Product Description

James Barclay has rapidly established himself as one of the leading lights of the genre with his two linked trilogies starring fantasy's most popular new heroes in many years: The Raven. The first trilogy was the Chronicles of The Raven and introduced the heroes and the world of Balaia. The second trilogy, The Legends of The Raven, began with Elfsorrow which served as an introduction for new readers. Now, with his fifth book, he tests The Raven to the point of destruction and unleashes a savage war across his world as the magical colleges of Balaia tear the land apart in their struggle for supremacy. Barclay has never been scared of killing off favourite characters, and this has given his books their unique edge. Now he threatens to destroy everything they have known. Can The Raven even survive, let alone triumph?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #159055 in Books
• Published on: 2004-07-08
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 448 pages

About the Author
James Barclay is in his forties and lives in Teddington with his wife. He is a full-time writer.

Customer Reviews

Action packed fantasy fiction
I've been a fan of Barclay's Raven ever since the first novel Dawnthief and have followed with keen interest the development of the characters as well as Barclay's writing style (improved significantly with each book).

This is his finest book yet, but new readers be warned - don't start here, this is not a novel you will enjoy as much without reading it's predecessors. For the full effect start at the beginning with Dawnthief, Noonshade and Nightchild, but if that is too much definitely read the 1st book in this series Elfsorrow.

Shadowheart picks up straight after Elfsorrow and the plot is relatively simple: The Dark College of Magic, Xetesk wants to do X (I will not spoil it for you), the Raven and the other colleges disagree, the Wesmen have their own ideas, add in a dying Dragon, Elves with a big score to settle, a Raven mage struggling to control the One Magic and the result is non-stop, page-turning action from start to finish which made me wonder which he would run out of first - Elves, Mages or the Raven themselves.

The characters are intense and believable, fighting against the odds for what they believe is right, whilst mourning a great loss. The writing is superb making it easy to visualise the action, hear the sounds of a frantic siege and smell the stench of magically burnt flesh (of which there is rather a lot). Coupled with emotional scenes when the Raven is stretched almost to breaking point, make this book a classic of fantasy fiction. I can't wait for the final installment in this trilogy

Non stop action
Shadowheart continues the Raven saga in a well trodden path, battles, viscreal description, continual cliffhanger endings, pursuit, chases, magic and danger. The characters have developed beyond ciphers for the action, and although cursed with fantasy book albatros of silly names, seem likable and make agreeable companions. Having bought the first, I continued to read the rest in quick succession. They are undemanding, exciting, escapist, and although not expousing great insight into the human condition, provide a rollercoaster ride through another world. I can't wait for the next.

Trailing Off.....
Having thoroughly enjoyed the other books i must say that i was dissapointed with this offering. Having killed off most of the original cast Barclay has replaced them with sub standard copies and this series is now starting to drag it's heels in the dirt. This book lacks the pace and intensity that the others had. Worth a read if only to finish off storylines that have been hanging around since Dawnthief.