Crowfall (Raven's Mark #3) by Ed McDonald

Crowfall is a gritty epic fantasy for fans of Mark Lawrence, Scott Lynch, and Daniel Polansky.

'Dark, twisty and excellent...Grimdark with heart' Mark Lawrence.

A sorceress cataclysm has hit the Range, the final defensive line between the Republic and the immortal Deep Kings. 

Tormenting red rains sweep the land, new monstrosities feed on fear in the darkness, and the power of the Nameless, the gods who protect the Republic, lies broken. The Blackwing captains who serve them are being picked off one by one, and even immortals have learned what it means to die. Meanwhile, the Deep Kinds have only grown stronger and are poised to deliver a blow that will finally end the war. 

Ryhalt Galharrow stands apart from it all.

He has been deeper into the wasteland known as the Misery than ever before. It has grown within him - changed him - but all power comes with a price, and now the ghosts of his past, formerly confined to the Misery, walk with him everywhere.

They will even follow him, and the few surviving Blackwing captains, on one final mission into the darkness.

Review

First of all, if you have not read the first two book in this series, please check out my reviews for Blackwing (book #1) and Ravencry (book #2) first! I will try not to give away too many spoilers from the first 2 books in this review, but it may happen. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. 

              

Too many endings right now! First this one, then Broken Veil, the last book in the Harbinger series, by Jeff Wheeler. I definitely wasn't ready to say goodbye to the characters in either series. 

The first books in this series were awesome, so I had very high expectations going into this book. I truthfully was a little worried that it might not live up to my expectations, especially after certain characters died in the last book. I won't give up any spoilers though, in case you haven't read the first two books, year. However, again, if you haven't read the first two books, please stop reading this and go do that now, or at least check out my review of the first book HERE. 

I was impressed with how well the author did the last book in the series. Everything is pretty well wrapped up but still had the same all-around weirdness, just like the rest of the series. There was actually some crazy, new weirdness in this book that was pretty awesome. I wasn't sure how Ed McDonald was going to out-do the last ones, but he definitely did it.

Although some old friends were gone during this book, some other old friends reappeared, which made me really happy. I won't talk about that, though. Definitely don't want to spoil that! You should probably just go read the book!

I love Ed McDonald's humor! While this book does have some dark moments, and some gory moments, and some (a lot) of weird moments, there is also humor sprinkled in there, as well. 

Thank you to the author, the publishers, and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Ravencry (Raven's Mark #2) by Ed McDonald

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 plot 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 in 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 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 darker, more twisted and more dangerous places than any they've walked before: the very heart of the Misery.

Ravencry is the second book in the Raven's Mark series, continuing the story that began with the award-winning epic fantasy Blackwing. 

Review

First of all, if you haven't read Blackwing yet, you should do that. NOW. You can check out my review of it HERE. I will try not too put too many spoilers from book 1 in this review.

Book 1 really could have been a standalone, but I am glad the author kept going with this story.

This book was awesome! It has a different storyline than the first, but with the same (and some new) characters, and of course, new magic and monsters.

I loved the ending, but hated it at the same time. It was a great, epic ending, but I wasn't happy with where it left some of the characters. I want to go into more detail and rant, but I don't want to give away any spoilers.

I was a little upset that there wasn't more Nenn and Tnota in this book. They were my favorites from the first book. I fell in love with Amaira and Maldon in this book, though.

Ed McDonald exceeded my expectations again! The only issue I have is that I have to wait until next June to read the 3rd book in the series, Crowfall!

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, in exchange for an honest review.

Blackwing (Ravens' Mark #1) by Ed McDonald

Set on the ragged edge of a postapocalyptic frontier, Blackwing is a gritty fantasy debut about a man's desperate battle to survive his own dark destiny...

Nothing in the Misery lasts...

Under a cracked and wailing sky, the Misery is a vast and blighted expanse, created when the Engine, the most powerful weapon in the world, was unleashed against the immortal Deep Kings. Across the wasteland, teeming with corrupted magic and malevolent wraiths, the Deep Kings and their armies are still watching - and still waiting. 

Ryhalt Galharrow is no stranger to the Misery. The bounty hunter journeys to a remote outpost, armed for killing both men and monsters, and searching for a mysterious noblewoman. He finds himself in the middle of a shocking attach by the Deep Kings, one that should not be possible. Only a fearsome show of power from the very woman he is seeking saves him. 

Once, long ago, he knew the woman well, and together, they stumble onto a web of conspiracy that threatens to unmake everything they hold dear and end the fragile peace the Engine has provided. Galharrow is not ready for the truth about the blood he's spilled and the gods he's supposed to serve...

Review

HOLY CRAP! This book was AWESOME!

It is a little dark and a bit graphic at times. If you have a squeamish stomach or are triggered easily, it may not be for you, but it is definitely not the darkest or most graphic book I've ever read.

This story is so unique! The author did an excellent job at building a broken world, where even the sky was broken and crying.

I loved the women in this story! The main character's most vicious and loyal soldier us a woman named Nenn. She was probably my favorite. Nenn is a complete badass! She a fighter, without a nose. She wears a wooden nose, and is constantly chewing some kind of black substance that I assume is like chewing tobacco that makes your teeth black.

Ezabeth was great, too! She is a fearless, smart, powerful Spinner. Spinners are able to draw power from the three moons and create Phos from it, which allows them to do magic.

I also liked Tnota. He is the main character's most loyal navigator, who when he isn't navigating or fighting, is with the steady stream of men that were coming and going from his house.

I loved Galharrow's development throughout the story. He was constantly battling with himself, what he is, and the things he's done. He would rather spend all his time at the bottom of a bottle, but instead, when he comes across a woman that he used to know, ends up going down the rabbit hole with her, discovering a huge conspiracy theory that could kill put an end to humanity.

The Deep Kings are gearing up for war, and the Nameless, who are the only ones that can defeat them, are nowhere to be found. Even Crowfoot, who has a pact with Galharrow, is MIA. So, instead, Galharrow and Ezabeth have to try to figure out how to save everyone from the Deep Kings.

This book was excellent and so much different from anything I've ever read. I loved it! It was action-packed, and full of twists and turns that you would never anticipate. I especially loved the ending and can't wait to see what the author comes up with for the sequel! 

I received a copy of this book from the publishers, via First to Read, in exchange for an honest review.