Wow! You say the writer manages to put readers into a trance, well you certainly put me into a trance with this review! Seriously this sounds amazing. I was completely spellbinded right from the very beginning of your review. The main character sounds amazing, and if there is one thing I like in pretty much any kind of medium it’s great characters. So..this is a trilogy I will really be adding to my to read list. It’s been quite a while since I read a good fantasy novel. Really want to get back into that genre again, ASAP. Fantastic post Lashaan! 😊
Aw man, I appreciate the kind words, good sir. That definitely gives me a wonderful boost of motivation. Yep. It’s a bit rare to see a lot of first-person fantasy stories nowadays, but this one is truly amazing. You can feel the weight that Ryhalt carries around and all his veteran experience in his quite-dangerous world. I’m convinced the finale will seal the deal and make this a classic trilogy in the genre. 😀 Thanks again for taking the time to read this, Michel!
Awesome review!
I bought the first book recently, after seeing some raving reviews, and cuz the cover was lovely 😀
The religion theme is quite intriguing. I’m not religious, but the history of religion always interested me, even if it’s a fictional one. I mean, the author had to get the idea from real life…?
Thanks, Norrie! 😀 It’s actually the blogosphere that put the first book on my radar too. And ever since I got to read Blackwing, I was incredibly happy to have gotten through it. And yes! These covers are GORGEOUS! I love the design. I can’t imagine what the third one would look like. 😛
I’m not religious either and have always seen religion as a concept created to explain what mankind was not yet ready to explain and understand. How it is delivered or expressed in real life or fiction has always intrigued me since it shows a lot on how much the person grasps the concept and delivers it. Clearly, in Ravencry, Ed McDonald took inspiration of how some of the more extreme cults/religions were brought to life and implanted within a fantasy setting. He does magnificently! 😀
On one hand, it sounds wonderfully intriguing and well written. Al the reviews of the previous book and this one by the people I follow are all positive.
On the other hand, the dark, the grim, the eating away of sanity, all that stuff puts me on edge. I don’t enjoy Grimdark and honestly that is the biggest obstacle to me even trying this trilogy. Thankfully, I don’t really have to make a decision until the final book comes out 🙂
I can definitely see your struggle regarding this series. It’s a beautiful, atmospheric darkness that Ed McDonald writes up in this series. I would however be pretty curious to see what you’d think of it all someday, and hopefully, after the final book comes out, you’ll get the chance to test Blackwing and decide if it’s too dark or perfect. 😀
Hey… If you can “survive” the Malazan books, something tells me you can survive the end of the world. And also this series. *applies pressure* Just kidding. I’m sure you’ll figure out if its for you or not in due time, 😉
I can assure you that Ryhalt Galharrow is a truly fascinating and complex character. I’d have picked up this series just for his character. 😋 Thank YOU for reading, Caroline! 😉
Thank you, Paul. I’d definitely recommend this series to anyone. I have a hard time imagining how it could disappoint anyone. And if you’re already interested just by the sound of it all, especially of its plot, then the odds that you’ll enjoy it are pretty high. 😀
Aw man, thank you so much for your kind words, Sophie! I’m soooo envious of you! So cool that you got to meet him. I really hope you enjoy it when you get around to it! 😀
I’m hoping to get to this one soon (it’s definitely on my fall catch-up list)! I was sort of on the fence about the first one, but I’m very optimistic about this sequel since everyone is saying it’s so good!
Wow! What a passionate review, Lashaan! It’s obvious that Ravencry left you with a lot to think about. Character development and relationships are key to my enjoyment of any text. I’ll be keeping an eye on the final book to be published. After all, you know I can’t read a series until they are all out. 😉
Do you think Ravencry suffers at all from middle-book-syndrome? It doesn’t sound like it! But, having not read your review for book 1, it’s hard to compare…
Thank you, Jackie! ❤ I do love a good story that does more than just tell an adventure. So much was put into the character's place within this world and the world-building. I'm just happy that the author was able to build it all up without tripping!
Not at all. I felt like both books had different intentions. The fact that the second book went with whole other way of telling the story felt fresh and different for me. While everything in the first book heavily carries over, it still managed to find a way to tell it differently. Although… coming from someone who has only given praise for the first book (yeh.. if you thought this was passionate, you'll be surprised by what I had to say about Blackwing hahaha), you might have to gather thoughts about this series from some more folks to see what's up. 😀
I’ll definitely have to check out your review of Blackwing if you think it’s more passionate than this! Particularly since it was McDonald’s debut novel– I am always super happy when a debut novel goes over so well! 🙂
I haven’t read Blackwing yet, unfortunately, but your stellar review for both books definitely has piked my interest even further. And hey, anything invoking ravens is kind of in right now and I’m totally for it, no matter how vapid that sounds. I AM IN FOR IT.
Seriously, this guy sounds like a terrific and underappreciated author. I don’t see many reviews for his books going around, except for a few niche bloggers, and even those are hard to find. So kudos for reading this and enjoying it! It definitely seems to tick all the right boxes, which is a feat in itself.
I’m not currently in the mood for darker fantasy types but when I am, oh boy, will I try and get my hands on this one. Amazing review, as always, Lashaan! 🙂
If you’re into the whole darker fantasy world, then this is just a must. It’s way too beautiful. And hell yes to ravens. I mean… I don’t read YA novels, but I know how omnipresent ravens are, and being finally able to read something that has ravens?! Hell yes! 😀 I do have to admit that I feel like the author and his series doesn’t get as much marketing going on than others do, but man does it deserve it. Maybe it’s how dark it is that makes it harder to do publicity around hahah Thanks for reading as always, Sophie! 😀
I’ll admit I didn’t read your review too closely because I haven’t started this series yet, but I’m so looking forward to binging someday, because I have copies of both books😁
I’m soooo not surprised to hear your interest upon reading about the whole religion and faith stuff hahahah I think you’d find it quite intriguing when you around to it. If you ever do give Blackwing and Ravencry a shot, I hope you’ll love them! 😀
Awesome review Lashaan. The intriguing world building and the characters, especially the complex MC are a point in its favor. I don’t mind a dark fantasy but there has to be a light at then end of the tunnel. Something positive out of the weight the MC carries. Can’t wait! ❤️❤️
Thank you so much, Dani! And yes to a complex MC! He’s absolutely awesome here. Yes, you’re right about the need for a little ray of hope within all the darkness. It’s why the humour (while a bit darker) helps alleviate the tone. It’s not a story that just drags you into depression though. It has its moments to boost the reader with excitement, hope and happiness. 😉
You read it!
Man, your review just pulled me right back into the book and what you say is true- it truly is breathtaking… the ending left we cursing in the middle of the room and it was just whoooaaaa- so much passion and pain and anguish and worries. Galharrow is probably one of the best characters for me out there!
Brilliant review, as always 😉
Couldn’t wait any longer! 😛 Tell me about it. I’m sort of sad that there’s only one more book left in this series, Galharrow is such a phenomenal character. I could totally see this book being turned into an amazing movie. The creatures alone would make this so epic! :O Thanks for reading, Liz!
Awesome review! I loved how this dealt with Ryhalt’s deteriorating mental state too!! And the world was built on so well in this one! And I really felt like this delivered as much as the first book! So glad you liked it too!!
Bookidote 
Love your site ! I just started following you ..can you follow me back to help support my new blogging site!!
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Thank you! I wish you the best of luck for your new blogging projects. 🙂
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Oooh, sounds like something I should check out!
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Absolutely! Blackwing and Ravencry were both sooooo formidable! If it has piqued your curiosity, then I believe it won’t disappoint you! 🙂
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Wow! You say the writer manages to put readers into a trance, well you certainly put me into a trance with this review! Seriously this sounds amazing. I was completely spellbinded right from the very beginning of your review. The main character sounds amazing, and if there is one thing I like in pretty much any kind of medium it’s great characters. So..this is a trilogy I will really be adding to my to read list. It’s been quite a while since I read a good fantasy novel. Really want to get back into that genre again, ASAP. Fantastic post Lashaan! 😊
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Aw man, I appreciate the kind words, good sir. That definitely gives me a wonderful boost of motivation. Yep. It’s a bit rare to see a lot of first-person fantasy stories nowadays, but this one is truly amazing. You can feel the weight that Ryhalt carries around and all his veteran experience in his quite-dangerous world. I’m convinced the finale will seal the deal and make this a classic trilogy in the genre. 😀 Thanks again for taking the time to read this, Michel!
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Awesome review!
I bought the first book recently, after seeing some raving reviews, and cuz the cover was lovely 😀
The religion theme is quite intriguing. I’m not religious, but the history of religion always interested me, even if it’s a fictional one. I mean, the author had to get the idea from real life…?
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Thanks, Norrie! 😀 It’s actually the blogosphere that put the first book on my radar too. And ever since I got to read Blackwing, I was incredibly happy to have gotten through it. And yes! These covers are GORGEOUS! I love the design. I can’t imagine what the third one would look like. 😛
I’m not religious either and have always seen religion as a concept created to explain what mankind was not yet ready to explain and understand. How it is delivered or expressed in real life or fiction has always intrigued me since it shows a lot on how much the person grasps the concept and delivers it. Clearly, in Ravencry, Ed McDonald took inspiration of how some of the more extreme cults/religions were brought to life and implanted within a fantasy setting. He does magnificently! 😀
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I am very on the fence with this series.
On one hand, it sounds wonderfully intriguing and well written. Al the reviews of the previous book and this one by the people I follow are all positive.
On the other hand, the dark, the grim, the eating away of sanity, all that stuff puts me on edge. I don’t enjoy Grimdark and honestly that is the biggest obstacle to me even trying this trilogy. Thankfully, I don’t really have to make a decision until the final book comes out 🙂
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I can definitely see your struggle regarding this series. It’s a beautiful, atmospheric darkness that Ed McDonald writes up in this series. I would however be pretty curious to see what you’d think of it all someday, and hopefully, after the final book comes out, you’ll get the chance to test Blackwing and decide if it’s too dark or perfect. 😀
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Yeah, that whole “darkness” thing is such a fine line. Maybe some day 🙂
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Hey… If you can “survive” the Malazan books, something tells me you can survive the end of the world. And also this series. *applies pressure* Just kidding. I’m sure you’ll figure out if its for you or not in due time, 😉
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😀
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Great review, as always, Lashaan ! 😄 The main character sounds really intriguing and I usually like that a lot in books! Thank you 😊
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I can assure you that Ryhalt Galharrow is a truly fascinating and complex character. I’d have picked up this series just for his character. 😋 Thank YOU for reading, Caroline! 😉
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Hahaha not surprised by that 😉 hmmm… It might be my next read actually 🤔 have to think about that 😛
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I’d gladly lend you my copy of Blackwing if you ever actually want to read it, unless you want your own copy of course hahah 😉
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Oow that’so sweet thank you 😍 i’ll let you know 😉
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Excellent review! I’m very tempted to pick up the first one. All the things you mentioned, I enjoy in my fiction.
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Thank you, Paul. I’d definitely recommend this series to anyone. I have a hard time imagining how it could disappoint anyone. And if you’re already interested just by the sound of it all, especially of its plot, then the odds that you’ll enjoy it are pretty high. 😀
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Added to TBR!
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WOW Lashaan fantastic review! I was lucky enough to have my book signed by Ed at YALC 2018 and now it waits for me on my shelf!
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Aw man, thank you so much for your kind words, Sophie! I’m soooo envious of you! So cool that you got to meet him. I really hope you enjoy it when you get around to it! 😀
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Fantastic review, Lashaan! I haven’t read the first book yet but I’m glad the second was just as amazing.
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Thank you so much Raven! If you ever do read it, I hope you’ll love it as much as I did. 😉
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I’m hoping to get to this one soon (it’s definitely on my fall catch-up list)! I was sort of on the fence about the first one, but I’m very optimistic about this sequel since everyone is saying it’s so good!
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I’m sort of surprised that I even have a series like this one read before the great Mogsy 😱😂 I do hope your experience with will be quite rewarding!
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Wow! What a passionate review, Lashaan! It’s obvious that Ravencry left you with a lot to think about. Character development and relationships are key to my enjoyment of any text. I’ll be keeping an eye on the final book to be published. After all, you know I can’t read a series until they are all out. 😉
Do you think Ravencry suffers at all from middle-book-syndrome? It doesn’t sound like it! But, having not read your review for book 1, it’s hard to compare…
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Thank you, Jackie! ❤ I do love a good story that does more than just tell an adventure. So much was put into the character's place within this world and the world-building. I'm just happy that the author was able to build it all up without tripping!
Not at all. I felt like both books had different intentions. The fact that the second book went with whole other way of telling the story felt fresh and different for me. While everything in the first book heavily carries over, it still managed to find a way to tell it differently. Although… coming from someone who has only given praise for the first book (yeh.. if you thought this was passionate, you'll be surprised by what I had to say about Blackwing hahaha), you might have to gather thoughts about this series from some more folks to see what's up. 😀
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I’ll definitely have to check out your review of Blackwing if you think it’s more passionate than this! Particularly since it was McDonald’s debut novel– I am always super happy when a debut novel goes over so well! 🙂
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Hahaha you really didn’t have to, but yes! A wonderful debut, it was! 😀
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I haven’t read Blackwing yet, unfortunately, but your stellar review for both books definitely has piked my interest even further. And hey, anything invoking ravens is kind of in right now and I’m totally for it, no matter how vapid that sounds. I AM IN FOR IT.
Seriously, this guy sounds like a terrific and underappreciated author. I don’t see many reviews for his books going around, except for a few niche bloggers, and even those are hard to find. So kudos for reading this and enjoying it! It definitely seems to tick all the right boxes, which is a feat in itself.
I’m not currently in the mood for darker fantasy types but when I am, oh boy, will I try and get my hands on this one. Amazing review, as always, Lashaan! 🙂
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If you’re into the whole darker fantasy world, then this is just a must. It’s way too beautiful. And hell yes to ravens. I mean… I don’t read YA novels, but I know how omnipresent ravens are, and being finally able to read something that has ravens?! Hell yes! 😀 I do have to admit that I feel like the author and his series doesn’t get as much marketing going on than others do, but man does it deserve it. Maybe it’s how dark it is that makes it harder to do publicity around hahah Thanks for reading as always, Sophie! 😀
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I’ll admit I didn’t read your review too closely because I haven’t started this series yet, but I’m so looking forward to binging someday, because I have copies of both books😁
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I do remember that you got those books recently too! SDCC right? 😛 Hope you enjoy them when you get the chance to, Tammy! 😀
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Great review, great book, no more words need writing.👍
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Thank you, good sir. 😀
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A fantasy novel that includes religion and faith and “birth of religion” in its world-building << that means I gotta read it! On my TBR it goes.
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I’m soooo not surprised to hear your interest upon reading about the whole religion and faith stuff hahahah I think you’d find it quite intriguing when you around to it. If you ever do give Blackwing and Ravencry a shot, I hope you’ll love them! 😀
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Thanks! 🙂 I hope so too.
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I’ve seen such wonderful things about this series and this review is just reinforcing that I really have to check it out. Great review!
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Thanks, Stephanie! It merits all the praise it gets! Definitely worth checking out. 😀
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Awesome review Lashaan. The intriguing world building and the characters, especially the complex MC are a point in its favor. I don’t mind a dark fantasy but there has to be a light at then end of the tunnel. Something positive out of the weight the MC carries. Can’t wait! ❤️❤️
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Thank you so much, Dani! And yes to a complex MC! He’s absolutely awesome here. Yes, you’re right about the need for a little ray of hope within all the darkness. It’s why the humour (while a bit darker) helps alleviate the tone. It’s not a story that just drags you into depression though. It has its moments to boost the reader with excitement, hope and happiness. 😉
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You read it!
Man, your review just pulled me right back into the book and what you say is true- it truly is breathtaking… the ending left we cursing in the middle of the room and it was just whoooaaaa- so much passion and pain and anguish and worries. Galharrow is probably one of the best characters for me out there!
Brilliant review, as always 😉
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Couldn’t wait any longer! 😛 Tell me about it. I’m sort of sad that there’s only one more book left in this series, Galharrow is such a phenomenal character. I could totally see this book being turned into an amazing movie. The creatures alone would make this so epic! :O Thanks for reading, Liz!
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Quite a review — a standing ovation. If I didn’t have other books in queue and a life to lead, I would be curious to read this
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Thanks Karina! It is a series that has succeeded in blowing me away every single time. ☺️
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Awesome review! I loved how this dealt with Ryhalt’s deteriorating mental state too!! And the world was built on so well in this one! And I really felt like this delivered as much as the first book! So glad you liked it too!!
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Yes!! Tell me about it! 😁 Loved the approach for this sequel, it definitely had me going in with high expectations too!
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Yes for sure!!
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