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Legends of the Raven #3
Demonstorm
Demonstorm is the sixth world-saving exploit of James Barclay's heroic-fantasy "Mission Impossible" team, The Raven-first seen in his 1999 debut novel Dawnthief.
Again the war-ravaged continent Balaia is in big trouble. Bigger than ever. Attacked for excellent reasons by the barbarian Wesmen, the magical college of Xetesk desperately misuses its doomsday weapon of "dimensional magic", and tears a hole between realms. Endless hordes of demons come swarming through, eager to make Balaia their new home. No ordinary weapon will kill them, but they can drain human souls with just a touch. The odds are, as always, impossible.
Meanwhile, after dealing severely with impostors who took their name in vain, the weary, scarred survivors of The Raven have given up war and retired to the sunny southern continent. You can't run away from the end of the world, though, and more than one world faces extinction. The demon beachhead threatens the realms of the dragons and even the dead:
"You know how I said The Raven would never ride again? Seems I was lying."
Barclay pushes his characters to the ragged edge and beyond, as they fend off inexhaustible demon armies, suffer heavy losses in nightmare treks across occupied territory, and weaken day by day while the enemy grows ever stronger. One mad possibility remains, a commando raid into the demon dimension where their strength is greatest
The tension is unremitting, the action unsparing. There's less room for Barclay's usual glints of humour in the long slog of fighting for what any sane mercenary should recognize as a lost cause. Still, The Raven has always managed to win through, though at great cost. Demonstorm battles its way to an appropriate finish, and delivers the goods--though this must surely be The Raven's last adventure. Edge-of-the-seat stuff.--David Langford
448 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
December 8, 2020
This series has been an excellent read. I know it's fantasy and is pumped full of a great magic system but they feel like intrigue novels to me. The group of characters are like a Spec Op team in the way they coordinate and fight. A great plot that flows well through the entire series and very good characters made this a wonderful read with not a slow down anywhere in the series. Very recommended
October 4, 2024
A very intense book, with very high stakes for all the characters. They now have to save both the living and the dead.
Very different to the last two books in the series, with the introduction of the demon invasion.
You can feel the difference in the fighting due to the age of the characters catching up to them.
Tragic ending, but leads perfectly into the next book.
Very different to the last two books in the series, with the introduction of the demon invasion.
You can feel the difference in the fighting due to the age of the characters catching up to them.
Tragic ending, but leads perfectly into the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2017
Will review in full when I get around to it - sorry for the delay.
September 3, 2022
It was great!
It had just as much action and adventure as the last two but i feel as if it was slower and a bit more on the boring side, hence the missing star.
It had just as much action and adventure as the last two but i feel as if it was slower and a bit more on the boring side, hence the missing star.
April 5, 2009
I really enjoyed the Raven series, both the Chronicles of, and the Legends of. After following them for six books, I grew attached to all of the characters, and couldn't wait for the big finale.
I won't reveal what happens at the end of the book, but I was so astounded that I ended up hurling my book across the room (I kid ye not), swearing that the whole series had been a big lead up to a disappointing ending, and vowed never to praise the series ever again.
A few days later, when I had calmed down from my little display of 'why can't a book end the way I want it to', I re-read the last 2/3 chapters of this book. That time through it actually made much more sense, and I could appreciate why it had been written the way it had.
I actually looked up James Barclay's website and wrote to him asking why he made the decisions he made at the end of the series. Never expecting him to respond, a few months later, however, to my delight he did.
I do love this series of books, and though the ending did annoy me, pleaseplease don't be put off from reading this series.
The drama and relationships through the whole series of these books are fantastic, and the battles are truly epic. I couldn't put this series down.
I am a little disappointed that after Mr Barclay's email to me, he was very clear that he wanted this book to be his final Raven instalment as he wanted to move on to new idea, to find that Ravensoul has been released, which is the Legends of the Raven Book 4, it feels like a bit of a sell-out. On saying that, I enjoyed this series so much I can't wait to read it anyway, and hopefully once I do, my opinion of it will change.
I would like to thank Mr Barclay for taking the time out to respond to me all those years ago.
Overall: An epic series full of love, friendship, magic, bloody violence, and drama. Really superb.
I won't reveal what happens at the end of the book, but I was so astounded that I ended up hurling my book across the room (I kid ye not), swearing that the whole series had been a big lead up to a disappointing ending, and vowed never to praise the series ever again.
A few days later, when I had calmed down from my little display of 'why can't a book end the way I want it to', I re-read the last 2/3 chapters of this book. That time through it actually made much more sense, and I could appreciate why it had been written the way it had.
I actually looked up James Barclay's website and wrote to him asking why he made the decisions he made at the end of the series. Never expecting him to respond, a few months later, however, to my delight he did.
I do love this series of books, and though the ending did annoy me, pleaseplease don't be put off from reading this series.
The drama and relationships through the whole series of these books are fantastic, and the battles are truly epic. I couldn't put this series down.
I am a little disappointed that after Mr Barclay's email to me, he was very clear that he wanted this book to be his final Raven instalment as he wanted to move on to new idea, to find that Ravensoul has been released, which is the Legends of the Raven Book 4, it feels like a bit of a sell-out. On saying that, I enjoyed this series so much I can't wait to read it anyway, and hopefully once I do, my opinion of it will change.
I would like to thank Mr Barclay for taking the time out to respond to me all those years ago.
Overall: An epic series full of love, friendship, magic, bloody violence, and drama. Really superb.
January 12, 2011
On the edge of your seat, nail biting, gut wrenching, nonstop action. There are no breathers, breaks, or quiet moments of reflection for The Raven mercenaries in Demonstorm. Once the ball starts rolling in this one it just keeps on going.
To save their home, their world, their loved ones, and the soles of their friends in the afterlife, The Raven must make one last stand that ultimately ends in a decision to go on a suicide mission. But this time, it’s not a suicide mission from hell; it’s a suicide mission to hell. Or rather, from one hell to another.
It’s a heartbreaking tale. I was absolutely shocked at Barcklay’s decision of who lives and who dies. His verdict, while sad, always seems to be the right choice. I’m not going to give anything away, no hint at what happens: You’ll just have to read the serial for yourself.
If you like, military fantasy, with a bit of magic and political intrigue, I highly recommend this series. And make no bones about it; it’s a bloody grim tale.
Yes, yes, I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating : The one thing I love most about the Raven serial is character uniformity. From book one of the Chronicles of the Ravens and throughout the Legacy of the Ravens the characters stayed true. The author never falters in the personalities and distinctive qualities of each of the characters, whether they be the Raven mercenaries themselves or other important figures in the epic tale: no matter what the time span was between each book. A few authors could take a lesson in consistency from Barclay.
April 12, 2011
Probably closer to 3.5 stars. I like the feel of the book, which is a little different than the past books. It is a bit post-apocalyptical.
It has it's issues, like one of the characters, who is supposed to be a super-mage (a mage of the "One") really not doing as much as she should have with the power. James Barclay spent so much time in past books making her in to something special and in the end she simply isn't.
Still one of the better books.
It has it's issues, like one of the characters, who is supposed to be a super-mage (a mage of the "One") really not doing as much as she should have with the power. James Barclay spent so much time in past books making her in to something special and in the end she simply isn't.
Still one of the better books.
November 30, 2011
Still really like this series of books, but the demon-fighting scenes in this one seemed a bit drawn out and excessively long. I found myself losing interest during those passages. However, the general plot of the book, and especially the ending made up for that. The ending (and epilogue) kind of blew me away, and I am anxious to start the final book to see how it plays out. I find it difficult to imagine.
July 23, 2011
c2004. Defintely, the best book in the whole 2 trilogies for me although the ending was not what I wanted at all. Action seemed to be much slicker and the story just rollicked along. What a great series this was. Sad that it has ended though - I am sure there could have been a few more epic tales to have been told. "'Dear Gods, look at you all. Some last-hope group you make.'"
March 1, 2016
Didn't quite like it as much as the first two but still gave it 5 stars. That says a lot about the first two books. A must read for all sword and sorcery fans.
January 11, 2010
More "Magnificent 7" than "Missison Impossible" I'd have said. And I thought a brilliant ending, which summed up what the Raven were about. Its not Hollywood you know. I've got the 4th one and having read the blurb on the back I'm not sure what I feel about it. Doesn't sound great.
June 15, 2012
Without spoilers, I can't write about this book. Amazing series, interesting ending...altogether an unforgettable story and set of characters. I will miss them and shall enjoy returning to them someday to enjoy their adventures all over again.
August 25, 2012
Like all the Raven books, Barclay doesn't do things by half measures. This book is very grim reading, whilst it ends on a good & sad note at the end (which fans of Barclay are aware, is a recurring theme).
October 18, 2007
i love this series.
engaging characters, a complicated world, believeable dialogue. all-round fun fantasy.
engaging characters, a complicated world, believeable dialogue. all-round fun fantasy.
January 28, 2009
Love this, and was such a tragic way to end the series (well for me anyway)!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2010
My review is HERE.
March 25, 2010
The best series of books i have read to date!
January 29, 2016
Excellent end to the ride that was the Raven.
Leaves me wondering what what he's got for us in the FINAL Raven book...
Leaves me wondering what what he's got for us in the FINAL Raven book...
September 26, 2012
Ok, after reading the third hack-and-slash book in a row, I became bored, plus I didn't like the plot in this one as much.
July 16, 2013
Amazing story, great finish.
Everything you would expect from Raven happened and even more.
Perfect finish for the whole story but can't wait toread the Ravensoul... it's addiction
Everything you would expect from Raven happened and even more.
Perfect finish for the whole story but can't wait toread the Ravensoul... it's addiction
August 10, 2013
yay ilkar.. but i'm not happy with the ending, at all.. waiting for another resurrection..
July 24, 2014
A satisfying conclusion to the series. I like the special op raven's of the magician guild.
July 29, 2014
Really really enjoyable for all fantasy fans out there! Epic battles with gripping tales of survival beyond all hopes.
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August 23, 2008isbn,original
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews