and provides an interesting commentary on a variety of social issues. A solid read.

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