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authoramyearls's review against another edition
4.0
The third book in this incredible series was not my favorite. I don't care for battle scenes and lots of discussions about war. Some of the interactions at the end were also a bit forced or cheesy, in my opinion. I found myself skimming several scenes. However, I will re-read the first two and will continue to recommend others read The Ravenwood Saga. Excellent writing and story building.
what_ella_reads's review against another edition
5.0
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Wow!!! What a great end to a great series!
I'm not going to say too much, because I don't want to spoil the story. I will say that I loved everything about this book! My favorite thing about this book has to be the growth that the characters, even some of the ones I didn't like, went through. The break throughs Damien and Selene had made me especially emotional.
I also loved how the story arc was wrapped up. It made sense and felt right. It had the best ending to a series that I have read in a long time!
I can't recommend this series enough! If you love Christian fiction and fantasy you MUST read this!
Wow!!! What a great end to a great series!
I'm not going to say too much, because I don't want to spoil the story. I will say that I loved everything about this book! My favorite thing about this book has to be the growth that the characters, even some of the ones I didn't like, went through. The break throughs Damien and Selene had made me especially emotional.
I also loved how the story arc was wrapped up. It made sense and felt right. It had the best ending to a series that I have read in a long time!
I can't recommend this series enough! If you love Christian fiction and fantasy you MUST read this!
rusticreadingal's review against another edition
5.0
I was so excited for Cry of the Raven. The Ravenwood Saga has been the best fantasy series I've read in recent years and I was so eager to find out how it would all conclude. Not gonna lie, I was a little sad too. I didn't want to say goodbye to these wonderful characters or end this epic adventure. But I have to say, it was an absolutely brilliant, beautiful, and perfect ending. It soared past my high expectations and was beyond anything I could've hoped for.
To think of where Selene started in the first book and to watch her journey and growth as a character. To see where she ended up in this finale, coming out of the darkness and fully embracing the Light. Wow, just, wow! So powerful.
I can't recommend this series highly enough. The spiritual message was so impactful, so striking, so powerful. There were times it took my breath away. I loved it.
To think of where Selene started in the first book and to watch her journey and growth as a character. To see where she ended up in this finale, coming out of the darkness and fully embracing the Light. Wow, just, wow! So powerful.
I can't recommend this series highly enough. The spiritual message was so impactful, so striking, so powerful. There were times it took my breath away. I loved it.
saraemmapope's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn’t grabbed at the get-go (hence four ⭐️) However, things really ramped up the second half of the book. The last third, ❤️❤️❤️. Definitely want to reread these one day.
All in all, excellent grand finale
All in all, excellent grand finale
introverteddragonscribbles's review against another edition
4.0
Last year I read Mark of the Raven and Flight of the Raven for one of my very first blog tours with Prism Book Tours. I loved the books so much I couldn't wait for the last one to come out.
And I wasn't disappointed.
Picking up directly where Flight of the Raven left off, we follow Selene as she deals with loss and her new position as head of House Ravenwood. (Trying to make this spoiler free!) She faces much scrutiny and discrimination from the other houses, especially after secrets of her house are revealed.
The action is slow-burning, tugging you along and building toward the final climax. It seemed a little slow at times to me, a small fluctuation in the tension that made it a little less gripping. But otherwise, the plot was solid and the end satisfying.
Busse wraps up all of the questions posed in the story nicely, and the organic bond between the characters warmed my heart. I was just a little dissapointed that she fell into one of the common Christian writer pitfalls--having the God-figure of the story answer all of Selene's questions without her having to discover the answers herself. It made for a weaker character arc and a much-less real portrayal of Christianity itself. But still, it was very good and I enjoyed it immensely.
(Blog review to be posted tomorrow)
And I wasn't disappointed.
Picking up directly where Flight of the Raven left off, we follow Selene as she deals with loss and her new position as head of House Ravenwood. (Trying to make this spoiler free!) She faces much scrutiny and discrimination from the other houses, especially after secrets of her house are revealed.
The action is slow-burning, tugging you along and building toward the final climax. It seemed a little slow at times to me, a small fluctuation in the tension that made it a little less gripping. But otherwise, the plot was solid and the end satisfying.
Busse wraps up all of the questions posed in the story nicely, and the organic bond between the characters warmed my heart. I was just a little dissapointed that she fell into one of the common Christian writer pitfalls--having the God-figure of the story answer all of Selene's questions without her having to discover the answers herself. It made for a weaker character arc and a much-less real portrayal of Christianity itself. But still, it was very good and I enjoyed it immensely.
(Blog review to be posted tomorrow)
kristinakaldenbach's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. This was truly an incredible ending to an incredible series. I am blown away by how much I loved this. This is now my favorite series of all time. I loved everything about it: the plot, the action, the fantasy elements, the main romantic relationship, all of the relationships, the whole premise. The depiction of Jesus throughout was absolutely beautiful. I was not expecting this out of a Christian fiction fantasy series, but oh my, did it deliver in every possible way.
talesandtreatswithtay's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
A fantastic conclusion to a great Christian fantasy series!
This book is a bit heavier on the fantasy compared to the other two books: we see a lot more mastery and expansion of power by several characters but particularly Selene. I loved reading out each of the great houses' powers, how each of them are unique and were given as gifts from the Light--a reflection of him.
There's great Christian allegory in here with messages/themes to include the truth that we can't rely on our strength alone, He is always with us, and He is enough.
I love Damien and Selene as a couple and as individual characters. I wish they could have been together a bit more but it made sense for the plot of the story.
Christian faith rating: 2/3 (allegorical)
This book is a bit heavier on the fantasy compared to the other two books: we see a lot more mastery and expansion of power by several characters but particularly Selene. I loved reading out each of the great houses' powers, how each of them are unique and were given as gifts from the Light--a reflection of him.
There's great Christian allegory in here with messages/themes to include the truth that we can't rely on our strength alone, He is always with us, and He is enough.
I love Damien and Selene as a couple and as individual characters. I wish they could have been together a bit more but it made sense for the plot of the story.
Christian faith rating: 2/3 (allegorical)
allymac14's review against another edition
4.75
I absolutely adore this series. Busse beautifully ties up this story and each of the stories of her characters.
I love how you get to see every version of a person either coming to faith or having faith. In the first book, we get to watch Selene search for more. In the second, Damien, strong in his faith, helps bolster Selene's. In the final installment, Damien falters, and Selene is there to help him. I truly think everyone will be able to relate to someone in one of the parts of this story.
Busse also gives a beautiful message of balancing good and evil and how unity despite differences is truly the road to peace. I love the hopeful message this story ends with. It gives me hope for our own world.
Selene and Damien stay strong and lean on each other throughout the whole series. I think they are a wonderful example of how a married couple should be. They aren't perfect by any means, but they both rely on the Light to keep each other safe and connected.
This world Busse created is magnificent as we get to see different pieces of it in different parts of the story. Her characters are rich and deep. And the story is marvelous.
I love how you get to see every version of a person either coming to faith or having faith. In the first book, we get to watch Selene search for more. In the second, Damien, strong in his faith, helps bolster Selene's. In the final installment, Damien falters, and Selene is there to help him. I truly think everyone will be able to relate to someone in one of the parts of this story.
Busse also gives a beautiful message of balancing good and evil and how unity despite differences is truly the road to peace. I love the hopeful message this story ends with. It gives me hope for our own world.
Selene and Damien stay strong and lean on each other throughout the whole series. I think they are a wonderful example of how a married couple should be. They aren't perfect by any means, but they both rely on the Light to keep each other safe and connected.
This world Busse created is magnificent as we get to see different pieces of it in different parts of the story. Her characters are rich and deep. And the story is marvelous.
clarissep's review
3.0
3.5
The strongest book in the trilogy by far. I like how the characters matured and truly realized who they were here. I loved Damien and Selene individually and liked the journey they went through individually, but they are also very good together. They respect each other as husband and wife and as heads of their own Houses. They had some rocky moments but they sorted it out like mature people, so no bad angst here. The war could've been a little more epic but this is kind of "light" as far as high fantasy goes. It's kind of like a Disney movie, if you get my analogy.
The Christian theme is very much reinforced with all the looking to the light mentioned, but it doesn't feel preachy. It feels surprisingly sincere, which I think is a strength of the author. I also appreciated the politics that dictated the dynamics among the Houses and the characters, because despite the big cast, no one feels caricature-like. It's a solid trilogy, though for a high fantasy-lover like me, it's not the best thing I've read. It's also most definitely not a waste of time.
The strongest book in the trilogy by far. I like how the characters matured and truly realized who they were here. I loved Damien and Selene individually and liked the journey they went through individually, but they are also very good together. They respect each other as husband and wife and as heads of their own Houses. They had some rocky moments but they sorted it out like mature people, so no bad angst here. The war could've been a little more epic but this is kind of "light" as far as high fantasy goes. It's kind of like a Disney movie, if you get my analogy.
The Christian theme is very much reinforced with all the looking to the light mentioned, but it doesn't feel preachy. It feels surprisingly sincere, which I think is a strength of the author. I also appreciated the politics that dictated the dynamics among the Houses and the characters, because despite the big cast, no one feels caricature-like. It's a solid trilogy, though for a high fantasy-lover like me, it's not the best thing I've read. It's also most definitely not a waste of time.
kaitlyn_deann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0