Skip to main content

Raven Flight (Book #2 of Shadowfell Trilogy) by Juliet Marillier: A Book Review

Raven Flight (Book #2 of Shadowfell Trilogy)
Author: Juliet Marillier
Genre:YA, Fantasy
Publisher: Knopf
Release Date: 2013
Pages: 418
Source: Personal Collection
Synopsis: Neryn has finally found the rebel group at Shadowfell, and now her task is to seek out the elusive Guardians, vital to her training as a Caller. These four powerful beings have been increasingly at odds with human kind, and Neryn must prove her worth to them. She desperately needs their help to use her gift without compromising herself or the cause of overthrowing the evil King Keldec.

     Neryn must journey with the tough and steadfast Tali, who looks on Neryn's love for the double agent Flint as a needless vulnerability. And perhaps it is. What Flint learns from the king will change the battlefield entirely—but in whose favor, no one knows.

      My Review: Neryn is now the secret weapon for the rebel army against King Keldec. The army plans to strike a surprise attack against the king in midsummer, and Neryn must be ready. To help the army, Neryn must find the Guardians of Alban to complete her training as a Caller. She is accompanied by a female guard named Tali. During her training, Neryn realizes the true cost of what it means to be a Caller.

     Neryn is a girl who still has little self-confidence in herself. She has not fully come to terms with her powers. They still terrify her because she has the power to do horrible things to her enemies. Over time, she realizes that not only does she learn to trust herself, but she needs to trust nature and the world around her. Neryn also becomes wise and learns much through her training. She is very concentrated and her mind is focused on her task. 

     I also like her friendship with Tali. At first, they don’t like each other, but over time, they come to an understanding. Tali is a strong fighter, and I like how stubborn she is. While Tali is caring, I also like how she is focused on her duty and does not let her emotions cloud her judgement. She is also willing to risk her life to save her friends.

     Overall, this book is about love, friendship, loss, and redemption. It is a about a woman trying to find her self-identity. There are a few drawbacks to this story. Flint, who was one of the main character in Shadowfell, made little appearances in this book. Because of this, there was very little character development. I would have liked for him to be in this book more. The other drawback is that the magical creatures have an Irish derelict, and it slowed the pace of the my reading down as I tried to decipher what they were saying. Still, this book is filled with adventure and action that kept me glued to my seat as I was reading. I look forward to reading the final book in the trilogy, The Caller. This book will appeal to not only long-time fans of Juliet Marillier but also J.R.R Tolkien, Terry Brooks, and Sandra Waugh.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Right Worthy Woman by Ruth P. Watson: A Book Review

A Right Worthy Woman Author: Ruth P. Watson Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Atria Books Release Date: 2023 Pages: 303 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: In the vein of The Personal Librarian and The House of Eve , a “remarkable and stirring novel” (Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author) based on the inspiring true story of Virginia’s Black Wall Street and the indomitable Maggie Lena Walker, the daughter of a formerly enslaved woman who became the first Black woman to establish and preside over a bank in the United States.       Maggie Lena Walker was ambitious and unafraid. Her childhood in 19th-century Virginia helping her mother with her laundry service opened her eyes to the overwhelming discrepancy between the Black residents and her mother’s affluent white clients. She vowed to not only secure the same kind of home and finery for herself, but she would also help others in her community achi...

The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across The AncientWorld by Adrienne Mayor: A Book Review

The Amazons: Lives and Legends of Warrior Women Across The Ancient World Author:  Adrienne Mayor Genre: Nonfiction, History Publisher: Princeton University Press Release Date: 2014 Pages: 530 Source: My State Public Library Synopsis: Amazons—fierce warrior women dwelling on the fringes of the known world—were the mythic archenemies of the ancient Greeks. Heracles and Achilles displayed their valor in duels with Amazon queens, and the Athenians reveled in their victory over a powerful Amazon army. In historical times, Cyrus of Persia, Alexander the Great, and the Roman general Pompey tangled with Amazons.      But just who were these bold barbarian archers on horseback who gloried in fighting, hunting, and sexual freedom? Were Amazons real? In this deeply researched, wide-ranging, and lavishly illustrated book, National Book Award finalist Adrienne Mayor presents the Amazons as they have never been seen before. This is the first comprehensive account of warrio...

Queen of Exiles by Vanessa Riley: A Book Review

Queen of Exiles Author: Vanessa Riley Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: William Morrow Release Date: 2023 Pages: 447 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Acclaimed historical novelist Vanessa Riley is back with another novel based on the life of an extraordinary Black woman from history: Haiti’s Queen Marie-Louise Christophe, who escaped a coup in Haiti to set up her own royal court in Italy during the Regency era, where she became a popular member of royal European society.       The Queen of Exiles is Marie-Louise Christophe, wife and then widow of Henry I, who ruled over the newly liberated Kingdom of Hayti in the wake of the brutal Haitian Revolution.      In 1810 Louise is crowned queen as her husband begins his reign over the first and only free Black nation in the Western Hemisphere. But despite their newfound freedom, Haitians still struggle under mountains of debt to France and indiffe...