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The Murder of Crows #3
One Tin Soldier
Damian Banach's journey from Crow to Cape comes to a thrilling conclusion in this fall's One Tin Soldier!
Every year, the best Academy third-years are offered internships with Free States Cape teams, while the rest join the Mission on a multi-month expedition to bring hope and relief to the Badlands. This year is different though... and it's not just because Damian Banach, the Academy's only Crow, actually volunteered for the Mission.
The fact is, Damian's not headed into the Badlands for relief work. He's going because he owes someone a favor, and that favor has come due. Somewhere in the lawless lands east of the Free States is the person responsible for the Break and all the chaos that came after, and it's Damian's job to find him.
He's hunting for Dr. Nowhere.
Every year, the best Academy third-years are offered internships with Free States Cape teams, while the rest join the Mission on a multi-month expedition to bring hope and relief to the Badlands. This year is different though... and it's not just because Damian Banach, the Academy's only Crow, actually volunteered for the Mission.
The fact is, Damian's not headed into the Badlands for relief work. He's going because he owes someone a favor, and that favor has come due. Somewhere in the lawless lands east of the Free States is the person responsible for the Break and all the chaos that came after, and it's Damian's job to find him.
He's hunting for Dr. Nowhere.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2021
100 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Chris Tullbane
21 books212 followersChris began as a gleam in someone’s eye, but birth and childhood were quick to follow. He’s been fortunate enough to live in Spain, Germany, and all over the United States of America, and is busy planning a tour of the distilleries of Scotland.
He currently lives in Nevada with his angelic wife and ever-expanding whisky collection and occasionally ventures outside to peer upwards, mutter to himself about ‘day stars’, and then scurry back into the house.
Chris is the author of multiple series; The Murder of Crows, The Storm Who Rides, The (Second) Life of Brian, and The Many Travails of John Smith. He frequently shares updates on his author website at https://christullbane.com.
He currently lives in Nevada with his angelic wife and ever-expanding whisky collection and occasionally ventures outside to peer upwards, mutter to himself about ‘day stars’, and then scurry back into the house.
Chris is the author of multiple series; The Murder of Crows, The Storm Who Rides, The (Second) Life of Brian, and The Many Travails of John Smith. He frequently shares updates on his author website at https://christullbane.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
November 10, 2021
A slightly disappointing end to the series. It's kind of a road trip and "stuff happens" book, with the final third actually moving the plot and wrapping the series up. Unfortunately, we don't see much more about into Damian - it's like the story was told in the first two parts, and the third part is a repeat of the lessons learned, and hammering what we know home.
That's not to say he doesn't grow, a little, but it's very little. In the end it felt like what we knew would happen, happened.
We meet new characters, but they feel wasted, and the characters that have shown up before don't add much.
In the end, it feels like a book that was just there to wrap up the story as it was, without moving it on... and it ends in a place that feels right, but the journey feels like a waste of words to get to the end scene.
That's not to say he doesn't grow, a little, but it's very little. In the end it felt like what we knew would happen, happened.
We meet new characters, but they feel wasted, and the characters that have shown up before don't add much.
In the end, it feels like a book that was just there to wrap up the story as it was, without moving it on... and it ends in a place that feels right, but the journey feels like a waste of words to get to the end scene.
September 12, 2025
I want more.
I won't get it, this story is done, and it was done proper. But I want more. That is how I know it is a good series, one of the best I have read in some time. I read a lot, a lot of it is bad. This series is what makes it all worth it.
I won't get it, this story is done, and it was done proper. But I want more. That is how I know it is a good series, one of the best I have read in some time. I read a lot, a lot of it is bad. This series is what makes it all worth it.
January 17, 2022
I can't fault the author for ending the trilogy exactly how Damian told us it would end in book one. But then again Chris Tullbane spent about two and a half books making Damian a sometimes unreliable narrator so I'm giving myself a pass for thinking this end differently despite all of the doom and gloom hints scattered throughout.
Structurally this book had the same problems as Red Right Hand. The first two thirds of the book are kind of a road movie with plenty of fun action and more character development and then the climax is crammed into what is left after. And that wasn't enough for me. There are significant deaths, there is Damian going full Crow, there is so much to deal with and it just...happens and then the epilogue puts a nice and tidy bow on it.
Maybe it's just me but I would have rather read about the fight down south than traipsed along on the Mission.
I will absolutely check out the next trilogy though, I really like this world.
Structurally this book had the same problems as Red Right Hand. The first two thirds of the book are kind of a road movie with plenty of fun action and more character development and then the climax is crammed into what is left after. And that wasn't enough for me. There are significant deaths, there is Damian going full Crow, there is so much to deal with and it just...happens and then the epilogue puts a nice and tidy bow on it.
Maybe it's just me but I would have rather read about the fight down south than traipsed along on the Mission.
I will absolutely check out the next trilogy though, I really like this world.
May 23, 2022
Review of first in series:
3.5 stars. VERY similar to Drew Hayes’s Super-Powereds series (both Hogwarts for superheroes, and handle many aspects of that setting very similarly). That said, entertaining enough if the genre appeals, and the second and third books improve on the first.
3.5 stars. VERY similar to Drew Hayes’s Super-Powereds series (both Hogwarts for superheroes, and handle many aspects of that setting very similarly). That said, entertaining enough if the genre appeals, and the second and third books improve on the first.
November 10, 2021
A satisfying ending to this fascinating tale
This was a pretty good read. Tullbane has a knack for making the fantastic and outlandish plausible. We finally get a glimpse of the world described and briefly detailed in the previous novels, and it was as satisfying as I'd hoped. Interesting cultures and power dynamics were introduced, and a fascinating post apocalyptic society was explored in detail. Damian's journey comes full circle, and we finally get to see what he can do off his leash. A lot of answers are left wanting, storylines introduced in the first and second outings are cut short, and character development for previous mainstays in the series were also completely abandoned. This series could have easily been extended to at least a quartet, but The story was a satisfying end to a fascinating tale.
This was a pretty good read. Tullbane has a knack for making the fantastic and outlandish plausible. We finally get a glimpse of the world described and briefly detailed in the previous novels, and it was as satisfying as I'd hoped. Interesting cultures and power dynamics were introduced, and a fascinating post apocalyptic society was explored in detail. Damian's journey comes full circle, and we finally get to see what he can do off his leash. A lot of answers are left wanting, storylines introduced in the first and second outings are cut short, and character development for previous mainstays in the series were also completely abandoned. This series could have easily been extended to at least a quartet, but The story was a satisfying end to a fascinating tale.
April 19, 2022
Although I would've preferred a different ending to the trilogy, the ending was still satisfying. I think Walker was stronger and could've accomplished more in the trilogy, but I understand why the author ended things as he did. Even though Tullbane will write more novels about that post-break, I will miss Walker as the protagonist (assuming Tullbane moves on from Walker). His perspective was different, and that made everything much more intersting.
July 28, 2022
A fitting end to a great series. A lot of things happened that I didn’t see coming, it was exciting, and, even if the ending wasn’t everything I wanted it to be, it fit. I’ll be thinking about this series and these characters for a long, long time.
October 7, 2025
Im gonna cry I need more Damian omg this sucks the book/series was awesome as you can see from my withdrawal
February 7, 2023
5 stars for the book and if it were possible a cumulative 15 stars for the series. Wow! I just… wow!
I want to cover several aspects raised by what could be the last full-length book in Chris Tullbane's immortal "Murder of Crows" series, a descriptive I do not add lightly (um, the immortal bit). I don't want to give away too much here at the beginning but stick with me, it's going to get deep:
First, this book if taken alone - and if you wanted to for some inexplicable reason only read this book (do yourself a favor and please don't) you probably could without too much trouble - is a triumph. 'Nuff said... but I will keep going anyway. There is a mix here of "stand up and cheer" victory among so much action added together with really, REALLY emotional scenes that will have you keeping your tissues within easy reach. Rarely does a contained series of stories maintain an ever-increasing level of suspense, growth of its cast and emotional involvement along the way like this one has … and "One Tin Soldier" is just the perfect exclamation point to end at very least this story-line on. If you're a fan of the super-hero genre, you'll simply LOVE this book, these characters and this part of the multi-verse! If you're not a fan of this genre, well, this might be the series that finally convinces you to join us!
And I say all this as a diehard dude who for the last 50+ years who has devoured literally hundreds if not thousands of comics and graphic novels along with countless books (for example, I read ALL the "Doc Savage" pulps!) and movies along the way, too. But "Murder of Crows" really stands out among all of these and I can say unequivocally (after looking up how to spell that word) that it does so as simply one of the very best! Damian and his abilities - "I am my power. My power is me. We are the same." - are among the most uniquely thrilling, frightening and, yes, calamitous that you'll find anywhere or anytime in any of these media. Tullbane really encapsulates the tone in his must-read "Author's Note" at the end: "Damian’s tale has always been one of battle against terrible odds. His childhood, his power, his peers, and the conspiracies he was born into… This was always going to be a tragedy." But the ultimate victory along the way that this young man achieves, well … again, my own limited repertoire of writing ability just has to suffice by saying "wow"!
That brings up another aspect of this book that Tullbane just nails perfectly. This is after all a story about KIDS (which qualifies to me at my age as anyone under 40) ranging from what would equate in our world to their freshmen to junior years at an Academy, a setting that before I started these books just made me groan based on previous experiences with same. But Tullbane makes it work… and so very well at that!! Sure, there are some very necessary - and very nasty - adults of all ages spread throughout. But these stories - whilst trying to capture the experiences of super-powered YA types - still gets it right in that they are just that: young persons doing their best (?) to become not-quite-so-young or even officially older persons. So sure, if you're not willing to accept the fact that these "creatures" are hormonal, regularly ill-tempered and hell-bent on self-destructive activities half the time - not to mention the PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE AND EXPECTED use of some variation of the words fvck and sh!t a cumulative 4,972 times throughout the trilogy (yes, I counted) - then maybe you need to try stories with ponies and happy green meadows on the cover where the most trying decision of the MC will be with whom one should go to the dance with. Because despite this world (we're back talking about "OTS" btw) having been dream-slapped into the topsy-turvy actuality it is, well, this is about as real as things get. And (a) no, I'm not so old that I don't remember that mostly because (b) this is how old my own kids are!
HOWEVER (and by now you should be prepared for a mild spoiler) … despite all this "preparation", Book 3 quickly leaves the academy and heads off on a rootin' tootin' adventure in what was the Midwest of the Yoo Ess of Ay! Your first reaction might deservedly be "what the actual fudge" and, well, I agree because I kind of reacted just like that the first time I saw it (horses? REALLY?). But can you imagine? The sheer testicular fortitude and risk that Tullbane took by doing that to this series at this stage is mind-boggling to say the least! But again, it works so freakin' well! The Powers that continue with us during this ride are allowed to shine and blossom more than they ever would have back at school or with a set team. And the situations, scenes and mysteries they encounter along the way… have I said "wow" in the past few sentences? Let's just put it this way: The Weaver (all caps btw) and her minions are alone with the price of admission ... but you're going to get 10 - 20 times that, trust me. And that's just to mention by name only one of many of the explosive scenes we're treated to in a book that brilliantly mixes all that's going on into a cohesive and very well-paced story that just explodes at the end unlike anything you can prepare yourself for! And that epilogue. Oh man, where did I put my tissues? For blowing my nose and wiping my eyes, sheesh, get your YA-esque minds out of the gutter!
In conclusion, I think you can sense I LOVED this book! Now, I'd like to step back and talk specifically about the author for a moment. According to the site proclaiming the "reads that are good", I have completed everything this young author has released AT LEAST once. That includes by my count 6 full-length novels and 3 equally well-written novellas. I know that the release dates of his offers is a little out-of-whack in terms of when he started writing the actual books (to my knowledge, the "John Smith" series was started first at Château Tullbane) but that's really immaterial. What should be said - and why I think ALL OF YOU should become fans of this young man - is that his writing is only getting better and better with each book of both (for now) of his series. Not to say they started off bad, no, anything but. However, Mr. T here has the chops to really knock your reading socks off (get a pair, they're so comfy!). His writing speaks to me, his characters sometimes speak through me and at no point have I found myself bored or anything less than thrilled to enjoy his work! He is definitely a talent to watch for hopefully many many years to come! And if you can't tell: I can't fucking wait for the next book to come out.
Do yourself a favor: join us! You'll be glad you did! P.S. Wow!
I want to cover several aspects raised by what could be the last full-length book in Chris Tullbane's immortal "Murder of Crows" series, a descriptive I do not add lightly (um, the immortal bit). I don't want to give away too much here at the beginning but stick with me, it's going to get deep:
First, this book if taken alone - and if you wanted to for some inexplicable reason only read this book (do yourself a favor and please don't) you probably could without too much trouble - is a triumph. 'Nuff said... but I will keep going anyway. There is a mix here of "stand up and cheer" victory among so much action added together with really, REALLY emotional scenes that will have you keeping your tissues within easy reach. Rarely does a contained series of stories maintain an ever-increasing level of suspense, growth of its cast and emotional involvement along the way like this one has … and "One Tin Soldier" is just the perfect exclamation point to end at very least this story-line on. If you're a fan of the super-hero genre, you'll simply LOVE this book, these characters and this part of the multi-verse! If you're not a fan of this genre, well, this might be the series that finally convinces you to join us!
And I say all this as a diehard dude who for the last 50+ years who has devoured literally hundreds if not thousands of comics and graphic novels along with countless books (for example, I read ALL the "Doc Savage" pulps!) and movies along the way, too. But "Murder of Crows" really stands out among all of these and I can say unequivocally (after looking up how to spell that word) that it does so as simply one of the very best! Damian and his abilities - "I am my power. My power is me. We are the same." - are among the most uniquely thrilling, frightening and, yes, calamitous that you'll find anywhere or anytime in any of these media. Tullbane really encapsulates the tone in his must-read "Author's Note" at the end: "Damian’s tale has always been one of battle against terrible odds. His childhood, his power, his peers, and the conspiracies he was born into… This was always going to be a tragedy." But the ultimate victory along the way that this young man achieves, well … again, my own limited repertoire of writing ability just has to suffice by saying "wow"!
That brings up another aspect of this book that Tullbane just nails perfectly. This is after all a story about KIDS (which qualifies to me at my age as anyone under 40) ranging from what would equate in our world to their freshmen to junior years at an Academy, a setting that before I started these books just made me groan based on previous experiences with same. But Tullbane makes it work… and so very well at that!! Sure, there are some very necessary - and very nasty - adults of all ages spread throughout. But these stories - whilst trying to capture the experiences of super-powered YA types - still gets it right in that they are just that: young persons doing their best (?) to become not-quite-so-young or even officially older persons. So sure, if you're not willing to accept the fact that these "creatures" are hormonal, regularly ill-tempered and hell-bent on self-destructive activities half the time - not to mention the PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE AND EXPECTED use of some variation of the words fvck and sh!t a cumulative 4,972 times throughout the trilogy (yes, I counted) - then maybe you need to try stories with ponies and happy green meadows on the cover where the most trying decision of the MC will be with whom one should go to the dance with. Because despite this world (we're back talking about "OTS" btw) having been dream-slapped into the topsy-turvy actuality it is, well, this is about as real as things get. And (a) no, I'm not so old that I don't remember that mostly because (b) this is how old my own kids are!
HOWEVER (and by now you should be prepared for a mild spoiler) … despite all this "preparation", Book 3 quickly leaves the academy and heads off on a rootin' tootin' adventure in what was the Midwest of the Yoo Ess of Ay! Your first reaction might deservedly be "what the actual fudge" and, well, I agree because I kind of reacted just like that the first time I saw it (horses? REALLY?). But can you imagine? The sheer testicular fortitude and risk that Tullbane took by doing that to this series at this stage is mind-boggling to say the least! But again, it works so freakin' well! The Powers that continue with us during this ride are allowed to shine and blossom more than they ever would have back at school or with a set team. And the situations, scenes and mysteries they encounter along the way… have I said "wow" in the past few sentences? Let's just put it this way: The Weaver (all caps btw) and her minions are alone with the price of admission ... but you're going to get 10 - 20 times that, trust me. And that's just to mention by name only one of many of the explosive scenes we're treated to in a book that brilliantly mixes all that's going on into a cohesive and very well-paced story that just explodes at the end unlike anything you can prepare yourself for! And that epilogue. Oh man, where did I put my tissues? For blowing my nose and wiping my eyes, sheesh, get your YA-esque minds out of the gutter!
In conclusion, I think you can sense I LOVED this book! Now, I'd like to step back and talk specifically about the author for a moment. According to the site proclaiming the "reads that are good", I have completed everything this young author has released AT LEAST once. That includes by my count 6 full-length novels and 3 equally well-written novellas. I know that the release dates of his offers is a little out-of-whack in terms of when he started writing the actual books (to my knowledge, the "John Smith" series was started first at Château Tullbane) but that's really immaterial. What should be said - and why I think ALL OF YOU should become fans of this young man - is that his writing is only getting better and better with each book of both (for now) of his series. Not to say they started off bad, no, anything but. However, Mr. T here has the chops to really knock your reading socks off (get a pair, they're so comfy!). His writing speaks to me, his characters sometimes speak through me and at no point have I found myself bored or anything less than thrilled to enjoy his work! He is definitely a talent to watch for hopefully many many years to come! And if you can't tell: I can't fucking wait for the next book to come out.
Do yourself a favor: join us! You'll be glad you did! P.S. Wow!
November 27, 2021
Great until the end
Sorry, don't want to spoil it for anyone, but the ending was not what I expected or wanted. I will say the third book was true to the series until the epilogue. I guess Mr. Tullbane saw a way to close and wants to move on, I get it. It is just a hell of a way to end it, that's all. Thanks for the series, I really did enjoy it. Maybe I'll get lucky and there will be a book 4, wouldn't that be grand!
Sorry, don't want to spoil it for anyone, but the ending was not what I expected or wanted. I will say the third book was true to the series until the epilogue. I guess Mr. Tullbane saw a way to close and wants to move on, I get it. It is just a hell of a way to end it, that's all. Thanks for the series, I really did enjoy it. Maybe I'll get lucky and there will be a book 4, wouldn't that be grand!
November 9, 2021
best
One of the best books I’ve read to close one of the best series. Definitely worth the read loved getting to know these characters gonna be sad seeing them go.
One of the best books I’ve read to close one of the best series. Definitely worth the read loved getting to know these characters gonna be sad seeing them go.
September 30, 2022
“ I don’t give a fuck about the world if my friends aren’t in it.”
CHRIS!!! I'M....YOU!!! NO. Just call me Silt because I can't leave Damian.
*Sigh*
I don't even know what to say. I have loved our little crow since the beginning. Seeing him just want to be more than the stereotype of what a crow will be, and slowing finding people who see him as a just a dickhead and not a potential time bomb of death.
In this one it's a bit of a road trip. Damian has "volunteered" to intern in the Badlands bringing food to the towns that just want to do their own thing. We have a couple of people we already know come for the ride and meet some knew character, both good and bad.
My personal favorite is the Weaver we only get about 2 chapters of her but her presence is just so powerful to me that I would absolutely let her eat me. 🤷🏼♀️ Thank you mommy 😂
And we have plenty of cursing and death because come on it's Damian what do we expect?
I personally find it hard to give the review I want on this book because I don't want to give things away that made me so absolutely hyped....and I probably would just sound like a rambling 3 year old telling you about this really cool toy I seen. So just do it! Come on over to the post-break world.
CHRIS!!! I'M....YOU!!! NO. Just call me Silt because I can't leave Damian.
*Sigh*
I don't even know what to say. I have loved our little crow since the beginning. Seeing him just want to be more than the stereotype of what a crow will be, and slowing finding people who see him as a just a dickhead and not a potential time bomb of death.
In this one it's a bit of a road trip. Damian has "volunteered" to intern in the Badlands bringing food to the towns that just want to do their own thing. We have a couple of people we already know come for the ride and meet some knew character, both good and bad.
My personal favorite is the Weaver we only get about 2 chapters of her but her presence is just so powerful to me that I would absolutely let her eat me. 🤷🏼♀️ Thank you mommy 😂
And we have plenty of cursing and death because come on it's Damian what do we expect?
I personally find it hard to give the review I want on this book because I don't want to give things away that made me so absolutely hyped....and I probably would just sound like a rambling 3 year old telling you about this really cool toy I seen. So just do it! Come on over to the post-break world.
August 2, 2022
So we don’t get to see much of the academy in this one and in fact we’re largely dealing with many new characters in this volume. While I missed some of the more regular characters this was also a good change of pace and really set #3 away from the rest of the series.
There’s far too much to say and easily spoil about the ending, but I will say that despite some mixed feelings it was probably the best conclusion we could hope for as readers for Damian’s character with a particularly nice finish right at the end.
The most impressive thing honestly was that as I reached 80% I could not figure out how the author was going to conclude the book with so many loose ends left. But I’ll be damned he did it in a pretty organic way as the story suddenly goes into overdrive and threads tighten and bring characters and their stories together.
Overall it’s a fantastic series, it’s both funny and dark without getting depressing and the whole thing moves without getting bogged down.
If you enjoy mature superhero fiction or general urban fantasy I’d certainly recommend the series.
There’s far too much to say and easily spoil about the ending, but I will say that despite some mixed feelings it was probably the best conclusion we could hope for as readers for Damian’s character with a particularly nice finish right at the end.
The most impressive thing honestly was that as I reached 80% I could not figure out how the author was going to conclude the book with so many loose ends left. But I’ll be damned he did it in a pretty organic way as the story suddenly goes into overdrive and threads tighten and bring characters and their stories together.
Overall it’s a fantastic series, it’s both funny and dark without getting depressing and the whole thing moves without getting bogged down.
If you enjoy mature superhero fiction or general urban fantasy I’d certainly recommend the series.
December 6, 2021
I feel just a tad robbed.
Spoilers: It's absolutely criminal that we didn't get that last conversation between the 3 of them. With like 10 more pages written I could have had some nice beautiful closure. I really just want more from all of these characters so badly, everything feels so unfinished. To some extent that's a great compliment to the author for making so much compelling, and the ending was by no means bad it just feels premature. But if the author didn't want to make this a 10 book series, that's their right it's just that I wanted it to be one and now I'm sad. But it was really good and highly worth a read.
Spoilers: It's absolutely criminal that we didn't get that last conversation between the 3 of them. With like 10 more pages written I could have had some nice beautiful closure. I really just want more from all of these characters so badly, everything feels so unfinished. To some extent that's a great compliment to the author for making so much compelling, and the ending was by no means bad it just feels premature. But if the author didn't want to make this a 10 book series, that's their right it's just that I wanted it to be one and now I'm sad. But it was really good and highly worth a read.
January 23, 2022
An excellent conclusion to the series. The book turns the expected plot up until now on its head, bringing you to a new place for Damian to grow and expand his powers into what we all knew he needed to be by the end. More of an adventure book than the previous one, it's great to see places other than Los Angeles expanded on. And while the ultimate conclusion felt a little rushed, and I would dearly love to see the epilogue expanded upon in the future, it was precisely what was needed for the series.
January 15, 2024
"Walker Texas Reaper," shifting from the academy to post apocalypse American wilderness (with zombies). Our storyteller protagonist persists with his pugnacious swagger but sets out on a "Western" adventure filled with relentless action scenes, gore, and plucky anti-hero attitude. A satisfying conclusion
July 31, 2024
3 and a bit, rounded down to 3.
I liked the story, but the ending felt a bit rushed, and not fleshed out enough, if that makes any sense. I was also a bit disappointed by how short the big fight at the end was, and the epilogue left a weird "aftertaste" as well.
Overall, I don't regret reading it.
I liked the story, but the ending felt a bit rushed, and not fleshed out enough, if that makes any sense. I was also a bit disappointed by how short the big fight at the end was, and the epilogue left a weird "aftertaste" as well.
Overall, I don't regret reading it.
November 24, 2021
Great end to a fantastic series!
I wish I had more time to write how much I loved this series, but I don't, so I'll say it this way:
Chris, please write more about this world!
I wish I had more time to write how much I loved this series, but I don't, so I'll say it this way:
Chris, please write more about this world!
July 17, 2022
amazing
Amazing book. Mostly posting a review because I read so many books and didn’t want to forget how much I liked this one.
Amazing book. Mostly posting a review because I read so many books and didn’t want to forget how much I liked this one.
December 3, 2021
My expectations were super high with this one, as I love this author's ability to express interpersonal character dynamics and also his sensible world-building. I'm a fan of prose minimalism, where the author skips over-description in favor of getting straight to the point. And I got invested in Damian. So I was excited to read the wrap up.
Most of this book is a post-apocalyptic adventure. Damian and some friends go through the Badlands, helping innocent people and getting into trouble. Fun stuff. I loved it.
However, as I neared the end, I saw that there was no way to wrap it all up in a satisfying-yet-inevitable way. All of the major series questions were sidelined for most of this book. Who and where is Dr. Nowhere? How can Tyrant be killed? What is up with Her Majesty? Will Damian ever be able to have sexual relations? Why is this trilogy framed with Damian talking to the dead?
It all gets answered with a wham-bam final battle.
But it was too quick. Too casual. It didn't match the depth and careful thought which was put into the rest of the trilogy. Damian was supposed to be better than that. He was too likable to This trilogy gave me expectations that Damian would
Sadly, for me, the final ten chapters or so were more of a cop out than a tragic close.
Most of this book is a post-apocalyptic adventure. Damian and some friends go through the Badlands, helping innocent people and getting into trouble. Fun stuff. I loved it.
However, as I neared the end, I saw that there was no way to wrap it all up in a satisfying-yet-inevitable way. All of the major series questions were sidelined for most of this book. Who and where is Dr. Nowhere? How can Tyrant be killed? What is up with Her Majesty? Will Damian ever be able to have sexual relations? Why is this trilogy framed with Damian talking to the dead?
It all gets answered with a wham-bam final battle.
But it was too quick. Too casual. It didn't match the depth and careful thought which was put into the rest of the trilogy. Damian was supposed to be better than that. He was too likable to This trilogy gave me expectations that Damian would
Sadly, for me, the final ten chapters or so were more of a cop out than a tragic close.
March 14, 2024
This review is for the entire trilogy.
I don’t write a lot of reviews because I’m not great at elaborating on why I did or did not like a book. I either like it or I don’t. This trilogy ,”The Murder Of Crows”, - I liked. A lot. It’s one of the best I’ve read in many years. The Academy, and the student population of kids with special abilities reminded me a lot of X-Men. The biggest reason I loved this trilogy was the care and attention given to the growth of the MC.
l loved reading about his growth as a person, from an angry young teen in a world hostile to him, with powers he didn’t understand, to a young man who was still angry, but who was getting a better grip on his unique abilities and finally realizing that it was ok to care for others and to have others care about him. Take an exceptional MC with amazing supporting characters and a great story and you have a wild, beautiful ride!
I don’t write a lot of reviews because I’m not great at elaborating on why I did or did not like a book. I either like it or I don’t. This trilogy ,”The Murder Of Crows”, - I liked. A lot. It’s one of the best I’ve read in many years. The Academy, and the student population of kids with special abilities reminded me a lot of X-Men. The biggest reason I loved this trilogy was the care and attention given to the growth of the MC.
l loved reading about his growth as a person, from an angry young teen in a world hostile to him, with powers he didn’t understand, to a young man who was still angry, but who was getting a better grip on his unique abilities and finally realizing that it was ok to care for others and to have others care about him. Take an exceptional MC with amazing supporting characters and a great story and you have a wild, beautiful ride!
November 8, 2024
I love the world and characters Tullbane has created with the Murder of Crows series. It’s a story of a broken world, redemption, friendship, growth and saving the world. Since the beginning of the series, we have known how Damian Banach’s journey will end because he told us. The journey was brilliant and I cannot recommend this fantasy superhero series enough. If you enjoy Sanderson, Butcher and Ilona Andrews, this series is for you.
It’s year three at the academy and the best capes are selected to join one of the Cape teams as an apprentice. Before anyone can request Damian, he volunteers to join the expedition into the badlands. You see, Damian owes the Queen of Smiles a favor and she has come calling. He will look for Mr. Nowhere, the one responsible for the Break and all the chaos it rendered.
The badlands sit well beyond the protected borders of the Free States. There you will find communities of humans who stayed in this lawless land. Damian and the others are delivering precious supplies. It was much like I imagined the wild west, with fortresses, and gated towns in the middle of nowhere. Along the way, Damian’s skills grow as we draw ever closer to danger.
The dead, the creatures and dangers we encounter in this lawless land kept me listening into the wee hours. Tullbane does a stellar job of allowing the reader/listener to connect with our protagonist and secondary characters. The obstacles they face and how each reacts differently… some for the greater good and others crying no man left behind. It will make you ponder your own reactions. I loved the inner struggle we bear witness to.
The characters are well developed and flawed. You feel their struggles, wins and loses as they bond. Damian is so much more than his power and the author really allows him to grow despite it all.
The ending delivered an epic battle scene as we learn how the Break occurred and face of a nemesis. We suffer loss, as Damian fully understands his own fate. I felt EVERY emotion. This was an epic trilogy.
If you haven’t yet purchased the audiobooks, I recommend grabbing the boxed set of the Murder of Crows trilogy. It contains the novelette, Only the Dead Remains, which shares what happened after the ending scene of the trilogy. It was all I hoped for, and more.
While the trilogy is over, there are more stories to explore. A Sure Thing, The Storm in Her Smile and The Stars That Sing all take place in the same world and stand on their own. Tullbane just released an all new full-length audiobook set in the same world called The Queen of Smiles. I cannot wait to listen!
Joseph Vernon narrates and elevates the stories by giving voice to each character. He does a remarkable job with Damian, and I highly recommend listening.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
It’s year three at the academy and the best capes are selected to join one of the Cape teams as an apprentice. Before anyone can request Damian, he volunteers to join the expedition into the badlands. You see, Damian owes the Queen of Smiles a favor and she has come calling. He will look for Mr. Nowhere, the one responsible for the Break and all the chaos it rendered.
The badlands sit well beyond the protected borders of the Free States. There you will find communities of humans who stayed in this lawless land. Damian and the others are delivering precious supplies. It was much like I imagined the wild west, with fortresses, and gated towns in the middle of nowhere. Along the way, Damian’s skills grow as we draw ever closer to danger.
The dead, the creatures and dangers we encounter in this lawless land kept me listening into the wee hours. Tullbane does a stellar job of allowing the reader/listener to connect with our protagonist and secondary characters. The obstacles they face and how each reacts differently… some for the greater good and others crying no man left behind. It will make you ponder your own reactions. I loved the inner struggle we bear witness to.
The characters are well developed and flawed. You feel their struggles, wins and loses as they bond. Damian is so much more than his power and the author really allows him to grow despite it all.
The ending delivered an epic battle scene as we learn how the Break occurred and face of a nemesis. We suffer loss, as Damian fully understands his own fate. I felt EVERY emotion. This was an epic trilogy.
If you haven’t yet purchased the audiobooks, I recommend grabbing the boxed set of the Murder of Crows trilogy. It contains the novelette, Only the Dead Remains, which shares what happened after the ending scene of the trilogy. It was all I hoped for, and more.
While the trilogy is over, there are more stories to explore. A Sure Thing, The Storm in Her Smile and The Stars That Sing all take place in the same world and stand on their own. Tullbane just released an all new full-length audiobook set in the same world called The Queen of Smiles. I cannot wait to listen!
Joseph Vernon narrates and elevates the stories by giving voice to each character. He does a remarkable job with Damian, and I highly recommend listening.
This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
April 14, 2025
An unreserved five stars. I'm never sure when I start reading a trilogy if I'm going to get to finish it, if the writer managed to keep what they started going for all three books, and then stick the landing. Tullbane did. This is a unique and bizarre take on the sudden introduction of super powers some years previous, and what they do to the world, and I have loved every minute of it. I will be reading the short stories the author's written, and the next trilogy starring a different character, continuing to hope for a similar great time with bizarre characters in a funhouse-changed world.
If you enjoy superheroes, give this series a try, you're welcome.
If you enjoy superheroes, give this series a try, you're welcome.
November 9, 2021
I've enjoyed reading this "Trilogy" and how Damian progress as a charactor over the three books. This third books builds on from what happened in the second book and foreshadows constantly the inevitable tragedy. The adventure into the badland's was interesting in terms on building the character survival skill but felt unguided in terms of building on the character and resulting in unanswered question. The book still left a mountain of question unanswered andI am interested in seeing if/how Chris Tullbane will progress this universe.
November 15, 2021
Amazing
If you're looking at this and haven't read the first two in the series, I highly recommend doing so. They're both great.
But this one's better.
Characters: 7.5/10, with a good arc for the main character.
Worldbuilding: 9/10. A believable, well thought out world. At once hopeless and oddly optimistic.
Writing: 8/10. Good flow, great dialog, and decent prose.
Value: 10/10. I can't think of a better book I've read for the price.
Would recommend to friends, and I'd read three more.
If you're looking at this and haven't read the first two in the series, I highly recommend doing so. They're both great.
But this one's better.
Characters: 7.5/10, with a good arc for the main character.
Worldbuilding: 9/10. A believable, well thought out world. At once hopeless and oddly optimistic.
Writing: 8/10. Good flow, great dialog, and decent prose.
Value: 10/10. I can't think of a better book I've read for the price.
Would recommend to friends, and I'd read three more.
November 27, 2021
Dark, gritty and witty.
If you like dark, cynical protagonists, this is the series for you.
It ended way took quickly for me, but the ride was great.if I could have given it 6 stars I would have.
Damien, the protagonist, is an abused or detested ( by
almost everyone in his life) student with a major " defect". As the realist that he is, his attitude is f ya if you can't take a joke. He meets everything with darkly humoristic take on life.
Read this book,just read the damn thing...
If you like dark, cynical protagonists, this is the series for you.
It ended way took quickly for me, but the ride was great.if I could have given it 6 stars I would have.
Damien, the protagonist, is an abused or detested ( by
almost everyone in his life) student with a major " defect". As the realist that he is, his attitude is f ya if you can't take a joke. He meets everything with darkly humoristic take on life.
Read this book,just read the damn thing...
December 22, 2021
A spectacular ending to this binge read-inducing series!
I loved the character development and the finely woven thread joining all the pieces of the narrative together. Do not expect fake heroics or against-all-odds scenarios; the author has opted for something a lot closer to the realities of human nature and devastating consequences.
I sincerely hope that we don't have to wait too long to read more about Damian and his friends, because I definitely want more!
I loved the character development and the finely woven thread joining all the pieces of the narrative together. Do not expect fake heroics or against-all-odds scenarios; the author has opted for something a lot closer to the realities of human nature and devastating consequences.
I sincerely hope that we don't have to wait too long to read more about Damian and his friends, because I definitely want more!
January 4, 2022
Super powered wild wild west apocalypse
This series started as a necromancer type of super powered teen named Damian and ended as something way stranger and so much more. This final book is mostly like a wild West cowboy with super abilities which only adds to Damian's story. The wishful part? Hoping that we hear more in the future about the characters who survived the post-apocalypse explosive climax.
This series started as a necromancer type of super powered teen named Damian and ended as something way stranger and so much more. This final book is mostly like a wild West cowboy with super abilities which only adds to Damian's story. The wishful part? Hoping that we hear more in the future about the characters who survived the post-apocalypse explosive climax.
November 13, 2021
absolutely riveting
What the thrilling conclusion of the murder of crows lacks in pacing more then makes up for in thrills, character development, and tears. A satisfying end to a beautiful series, if a bit rushed. Would have loved to see more exploration of the lore surrounding this broken world.
What the thrilling conclusion of the murder of crows lacks in pacing more then makes up for in thrills, character development, and tears. A satisfying end to a beautiful series, if a bit rushed. Would have loved to see more exploration of the lore surrounding this broken world.
November 16, 2021
thrilling conclusion to the series
I told myself I’d take my time as I read this book, but as usual Chris Tullbane weaves the kind of story you can’t seem to put down. They type that makes you say “ eh I’ll stop in an hour” and now it’s 6am and you have to be to work in two hours. Following Damien’s story across the trilogy was exciting and Heartbreaking. Damien Banach you will be missed.
I told myself I’d take my time as I read this book, but as usual Chris Tullbane weaves the kind of story you can’t seem to put down. They type that makes you say “ eh I’ll stop in an hour” and now it’s 6am and you have to be to work in two hours. Following Damien’s story across the trilogy was exciting and Heartbreaking. Damien Banach you will be missed.
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