Ravencry
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher!
Four years have passed since Nall’s Engine drove the Deep Kings back across the Misery, but as they hurl fire from the sky, darker forces plots against the republic.
A new power is rising: a ghost in the light known only as the Bright Lady manifests in visions across the city, and the cult that worship her grasp for power even as the city burns around them.
When Crowfoot’s arcane vault is breached, an object of terrible power is stolen, and Galharrow and his Blackwings must once find out which of Valengrad’s enemies is responsible before they have a chance to use it.
To save Valengrad, Galharrow, Nenn and Tnota must venture to a darker, more twisted and more dangerous place than any they’ve walked before: the very heart of the Misery.
I think you all saw this coming, after I read, loved and raved about Blackwing, am I right? I absolutely had to be part of the blog tour for Ravencry, and I shrieked when my copy arrived in the post! I've been anticipating this book so freaking much! Blackwing was a book that surprised me, pulled me in, and completely hooked me. It was dark, gritty and a brilliant debut and I instantly loved it....Ravencry is an absolutely fantastic sequel! The sequel we deserve...the sequel we need.
If it's been a while since you read Blackwing, fear not. Ed's got you, with a *adopts Ian Sterling voice* "Previously on Raven's Mark"! I have to say, it was nicely done, it wasn't pages long...it was the bare bones of what you need to know, and everything came flooding back. I remembered most bits, but it threw me back in to the world, prompted my memory and it was like I'd never even left.
Ravencry's opening line immediately lures you in, and the first page in general pulls you effortlessly back in to the world of the book. You know what Ryhalt's doing is a Bad Idea and you know it won't end well...but I was kind of fondly chuckling like "Oh Ryhalt". It's just standard Ryhalt. There's no hanging about, we're straight in at the first chapter with a mystery presented to us, a plot to unfurl and it swiftly delved in to some action, before nailing us with the last line. And that's literally just the first chapter, it's all go from there and I was more than happy to make myself comfortable for the next few hours and get lost in the latest adventure....crisis....situation.
Once again, Ed's writing is on point. The world closes in on you as you read, rising out of the murky depths of your memory until you're ensconced in the dark and gritty world of the book once again. Personally, I see everything in shades of grey and black when it comes to this world, the world comes across to me as dark and murky, and Ed wonderfully paints a picture for you with his descriptions. The world is built up some more this time round, and it's effortlessly done. I love cinematic, atmospheric and and vivid the writing is. The phrases, and language used fits the characters perfectly and helps to bring them to life, it fits the world perfectly, which helps to suck you in.
The thing I love about the writing is that it brilliantly creates the world, fleshes it out, pulls you in, and the descriptions paint pictures...but the writing is swift. There's no long and stodgy descriptions as in some fantasy books. Plus Ryhalt's narrative voice is excellently brought back to life for Ravencry! Courtesy of Ryhalt, (and a few other characters, but mostly Ryhalt) we get treated to some brilliant sprinkles of humour. Honestly...he swears as much, if not more as I do and I constantly find myself cackling at his narrative and some of his one liners.
He continues to be a relatable and realistic character for me. Never have I applauded and cheered a character so much as Ryhalt. Doesn't matter what he's doing. Kicking ass? Bluntly answering the one question all of us tattoo owners are sick of answering? Generally doling out some sass? All of it has me reacting some way.
Of course, Ryhalt's great and everything, but there's a brilliant support cast too! Tnota returns, but we don't get to see all that much of him, which made me sad, but he does save the day so it's all good! Nenn...my poor Nenn returns to us this book. I love Nenn, and this book hit me right in the feels when it came to her. Right. In. The. Feels. She banters with Ryhalt brilliantly, she doesn't take shit from anyone, and she's an all round brilliant character....I screamed/shrieked at the events surrounding Nenn. Sorry not sorry. I stand by my statement that she needs her own book one day!
Dantry makes a return too, but he is not the Dantry we remember and I was kinda sad about that. I mean I figured he might be a bit different after the last book but honestly...I felt so bad for him. I was rooting for him to pull himself together and get back on track, and I'm hoping we get to see that next book. He and Ryhalt could go on an interesting journey next book, and I'd be interested in seeing how they work together after everything that's happened.
Interestingly Maldon Gleck is back. On the one hand...when I visualise him...he kinda creeps me out a bit. On the other hand, when I visualise him, and how he looks, saying some of the things he says...he makes me chuckle. He's an odd one. I ended up quite liking him actually, he's funny in his own way and he's quite the scary genius when it comes to weapons. I'm actually looking forward to seeing more of him, I loved his interactions with Ryhalt and the banter they had.
Along with the old, we get some new characters. Amaira who becomes kind of like a daughter to Ryhalt, I was so hoping what happened to her wouldn't happen but it has, and I'm looking forward to getting to see some more of her, and see her come in to her own. Valiya...I actually liked Valiya and I was kinda sad Ryhalt didn't go for her, even though I understood why. Betch....I can't talk about Betch. It makes my heart hurt.
My most hated character of the book? Thierro. He was just...slimy. I didn't trust him from the start and I did feel kind of bad about that until my suspicion was vindicated! I spent so much time side eying him, and then he started up his merry band of prats....it was obvious he was up to no good. He also does that irritate, smirky expression with the little two finger salute thing. *shudder* I'm not going to lie, I wanted him dead pretty early on in the book. Unfortunately he heralds something much bigger, shall we say. An old face from the previous book makes their unfortunate return.
My favourite character? Aside from Ryhalt...Ryhalt's Raven friend that loves to cuss and give brutal pep talks. Bring him back!
Plot wise, the mystery builds up. We have the mystery of who took the Eye, and why. The mystery of the "Bright Lady". Not being funny...the Bright Order screamed shady and up to no good, I just couldn't work out what their overall aim was. As the mystery builds, different clues and threads are thrown in. There's plenty of plot twists, I found myself screeching and screaming at this book, reluctant to put it down...but also wanting to savour it and make it last.
Ravencry is an excellent follow up to a blinding debut. Everything I loved about the first book was back. The action, the brilliantly written fight scenes, the fantastic cast of characters, the humour, the atmosphere...I was on the edge of my seat a hell of a lot this book, the wonderful descriptions, the cinematic air to it, the sprinkles of humour. The gritty, dark brilliance. All of it's back.
Ed steadily builds the mystery up and the twists keep you on your toes. Then, the puzzle pieces all fall in to place as the plot explodes with action, drama and violence. And cursing. Because Ryhalt. Ravencry has so many heart stopping moments...but also heart breaking ones too. And thanks to the humour...and Ryhalt, I found myself laughing at the curse words at inappropriate moments. It's a wonderfully wild ride, we get back in to the Misery, we explore the streets of the city, all while trying to work the puzzle out...to see how everything fits together and see what the bigger picture is. The characters are as memorable as the setting, and I was sad to leave them all behind as this book came to a close. You know what made me sadder? The ending.
As the book comes to a close, with everything resolved (mostly), you're left to ponder "What next?"...for about two seconds before Ed hits you with his final line. His final, brutal, cruel line. The final line to end all lines. I kid you not, I sat there staring at it for a few minutes, slowly mulling it over, putting pieces together, and trying not to lose my shit. "How could you leave us hanging like that?" "Who said that was okay?" "What is life". All thoughts I had after reading that final line. Because if that means what I think it means...then holy shit. Ed has done us dirty making us wait for the next book after dropping that little bomb.
Ravencry ends as explosively as it starts, and one things for sure...this series is going from strength to strength. The Raven's Mark is hands down one of my favourite fantasy series, and it continues to blow me away with each new instalment. If you're looking for a cracking fantasy read this summer...look no further!
