Ravensoul (Legends of the Raven 4) [Paperback]

"As always, there are desperate rear-guard actions, extreme violence and cliff-hanger risk taking that makes Indiana Jones look like a cringing couch potato. Dialogue and banter are realistically snappy throughout. Barclay delivers the goods. Rousing stuff." 4/5 (David Langford SFX )

"Bowling along at a brisk pace, Ravensoul's plot is standard gamer fare with a neat SF twist. It's a tribute to the clarity of Barclay's writing that we never lose track of what's happening. His affection for his characters and empathy for his readers shine though every page. A cleverly crafted meditation on what happens to old heroes. A clever, middle-age enjoyable day dream." (DEATHRAY )

The unknown warrior thought his days with the Raven were long behind him, until Hirad Coldheart, dead for ten years knocks on his door . . . The dead are not at rest. Something has travelled from far beyond the dimension which has Balaia and Calaius at its heart. It feeds off Manna. And without Manna all of Balaia and the spirit realms that surround it will collapse into nothing taking the living and the spirits of the dead with it into the void. This new threat cannot be reasoned with, it is heedless to threats or entreaties. Ethereal and so advanced it barely registers its prey as sentient it is bringing doom with it. Balaia, barely recovered from the demon onslaught is thrown into chaos as the dead walk the streets and hope fails. It is left to the Raven, both dead and alive to take their courage and their faith in each other into the spirit realms for one last fight. James Barclayt has returned to the landmark series that made his name - this is the book that all his fans will have been waiting for.

The Raven: The final stand.

NOT EVEN DEATH CAN STOP THEM

The Unknown Warrior has spent last ten years mourning his dead - those of the legendary mercenary band, The Raven, who fell in battle. As the reluctant ruler of Balaia, he has also presided over the gradual recovery of his land after the devastation wreaked by the Demonstorm. The other survivor from The Raven, Denser, has spent those years rebuilding Xetesk to be the dominant college of magic.

But something is wrong. The Elves are fleeing their homeland, as rumours of the dead coming back to life . . . of something that has so terrified the spirits of the dead that they are returning to Balaia. And amongst them are The Raven's fallen. The legendary band are together again - just in time to face a battle that cannot be won . . .

'Novels that you want to read again and again' DAVID GEMMELL

'The fantasy equivalent of the Magnificent Seven' SFX

www.jamesbarclay.com

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

James Barclay is in his early forties and lives in Teddington with his wife. He is a full-time writer.