Helpful Score: 12
Raven's Shadow has all the hallmarks of a great book - excellent writing, a storyline with enough twists and turns to keep you hooked, well though-out characters and an amazing plot.
The first in two books, Raven's Shadow is the story of Seraph, a mage and 'traveller'. She meets up with Tier and it's no surprise when they fall in love (the back cover gives it all away when it says she must find her missing husband).
I cannot stress enough about how well Briggs writes. I don't normally read fantasy (urban fantasy, yes - but not straight fantasy), but I think that's because the writing never hooks me, but I am continually impressed with Briggs. I have fallen in love with all her characters so far (from the Mercy Thompson series to Hob's Baragain) and Seraph and her family are no exception. The characters feel like real people, with the quirks and problems that real people have.
Briggs gives you just enough information to keep you hooked. She gradually builds on the world she's created, not dumping too much information on you at a time. At some point you realize that you really do understand the world the characters are living in and care about what happens to them.
I highly recommend this book.
The first in two books, Raven's Shadow is the story of Seraph, a mage and 'traveller'. She meets up with Tier and it's no surprise when they fall in love (the back cover gives it all away when it says she must find her missing husband).
I cannot stress enough about how well Briggs writes. I don't normally read fantasy (urban fantasy, yes - but not straight fantasy), but I think that's because the writing never hooks me, but I am continually impressed with Briggs. I have fallen in love with all her characters so far (from the Mercy Thompson series to Hob's Baragain) and Seraph and her family are no exception. The characters feel like real people, with the quirks and problems that real people have.
Briggs gives you just enough information to keep you hooked. She gradually builds on the world she's created, not dumping too much information on you at a time. At some point you realize that you really do understand the world the characters are living in and care about what happens to them.
I highly recommend this book.
Helpful Score: 3
This one is pure fantasy and is totally different from her Mercy Thompson series. I enjoyed the magic elements the best. The world building is spectacular and the characters are so real. Without the magic, they could easily be from this time period. Book 2 of the series is [book:Raven's Strike|285206].
Helpful Score: 2
Great story, compelling characters and an entertaining sequel in "Raven's Strike."
Magic, romance, intrigue and an elusive bad guy...I liked it.
Magic, romance, intrigue and an elusive bad guy...I liked it.
The Raven series is well up to Ms. Briggs standards. Don't miss it.
This is the first book in the Raven Duology by Patricia Briggs. It was an okay book. I liked the world and the magic system but thought that the pacing throughout the book was a bit erratic. I have also read Briggs Mercy Thompson series (which I thought was okay, but lacking in character development); this series is much different from the Mercy Thompson series. This series is written in a more traditional fantasy style, with less humor, and a slower pace.
Seraph is the last of her Traveler Clan. She thinks her and her husband have settled down for a life of farming when they find out a greater evil is targeting both the Travelers and the land as a whole. Seraph and her family are drawn into the very conflict that Seraph tried to avoid when she was younger.
The first part of this book was really slow for me. I had to really, really push through it. I tried to be patient and remember that sometimes good fantasies take a while to set up. It doesn't help that I recently read "Warbreaker" by Brandon Sanderson which was an amazing book. A lot of time was spent dealing with the past when Seraph met her husband, and I really thought this probably wasn't needed and made the story take a lot longer than necessary to get going.
Once the story did get going though I really enjoyed some of the other characters; mainly Teir, Jes, and the Emperor. The plot was well done and the end of the book was action packed and fast-paced. I never did care much about Seraph. I was also disappointed that Seraph's younger daughter (the weather witch) was left at home; she was a great character and she got shuffled out of the story.
The magic system was very interesting as was the structure of the clans. If the second book keeps up the pace of the last third of the first book; then the second book will be a great book. I would buy both books at once if I was going to read this series. Although the first book concludes a major plot point there are many loose ends left hanging that have yet to be wrapped up. Also keep in mind these books are very different from the Mercy Thompson series both in character-type and writing style.
Personally I liked Rhiannon's Ride by Kate Forsyth and Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson much better than this book when it comes to your traditional fantasy type of book.
Seraph is the last of her Traveler Clan. She thinks her and her husband have settled down for a life of farming when they find out a greater evil is targeting both the Travelers and the land as a whole. Seraph and her family are drawn into the very conflict that Seraph tried to avoid when she was younger.
The first part of this book was really slow for me. I had to really, really push through it. I tried to be patient and remember that sometimes good fantasies take a while to set up. It doesn't help that I recently read "Warbreaker" by Brandon Sanderson which was an amazing book. A lot of time was spent dealing with the past when Seraph met her husband, and I really thought this probably wasn't needed and made the story take a lot longer than necessary to get going.
Once the story did get going though I really enjoyed some of the other characters; mainly Teir, Jes, and the Emperor. The plot was well done and the end of the book was action packed and fast-paced. I never did care much about Seraph. I was also disappointed that Seraph's younger daughter (the weather witch) was left at home; she was a great character and she got shuffled out of the story.
The magic system was very interesting as was the structure of the clans. If the second book keeps up the pace of the last third of the first book; then the second book will be a great book. I would buy both books at once if I was going to read this series. Although the first book concludes a major plot point there are many loose ends left hanging that have yet to be wrapped up. Also keep in mind these books are very different from the Mercy Thompson series both in character-type and writing style.
Personally I liked Rhiannon's Ride by Kate Forsyth and Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson much better than this book when it comes to your traditional fantasy type of book.
Loved this book as well as the sequel. The only disappointing thing is the fact that she didn't make it a trilogy.
A great introduction to a new universe. Can't wait to read what comes next.
"For many years, the city of Colossae was a haven of magical study. As generations of wizards pushed the limits of their abilities, an evil entity was unleashed that could only be contained by the sacrifice of their city...."
Back cover:
"For many years, the city of Colossae was a haven of magical study. As generations of wizards pushed the limits of their abilities, an evil entity was unleashed that could only be contained by the sacrifice of their city. From the ashes of Colossae, the Travelers emerged--roaming the world to ensure that the Stalker would remain imprisoned forever. . .
Seraph is a Raven mage and among the last of the Travelers. Unwelcome among those who fear magic, the wizard clans have been decimated by the very people they've sworn to protect. But Seraph is spared a similar fate by the ex-soldier Tier--and together they build a life where she is no longer burdened by her people's responsibility.
But now Tier is missing--or dead--and Seraph's reprieve from her duty is over. Using her magic to discover her husband's fate, Seraph realizes the Stalker's prison is weakening--and only Seraph can fulfill her ancestors' oath to protect humanity from destruction. . . "
"For many years, the city of Colossae was a haven of magical study. As generations of wizards pushed the limits of their abilities, an evil entity was unleashed that could only be contained by the sacrifice of their city. From the ashes of Colossae, the Travelers emerged--roaming the world to ensure that the Stalker would remain imprisoned forever. . .
Seraph is a Raven mage and among the last of the Travelers. Unwelcome among those who fear magic, the wizard clans have been decimated by the very people they've sworn to protect. But Seraph is spared a similar fate by the ex-soldier Tier--and together they build a life where she is no longer burdened by her people's responsibility.
But now Tier is missing--or dead--and Seraph's reprieve from her duty is over. Using her magic to discover her husband's fate, Seraph realizes the Stalker's prison is weakening--and only Seraph can fulfill her ancestors' oath to protect humanity from destruction. . . "
