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424 pp
ISBN: 978-1-59102-782-9
Trade Paperback
$16.00
October 2009
Cover Illustration: ©Sam Hadley
www.hadleyart.com
AN APOCALYPTIC SPELL HAS BEEN CAST, AN ANCIENT EVIL BANISHED.
Now the land of Balaia, still riven by war, must live with the consequences. The Dawnthief spell—designed to destroy the world, but cast to save it—has torn a hole in the sky, a pathway into the dragon dimension, and, through it, unfriendly eyes are turning to Balaia.
With war already sweeping the land, there are no armies to send against the dragons. All that stands between Balaia and complete dominion by these tyrannous beasts is a tiny, but legendary band of mercenaries: The Raven.
And if they fail, Balaia will fall beneath the wings of countless dragons...
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Reviews:
"From the dragon allies fighting a battle in their own dimension to the mages trying to save the home of their magical lore, the story builds layer upon layer and reveals significant growth in Barclay's use of characterization. What had seemed to be an abundance of ideas that were loosely tied together now comes across as a well-plotted fantasy full of originality. Fans of the first book will be pleased as this sequel and eagerly looking to pick up the next volume."
—Monsters and Critics.com
"Truly excellent fantasy is rare. Truly excellent heroic fantasy is rarer still. Discovering a new author who writes truly excellent heroic fantasy is perhaps the rarest gem of all. James Barclay, with his Chronicles of The Raven, is such a find. Noonshade is an epic tale and Barclay tells it with a mastery that is astonishing for only a second novel." —SFSite
"The fantasy equivalent of The Magnificent Seven. A good, fast read perfect for that legendary train journey, but more thoughtful than many novels in this area." —SFX
"As the mercenary band the Raven and their mage and mundane allies continue their wartime trials (begun in 2009's Dawnthief), yesterday's solution becomes today's problem. After banishing the Wytch Lords with the Dawnthief spell, the Raven realize they've ripped a hole in their dimension. They must piece together clues left by dimension-traveler Septern in the eastern lands before enemy dragons destroy them all. Meanwhile, the barbarian Wesmen's invasion of the eastern lands still rages. Individual voices stand out, though the action cuts back and forth among battles on land and in air, sieges, arcane rituals and quiet conversations of longtime companions. ... Barclay's novel arcana, such as a cadre of warriors with shared souls, are mostly enough to keep readers intrigued." —Publishers Weekly
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